The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: DoorNumberFour on February 25, 2008, 10:43:12 AM
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How did the contestants know the exact names of the prizes they wanted (e.g., 'Silver-Plated Tea and Coffee Set' as opposed to 'the coffee pot' or 'that silver thing')?
Were they provided a list to study before the show, or was there a list of some sort off-camera during the shopping portions?
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There was a list of prizes and values off camera. Notice they're looking off to where the used letter board is, rather than at the turntable. And, lest we forget, "the prices of the prizes were furnished to the contestants prior to the show..."
-Jason
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Ah—those were the days! Remember Chuck saying, "We've added another Bankrupt to the Wheel." And his admonitions to not "underspin." And in those days the contestants had to turn their backs during commercial breaks (to not give them an unfair advantage over home viewers, I presume). With all prizes and no cash, the winners had a wonderful time with the IRS! How long did Pat say, "We're playing for cash" at the beginning of the syndie show?
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[quote name=\'clanky06\' post=\'178897\' date=\'Feb 25 2008, 12:01 PM\']How long did Pat say, "We're playing for cash" at the beginning of the syndie show?[/quote]
Quite a while, IIRC. "$1000 the top dollar value for this round, we're playing for cash, and here's our first puzzle:"
Brings up another activity. How should these be correctly chronologically arranged?:- Pat quits the "playing for cash" spiel
- Toss-ups
- R1 top dollar becomes $2500
Something tells me that all happened fairly closely together.
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[quote name=\'Gus\' post=\'178900\' date=\'Feb 25 2008, 01:32 PM\']
Brings up another activity. How should these be correctly chronologically arranged?:- Pat quits the "playing for cash" spiel
- Toss-ups
- R1 top dollar becomes $2500
Something tells me that all happened fairly closely together.
[/quote]
I believe R1 top dollar value became $2500 at the same time as the toss-ups came to the show, for the 2000-2001 season.
-Rick Z
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[quote name=\'JasonA1\' post=\'178872\' date=\'Feb 25 2008, 11:47 AM\']
There was a list of prizes and values off camera. Notice they're looking off to where the used letter board is, rather than at the turntable. And, lest we forget, "the prices of the prizes were furnished to the contestants prior to the show..."
-Jason
[/quote]
Ah yes the late great Jack Clark.
"The prices of the prizes were furnished to the contestants prior to the show and have been rounded off to the nearest dollar, gift certifficates do not include sales tax".
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[quote name=\'clanky06\' post=\'178897\' date=\'Feb 25 2008, 10:01 AM\']
And in those days the contestants had to turn their backs during commercial breaks (to not give them an unfair advantage over home viewers, I presume).
[/quote]
I'm more inclined to think it's to avoid giving the player currently in control an unfair advantage.
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[quote name=\'gsfreak82\' post=\'178965\' date=\'Feb 25 2008, 06:53 PM\']
[quote name=\'JasonA1\' post=\'178872\' date=\'Feb 25 2008, 11:47 AM\']
There was a list of prizes and values off camera. Notice they're looking off to where the used letter board is, rather than at the turntable. And, lest we forget, "the prices of the prizes were furnished to the contestants prior to the show..."[/quote]
Ah yes the late great Jack Clark.
"The prices of the prizes were furnished to the contestants prior to the show and have been rounded off to the nearest dollar, gift certifficates do not include sales tax".
[/quote]
I had the pleasure of sitting with Jack during one tape day. He was in a little utility room just off the studio floor with a 3x5 card for each of the prizes spread out in front of him. As the players bought prizes he grabbed the correct cards, and read the copy from that deck of cards. Nice, nice guy.
Randy
tvrandywest.com
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Look out for this black space, Bankrupt, because if you hit it, you lose your cash, but not your merchandise, because once you buy a prize (all together now) it's yours to keep.
/I want a ceramic Dalmatian
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[quote name=\'whoserman\' post=\'178982\' date=\'Feb 26 2008, 12:07 AM\']
[quote name=\'clanky06\' post=\'178897\' date=\'Feb 25 2008, 10:01 AM\']
And in those days the contestants had to turn their backs during commercial breaks (to not give them an unfair advantage over home viewers, I presume).[/quote]
I'm more inclined to think it's to avoid giving the player currently in control an unfair advantage.[/quote]
Or either of the other players, if the one in control was dense.
They still have the contestants turn their backs between puzzles.
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[quote name=\'Joe Mello\' post=\'179025\' date=\'Feb 26 2008, 11:47 AM\']
They still have the contestants turn their backs between puzzles.
[/quote]
With a puzzle board that doesn't have to be manually loaded, and, indeed, doesn't have to even display the puzzle until the contestants need to see it?
Would someone do me a favor and confirm this, or is this just more Classic Mello?
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'179026\' date=\'Feb 26 2008, 11:50 AM\'][quote name=\'Joe Mello\' post=\'179025\' date=\'Feb 26 2008, 11:47 AM\']They still have the contestants turn their backs between puzzles.
[/quote]With a puzzle board that doesn't have to be manually loaded, and, indeed, doesn't have to even display the puzzle until the contestants need to see it?
Would someone do me a favor and confirm this, or is this just more Classic Mello?[/quote]The only time they'd have to have the contestants looking away is when the Mystery Wedges are placed on the wheel.
If it's indeed true, it's a silly thing to police. "No, you can't look at the grid of blank spaces! Sure, there's no puzzle up there, but we've always done it that way and we're not changing now!"
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'179026\' date=\'Feb 26 2008, 01:50 PM\']
Would someone do me a favor and confirm this, or is this just more Classic Mello?
[/quote]
I might be able to let you know in March.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'179026\' date=\'Feb 26 2008, 02:50 PM\']
[quote name=\'Joe Mello\' post=\'179025\' date=\'Feb 26 2008, 11:47 AM\']
They still have the contestants turn their backs between puzzles.
[/quote]
With a puzzle board that doesn't have to be manually loaded, and, indeed, doesn't have to even display the puzzle until the contestants need to see it?
Would someone do me a favor and confirm this, or is this just more Classic Mello?
[/quote]
When I did my behind-the-scenes stories a few years back, there was no turning around for any reason. This was before the Mystery Wedges, however.
Classic Mello.
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[quote name=\'tvwxman\' post=\'179033\' date=\'Feb 26 2008, 12:33 PM\']
When I did my behind-the-scenes stories a few years back, there was no turning around for any reason. This was before the Mystery Wedges, however.[/quote]
Mystery wedgies? No wonder Pat and Vanna sometimes walk funny ;-)
And w-a-a-a-y back at NBC I remember them stopping tape after each puzzle to reload the board with black letters on scratchy plexiglass rectangles. I miss the analog world!
Randy
tvrandywest.com
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[quote name=\'tvwxman\' post=\'179033\' date=\'Feb 26 2008, 12:33 PM\']
Classic Mello.[/quote]
Yeah, can't say I'm surprised.
Thanks for the remotely-accurate information.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'179026\' date=\'Feb 26 2008, 01:50 PM\']
With a puzzle board that doesn't have to be manually loaded, and, indeed, doesn't have to even display the puzzle until the contestants need to see it?
Would someone do me a favor and confirm this, or is this just more Classic Mello?
[/quote]
We left the podiums to get our bearings together, drank water, and watch the stagehands change dollar values (or add the mystery wedges). There was no need to turn our backs other than that.
/Season 22 contestant, 2005
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[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' post=\'178989\' date=\'Feb 26 2008, 02:02 AM\']
[quote name=\'gsfreak82\' post=\'178965\' date=\'Feb 25 2008, 06:53 PM\']
[quote name=\'JasonA1\' post=\'178872\' date=\'Feb 25 2008, 11:47 AM\']
There was a list of prizes and values off camera. Notice they're looking off to where the used letter board is, rather than at the turntable. And, lest we forget, "the prices of the prizes were furnished to the contestants prior to the show..."[/quote]
Ah yes the late great Jack Clark.
"The prices of the prizes were furnished to the contestants prior to the show and have been rounded off to the nearest dollar, gift certifficates do not include sales tax".
[/quote]
I had the pleasure of sitting with Jack during one tape day. He was in a little utility room just off the studio floor with a 3x5 card for each of the prizes spread out in front of him. As the players bought prizes he grabbed the correct cards, and read the copy from that deck of cards. Nice, nice guy.
Randy
tvrandywest.com
[/quote]
Of course, that was Charlie O'Donnell who first uttered those words. but still...
RANDY: Jack was eventually moved to an area just in front of the audience seating area to get him out in the open. It was interesting to watch him work the cards the day I saw Wheel tape at NBC.
Of course, that was the day I almost threw up on Jack Clark, but that's another story for another time.
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[quote name=\'Strikerz04\' post=\'179058\' date=\'Feb 26 2008, 05:25 PM\']
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'179026\' date=\'Feb 26 2008, 01:50 PM\']
With a puzzle board that doesn't have to be manually loaded, and, indeed, doesn't have to even display the puzzle until the contestants need to see it?
Would someone do me a favor and confirm this, or is this just more Classic Mello?
[/quote]
We left the podiums to get our bearings together, drank water, and watch the stagehands change dollar values (or add the mystery wedges). There was no need to turn our backs other than that.
/Season 22 contestant, 2005
[/quote]
That must have changed since I was on (taped March 97, aired May 97, just a few months after the puzzle board switch). We had to come down at the commercial breaks, turn around while getting make up touches and getting a glass of water, and then were allowed back on the podiums at the start of the next round after the break.
I seem to recall that the reasoning was that a puzzle might randomly pop up on the board. I suppose that they were still working out the kinks with the new board.
Ryan :)
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I do know they made us turn our backs during the placement of the Mystery Wedges (while getting a drink of water, I accidentally almost turned around and was VERY quickly corrected; I didn't see anything, though, so it was all good...:) ), but, other than that, we just had our make-up reapplied and got a drink of water during breaks.
Anthony (contestant in January 2006)
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[quote name=\'clanky06\' post=\'178897\' date=\'Feb 25 2008, 12:01 PM\']
And in those days the contestants had to turn their backs during commercial breaks (to not give them an unfair advantage over home viewers, I presume).
[/quote]
My impression always was that they didn't want them staring at the puzzle long enough to perhaps figure it out -- so the unfair advantage would go to the contestant whose turn it was when they went to "break"..
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[quote name=\'Joe Mello\' post=\'179025\' date=\'Feb 26 2008, 01:47 PM\']
They still have the contestants turn their backs between puzzles.
[/quote]
Wtf for? :p .. They don't have to manually set up the board anymore, that makes no sense.
..unless that's strictly during the one round where they hide the mystery round wedges
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'179026\' date=\'Feb 26 2008, 01:50 PM\']
[quote name=\'Joe Mello\' post=\'179025\' date=\'Feb 26 2008, 11:47 AM\']
They still have the contestants turn their backs between puzzles.
[/quote]
With a puzzle board that doesn't have to be manually loaded, and, indeed, doesn't have to even display the puzzle until the contestants need to see it?
Would someone do me a favor and confirm this, or is this just more Classic Mello?
[/quote]
Saw Wheel in Dallas last year and I do remember them stepping down to a space behind where they normally stood, but they just stood there and chatted with the coordinators who handed 'em bottles of water, told them they're doing great, keep up the energy, etc .. but I don't remember backs being turned.. btw downtime "between puzzles" took just as long as them updating the wheel, which seemed to be just under a minute..
having said that, for some odd reason they made us turn our backs on lingo when they loaded the ball bowl between lingos... and they wouldn't explain why :o
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[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' post=\'179041\' date=\'Feb 26 2008, 03:11 PM\']
[quote name=\'tvwxman\' post=\'179033\' date=\'Feb 26 2008, 12:33 PM\']
When I did my behind-the-scenes stories a few years back, there was no turning around for any reason. This was before the Mystery Wedges, however.[/quote]
Mystery wedgies? No wonder Pat and Vanna sometimes walk funny ;-)
And w-a-a-a-y back at NBC I remember them stopping tape after each puzzle to reload the board with black letters on scratchy plexiglass rectangles. I miss the analog world!
Randy
tvrandywest.com
[/quote]
Wasn't the puzzle board a huge trilon that rotated around to reveal another already-loaded puzzle? (and if so did that come later on after just having a single puzzleboard originally?) I believe my childhood memories are pestering me with that visual...
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[quote name=\'lobster\' post=\'179150\' date=\'Feb 27 2008, 11:06 AM\']
Wasn't the puzzle board a huge trilon that rotated around to reveal another already-loaded puzzle? (and if so did that come later on after just having a single puzzleboard originally?) I believe my childhood memories are pestering me with that visual...
[/quote]
I don't believe that was ever the case. The one board would move in and out, but not to be replaced by another board.
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[quote name=\'tvwxman\' post=\'179156\' date=\'Feb 27 2008, 08:47 AM\']
[quote name=\'lobster\' post=\'179150\' date=\'Feb 27 2008, 11:06 AM\']
Wasn't the puzzle board a huge trilon that rotated around to reveal another already-loaded puzzle? (and if so did that come later on after just having a single puzzleboard originally?) I believe my childhood memories are pestering me with that visual...
[/quote]
I don't believe that was ever the case. The one board would move in and out, but not to be replaced by another board.
[/quote]
Correct. Perhaps lobster is thinking of Family Feud's transition between rounds?
Randy
tvrandywest.com
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[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' post=\'179167\' date=\'Feb 27 2008, 12:41 PM\']
[quote name=\'tvwxman\' post=\'179156\' date=\'Feb 27 2008, 08:47 AM\']
[quote name=\'lobster\' post=\'179150\' date=\'Feb 27 2008, 11:06 AM\']
Wasn't the puzzle board a huge trilon that rotated around to reveal another already-loaded puzzle? (and if so did that come later on after just having a single puzzleboard originally?) I believe my childhood memories are pestering me with that visual...
[/quote]
I don't believe that was ever the case. The one board would move in and out, but not to be replaced by another board.
[/quote]
Correct. Perhaps lobster is thinking of Family Feud's transition between rounds?
[/quote]
Naw, this was definitely a WOF memory -- what I think I remember seeing was -- as they were rotating the turntable to the next section of prizes, you can see the puzzle board off to the side appear as if it was rotating over to another puzzle board -- but if you say that was never the case I believe you :D .. maybe that was just a reflection illusion
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[quote name=\'lobster\' post=\'179171\' date=\'Feb 27 2008, 11:12 AM\']
Naw, this was definitely a WOF memory -- what I think I remember seeing was -- as they were rotating the turntable to the next section of prizes, you can see the puzzle board off to the side appear as if it was rotating over to another puzzle board -- but if you say that was never the case I believe you :D .. maybe that was just a reflection illusion[/quote]
Yeah, it was an illusion. I know what you think you were seeing (because I noticed it too), and you weren't seeing it. The puzzle board would slide out to be reloaded, and then slide back in. You'd see it happen occasionally on the nighttime show when a prize that was too big for the main part of the set (like a boat) was won in the endgame.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'179177\' date=\'Feb 27 2008, 01:33 PM\']
Yeah, it was an illusion. I know what you think you were seeing (because I noticed it too), and you weren't seeing it. The puzzle board would slide out to be reloaded, and then slide back in. You'd see it happen occasionally on the nighttime show when a prize that was too big for the main part of the set (like a boat) was won in the endgame.
[/quote]
Ah... so they didn't just turn each trilon one by one and change the letters out while the puzzle board was in place? Why would the whole board need to slide out?
and speaking of WOf trilons :D .. were they free-spinning or did they snap into place? Like.. would someone have been able to walk by them with their hand extended and "spin" them to where they'd flip around 360°?
/Vanna never spoke back then
//Ah the good ol days :D
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[quote name=\'lobster\' post=\'179189\' date=\'Feb 27 2008, 12:46 PM\']
Ah... so they didn't just turn each trilon one by one and change the letters out while the puzzle board was in place? Why would the whole board need to slide out?[/quote]
Just a guess, but I have to think they wanted to see the entire puzzle in revealed state when they loaded it, otherwise it would be too easy to slip up and send GIRL SCOTUS OF AMERICA out there.
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[quote name=\'lobster\' post=\'179189\' date=\'Feb 27 2008, 03:46 PM\']
Ah... so they didn't just turn each trilon one by one and change the letters out while the puzzle board was in place? Why would the whole board need to slide out?
[/quote]
The best answer I can give : Standards and Practices.
They would keep that part of the studio COMPLETELY off limits to anyone other than the puzzle loader, so there was no peeking by anyone at anytime. I believe this part of the studio was curtained as well.
Nowadays, even with the board getting loaded up by computer, no one is allowed 'behind' the board. I'm assuming that's where computers are helping run the massive monitored board.
/Disclaimer : I never was there for the old board set-up, but I am basing this solely on what they do now, and Lobster/Lemon's memories of the board sliding into place...which I absolutely remember too.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'179190\' date=\'Feb 27 2008, 03:49 PM\']
[quote name=\'lobster\' post=\'179189\' date=\'Feb 27 2008, 12:46 PM\']
Ah... so they didn't just turn each trilon one by one and change the letters out while the puzzle board was in place? Why would the whole board need to slide out?[/quote]
Just a guess, but I have to think they wanted to see the entire puzzle in revealed state when they loaded it, otherwise it would be too easy to slip up and send GIRL SCOTUS OF AMERICA out there.
[/quote]
That was a CLUE puzzle on the October 12, 1993 episode of "Wheel of Fortune". Donovan Flynn of Dorcester, MA answered the puzzle correctly for $3,700, then scored an additional $1,000 for answering Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Damn, Horan hacked my account again. Nothing to see here, people.
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[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'179193\' date=\'Feb 27 2008, 04:16 PM\']
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'179190\' date=\'Feb 27 2008, 03:49 PM\']
[quote name=\'lobster\' post=\'179189\' date=\'Feb 27 2008, 12:46 PM\']
Ah... so they didn't just turn each trilon one by one and change the letters out while the puzzle board was in place? Why would the whole board need to slide out?[/quote]
Just a guess, but I have to think they wanted to see the entire puzzle in revealed state when they loaded it, otherwise it would be too easy to slip up and send GIRL SCOTUS OF AMERICA out there.
[/quote]
That was a CLUE puzzle on the October 12, 1993 episode of "Wheel of Fortune". Donovan Flynn of Dorcester, MA answered the puzzle correctly for $3,700, then scored an additional $1,000 for answering Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Damn, Horan hacked my account again. Nothing to see here, people.
[/quote]
Well played!
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[quote name=\'tvwxman\' post=\'179191\' date=\'Feb 27 2008, 03:52 PM\']
Nowadays, even with the board getting loaded up by computer, no one is allowed 'behind' the board. I'm assuming that's where computers are helping run the massive monitored board.
[/quote]
While visiting wheel, I've been behind the board a few times, although it's been during before the show, during lunch, or after the taping day is over. I remember during my first visit, security (Al, can't remember his last name), asked me what I was doing until someone said it was OK to go back. I was told I couldn't stay back there during the show as they don't allow anyone back there.
My hunch says it has more to do with Sajak and White being back there between commercials than security, but I really don't know. Sajak and White are pretty much off limits for greet/photo opportunities, although I did "meet" Vanna (in what looked like sweats) in the "food room" and she said hello.
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[quote name=\'sshuffield70\' post=\'179194\' date=\'Feb 27 2008, 04:24 PM\']
[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'179193\' date=\'Feb 27 2008, 04:16 PM\']
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'179190\' date=\'Feb 27 2008, 03:49 PM\']
[quote name=\'lobster\' post=\'179189\' date=\'Feb 27 2008, 12:46 PM\']
Ah... so they didn't just turn each trilon one by one and change the letters out while the puzzle board was in place? Why would the whole board need to slide out?[/quote]
Just a guess, but I have to think they wanted to see the entire puzzle in revealed state when they loaded it, otherwise it would be too easy to slip up and send GIRL SCOTUS OF AMERICA out there.
[/quote]
That was a CLUE puzzle on the October 12, 1993 episode of "Wheel of Fortune". Donovan Flynn of Dorcester, MA answered the puzzle correctly for $3,700, then scored an additional $1,000 for answering Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Damn, Horan hacked my account again. Nothing to see here, people.
[/quote]
Well played!
[/quote]
A'thank yew, sir. :-)