Runaround (game show)

Runaround
Format Game Show
Created by Heatter-Quigley Productions
Presented by Paul Winchell
Narrated by Kenny Williams
Country of origin USA
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 51
Production
Running time 30 Minutes
Broadcast
Original channel NBC
Picture format NTSC
Original run September 9, 1972 – September 1, 1973

Runaround is a children's television game show produced by Heatter-Quigley Productions. The program is hosted by Paul Winchell, airing Saturday mornings on NBC from September 9, 1972 to September 1, 1973. The program is announced by Kenny Williams, with music by Mort Garson.

Contents

Format

The basic format of the game invited nine children to answer a three-way multiple choice question by running towards their chosen answer, then standing on marked areas numbered 1, 2 or 3. Just before the correct answer is revealed, the host invites the children to "Runaround... now!" at which point they have a split second to jump onto a different area - the idea being to give your opponents the runaround in case they are merely following your movements.

Host Winchell would say, before giving the correct answer, "When you hear the click, stick!" and then a moment later, "Last chance!", after which point he would press a finger-clicker (a toy device that made a clicking sound). Players still moving or not on one of the three answer areas were eliminated from the round (sent to a penalty area at the side of the stage). Winchell would then say, "Let's see who's right with the light!", whereupon the house lights would dim and the area for the correct answer would light up. Players getting the answer correct took a pink ball from a large bowl near the middle of the stage; players with the incorrect answer were eliminated from the round. Each player had his/her own transparent tube, into which the balls were dropped (this was a substitute scoring device for toteboards, which the show did not have). The player with the highest number of balls at the end of the show was the day's winner.

International versions

British version

Dutch version (Ren je Rot/Kies je Ster)

German version (Eins, Zwei oder Drei)