The $1,000,000 Chance of a Lifetime
Encyclopedia
The $1,000,000 Chance of a Lifetime is an American game show
which offered a $1 million (annuitized
) grand prize to winning contestants. Based on a late 1970s unsold game show pilot titled The Letter Machine, the show aired in syndication
from January 6, 1986 until September 11, 1987. The show was hosted by Jim Lange
, and he was joined by Karen Thomas
as co-host during the second season. Marc Summers was the show's announcer for its first few weeks and Johnny Gilbert
announced the remainder of the series. The show was produced by XPTLA, Inc. and distributed by Lorimar-Telepictures
.
-style word puzzles.
In order to fill in the blank spaces in the puzzle, a series of toss-up clues was played; these were usually one-word clues but certain clues called for two or even three words to be used. The letters would be filled in one at a time until all but the last letter had been revealed or until one of the players buzzed in with a correct answer. Doing so won money and the right to choose two letters from a gigantic computer keyboard
. If a player gave an incorrect guess, the opposing player got to see all of the remaining letters and was given a chance to guess.
In addition to letters, a star appeared on the keyboard to indicate whether there were punctuation
marks or numbers in the puzzle. After the first toss-up clue was played, all of the letters that were in the puzzle would be lit up on the keyboard as well as the star if there were any numbers or punctuation marks in play. The toss-up winner chose two of the letters. For each time one of those letters appeared in the puzzle, money corresponding with the amount of the toss-up clue was added to a pot. One additional letter that was not in the puzzle was also lit. Referred to as "The Stinger", picking this letter resulted a loss of control and a new toss-up word was played. Otherwise, the player in control was given a chance to solve the puzzle. Play continued until the puzzle was solved, and the couple that did so won the pot.
In the first round, toss-up clues and revealed letters were worth $25. This doubled to $50 for the second round and doubled again to $100 for the third and subsequent rounds, time permitting. If time ran short while a puzzle was being played, each of the remaining letters would be placed one at a time until one of the players buzzed in with a correct answer (the value of each revealed letter would continue to be added to the pot until that happened). Whichever couple was in the lead after the final puzzle won the game and whatever cash they had earned while the other couple left with a copy of the show's home game, various parting gifts, and whatever previous front-game winnings they had earned if they were a defeated champion.
If there was a tie after the final puzzle, a final toss-up clue was played. If the first player to buzz in answered correctly, the couple won the game. An incorrect answer resulted in an automatic loss and the opposing couple played the bonus round.
If the couple successfully completed the bonus round in their first attempt, they were offered a $5,000 and a choice to retire as undefeated champions or to return the next day and face another couple on the following show. If the couple chose to return and then completed the bonus round a second time, the offer increased to $10,000. In addition, if a winning couple failed to complete a bonus round on either the first or second attempt, they were immediately retired with only their main game winnings.
If the couple advanced to the bonus round for a third day, they played for the $1,000,000 top prize. For the first half-season, the top prize was an annuity paid in annual installments of $40,000 for 25 years. For the second season, the top prize consisted of two cars, ten pairs of round-trip Delta Air Lines
tickets to anywhere in the continental United States, an outdoor spa, a new kitchen, living room, and dining room, and a $900,000 annuity paid in annual installments of $36,000 for 25 years.
aired on ITV
from August 16, 1988 to August 30, 1991. It was produced by TVS
and hosted by David Hamilton.
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
which offered a $1 million (annuitized
Annuity (US financial products)
In the United States an annuity contract is created when an insured party, usually an individual, pays a life insurance company a single premium that will later be distributed back to the insured party over time...
) grand prize to winning contestants. Based on a late 1970s unsold game show pilot titled The Letter Machine, the show aired in syndication
Television syndication
In broadcasting, syndication is the sale of the right to broadcast radio shows and television shows by multiple radio stations and television stations, without going through a broadcast network, though the process of syndication may conjure up structures like those of a network itself, by its very...
from January 6, 1986 until September 11, 1987. The show was hosted by Jim Lange
Jim Lange
Jim Lange is a former American game show host and disc jockey. He was particularly well known to listeners in the San Francisco and Los Angeles radio markets with stints at several stations in both markets, racking up over 45 years on the air...
, and he was joined by Karen Thomas
Karen Thomas
Karen Thomas co-hosted The $1,000,000 Chance of a Lifetime from the second season onwards and filled in as a guest dealer on the Bob Eubanks version of Card Sharks for a week in late 1988 while regular dealer Lacey Pemberton was on maternity leave.-External links:...
as co-host during the second season. Marc Summers was the show's announcer for its first few weeks and Johnny Gilbert
Johnny Gilbert
John L. "Johnny" Gilbert III is an American show business personality who has worked mainly on television game shows. Originally a nightclub singer and entertainer, he has hosted and announced a number of game shows from various eras, dating as far back as the 1950s...
announced the remainder of the series. The show was produced by XPTLA, Inc. and distributed by Lorimar-Telepictures
Lorimar-Telepictures
Lorimar-Telepictures was a production and television syndication firm established in 1986 with the merger of Lorimar and Telepictures until both TV divisions became separate in 1988...
.
Gameplay
Two couples competed each day, one of which was usually a returning champion. The two couples tried to win money by solving Wheel of FortuneWheel of Fortune (U.S. game show)
Wheel of Fortune is an American television game show created by Merv Griffin, which premiered in 1975. Contestants compete to solve word puzzles, similar to those used in Hangman, to win cash and prizes determined by spinning a large wheel. The title refers to the show's giant carnival wheel that...
-style word puzzles.
In order to fill in the blank spaces in the puzzle, a series of toss-up clues was played; these were usually one-word clues but certain clues called for two or even three words to be used. The letters would be filled in one at a time until all but the last letter had been revealed or until one of the players buzzed in with a correct answer. Doing so won money and the right to choose two letters from a gigantic computer keyboard
Computer keyboard
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
. If a player gave an incorrect guess, the opposing player got to see all of the remaining letters and was given a chance to guess.
In addition to letters, a star appeared on the keyboard to indicate whether there were punctuation
Punctuation
Punctuation marks are symbols that indicate the structure and organization of written language, as well as intonation and pauses to be observed when reading aloud.In written English, punctuation is vital to disambiguate the meaning of sentences...
marks or numbers in the puzzle. After the first toss-up clue was played, all of the letters that were in the puzzle would be lit up on the keyboard as well as the star if there were any numbers or punctuation marks in play. The toss-up winner chose two of the letters. For each time one of those letters appeared in the puzzle, money corresponding with the amount of the toss-up clue was added to a pot. One additional letter that was not in the puzzle was also lit. Referred to as "The Stinger", picking this letter resulted a loss of control and a new toss-up word was played. Otherwise, the player in control was given a chance to solve the puzzle. Play continued until the puzzle was solved, and the couple that did so won the pot.
In the first round, toss-up clues and revealed letters were worth $25. This doubled to $50 for the second round and doubled again to $100 for the third and subsequent rounds, time permitting. If time ran short while a puzzle was being played, each of the remaining letters would be placed one at a time until one of the players buzzed in with a correct answer (the value of each revealed letter would continue to be added to the pot until that happened). Whichever couple was in the lead after the final puzzle won the game and whatever cash they had earned while the other couple left with a copy of the show's home game, various parting gifts, and whatever previous front-game winnings they had earned if they were a defeated champion.
If there was a tie after the final puzzle, a final toss-up clue was played. If the first player to buzz in answered correctly, the couple won the game. An incorrect answer resulted in an automatic loss and the opposing couple played the bonus round.
Bonus round
After choosing one of three possible categories, the couple entered an isolation booth wired so they could only hear Lange. The couple had 60 seconds to guess words or phrases pertaining to that category. For each word, a letter was randomly filled in once every 1.5 seconds. Once the couple guessed correctly, the next word/phrase was immediately put into play and the clock did not stop until they gave six correct answers or the 60 seconds ran out.If the couple successfully completed the bonus round in their first attempt, they were offered a $5,000 and a choice to retire as undefeated champions or to return the next day and face another couple on the following show. If the couple chose to return and then completed the bonus round a second time, the offer increased to $10,000. In addition, if a winning couple failed to complete a bonus round on either the first or second attempt, they were immediately retired with only their main game winnings.
If the couple advanced to the bonus round for a third day, they played for the $1,000,000 top prize. For the first half-season, the top prize was an annuity paid in annual installments of $40,000 for 25 years. For the second season, the top prize consisted of two cars, ten pairs of round-trip Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines, Inc. is a major airline based in the United States and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The airline operates an extensive domestic and international network serving all continents except Antarctica. Delta and its subsidiaries operate over 4,000 flights every day...
tickets to anywhere in the continental United States, an outdoor spa, a new kitchen, living room, and dining room, and a $900,000 annuity paid in annual installments of $36,000 for 25 years.
United Kingdom version
All Clued UpAll Clued Up
All Clued Up is a United Kingdom game show based on the American entry The $1,000,000 Chance of a Lifetime, which was produced by TVS and aired on ITV from 17 April 1988 to 19 July 1991...
aired on ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
from August 16, 1988 to August 30, 1991. It was produced by TVS
Television South
Television South was the ITV franchise holder in the south and south east of England between 1 January 1982 and 31 December 1992. The company operated under various names, initially as Television South plc and then following reorganisation in 1989 as TVS Entertainment plc, with its UK...
and hosted by David Hamilton.