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Bowling for Dollars
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F
FreddyE1977
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I don't have one personally, but I bet that somebody in the Pittsburgh area will have a VHS copy of the local version
from WTAE-TV4. Pittsburgh is a big Bowling town, and this was a very popular local show that ran for years. It has
since become infamous, because the host, Nick Perry, went on to become the mastermind behind the Pennsylvania Lottery
"666" number-rigging scandal. Since that was in the early 80's, I bet some local early-adapters will have VHS copies of
the show lying around somewhere.
from WTAE-TV4. Pittsburgh is a big Bowling town, and this was a very popular local show that ran for years. It has
since become infamous, because the host, Nick Perry, went on to become the mastermind behind the Pennsylvania Lottery
"666" number-rigging scandal. Since that was in the early 80's, I bet some local early-adapters will have VHS copies of
the show lying around somewhere.
One of the best would be from WFAA when Verne Lundquist was hosting it. (same guy that's been on CBS sports for years and years)
That show was huge in this market for several years.
That show was huge in this market for several years.
tested said:
Lunquist, to this day, is approached by people who remember him from "Bowling For Dollars".
Chick Hearn hosted the LA version on KTLA.
RALfan said:
...and *much better known* as one of Don Imus' celebrity voice impersonators (along with Rob Bartlett) on the MSNBC morning simulcast...
...undoubtedly the longest-running was in Milwaukee, where the WVTV/18 variant was called "The Bowling Game" and was a one-hour nightly prime-time strip hosted by former rock 'n roll radio deejays Lee Rothman (WRIT) and Tom Cole (WTOS). The show was so popular that, when WVTV cancelled it, it simply moved to then-independent WDJT/58 and expanded into a syndicated variant titled "Strikes & Spares For Cash" that popped up on Green Bay's then-indie WGBA/26 for a season. Milwaukee was, of course, one of the biggest bowling markets for decades, with WTMJ-TV/4 running "Bowling with the Champs" on weekend mornings (usually Sundays but occasionally Saturdays if there was an NBC-related schedule conflict) and WISN-TV/12 running the original "Bowling for Dollars" franchise in early evenings...
You may want to contact Baltimore's WBAL-TV channel 11. When they aired their 50th annivsary back in 1998 they showed clips of Bowling for Dollars. Plus WBAL does tend to save quite a bit from their past too.
Not sure this is true but I have heard over the years that the old bowling set is still intact at WBAL. Why? Good question.
Not sure this is true but I have heard over the years that the old bowling set is still intact at WBAL. Why? Good question.
F
FreddyE1977
Guest
In the 60's and 70's, the WTAE radio studios were located immediately downstairs from the TV set with the bowling alleys.
If you were listening to a jock who was live on the air at the same time that they were taping Bowling for Dollars, you
could hear the distinct rumble of pins dropping in the background! Supposedly they still have the alleys in the building, in
storage someplace.
If you were listening to a jock who was live on the air at the same time that they were taping Bowling for Dollars, you
could hear the distinct rumble of pins dropping in the background! Supposedly they still have the alleys in the building, in
storage someplace.
Don't know if any CT stations aired such a show, but on WTXX WB/CW 20 they are airing Candlepins for Dollars--which is put out by WLVI-56 Boston. They don't do the same format as Bowling For Dollars--with Pin Pals and such, it's more like watching the old pro bowlers tour on ABC, but players do compete for prizes and cash. And the other obvious difference is that it's candlepins not 10-pins. And semi-OT, in Stratford there is a bowling alley with duckpin bowling--you know the short, sort of fat pins. Like I said semi-OT 
From what I know, the Boston version was originally called Candlepins for Cash; Wikipedia says that Candlepins for Dollars bears no relation to that. And legend has it that when Bowling for Dollars was conceived in Baltimore [by the same family that created and franchised Romper Room], it was originally entitled Duckpins for Dollars.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowling_for_Dollars
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowling_for_Dollars
I've heard that candlepin bowling is the most popular form
in Boston, and I seem to recall that WCVB did the Candlepins
For Cash show on Saturdays at noon (Boston guys, correct
me on that). I also believe duckpin bowling has always been
popular in Baltimore, but I also recall Bowling For Dollars on
WBAL at 7 PM back in the '70s.
I was living in Dallas when Verne Lundquist was doing Bowling
For Dollars on WFAA, in addition to sportscasts at 6 and 10,
and he did his usual professional job as host...much better than
the one we had on WLOS Greenville/Spartanburg/Asheville, Greenville
DJ Bob Hooper, who was clearly out of his element with this format.
in Boston, and I seem to recall that WCVB did the Candlepins
For Cash show on Saturdays at noon (Boston guys, correct
me on that). I also believe duckpin bowling has always been
popular in Baltimore, but I also recall Bowling For Dollars on
WBAL at 7 PM back in the '70s.
I was living in Dallas when Verne Lundquist was doing Bowling
For Dollars on WFAA, in addition to sportscasts at 6 and 10,
and he did his usual professional job as host...much better than
the one we had on WLOS Greenville/Spartanburg/Asheville, Greenville
DJ Bob Hooper, who was clearly out of his element with this format.
Candlepins for Cash was on for most of its run on the former WNAC (Channel 7), Monday-Friday just before the 6 P.M. news. It was the same format as Bowling for Dollars, and in the opening animated sequence you could almost see the words "Bowling for Dollars" still in it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candlepin_bowling
The classic show Candlepin Bowling of course ran on WHDH/WCVB (Channel 5) Saturdays at noon (one hour) from 1958 to 1996.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candlepin_bowling
The classic show Candlepin Bowling of course ran on WHDH/WCVB (Channel 5) Saturdays at noon (one hour) from 1958 to 1996.
Professionalism was what Verne Lundquist was (and is) all about. He ranks as one of the best sports casters ever to work the Dallas market, and those skills carried him to CBS and served him well there. He had about him a quiet, unassuming confidence in his abilities and set about giving his best, whether he was at the sports desk or doing the bowling show. He wasn't the hail fellow well met slapping everyone on the back but a highly competent brodcast professional who was polite but not outgoing and seeking to have his presence noticed. If he was around there was no missing that fact, because of his aura and not any overt attempt on his part to be seen and heard. Lundquist is the epitome of the saying, "If you do well there's no need to tell people that, it will show."
>>Candlepins for Cash was on for most of its run on the former WNAC (Channel 7), Monday-Friday just before the 6 P.M. news. It was the same format as Bowling for Dollars, and in the opening animated sequence you could almost see the words "Bowling for Dollars" still in it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candlepin_bowling
The classic show Candlepin Bowling of course ran on WHDH/WCVB (Channel 5) Saturdays at noon (one hour) from 1958 to 1996.<<
What's more, "Candlepins For Cash" moved to upstart WXNE (now WFXT) Channel 25 in Boston in 1980 first with Red Sox star Rico Petrocelli and later with Bob Gamere who originally hosted the show on WNAC (Channel 7). It was pretty much true to form of the old Channel 7 production. It did fairly well in the ratings. It didn't hurt that Channel 25 had the best UHF signal in the market. Wonder what ever happened to Bob Gamere?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candlepin_bowling
The classic show Candlepin Bowling of course ran on WHDH/WCVB (Channel 5) Saturdays at noon (one hour) from 1958 to 1996.<<
What's more, "Candlepins For Cash" moved to upstart WXNE (now WFXT) Channel 25 in Boston in 1980 first with Red Sox star Rico Petrocelli and later with Bob Gamere who originally hosted the show on WNAC (Channel 7). It was pretty much true to form of the old Channel 7 production. It did fairly well in the ratings. It didn't hurt that Channel 25 had the best UHF signal in the market. Wonder what ever happened to Bob Gamere?
I might as well add my recollections, too. I grew up in the Cincinnati market, where WKRC-TV 12 carried the program. At the time, Taft Broadcasting owned it. All Taft stations at the time carried Bowling for Dollars, as I remember. The next closest Taft station to me was in Columbus, Ohio, WTVN-TV 6.
Glenn Ryle hosted the Cincinnati version, Dick Schorr the Columbus version.
Bowling for Dollars ran for a 13-week trial beginning in September 1971. It aired live from the Channel 12 studios. The Nick Clooney show aired live from the same Channel 12 studio from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM weekdays. After Clooney's show, the floor of the Clooney set actually covered the bowling lanes, and was raised up. The underneath of this floor, actually had the Bowling for Dollars logo and decoration.
Beginning September 3, 1972, the Cincinnati version began again, first at 7:00 PM, following Hogan's Heroes. Later, Mike Douglas took over 7-8 PM, Bowling for Dollars moved to 6:30 PM. Bowling for Dollars was cancelled by Gus Bailey, then Program Manager of WKRC-TV. For quite some time, BFD rated #1 in its time (mostly at 7PM). The move to 6:30 PM eventually killed it. Its last show for this run was Thanksgiving night, 1975. Room 222 replaced BFD.
A rebirth, of a kind, happened the Summer/Fall of 1976. This version, hosted by Dick Schorr, was taped 2-3 shows at a time, on a weeknight, then aired in a throw away time period on Saturday afternoon. I forget how long this version lasted, but it wasn't long.
WLWD-TV 2 (Now WDTN) in Dayton, Ohio was hosted by David G. McFarland, a local Dayton DJ (I think WONE). I believe it was also live. It aired at 7:00 PM, from WLWD studios.
WTVN-TV 6, Columbus, Ohio. I'm fairly sure those episodes with Dick Schorr were taped, but I can not guarantee it. Schorr was the sports reporter of WTVN-TV. He also broadcast Ohio University (Athens, Ohio) Bobcat football, until recently. They aired at 7:00 PM.
The Cincinnati version died first, then Dayton, then Columbus.
I still haven't heard from anyone who may have a tape of an episode, FROM ANYWHERE.
Glenn Ryle hosted the Cincinnati version, Dick Schorr the Columbus version.
Bowling for Dollars ran for a 13-week trial beginning in September 1971. It aired live from the Channel 12 studios. The Nick Clooney show aired live from the same Channel 12 studio from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM weekdays. After Clooney's show, the floor of the Clooney set actually covered the bowling lanes, and was raised up. The underneath of this floor, actually had the Bowling for Dollars logo and decoration.
Beginning September 3, 1972, the Cincinnati version began again, first at 7:00 PM, following Hogan's Heroes. Later, Mike Douglas took over 7-8 PM, Bowling for Dollars moved to 6:30 PM. Bowling for Dollars was cancelled by Gus Bailey, then Program Manager of WKRC-TV. For quite some time, BFD rated #1 in its time (mostly at 7PM). The move to 6:30 PM eventually killed it. Its last show for this run was Thanksgiving night, 1975. Room 222 replaced BFD.
A rebirth, of a kind, happened the Summer/Fall of 1976. This version, hosted by Dick Schorr, was taped 2-3 shows at a time, on a weeknight, then aired in a throw away time period on Saturday afternoon. I forget how long this version lasted, but it wasn't long.
WLWD-TV 2 (Now WDTN) in Dayton, Ohio was hosted by David G. McFarland, a local Dayton DJ (I think WONE). I believe it was also live. It aired at 7:00 PM, from WLWD studios.
WTVN-TV 6, Columbus, Ohio. I'm fairly sure those episodes with Dick Schorr were taped, but I can not guarantee it. Schorr was the sports reporter of WTVN-TV. He also broadcast Ohio University (Athens, Ohio) Bobcat football, until recently. They aired at 7:00 PM.
The Cincinnati version died first, then Dayton, then Columbus.
I still haven't heard from anyone who may have a tape of an episode, FROM ANYWHERE.
I'm surprised that no one has volunteered a tape of an episode.
I sent requests to the Baltimore and Pittsburgh stations, but got nowhere. I've tried many requests to many stations and historical societies, including the Bowling Hall of Fame in St. Louis, but still nothing. Claster did not have anything. Now they've been completely absorbed into Hasbro, so I'll never get anywhere now.
I sent requests to the Baltimore and Pittsburgh stations, but got nowhere. I've tried many requests to many stations and historical societies, including the Bowling Hall of Fame in St. Louis, but still nothing. Claster did not have anything. Now they've been completely absorbed into Hasbro, so I'll never get anywhere now.
Try contacting CKCO 13 in Kitchener, Ontario. They have shown Bowling for Dollars clips on a couple station anniversary shows. At the least I have RealVideo clips of those anniversary shows featuring some Bowling for Dollars stuff. PM me if you wish to continue this further.
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