$ALE OF THE CENTURY [NBC]: PILOT/Episode 1

[palmer7]

1. In Arthurian legend, who is the illegitimate son of Sir Lancelot?
(buzzcode: 74)
*Bob buzzes in (99)*
Bob?
Bob: merlin
(buzzer)
(I laugh so loud and so hard, I end up against the wall)
So you're telling me Merlin was a Mudblood? (I start laughing some more, then return to my lectern) No, no, no. It was Galahad. Sorry, Bob, you've just given Ian a $4 lead.


Ian: $30
Bob: $26
Danny: $10


2. What "army" was founded by "General" William Booth?
(buzzcode: 5)
*Bob buzzes in (49)*
Bob?
Bob: salvation army
That's exactly right, you go back to $31.
(ding)


Ian: $30
Bob: $31
Danny: $10


3. What game show often features contestants shouting "Big bucks, no Whammies!"?
(buzzcode: 33)
*Danny buzzes in (40)*
Danny?
Danny: Press Your Luck
That's right, you go back to $15!
(ding)


Ian: $30
Bob: $31
Danny: $15



[FAME GAME]

And that brings us to our last Fame Game of the show. We're adding a $25 Money Card. With $16 separating first and third, Danny, you could overtake Bob if you get control and hit the $25. But first, you must get control, and to do that, you need to know this famous PLACE.

(whoosh as the puzzle board appears on screen)



[_____________] [_____________] [_____________]

[_____________] [_____________] [_____________]


(# of clues and buzzcode, please)

[palmer7]

Ready? Go.

(beep)



[___NBC'S_____] [_____________] [_____________]

[_____________] [_____________] [_____________]


NBC's.


(beep)



[___NBC'S_____] [____HQ_______] [_____________]

[_____________] [_____________] [_____________]


Headquarters.



(beep)



[___NBC'S_____] [____HQ_______] [__BUILDING___]

[_____________] [_____________] [_____________]


Building...
(buzzcode: 30)
*Ian buzzes in (3 clues, 48)*
Ian?

[akosiagentorange21]

Rockefeller Center?

[palmer7]

(ding)


[___NBC'S_____] [____HQ_______] [__BUILDING___]

[_____IN______] [____NEW______] [___YORK______]


(canned audience cheers) That's right, I'll accept it. I would've also accepted the Comcast Building. Stacey, where is that $25 Money Card?

(lights in motion)

Stacey: Behind number six.

Greg: Three Money Cards to shoot for. Good luck and fire when ready! (an unused letter from A-I, please)

[akosiagentorange21]

(does sign of the cross first) Show me the money, NOW! (I)

[palmer7]

(he stops)

Greg: Stopping at #9. Burton, what is it this time?

(organ sounder)

Burton: (VO) $5,000 or Try Again!

Greg: Well, you found the Wild Card. You can either take $5,000 in cash or try again for one of those Money Cards. What do you want to do?

[akosiagentorange21]

Trying this again!

Show me the big money cards, NOW!! (C)

[palmer7]

(he stops)

Stop at $10!

(fanfare)
(canned audience cheers)


Ian: $40
Bob: $31
Danny: $15


And with that, Ian takes a $9 lead over Bob. We've got a low-scoring game right now, but with $100 up for grabs in the Speed Round, that could change very quickly. Stay tuned.

(main theme to commercial, cheers and applause, fade to commercial)

---

---

[PARTING GIFTS CUE]

Burton: (VO) Some departing contestants will receive the following...


Collectibles from The Morgan Mint. Quality collectibles featuring classic, American coins and official Elvis Presley memorabilia, honoring The King of Rock 'n Roll. Unique gifts from The Morgan Mint.

Spend more time at home this spring. Serve Royal cheesecake. 15 minutes to prepare delicious, Royal no-bake cheesecake.


Discover a world of fine baking from Sun Giant Raisins. Coupons and recipes in Sunday papers and April magazines.

A supply of rich, thick Old Smokehouse barbecue sauce. Makes ribs, chicken and burgers taste sooooo good. Old Smokehouse barbecue sauce from Hormel, in regular, tangy, mesquite, and hot!

A vacation aboard The Skunk Train, a romantic journey into the past aboard old gasoline or steam-powered trains. A scenic round-trip from Fort Bragg to the redwoods of northern California plus outdoor activities. The Skunk Train.

And a supply of watches from Lorus. The watch to watch is Lorus. Fashionable, dependable, Lorus Quartz. It's everything except expensive.

Plus, all of our contestants will receive a diamond stick pen from Germani Jewelers, and a copy of the $ale of the Century video game for the Nintendo Switch. Furnished by THQ Nordic.

And now, here's Greg Palmer with the Speed Round!



(canned audience cheers)

Greg: Thank you very much, Burton Richardson. And yes, please stay at home. We may be playing a few episodes by way of Zoom or Skype or something to that effect. In the meantime, we finish up the game with the Speed Round. May I have 10 questions on the clock, please?

(ding)


Ian: $40
Bob: $31
Danny: $15

[10]


The scores: Ian at $40, Bob at $31, Danny at $15. Each answer is worth $10 plus or minus. Danny, should you hit zero, or in your case, -$5, we'll reset your score to $20 and give the other two players an additional $20. Remember, you need to win with a score of $100 or more to play for the car. Good luck to everyone. We start the Speed Round.... now!

1. From what type of fat was margarine first made from in the US?
2. Which actress played Forrest Gump's mother?
3. Who is Ben Stiller's mother?
4. What fairy tale character has two ugly stepsisters?
5. What color is a polar bear during the summer months?
6. What is the usual age for a Jewish boy to celebrate his bar mitzvah?
7. Which Stephen King novel is set at the "Overlook Hotel"?
8. The Galapagos Islands are part of which country?
9. What sea lies between Greece and Turkey?
10. What are bongo drums traditionally held between for playing?

(buzzcodes and answers, please)

[palmer7]

(the clock starts counting down)

1. From what type of fat was margarine first made from in the US?
(buzzcode: 76)
*Danny buzzes in (50, 1st to respond)*
Danny?
Danny: Sugar
(buzzer)
Beef.


Ian: $40
Bob: $31
Danny: $5

[9]


2. Which actress played Forrest Gump's mother?
(buzzcode: 25)
*Danny buzzes in (1)*
Danny?
Danny: Alicia Silverstone
(canned laughter)
(buzzer)
Sally Fields. And stop the clock.


Ian: $40
Bob: $31
Danny: $-5

[8]


Danny, you've hit $0. I must invoke Garagiola's Rule. Let's reset your score to $20 and give everyone else an additional $20.

(ding)


Ian: $60
Bob: $51
Danny: $20

[8]


The scores are now Ian at $60, Bob at $51, Danny at $20. 8 questions to go, we resume play.... now!

(the clock starts counting down again)

3. Who is Ben Stiller's mother?
(buzzcode: 46)
*Bob buzzes in (50)*
Bob?
Bob: mirra
(buzzer)
Anne Meara.


Ian: $60
Bob: $41
Danny: $20

[7]


4. What fairy tale character has two ugly stepsisters?
(buzzcode: 68)
*Danny buzzes in (60)*
Danny?
Danny: Tinkerbell
(canned laughter)
(buzzer)
Cinderella.


Ian: $60
Bob: $41
Danny: $10

[6]



5. What color is a polar bear during the summer months?
(buzzcode: 91)
*Danny buzzes in (80)*
Danny?
Danny: Blue
(buzzer)
(canned laughter)
White, stop the clock.



Ian: $60
Bob: $41
Danny: $0

[5]


Danny, you've once again hit $0. I must invoke Garagiola's Rule once again. Let's reset your score to $20 and give everyone else an additional $20.

(ding)


Ian: $80
Bob: $61
Danny: $20

[5]


You must love being generous with Reg Grundy's money, Danny. Scores are Ian at $80, Bob at $61, and Danny at $20. Resume play... now!

(the clock starts counting down again)

6. What is the usual age for a Jewish boy to celebrate his bar mitzvah?
(buzzcode: 75)
*Bob buzzes in (50)*
Bob?
Bob: 13
Yes.


Ian: $80
Bob: $71
Danny: $20

[4]


7. Which Stephen King novel is set at the "Overlook Hotel"?
(buzzcode: 2)
*Bob buzzes in (50)*
Bob?
Bob: the shining
Right.


Ian: $80
Bob: $81
Danny: $20

[3]



8. The Galapagos Islands are part of which country?
(buzzcode: 12)
*Ian buzzes in (45)*
Ian?
Ian: Brazil?
(buzzer)
Ecuador.


Ian: $70
Bob: $81
Danny: $20

[2]


9. What sea lies between Greece and Turkey?
(buzzcode: 22)
*Ian buzzes in (29)*
Ian?
Ian: Baltic?
(buzzer)
Aegean.


Ian: $60
Bob: $81
Danny: $20

[1]



10. What are bongo drums traditionally held between for playing?
(buzzcode: 8)
*Danny buzzes in (44)*
Danny?
Danny: Legs
Stop the clock. I'm getting a ruling from the judges. (I pick up the phone) We'll accept it. Knees.


Ian: $60
Bob: $81
Danny: $30

[0]


(time's up)

Time's up, and Bob wins the game!

[WIN CUE]
[RECAP MUSIC]

Congratulations, Bob, with a score of $81, you will not be playing for the car outright, but we'll get back to you in a moment.

Ian, I wish you had bought that grill. At least you would have won something. As it is, you leave us with the house minimum of $500 and all those parting gifts. Thank you so much for playing and good luck with that restaurant. (canned audience cheers)

Danny.... Oh, Danny.... (I start laughing) you didn't win anything either. You know, maybe you were a little too young for Forrest Gump. So was I. Anyway, we're going to give you $500 and all those parting gifts. Thank you for playing. (canned audience cheers)

Is there anything either one of you would like to say before you leave?

[gameshowfandanny]

I had a wonderful time and I will enjoy the $500.

[palmer7]

I'm sure you will, Danny. And now, Bob Loblaw's going to get a prize off the Winners' Board whether he deserves it or not. Come on, Bob. Let's go shopping!



(Let's Go Shopping! cue)
(Bob gets up and salutes his two opponents; he walks over to the doors; the doors open and he joins me at the 10-in-a-Row lectern)

Congratulations, Bob. (we shake hands, then quickly use the bottle of hand sanitizer to wash them) I believe Danny helped you out a lot with that Speed Round. All you had to do was not buzz in and maybe answer a few questions correctly. Your thoughts, sir?

[toetypergs]

well he definitely did help. but im here and hes not

[palmer7]

That's right, you're here and he isn't. Now, for those of you who are watching the show for the first time, I'll explain. Bob, you've won the game. You are our champion. And one of the things we do for new champions is start them off with a Personal Cash Jackpot, or P-C-J, of $500,000. (canned audience cheers) Think of it as a personal trust we're saving for you if you should win the Lot, which is everything. And in a few minutes, you'll have a chance to add up to $100,000 to your P-C-J by playing 10-in-a-Row. Here's how it works. I'm going to ask you 10 questions, and you'll have three seconds to answer each one. If you're right, you'll go up this money ladder.



$100,000
$75,000
$50,000
$25,000
$15,000
$12,500
$10,000
$7,500
$5,000
$2,500
$0


However, if you're wrong, pass, or don't answer within three seconds, you'll go down to $0 and will have to build your way back up. At the end of 10 questions, whatever level you're at is what we'll add to your P-C-J. Do you have any questions?

(Standby, because I'm PMing you 10 questions, you'll have 24 hours to answer them once you get them)

[toetypergs]

no questions sir'

[palmer7]

Then dim the lights. (the lights are dimmed) Good luck to you. Audience, please be very quiet. Your 10-in-a-Row starts... now.

1. A 1999 album by what artist contains the hits "Livin' La Vida Loca" & "Shake Your Bon-Bon"?
Bob: RICKY MARTIN
Yes.
(ding)


$100,000
$75,000
$50,000
$25,000
$15,000
$12,500
$10,000
$7,500
$5,000
[$2,500]
$0


2. What mollusks are commonly served "casino"?
Bob: OYSTERS
Right.
(ding)


$100,000
$75,000
$50,000
$25,000
$15,000
$12,500
$10,000
$7,500
[$5,000]
$2,500
$0




3. The banana section rooted for its own celebrity couple on what Bert Convy show?
Bob: TATTLETALES
Right.
(ding)


$100,000
$75,000
$50,000
$25,000
$15,000
$12,500
$10,000
[$7,500]
$5,000
$2,500
$0




4. Starting with "A", what word was used by Shakespeare's Henry V & Sherlock Holmes to describe "the game"?
Bob: AFOOT
Correct.
(ding)


$100,000
$75,000
$50,000
$25,000
$15,000
$12,500
[$10,000]
$7,500
$5,000
$2,500
$0


5. In 1981, Wallace Shawn came prepared to eat in My Dinner With what man?
Bob: ANDRE
Right.
(ding)


$100,000
$75,000
$50,000
$25,000
$15,000
[$12,500]
$10,000
$7,500
$5,000
$2,500
$0




6. Proverbially, to indicate one's candidacy is to throw one's hat where?
Bob: THE RING
Yes.
(ding)


$100,000
$75,000
$50,000
$25,000
[$15,000]
$12,500
$10,000
$7,500
$5,000
$2,500
$0


7. Skiers know what 6-letter term for fresh, loose unpacked snow?
Bob: POWDER
Correct.
(ding)


$100,000
$75,000
$50,000
[$25,000]
$15,000
$12,500
$10,000
$7,500
$5,000
$2,500
$0



8. Starting with "C" and from the Latin for "grow together", what word is an alliance of different groups for a specific cause?
Bob: COALLITION
Close enough.
(ding)


$100,000
$75,000
[$50,000]
$25,000
$15,000
$12,500
$10,000
$7,500
$5,000
$2,500
$0



9. What 1991 U2 album features the hit song "Mysterious Ways"?
Bob: JOSHUA TREE
(buzzer)
Achtung Baby.


$100,000
$75,000
$50,000
$25,000
$15,000
$12,500
$10,000
$7,500
$5,000
$2,500
[$0]


10. What film, starring Nathan Lane and Robin Williams, is an English language version of La Cage aux Folles?
Bob: THE BIRDCAGE
Yes.
(ding)


$100,000
$75,000
$50,000
$25,000
$15,000
$12,500
$10,000
$7,500
$5,000
[$2,500]
$0


(time's up)
(the lights come back up)
(canned slight applause, some canned groaning)

PERSONAL CASH JACKPOT:

Oh man! That was so brutal. I'm so sorry. If you hadn't missed that U2 question, you would've had a perfect game. Had you ever heard of Achtung Baby?