bpatrick said:
I've always believed "Split Second" was partially responsible for the
demise of "Who, What Or Where," a game I always found more challenging
than "Jeopardy!" (I still remember when my dad nearly dropped dead when
I identified "To Anacreon In Heaven," an old drinking song, as the tune of
"The Star-Spangled Banner.) And given the choice today, I would still watch
the "3Ws."
As for cash amounts, both shows debuted when the networks were still
squeamish about big cash prizes, the scandals still being fresh in execs' minds
even as late as 1972. It would take "Pyramid," with its original top prize of
$10,000, to start the stakes upward again in 1973.
As for the "3Ws," I wish its semi-revival, "Challengers," had had a longer life
beyond its one (1990-91) season.
Hey----as far as the Star-Spangled Banner question, you must have answered
that from the 3 W's home game, where odds were 5 to 1, IIRC the hardest
question on that version! I had that home game! (Was that question used on
the show?)
"The Challengers" had issues. They constantly tweaked the "Ultimate
Challenge" (too much to write here), before (IIRC) totally eliminating it*. They
actually
reduced the correct-answer amounts (never ever do that on a game
show!) as time went on, during the main game.
[*There was a period of time where the U.C. question was not answered
correctly for a long long time.....one day the host (Dick Clark) asked a question to
the female contestant about who was the former president of Rhodesia. She
claimed to have no idea. Clark said, "not even a guess?" She shrugged her
shoulders and said, "Smith?" Clark said "You're right! Ian Smith." Definitely a
desperation situation for the show, if you ask me.]
cd