The $40,000 Chain Reaction (USA, Episode 54)

[dougmorrisontheair]

David, I think an A's coming up.










(ding)

Yes -- A-L-P-H-A -- and I should clarify there's at least one more letter after that second A.

[Bryan]

(Well foot)

[gameboy2000]

ALPHABET

[dougmorrisontheair]

Looks like Bryan figured it out a little too late -- because ALPHABET is right for David.









(ding; audience applause)

David, the next solution puts you at the halfway point to victory -- *and* the bonus money link is within reach if you want to go there.


gameboy2000
Bryan

[gameboy2000]

I'll take a letter under ALPHABET

[dougmorrisontheair]

David's going for the extra cheddar...










(ding)

...with an S.

[gameboy2000]

Soup

[dougmorrisontheair]

SOUP is right.









(ding; audience applause)

David, in addition to a big lead, you've just won as a cash bonus -- $2000.

(audience cheers)

And you're still in control, David. How do you play it?


gameboy2000
Bryan

[gameboy2000]

I'll take a letter below SOUP.

[dougmorrisontheair]

David keeps it and takes...









(ding)

...the letter J.

[gameboy2000]

No guess

[dougmorrisontheair]

No guess. Bryan, a little dose of hope. The unsolved links in the chain represent $1500 up for grabs. Solve them both and we'll have a close game going into Round 3.

With that, how do you play it?

[Bryan]

I'll take a letter under SOUP!

[dougmorrisontheair]

Perhaps on a hunch, Bryan's taking...









(ding)

...J-O.

[Bryan]

Probably a dumb guess but JOURNEY

[dougmorrisontheair]

When the lights -- go out -- while eating my soup. (scattered laughter from crowd) I remember that song well.

JOURNEY's incorrect -- but it's better than throwing out no guess at all.

We're back to David.

[gameboy2000]

I'll take a letter under SOUP.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Third letter for David...









(ding)

...J-O-E -- and I will clarify there's at least one more letter after the E.

[gameboy2000]

Joey

[dougmorrisontheair]

(cuckoo bird sfx)

Form of the word or words in that link. David, we give you one more chance to guess.

[gameboy2000]

No guess

[dougmorrisontheair]

(buzz)

Doesn't want to take a second chance. Wait -- wrong show. (scattered laughter from crowd) Anyway, Bryan, with some intel, how do you play it?

[Bryan]

Take above OPEN. POETRY

[dougmorrisontheair]

Ah ha, playing a little strategy. Let's see if this works.









(ding)

Bryan, above OPENING POETRY, there's a C.

[Bryan]

CUP

[dougmorrisontheair]

Not CUP. Sorry.

David, open board -- and, again, the link starting J-O-E is incomplete.

With that, how do you play it?

[gameboy2000]

I'll take a letter over OPENING POETRY.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Above OPENING POETRY for David...









(ding)

...C-A.

[gameboy2000]

Card Sharks

[dougmorrisontheair]

That's it. CARD SHARKS.









(ding; audience applause)

The original series' episodes were known for their opening poetry -- some poems submitted by viewers of "Card Sharks".

Okay, David, we had a slight scoreboard malfunction. The score is now correct.


gameboy2000
Bryan


You actually have $3500. The link starting J-O-E remains incomplete. And it's now worth a total of $1000.

Who gets the next letter?