Top Card: Pilot Episode - Paramount Network

[dougmorrisontheair]

At long last, we're ready to start the pilot for Top Card.

For the rules -- or at least a sketch of the rules -- please visit www.dougmorris.net/cards.

We'll bypass a qualifying question and simply ask -- you in? First three NGCers to respond get to play.

[billmcdee]

Count me in sir.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Okay, we've got Bill. Who else?

[GMNick]

I'd like in!

[dougmorrisontheair]

Welcome Bill, Nick, and -- who else?

[nelson21]

Me

[dougmorrisontheair]

---

(opening theme plays)

Thank you, Steve Anderson. Helloooooo, everybody, and welcome to our debut of Top Card from one of the most exciting cities on the planet -- fabulous Las Vegas!

(audience cheers)

We are delighted to bring the game of knowledge, strategy, and luck of the draw here to Vegas. And here to help us is renowned Baccarat dealer -- sure to be a renowned Top Card dealer -- Miss Jackie McQueen.

(audience cheers)

Doug: Jackie, welcome to the Top Card family.

Jackie: Thank you, Doug. Great to be here -- and welcome back to Las Vegas.

Doug: Thanks -- it's an honor to be back here. I've been here on business a couple of times. And really -- they've been business trips.

(scattered laughter from crowd)

Jackie: Surrrrre.

Doug: Honest! I've also brought one of my other shows to Vegas for an all audience game special. Who came here to play on this sneak preview special?

Jackie: We welcome Bill McDee, Nick Roche, and Nels Snesrud.

(audience cheers)

Doug: Welcome, players, to Las Vegas. Let's chat before we begin the competition. Bill, please tell us about yourself.

[billmcdee]

I am 57, I live near historic Washington Crossing Pennsylvania with my wife of 33 years and our son who just turned 25 recently.







For the past 5 years and change I have been employed by a small business in town that sells equipment for first responders, mainly for their vehicles.







My primary duty is entering orders into the computer system that we receive through e-mails from our clients, but also do alpha and numeric filing, daily and monthly financial reports, data base management, proofreading and reconciling in house purchase orders.







In my spare time I enjoy watching vintage sitcoms and TV programs from the 1950s through the 1990s, as well as a huge game show fan. As a matter of fact I own two replica decks of cards from the old TV show Gambit as well as a regular sized red and blue deck of replica Card Sharks cards as well which I enjoy using!

[dougmorrisontheair]

Sounds like a nice variety of interests.

We'll have to check with the producer. Is a replica deck of Top Card cards among the goody bags for our players?

(scattered laughter from crowd)

They're on it.

Good luck to you, Bill.

Nick, please tell us about yourself.

[GMNick]

I’m Nick Roche, I’m from Miami, Florida, and I run trivia games at various conventions and events. I’ve been a lifelong fan of game shows and STAR TREK, and being something of a “trivia sponge”, I’ve managed to combine my loves into something I enjoy doing. I’ve also tried my hand at hosting a few one-shot games here on the Forum over the years, and I’m excited to be on this side of the game for once!

[dougmorrisontheair]

Great to have you here from South Florida. I *really* want to visit that part of the state. I've been to Central Florida several times. Had plans to visit Pensacola earlier this year -- but had to cancel.

We'll be testing your trivia sponge momentarily. Good luck, Nick.

Rounding out the panel is Nels. Welcome. Please tell us about you.

[nelson21]

I’m from golden Valley Minnesota I’m a cashier at target

[dougmorrisontheair]

Great to have you here, Nels -- and good luck to you. 

Minnesota vs. Florida vs. Pennsylvania in our sneak preview of Top Card from Las Vegas.

(theme plays)

Friends, we need to take a break. When we return, Round 1 will commence. So -- stay right there.

(audience cheers)

[dougmorrisontheair]

(audience cheers)

Welcome back to Top Card.

Again, the best of luck to Nels, Nick, and Bill.

The object of the game is to hit 21 or come the closest to that number without busting. Along the way, you'll have to answer toss-up questions from these categories.

Our categories in this special preview are Comic Relief, What Happens in Vegas (scattered woos from crowd), Three of a Kind, Four-Letter Words, Time Tunnel, Color My World, Smith or Jones -- and -- (scattered laughter from crowd) -- Can I Have a "P", Please?

(more laughter from crowd)

Now before the show, we took a special deck of ten cards, ace through 10, gave it a good shuffle, and dealt one card behind each category.

Chime in with the correct answer -- and you'll decide between the card behind the chosen category -- or the top card of a full 52-card deck in front of Jackie.

Whether or not you take the top card, the card and category up here on the board then leave the round.

Once you've collected a card, you'll have another decision -- choose another category, or, if you're in a position to bust, you may freeze. And that's important because the first player to freeze gets to make the last move of the round if necessary.

A round can never end in a tie. And an ace is always worth -- how much, Bill?

[billmcdee]

Uno!  Translated into One!

[dougmorrisontheair]

Yes -- one -- just like the old days.

This ensures that 21 can be hit in at least three moves.

Now, we normally start with the champion picking first...

...but since we don't have a returning champion and under the Las Vegas version rules, we're going to start with a toss-up question for control of the game only.

Chime in with the right answer and you'll pick the first category. But if two of you miss, the player left standing picks the first category.

Again, best of luck to all and away we go with this.

Three, four, or five. How many gold medals did Jesse Owens win at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin?

---

(Players, please PM me your answer and a buzz code from 1-100.)

[dougmorrisontheair]

Three, four, or five. How many gold medals did Jesse Owens win at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin?

22 nelson21
-- GMNick
36 billmcdee
32 random.org


(Bill rings in)

Bill?

[billmcdee]

4

[dougmorrisontheair]

Four is right.

(audience cheers)

Okay, now the cards are in play, Bill. So are the categories. Please pick one.

[billmcdee]

Well since my name is Bill and I've been called many in my lifetime, FOUR LETTER WORDS please Doug.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(scattered laughter from crowd)

Ohhh kay. Four-Letter Words question coming up.  Everyone's in the game again.

It's Darrin O'Brien's stage name; he had a number-one hit in 1992 with "Informer". It's also something that comes with a winter storm. What is this four-letter word?

---

(Players, please PM me your answer and a buzz code from 1-100.)

[dougmorrisontheair]

It's Darrin O'Brien's stage name; he had a number-one hit in 1992 with "Informer". It's also something that comes with a winter storm. What is this four-letter word?

10 nelson21
49 GMNick
66 billmcdee
39 random.org


(Nick rings in)

Doug: Nick?

Nick: Snow.

Doug: That's right.

(audience cheers)

Doug: Let's see what's behind Four-Letter Words for you, Nick.

It's -- a 4. Logical. Would you like this or the top card?

(audience shouts suggestions)

[dougmorrisontheair]

(Bump for Nick)

[dougmorrisontheair]

It's -- a 4. Logical. Would you like this or the top card?

(audience shouts suggestions)

(time passes) (buzz)

Okay -- no decision in time from Nick. So, we'll make the excutive decision of giving Nick the 4 from the board.

And we'll also have our producer pick the next category.

(inaudible reaction)

We're going a question from Comic Relief.

Sure, we can do that.

Take a look at the monitor and unscramble the first and last name of this comedy legend.

---

(Players, please PM me your answer and a buzz code from 1-100.)

[dougmorrisontheair]

50 nelson21
-- GMNick
42 billmcdee
17 random.org


(Bill rings in)

Bill?

[billmcdee]

Bob Hope

[dougmorrisontheair]

That's it.

(audience cheers)

A lot of great memories he created throughout the decades.

Let's see what's behind Comic Relief for you, Bill.

There's a 6. Want the 6 or the top card?

(audience shouts suggestions)

[billmcdee]

I'll go with the Top Card please Doug.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Away goes the 6. Jackie gives you this, instead.

(Jackie lifts top card)

(scattered groans)

A 4.

Well -- we've got a tie ballgame. But, round can't end in a tie. So, Bill, please pick another category.

[billmcdee]

I must go for CAN I HAVE A "P" PLEASE?