Headline Chasers
| Headline Chasers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Game show |
| Created by | Wink Martindale |
| Presented by | Wink Martindale |
| Narrated by | Johnny Gilbert |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Wink Martindale |
| Producer(s) |
Merv Griffin Enterprises Wink Martindale Enterprises |
| Location(s) |
Tav Celebrity Theater Hollywood, California |
| Running time | approx. 26 minutes |
| Distributor |
King World Columbia TriStar Television (GSN reruns) |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Syndicated |
| Original run | September 9, 1985 – September 5, 1986 |
Headline Chasers is a syndicated game show that ran daily from September 9, 1985 to September 5, 1986. The series was created, hosted, and produced by Wink Martindale with Johnny Gilbert as announcer. The show was produced by Merv Griffin Enterprises in association with Wink Martindale Enterprises and distributed by King World.
This show pits two couples against each other in a game of solving newspaper-type word puzzles in three rounds to win money. The headlines are make-believe although based on real people and events.
Game play
Main game
Headline Chasers was played in three rounds, referred to on air as "editions" by Wink Martindale in keeping with the newspaper theme of the program.
In the first edition, a newspaper headline with various letters missing was presented to both couples. The value of each headline began at $500 but decreased by $100 for each clue provided. As a clue was presented, additional letters were placed into the headline. The first couple to buzz-in and correctly solve the headline added the value to their score. Martindale then asked two toss-up questions based upon the headline for $100 each. Three newspaper headlines were played in the first round. After several weeks of shows, a voice would tell the home viewers how many words were in each headline.
The second edition saw the couples attempt to identify the subjects of magazine covers and film clips while the images were heavily distorted. The value for each subject began at $500. The magazine cover questions were played in a similar fashion to the altered headlines as well as blacked out faces, with clues being displayed on screen and reducing the value by $100 for each. The film clip questions saw the couples try to identify the person speaking. However, instead of clues being given, the out-of-focus clip would slowly unscramble and $100 would be deducted every few seconds until someone rang in.
This time, if a couple buzzed-in and could not identify the subject, the value of the clue was frozen and the other couple was provided any remaining clues before making their guess. Two magazine covers/film clips were played in this round.
The final edition featured altered headlines similar to round one, but the value of each headline began at $1,000 and decreased by $200 for each clue. Two follow-up questions, each worth $200, were presented to the couple who solved the headline. Four altered headlines were played during the round.
Following the fourth headline, one final question was asked and the teams were required to wager a portion of their score. After both couples' wagers were revealed, the couple with the higher wager was asked the question. If they answered correctly, the amount of the wager was added to their score. If the couple was incorrect, the amount was subtracted from their score and the other couple was given the option to either attempt answering the question for their wager or pass. The couple with the higher score won the game and advanced to the Headline Extra bonus round for a chance to win an additional $5,000. Both couples kept whatever they had won during the game.
If both couples tied, one last altered headline was played. The first couple to ring-in and give the headline verbatim won the game.
Headline Extra
The winning couple played a bonus round called Headline Extra for up to $5,000. The couple chose from one of five subjects for the final altered headline. The headline was then revealed and the couple had five seconds to study it. If the couple elected to give an answer and failed to come up with the correct solution, the round ended and the couple won nothing additional. Only one guess was permitted. If the couple was correct, they won an additional $5,000.
If the couple chose not to answer, they were then offered up to five additional clues to lead them to the solution. The couple decided how many they wanted at a cost of $1,000 per clue. The clues were revealed one at a time and the couple was given seven additional seconds to study the headline. However, unlike in the main game, revealing clues did not result in additional letters being placed into the headline. After the seven seconds expired and the clues were revealed, the couple had three additional seconds to answer. Coming up with the correct headline won whatever money they had left after revealing the clues.