The $40,000 Chain Reaction (USA, Ep. 52, charity bonus game)

[dougmorrisontheair]

Greetings, all. We're starting Episode 52 of The $40,000 Chain Reaction. Some notes are in order.

\ First, bighornbattle returns with two wins and $79,000.

\ Should George Custer win this episode's main game, the champ earns a $15,000 furniture shopping spree.

\ Remember, usually waiting game rules are now in effect -- as are souped up bonuses and consolation prizes. Please visit www.dougmorris.net/chain/ for the rules

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

On September 8, 2023, I hosted Bingo Night in downtown Laurel, Mississippi. What was the number on the first ball I drew? No need to include a letter in "BINGO" with your answer -- just an integer higher than 0 and lower than 76.


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

[bighornbattle]

The 2-day champ is here.

[dougmorrisontheair]

All right. The number's under the I. So if you picked something between 16 through 30 or thereabouts, you've got a shot. Let's see the number.









(ding)

I drew I-18 to start off the night. Who came the closest?


19 pathfinder20


Great job, Kourtney! Off just by one. The $40,000 Chain Reaction's coming up in a bit.

[dougmorrisontheair]

[dougmorrisontheair]

We learned recently Rod Charlebois passed away earlier this year.

Rod was the announcer and co-host of "The $40,000 Chain Reaction" when it aired on USA and Global Television in Canada.

It was based on "The New Chain Reaction" -- which aired concurrently on the networks in the mid to late 1980s.

Rod was also a weather anchor for CFCF television in Montreal. Additionally, he served as a staff announcer at CFCF. Rod spent several years as a radio newscaster, TV news anchor, and program host.

Rod's obituary notes he retired from broadcasting in 1997. He passed away at the age of 79. Our condolences to his family and many friends.

(fade to black)

[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, our current champion completed a $20,000 chain -- and has a chance to win $15,000 worth of furniture in today's main game.

So with that, please make welcome our challenger, Kourtney, and our champion, George, with $79,000.

(audience cheers)

Kourtney, welcome, please tell us about yourself.

[pathfinder20]

I am a Shift Leader for a national food chain from Valdosta, Georgia. I am into interior design, languages, collecting, and music. I am also into different game shows and cultures as well.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Great to have you here from Georgia. Good luck to you today.

George, good luck to you today as well. Should you win today, you'll instantly win a $15,000 gift card from Levitz Furniture.

[bighornbattle]

Awesome.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Well here's what else is awesome. With the victory and a winning score of at least $5000, your total winnings going into the final chain would be no less than $99,000. (scattered cheers) Of course, if you exceed that $5000 goal by at least $1000, or pick up a lot of bonus money from Round 2, you'll have at least a hundred grand in cash and merchandise going into the bonus round.

Of course, you've got to win. Kourtney wants to win. Let's open up the board and play Chain Reaction.

(board opens as part of the theme plays)

The road to $5000 begins with this first round chain. Seven links are in every chain. We'll spot you the top and bottom links in every chain of the main game.










(ding)

And this chain starts with CARD TRICK. It ends with PUDDING.

With the remaining five links, each one is worth $250. Completion of the chain awards a further $250.

Remember, any link may contain more than one word.

Kourtney, you're challenging. Please start us off by giving or taking a letter below CARD TRICK or above PUDDING.

[pathfinder20]

I’m going to take a letter above pudding.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Going above PUDDING, Kourtney...









(ding)

...you're taking the letter R.

[pathfinder20]

RICE

[dougmorrisontheair]

RICE is right.









(ding; audience applause)

"Rice is Right" -- almost sounds like a game show, doesn't it? (scattered laughter from crowd) The first $250 of the game are yours, Kourtney. Chain's still in your command.


pathfinder20
bighornbattle

[pathfinder20]

Let’s give a letter under Card Trick.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Okay, George, you're in the game...









(ding)

...as the challenger gives you the letter M.

[bighornbattle]

Magician.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Mmmm...









(ding; audience applause)

...thought so -- tie ball game.

MAGICIAN is a longer form of the word MAGIC. Anytime something like that happens, we credit the player with a correct solution.

So, George, control of the chain's now yours.


pathfinder20
bighornbattle

[bighornbattle]

I will take a letter below magic.

[dougmorrisontheair]

George keeps it and takes...









(ding)

...another M.

[bighornbattle]

Mike.

[dougmorrisontheair]

MIKE is right.









(ding; audience applause)

George, quickly, you're leading 500 to 250. You're still in control.


pathfinder20
bighornbattle

[bighornbattle]

I will take a letter below Mike.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Champ tries to pad the lead...









(ding)

...with a J.

[bighornbattle]

Judge.

[dougmorrisontheair]

That's it. Wow.









(ding; audience applause)

Okay, George, one link remains. It's now worth $500 -- $250 for the right solution and the other $250 for the completion. This is either for padding of the lead for you -- or a tie game for Kourtney.

Who gets the first letter?


pathfinder20
bighornbattle

[bighornbattle]

I do.

[dougmorrisontheair]

For the completion and a nice lead, George...









(ding)

...it's another J.

[bighornbattle]

Jerry.

[dougmorrisontheair]

You've completed the chain.









(ding; audience applause)

Let's recap this chain.

A card trick is one example of magic. Channing Tatum starred in the "Magic Mike" movies. Mike Judge created "Beavis & Butt-Head," "King of the Hill" and other animated series. "Judge Jerry" was a courtroom series adjudicated by the late Jerry Springer. Jerry Rice was a great NFL wide receiver. And you could enjoy rice pudding for dessert.

That's the first round chain. George leads 1250 to 250. (audience applause) Kourtney, the game is young. We double the stakes in Round 2. So let's set up that Round 2 chain.










(ding)

This chain starts with DRINK and it ends with CROSS-WITS. Each link in the chain is now worth $500.

And the bonus money link in the middle is now worth $500 per letter. Remember -- the bonus money doesn't apply to the score of the game. But as George will attest to, it's nice to walk out of the studio with extra cash.

George, we left off with you. Will you give or take a letter below DRINK or above CROSS-WITS?