| MERV GRIFFIN'S CROSSWORDS A Yani-Brune Entertainment production in association with Merv Griffin Entertainment air dates: syndicated 9/10/07-2008? by Program Partners host: Ty Treadway announcer: Edd Hall HOW TO PLAY: The first round of play features 2 contestants filling in a crossword puzzle one word at a time. Ty announces the length of the word, the money value (3-letter words are worth $50, words with 4-6 letters worth $100, and words with at least 7 letters worth $150), and the clue. The score displays also indicate the order in which players buzz in. The first player to buzz in must say the word and then spell it correctly. A correct guess earns money, but a wrong guess subtracts that money from his/her score. Any player who correctly guesses a word that is linked to a Crossword Extra becomes the only player who may guess the Extra word. (S)he may wager any or all of his/her score, or up to $500 if (s)he has less than $500. In addition to the money values doubling, the second round also introduces 3 new contestants called "spoilers". The spoilers stand behind the 2 contestants waiting for one of them to screw up. After a clue is read, all players may ring in. Each spoiler also has a screen for indicating buzz-in order. Any spoiler who trades places with a contestant takes that player's earnings and also scores money for that word. If a contestant answers wrong and a spoiler answers correctly, those 2 players switch places. Any spoiler who answers wrong sits out until all 3 spoilers goof or until a spoiler replaces a contestant. If both players buzz in but fail to guess correctly, the spoilers may take a stab at the word in the order in which they buzzed in. If one player buzzes in with a wrong answer, the spoiler with the right answer trades places with that player. The second round allows the player who finds a Crossword Extra to risk up to $1,000 ($2,000 in the third round) if (s)he has less than that. Only the player with the higher score keeps their money. the other 4 players each receive a Crosswords watch by the Croton Watch Company. The winner is given 90 seconds to fill in the rest of the day's puzzle and wins $2,000 (later $5,000 and an X-Box 360 console w/game package) and a fun-filled vacation outside the States if successful. (S)he may call for the words in any order and could pass on a word and come back to it if time permits. OTHER INFO: Legendary entertainer/businessman/talk show host Merv Griffin (1925-2007) is better known for creating Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! While working on production for Crosswords, his prostate cancer, which was first treated in '96, returned and he died one month before the premiere. Merv is listed posthumously in the credits as Crosswords' executive producer as well as creator. The theme music is a remix of "Buzzword" which was composed by Merv Griffin and used as a car cue during the late '80s and early '90s on Wheel of Fortune. Back to my game show joint or my homepage. |