The $40,000 Chain Reaction (USA, Ep. 28)

[gameboy2000]

In the Night

[dougmorrisontheair]

Not IN THE NIGHT. This is proving to be a stumper. Frank, it's back to you.

[grapebuy789]

I'll take a letter above Hollywood, please.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Leaving the stumper alone. Classic Chain Reaction strategy.









(ding)

Frank, above HOLLYWOOD is an S.

[grapebuy789]

Sign

[dougmorrisontheair]

Hollywood does have a famous sign -- but that doesn't fit this chain. David, we're back to you.

[gameboy2000]

I'll take a letter over Hollywood.

[dougmorrisontheair]

David's going to try to narrow the gap...









(ding)

...with S-T.

[gameboy2000]

Street

[dougmorrisontheair]

Hollywood's known for famous streets -- but that's not it. We're back to Frank.

[grapebuy789]

I'll take a letter above Hollywood, please.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Frank's taking...









(ding)

...S-T-A.

[grapebuy789]

Star

[dougmorrisontheair]

We'll take that. It's actually STARS.









(ding; audience applause)

Another traditional element of Chain Reaction: If the player guesses the singular form of a word and we pluralized it, we'll credit accordingly with a correct answer. Same vice versa.


grapebuy789
gameboy2000


With that, Frank, you've got a $3000 lead. Now it's back to the puzzling link -- which is now worth $1000 -- $500 for the correct guess and the other $500 for completion of the chain. Who gets that next letter?

[grapebuy789]

I'll give it to David.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Okay, David, chance to complete the chain and narrow the gap in score...









(ding)

...with I-N and then T-H-E.

[gameboy2000]

Moonlight

[dougmorrisontheair]

Not IN THE MOONLIGHT.

Frank, who gets that next letter?

[grapebuy789]

I'll take the next letter.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Watch closely, Frank.









(ding)

We have more than two words in the link -- I-N -- then T-H-E -- and then an S.

[grapebuy789]

In The Sky

[dougmorrisontheair]

There we've finally completed the chain.









(ding; audience applause)

Seemed like we were dancing everywhere but the sky until just now. Let's recap the chain.

Chris De Burgh had a hit in the 1980s with the song "Lady in Red". Red Square is a plaza located in Moscow. Four couples can go square dancing. Dani and Lizzy -- twins from Vancouver, B.C., Canada -- had a viral hit with the song "Dancing in the Sky". In the sky, you'll find stars at night. And you'll find celebrities, or stars, in Hollywood.



grapebuy789
gameboy2000


That's our chain. This clash of champions has Frank way out in the lead -- 4250 to 250. Will Frank cruise to victory -- or will David get on a run toward a comeback?

Our third chain starts -- when you come back.

(theme plays; audience applause)

[dougmorrisontheair]

("Action Réaction" theme plays)

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

A $250 gift card from Child World and Children's Palace toy stores, where you'll discover how much less toys can cost. Because as Peter Panda says, it's so nice to know that prices are low and shopping is friendly and fun.

High Point, the gently decaffeinated coffee that gives you smooth taste and deep-brewed flavor without bitterness. Relax with High Point, and savor the smoothness- now with their richest aroma ever.

Domino sugar makes America smile. It adds a sweet touch to whatever you bake or cook, granulated from the finest sugar canes. When it's Domino, you're sure it's pure.

And it's easy to make beautiful pictures with Lite-Brite. Just pop in the colored pegs and follow the patterns. You can even make your favorite characters with these included refills. Turn on the magic of colored lights with Lite-Brite, from Milton Bradley.


(audience cheers)

And we also have this memento of the show -- also from Milton Bradley...

...the home version of The $40,000 Chain Reaction. Each on-stage contestant and a lucky member of the audience take one home.

(Doug tosses it stage right like Richard Dawson did with the FF home game back in the day) (scattered laughter from crowd)

Okay, back to the game. Frank Sartori, our designated challenger, has actually won a couple of games previously -- and as you can see by the score, he didn't have to knock off a lot of rust. He's leading our current champion, David Barkow, $4250 to $250.

David, we have more than $4000 available in this round. So if you can run the chain, it's basically going to be a new ballgame going into a fourth chain.

However, Frank, you can win it right here with any correct solution. Let's set up the third round chain.










(ding)

And the third chain starts with CARROT and it ends with TONTO. Each link in this round is worth $750. Completion of the chain awards another $750.

The game is $5000 -- and the game could be won right here with Frank -- who has the all-important control.

[grapebuy789]

Let's try taking a letter above Tonto, please.

[dougmorrisontheair]

For the win, Frank,...









(ding)

...it's an H.

[grapebuy789]

Horse?

[dougmorrisontheair]

If it's HORSE, you reclaim the championship.






































(buzz)









No. It's not HORSE. David, break for you.

[gameboy2000]

I'll take a letter above Tonto.

[dougmorrisontheair]

David, let's see if you can make a comeback...









(ding)

...with H-A.

[gameboy2000]

Happy