The $40,000 Chain Reaction (USA, Ep. 26)

[dougmorrisontheair]

(Bump for Nels.)

[nelson17]

I'll take a letter above tea

[dougmorrisontheair]

Nels take the next letter...









(ding)

...which is an E.

[nelson17]

I got nothing

[dougmorrisontheair]

No guess from Nels -- means we're back to Frank.

[grapebuy789]

I'll take a letter above Tea.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Frank takes...









(ding)

...an X.

[grapebuy789]

Texas!

[dougmorrisontheair]

TEXAS is right.









(ding; audience applause)

All right, players, there's one link left. It starts with Z, pertains to SLEEPING BAG and TEXAS. Link's now worth a total of $500 -- $250 for the right solution and another $250 for completing the chain.

This will mean either a tie score or a big lead for Frank.  Frank, you've got the control. Who gets the next letter -- you or Nels?


nelson17
grapebuy789

[grapebuy789]

I'll take the next letter.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Champ tries to complete the chain...









(ding)

...with another Z.

[grapebuy789]

Is it ZZ Top?

[dougmorrisontheair]

It *IS* ZZ Top and you've completed the chain.









(ding; audience applause)

Let's recap the chain.

A snooze sack might be considered a sleeping bag. "Sleeping Bag" is the title of a hit song by the legendary rock band ZZ Top -- which formed in Houston, Texas. "Texas tea" is a nickname for oil. Boston was the site for a historic tea party. And if you really like to have fun at parties, you're likely a party animal.

That's your chain. Frank leads 1250 to 250. Nels, we're upping the ante as we set up our second chain; a couple of good guesses from you can tie up the score.

Our second round chain starts with...









(ding)

...JASON and it ends with -- and we had to shorten this tremendously -- MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE.

Again, we're connecting from JASON to MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE.

Each link in the chain is now worth $500. Completing the chain awards another $500. Bonus money's in that middle link. Solve it correctly for a cash bonus of $250 per letter in that link. Remember, the bonus money from that center link doesn't apply to the score of the game.

Frank, we left off with you. Would you like to give or take a letter below JASON or above MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE?

[grapebuy789]

I'll take a letter below Jason, please.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Okay, Frank, your first letter under JASON...









(ding)

...is the letter A.

[grapebuy789]

Alexander

[dougmorrisontheair]

That's right.










(ding; audience applause)

Some of you might remember Jason Alexander voiced the title role of "Duckman" here on USA in the mid-1990s. Frank, big lead. Where to?


nelson17
grapebuy789

[grapebuy789]

I'll take a letter under Alexander.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Frank keeps it and takes...









(ding)

...the letter T.

[grapebuy789]

The Great

[dougmorrisontheair]

Talking about the great guess. You're right again.









(ding; audience applause)

Frank now with a $2000 lead over Nels. Frank, bonus money's in reach if you're interested. Will you give or take a letter below THE GREAT or above MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE?


nelson17
grapebuy789

[grapebuy789]

I'll take a letter under The Great.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Champ wants to keep the run going...










(ding)

...with the money link that starts with L.

[grapebuy789]

Luck?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Not LUCK. Nels, control comes back to you. Believe it or not, if you can run the rest of the round, we'll have a tie ballgame.

Will you give or take a letter below THE GREAT or above MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE?

[nelson17]

i'll take a letter under the great

[dougmorrisontheair]

Nels tries for the money...









(ding)

...with L-A.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(Bump for Nels.)

[nelson17]

Lakes?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Great guess. LAKES is right.









(ding; audience applause)

Not only do you narrow the score, Nels, you also pick up a bonus of $250 per letter in LAKES -- or $1250.


(more applause)

Now back to the matter of monies that matter to the score. How do you play the chain?


nelson17
grapebuy789