KING OF THE HILL (Unsold pilot)
Tape date: February 7, 1975
Host: Robert Earle
Announcer: Fred Foy
KING OF THE HILL (Unsold pilot)
Tape date: February 7, 1975
Host: Robert Earle
Announcer: Fred Foy
Three challengers and the reigning “king of the hill” compete. Each challenger starts at the bottom of the hill. On it are seven steps and three in the “king’s territory.” Each player starts on the bottom step. Robert announces a category and a question is asked to all players. The first to buzz-in and be right moves to the next step and earns $25. Each step is a different category. The second step is worth $50, then $75, then $100, $125 and $150 for the last step. 
Any time a player misses a question, the other two can jump-in and steal. The $150 step is an open category for all players. When a player gets past the $150 step they enter the king’s territory. Each of three steps in the king’s territory has four questions. The player tries to climb to the king’s spot before a category runs out of questions. If any contestant gets stuck, the king wins the game. If the player gets to the king’s spot they are the new king of the hill.
The winner tries to climb the “Money Hill.” Seven cards are dealt on the hill, and they are given a base card plus $150 to bet with. They can bet any of their stake on whether the first card on the hill is higher or lower than the base card. That card becomes the new base card, which they use to predict the second card, and so on. Ties benefit the player. A maximum $19,200 can be won. Regardless of the outcome, they return as the king in the next game.
NOTES
Robert Earle was known as the second host of “College Bowl” replacing Allen Ludden.
Howard Felsher was part of the staff on this pilot. He also worked for Goodson and Todman. The bonus game later became “Money Cards” on G-T’s “Card Sharks.”
MY THOUGHTS
Fun and exciting. It should’ve sold. Robert Earle is a bit rigid, and the set is jumbled up, but the rest is great. The categories are fun, the music is exciting and the stakes are high.
JAY SAYS...
Cast - 1.0
Game - 2.0
Bells and Whistles - 1.5
Prize - 2.0
Tilt - 2.0
[ 08.5 ]
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