$ale of the Century [NBC]: Episode 27

[palmer7]

Stacey's back! Yay! And so is Michael Clifford. He has $435 in his bank, meaning he's $10 away from the cruise and $95 away from that Aston Martin. Who wants to challenge him?

[Deleted]

Checking in for another big win! 

[palmer7]

Who wants to play? Anyone?

[mringgenberg]

I do

[palmer7]

Welcome back, Matt. We need one more.

[marc412]

Try, try again...

[palmer7]

(NBC Nightly News headline bed)
(shot of Michael Clifford on a screen as Brian Williams stands next to it)



Brian Williams: On our broadcast today, Marlton, New Jersey native Michael Clifford returns with a total of $435 in his bank. He is only $10 away from a cruise around the world....






$95 away from an Aston Martin convertible valued at $156,289....



and one step closer to all the prizes plus a cash jackpot of $880,000; which would make him the biggest winner in $ale's history. Also today, semi-regulars Marc Enyedy and Matt Ringgenberg return. The question today: Who will win? $ale of the Century begins now.





(NBC Nightly News intro plays...)






Bill Wolff: (VO) From Sunset Bronson Studios in Los Angeles, this is $ale of the Century. Hosting today: Brian Williams.



(the doors open and Brian walks to his lectern)







Brian: Thank you. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to this special April 1st edition of $ale of the Century. I am Brian Williams, and right now, the biggest thing going for me is that my daughter stars in a series on HBO. (audience laughs) Greg Palmer is on assignment doing what was my job. That's why he's not able to make it today. We have what Greg told me is a fine champion, and let's welcome Michael Clifford. (audience cheers)


Greetings, Michael. Welcome back.

[palmer7]

Brian: What's the matter? Do I intimidate you?

[Deleted]

It's great meeting you, Mr. Williams.  BTW, I thought your announcer was Michael Douglas.

[palmer7]

Brian: They suspended him the same time they suspended me. Anyway, you've got $435 in your bank, so as I mentioned at the top of the show, you could easily win the cruise around the world or even the car. Are you ready to begin?

[palmer7]

Of course he is. And here to introduce the challengers is Rachel Maddow.


(Rachel walks out wearing a very butch outfit, to audience reactions)






Brian: Rachel! What's the matter with you? I thought you were actually going to wear a dress to the show.


Rachel: A dress? Pfft! Really, Williams? I would've thought you'd know me better than that. I'm the butch one in my family.


Brian: I believe the term is "civil union", Ms. Maddow. Now will you please attempt to give this program the respect it deserves?


Rachel: OK, OK, simmer down there. I'll introduce the contestants.


(as Rachel introduces the contestants, models of the opposite sex escort them to their seats)


Rachel: First, he's a courtesy clerk from Council Bluffs, Iowa. Say whazzup to Matt Ringgenberg. And he's a data entry coordinator. From Riverside, New Jersey, let's give a big round of sound to Marc Enyedy. (cheers and applause)



(Brian points the way out) Brian: Please leave, now! (Rachel leaves as Brian crosses and composes himself) ....Marc. It's nice to have you on our panel today. I understand you're from Trenton. Have you ever been up to Middletown?

[marc412]

Your hometown, right? Can't say as though I have. (And I'm not from Trenton--I just work there. I live about 40 minutes south.)

[palmer7]

Oh, well that's a shame. Hmm.... so you have a long commute, eh? I understand. What keeps you going through that, and is there anything else you'd like to share?

[marc412]

Well, I ride the train to work and back so I can usually relax a little.

[palmer7]

That's nice. Good luck to you today. 


Now Matt, you're a courtesy clerk from Council Bluffs, Iowa. Part of the American Heartland. Surely there must be more than that to you. 

[mringgenberg]

Yes. I happen to do the clerking at a supermarket.

[palmer7]

....Yes, and I assume you do a very good job of it.

[mringgenberg]

Yes I do.

[palmer7]

All right, then. Good luck to you all. You each get $20 to start.



(the board initializes)






Marc: $20
Matt: $20
Michael: $20




Three Ms today. Questions are worth $5. Here we go.



1. Starting with "N", what is a system of computing devices and resources connected with cables or wireless radio waves?
2. How many vowels are in the word "turpentine"?
3. Tradition holds that placed on the head of Jesus before his crucifixion was a crown of what?
4. What word describes a popular British sport and a chirping insect?
5. Which member of The Odd Couple was portrayed by Walter Matthau and now by Matthew Perry?




(buzzcodes and answers, please)

[palmer7]

1. Starting with "N", what is a system of computing devices and resources connected with cables or wireless radio waves?
(buzzcode: 14)
*Matt buzzes in (44)*
Matt?
Matt: Network
That is correct. You're first off the mark.
(ding)


Marc: $20
Matt: $25
Michael: $20




2. How many vowels are in the word "turpentine"?
(buzzcode: 62)
*Matt buzzes in (33)*
Matt?
Matt: 4
U, E, I, and E, in that order. Right again.
(ding)


Marc: $20
Matt: $30
Michael: $20


3. Tradition holds that placed on the head of Jesus before his crucifixion was a crown of what?
(buzzcode: 53)
*Michael buzzes in (37)*
Michael?
Michael: thorns
Yes.
(ding)


Marc: $20
Matt: $30
Michael: $25




4. What word describes a popular British sport and a chirping insect?
(buzzcode: 43)
*Michael buzzes in (37)*
Michael?
Michael: cricket
Correct. You're now in a tie for first.
(ding)


Marc: $20
Matt: $30
Michael: $30




5. Which member of The Odd Couple was portrayed by Walter Matthau and now by Matthew Perry?
(buzzcode: 96)
*Matt buzzes in (87)*
Matt?
Matt: Oscar Madison
You picked the right one, and you lead by five.
(ding)


Marc: $20
Matt: $35
Michael: $30



[INSTANT BARGAIN]


It's time for an Instant Bargain. The player in the lead can buy bargain merchandise. Matt, that would be you. A $5 lead, $35 to spend, and Rachel.



(a group of KNBC-TV reporters gather around this laptop and cheer Mitch on as he plays with this prize)





Rachel: Matt, if you're a complete technogeek like I am, you'll love this prize. Experience unbeatable mobile gaming performance on the new ASUS Republic of Gamers G751 gaming laptop, now featuring a 4th-gen Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M graphics. With ASUS TurboMaster technology, the G751 offers stable GPU overclocking along with an optimized dual-fan cooling system that keeps everything cool even in the heat of battle. Booting Steam and recording your gameplay has never been easier thanks to the new quick-access keys. This notebook comes with 1 year Accidental Damage Protection which covers accidental drops, spills, power surges and fire damage for the first year. Furnished by ASUS. And we're including $500 for games and hardware. This package is normally priced at....


$3,499


But today, we're selling it to you for only....


$6



(audience cheers as Brian joins them)


Brian: Shouldn't you all be back at work? Shoo, shoo. (he scatters them away, then turns back to Matt) Matt, what we have here is a nice computer and $500 in cash. I won't sell it to you for $6, but I'll make it $5. You'd be in a tie. $5 going once.......

[mringgenberg]

Sold!

(hits buzzer)

[palmer7]

He's going to buy! (audience cheers, Brian looks delighted) Hooray. I sold something! (he walks back to his lectern) We'll knock the $5 off your score.....




Marc: $20
Matt: $30
Michael: $30


And that puts you in a tie with the champion. A very good purchase, if I do say so myself, and I do. Back with this for all three of you.




1. In the children's nursery rhyme "The Farmer in the Dell", what stands alone?
2. What country was the first to register a patent on polyester?
3. What's the occupation of Nintendo's Mario Brothers?



(buzzcodes and answers, please)

[palmer7]

1. In the children's nursery rhyme "The Farmer in the Dell", what stands alone?
(buzzcode: 84)
*Matt buzzes in (25)*
Matt?
Matt: The Cheese
The cheese is right, and you've just paid for your computer.
(ding)


Marc: $20
Matt: $35
Michael: $30



2. What country was the first to register a patent on polyester?
(buzzcode: 61)
*Michael buzzes in (33)*
Michael?
Michael: The UK?/England?
Both are right. And again we have a tie.
(ding)


Marc: $20
Matt: $35
Michael: $35


3. What's the occupation of Nintendo's Mario Brothers?
(buzzcode: 69)
*Michael buzzes in (48 )*
Michael?
Michael: they're plumbers
Correct, and you pull into the lead.
(ding)


Marc: $20
Matt: $35
Michael: $40



[FAME GAME]


It's time for the Fame Game. We're playing, not for dollars, but for control of the Fame Game board. We're looking for a famous person.



I am a musician whose real name is Peter Gene Hernandez. I was raised in the Waikiki neighborhood of Honolulu. I am one of six children and came from a musical family who exposed me to a diverse mix of reggae, rock, hip hop, and R&B. At age four, I began performing five days a week with my family's band, The Love Notes, in which I became known on the island for my impersonation of Elvis Presley. I later began playing guitar after drawing inspiration from Jimi Hendrix. I adopted my stage name from the nickname my father gave me, adding the last name to give it some pizzazz. I signed to Motown Records in 2004, in a deal that "went nowhere" and a conversation with Will.i.am's management who turned out fruitless. It proved to be beneficial to my career when I met songwriter and producer Philip Lawrence, who was also signed to the label. I released my debut extended play, titled It's Better If You Don't Understand, on May 11, 2010; and my first studio album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans on October 4, 2010.


(buzzcode and answer, please)

[palmer7]

(buzzcode: 73)
*Michael buzzes in (48 )*
Michael?
Michael: Bruno Mars
Correct, sir. (audience cheers) Nicely solved with limited information, relatively speaking.



Rachel, where is the $10 Money Card?

[tmann3x]

[palmer7]

(lights in motion)


Rachel: Behind the number two.


Brian: The lights are now locked into your buzzer. Good luck, Michael. (a letter from A-I, please)

[Deleted]

Time to say those magic words again:

Big bucks, no whammies, & STOP!!!  (B)

[tmann3x]

[palmer7]

(he stops)


Stop at $10!


(fanfare)
(the camera flashes between Michael and the $10 Money Card)
(cheers and applause)



Nicely done, Michael. We add the $10 to your score.



Marc: $20
Matt: $35
Michael: $50



You're now $45 away from that Aston Martin, with a $15 lead over the champ. You know, this is a lot more satisfying than covering wars. We'll be right back.


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


------------------














--------------------

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



Brian: Now now, please don't adjust your sets. I am Brian Williams. Greg Palmer will be on NBC Nightly News tonight doing Lester's job. I know, it scares me, too.



Marc: $20
Matt: $35
Michael: $50



As far as scores are concerned, Michael has a $15 lead over Matt, thanks to a $10 Money Card. We're back with this for $5.


1. What soft drink's name, when translated into Chinese, was: "Bite the wax tadpole"?
2. Which side is the green third of the Italian flag located on?
3. What Civil War general had his citizenship restored 105 years after his death?
4. What's the only part of a football field to have protective padding?
5. What 80s sitcom's theme song asked the rhetorical question: "Whatever happened to predictability? The milkman, the paperboy, and evening TV?"


(buzzcodes and answers, please)

[palmer7]

1. What soft drink's name, when translated into Chinese, was: "Bite the wax tadpole"?
(buzzcode: 78 )
*Marc buzzes in (75)*
Marc?
Marc: Coca-cola
That's right, and you finally get off the mark.
(ding)
(audience cheers)


Marc: $25
Matt: $35
Michael: $50


2. Which side is the green third of the Italian flag located on?
(buzzcode: 1)
*Michael buzzes in (15)*
Michael?
Michael: the left side
And that is right, er, correct. You go to $55.
(ding)


Marc: $25
Matt: $35
Michael: $55



3. What Civil War general had his citizenship restored 105 years after his death?
(buzzcode: 42)
*Michael buzzes in (51)*
Michael the only one to hit the buzzer....
Michael: Robert E. Lee
You are right!
(ding)


Marc: $25
Matt: $35
Michael: $60



4. What's the only part of a football field to have protective padding?
(buzzcode: 72)
*Matt buzzes in (65)*
Matt?
Matt: Goalpost
You are correct.
(ding)


Marc: $25
Matt: $40
Michael: $60



5. What 80s sitcom's theme song asked the rhetorical question: "Whatever happened to predictability? The milkman, the paperboy, and evening TV?"
(buzzcode: 19)
*Matt buzzes in (34)*
Matt?
Matt: Full House
Which used to run on NBC Daytime in the summer of '91. You're right.
(ding)


Marc: $25
Matt: $45
Michael: $60




[INSTANT BARGAIN]



It's time for another Instant Bargain, and Michael, you have a $15 lead. First opportunity to buy.... this.


(Shannon hulas while Grant feasts on poi)



Rachel: Michael, answer the call of the islands on your trip to Hawaii! You and a guest will fly round trip first class from Los Angeles to Maui-Kahului for an 8-night stay at the Kapalua Villas Condominium. Outstanding beachfront villas nestled within a working pineapple plantation, surrounded by emerald green fairways, and bordered by a dramatic coastline of lava peninsulas and secluded bays. The Kapalua Villas Condominium.


Plus, explore Hawaii's coral gardens, sea turtles, and other colorful sea creatures at depths up to 100 feet. And, take an exciting tour of the entire island by helicopter, and enjoy a luau feast, open bar and a dynamic 75-minute Hawaiian/ Tahitian show. Plus, we've included a rental car, Sky Club passes, and travel insurance. Furnished by Delta Vacations. Aloha! This trip is normally priced at....





$11,469


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


$10



(audience cheers as Brian joins them, Shannon puts a lei on him and kisses him on the cheek)


Shannon: Aloha.


Brian: Well well. I just got leied. (audience laughs) Michael, this is a fantastic trip to Hawaii. I've been there myself, and it's wonderful. You'll love it. Everything is first class, you even get a luau and a helicopter tour. Wonderful trip. (Shannon gives him a drink in a coconut shell, Brian takes a sip of it) Mmmm.... good. Michael, I'm not going to beat around the bush. This over $11,000 trip only costs you $10 here. You have a $15 lead, so if you bought, you'd still have a one-question lead. That being said, I won't touch the price. I will, however, offer you $3,000 in cash. A $14,469 trip plus cash for $10. Going once... going twice.... (audience shouts suggestions)