The $40,000 Chain Reaction (USA, Ep. 27; new)

[dougmorrisontheair]

Not NATURAL. David, who's getting the next letter?

[gameboy2000]

I'll take it.

[dougmorrisontheair]

David's going for a big lead...









(ding)

...with N-E.

[gameboy2000]

New England

[dougmorrisontheair]

Not NEW ENGLAND. Nels, it's back to you.

[nelson17]

I'll take a letter

[dougmorrisontheair]

Another try to tie the score for Nels...









(ding)

...with N-E-O.

[nelson17]

Neon

[dougmorrisontheair]

NEON is right.









(ding)

So, let's recap this chain.

"Livin' on a Prayer" is the title of a hit song by Bon Jovi. At the end of a prayer, a Christian says "amen". Amen Corner can be found from the 11th through the 13th holes at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, home of The Masters. Brent Butt starred in the Canadian-based sitcom "Corner Gas". A noble gas is neon. And former professional athlete Deion Sanders was nicknamed "Neon Deion".

That's our chain and we've got a tie ballgame. $2000 for Nels and $2000 for David. Find out who wins the race to $5000 -- when you come back to The $40,000 Chain Reaction.

(theme plays; audience applause)

[dougmorrisontheair]

(parting gifts cue plays)

Doug: (in pre-recorded audio) Our contestants will receive some of the following.


Billy the Kid fashion coordinates for boys of all ages, from toddlers to teens. Billy the Kid boyswear, available in all leading stores.

One-hundred forty-four square feet of Flintkote peel-and-stick floor tile. Easy to apply -- because the adhesive is on the back. Flintkote peel-and-stick floor tile available in distinctive decorator styles.

Enjoy the luxury of a spa right at home. EssentialBubbles.com has a full line of hand-made bath and body products. Aromatherapy in the palm of your hand, online at EssentialBubbles.com.

And capture your best memories with a Polaroid. The Sun 600, comes with carrying case and coupon for free film.



(audience cheers)

And of course, we have for each on-stage contestant a copy of The $40,000 Chain Reaction. Soon this will come in travel size for those long car trips -- would that you don't play and drive at the same time.

(scattered laughter as Doug tosses home game stage right a la Dawson)

Going into our third chain, we're tied at $2000. We're about to raise the stakes and start Round 3 with this chain.









(ding)

Third round chain starts with EMILY and ends with CALL. Each link in the chain is now worth $750. Completion is worth an additional $750. The game is $5000.

Nels, you completed the last chain. Would you like to give or take a letter below EMILY or above CALL?

[nelson17]

I'll take a letter under emily

[dougmorrisontheair]

Nels goes for the lead...









(ding)

...with the letter P.

[nelson17]

Emily proctor

[dougmorrisontheair]

Lovely actress from "CSI: Des Moines". (scattered laughter from crowd) Or was it "CSI: Canoga Park"? (more laughter from crowd) So many "CSI:" shows; so little time. In any event, PROCTOR's a great guess but incorrect as we go back to David.

[gameboy2000]

I'll take a letter below Emily.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Next letter for you, David,...









(ding)

...P-O.

[gameboy2000]

Post

[dougmorrisontheair]

That's the famous Emily we're thinking of.









(ding; audience applause)

With that, David, you've reclaimed the lead. Chain's still yours.


gameboy2000
nelson17

[gameboy2000]

I'll take a letter below Post.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Challenger tries to pad the lead...









(ding)

...with an O.

[gameboy2000]

Office

[dougmorrisontheair]

Let's play post OFFICE.









(ding; audience applause)

A Don Morrow project from the mid-1960s. David, you're up to $3500. Nels still at $2000. Control's still with you, David.


gameboy2000
nelson17

[gameboy2000]

I'll take a letter under office.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Challenger keeps it and takes...









(ding)

...an S.

[gameboy2000]

Space

[dougmorrisontheair]

SPACE doesn't fit the chain -- but it's a great guess. Nels, let see if you can catch up.

[nelson17]

I'll take a letter under office

[dougmorrisontheair]

[NOTE FROM DOUG: Due to forecasted severe weather for my neighborhoods, I'm taking at least Thursday 4/18 off. Hopefully, I won be off the grid beyond Thursday. Nels' requested next letter will come Friday at the earliest.]

[dougmorrisontheair]

Nels tries to narrow the gap in score...









(ding)

...with S-T.

[nelson17]

Stamp