The $128,000 Question

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The $128,000 Question
The $128,000 Question title card.
Genre	Game show
Starring	Mike Darrow (first season), Alex Trebek (second season)
Country of origin	United States
Production
Running time	30 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	Syndication
Original run	1976 – 1978

The $128,000 Question was an American game show which aired from 1976-1978 in syndication. This revival of the CBS hit classic The $64,000 Question was produced by Cinelar and distributed by Viacom. Mike Darrow hosted the first season which was filmed in the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City, while Alex Trebek hosted its second season, which was taped in Toronto, Canada. Alan Kalter served as announcer during the first season. Kalter was replaced by Sandy Hoyt for the second season.

1 Gameplay
2 Consolation Prizes
3 Tournament play
4 Episode Status
5 External links

[edit] Gameplay

Each player would select his or her expert category from a game board and be quizzed in the same style as The $64,000 Question. The questions were valued at $64, $128, $256, $512, $1,000, $2,000, $4,000, $8,000, $16,000, $32,000 and $64,000. Winners of $64,000 would return at the end of the season to compete for an additional $64,000.

[edit] Consolation Prizes

Each contestant who missed a question worth $4,000 or less would end up winning $1. A miss on the $8,000 or $16,000 would award the player a Buick Skyhawk. Any contestant who lost on a $32,000 ($24,000 plus a Buick Electra during the second season) or $64,000 question would end up leaving with $16,000 ($8,000 plus a Buick Electra during the second season).

[edit] Tournament play

Three contestants won $64,000 during the first season. The semifinals consisted of three rounds of questions for each player. In each round, a player would be asked four questions. If the player answered all four questions correctly, an additional question would be asked. Each correct answer scored one point in round one, two points in round two, and three points in round three. After each player has played three rounds of questions, the two players with the highest scores advanced to the finals, in which the finalists would alternate in answering questions. The first player to answer six questions correctly won $64,000. If the players tied at six or more, additional rounds would be played until the tie was broken.

The second season featured two $64,000 winners. The playoff game consisted of four rounds of gameplay. In each of the first four rounds, each player would be given four questions. Each correct answer scored one point in round one, two points in round two, four points in round three, and eight points in round four. After the fourth round, both players would take turns answering 16-point questions until one player achieved a total score of 128 points. The first player to do so won $64,000.