The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: TimK2003 on February 26, 2007, 08:50:44 PM
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[quote name=\'davemackey\' post=\'146946\' date=\'Feb 26 2007, 05:27 PM\']
[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'146941\' date=\'Feb 26 2007, 04:01 PM\']
2. Was the Chevy Vega the unofficial sponsor of mid-70s game shows?
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Lots of shows gave away the Vegas because they were cheap. Someone won five of them on "Baffle" before they changed their bonus game. However, the Vegas (hatchback coupe, notchback sedan, GT and Kammback wagon) were all pretty much gone from the road about ten or fifteen years hence because there were a lot of problems with the tiny 140cc aluminum engines used to power them. But they were cute little cars designed to give those upstart imports from Toyota, Datsun (now Nissan) and Honda some competition.
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I noticed that GM seemed to be the leader in car prizes on Game Shows -- especially in the 70's. Was General Motors that willing to furnish cars back in the day, or is it just coincidence?
I also thought that this would be a great spin-off from the Page 'O' Clips thread:
What shows/production companies were exclusive to a specific car model/automaker? A couple to start off with:
Hatos/Hall (US Split Second, LMAD, 3 For The Money) --
IIRC, all cars were from the various divisions of General Motors only (Chevy, Pontiac, Cadillac, Buick,...)
Barry & Enright --
They were GM exclusive as well, no?
Others?
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Also The Price Is Right had AMC, GM and Ford cars from 1972-1977, then they dropped AMC from 1977-1983, but then AMC/Jeep/Renault cars started reappearing on TPIR from 1984 until they were bought by Chrysler in 1988. I think Chrysler cars started appearing on TPIR in 1983. However, from mid-1993 through early 1996, TPIR didn't feature any GM cars as prizes; just Ford and Chrysler cars.
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[quote name=\'TimK2003\' post=\'146974\' date=\'Feb 26 2007, 08:50 PM\']
Hatos/Hall (US Split Second, LMAD, 3 For The Money) --
IIRC, all cars were from the various divisions of General Motors only (Chevy, Pontiac, Cadillac, Buick,...)
[/quote]
I remember a few Datsun sports cars and a Lancia in some 70s LMAD eps. The mid-80s version used a lot of Chevrolets, mainly the Chevette, Cavalier, and Camaro. A few Mazda 626s as well. What did the Vancouver version give away.
Barry & Enright --
They were GM exclusive as well, no?
Seems like it. I think they started with the Buick Skylark for syndie TJW and TTD contestants, then switched to Chevettes in the early-80s.
Heatter-Quigley was heavy on GM products as well, but I remember a few nighttime HSq eps. offering a 1975 Datsun hatchback.
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I also remember seeing an old [pre-American Motors] Renault on LMAD. IIRC, it was about '72-73.
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[quote name=\'tmq800\' post=\'146975\' date=\'Feb 26 2007, 08:59 PM\']
Also The Price Is Right had AMC, GM and Ford cars from 1972-1977, then they dropped AMC from 1977-1983, but then AMC/Jeep/Renault cars started reappearing on TPIR from 1984 until they were bought by Chrysler in 1988. I think Chrysler cars started appearing on TPIR in 1983. However, from mid-1993 through early 1996, TPIR didn't feature any GM cars as prizes; just Ford and Chrysler cars.
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And interestingly enough, it was only the CBS version. The Davidson version featured American (including GM) and foreign cars.
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[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'146979\' date=\'Feb 26 2007, 09:49 PM\']
And interestingly enough, it was only the CBS version. The Davidson version featured American (including GM) and foreign cars.
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The 1991 CBS episode on which my wife proved how badly "Hit Me" can be played (and won) featured a Mazda Miata as a Showcase prize. (Sadly, Herself got beat on the Wheel, so no Miata for her.)
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On the Larry Edmur era of Austrailian Wheel of Fortune, the car was usually a Mitshibushi Colt.
And on Temptation in Austrailia, the cars were always and still Volvos.
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[quote name=\'bandit_bobby\' post=\'146989\' date=\'Feb 26 2007, 10:43 PM\']
On the Larry Edmur era of Austrailian Wheel of Fortune, the car was usually a Mitshibushi Colt.
And on Temptation in Austrailia, the cars were always and still Volvos.
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Sorry to respond for the third time in one post, but this actually reminded me of "Wait Til You Have Kids" from the Family Channel. I remember the announcer actually saying that the Geo Metro was the official car of the show.
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[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'146976\' date=\'Feb 26 2007, 09:02 PM\']
Barry & Enright --
They were GM exclusive as well, no?
Seems like it. I think they started with the Buick Skylark for syndie TJW and TTD contestants, then switched to Chevettes in the early-80s.
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Then in the last two seasons of each, they had switched again...AMC Eagles and Mazda GLCs.
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[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'146976\' date=\'Feb 26 2007, 10:02 PM\']
Heatter-Quigley was heavy on GM products as well, but I remember a few nighttime HSq eps. offering a 1975 Datsun hatchback.
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I'm not at home so I'm relying strictly on memory (I think there was a surprisingly unique car given away on the nighttime "Party" episodes, for instance) but here's what I can remember seeing/hearing/knowing about what was given away on The Hollywood Squares in the Marshall era:
1967 Plymouth Barracuda
1968 Pontiac Firebird (awesome running footage!)
1968 Pontiac Tempest
1973 Chevy Corvette
Pontiac Astre
Chevy Vega
Chevy Chevette
Chevy Impala/Caprice
Datsun hatchbacks (one as late as the 1979 syndicated classic rock and roll show)
Don't remember any Fords whatsoever though it wouldn't surprise me if a Pinto slipped in there.
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At one point, early in Price's run (72-74ish), they had to have offered VW's semi-regularly as well. On my computer, I have a clip from somewhere online, I don't remember where exactly, where the 2nd version of Bullseye was played (aka 2-player auction), and a VW Super Beetle was the prize won (MSRP, a reasonable $2231).
I also vaguely remember VW's on LMaD from the early 70's as well. Perhaps VW tried to get in the game for a few years, but quit due to the overly strong American automobile presence that could be seen back then?
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On The New Treasure Hunt in the 70's they had in the prize mix a Rolls Royce.
This is from a foggy memory, but I don't remember seeing any other cars up for grabs in that version but the Rolls (any other show offer Rolls Royces?).
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On "Hot Seat," the cars were provided by either AMT or Revell, not sure which.
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[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'147089\' date=\'Feb 27 2007, 09:13 PM\']
On "Hot Seat," the cars were provided by either AMT or Revell, not sure which.
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I lol'd.
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[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'147089\' date=\'Feb 27 2007, 10:13 PM\']
On "Hot Seat," the cars were provided by either AMT or Revell, not sure which.
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I think the Opel on Gambit was Revell!
Talk about old memories? There was a time when K-Mart's toy department used to have a whole half-aisle devoted to model planes, trains and automobiles.
And what a buzz you could get from that $.98 tube of K-Mart modeling glue!!
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[quote name=\'wheelloon\' post=\'147086\' date=\'Feb 27 2007, 08:55 PM\']
I also vaguely remember VW's on LMaD from the early 70's as well. Perhaps VW tried to get in the game for a few years, but quit due to the overly strong American automobile presence that could be seen back then?
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I saw VWs on the '84 version of LMAD as well. On one of my episodes, the Big Deal consisted of a VW Rabbit...and nothing else.
And I remember reading somewhere that The Last Word had an 'official' car as well. Anyone remember what it was?
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[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'147089\' date=\'Feb 27 2007, 10:13 PM\']
On "Hot Seat," the cars were provided by either AMT or Revell, not sure which.
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Model car builder here, busting a gut.
...and some of us wouldn't mind having a crack at those cars again.
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[quote name=\'TimK2003\' post=\'147087\' date=\'Feb 27 2007, 10:06 PM\']
On The New Treasure Hunt in the 70's they had in the prize mix a Rolls Royce.
This is from a foggy memory, but I don't remember seeing any other cars up for grabs in that version but the Rolls (any other show offer Rolls Royces?).
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The New Treasure Hunt that was rerun last year on GSN as part of the 50 Greatest miniseries, featured a number of cars, everything from a Chevy Impala to a pair of Jaguars (and including a Lincoln Continental).
I have an episode of Art Linkletter's People are Funny from 1958 that offered a Rolls Royce as a prize but IIRC there were strings attached. They even rolled the Rolls into the studio.
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[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'147142\' date=\'Feb 28 2007, 07:42 AM\']
[quote name=\'TimK2003\' post=\'147087\' date=\'Feb 27 2007, 10:06 PM\']
On The New Treasure Hunt in the 70's they had in the prize mix a Rolls Royce.
This is from a foggy memory, but I don't remember seeing any other cars up for grabs in that version but the Rolls (any other show offer Rolls Royces?).
[/quote]
The New Treasure Hunt that was rerun last year on GSN as part of the 50 Greatest miniseries, featured a number of cars, everything from a Chevy Impala to a pair of Jaguars (and including a Lincoln Continental).[/quote]
The 70s "Treasure Hunt" had almost every kind of car available at one point during the run, from his-and-hers Vegas to the luxury jobs.
The low-end cars came from the manufacturer (most likely GM), while the high-end stuff came from LA-area dealers.
And as for the preponderance on GM cars back then, it was probably nothing more than that it was the main manufacturer that the "schlockmeisters" (product placement companies) dealt with. Outside of a few shows, there was no great demand for a wide variety of cars and when it came to a low-priced car, the Vega was probably the only one on Edward J. Finch or PIC-TV's lists of clients.
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[quote name=\'uncamark\' post=\'147153\' date=\'Feb 28 2007, 08:46 AM\']
"schlockmeisters" (product placement companies)
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It was my understanding that a "schlockmeister" was someone who worked for the game-show production company whose job it was to procure prizes.
Someone in the business want to confirm/deny that?
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[quote name=\'wheelloon\' post=\'147086\' date=\'Feb 27 2007, 08:55 PM\']
At one point, early in Price's run (72-74ish), they had to have offered VW's semi-regularly as well. On my computer, I have a clip from somewhere online, I don't remember where exactly, where the 2nd version of Bullseye was played (aka 2-player auction), and a VW Super Beetle was the prize won (MSRP, a reasonable $2231).[/quote]
#1.) That game's name is Double Bullseye.
#2.) For what it's worth, here's a list of every car offered in Price's first 12 weeks:
Chevy Vega Kammback
Mazda 808 (Only offered two or three times.)
Chevy Nova
Chevy Vega
Mazda coupe
Chevy Camaro
Chevy Chevelle Malibu (By far the most expensive car offered -- $4,264. It was only offered once, in Bullseye.)
Volkswagen Beetle
Volkswagen Super Beetle
Honda 600 (Probably the cheapest car ever offered -- $1,715. It only appeared in the Showcase.)
Volkswagen Bus
Mercury Comet
Lots and lots and lots of Vegas and Novas.
On a side note, until the tenth week, no cars worth over $3,000 appeared outside of Bullseye.
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[quote name=\'Steve Gavazzi\' post=\'147210\' date=\'Feb 28 2007, 04:44 PM\']
#1.) That game's name is Double Bullseye.
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According to...who?
(No snark intended. I'm just wondering if that comes from a bonefide source inside of the show.)
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'147213\' date=\'Feb 28 2007, 07:57 PM\']
[quote name=\'Steve Gavazzi\' post=\'147210\' date=\'Feb 28 2007, 04:44 PM\']
#1.) That game's name is Double Bullseye.
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According to...who?
(No snark intended. I'm just wondering if that comes from a bonefide source inside of the show.)
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It comes from documents written by people at the show in 1972.
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[quote name=\'Steve Gavazzi\' post=\'147216\' date=\'Feb 28 2007, 05:06 PM\']
It comes from documents written by people at the show in 1972.
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Fair 'nough! :)