GAME PLAY
Three contestants, red, yellow and green, competed. To begin, the first property was played. A letter was revealed (let's say B) and that was to start each answer on that side of the board, or street. A clue is given (Ex: Tree skin) and the first player to buzz-in with the correct answer (In this case, bark) wins the value of the property and "claims" it. If they guess incorrectly, the value is deducted. If no one answers correctly, then another question for that property is asked, but for half the value. After all properties are claimed in a color, one of a few things can happen. If one player has claimned them all they bank the total value of the properties. If two players or three have it, then each property the player doesn't have represents the number of consecutive answers they need to claim them all. Once someone meets their requirements, they bank the total value of the properties. In a three-player contest should a player get a question wrong, they're out of the running for the monopoly. If somebody provides a correct answer, they pick a challenger, taking the odd man out's property. After all twenty-two properites in eight monopolies are claimed the second round begins.

The "Big Money Round" begins during a commercial break where players use their money to place $50 houses and $250 hotels on their properties. Each house or hotel increases the rent amount of that property. Then, the hostess rolls the dice. If it lands on a property, the owner gets a question worth the rent. If right, the money is theirs, but if they're wrong one of the other two players can steal, deducting the value if they're wrong. Landing on a railroad means whoever gets a toss-up clue can take the railroad to any monopoly. They can take it over by answering one question for each property in it. If they get all the questions correct, the value of the monopoly is given to them as well as the properties. Also on the board are "chance" and "community chest" cards. Their consequences can range from free money to paying for each house you own. Passing "go" gives all players $200, while landing on it gives everybody $400. Landing on "free parking" results in a toss-up for a jackpot, which starts at $500 and grows by any fines paid during the game. When they hit "go to jail" all players were fined $250. Landing on "Luxury Tax" costs all players $75, and "Income Tax" costs them 10% of their cash on hand. Landing on a utility resulted in a jump-in for one hundred times whatever was showing on the dice (i.e. 8 = $800) When time is called, all hotels and houses are cashed in and the highest scoring player wins the game and goes to the bonus round.

In the bonus round, the "Around the Block" bonus round, the player can win $25,000. They place four "go to jail" spaces - one on second street, one on third and two on fourth. Two others are also on the board. They have five rolls of the dice. Rolling two of same, or "doubles", means a free roll. The player earns $100 for each space they pass and can stop at any time. But if they pass "go" before running out of rolls or "going to jail" they win $25,000. $50,000 is awarded for exactly hitting "go". Running out of rolls before "go" loses the $100 a space.

NOTES
"Monopoly" was originally to be a syndicated program. Not enough stations signed on so the show was paired with "Super Jeopardy" for summers on ABC.

Host Mike Reilly was once a contestant on "Jeopardy."

"Monopoly" was tried as early as 1987, with one pilot being helmed by Marc Summers. Reports say this version was closer to the board game. Pilots shot in 1988 were hosted by Peter Tomarken and featured a woman dressed as the "Monopoly" mascot Rich Uncle Pennybags as the community token in round two.

MY THOUGHTS
An underated and unfortunately short-lived game. There was a lot of money involved, and you had to be pretty sharp to solve the sometimes difficult clues quickly. A lot of strategy came into play in the Big Money Round and some luck. Anybody could come from behind. This is a very fun game to watch.

JAY SAYS...
Cast - 1.0
Game - 1.5
Bells and Whistles - 2.0
Prizes - 2.0
Tilt - 2.0

[ 08.5 ]

Because of the limited time, Mike Reilly has to talk a mile a minute to explain the rules to each aspect of the game as it comes up. Also, they jump right into the game when Mike enters. I really love the game personally, but its probably too confusing for the average viewer. All this aside, "Monopoly" really shouldn't have left when it did.

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