$ale of the Century thoughts/feedback
Apr 14, 2022 2:44:37 GMT -5
asja2002, pathfinder20, and 1 more like this
Post by billmcdee on Apr 14, 2022 2:44:37 GMT -5
Lately I've been "Jones"ing for Jim Perry's $ale of the Century.
I've always been very fond of the fast paced trivia part of the show.
I was in 10th grade during the school year from Sept. 1982 - June 1983.
I was rather ill toward the end of the Christmas vacation from school. I had to stay home on New Year's Eve 1982 into 1983. Usually my Mom and I would go to my favorite aunt's house and do games and stuff with her and my cousins, but sadly I wasn't able to that year.
The illness lasted into the first week of 1983, and I was home sick and I watched the debut of $ale of the Century with Jim hosting and his first hostess, Sally Julian. I even re-watched the first episode a few days ago. She was "okay" but became rather annoying. Later on they had Lee Menning (former Las Vegas Gambit dealer) and then finally Summer Bartholemew, who did a sensational job. She was the best hostess in my humble opinion.
The show definitely improved over time. Sadly I think perhaps they tinkered with it a bit too much. I realize that I am the pot calling the kettle black making that statement LOL.
Originally, only 1 money card, $25 was on the Fame Game board. And the original Fame Game board had 9 celebrities from the three major networks, plus some motion picture stars featured on the board.
They improved upon that by first, using the numbers 1 through 9, thus replacing the faces. Then improved on it more by having the first Fame Game with a chance at a $10 money card, then adding $15 and finally the $25 for the final Fame Game later on.
I guess to me it's a push about the selection from the Fame Game board. Picking a number was fine, but doing the flashing lights Press Your Luck style and exposing the money card in advance was not bad either.
It still amuses me when the Fame Game selection is a "lame" prize, and the player tries to act happy about it. I liked it better when they had cash prizes up on the board instead.
During the early days of the show, the game ended with just 3 final questions. So if a player had a $20 lead or more, it was rather anti-climactic.
The introduction of the Speed Round was a brilliant addition! A terrific way to end an already fast paced game even faster! And more shopping dollars (later just scoring dollars) were made available.
I remember the first episode and the "bonus round" which was the shopping round. Players could take one level prize and leave or risk it and continue playing on. A rather interesting idea which really tied into the entire "Sale" premise. Yet I found that left me wanting more.
Evidently the powers that be felt similarly and the second (and I believe best) end game was the Winner's Board. Ten grand prizes, including $3,000 cash, $10,000 cash, an automobile, and 7 other luxury prizes on a 20 numbered board. Uncovering the first pair of prizes won that prize. The added challenge of there being just 1 $10,000 card and 1 Car card, but the 2 "WIN" cards helped make it somewhat possible to win those 2 biggies.
I loved the idea of either leaving the show after winning all 10 prizes off the board or risking them all to play one final match to win $50,000.
Then starting in late 1987 (during Jay Stewart's final week as announcer), they introduced the Winner's Big Money Game. Players won a grand prize for winning the match which was fine, and they got to win additional earnings with cash. It was not too bad although after answering a battery of questions to win the main game, it seemed rather taxing for players to have to answer even more questions, in a puzzle style format.
I also remember watching the final episode in March 1989 on NBC. It was interrupted by President Bush (41) rambling on about something and I ended up missing the end! I was so irked! A great many years later I finally got to view the episode in full on youtube. I remember later that day being able to watch Super Password's finale as well.
I preferred the theme used from the end of 1987 until March 1989. Don Morrow as the new announcer, somehow his voice seemed to be the right fit for the new theme. Was very odd hearing Jay Stewart announcing with the new theme, seemed out of place somehow. That being said, Jay was one of the very best, and it saddens me how his life came to a tragic end.
I do wish somehow that this franchise could come back. In a day and age of "big money" game shows currently on ABC on Sunday nights, this could prove to be a fun addition.
I'd love to hear your thoughts/memories about this program.
I've always been very fond of the fast paced trivia part of the show.
I was in 10th grade during the school year from Sept. 1982 - June 1983.
I was rather ill toward the end of the Christmas vacation from school. I had to stay home on New Year's Eve 1982 into 1983. Usually my Mom and I would go to my favorite aunt's house and do games and stuff with her and my cousins, but sadly I wasn't able to that year.
The illness lasted into the first week of 1983, and I was home sick and I watched the debut of $ale of the Century with Jim hosting and his first hostess, Sally Julian. I even re-watched the first episode a few days ago. She was "okay" but became rather annoying. Later on they had Lee Menning (former Las Vegas Gambit dealer) and then finally Summer Bartholemew, who did a sensational job. She was the best hostess in my humble opinion.
The show definitely improved over time. Sadly I think perhaps they tinkered with it a bit too much. I realize that I am the pot calling the kettle black making that statement LOL.
Originally, only 1 money card, $25 was on the Fame Game board. And the original Fame Game board had 9 celebrities from the three major networks, plus some motion picture stars featured on the board.
They improved upon that by first, using the numbers 1 through 9, thus replacing the faces. Then improved on it more by having the first Fame Game with a chance at a $10 money card, then adding $15 and finally the $25 for the final Fame Game later on.
I guess to me it's a push about the selection from the Fame Game board. Picking a number was fine, but doing the flashing lights Press Your Luck style and exposing the money card in advance was not bad either.
It still amuses me when the Fame Game selection is a "lame" prize, and the player tries to act happy about it. I liked it better when they had cash prizes up on the board instead.
During the early days of the show, the game ended with just 3 final questions. So if a player had a $20 lead or more, it was rather anti-climactic.
The introduction of the Speed Round was a brilliant addition! A terrific way to end an already fast paced game even faster! And more shopping dollars (later just scoring dollars) were made available.
I remember the first episode and the "bonus round" which was the shopping round. Players could take one level prize and leave or risk it and continue playing on. A rather interesting idea which really tied into the entire "Sale" premise. Yet I found that left me wanting more.
Evidently the powers that be felt similarly and the second (and I believe best) end game was the Winner's Board. Ten grand prizes, including $3,000 cash, $10,000 cash, an automobile, and 7 other luxury prizes on a 20 numbered board. Uncovering the first pair of prizes won that prize. The added challenge of there being just 1 $10,000 card and 1 Car card, but the 2 "WIN" cards helped make it somewhat possible to win those 2 biggies.
I loved the idea of either leaving the show after winning all 10 prizes off the board or risking them all to play one final match to win $50,000.
Then starting in late 1987 (during Jay Stewart's final week as announcer), they introduced the Winner's Big Money Game. Players won a grand prize for winning the match which was fine, and they got to win additional earnings with cash. It was not too bad although after answering a battery of questions to win the main game, it seemed rather taxing for players to have to answer even more questions, in a puzzle style format.
I also remember watching the final episode in March 1989 on NBC. It was interrupted by President Bush (41) rambling on about something and I ended up missing the end! I was so irked! A great many years later I finally got to view the episode in full on youtube. I remember later that day being able to watch Super Password's finale as well.
I preferred the theme used from the end of 1987 until March 1989. Don Morrow as the new announcer, somehow his voice seemed to be the right fit for the new theme. Was very odd hearing Jay Stewart announcing with the new theme, seemed out of place somehow. That being said, Jay was one of the very best, and it saddens me how his life came to a tragic end.
I do wish somehow that this franchise could come back. In a day and age of "big money" game shows currently on ABC on Sunday nights, this could prove to be a fun addition.
I'd love to hear your thoughts/memories about this program.
