The $40,000 Chain Reaction (USA, Episode 9)

[dougmorrisontheair]

Marc's going to try to complete the chain with...









(ding)

...W-A.

[marc412]

Walter.

[dougmorrisontheair]

You've completed the chain.










(ding; audience applause)

All right, let's recap this chain.

If someone's forcing you to surrender in a wrestling match, you might have to say uncle. "Uncle Walter" was the avuncular nickname for the late CBS newsman Walter Cronkite. Walter White was a main character from the TV series "Breaking Bad". "White Christmas" is a traditional Christmas song. Christmas Day is celebrated in the month of December. And "December" is the title of a hit song by the band Collective Soul.

jmdarrall
marc412

That's the chain. Marc with a big lead going into Round 3 -- 3500 to 1000 over Jon.

We'll raise the stakes in that next round. Can Jon make a comeback or will Marc pick up that $40,000 bonus? Find out the answer -- when you come back.


(theme plays; audience applause)

[NOTE FROM DOUG: Due to professional responsibility, game should resume Wednesday at the earliest.]

[dougmorrisontheair]

(parting gifts cue plays)

Doug: (in pre-recorded audio) Our contestants will receive some of the following.

Chef Boyardee pasta. Next time hunger takes hold, feed your need and reach for the delicious taste of Chef Boyardee pasta.

The Aiwa CSDXW505 portable audio system with its new Euro design featuring super T-bass double cassette recorder and compact disc player. Aiwa, what a difference.

From Sportcraft, a unique tabletop soccer game. The action is fast and furious. Realistic-looking players and fields add to the fun. Sportcraft, the games people play.

From Pier 1 Imports, this white willow picnic basket complete with colorful linens and plastic picnicware. Make your next outing a special event, from Pier 1 Imports.

And a member of our studio audience will receive, from Yamaha, the new PSR-28 with 49 full-sized keys, 100 exciting instrument sounds, chord sequencer, and keyboard percussion.



(audience applause)

And don't forget, each on-stage contestant takes home a copy of The $40,000 Chain Reaction home game. It's fun to try at your next page. An actual check for $40,000 not included.

(scattered laughter from the crowd; Doug throws box game stage right)

But it does have play money. All right, after two rounds, Marc leads Jon $3500 to $1000. Remember, the goal is $5000. If Marc wins, he pockets a $40,000 bonus for five straight wins. If Jon wins, he becomes the new champ -- and starts his road to possibly a quarter million in cash.

Anything can still happen -- as we set up our third round chain. This third round chain starts with...









(ding)

...ROLL ON and it ends with PALM TREES. Each link in the chain is worth $750 -- with another $750 awarded for completion of the chain.

Marc, we left off with you. Do you give or take a letter below ROLL ON or above PALM TREES?

[marc412]

I'll give a letter above palm trees.

[dougmorrisontheair]

All right, Jon, let's see if you can get on the board...









(ding)

...with an I.

[jmdarrall]

ISLAND.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Jon, you're covered by the singular/plural. It's actually ISLANDS. You score $750.










(ding; audience applause)

jmdarrall
marc412

1750 clams separate the players right now. Jon, how do you play it?

[dougmorrisontheair]

(Bump for Jon.)

[jmdarrall]

I'll try a letter over ISLANDS, please.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Challenger keeps this and takes...











(ding)

...an S.

[jmdarrall]

SOLOMON?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Ohhh -- great guess. Solomon Islands are located northeast of Australia -- but they don't fit into our chain. Marc, back to you.

[marc412]

I'll try a letter above Islands.

[dougmorrisontheair]

The champ takes...










(ding)

...S-A.

[marc412]

Sandwich?

[dougmorrisontheair]

That's it. SANDWICH.











(ding; audience applause)

jmdarrall
marc412

Well, folks, we may be on the verge of a big payoff moment. Marc is just $750 away from winning his fifth straight game -- and every link in this round is worth $750.

It takes $5000 to win the game. So -- Marc -- how do you play it?

[marc412]

I'll take a letter under "roll on".

[dougmorrisontheair]

Marc, for the game and the big bonus, the link under ROLL ON...










(ding)

...starts with an A.

[marc412]

Alabama?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Marc guesses ALABAMA. If he's right, he wins the game and the instant $40,000 bonus.






















































(dings; audience applause; win music plays)

IT'S ALABAMA!

Our first undefeated champion on this version of Chain Reaction is Marc Enyedy.

$5000 right on the nose plus the payoff from the money link earlier and your earlier winnings give you a grand total of $220,250.

(audience cheers)

We have some unfinished business with you, this third round chain and, of course, Missing Link and the final chain in just a bit.

First, Jon, we've got to say goodbye. You played well. Ultimately, ever since Marc stepped onto this stage, it became his world and the rest of us were just living in it.

[dougmorrisontheair]

You don't go home empty-handed. We've got a check for $1750 waiting for you, Jon, and some fine gifts. A nice hand for Jon Darrall.

(audience applause)

Marc, I'm curious. Have you figured out how ROLL ON is connected to ALABAMA?

[marc412]

At first I thought roll on would lead to deodorant, but then the A popped up. Antiperspirant would have been too long for the board.

Does it have to do with the Alabama Crimson Tide?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Well -- no -- at least not yet.










"Roll On" is actually the title of an album by the *country music band* Alabama -- artists of the decade for the 1980s. If you ever want to listen to the best in country, that band's a great place to start.

Now, Marc, to your point, the next link down was...









(ding) (scattered laughter)

...Crimson Tide. The University of Alabama is home to sports teams named the Crimson Tide. Men's basketball team will be lead by former Spur Avery Johnson, by the way.

Rest of the chain goes like this. Much of the movie "Crimson Tide" was set in...










(ding)

... a submarine. You could eat a submarine sandwich for lunch. The Sandwich Islands we know nowadays as the Hawaiian Islands. And on many islands, you'll find palm trees.

That's the chain. Marc, we're going to take a break. When we return, one more try at the Missing Link game. It could start one more chain reaction worth $40,000. Back with more -- after this.

(theme plays; audience cheers)

[dougmorrisontheair]

(Doug in pre-recorded audio as theme plays)

If you'd like to be a contestant on The $40,000 Chain Reaction, call toll free 1-800-555-40CR. That's 1-800-555-4027.

(audience applauds) (fade to Missing Link board...)









(...then fade to Doug with Marc)

And we're back with Marc. For those of you just joining us, first of all -- where were you?!?! (scattered laughter from the crowd) And second, Marc here just won his fifth straight game and retires undefeated.

Now we *are* planning for a tournament of champions later in the season. We'll talk more about that when we cross that bridge. You've certainly qualified for that.

But let's focus on the present. Ready to try this missing link game one more time?

[marc412]

Yes indeed.

[dougmorrisontheair]

All right, Marc, let's spot you four pennies.







(ding)

As you know, we spot you the top and bottom links of the chain -- as well as the initial letter of the missing link. Each wrong guess means you'll see the next letter -- but it costs you one penny.

The right solution means the pennies you save go with you to the final chain. And here comes that missing link game for you...







(ding)

Your missing link game starts with HEARST and it ends with ABC. The missing link starts with C. To save all four pennies and possibly convert them into another $40,000 payoff, what is that missing link?

[marc412]

Castle.

[dougmorrisontheair]

That's it!







(ding; audience cheers)

Located in California, William Randolph Hearst's estate is known is Hearst Castle. "Castle" is the title of a popular crime drama that airs on ABC.


(board rotates as part of the theme plays)

All four pennies go into the bank. In the time you've been with us, Marc, you've only lost one penny in Missing Link games -- and still converted pennies into tens of thousands of dollars. One more chance to repeat that feat before tourney time.









(ding)

And you're familiar with this money chain. Every time you correctly solve a link in the chain, your money multiplies by ten. A wrong guess costs you one of seven spare letters.

Key thing to remember is you must solve a link correctly to win money. If you burn a spare letter and it completes a link, we can't credit you with a right answer.

Solve six links correctly in the chain and you pocket another $40,000.

(audience cheers)

So let us set up your final chain, Marc.









(ding)

Final chain starts with IDLE. As always in the final chain, we just spot you that top link -- but we also spot you the initial letter in each of the remaining links. There are the seven spare letters in the corner.

Good luck, Marc. Let's see you go out in a blaze of glory. Next link under IDLE start with an M.

[marc412]

Well, Eric Idle is in Monty Python, so let's guess "Monty Python".