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

[gameboy2000]

I'll take it.

[dougmorrisontheair]

To complete and sweep another chain, David...









(ding)

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

[gameboy2000]

No guess

[dougmorrisontheair]

No guess -- means a break for Bryan. Who gets the next letter?

[Bryan]

I do!

[dougmorrisontheair]

If there were ever a good time to get on the scoreboard, Bryan, it's now.









(ding)

J-O-E-L -- and then M.

[Bryan]

JOEL MCHALE

[dougmorrisontheair]

You've completed the chain.








(ding; audience applause)

We're a little pressed for time.

Picking up from the money link, "The Soup", a reboot of "Talk Soup", on our sister network E!, was hosted by Joel McHale. Years later, he hosted a reboot of "Card Sharks" -- which had its own way of opening poetry as a nod to the original series.

Bryan's on the board -- but David has a monster lead going into Round 3.

Find out who wins -- after this.

(theme plays; audience cheers; quick fade to black)

[dougmorrisontheair]

("Second Guess" theme plays)

Doug: (in pre-recorded audio) Any contestant who wins three games in a row receives a $15,000 shopping spree at Levitz Furniture.

Update your home's look with the latest in fine furnishings. The furniture you'll need for your living room, dining room, bedroom, even the patio and more is yours from The $40,000 Chain Reaction and Levitz. You'll love it -- at Levitz.

Doug: For four straight wins, the champion receives a bonus of $40,000 in cash.

And for five straight wins, it's this zombie apocalypse vehicle!

(audience cheers)

This Hyundai Zombie Proof Survival Vehicle comes with a zombie plow with damage-inducing spikes -- as well as armored windows, a trunk full of weapons, spiked all terrain tires, CB radio, and much more. The zombie apocalypse vehicle and a gas card loaded with $140,000 make the total value of this prize package $222,940.

(audience cheers)

Today's contestants will each receive a copy of The $40,000 Chain Reaction home game.

Today's runner-up will also receive great-tasting candies in a roll from Reed's. Individually wrapped in nine flavors, including butterscotch and root beer. Sweets from Reed's.

(audience cheers)

If you know what *we* knew. (scattered laughter from crew) Let's resume action.

Just when it looked like David was going to run away with this game, Bryan finished off the Round 2 chain.

David leads 3500 to 1000 -- but we augment the stakes in Round 3. So let's get right to it.










(ding)

The third round chain starts with FALLING and it ends with COSTUME.

Each link in the chain is now worth $750. Completion of the chain is worth $750.

Remember, it's a race to $5000.   Bryan, you're in control of it right now since you completed the last chain. Will you give or take a letter below FALLING or above COSTUME?

[Bryan]

Take one below FALLING

[dougmorrisontheair]

Bryan starts Round 3...









(ding)

...with the letter S.

[Bryan]

STAR

[dougmorrisontheair]

Falling star -- that's it.









(ding; audience applause)

Okay -- narrows the gap in score a bit. Bryan, you're still in control.


gameboy2000
Bryan

[Bryan]

Take a letter under STAR

[dougmorrisontheair]

Bryan keeps it and takes...









(ding)

...another letter S.

[Bryan]

SEARCH

[dougmorrisontheair]

"Star Search", the talent competition hosted by Ed McMahon in the 1980s. That's it.









(ding; audience applause)

Bryan, suddenly, you're trailing by just $1000. We could have a near tie game. How do you play it?



gameboy2000
Bryan

[Bryan]

Take a letter under SEARCH

[dougmorrisontheair]

Okay, for a *virtual* tie, Bryan, you are taking...









(ding)

...the letter H.

[Bryan]

HIGH AND WIDE

[dougmorrisontheair]

Oh -- great guess -- but that's not it.

David, control is yours for the first time in Round 3.

[gameboy2000]

I'll take a letter above COSTUME.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Interesting move. David, you're taking...









(ding)

...the letter C.

[gameboy2000]

Change

[dougmorrisontheair]

Ohhh -- another great guess -- but it doesn't fit the chain.

We're back to Bryan with an open board.

[Bryan]

Take under SEARCH

[dougmorrisontheair]

Going back the other way, Bryan...









(ding)

...H-I.

[Bryan]

Let’s just try HIGH.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Mmm -- 'fraid not. If it were HIGH -- or HIGH plus something else, the birdie would've sounded.

So -- we go back to David.

[gameboy2000]

I'll take a letter under SEARCH.