The $40,000 Chain Reaction (USA, Ep. 49)

[dougmorrisontheair]

Greetings, all. After an exciting game, we're starting Episode 49 of The $40,000 Chain Reaction. Some notes are in order.

\ First, nelson21 returns with one epic win and $45,750.

\ Because we've had a long period of time between episodes, I'm making an executive decision about a waiting period between episodes. If you played in Episode 47 or 48 -- and/or you're a five-time undefeated champion (Marc Enyedy, Frank Sartori) -- please sit on your hands and let someone else try.

And now, let's play our qualifying question. The player closest to the right answer, high or low, challenges Nels.

On January 8, 2014, at 6:30 p.m. Central, we watched a GSN rerun of "Family Feud". In Fast Money, two members of the winning family didn't reach the goal of 200 points. The family received how much money as a consolation prize? Please respond in increments of $5.


...please PM dougmorrisontheair (that's a me) your answer in 24 hours from now.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Okay, let's see the answer.









(ding)

190 points translate to $950. Who's the closest?


$875 koopakid17


It's Kevin. Chain Reaction starts in a bit.

[dougmorrisontheair]

---

(theme plays; audience applause)

The game is -- The $40,000 Chain Reaction -- where one word leads to another -- and the right word could lead to a big payoff.

(more applause)

Helloooooo, everybody. I'm Doug Morris and welcome to The $40,000 Chain Reaction. On our last show, we crowned a new champion who came from *way* behind.

Please make welcome our challenger, Kevin Kolsen, and our big winner, Nels Snesrud, with $45,750.

(audience cheers)

Let's chat with the champion, first, because you basically won the game in overtime and we didn't have much of a chance to converse then.

Nels, how do you feel after completing one of the most dramatic comebacks in our history -- and then winning 40 grand in the final chain?

[nelson21]

I can't believe it

[dougmorrisontheair]

Well, believe it. You needed to solve three links in Round 4 -- which is unheard-of -- and you pulled it off. Now you defend your crown against Kevin.

Kevin, welcome to our show. Please tell us about yourself.

[koopakid17]

I sure will. My name is Kevin and I’ve been an accountant for about eleven years now.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Ah, an accountant. Obviously, you do well with numbers. Let's see how well you do with letters as we play Chain Reaction.

(board opens as part of the theme plays)

One of you will compete for up to $40,000. Before that can happen, one of you must win this race to $5000 -- which begins with this chain that's opening up -- slowly -- and -- there we go. It's ready.









(ding)

This first round chain starts with SCRANTON and it ends with YEN. Five links are in between. Each link contains at least one word -- possibly more.

Each link is worth $250. Completing the chain is worth an additional $250. And when a new round starts, we increase the stakes.

Kevin, you're challenging. This means you'll start by giving or taking a letter below SCRANTON or above YEN.

[koopakid17]

I will take one below Scranton.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Kevin, you'll be starting this game...









(ding)

...with the letter P.

[koopakid17]

Pennsylvania.

[dougmorrisontheair]

PENNSYLVANIA is right.









(ding; audience applause)

True story: Our top link was originally going to be PHILADELPHIA. However, the newest member of our staff is joining us from -- oddly enough -- Scranton, Pennsylvania. So, to make Emma feel welcome, we started with her hometown.

So with that, Kevin, you're on the board first with $250. And the chain's still in your control.


koopakid17
nelson21

[koopakid17]

I'll take below Pennsylvania.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Kevin keeps it and takes...









(ding)

...the letter D.

[koopakid17]

Dutch.

[dougmorrisontheair]

DUTCH is right.









(ding; audience applause)

Challenger's quickly leading 500 to nil. Chain's still yours, Kevin.



koopakid17
nelson21

[koopakid17]

Okay! I'll continue downward. Take below Dutch.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Kevin's wanting to keep on keeping on...









(ding)

...with the letter A.

[koopakid17]

Hmm... Amsterdam.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Not AMSTERDAM but a great guess.

Nels, welcome to the game. It's your turn to give or take a letter.

[nelson21]

I'll take a letter under dutch

[dougmorrisontheair]

Immanuel, you're taking...









(ding)

...A-U.

[nelson21]

Auction

[nelson21]

I'm Nels not Immanuel

[dougmorrisontheair]

Sorry about that, Nels. And Nels, you're right.









(ding; audience applause)

Nels has 250, Kevin has 500 and I'm at -250.

(scattered laughter from crowd)

Nels, before you make another move, a quick shout-out to Tony Lane. You'll see Tony conduct Dutch auctions from time-to-time when he brings back $ale of the Century to NBC. Whenever players are tied for the lead when the Instant Bargain bell sounds and no one's buzzed in to buy, Tony will gradually lower the selling price. That's an example of a Dutch auction.

So watch for $OTC -- and good luck to Tony and his team.

Now back to our game. Nels, you're still in control.


koopakid17
nelson21

[dougmorrisontheair]

(time passes)

(buzz)

No decision in time.

Kevin, here's what this means.









(ding)

We give you the first letter below AUCTION -- which is an M.

We also give you the first letter above YEN -- which also happens to be an M.

Please be specific in selecting which M link you'd like to guess -- and then give it a guess.

[koopakid17]

I'll guess the M above Yen.

Million.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Million yen -- worth another $10,000 American.

Good guess -- but that's not it.

Nels, you've been granted a reprieve. Now what?

[nelson21]

Take a letter under auction

[dougmorrisontheair]

Nels, you're taking...









(ding)

M-O.

[nelson21]

Motion