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CLASSIC CONCENTRATION
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Network: NBC
Running Years: May 1987-September 1991; October 1991-December 1993 (Repeats)
Host: Alex Trebek
Announcer: Gene Wood
Producer: Mark Goodson
As a kid, I'm sure you remember playing "Memory." You know, that game where you have to try and find the matches for all the pictures? Well, this game show is exactly like that, except players tried to match prizes and had to solve rebus puzzles. That simplicity factor along with a great play-along factor at home was the formula for success, and one of the most durable game shows on NBC in the 1980s.
RULES:
Two contestants competed in each game, a champion and a challenger. The champion went first and picked two numbers on a 25-number board. Behind each number was the name of a prize, the word "TAKE," or a "WILD" card.
If the contestant could make a match of a prize, then he/she got the prize added to his/her bank. The 25 numbers also were pieces of a rebus puzzle, and, as matches were made, those matched pieces were taken away to reveal pieces of the puzzle. Whoever could solve the puzzle won all the prizes in his/her bank and the game.
After making a match, the contestant could then guess at the puzzle; however, a wrong guess forfeited control to the opponent. Not making a match also forfeited control.
Making a match of the two "TAKE" squares gave the player a "TAKE" card, which allowed him/her to rob one of his/her opponent's prizes at any time during that game; however, if it wasn't used before the puzzle was solved, TOO BAD!
The "WILD" cards, though, were the most desired cards in the game! Three of them were on each game board where squares weren't taken away beforehand (more on that later), and, when found, the player made an automatic match. If the "WILD" card was the first number picked in the turn, however, then the player picked another number to get his/her automatic match. Turning over another "WILD" card, though, was worth $500 and another selection. Same goes if the third "WILD" card was found in that same turn. After the prize to go with the "WILD" card was made, the other number with the prize on it was revealed and taken away to reveal more of the puzzle along with the others.
Again, whoever was able to solve the rebus puzzle won the game. From May 1987 to July 1988, the winner of the game immediately moved on to play the bonus game. From July 1988 to June 1990, though, contestants had to win a best two out of three match to move on to the bonus game. After June 1990 to the end of the run, contestants moved on to the bonus game after every game won, but it took 2 losses to eliminate a player. (Got it yet?)
BONUS GAME:
The champion played a bonus game for the chance to win a new car. He/she was presented with a 15-number board with no rebus this time around (whew!). All the champ had to do was to make 7 matches with the different names of the cars present on the staircase behind the podium. Since 8 cars were there, the 8th car didn't match anything, but it was the contestant's responsibility to figure out which one.
The time that he/she got to accomplish this depended on how many games he/she had won beforehand. For the first attempt, 35 seconds was given. After that, 5 additional seconds were added for each additional attempt.
Then, he/she began calling out numbers and trying to make matches. If he/she could make all 7 matches within the time limit, then he/she won the last brand/make of car matched. If time ran out, though, nothing additional was won, but he/she got to play another match.
If the champ won the car, then he/she retired as undefeated champion; however, if not, then he/she could return to play as many games as he/she could until defeated or until he/she won the car.
SOME UNUSUAL TRENDS:
For some games, especially ones that ran late, some of the puzzle pieces were automatically revealed beforehand (up to 4). This may have affected the number of "WILD" cards available, especially if an even number of pieces were left (either 2 or 4 were put up in this case).
If time was running short, then the players just alternated back and forth, revealing puzzle pieces until someone solved the puzzle.
After a puzzle was solved, the solution would be explained on a screen in a manner similar to a meteorologist. For the first few years, Alex would do the honors, and then the honor switched over to the contestant who solved it.
Some of the more familiar prizes on the show: "500 shares of McDonald's stock," "Bedroom Ensemble," and "Cash Pot" (if a player won the game and had won this as a prize, then he/she received $500 plus $100 for each day not won). "5 Extra Bonus Seconds" was also occasionally offered.
Unlike its predecessors, this version of "Concentration" had a computerized board. Alright! Even game shows recognize the value of technology!
Talk about the quintessential game show here! The original was, and still is, considered to be one of the top game shows of all-time, and this revival carried on the legacy very well. The game was great, rewarding memory as well as logical thinking and puzzle-solving skills, skills which make a math student and prospective teacher, like me, very happy! Not only that, but a lot of the prizes on there were very nice and thousands of dollars in loot could be won in a single game! The set and Alex were also very fitting for the show; the set was very dark and full of flashing lights, and Alex was very mellow and almost nothing like "Mr. Jeopardy!" The computerized board and "meteorology screen" for the puzzle solution was also very nice; overall, a great show that deserved more than 4 years on the air!
My Grades:
Game Play: A+ (They say you can't improve on a classic format, so I'm glad that this show didn't try; the game play was flawless and excellent to play along with at home!)
Host: A+ (I'm really impressed with the way Alex Trebek became so personable and fun on this show; it was a nice change from the serious persona he took for "Jeopardy!")
Set: A+ (It was very well-designed and complemented the game board as well as the contestant desks extremely well, and, of course, seeing eight cars on that staircase was quite a sight!)
Execution: A- (The only reasons I took off points here was because it seemed they could never decide how many games you had to win or lose before going to the bonus game or being defeated, and a really good matcher in the bonus game could only get maybe 2 games while a bad bonus game player could get maybe 8!)
Play-Along Factor: A+ (If you don't find yourself screaming at the TV when you find an easy match or when you can solve the puzzle but the contestant can't, then I'll wonder what's wrong with you!)
Overall Grade: A+
Truly one of the best game shows out there, the entire "Concentration" series was perfect in combining memory skills with puzzle skills for contestants to win big and have lots of fun. The show has a very relaxed atmosphere and is very inviting to the viewer, so I urge you to try and watch an old episode of this show; you'll find yourself wanting more and more!
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