American Gladiators (syndication; 1989-96)
(Tough events and very tough gladiators make this show a classic!)
1992 Grand Championship (close final decision in the men’s competition) (last episode for Lace, Thunder, Gemini, Blaze, and Nitro (until season 6 for the latter); debut of Viper) (ESPNC/A-; no commercials) (RSeidelman3.2)
American Gladiators (NBC; 2008)
(Awesome revival!)
Season 2 finale (OB/A; first half has severe thunderstorm warning from WESH weather)
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (FOX; 2007-2009)
(Not too bad a show.)
Generic season 2 episode (OB/A)
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (SYN; 2009-2011)
(I find this equally as good as the original, even with only 3 classmates per show.)
Episode w/first $250,000 win (OB/A+)
Muppets Week (Bert) (OB/A+)
Muppets Week (Grover) (OB/A+)
Celebrity episode w/Brad Garrett playing for charity (OB/A+)
Celebrity episode from 2010 w/Joan Rivers playing for charity (OB/A)
Circus Week episode from 2010 w/ringmaster Jonathan Lee Iverson (of the Greatest Show on Earth) playing for charity (OB/A)
Blackout (CBS; 1988)
(The concept of muting clues-- Sweet format! Shame it didn't last long, when it should have.)
(1/4/88) Guest stars: Charlie Siebert & Markie Post; players: Lisa vs. Jan (OB/B) (EPerez2.2)
(2/12/88) Guest stars: Charles Nelson Reilly & Phyllis Diller; players: Tony vs. Margie (OB/B-) (RAmbrozik1.3)
(1988) Guest stars: Dwayne Hickman & Connie Stevens; players: Jeffrey vs. Marian (B&W on occasion during the first segment) (OB/A-) (TMcSwain18.1)
(1988) Guest stars: Fred Travalena & Shelley Smith; players: Trish vs. Lee (OB/A-) (TMcSwain18.2)
(4/1/88) Finale- Pat Harrington & Crystal Bernard; players: Ande vs. Ken (Jay Stewart announces) (OB) (RAmbrozic1.2)
Blank Check
(1/8/75) (VTR date: 12/22/74) First check writer: Maggie Brown (SM/A-) (JWilliamson2.5)
Blockbusters (NBC; 1980-82; 1987)
(Bill Cullen's wasn't too bad, but Bill Rafferty's version was much better with the one-on-one format.)
Bill Rafferty (1987)
(1/19/87) Bob at the Gold Run (OC/B-) (PBurgos Tape 1.4)
(1/21/87) Bob vs. Candy (OB/B-) (PBurgos Tape 1.3)
Boggle: The Interactive Game
(3/7/94) Premiere episode- Alex vs. Ken vs. Regina vs. Deanna (Playbreaks included) (OB/A) (RRinkerman35.1)
(1994) Doreen vs. Yvonne vs. Warren vs. Everett (w/an intense finish in the final round!) (no Playbreaks or commercials) (OB/A) (RRinkerman38.6)
Born Lucky
(10/5/92) Premiere episode- Sandra vs. Cody vs. Melissa vs. Glenda (PAX/A) (RRinkerman40.4)
(10/7/92) Denise vs. Colleen vs. Derek vs. Desiree (PAX) (RRinkerman41.1)
(10/8/92) Rob vs. Jodi vs. Marcie vs. Margaret (PAX) (RRinkerman41.2)
(10/9/92) Jennifer vs. Dale vs. Cathi vs. Donna (PAX) (RRinkerman41.3)
(November/December 1992) Kayla vs. Robert vs. Jason vs. Michell (OC/A-) (RRinkerman41.4)
(1992) Jordan vs. Gina vs. Hector vs. Eric (OB/A) (SThrasher2.4)
Break the Bank (Bert Parks)
(I've nothing to say about this.)
One episode from 1956- Bank at start: $3,400 (B) (PBurgos 2.11)
Break the Bank (Gene Rayburn; 1985)
(It's a shame Rayburn won't let this air; didn't like the stunt format, anyway.)
(12/2/85) Richard & Vicki vs. Grady & Teri (you can tell that Gene is no longer pleased with this program) (OB/A) (PBurgos Tape 11.4)
Bruce Forsyth's Hot Streak
(1/6/86) Premiere episode- Cinder, Wendy, Leslie, Geraldine, & Jackie vs. Steve, Brian, Tom, Frank, & Walter (OB/B) (YNicolas5.3)
(1/27/86) Lani, Bebe, Sylvie, Brenda, & Martha vs. Rick, Alan, Don, Bill, & Curt (contestant gives a censored answer in the bonus round!) (OB/B-) (YNicolas5.4)
Bumper Stumpers (USA Network; 1987-90)
(Fun game with deciphering license plates!)
(7/17/87) Mo & Jeff (going for their 5th and final win) vs. Larry & Craig (GSN/B+) (PBurgos Tape 1.5)
Caesar’s Challenge (NBC; 1993-94)
(Amazing Vegas hit!; don't know why they changed the bonus round, though.)
(1992) Pilot episode- Laurel vs. Scott vs. Leanna (C) (TMcSwain10.2)
(1993) Mike vs. Janice vs. Doug (w/a game show category) (OB/C) (NJohnson4.2)
(1993) Babette (3rd show) vs. Mike vs. Heather (OB/B+) (RSeidelman2.1)
(1993) Babette (4th show) vs. Gordon vs. Ashley (OB/B+) (RSeidelman2.2)
(1993) David vs. Betsy vs. J.D. (the set is still a mess of balloons from the last show) (OB/B+) (RSeidelman2.3)
(1993) Shirley vs. Larry vs. Julie (2nd bonus round format; huge comeback win!) (intro missing) (USA/B+) (RSeidelman2.4)
(1993) William vs. Barbara vs. Paul (2nd bonus round format; special appearance by Johnny Mathis!) (USA/B+) (RSeidelman2.5)
(1993) Joe vs. Tonya vs. Ryan (2nd bonus round format (w/an intense finish); Dan inspects the car during the opening banter) (USA/B+; commercials included) (GGarsten1.1)
(1993) Tony vs. Jayn vs. Juan (during the opening banter, the slot machine wishes producer Harry Friedman a Happy Birthday) (2nd bonus round format) (USA/B+) (TMcSwain10.1)
(1993) Rich vs. Kelly vs. Scott (Ahmad signs a football for Rich before the 2nd round!) (no credits) (USA/A-) (JDay1.4)
(1994?) Jan vs. Ann vs. Darrell (2nd bonus round format) (USA/B) (RSeidelman3.3)
Card Sharks
(Of all the versions of the show, Rafferty's was the best!; Pat Bullard's was the worst with a terrible format (good thing I have nothing of his version).)
Jim Perry (NBC; 1978-81)
(11/29/78) Debby vs. Tiny (GSN/A+; no commercials)
(1/9/79) Dilanjan vs. Edith (GSN/A+; commercials included)
(1/10/79) Dilanjan vs. Carolyn (GSN/A+; commercials included)
(1/11/79) Dilanjan vs. Linda (GSN/A+; commercials included)
(1/12/79) Dilanjan vs. Vicki (GSN/A+; commercials included)
Jan vs. Tony (from Australia) (GSN/A+; commercials included)
Game Show Host Tournament finale; Alex Trebek vs. Bill Cullen (GSN/A; missing ending)
(1980) Irene vs. Cynthia (Bob Hilton announces; we see how the cards are shuffled) (SMitchell3.5)
(10/23/81) Finale - Michelle vs. Denise (GSN/A-) (SMitchell5.1)
Bob Eubanks (CBS; 1986-89)
(1/6/86) Premiere episode- Daryl vs. Mitch (part of opening chipped; watch for a minor glitch during the 3rd game) (WCBS-TV) (OC/B) (JLeeman1.2)
(2/11/86) Julie vs. Tammie (first ever $500 bonus for an exact guess in the survey questions) (OC/B+) (BSchwartz4.4)
(1986) Young People’s Week episode- Michael vs. Coral (Michael admits he only came on the show to see Suzanna and Lacey!) (GSN/A-; no commercials) (BSchwartz11.1)
(12/1/86) Young People’s Week- Alina vs. Hector (GSN/A-; no commercials) (BSchwartz11.5)
(1987) Young People's Week- Kellie Martin vs. Bryan (GSN/A; commercials included) (BSchwartz17.1)
(1987/88) Young People's Week- Sean at the Money Cards (includes contestant plugs) (OB/B-) (SSadler4.5)
(December 1987) Young People's Week- Sunny vs. David (GSN/A) (RRinkerman40.2)
(December 1987) Young People's Week- Jaime vs. Jerry (GSN/A) (RRinkerman40.3)
Bill Rafferty (Syndication; 1986-87)
(December 1986) Bill vs. Karen (no credits) (GSN/A) (SSadler3.4)
(12/30/86) Jane vs. Ron (GSN/A) (SSadler4.3)
(1987) Al vs. Ruth (includes a contestant plug for Young People's Week, and a ticket plug) (OB/B) (SSadler3.5)
(1987) Young People's Week- Jason at the Money Cards (no credits) (GSN/A-) (SSadler4.2)
(1987) Young People's Week- Sherrik vs. Tasia (no credits) (GSN/A) (SSadler4.1)
(1987) Lincoln vs. Beverly (Lacey wears a mermaid-style wedding gown as part of an Educated Guess question, which has an exact guess! (Bill only gives the contestant $100 and waits until after the Car Game to give him the rest); one of the 10 engaged women in the audience receives a special bonus) (no credits) (GSN/A) (SSadler4.4)
(1987) Joe vs. Laurie (most fee plugs included; credits missing) (OC/B) (JLeeman3.2)
The Challengers (Syndication; 1990-91)
(This current events quizzer deserves a revival!)
(1991) Invitational Tournament finale- Lorin vs. Julie vs. Chris (OB/B+; no commercials, save for a Jeopardy! promo) (PBurgos Tape 10.6)
The $1,000,000 Chance of a Lifetime (Syndication; 1986-87)
(Cool set, cool SFX, and awesome format!)
(January 1986) Dena & David vs. Connie & Steve Rutenbar (going for their 3rd win and $1,000,000) (OB/B; no commercials) (EPerez2.4)
(6/5/86) Judee & Ken vs. Andrea & Michael (going for their 3rd match and $1,000,000) (joined in progress at the during the first round) (OC/B-) (PBurgos Tape 4.8)
(1987) Bob and Judith (going for their 3rd win and $1,000,000) vs. Bobby and Diane (OB/B-; little to no commercials) (PBurgos Tape 1.2)
Classic Concentration (NBC; 1987-91)
(The best version of the Concentration format EVER! What other game show offers 8 cars?!)
Original format (I sorta liked the concept of the loser returning after an interrupted game.)
(5/4/87) Premiere episode- Diana vs. David (OC/A) (DDowns8.2)
(5/5/87) 2nd episode- Russ vs. Diana (minor skip in the middle of the first game; quality worsens toward the end of the 2nd game) (OB/C+) (JDay1.1)
(5/6/87) 3rd episode- Todd vs. Su (OB/B+) (RSeidelman1.3)
(5/7/87) 4th episode- Todd vs. Cindy (OB/B+) (RSeidelman1.4)
(5/13/87) Jason vs. Renee (2nd puzzle solved after only ONE match!; audience game is played) (OB/A-) (CDonegan4.2)
(5/14/87) Jason vs. Susan (Jason goes for his 5th and final victory) (OB/A-; no commercials) (RSeidelman1.2)
(5/22/87) Barry vs. Jan (w/a speedy car win!) (OB/A) (JMadigan2.1)
(5/25/87) Monica vs. Barry (history immediately repeats itself in the Car Game (not in terms of speed, though)) (OB/B+) (TMcSwain4.2)
(6/12/87) Doug vs. LaVerne (OB/B+) (TMcSwain1.2)
(6/13/87) Doug vs. Karen (missing end credits and few fee plugs) (OB/B+) (MLight3.3)
(7/2/87) Scott vs. Cynthia (OC/A) (JFisher7.1)
(7/23/87) Sten vs. Hilary (OC/A) (JMadigan2.2)
(7/24/87) Sten vs. Carol (OC/A) (DDowns16.2)(8/4/87) Mike vs. Adriana (OC/A) (JFisher7.2)
(8/5/87) Linda vs. Mike (OC/A) (JFisher7.3)
(8/6/87) Christy vs. Terry (Alex references Jeopardy!) (OC/A) (JFisher7.4)
(8/13/87) Dennis vs. Effie (w/an error in the Car Game) (OC/B+) (BSchwartz3.2)
(8/25/87) Dori vs. Madrid (longest 70 seconds in the history of the Car Round) (OC/A) (BSchwartz3.3)
(8/26/87) Diana vs. Madrid (75 seconds in the Car Round) (OC/A) (two copies available: (BSchwartz3.4) or (JCranmer4.1))
(8/28/87) Bonita vs. Warren (OC/A-) (JCranmer4.2)
(8/31/87) Warren vs. Mame (the board is swept in the first game) (OC/A-) (JCranmer4.3)
(1987) Yvette vs. Tyrone (a $17K car is won?!) (OC/A) (BSchwartz29.5)
(1987) Scott vs. Linda (OC/A-) (BSchwartz5.1)
(September 1987) Cindy vs. Dan (RPT/B) (BSchwartz5.3)
(September 1987) June vs. Dan (with a rather quick first game) (RPT/B) (MLight 1.2)
(9/22/87) Jeff vs. Dionne (RPT/A-) (GGarsten4.1)
(9/25/87) Melia vs. Ron (RPT/B+) (GGarsten4.2)
(November 1987) Greg vs. Kaylynn (Take Cards return) (RPT/B) (JCranmer4.4)
(November 1987) Betsy vs. Dennis (RPT/B) (JCranmer4.5)
(1987) Paul vs. Laurie (RPT/B+) (GGarsten4.3)
(1987) Laurie vs. Gary (RPT/B+) (GGarsten4.4)
(1987) Rod (crazy champion with the buzzer at the start) vs. Robyn (returning from an interrupted game) (RPT/B) (AKudey3.3)
(1987) Rod vs. Susan (first episode with captioned solutions to the puzzles) (RPT/B) (BSchwartz5.2)
(1987) A.J. vs. Monica (a new all-time winnings record is set) (RPT/B+) (JMadigan2.3)
(1987) Bill vs. Gwenn (RPT/A-) (AKudey22.2)
(12/30/87) Jackson vs. Dorothy (debut of the new returning champion limit: retire only after winning a car) (OC/A-) (DBarkow2.1)
Two Strikes Format (1st try)
(1988) Sandra vs. Toby (OB/A-) (AKudey22.3)
Best of 3 Format (This was the format I was most accustomed to, even though it was not my favorite.)
(10/27/88) Halloween episode- Lana vs. Ed (for some reason, fee plugs and most prize plugs are edited out) (SKY One/B+) (DBarkow1.5)
(1/9/89) Randy vs. Blanche (OC/A-) (MLight1.3)
(1/10/89) Randy vs. Darlene (Marjorie dresses up for a contestant plug) (OC/A-) (MLight1.4)
(1989) Diane & Curtis vs. Sal & Alice (Friday of Lover’s Week; literally heartbreaking Car Round loss!) (OB/B+; no commercials) (PBurgos Tape1.6)
(5/8/89) Judy vs. Greg (Alex recalls his drinking days!) (OC/B) (AKudey3.5)
(1989) Tournament of Champions Day 4: Julie vs. Reggie (OB/A) (CDonegan22.1)
(12/13?/89) Athelia vs. Carlton (OC/A) (RRinkerman20.2)
(2/6/90) Walter vs. Mona (OC/A) (RRinkerman7.2)
(2/7/90) Mona vs. Michael (the board is swept in the first game) (OC/A) (RRinkerman7.3)
(2/20/90) Michael vs. Michelle (OC/A) (RRinkerman8.1)
(3/7/90) Neil vs. Konnie (OC/A-) (MLight4.1)
(3/9/90) Laura vs. Wally (OC/A) (RRinkerman8.2)
(3/23/90) Jill vs. Ed (OC/A) (JLeeman3.3)
(4/10/90) Lance vs. “Greedy” Wendy Gerhold (OC/A) (RRinkerman8.3)
(4/11/90) Wendy vs. Sean (2 copies: (OB/B-; no commercials) (CDonegan4.3) or (OC/B-) (EPerez3.1))
(5/4/90) Larry vs. Gabe (3rd anniversary; pre-Cinco de Mayo special; 70 seconds in the Car Round) (tad jumpy) (2 copies: (OB/B-) (AKudey3.4) or (OC/B) (EPerez3.2))
(6/20/90) Carrie vs. Jeff Clinkenbeard (a stand-up comic!) (OC/A) (RRinkerman8.4)
Two Strikes Format (2nd try) (great format; don't know why they changed the clock format for the Car Game, though)
(1990) Andrew vs. Anne (OC/A-) (AKudey4.1)
(10/30/90) Halloween Week episode- Angela vs. David (OB/A-) (GGarsten1.2)
(11/1/90) Martha vs. Doug (OB/A-) (SThrasher2.3)
(11/12/90) Tournament of Champions Day 1: Wendy Gerhold vs. Georgeann (RPT/A; most commercials) (BSchwartz6.1)
(11/13/90) Tournament of Champions Day 2: Dave vs. Jim (RPT/A; most commercials) (BSchwartz6.2)
(11/14/90) Tournament of Champions Day 3: Stan vs. Dan (two wild and crazy champions) (RPT/A; commercials included) (BSchwartz6.3)
(11/15/90) Tournament of Champions Day 4: Ken Lee vs. Karen (RPT/A; commercials included) (BSchwartz6.4)
(11/16/90) Tournament of Champions Finale: Mark vs. Stuart (RPT/A; commercials included) (BSchwartz7.1)
(1990) Bryna vs. Matt (video loss for a few seconds in the first Car Round) (OB/B-; no commercials) (BSchwartz5.4)
(2/1/91) Bill vs. Wanda (w/a questionable win in the first puzzle) (OC/A) (GGarsten1.3)
(1991) Grady vs. Elizabeth (in the first puzzle, as the board is cleared, the last Wild Card won't come off!) (OC/A) (BSchwartz29.6)
(1991) Stephanie vs. Jim (OB/A-) (CDonegan21.3)
(1991) Polly vs. Jamie (OB/B) (CDonegan22.2)
Concentration (Jack Narz; 1973-78)
(1978) Linda vs. Randy (OB/B) (SWylie12.3)
Deal or No Deal (NBC; 2005-2009)
(One of the best million-dollar game shows; the gimmickry was a little overused (the only gimmicks I liked were the special offers))
(2006) Thanksgiving 2-hour special (OB/A+)
Season 4 premiere (OB/A+)
2nd season 4 episode w/DOND’s very first millionaire (OB/A+; WESH weather warnings at top in middle of the game; opening missing due to a power outage)
Deal or No Deal (SYN; 2008-2010)
(No gimmicks at all (except for sponsored weeks), but no supporters for the contestants and only two models? I prefer the original version.)
One generic episode from season 1 (OB/A+)
(9/15/09) (w/a marriage proposal at the end!) (OB/A+)
Debt (Lifetime; 1996-98)
(There never was a better game show that could pay off the winner's bills!)
(9/9/96) Premiere episode- Abbie vs. Scott vs. Cerene (part of opening chipped) (OB/A-) (TMcSwain18.4)
(1996) Leslie vs. Renee vs. Courtney (w/original logo) (low audio) (OC/A) (RRinkerman35.2)
(1996) Maggie vs. Bruce vs. Carol (due to a mistake in the Get Out of Debt round, the winner's debt is paid off!) (w/original logo) (low audio) (OC/A) (RRinkerman35.3)
(1996) Scott vs. Jessica vs. Gregory (w/original logo) (low audio) (OC/A) (RRinkerman35.4)
(October 1996) Jack vs. Valerie vs. Dana (OB/B) (RSeidelman1.1)
(January 1997) David vs. Rochelle vs. Frank Nicotero (future host of Street Smarts and The Game of Life) (OB/B-) (TMcSwain10.3)
(1/31/97) Tannis vs. Tom vs. Leigh (OB/A+) (IWallis2.3)
(March 1997) College Week- Christopher vs. Marchand vs. Nick (all week long, the theme song is performed by the USC Marching Band!) (OC/A-) (DBarkow1.2)
(March 1997) College Week- David vs. Holly vs. Ted (OC/A-) (DBarkow1.3)
(March 1997) College Week- Marc vs. Shannon vs. David (OC/A-) (DBarkow1.4)
(5/29/97) Scott vs. Julie vs. Ryan (winning contestant literally flips his lid!) (OC/A) (CDonegan8.1)
(6/6/97) Leisa vs. Jim vs. Sheila (taped early in the season) (OC/B+) (RRinkerman4.2)
(6/9/97) Paul vs. Dena vs. Geoff (taped REALLY early in the season) (OC/B+) (RRinkerman4.3)
(1997) Ryan vs. Linda vs. Robert (Wink makes a reference to Tic Tac Dough after the Debtonator category is selected) (OB/A-) (DBarkow1.1)
(12/1/97) Celebrity Week episode- Jimmie Walker vs. Erin Moran vs. Micky Dolenz (OB/A+) (IWallis2.4)
(1998) Wedding Week- Jason vs. Lori vs. David (OB/B+) (GGarsten3.2)
Double Dare (1986-87)
(Best Nickelodeon show... EVER!)
(1986) Cobras vs. Bears (Nick GAS/A+; commercials included) (RRinkerman10.1)
(1987) Lucky Dogs (Erin and Gretchen) vs. The Money Hungry Team (Matt and Bobby) (Nick GAS/A+; commercials included) (RRinkerman6.1)(1988) Dynamite Dudes vs. Gold Canaries (Nick GAS/A) (YNicolas1.2)
Double Dare (1988)
(1988) Jello Swirl Pops vs. Big Toes (Nick GAS/A) (SMitchell1.2)
(1988) Psychedelic Maniacs vs. Mustachios (Nick GAS/A) (SMitchell1.4)
(1988) Salute to Hollywood Squares- The East-West Connection vs. The 2 Wonders of the World (Nick GAS/A-) (JFisher15.2)
Dream House
(4/4/83) Premiere episode- Gary & Vicki vs. Joanne & Don (OC/A) (TMcSwain19.1)
(10/31/83) Rob & Sharon vs. Kandy & Peter (Kevin O'Connell drops by to promote Go) (OC/B) (TMcSwain19.2)
(April 1984) Dave & Tracy vs. Mary & Dan (first episode with the Money Machine main-game format) (OC/B) (TMcSwain19.3)
(6/29/84) Finale- Mary & Curt vs. Steve & Louisa (no credits) (OB/B+) (FRey3)
Every Second Counts
(Taped 3/1/85) Patty & Joe vs. Lisa & Paul vs. Rita & Royce (SM/B-) (PBurgos Tape 7.14)
(Tough events and very tough gladiators make this show a classic!)
1992 Grand Championship (close final decision in the men’s competition) (last episode for Lace, Thunder, Gemini, Blaze, and Nitro (until season 6 for the latter); debut of Viper) (ESPNC/A-; no commercials) (RSeidelman3.2)
American Gladiators (NBC; 2008)
(Awesome revival!)
Season 2 finale (OB/A; first half has severe thunderstorm warning from WESH weather)
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (FOX; 2007-2009)
(Not too bad a show.)
Generic season 2 episode (OB/A)
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (SYN; 2009-2011)
(I find this equally as good as the original, even with only 3 classmates per show.)
Episode w/first $250,000 win (OB/A+)
Muppets Week (Bert) (OB/A+)
Muppets Week (Grover) (OB/A+)
Celebrity episode w/Brad Garrett playing for charity (OB/A+)
Celebrity episode from 2010 w/Joan Rivers playing for charity (OB/A)
Circus Week episode from 2010 w/ringmaster Jonathan Lee Iverson (of the Greatest Show on Earth) playing for charity (OB/A)
Blackout (CBS; 1988)
(The concept of muting clues-- Sweet format! Shame it didn't last long, when it should have.)
(1/4/88) Guest stars: Charlie Siebert & Markie Post; players: Lisa vs. Jan (OB/B) (EPerez2.2)
(2/12/88) Guest stars: Charles Nelson Reilly & Phyllis Diller; players: Tony vs. Margie (OB/B-) (RAmbrozik1.3)
(1988) Guest stars: Dwayne Hickman & Connie Stevens; players: Jeffrey vs. Marian (B&W on occasion during the first segment) (OB/A-) (TMcSwain18.1)
(1988) Guest stars: Fred Travalena & Shelley Smith; players: Trish vs. Lee (OB/A-) (TMcSwain18.2)
(4/1/88) Finale- Pat Harrington & Crystal Bernard; players: Ande vs. Ken (Jay Stewart announces) (OB) (RAmbrozic1.2)
Blank Check
(1/8/75) (VTR date: 12/22/74) First check writer: Maggie Brown (SM/A-) (JWilliamson2.5)
Blockbusters (NBC; 1980-82; 1987)
(Bill Cullen's wasn't too bad, but Bill Rafferty's version was much better with the one-on-one format.)
Bill Rafferty (1987)
(1/19/87) Bob at the Gold Run (OC/B-) (PBurgos Tape 1.4)
(1/21/87) Bob vs. Candy (OB/B-) (PBurgos Tape 1.3)
Boggle: The Interactive Game
(3/7/94) Premiere episode- Alex vs. Ken vs. Regina vs. Deanna (Playbreaks included) (OB/A) (RRinkerman35.1)
(1994) Doreen vs. Yvonne vs. Warren vs. Everett (w/an intense finish in the final round!) (no Playbreaks or commercials) (OB/A) (RRinkerman38.6)
Born Lucky
(10/5/92) Premiere episode- Sandra vs. Cody vs. Melissa vs. Glenda (PAX/A) (RRinkerman40.4)
(10/7/92) Denise vs. Colleen vs. Derek vs. Desiree (PAX) (RRinkerman41.1)
(10/8/92) Rob vs. Jodi vs. Marcie vs. Margaret (PAX) (RRinkerman41.2)
(10/9/92) Jennifer vs. Dale vs. Cathi vs. Donna (PAX) (RRinkerman41.3)
(November/December 1992) Kayla vs. Robert vs. Jason vs. Michell (OC/A-) (RRinkerman41.4)
(1992) Jordan vs. Gina vs. Hector vs. Eric (OB/A) (SThrasher2.4)
Break the Bank (Bert Parks)
(I've nothing to say about this.)
One episode from 1956- Bank at start: $3,400 (B) (PBurgos 2.11)
Break the Bank (Gene Rayburn; 1985)
(It's a shame Rayburn won't let this air; didn't like the stunt format, anyway.)
(12/2/85) Richard & Vicki vs. Grady & Teri (you can tell that Gene is no longer pleased with this program) (OB/A) (PBurgos Tape 11.4)
Bruce Forsyth's Hot Streak
(1/6/86) Premiere episode- Cinder, Wendy, Leslie, Geraldine, & Jackie vs. Steve, Brian, Tom, Frank, & Walter (OB/B) (YNicolas5.3)
(1/27/86) Lani, Bebe, Sylvie, Brenda, & Martha vs. Rick, Alan, Don, Bill, & Curt (contestant gives a censored answer in the bonus round!) (OB/B-) (YNicolas5.4)
Bumper Stumpers (USA Network; 1987-90)
(Fun game with deciphering license plates!)
(7/17/87) Mo & Jeff (going for their 5th and final win) vs. Larry & Craig (GSN/B+) (PBurgos Tape 1.5)
Caesar’s Challenge (NBC; 1993-94)
(Amazing Vegas hit!; don't know why they changed the bonus round, though.)
(1992) Pilot episode- Laurel vs. Scott vs. Leanna (C) (TMcSwain10.2)
(1993) Mike vs. Janice vs. Doug (w/a game show category) (OB/C) (NJohnson4.2)
(1993) Babette (3rd show) vs. Mike vs. Heather (OB/B+) (RSeidelman2.1)
(1993) Babette (4th show) vs. Gordon vs. Ashley (OB/B+) (RSeidelman2.2)
(1993) David vs. Betsy vs. J.D. (the set is still a mess of balloons from the last show) (OB/B+) (RSeidelman2.3)
(1993) Shirley vs. Larry vs. Julie (2nd bonus round format; huge comeback win!) (intro missing) (USA/B+) (RSeidelman2.4)
(1993) William vs. Barbara vs. Paul (2nd bonus round format; special appearance by Johnny Mathis!) (USA/B+) (RSeidelman2.5)
(1993) Joe vs. Tonya vs. Ryan (2nd bonus round format (w/an intense finish); Dan inspects the car during the opening banter) (USA/B+; commercials included) (GGarsten1.1)
(1993) Tony vs. Jayn vs. Juan (during the opening banter, the slot machine wishes producer Harry Friedman a Happy Birthday) (2nd bonus round format) (USA/B+) (TMcSwain10.1)
(1993) Rich vs. Kelly vs. Scott (Ahmad signs a football for Rich before the 2nd round!) (no credits) (USA/A-) (JDay1.4)
(1994?) Jan vs. Ann vs. Darrell (2nd bonus round format) (USA/B) (RSeidelman3.3)
Card Sharks
(Of all the versions of the show, Rafferty's was the best!; Pat Bullard's was the worst with a terrible format (good thing I have nothing of his version).)
Jim Perry (NBC; 1978-81)
(11/29/78) Debby vs. Tiny (GSN/A+; no commercials)
(1/9/79) Dilanjan vs. Edith (GSN/A+; commercials included)
(1/10/79) Dilanjan vs. Carolyn (GSN/A+; commercials included)
(1/11/79) Dilanjan vs. Linda (GSN/A+; commercials included)
(1/12/79) Dilanjan vs. Vicki (GSN/A+; commercials included)
Jan vs. Tony (from Australia) (GSN/A+; commercials included)
Game Show Host Tournament finale; Alex Trebek vs. Bill Cullen (GSN/A; missing ending)
(1980) Irene vs. Cynthia (Bob Hilton announces; we see how the cards are shuffled) (SMitchell3.5)
(10/23/81) Finale - Michelle vs. Denise (GSN/A-) (SMitchell5.1)
Bob Eubanks (CBS; 1986-89)
(1/6/86) Premiere episode- Daryl vs. Mitch (part of opening chipped; watch for a minor glitch during the 3rd game) (WCBS-TV) (OC/B) (JLeeman1.2)
(2/11/86) Julie vs. Tammie (first ever $500 bonus for an exact guess in the survey questions) (OC/B+) (BSchwartz4.4)
(1986) Young People’s Week episode- Michael vs. Coral (Michael admits he only came on the show to see Suzanna and Lacey!) (GSN/A-; no commercials) (BSchwartz11.1)
(12/1/86) Young People’s Week- Alina vs. Hector (GSN/A-; no commercials) (BSchwartz11.5)
(1987) Young People's Week- Kellie Martin vs. Bryan (GSN/A; commercials included) (BSchwartz17.1)
(1987/88) Young People's Week- Sean at the Money Cards (includes contestant plugs) (OB/B-) (SSadler4.5)
(December 1987) Young People's Week- Sunny vs. David (GSN/A) (RRinkerman40.2)
(December 1987) Young People's Week- Jaime vs. Jerry (GSN/A) (RRinkerman40.3)
Bill Rafferty (Syndication; 1986-87)
(December 1986) Bill vs. Karen (no credits) (GSN/A) (SSadler3.4)
(12/30/86) Jane vs. Ron (GSN/A) (SSadler4.3)
(1987) Al vs. Ruth (includes a contestant plug for Young People's Week, and a ticket plug) (OB/B) (SSadler3.5)
(1987) Young People's Week- Jason at the Money Cards (no credits) (GSN/A-) (SSadler4.2)
(1987) Young People's Week- Sherrik vs. Tasia (no credits) (GSN/A) (SSadler4.1)
(1987) Lincoln vs. Beverly (Lacey wears a mermaid-style wedding gown as part of an Educated Guess question, which has an exact guess! (Bill only gives the contestant $100 and waits until after the Car Game to give him the rest); one of the 10 engaged women in the audience receives a special bonus) (no credits) (GSN/A) (SSadler4.4)
(1987) Joe vs. Laurie (most fee plugs included; credits missing) (OC/B) (JLeeman3.2)
The Challengers (Syndication; 1990-91)
(This current events quizzer deserves a revival!)
(1991) Invitational Tournament finale- Lorin vs. Julie vs. Chris (OB/B+; no commercials, save for a Jeopardy! promo) (PBurgos Tape 10.6)
The $1,000,000 Chance of a Lifetime (Syndication; 1986-87)
(Cool set, cool SFX, and awesome format!)
(January 1986) Dena & David vs. Connie & Steve Rutenbar (going for their 3rd win and $1,000,000) (OB/B; no commercials) (EPerez2.4)
(6/5/86) Judee & Ken vs. Andrea & Michael (going for their 3rd match and $1,000,000) (joined in progress at the during the first round) (OC/B-) (PBurgos Tape 4.8)
(1987) Bob and Judith (going for their 3rd win and $1,000,000) vs. Bobby and Diane (OB/B-; little to no commercials) (PBurgos Tape 1.2)
Classic Concentration (NBC; 1987-91)
(The best version of the Concentration format EVER! What other game show offers 8 cars?!)
Original format (I sorta liked the concept of the loser returning after an interrupted game.)
(5/4/87) Premiere episode- Diana vs. David (OC/A) (DDowns8.2)
(5/5/87) 2nd episode- Russ vs. Diana (minor skip in the middle of the first game; quality worsens toward the end of the 2nd game) (OB/C+) (JDay1.1)
(5/6/87) 3rd episode- Todd vs. Su (OB/B+) (RSeidelman1.3)
(5/7/87) 4th episode- Todd vs. Cindy (OB/B+) (RSeidelman1.4)
(5/13/87) Jason vs. Renee (2nd puzzle solved after only ONE match!; audience game is played) (OB/A-) (CDonegan4.2)
(5/14/87) Jason vs. Susan (Jason goes for his 5th and final victory) (OB/A-; no commercials) (RSeidelman1.2)
(5/22/87) Barry vs. Jan (w/a speedy car win!) (OB/A) (JMadigan2.1)
(5/25/87) Monica vs. Barry (history immediately repeats itself in the Car Game (not in terms of speed, though)) (OB/B+) (TMcSwain4.2)
(6/12/87) Doug vs. LaVerne (OB/B+) (TMcSwain1.2)
(6/13/87) Doug vs. Karen (missing end credits and few fee plugs) (OB/B+) (MLight3.3)
(7/2/87) Scott vs. Cynthia (OC/A) (JFisher7.1)
(7/23/87) Sten vs. Hilary (OC/A) (JMadigan2.2)
(7/24/87) Sten vs. Carol (OC/A) (DDowns16.2)(8/4/87) Mike vs. Adriana (OC/A) (JFisher7.2)
(8/5/87) Linda vs. Mike (OC/A) (JFisher7.3)
(8/6/87) Christy vs. Terry (Alex references Jeopardy!) (OC/A) (JFisher7.4)
(8/13/87) Dennis vs. Effie (w/an error in the Car Game) (OC/B+) (BSchwartz3.2)
(8/25/87) Dori vs. Madrid (longest 70 seconds in the history of the Car Round) (OC/A) (BSchwartz3.3)
(8/26/87) Diana vs. Madrid (75 seconds in the Car Round) (OC/A) (two copies available: (BSchwartz3.4) or (JCranmer4.1))
(8/28/87) Bonita vs. Warren (OC/A-) (JCranmer4.2)
(8/31/87) Warren vs. Mame (the board is swept in the first game) (OC/A-) (JCranmer4.3)
(1987) Yvette vs. Tyrone (a $17K car is won?!) (OC/A) (BSchwartz29.5)
(1987) Scott vs. Linda (OC/A-) (BSchwartz5.1)
(September 1987) Cindy vs. Dan (RPT/B) (BSchwartz5.3)
(September 1987) June vs. Dan (with a rather quick first game) (RPT/B) (MLight 1.2)
(9/22/87) Jeff vs. Dionne (RPT/A-) (GGarsten4.1)
(9/25/87) Melia vs. Ron (RPT/B+) (GGarsten4.2)
(November 1987) Greg vs. Kaylynn (Take Cards return) (RPT/B) (JCranmer4.4)
(November 1987) Betsy vs. Dennis (RPT/B) (JCranmer4.5)
(1987) Paul vs. Laurie (RPT/B+) (GGarsten4.3)
(1987) Laurie vs. Gary (RPT/B+) (GGarsten4.4)
(1987) Rod (crazy champion with the buzzer at the start) vs. Robyn (returning from an interrupted game) (RPT/B) (AKudey3.3)
(1987) Rod vs. Susan (first episode with captioned solutions to the puzzles) (RPT/B) (BSchwartz5.2)
(1987) A.J. vs. Monica (a new all-time winnings record is set) (RPT/B+) (JMadigan2.3)
(1987) Bill vs. Gwenn (RPT/A-) (AKudey22.2)
(12/30/87) Jackson vs. Dorothy (debut of the new returning champion limit: retire only after winning a car) (OC/A-) (DBarkow2.1)
Two Strikes Format (1st try)
(1988) Sandra vs. Toby (OB/A-) (AKudey22.3)
Best of 3 Format (This was the format I was most accustomed to, even though it was not my favorite.)
(10/27/88) Halloween episode- Lana vs. Ed (for some reason, fee plugs and most prize plugs are edited out) (SKY One/B+) (DBarkow1.5)
(1/9/89) Randy vs. Blanche (OC/A-) (MLight1.3)
(1/10/89) Randy vs. Darlene (Marjorie dresses up for a contestant plug) (OC/A-) (MLight1.4)
(1989) Diane & Curtis vs. Sal & Alice (Friday of Lover’s Week; literally heartbreaking Car Round loss!) (OB/B+; no commercials) (PBurgos Tape1.6)
(5/8/89) Judy vs. Greg (Alex recalls his drinking days!) (OC/B) (AKudey3.5)
(1989) Tournament of Champions Day 4: Julie vs. Reggie (OB/A) (CDonegan22.1)
(12/13?/89) Athelia vs. Carlton (OC/A) (RRinkerman20.2)
(2/6/90) Walter vs. Mona (OC/A) (RRinkerman7.2)
(2/7/90) Mona vs. Michael (the board is swept in the first game) (OC/A) (RRinkerman7.3)
(2/20/90) Michael vs. Michelle (OC/A) (RRinkerman8.1)
(3/7/90) Neil vs. Konnie (OC/A-) (MLight4.1)
(3/9/90) Laura vs. Wally (OC/A) (RRinkerman8.2)
(3/23/90) Jill vs. Ed (OC/A) (JLeeman3.3)
(4/10/90) Lance vs. “Greedy” Wendy Gerhold (OC/A) (RRinkerman8.3)
(4/11/90) Wendy vs. Sean (2 copies: (OB/B-; no commercials) (CDonegan4.3) or (OC/B-) (EPerez3.1))
(5/4/90) Larry vs. Gabe (3rd anniversary; pre-Cinco de Mayo special; 70 seconds in the Car Round) (tad jumpy) (2 copies: (OB/B-) (AKudey3.4) or (OC/B) (EPerez3.2))
(6/20/90) Carrie vs. Jeff Clinkenbeard (a stand-up comic!) (OC/A) (RRinkerman8.4)
Two Strikes Format (2nd try) (great format; don't know why they changed the clock format for the Car Game, though)
(1990) Andrew vs. Anne (OC/A-) (AKudey4.1)
(10/30/90) Halloween Week episode- Angela vs. David (OB/A-) (GGarsten1.2)
(11/1/90) Martha vs. Doug (OB/A-) (SThrasher2.3)
(11/12/90) Tournament of Champions Day 1: Wendy Gerhold vs. Georgeann (RPT/A; most commercials) (BSchwartz6.1)
(11/13/90) Tournament of Champions Day 2: Dave vs. Jim (RPT/A; most commercials) (BSchwartz6.2)
(11/14/90) Tournament of Champions Day 3: Stan vs. Dan (two wild and crazy champions) (RPT/A; commercials included) (BSchwartz6.3)
(11/15/90) Tournament of Champions Day 4: Ken Lee vs. Karen (RPT/A; commercials included) (BSchwartz6.4)
(11/16/90) Tournament of Champions Finale: Mark vs. Stuart (RPT/A; commercials included) (BSchwartz7.1)
(1990) Bryna vs. Matt (video loss for a few seconds in the first Car Round) (OB/B-; no commercials) (BSchwartz5.4)
(2/1/91) Bill vs. Wanda (w/a questionable win in the first puzzle) (OC/A) (GGarsten1.3)
(1991) Grady vs. Elizabeth (in the first puzzle, as the board is cleared, the last Wild Card won't come off!) (OC/A) (BSchwartz29.6)
(1991) Stephanie vs. Jim (OB/A-) (CDonegan21.3)
(1991) Polly vs. Jamie (OB/B) (CDonegan22.2)
Concentration (Jack Narz; 1973-78)
(1978) Linda vs. Randy (OB/B) (SWylie12.3)
Deal or No Deal (NBC; 2005-2009)
(One of the best million-dollar game shows; the gimmickry was a little overused (the only gimmicks I liked were the special offers))
(2006) Thanksgiving 2-hour special (OB/A+)
Season 4 premiere (OB/A+)
2nd season 4 episode w/DOND’s very first millionaire (OB/A+; WESH weather warnings at top in middle of the game; opening missing due to a power outage)
Deal or No Deal (SYN; 2008-2010)
(No gimmicks at all (except for sponsored weeks), but no supporters for the contestants and only two models? I prefer the original version.)
One generic episode from season 1 (OB/A+)
(9/15/09) (w/a marriage proposal at the end!) (OB/A+)
Debt (Lifetime; 1996-98)
(There never was a better game show that could pay off the winner's bills!)
(9/9/96) Premiere episode- Abbie vs. Scott vs. Cerene (part of opening chipped) (OB/A-) (TMcSwain18.4)
(1996) Leslie vs. Renee vs. Courtney (w/original logo) (low audio) (OC/A) (RRinkerman35.2)
(1996) Maggie vs. Bruce vs. Carol (due to a mistake in the Get Out of Debt round, the winner's debt is paid off!) (w/original logo) (low audio) (OC/A) (RRinkerman35.3)
(1996) Scott vs. Jessica vs. Gregory (w/original logo) (low audio) (OC/A) (RRinkerman35.4)
(October 1996) Jack vs. Valerie vs. Dana (OB/B) (RSeidelman1.1)
(January 1997) David vs. Rochelle vs. Frank Nicotero (future host of Street Smarts and The Game of Life) (OB/B-) (TMcSwain10.3)
(1/31/97) Tannis vs. Tom vs. Leigh (OB/A+) (IWallis2.3)
(March 1997) College Week- Christopher vs. Marchand vs. Nick (all week long, the theme song is performed by the USC Marching Band!) (OC/A-) (DBarkow1.2)
(March 1997) College Week- David vs. Holly vs. Ted (OC/A-) (DBarkow1.3)
(March 1997) College Week- Marc vs. Shannon vs. David (OC/A-) (DBarkow1.4)
(5/29/97) Scott vs. Julie vs. Ryan (winning contestant literally flips his lid!) (OC/A) (CDonegan8.1)
(6/6/97) Leisa vs. Jim vs. Sheila (taped early in the season) (OC/B+) (RRinkerman4.2)
(6/9/97) Paul vs. Dena vs. Geoff (taped REALLY early in the season) (OC/B+) (RRinkerman4.3)
(1997) Ryan vs. Linda vs. Robert (Wink makes a reference to Tic Tac Dough after the Debtonator category is selected) (OB/A-) (DBarkow1.1)
(12/1/97) Celebrity Week episode- Jimmie Walker vs. Erin Moran vs. Micky Dolenz (OB/A+) (IWallis2.4)
(1998) Wedding Week- Jason vs. Lori vs. David (OB/B+) (GGarsten3.2)
Double Dare (1986-87)
(Best Nickelodeon show... EVER!)
(1986) Cobras vs. Bears (Nick GAS/A+; commercials included) (RRinkerman10.1)
(1987) Lucky Dogs (Erin and Gretchen) vs. The Money Hungry Team (Matt and Bobby) (Nick GAS/A+; commercials included) (RRinkerman6.1)(1988) Dynamite Dudes vs. Gold Canaries (Nick GAS/A) (YNicolas1.2)
Double Dare (1988)
(1988) Jello Swirl Pops vs. Big Toes (Nick GAS/A) (SMitchell1.2)
(1988) Psychedelic Maniacs vs. Mustachios (Nick GAS/A) (SMitchell1.4)
(1988) Salute to Hollywood Squares- The East-West Connection vs. The 2 Wonders of the World (Nick GAS/A-) (JFisher15.2)
Dream House
(4/4/83) Premiere episode- Gary & Vicki vs. Joanne & Don (OC/A) (TMcSwain19.1)
(10/31/83) Rob & Sharon vs. Kandy & Peter (Kevin O'Connell drops by to promote Go) (OC/B) (TMcSwain19.2)
(April 1984) Dave & Tracy vs. Mary & Dan (first episode with the Money Machine main-game format) (OC/B) (TMcSwain19.3)
(6/29/84) Finale- Mary & Curt vs. Steve & Louisa (no credits) (OB/B+) (FRey3)
Every Second Counts
(Taped 3/1/85) Patty & Joe vs. Lisa & Paul vs. Rita & Royce (SM/B-) (PBurgos Tape 7.14)