Expert: Randall Buie - 6/6/2003

Question
What show had the catch phrase "Big bucks, no whammies" and whatever happened to the gameshow "Greed".  I thought "Greed" was a great show as it envoked the use of teamwork & knowledge, not just luck.  Also... the gameshow "$ale of the Century" aired in the mid to late 70's, I believe the host's name was Tom Perry (am I right?).  I have a bet with a friend that both the host and the show were Canadian.  Lemme know.  Thanks!!  Geoff  

Answer
Hi and thanks for the questions.

In the order that you asked them --

1) The "big bucks no whammies" show was entitled Press Your Luck.  It aired on CBS from 1984 to 1986 and was in countless reruns on the USA cable network.  It is currently being shown in reruns on the Game Show Network, and has even been updated and revived in a show simply called Whammy (also on Game Show Network).

2)Greed fell victim to the oldest fault in television -- copying a trend and having nothing new to offer.  Greed was a direct rip off on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.  Greed had two major problems that led to its quick downfall.  The first was that it was on the Fox network.  The second was the "terminator" aspect of it.  Very few game shows have had such a vicious round as the terminator and it drove a lot of game show fans away.  Once again, Greed is in reruns on Game Show Network.

3)  Well, you were close.  Sale of the Century was hosted by Jim Perry (and later baseball player Joe Garagiola).

Thanks again for the questions.

Randall