Before Press Your Luck got its second chance, its first chance was called Second Chance. Here is the precursor to Press Your Luck with Jim Peck as host.
This was aired in 1977, six years before "Press Your Luck". "Second Chance" was ahead of its time when it was aired in its short season. It is from the same company that brought you "Press Your Luck".
It was a while ago, but I believe the space (originally $5,000 with FREE above and SPIN below) became a rectangle 4 digit eggcrate cut out in the middle of that octagon with FREE on top and SPIN on bottom of it.
to bad this was the only episode to survive. The rest were destroyed by the network since it only ran for 9 months. There is no way Michael Larsen could have pulled off what he did on Press Your Luck with this board and how fast the lights were moving. My only question is how these same contestants appeared on the pilot of press your luck and several other gameshows.
Wow.. thanks a million for the upload! I was in 1st grade when I saw this show, and the devils used to scare me. A couple musings: At 2:06, Jim calls Maggie Nancy! :P The question rounds sucked.. all 3 contestants have the same answer and Jim says "at least ONE of you is right". Why would anyone want to change their answer at this point? Just elimitating that "hint" would make the round a little better. The question format on PYL was perfect. And Peter was a MUCH more enjoyable host.
Oddly both this '76 Pilot and the '83 pilot have a contestant named Maggie and look remarkably alike. Coincidence, a production plant, or a Second Chance?
They had a "trip to Russia" on there. Not sure how that would have worked since...well, the Soviets were still around back then. Today, it's hard to get a visa to go to Russia, in 1976, probably nigh on impossible.
Lotsa drama on the final bonus round that's for sure. Now I see why this show got a literal "Second Chance" in a decade of excess with Press Your Luck.
Here's the scenario: Lynn pass that one spin to Maggie, Maggie hits a devil...that means her $13,773 is gone! Lynn is happy but oh so nasty about the situation!
Second Chance ran only 4 months. It was in that noon timeslot and the theory was that it was used as filler while ABC was readying a new G-T game they were pinning their hopes on, The Better Sex.
Is it possible you could scan it and send it to me? I really miss this show and would like to see it from its different incarnations (the pilots and regular series).
Simple. He wanted to make that lead more insurmountable. When he passed when he did, Lynn had to find the $5,000 at least once to still have a chance. And we all know how that came out.
It's a wonder that so many great shows had such short runs, like this one. But if SC had a longer run, we would never see the hit that was Press Your Luck. Interesting how fate works.
Is this from The Encyclopedia of TV Game Shows 2nd ed.? If so, I have that one and it looks like another pilot episode, because the devils are on the screens behind the players. I believe I remember the regular series started off with devils on cards, like the Whammies in PYL.
When the actual series aired, the contestant desk podiums were similar to those on "Press Your Luck" with numeric spin counters (passed and earned) and pop-up devils. The $5000 slot became "$5000 + One Spin." Toward the end of the run, the first digit flashed from 1 to 5 as the board spun.
@thegameshowguy Was the Eggcrate board for the entire space or was it just a rectangle than ran have through with FREE SPIN printed on? and was Free spin in regular font or was it the same font like all the other cash spaces?
Who was the regular announcer on the actual (non-pilot) series, Jack Clark or Jay Stewart? I know they've both done it for this show. Also, what came after and before this show on the schedule? At least in my area it was some daytime talk show that come on before this, I think, like Dinah or something, and SC came on at 9:00. Then I think maybe it was $25,000 Pyramid. Or was it Shoot For The Stars..? Can't really recall.
Too bad this wasn't the format they used. Much better in all ways Better sound when spinning. Devil better than disgusting Whammy. Better Devil display. Better format for spins. All guess not just one buzzing in. Better way for transferring of spins. Starting with person to his Right for the second round is better as well.
Did anyone notice the randomizer on Second Chance ran twice as fast as Press Your Luck? I know it was necessary because the spaces do not change when the board was active.
Spencer Because he didn’t want to win with a measly $3,202. Also, this was a pilot program, so it’s not like he would get that amount. In pilot gameshows like this, the contestants are coached and encouraged to go for broke, and make the game as exciting as possible. As it would be the episode sent to network executives to be green lit, and they wouldn’t want a boring game.
Some game show pilots are staged, or they use actors or coach the contestants. The goal of a TV pilot is to show the network or TV Station the potential a show may have by showing what a typical show may look like. Players are given a flat fee for being on a show and/or are awarded a prize (cash) For winning the game. But it's very unlikely that the players win whatever their final score is on the pilot.
I'm sure the Pilot contestants were payed for what they've won. If they knew they'd be playing for nothing, of course they wouldn't be as enthusiastic.
***** Actually, when shooting the pilot, the "contestants" are payed a flat fee for participating, In many cases they're either actors or people looking to make a quick $200. If this was an actual game, contestants would get their money about 6 weeks after the show airs, which gives the producers a chance to verify their eligibility.
Rock-Ola and Beer dispenser? I wanna go back to the 70's!!!
This was aired in 1977, six years before "Press Your Luck". "Second Chance" was ahead of its time when it was aired in its short season. It is from the same company that brought you "Press Your Luck".
Robert Lopresti uyy1111111
It was a while ago, but I believe the space (originally $5,000 with FREE above and SPIN below) became a rectangle 4 digit eggcrate cut out in the middle of that octagon with FREE on top and SPIN on bottom of it.
This was really good. I was looking for this for a long time. Thank you.
Always wanted to see this, thanks!
I just couldn't help but laugh at Maggie's "explosions" - full of power when you least expect it :)
Fun facts: All of Maggie’s spins in the second round were passed to her! And Jack received no passed spins during his time on the board.
Glad this was uploaded. I only had it in really crummy quality on my PC :D
The $12,570 Lynn won would be like winning $48,344.51 in 2013!
It would!
This is like 70s Match Game money.
to bad this was the only episode to survive. The rest were destroyed by the network since it only ran for 9 months. There is no way Michael Larsen could have pulled off what he did on Press Your Luck with this board and how fast the lights were moving. My only question is how these same contestants appeared on the pilot of press your luck and several other gameshows.
This show just SCREAMS the 70s.
I love that folding board.
EVERYONE LOVES MAGGIE!! SHE APPEARS ON HERE FIRST, THEN THE PILOT OF PRESS YOUR LUCK AND THEN AGAIN A 2ND TIME ON PRESS YOUR LUCK LATER ON LOL.
Wow.. thanks a million for the upload! I was in 1st grade when I saw this show, and the devils used to scare me.
A couple musings:
At 2:06, Jim calls Maggie Nancy! :P
The question rounds sucked.. all 3 contestants have the same answer and Jim says "at least ONE of you is right". Why would anyone want to change their answer at this point? Just elimitating that "hint" would make the round a little better. The question format on PYL was perfect. And Peter was a MUCH more enjoyable host.
I believe that's his tongue. Sticking out, like "nyah, nyah, I'm taking your money".
Oddly both this '76 Pilot and the '83 pilot have a contestant named Maggie and look remarkably alike. Coincidence, a production plant, or a Second Chance?
Maggie's reaction at 2:11 is just classic :D
I dig the music !!
Big bucks no devils
Gotta love Maggie's delayed reaction at 1:33...
They had a "trip to Russia" on there. Not sure how that would have worked since...well, the Soviets were still around back then. Today, it's hard to get a visa to go to Russia, in 1976, probably nigh on impossible.
Hate that Devil!
Those were reruns on USA. The show aired on CBS from 9/19/1983 to 9/26/1986.
Lotsa drama on the final bonus round that's for sure. Now I see why this show got a literal "Second Chance" in a decade of excess with Press Your Luck.
Here's the scenario: Lynn pass that one spin to Maggie, Maggie hits a devil...that means her $13,773 is gone! Lynn is happy but oh so nasty about the situation!
I know that after she hit that devil. That was classic.
Second Chance ran only 4 months. It was in that noon timeslot and the theory was that it was used as filler while ABC was readying a new G-T game they were pinning their hopes on, The Better Sex.
What is crazy is 5000 in 1977 would be like almost 18,000 in 2010!
The devils light up on the tiles behind each player.
Before Press your luck, it was second chances and it was great.
You know, garfield? That's a good idea. Not just SC, but other game shows that the networks wiped.
Is it possible you could scan it and send it to me? I really miss this show and would like to see it from its different incarnations (the pilots and regular series).
Simple. He wanted to make that lead more insurmountable. When he passed when he did, Lynn had to find the $5,000 at least once to still have a chance. And we all know how that came out.
yes..I remember..it flashed with an eggcrate readout.
I don't know where you can find Gambit on my space but I do know its here somewhere on you tube
It's a wonder that so many great shows had such short runs, like this one. But if SC had a longer run, we would never see the hit that was Press Your Luck. Interesting how fate works.
that jack is a glutton 4 punishment
Is this from The Encyclopedia of TV Game Shows 2nd ed.? If so, I have that one and it looks like another pilot episode, because the devils are on the screens behind the players. I believe I remember the regular series started off with devils on cards, like the Whammies in PYL.
I wonder how Michael Larson would have handled this board?
This game is pretty much Larson-proof. For what Larson counted on were those extra spins.
Don Paschal I read somewhere that somebody figured out the pattern on SC too.
Idk either
When the actual series aired, the contestant desk podiums were similar to those on "Press Your Luck" with numeric spin counters (passed and earned) and pop-up devils. The $5000 slot became "$5000 + One Spin." Toward the end of the run, the first digit flashed from 1 to 5 as the board spun.
@thegameshowguy Was the Eggcrate board for the entire space or was it just a rectangle than ran have through with FREE SPIN printed on? and was Free spin in regular font or was it the same font like all the other cash spaces?
Who was the regular announcer on the actual (non-pilot) series, Jack Clark or Jay Stewart? I know they've both done it for this show. Also, what came after and before this show on the schedule? At least in my area it was some daytime talk show that come on before this, I think, like Dinah or something, and SC came on at 9:00. Then I think maybe it was $25,000 Pyramid. Or was it Shoot For The Stars..? Can't really recall.
Cool.. what does the pic look like? Does it look like a pilot episode?
wow, he sounds exactly like peter tomarken!
This is a good show, but I think i'll stick to Press your Luck. Thanks for uploading this EXTREMLY RARE pilot.
Where can I find this Gambit on myspace? You got the link?
Hate that rotten Devil!
@masonben2011 The $5000 space was given an extra spin later in this series.
poor maggie
Too bad this wasn't the format they used. Much better in all ways
Better sound when spinning.
Devil better than disgusting Whammy.
Better Devil display.
Better format for spins. All guess not just one buzzing in.
Better way for transferring of spins.
Starting with person to his Right for the second round is better as well.
What's the link?
Did anyone notice the randomizer on Second Chance ran twice as fast as Press Your Luck? I know it was necessary because the spaces do not change when the board was active.
Could be. I'm guessing that some shows that are thought to be lost forever could be collecting dust in a vault somewhere.
Why would Jack not pass knowing she had 3 devils, 9 spins will give you AT LEAST one devil (unless you're Michael Larson).
Spencer Because he didn’t want to win with a measly $3,202. Also, this was a pilot program, so it’s not like he would get that amount. In pilot gameshows like this, the contestants are coached and encouraged to go for broke, and make the game as exciting as possible. As it would be the episode sent to network executives to be green lit, and they wouldn’t want a boring game.
@sugarbear522 xactly twice as fast ??
5:11 Shit!
@crazyclimber80 I don't know either, but Family Feud would have been on there somewhere.
A trip to Russia in a 1970s game show?
At 4:03 what is that black spot on the Devil's mouth? Is that a missing tooth?
Now another question. is the outcome on game show pilots staged?
Some game show pilots are staged, or they use actors or coach the contestants.
The goal of a TV pilot is to show the network or TV Station the potential a show may have by showing what a typical show may look like.
Players are given a flat fee for being on a show and/or are awarded a prize (cash) For winning the game. But it's very unlikely that the players win whatever their final score is on the pilot.
i notice something else: when Lynn passed to MAGGIE she played them IMMEDIATELY instead of going to JACK on PYL Maggie would play last.
Too bad it was the pilot. Are pilot contestants payed anything?
I'm sure the Pilot contestants were payed for what they've won. If they knew they'd be playing for nothing, of course they wouldn't be as enthusiastic.
***** Actually, when shooting the pilot, the "contestants" are payed a flat fee for participating, In many cases they're either actors or people looking to make a quick $200. If this was an actual game, contestants would get their money about 6 weeks after the show airs, which gives the producers a chance to verify their eligibility.
That's "paid."