Network: NBC, USA, Syndicated (Repeats: Game Show Network)
Running Years: January 1974-September 1975 (NBC); September 1985-December 1988 (USA); September 1989-March 1990 (Syndicated)
Hosts: Geoff Edwards (NBC, Syndicated), Mike Darrow (USA)
Announcers: Don Pardo (NBC), Ken Ryan (USA for first few weeks), John Harris (rest of USA run), John Harlan (Syndicated), Johnny Gilbert (Syndicated)
Producer: Bob Stewart
Riddles have been a part of everyone's life. Whether they were those joke riddles you used to hear as kids, those famous riddles (Sphinx), or those philosophical riddles, they have definitely made us use our brains. "Jackpot" was a show that focused on riddles, and had the most people play the game at one time. 16 players would be quizzing each other for a week, looking for big cash and prizes.
RULES (NBC):
Sixteen players competed for an entire week. Fifteen were seated in seats numbered 1-15, while the other player was dubbed the "Expert," and was the one who had to answer riddles. At the beginning of the week, one was chosen randomly.
That expert would then be given $100 to start in the "Jackpot," a target number, and a "Super Jackpot" multiplier. If, at any time, the last three digits in the "Jackpot" matched the target number, then the "Expert" had the chance to answer a "Super Jackpot" riddle, worth the target amount times the "Super Jackpot" multiplier (eg. target number is $535, and the multiplier is 30, then the "Super Jackpot" was worth $16,050. However, if the target and multipler were at their maxes ($995 and 50), then the producers would "chip-in" an extra $250 to make the total worth $50,000!).
To start the game, the "Expert" called on one of the 15 players seated. If the player had a cash value attached to his/her riddle, then that amount was added to the "Jackpot," and the "Expert" had to answer the riddle. A riddle may go something like, "I can be a beautiful girl or an ugly wind. What am I?" A correct answer, in this case, "Gail (Gale)," would mean that the "Expert" gets to pick again. A wrong answer means the reader and the "Expert" switch places.
This selecting keeps going on until the "Target" number is matched, or, more common, the "Jackpot" riddle is selected. The "Expert" then can decide whether to answer the riddle right then and there, or try to put more money in the "Jackpot." If the "Expert" goes for the "Jackpot" riddle and is correct, then he/she splits the "Jackpot" with the reader and gets to play another game as the "Expert." An incorrect answer means the "Jackpot" is carried over to the next game, and the two switch places, as normal.
If the "Target" number is matched (or, less common, a "Super Jackpot" riddle is available in the main game or "Instant Super Jackpot" is found), then the "Expert" gets to go for the "Super Jackpot" riddle. This is MUCH harder than the other riddles in the game, and is read by the host. If answered correctly, then the "Expert" and the reader of the riddle that matched the "Target" number split the "Super Jackpot," and a new game began; if answered incorrectly, then play continued as normal, but the "Expert" could stay put.
"Bonus prize" riddles were also occasionally offered, with the "Expert" earning a bonus prize if answered correctly.
At the end of the week, everyone got to keep what they had earned.
Note: In the second season, the riddles were changed to general-knowledge questions, and the "Super Jackpot" just became a randomly-chosen amount between $2,000 and $10,000.
RULES (USA):
Even though Mike Darrow took over as host, and production moved to Canada, the game stayed pretty much the same as its predecessor. It went back to the use of riddles, but the "Super Jackpot" was again just a randomly-chosen amount between $2,000 and $10,000.
Also, the "Expert" was now called the "King/Queen of the Hill," and had to switch after every "Jackpot" or "Super Jackpot" riddle, regardless of answering it correctly or not.
More bonus riddles were also added (the "Super Jackpot" riddle and the "Bonus Prize" riddles stayed around), such as the "Return Trip" riddle, which allowed the "King/Queen of the Hill" to come back the next week.
Other bonuses included a new car for anyone that could answer all 15 riddles correctly in one game, a $1,000 addition to the "Jackpot" if the "Jackpot" riddle was picked last, and $10,000 for the player who answered the most riddles correctly in a 10-week period.
Also, in the last season, a $50,000 riddle was added to the mix, and this came up very rarely in the game. These were MUCH harder than even the "Super Jackpot" riddles, but, if answered correctly, that player split the $50,000 with everyone else able to answer this riddle (3 players pulled it off, each getting $16,666.67).
RULES (Syndicated):
This version saw the return of Geoff Edwards, and a format that stayed pretty much in tune with the USA version.
The $10,000 prize was scrapped, along with the $50,000 riddle; however, the "Return Trip," "Bonus Prize," and "Super Jackpot" riddles stayed around, along with a new addition: the "Jackpot Doubler" riddle, which is self-explanatory!
The only two rule changes were that a player now had to answer a riddle correctly before the money would be added to the "Jackpot," and getting all 15 riddles correct wasn't worth a new car anymore; it added $1,000 to the "Jackpot."
SOME UNUSUAL TRENDS:
Want a $50,000 riddle? Okay, here goes: "I am what you get when you put a drawer in backwards. What am I?" E-mail me if you'd like the answer!
At the beginning of each show, someone would always stand up and yell, "Jackpot!" Everyone got to do the honors at the end of the show.
The adrenaline was always rushing here. Even jackpots of only hundreds of dollars, when won, would always meet with the hugs, kisses, handshakes, etc.
Since the USA version was taped in Canada, that money was all Canadian loot! Trust me, it makes a big difference to give away $10,000 here than in Canadian dollars!
What an interesting game! Those riddles will rack your brain and, because of that, were always interesting to hear asked. Although a great deal of luck went into this game in terms of adding a good amount of money (or the right amount of money) to the "Jackpot," in order to stay alive, you had to be good at answering the riddles. The concept of having players stay on for an entire week was also pretty good, as it almost guaranteed a chance for everybody to get in the game and win something. Geoff Edwards was also very good as host (Mike Darrow was okay), as he seemed to genuinely enjoy the game. There wasn't much to the sets on any version, but what's the point in spending a lot of money on the set when you have to focus on 16 people playing a game? Overall, though, this was a very fun and interesting game to watch (at least, for me!)
My Grades:
Game Play: A- (The emphasis on luck took some points off, but the riddles are very interesting and fun to play along with!)
Host: A (Edwards), B+ (Darrow) (Edwards really seemed to enjoy himself on this show and conveyed that to many contestants; Darrow was okay, though not as into the game as Edwards was.)
Set: B+ (Not much to either set, but, then again, when you have to focus on 16 players playing a big game, what's the point of a flashy set?)
Execution: B (I gave a B here because I didn't like the fact that a person could build a huge pot only to lose it all to a dolt on one riddle, and I also didn't like the emphasis on
luck needed to get the "Super Jackpot.")
Play-Along Factor: A (You can definitely have some fun with these riddles; try and get as many as the contestants do!)
Overall Grade: A- (Edwards), B+ (Darrow)
The main difference here is the hosts; otherwise, you've basically got the same game which is very fun to watch. I highly suggest taking a look at all versions of the show and see the evolution, if you get a chance!