Top Card: Pilot Episode - Paramount Network

[dougmorrisontheair]

Think of the reaction you'd experience when you win $1,000,000 in Top Card Plus.

That'll happen in a bit.

Nick, we have to have to say farewell. But we say farewell with $5000 in cash. I know people who've *lost* $5000 playing card games here in Vegas. So to come out five large to the good is saying something.

Five large and this applause are yours, Nick Roche.

(audience cheers)

We're going to give Nels a moment to relax -- while we give Bill a chance to win some cash in Vegas. Our consolation round's coming up on Top Card. Stay close.

(audience cheers)

[GMNick]

Thanks for the game! Good luck, Nels!

[nelson21]

Thanks nick good game

[dougmorrisontheair]

Steve: Closed captioning for Top Card is provided by...

[dougmorrisontheair]

[REAL WORLD NOTE FROM DOUG: We're getting a better idea of what Francine will do for our neighborhoods. Heavy rain should start Wednesday evening and end sometime Thursday morning.

With that, we'll move forward with billmcdee 's consolation game -- but with untimed downs at least for a little while.]

[dougmorrisontheair]

(audience cheers)

Welcome back to Top Card. We'll see Nels in just a bit for Top Card Plus.

But right now Bill McDee is here for a new feature to the Las Vegas version of Top Card -- the consolation round.

Each of your opponents is $5000 richer in this game. We want to give you a chance at $2500 in a game we call...

...Fiesta Del Siete.

Here's how the game works. With a newly-shuffled deck of cards, you'll determine whether the value of the top card is more or less than 7.

In keeping with the main game rules, aces are still worth 1 each. Face cards are worth 10 each. End result -- everything will balance out.

If you make three correct predictions before you make three incorrect predictions, you win the $2500.

(audience cheers)

Now, to spice things up a bit, each time a 7 *does* come up, no matter the call, that automatically counts as a correct prediction.

(audience cheers)

However -- in a further aim at balance, we shuffled in *four* jokers.

(audience groans)

So -- again -- no matter the call -- if a joker's the top card, that counts as an automatic wrong answer.

One more thing, Bill. In the interest of further Spanish flair. The Spanish words for "more" and "less" respectively are "más" and "menos". So if you're thinking the top card is worth more than 7, say "más"; if it's less, say "menos".

With that, we wish you "buena suerte" -- which is Spanish for "good luck."

Bill, is the top card more or less than 7?

Más o menos?

(audience shouts suggestions)

[billmcdee]

Menos is my first prediction.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Menos. Jackie, we're looking for an ace through 6, please.

(Jackie lifts top card)

(ding) (audience cheers)

Ace -- it's worth 1 -- definitely "menos".

Now, Bill, to better help us keep score...

...we award you this "sí" card on the board. "Sí" is the Spanish word from yes. So if you get three of those, you win. You just don't want three "no" cards; that would be a loss.

With that, Bill, is the top card more or less than 7?

Más o menos?

(audience shouts suggestions)

[billmcdee]

I'll go menos again.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Menos otra vez.

Jackie, once again, we're looking for an ace through 6, please. A 7 would be really nice.

(Jackie lifts top card)

(buzz)

(audience groans)

Queen -- that's not going to work. Should've gone "más".

There's your first "no". Still time for two more "sí" cards.

Let's keep the fiesta going, Bill. Is the top card more or less than 7?

Más o menos?

(audience shouts suggestions)

[billmcdee]

I'll stick with menos which makes me think of Mentos!

[dougmorrisontheair]

Ah. Menos -- el fabricante fresco.

(scattered laughter from crowd)

Jackie, still on the hunt for an ace through 6, please. We'll be happy with a 7.

(Jackie lifts top card)

(buzz)

(audience groans)

Jacobo. No me gusta.

One more mistake and the fiesta's over, Bill.

Let's try this again. Is the top card more or less than 7?

Más o menos?

(audience shouts suggestions)

[billmcdee]

I'm going to stick with menos

[dougmorrisontheair]

Staying with menos.

If the top card is a 7 or less, you're still in business.

If not -- or it's a joker -- well -- you gave it your best.

Jackie, our fingers are crossed. A good card -- por favor.

(Jackie lifts top card)

(ding)

(audience cheers)

¡El siete!

That gives you an automatic correct answer. So that evens up the count. Two "sí" cards. Two "no" cards.

The next call is the difference maker.

Is the top card, Bill, more or less than 7?

Más o menos?

(audience shouts suggestions)

[billmcdee]

I'm going to la bamba with who I brung with me, menos.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Bill's stayed with "menos" all the way. If it's "menos" one more time, you win $2500.

Jackie?

(Jackie lifts top card)

(ding; applause; theme plays)

There's the win!

$2500 and our great thanks for making this a great game of Top Card. Bet you're feeling better now.

[billmcdee]

I'm channeling the Samoan spirit (chasing you around the studio)!

Yes very pleased and thankful for this win and chance at a consolation game!

Muchas gracias senor Morris!

[dougmorrisontheair]

De nada, mi amigo.

(theme plays)

Nels returns to play for $1,000,000 in Top Card Plus -- when you return to fabulous Las Vegas.

(audience cheers)

[dougmorrisontheair]

(theme plays)

Steve: You're watching a sneaking preview of Top Card. And now back to Doug Morris as our champion plays Top Card Plus.


(audience cheers) (music fades)

Thanks, Steve.

Indeed, Nels Snesrud has won a million *pennies* in the main game. And now could win a million *dollars* in Top Card Plus.

Nels, here's how the game works.

During the break, we reactivated our main game categories.  We also had *you* cut Jackie's deck of cards.

Also during the break, we randomly hid behind the categories a joker and seven cash cards. Behind *those* cards are cards from a regulation 52-card deck.

If you find cash, I'll ask you a question from the chosen category. Answer it correctly and you win the cash award -- plus you'll have that familiar choice of the card on the board or the top card in front of Jackie.

Collect cards that total 21 and you win a bonus of $1,000,000.


(audience cheers)

But -- we *are* in Las Vegas -- and the house is known for having its advantages. In addition to the joker that's on the board, four jokers were shuffled into Jackie's deck.

(scattered boos)

I know. Anytime a joker appears, you'll instantly bust and lose all the cash you've won in Top Card Plus. If you go over 21, that's also a bust -- and a forfeit of all the cash. No matter how you bust, the bonus game is over.

So, after you've collected a good card, you may freeze and cash out.

One more word of caution. When you answer a question incorrectly, you lose half your cash winnings -- and if you have a chance to spare, you must choose another category.

You have four chances to hit 21. That means you may select as many as four of these categories.

Where do we start?

[nelson21]

Comic relief

[dougmorrisontheair]

Starting at the top left for Comic Relief. What's there?

(audience cheers)

$4200. All right. Good coin will be yours if you answer this correctly.



This comedy star's career began with standup appearances on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson". Later credits include voicing the title character in "Finding Dory", starring in two eponymous sitcoms, and hosting a daytime talk show. She is Ellen...

[nelson21]

DeGeneres

[dougmorrisontheair]

That's right.

(audience cheers) (music fades)

$4200 *plus* the value of the card you collect in thousands of dollars -- whether it's the card on the board or the top card as you really begin your march to 21.

First, let's see what's here on the board.

It's a 9. If you took it, you'd have 9 points plus $9000 more -- or you may take the top card.

(audience shouts suggestions)

[nelson21]

I’ll take it

[dougmorrisontheair]

The 9 is yours -- along with $9000 more. That brings the stash of cash up to $13,200.

Another decision with three chances to spare.

You may freeze here since five jokers are at large and keep the money -- or risk at least half the money on another question and play on.

(audience shouts suggestions)

Remember, a wrong answer costs you half the loot. A joker wipes you out and ends the game. A right answer with another card keeps you in business.

[nelson21]

Color my world

[dougmorrisontheair]

Nels plays on and goes to Color My World -- which hides...

(audience cheers)

...$2500. Okay, I hope you get this question right -- because if you miss, you lose half the money.



Lorne Greene starred in this short-lived drama as a battalion fire chief in the Los Angeles Fire Department. Give me the show's two-word title.

[nelson21]

Code red

[dougmorrisontheair]

Very good. "Code Red" is right.

(audience cheers)

That brings your cash total to more than $15,000. Now for a card.

It's a 3. That would bring you up to 12 if you took this. Want it or the top card?

(audience shouts suggestions)

[nelson21]

Top card