50 Grand Slam

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50 Grand Slam was a short-lived game show from Ralph Andrews Productions that aired on NBC from October 4 to December 31, 1976, and attempted to bring the days of the big money quiz show to life.

Contents

[edit] Host and Announcer

Tom Kennedy hosted the show, with John Harlan announcing position.

[edit] Format

Nine contestants competed on each show, with two competing at a time.

The two contestants competing in the game were put in isolation booths and each was read a four part-question in a random category. Whoever answered more parts of the question correctly won $200 and had the option to either quit with what they'd won or continue on to the next level, which was worth $500 for a win.

The scale ($200 for one win, $500 for two wins) continued as such:

Three wins: $1000
Four wins: $2000
Five wins: $5000
Six wins: $10,000
Seven wins: $20,000

If a contestant managed to win on all eight levels, they won $50,000.

The category was in play until all nine contestants had played it or someone won $50,000.

[edit] Notes

  • 50 Grand Slam premiered (and was cancelled) on the same day as Allen Ludden's show Stumpers!. Ludden appeared on the first episode of 50 Grand Slam to wish Kennedy luck.
  • During the show's brief run, a total of five players won the $50,000 top prize.
  • The bells and buzzers used on 50 Grand Slam were carried over to Card Sharks.
  • At the end of the final episode of 50 Grand Slam, Kennedy (clad in a tuxedo) reminded his viewers that this was the finale, and told them that he'd see them that Monday on Name That Tune, which only lasted a few months on NBC (his weekly syndicated version, which had only been on the air for two years at that point, continued until 1981).

[edit] Episode Status

This series is rumored to be fully erased. A few episodes have shown up on the trading circuit.