Lucky Numbers (ABC; Episode 39)

[dougmorrisontheair]

We're starting a new game of Lucky Numbers.

Steve Anderson -- asja2002 -- returns with one win and $117,014.

We're seeking Steve's next challenger. It could be you if you haven't played with us in the last few episodes.

Now here's the qualifying question. Closest to the right answer high or low gets to play.

Before the show, one of our production assistants played FunHouse, a pinball game that debuted in the 1990s, in the collective video game "Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection". How many points did our staffer score in 60 seconds? Please respond in increments of 10 points and make sure your answer is higher than 1,000,000.

Please PM dougmorrisontheair (that's me) in 24 hours from now.

[asja2002]

Signing in

[dougmorrisontheair]

Okay, here comes the big answer.

(ding)

That's -- 1,692,660 points. Who came the closest?


1,620,710 lordbanana


It's Kyle Simmons.

Lucky Numbers coming up in a bit.

[dougmorrisontheair]

KGO - SAN FRANCISCO/OAKLAND/SAN JOSE'

Staff announcer: A tour of the A's temporary home -- tonight at six.

---

(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 streak of $100,000+ wins at the main event came to a halt on the last show. But our champion banked more cash. And that bonus jackpot is really climbing.

Playing red, our challenger, Kyle Simmons. And playing blue, the champion, Steve Anderson, with $117,014.

(audience cheers)

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

[lordbanana]

Well, I currently work at a hardware store near Mobile, Alabama. I recently graduated from South Alabama with a degree in Medicine, but medical school is super expensive, so hopefully I can win some money here to pay for it.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Well, there's a lot of money in the jackpot today -- nearly a quarter million. That should help with the medical bills.

And nice to have you from the Mobile area, Kyle. I've got a few friends who work at Channel 3.

Speaking of 3, Steve is looking for win number 3. How are you feeling on this -- your third day with us?

[asja2002]

Just looking forward to doing the best I can, a huge shoutout to my Grandfather who’s watching me from back home in Massachusetts, (blows a kiss) get better soon, Grandpa!

[dougmorrisontheair]

We'll send our get well wishes as well.

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

(chime sfx)

We've got eleven 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.

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

(audience cheers as...) (Kyle rolls)

And you're starting big with a yo-leven.

Kyle, in this game, you may select the 11 -- or select numbers that total 11.

How do you play the roll?

[lordbanana]

6 and 5.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(ding)

Starting with an I and a T -- and -- that's it?

(scattered laughter from crowd)

In any event, Kyle, with two letters revealed, we take $200 away from the pot. So, you may guess for $1300 or roll again.

All the rolls are playable by the way. But -- any mistake you make, whether it's a roll of the dice or an incorrect guess means your turn ends and your opponent picks up a free letter courtesy of the highest remaining number on the board.

[lordbanana]

No guess, so I’ll roll again.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(audience cheers as...) (Kyle rolls)

New shooter from Mobile now rolls an 8. How do you play the 8?

[lordbanana]

7 and 1.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(ding)

Following with a P and an A. Now we're hungry for pita bread.

(scattered laughter from crowd)

Kyle, all the rolls still work. Guess for $1100 or roll again?

[lordbanana]

I'll roll again.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(audience cheers as...) (Kyle rolls)

Another 8 for you, Kyle. How do you play this one?

[lordbanana]

Just the 8.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(ding)

Just the 8 gives you the I -- as in I want some pita bread.

(scattered laughter from crowd)

Kyle, some bad news. The danger zone is open for business. The 8 is an unlucky roll. You may guess for $1000, roll again, or if you feel an 8's on the horizon, you may pass the dice to Steve.

[lordbanana]

I’m rolling again.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Woah -- rolling even with 8 as an unlucky number. Huh kay.

(audience cheers as...) (Kyle rolls)

(scattered woahs)

Just avoided diaster -- 7. How do you play the 7?

[lordbanana]

4 and 3.

[dougmorrisontheair]

[NOTE FROM DOUG: Sorry for late response; thought for sure I posted this.]

(ding)

I just realized that was your only move with the C and Y.

Kyle, the danger zone is so wide, it's best to focus on rolls that *work*. The playable rolls are the lucky numbers you see up there -- 2, 9, 10, and 11.

You may guess for $800, roll again, or pass the dice to Steve.

[lordbanana]

I’ll go ahead and guess.

CAPITAL
CITY

[dougmorrisontheair]

(ASB win cue plays; audience applause)

That's it. Well played, Kyle.

$800 in your bank. (chimes; audience cheers) And that sound in the main game means the first of three follow-up questions of increasing value.

This one's worth $500. Kyle, you'll play it first since you solved the puzzle first. Answer it correctly and you'll bank the $500. But if you miss it, Steve has a chance to capitalize and score the five bills.

Now -- this question's a bit long -- so play carefully. Kyle, for $500...

Which of the following songs does not mention the capital city of Mississippi by name it its lyrics? Is it "Christmas in Dixie" by Alabama, "Living in America" by James Brown, or "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars?

[lordbanana]

Well, it’s easily not Uptown Funk, and I feel like Christmas in Dixie is obviously going to mention it, so… Living in America?

[dougmorrisontheair]

You reasoned it out. "Living in America" is right.

(audience cheers)

"Living in America" by James Brown mentions a lot of U.S. cities -- but does not specifically give a mention to Jackson, Mississippi. The other songs, at some point in their lyrics, do.

Kyle has $1300. Steve's coming up to bat when Lucky Numbers continues after this.

(commercial cue plays; audience applauds)

[dougmorrisontheair]

(HR87 theme plays)


A source for many of the puzzles and questions we use on Lucky Numbers is the 22-volume World Book Encyclopedia -- which includes the index volume and research guide.

Our players always receive great welcoming gifts. Bill, please tell us about two of them.

(scattered laughter from crew)

Bill: My pleasure, Doug. A weekend stay for two at the Marriott Newport Beach resort hotel, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Champagne dinners at any of four restaurants, elegance, and hospitality, the Newport Beach Marriott.

And -- Heinz' Pokémon Pasta. There's a bowl of fun in every can -- with your favorite characters as fun-shaped noodles in yummy tomato sauce. Catch and eat 'em all. Pokémon Pasta from Heinz.

Bill: We'll be back with more of Lucky Numbers -- after this message.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(ASB cue plays; audience applauds)

Welcome back. The fun you're missing out here at The Prospect. It's unreal.

(scattered laughter from crowd)

Let's resume Lucky Numbers. Kyle's got all the money so far -- $1300.

Steve, your turn to roll after we set up a new puzzle.

(chime sfx)

Two-word puzzle and the dice are yours, Steve.

(audience cheers as...) (Steve rolls)

Starting with a 5. How do you play the 5?

[asja2002]

1 and 4 , Doug

[dougmorrisontheair]

(ding)

First letters for you in this game are C and E, Steve. And we have an unlucky roll -- 4.

Guess for $1300, roll again, or pass the dice to Kyle?