$ALE IN IMAX [NBC]: Episode 64 [TOC2 Final Part 1]

[palmer7]

This is it, folks. The first of two games to determine the 2017 Champion of Champions. Will the three champs please check in?


Patseen Punsiri [$145,382]

Steven Anderson [$274,008]

Evan Hatfield [$211,376]

[asja2002]

Ready

[patpun2016]

RRRReady!

[Twentington]

Let's go!

[palmer7]

(I get handed a note) Greg: I've just been handed a note by a random patron in your theater. It reads, "Dear Greg, this movie is long enough. Please don't give us another intermission. Yours truly, Anonymous." Well, OK, then.

---

(Half an hour before the show starts, in an office, executive producer Jennifer Mullin meets with Stacey, Burton, and me.)

Jennifer: So, I understand you wanted to start the finals with "The Star-Spangled Banner", Greg.

Greg: That's right.

Jennifer: ....Yeah, we can't do it. Too much of a flight risk. NFL ratings are down because of this. All it takes is one shot of Burton kneeling and we lose viewers.

Burton: Excuse me, Jennifer? I think that people who spend their money to attend sports events, plays, concerts, and other activities should not be subjected to protests, fights, nor other disruptions. I believe that there are other venues that might better serve protesters and others who wish to communicate their issues and concerns. And, yes, I stand proudly for our national anthem.

Stacey: I'd kneel. (I shoot Stacey a dirty look) What? It's an acceptable form of protest.

Jennifer: Still, the national anthem is a dog whistle right now. Look, Greg, I understand you're a proud Republican and conservative. But this isn't Fox News. What you're trying to do is cause trouble. The show will run as normal. No national anthem, no trying to be patriotic, end of discussion. Now, break a leg.

(The three of us leave.)

---

(drumroll, as we get a shot of the darkened set, the boxes of our nine contenders pop in one by one, filling in the screen.)


Burton Richardson: (VO) This is the $ale of the Century Tournament of Champions. Nine of our biggest money winners are back to compete for cash and prizes worth.... over 2.5 million dollars!

(Losing contestants' faces are replaced with $ale logos, bringing the three finalists into the center)


Our three finalists are Patseen Punsiri, Steven Anderson, and Evan Hatfield!


[MAIN THEME]
(shots of winning contestants)


This week, one of our contestants will win the title of Champion of Champions, and will take home a fortune in cash and prizes including....

This Lamborghini Aventador S and....

$1,000,000 in cash! It's Game 1 of the Finals of the 2nd Annual......




(echo)

And now, here's the star of the show, Greg Palmer!



(the doors open and I run to my lectern to cheers and applause)


Greg: Thank you, Burton. (more cheers and applause) Thank you. Thank you all. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, this is the $ale. And it's the first of two big nights on NBC and wherever else you're watching around the world. These three champions have already won a lot of money, including $50,000 off the Fame Game board. It seems somebody has put $50,000 cash up on the Fame Game board. If that isn't stimulating the economy, I don't know what is. And by the end of this week, they'll win even more money. Third place will get another $50,000 cash. Second place will receive $100,000 in cash. And first place will win that beautiful Lambo, a million dollars in cash, plus a chance at another million with a very special, all-or-nothing Ten-in-a-Row. (audience cheers) Yeah, big money. So, here to introduce the champions is Stacey Wren! (audience cheers as Stacey walks out wearing a very hot dress)


Stacey: G'day, Greg.

Greg: G'day, Stacey. Boy, fourth night in a row you've come out wearing a very hot dress.

Stacey: Have to look good for IMAX, you know.

Greg: Oh, that's right, we are filming this in IMAX. If you're seeing this in a LieMAX theater, I feel sorry for you. Stacey, who are our three champions who are already seated?

["Hyper-Gamma-Spaces"]

Stacey: Well, we determined the seating order randomly backstage, so here they are, going from left to right. First, he's a high school and university student from Bangkok, Thailand who so far has amassed $145,382. Please welcome Patseen Punsiri. Second, he brought all his friends and family from Plymouth, Massachusetts with him. He's a food service manager for a major convenience store chain with a current total of $274,008; here's Steven Anderson. And finally, he's a student originally from Chicago, Illinois with a total so far of $211,376. Please welcome Evan Hatfield.

(cheers and applause)


Greg: OK, let's say hi to these people again. Patseen, you're on your way to the 2018 Olympics in South Korea, but right now, you're in your own Olympics. Take us into your head. What's your game plan?

[patpun2016]

Well, I don't know, just have to do my best and buy good stuffs out of today's show.

[palmer7]

Ah, right. Just remember, if you buy too many good stuffs from us and don't answer enough questions correctly, you won't win. There's always that risk you take whenever you buy anything: you're guaranteed to leave with something but you might not win the game. There's quite a bit of strategy involved. Anyway, good luck to you.

Next, we have Steven Anderson, who won quite a bit on our last show, our final heat. If you recall last episode, he brought his friends and family from Plymouth to join him and they just flooded the stage. I expect they'll do it again if you should win. So, Steven..... take us into your head. What are your thoughts regarding this critical two-game match?

[asja2002]

Good anticipation on the Fame Games will go a long way I think. Some luck on the cashcard definitely went my way last time.
With two great players on either side of me it may be necessary tonight. This is sort of a rematch as well as you have one of the great $ale Champs to my left in Evan. I know I have my work cut out for me tonight and tomorrow night

[palmer7]

Indeed you do. For those who haven't tuned in lately, we recently changed our Fame Games to a six-word puzzle, essentially the ill-fated Winners' Big Money Game. Terrible bonus round, great Fame Game. Good luck to you, Steven.

Now, hi, Evan, same question. What are your thoughts regarding this critical two-game match?

[Twentington]

I think I'm gonna have to exercise a lot more restraint on the Instant Bargains than I did in the heat; with a million bucks on the line, I'm gonna need every score dollar I can get, especially against such formidable opponents.

All things considered, my plan is to just play the best that I possibly can and get as many questions as possible. If it works out, great! If not, then I'm still walking out of here another $50,000 richer at least. One thing's for sure: It's going to be a fantastic final.

[palmer7]

That it will be. And in the meantime, I'll do my best to tempt you with great prizes, just to keep things interesting. Now, gentlemen, if you recall last year, I offered a trip to the leader at the end of the first game. Well, that's not going to be the case this year. We'll play the game out as normal. Then, we'll save the scores from tonight's game and add them to the final scores at the end of tomorrow night's game. The person with the highest score will win a bare minimum of $1.5 million in cash and car. (audience cheers) And later on, Idina Menzel will join us for a cover of a Madonna classic. (audience cheers as we get a shot of Idina in the green room, waving, back to the match)

Stacey: Should be exciting. Good luck to everyone, $20 to start.


(the board initializes)


Patseen: $20
Steven: $20
Evan: $20



(Stacey exits) Greg: We'll see you later, Stace. OK, this is it. Good luck to everyone, first game of this all-important two-game match. Round 1.

1. Which element of the periodic table is named after the sun?
2. What brand of natural bottled mineral water was once dubbed "Earth's first soft drink"?
3. What soccer team won the Premier League in 2004?
4. What movie starred Mel Gibson as William Wallace?
5. What double-word Jim Carrey film was also a hit single by The Castaways?


(buzzcodes and answers, please)

[palmer7]

1. Which element of the periodic table is named after the sun?
(buzzcode: 41)
*Evan buzzes in (54)*
Evan?
Evan: Helium?
Correct, and you draw first blood.
(ding)


Patseen: $20
Steven: $20
Evan: $25


2. What brand of natural bottled mineral water was once dubbed "Earth's first soft drink"?
(buzzcode: 95)
*Steven buzzes in (68)*
Steven?
Steven: Perrier
And lemme tell you, you can't just guzzle one of those things down. You're right, up to $25.
(ding)


Patseen: $20
Steven: $25
Evan: $25



3. What soccer team won the Premier League in 2004?
(buzzcode: 68)
*Evan buzzes in (50)*
Evan?
Evan: Arsenal
Correct, they won the championship in the year 2004. Evan up to $30.
(ding)


Patseen: $20
Steven: $25
Evan: $30



4. What movie starred Mel Gibson as William Wallace?
(buzzcode: 5)
*Patseen buzzes in (25)*
Patseen?
Patseen: Braveheart!
"FREEEEE-DOMMMMMM!!!!!" You're right, and you go to $25.
(ding)


Patseen: $25
Steven: $25
Evan: $30



5. What double-word Jim Carrey film was also a hit single by The Castaways?
(buzzcode: 24)
*Evan buzzes in (29)*
Evan?
Evan: Liar, Liar
Yes, yes. Up to $35.
(ding)


Patseen: $25
Steven: $25
Evan: $35



[INSTANT BARGAIN]


Instant Bargain time, player in the lead can buy bargain merchandise, and.... that's Evan. Well, Evan... you have a $10 lead. You said you were going to exercise some restraint.... speaking of exercise, here's Stacey.


["The Wall", written by Muff Murfin]
(Katy, in workout gear, climbs up this unique treadmill)

Stacey: Evan, these finals are going to be an uphill climb, just like this climbing wall treadmill we're offering. It has a continuously revolving face that enables endless vertical climbs. The face of the wall consists of hand- and foot-holds on individual panels that revolve like an upright treadmill, allowing climbers to scale to the height of Mt. Everest in their own home. The treadwall is motorless and powered solely by the climber's weight, allowing climbers of all skill levels to climb at their preferred pace and stop without pressing any buttons. It's furnished by Hammacher Schlemmer. Plus, we're including $550 in cash for workout gear. This prize package is normally priced at....

But tonight on $ale of the Century, it's yours for only....

(audience cheers as I join them) Greg: Interesting prize here, a climbing wall treadmill. May I try it, Katy? (Katy obliges and gets off, I start climbing) Oh wow.... This is a workout. (I keep climbing, back to Evan) You want to try this, Evan?

[Twentington]

*thinks for a second* Aw, heck, why not? *and I walk over to the Instant Bargain area*

[palmer7]

All right, get on and try it! (I jump off, Evan starts climbing, audience cheers) You're a natural! Keep going. (he keeps climbing) And that's enough. (Evan gets off) Thank you, we now have enough for a promo. Now, Evan, you did quite well. Here's where the real test comes in. I'll lower the price to $5 and throw in... $4,500 in cash. (audience whooooos) That makes it $15,000 for the value of a question. If you are so interested, then please head back to your buzzer and buzz in. $15,000 for the value of a question. (Evan walks back to his buzzer)

[Twentington]

Much as I liked that exercise, I've gotta keep doing *this* exercise if I'm gonna have any chance of winning here: no sale.

[palmer7]

No Sale. That's that, I suppose. Back it goes into the warehouse. Somehow, I knew it was coming, but still... (I walk back to my lectern)

Sometimes I wonder why we even bother. Still, that's my job. Anyway, back to the questions.

1. What was the first American space station to be launched into space?
2. What scientific principle allows a compass to work?
3. Starting with "W", what sport gives competitors three attempts at the snatch?

(buzzcodes and answers, please)

[palmer7]

1. What was the first American space station to be launched into space?
(buzzcode: 88)
*Patseen buzzes in (87)*
Patseen?
Patseen: Skylab!
That's right, and you move to $30.
(ding)


Patseen: $30
Steven: $25
Evan: $35


2. What scientific principle allows a compass to work?
(buzzcode: 97)
*Evan buzzes in (49)*
Evan?
Evan: Magnetism
Precisely, and Evan maintains a $10 lead.
(ding)


Patseen: $30
Steven: $25
Evan: $40



3. Starting with "W", what sport gives competitors three attempts at the snatch?
(buzzcode: 18)
*Steven buzzes in (29)*
Steven?
Steven: Weightlifting
Is exactly right, and Steven jumps to $30.
(ding)


Patseen: $30
Steven: $30
Evan: $40


(cheers and applause)

[FAME GAME]

And we're now up to the Fame Game, one of the critical parts of the show. Fortunes and champions have been made off this board. Round 1, only a $10 Money Card, but should Patseen or Steven get it, either one would tie for first. We're looking for a famous person.


(whoosh as the puzzle board appears on screen)



[_____________] [_____________] [_____________]

[_____________] [_____________] [_____________]


(# of clues and buzzcode, please)

[palmer7]

Ready? Go.



[____"THE_____] [_____________] [_____________]

[_____________] [_____________] [_____________]


(beep)

"The...



[____"THE_____] [___TONIGHT___] [_____________]

[_____________] [_____________] [_____________]


(beep)

Tonight....



[____"THE_____] [___TONIGHT___] [___SHOW"'S___]

[_____________] [_____________] [_____________]


(beep)

Show"'s....


(buzzcode: 37)
*Evan buzzes in (3 clues, 47)*
Evan?

[Twentington]

Johnny Carson?

[palmer7]

(wrong)

Hiyooooo, you're wrong. See, I knew somebody was going to say Johnny Carson. Sorry, Evan. You don't lose any money, but you've opened the door for your opponents. Next clue.


[____"THE_____] [___TONIGHT___] [___SHOW"'S___]

[____VERY_____] [_____________] [_____________]


(beep)

Very....

(buzzcode: 21)
*Patseen buzzes in (45)*
Patseen?

[patpun2016]

Jimmy Fallon?

[palmer7]

(wrong)

It's not Jimmy Fallon, either. Sorry. Steven, you get the remaining two clues. After we reveal them both, we'll give you three seconds to give me an answer. Let's see those last two clues.


[____"THE_____] [___TONIGHT___] [___SHOW"'S___]

[____VERY_____] [____FIRST____] [_____________]


(beep)

First....


[____"THE_____] [___TONIGHT___] [___SHOW"'S___]

[____VERY_____] [____FIRST____] [____HOST_____]


(beep)

Host....

The Tonight Show's very first host.... your three seconds start now.

[asja2002]

Steve Allen

[palmer7]

YES!


(ding)


It is, indeed, Steve Allen. He started his network run on September 27, 1954. Not a lot of people remember that. Good for you, Steven.

Stacey, where's the $10 Money Card?

[tmann3x]

Stacey:  Dead center at number 5.

[palmer7]

(lights in motion)

Greg: Steven, if you hit dead center at #5, you'll be in a tie. The lights are locked into your buzzer. Good luck, and you may fire when ready. (a letter from A-I, please)

[asja2002]

here we go.... STOP!!! (g)

[tmann3x]

[palmer7]

(he stops)

And he stops at $10!


(fanfare)
(cheers and applause)
(the camera flashes between Steven and the $10)


Wow! Dead center, and you got it. We add the $10 to your score....


Patseen: $30
Steven: $40
Evan: $40



And you are now tied for Evan at $40. But it's still anyone's game as we enter round two. And we'll do that right after this break.

(main theme to commercial, cheers and applause, fade to commercial)

---

Greg: Before we get into the cartoon, the lights will not come up when the credits roll. We show you the credits for this cartoon now so we won't have to later on. Stay in your seat if you don't want to miss the rest of this tournament. Thank you.

Greg: Is everyone still here? Good.

---

(fade in, main theme closes, cheers and applause)

Greg: Welcome back to $ale of the Century, and what a big night we're having. It's the first of our two finals games. The final score from tonight's game will be added to the final score of tomorrow night's game to determine the winner.


Patseen: $30
Steven: $40
Evan: $40


And so far, we have Steven and Evan at $40 each, with Patseen at $30. But we still have more questions to go, and here are a few of them:

1. Facebook was first limited to students at what university?
2. During what century was the first Thanksgiving Day celebration?
3. What current late-night talk show host is an Officer of the Order of the British Empire?
4. Where did former NFL star Joe Montana play college football?
5. Which US gangster described himself as a used furniture dealer on his business card?

(buzzcodes and answers, please)

[palmer7]

1. Facebook was first limited to students at what university?
(buzzcode: 52)
*Evan buzzes in (57)*
Evan?
Evan: Harvard
Isn't that just like Harvard? You're right, and you retake the lead.
(ding)


Patseen: $30
Steven: $40
Evan: $45


2. During what century was the first Thanksgiving Day celebration?
(buzzcode: 93)
*Patseen buzzes in (75)*
Patseen?
Patseen: Should be the 17th Century.
Considering it was 1620, it should be, and it is! Up to $35.
(ding)


Patseen: $35
Steven: $40
Evan: $45


3. What current late-night talk show host is an Officer of the Order of the British Empire?
(buzzcode: 87)
*Steven buzzes in (66)*
Steven?
Steven: James Corden
Hard to believe, but it's true. Just don't get on his bad side. You're right for another $5.
(ding)


Patseen: $35
Steven: $45
Evan: $45



4. Where did former NFL star Joe Montana play college football?
(buzzcode: 46)
*Evan buzzes in (48)*
Evan?
Evan: Notre Dame
The pet university of NBC since September 7, 1991. You're right, and you move to $50.
(ding)


Patseen: $35
Steven: $45
Evan: $50



5. Which US gangster described himself as a used furniture dealer on his business card?
(buzzcode: 66)
*Patseen buzzes in (80)*
Patseen?
Patseen: Al Capone!
That's right, and you go to $40.
(ding)


Patseen: $40
Steven: $45
Evan: $50