Lucky Numbers (ABC; Episode 33)

[dougmorrisontheair]

We're starting a new game of Lucky Numbers.

bighornbattle returns with two wins and $8300 in cash. We're seeking George Custers's next opponent.

Regular waiting rules are now in effect. Please see www.DougMorris.net/lucky for more details.

[bighornbattle]

The 2-time champ is here.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Now we seek a challenger. Bypassing qualifying. You in?

[bighornbattle]

Who?

[GameShowNetwork]

I'll play

[dougmorrisontheair]

Thanks, Mark. It's showtime.

---

WABC - NEW YORK CITY

Staff announcer: Live with Kelly and Mark -- tomorrow morning at nine.

---

(opening theme plays)

Bill Kennedy: It's time to play -- Lucky Numbers.

Ladies and gentlemen -- Doug Morris.

(audience cheers)

Thank you, Bill Kennedy and helloooooo, everybody. Welcome to Lucky Numbers.

Our contestants test their luck with the numbers -- by rolling these unpredictable dice to uncover words, names, and common expressions. The sooner they can identify them correctly, the more money they will win.

At the end of the game, the winning contestant rolls for lots of cash and amazing prizes in our main event.

(audience cheers)

Our champion has done well in the main game -- but wants to prove the third time's the charm in the main event.

Please make welcome our challenger, Mark Liotta -- and our champion, with total winnings of $8300 in cash, George Custer.

(audience cheers)

Mark, warmest of welcomes to the dice table. Please tell us about yourself.

[GameShowNetwork]

I'm 36 years old, I'm from Toronto and I enjoy game shows and playing video games

[dougmorrisontheair]

Ah, nice to have you here from Toronto. Good luck to you today.

And George, good luck to you as well. You've played this main game well. But the main event's been a bit of a nemesis. Think you'll make a comeback today?

[bighornbattle]

I can certainly try my hardest. I brought 5 friends with me. Maybe I can introduce everyone to them before the end of the show today.

[dougmorrisontheair]

I think a certain generation of viewers is familiar with your friends. We'll meet them if you win again.

Players, good luck to you both.

Mark, you're challenging. You'll start us shortly after we load in this puzzle.

(chime sfx)

Now we've got twelve lucky numbers up there. Behind the numbers is the identity of a person, place, thing, or other common expression.

While the numbers are in no particular order, the letters that are behind the numbers are always in their correct spots.

The sooner you can solve, the more money you can win. Each puzzle's starting value in this first round is $1500. We take away $100 for each letter revealed.

Mark, please be our guest -- and roll away.

(audience cheers as...) (Mark rolls)

And you're starting with a 5.

Mark, in this game, you may choose the 5 -- or choose enough numbers that total 5.

[GameShowNetwork]

4 and 1

[dougmorrisontheair]

(chime sfx)

Starting with an L and an N.

Mark, the roll of a 4 is unlucky. This means it cannot played. In this game, any mistake -- whether it's an unlucky roll or an incorrect guess of the puzzle -- means your opponent gets control of the game and picks up a free letter automatically courtesy of the highest remaining number on the board.

So, with that, Mark, you may guess for $1300, roll again, or pass to George and hope the champ rolls a 4.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(Bump for Mark)

[GameShowNetwork]

I'll roll

[dougmorrisontheair]

(audience cheers as...) (Mark rolls)

And the roll's a 6 this time.

The only way to play this *is* the 6 -- so...

...you get a G -- and the danger zone widens a bit. Rolls of 4 and 6 are unlucky.

Mark, you may guess for $1300, roll, or pass the dice.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(time passes)

(buzz)

No move in time -- so that counts as a mistake.

George, you're in the game now -- as we reveal the highest remaining number of 12.

(ding)

And it's a G. Rolls of 4 and 6 remain unlucky.

George, you may guess for $1100, roll, or pass the dice back to Kourtney.

[bighornbattle]

I would love to guess. GOLDEN BRIGHT.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(buzz)

Good guess with that much info -- but that's incorrect. So, Mark, you're back in business. Highest remaining number of 11 gives us...

(ding)

...a D. And the unlucky rolls are still 4 and 6.

Mark, you may guess for $1000, roll again, or pass the dice.

[GameShowNetwork]

I'll roll.
(Also, my apologies on the missed deadline. Didn't realize it was still my turn)

[dougmorrisontheair]

(audience cheers as...) (Mark rolls)

And the roll's a 9 this time.

More than one way to play it.

[GameShowNetwork]

7 and 2

[dougmorrisontheair]

(ding)

And we get an E and a T -- and more unlucky rolls.

Rolls of 2, 4, 6 and 7 cannot be played.

Mark, you may guess for $800, roll again, or pass the dice.

[GameShowNetwork]

I'll solve.

GOLDEN
NUGGET

[dougmorrisontheair]

(buzz)

Sorry -- that's also incorrect. George, we're back to you. Now, the highest remaining number of 10...

(ding)

...gives us an H. And the danger zone widens.

The 10 joins the 7, 6, 4, and 2 among unlucky rolls.

George, you may guess for $700, roll, or pass the dice back to Mark.

[bighornbattle]

GOLDEN BLIGHT.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(buzz)

'Fraid that's not either. Mark, you get another shot. Now, 9's the highest remaining number -- and it happens to hide the first letter in the second word. This may be vital. Let's see.

(ding)

It's a K. Danger zone's so wide, Mark, it's best to focus on the rolls that work -- 3, 5, 8 and 11.

So, Mark, you may guess for $600, roll, or pass the dice back to George.

[GameShowNetwork]

I think I have it now, so I'll guess again.

GOLDEN
KNIGHT

[dougmorrisontheair]

(ASB win cue plays; audience applause)

By jove, we finally got it.

$600 on your side of the ledger, Mark. Yours to keep no matter how the game ends. (chimes; audience cheers) And that sound means you have a chance at a follow-up question for $500.

Mark, if you answer it correctly, the five bills are yours. If you miss, George gets a chance to capitalize and make this a near tie game.

So, Mark, for $500...

In professional hockey, one of the Vegas Golden Knights' biggest fans is this winner of the first "Jeopardy! Masters" tournament. Your goal is to name this self-proclaimed game show villain.

[GameShowNetwork]

James Holzhauer

[dougmorrisontheair]

James Holzhauer is right.

(audience cheers)

Mark's up to $1100. George, you'll get a chance to catch up -- when we all come back from this break. Meet us back here at the dice table, everybody.

(commercial cue plays; audience applauds)