Author Topic: Owning a "piece" of a game show (Read 11654 times)

Firefish · « **Reply #45 on:** January 02, 2009, 10:05:55 PM »

[quote name=\'JakeT\' post=\'205383\' date=\'Jan 2 2009, 06:37 PM\']
[quote name=\'Firefish\' post=\'205272\' date=\'Jan 1 2009, 11:31 AM\']
I have a pair of BIG SHOWDOWN dice.
[/quote]

Not that the holidays haven't already had me emotional enough, but this was all it took to bring me to some bittersweet tears and a precious memory...

If only those of you who never had the honor of meeting our dear late Randy Amasia in person, you missed one of the sweetest moments EVER...that moment at GSC4 when Randy first laid eyes and then his hands upon that set of BIG SHOWDOWN dice (I assume we're speaking of the same pair). I swear that it felt like Randy, in one brief moment, experienced losing his virginity, the feeling of his first true love and being reunited with a beloved long-lost relative all in one fell swoop. I'm not sure just how long it took for his hyperventilation to subside and normal breathing resume.

Jake
[/quote]

While I never met Randy, I can imagine how he felt seeing those dice. However, they are not the same pair. Mine were given to me by RG back in NY in the months before he moved to California and have never left my home in NJ (but for a brief foray to my Manhattan office during Christmas 2007 for a SHOWDOWN roll for fabulous holiday gifts for some of my co-workers). I am fortunate that Ronnie had an extra pair to deem me worthy of having, and that he was able to give others like Randy pleasure with one of the pairs he kept.

pyrfan · « **Reply #46 on:** January 03, 2009, 02:38:00 AM »

I attended the first two tapings of John Davidson's "$100,000 Pyramid" in December of 1990, and the crew members were wearing some pyramid-shaped pins that said "The Power Of The Pyramid." (Some people wore them on-camera, including Terry Lester a few weeks later.) One of the other members of the studio audience asked the staff how to apply to be a contestant, and they gave him a pin. He was nice enough to give me the pin as a souvenir of my trip.

Brendan

Pyramid80 · « **Reply #47 on:** January 03, 2009, 10:08:55 AM »

[quote name=\'pyrfan\' post=\'205399\' date=\'Jan 3 2009, 01:38 AM\']
I attended the first two tapings of John Davidson's "$100,000 Pyramid" in December of 1990, and the crew members were wearing some pyramid-shaped pins that said "The Power Of The Pyramid." (Some people wore them on-camera, including Terry Lester a few weeks later.) One of the other members of the studio audience asked the staff how to apply to be a contestant, and they gave him a pin. He was nice enough to give me the pin as a souvenir of my trip.

Brendan
[/quote]
How cool! I myself have a few game show items. I have a check from the Check Game from TPIR, a card from Hit Me, a "item up for bids" card, some crew jackets from LMAD90, $25,000 Pyramid, 70's Password, Password Plus, Osmond Pyramid bowling shirt. My favorite item is a winner's circle category plexi glass from the 80's Pyramid.

The Pyramids · « **Reply #48 on:** January 03, 2009, 12:47:25 PM »

[quote name=\'dale_grass\' post=\'205384\' date=\'Jan 2 2009, 08:01 PM\']
If anything will ever cement the notion that there are levels of gameshow fandom that I haven't even come near, the previous post will.
[/quote]

Indeed.

Timsterino · « **Reply #49 on:** January 03, 2009, 01:56:17 PM »

[quote name=\'PaulD\' post=\'205409\' date=\'Jan 3 2009, 12:47 PM\']
[quote name=\'dale_grass\' post=\'205384\' date=\'Jan 2 2009, 08:01 PM\']
If anything will ever cement the notion that there are levels of gameshow fandom that I haven't even come near, the previous post will.
[/quote]

Indeed.
[/quote]

Ditto.

DoorNumberFour · « **Reply #50 on:** January 03, 2009, 10:49:39 PM »

[quote name=\'Timsterino\' post=\'205411\' date=\'Jan 3 2009, 01:56 PM\']
[quote name=\'PaulD\' post=\'205409\' date=\'Jan 3 2009, 12:47 PM\']
[quote name=\'dale_grass\' post=\'205384\' date=\'Jan 2 2009, 08:01 PM\']
If anything will ever cement the notion that there are levels of gameshow fandom that I haven't even come near, the previous post will.
[/quote]

Indeed.
[/quote]

Ditto.
[/quote]
QFT.

chris319 · « **Reply #51 on:** January 04, 2009, 11:14:29 AM »

[quote name=\'DoorNumberFour\' post=\'205423\' date=\'Jan 3 2009, 07:49 PM\']
[quote name=\'Timsterino\' post=\'205411\' date=\'Jan 3 2009, 01:56 PM\']
[quote name=\'PaulD\' post=\'205409\' date=\'Jan 3 2009, 12:47 PM\']
[quote name=\'dale_grass\' post=\'205384\' date=\'Jan 2 2009, 08:01 PM\']
If anything will ever cement the notion that there are levels of gameshow fandom that I haven't even come near, the previous post will.
[/quote]

Indeed.
[/quote]

Ditto.
[/quote]
QFT.
[/quote]
No offense to the memory of Randy, but this is The Big Showdown we're talking about. The Big Showdown, which lasted scant more than 26 weeks on ABC with Jim Peck. Imagine if he had come across one of John Daly's money cards from WML? or a ballot from TTTT or the duck from YBYL. Oof da, he would have plotzed.

Randy had access to all of the Card Sharks game material at one time and I don't recall him ever plotzing over it.

davidhammett · « **Reply #52 on:** January 04, 2009, 12:45:37 PM »

[quote name=\'chris319\' post=\'205437\' date=\'Jan 4 2009, 12:14 PM\']
No offense to the memory of Randy, but this is The Big Showdown we're talking about. The Big Showdown, which lasted scant more than 26 weeks on ABC with Jim Peck. Imagine if he had come across one of John Daly's money cards from WML? or a ballot from TTTT or the duck from YBYL. Oof da, he would have plotzed.
Randy had access to all of the Card Sharks game material at one time and I don't recall him ever plotzing over it.
[/quote]
The "theme" of GSC4 in Atlanta was 1975 games, and since I knew that Randy's favorite show was The Big Showdown, I contacted a friend that I knew had a pair of the dice, who then mailed them to me on loan. I had decided to keep them a secret from the attendees (especially Randy) until we started playing. Actually, Matt O, knowing that was one of the games we'd be playing, went out and found some "lawn dice" that he converted into Showdown dice, not knowing about the real ones. (It actually helped having "multiple" pairs of them, though.)

I was witness to Randy's reaction as well, and as over the top as Randy could be, it was still noteworthy. Admittedly, I was a bit stunned the first time I saw them as well, but hey, when it's a signature item from a favorite show, everyone's gonna react however they react.

As for the thread topic, however, the main things in my own collection that come to mind include a Greed Freebie, plus several of the cue cards we used on the show; a Showcase podium label that says "Bedroom"; an assortment of blank and used question cards from shows; and various paperwork from recent shows (showing crew call times, minute by minute rundowns, etc.).

chris319 · « **Reply #53 on:** January 04, 2009, 01:37:58 PM »

Quote

the main things in my own collection that come to mind include a Greed Freebie, plus several of the cue cards we used on the show; a Showcase podium label that says "Bedroom"; an assortment of blank and used question cards from shows; and various paperwork from recent shows (showing crew call times, minute by minute rundowns, etc.).

Do you still have that "Botany 500" slip?

davidhammett · « **Reply #54 on:** January 04, 2009, 02:27:09 PM »

[quote name=\'chris319\' post=\'205447\' date=\'Jan 4 2009, 02:37 PM\']
Do you still have that "Botany 500" slip?
[/quote]
Somewhere, yes, along with the Kitchenaid art card.

GiraffeBoy · « **Reply #55 on:** January 04, 2009, 03:54:29 PM »

[quote name=\'Adam Nedeff\' post=\'205277\' date=\'Jan 1 2009, 10:59 AM\']
-Ceramic dalmatian (Christmas gift to staffers and related employees during the 25th season of Wheel.) [/quote]
I didn't realize that the dalmatian has a name, Sheldon. (Look at the name tag in the photo.)

--Charlie

TimK2003 · « **Reply #56 on:** January 04, 2009, 07:45:31 PM »

[quote name=\'davidhammett\' post=\'205445\' date=\'Jan 4 2009, 01:45 PM\']

I was witness to Randy's reaction as well, and as over the top as Randy could be, it was still noteworthy. Admittedly, I was a bit stunned the first time I saw them as well, but hey, when it's a signature item from a favorite show, everyone's gonna react however they react.
.
[/quote]

Fast forward to GSC 8, when TBS was one of the game played once again...Ironically, twas Randy who won his match and rolled SHOW DOWN on his first attempt -- and the only one to do so!

However, there were no real Showdown dice used at GSC 8. just cardboard knockoffs.

BTW, there are tapes of both GSCs in the trading rounds.

Matt Ottinger · « **Reply #57 on:** January 04, 2009, 10:59:44 PM »

[quote name=\'davidhammett\' post=\'205445\' date=\'Jan 4 2009, 12:45 PM\']Actually, Matt O, knowing that was one of the games we'd be playing, went out and found some "lawn dice" that he converted into Showdown dice, not knowing about the real ones. [/quote]
I think is says something for Randy's...enthusiasm that while I remember his reaction vividly and fondly, I did not (until David mentioned it) remember that I had done that.

comicus · « **Reply #58 on:** January 05, 2009, 09:02:07 AM »

[quote name=\'TimK2003\' post=\'205471\' date=\'Jan 4 2009, 07:45 PM\']
[quote name=\'davidhammett\' post=\'205445\' date=\'Jan 4 2009, 01:45 PM\']

I was witness to Randy's reaction as well, and as over the top as Randy could be, it was still noteworthy. Admittedly, I was a bit stunned the first time I saw them as well, but hey, when it's a signature item from a favorite show, everyone's gonna react however they react.
.
[/quote]

Fast forward to GSC 8, when TBS was one of the game played once again...Ironically, twas Randy who won his match and rolled SHOW DOWN on his first attempt -- and the only one to do so!

However, there were no real Showdown dice used at GSC 8. just cardboard knockoffs.

[/quote]

He kept those cardboard knockoff dice on prominent display on his living room bookshelf, and was as proud of them as anything else he owned.

Offshored2007 · « **Reply #59 on:** January 05, 2009, 03:34:20 PM »

Do two t-shirts from a taping of "Super Millionaire" count? That's as good as I can contribute.