Jackpot

From Wikipedia:

Jackpot! was a television game show seen in three different runs between 1974 and 1990. Geoff Edwards hosted the original version of this Bob Stewart production from January 7, 1974 until September 26, 1975 on NBC. A second version, produced in Canada, aired from July 15, 1985 to December 30, 1988 on the USA Network in the U.S. and was hosted by Mike Darrow. A third version, again hosted by Edwards, ran from September 18, 1989 to March 2, 1990 in syndication and was filmed in Glendale, California.

Sixteen contestants competed for an entire week, with one designated King of the Hill (Queen of the Hill for female contestants), who stood at a circular podium at stage-left. The other fifteen contestants, numbered 1 through 15, were seated in three-tiered bleachers. Each had a special wallet containing a riddle and a varying cash amount or the Jackpot Riddle. The King/Queen of the Hill selected a number and the contestant with that number asked a riddle to this player. If answered correctly, the King/Queen of the Hill continued picking numbers; if answered incorrectly, the two contestants switched places, with the contestant who stumped him/her becoming the new King/Queen Of The Hill.

The value of the riddle increased the value of the Jackpot. If the King/Queen selected the contestant holding the Jackpot Riddle (one per game) and answered it correctly, those two contestants split the Jackpot.

If the last three digits of the Jackpot amount matched a preselected target number, the King/Queen may have a chance to win a "Super Jackpot" by correctly solving a Super Jackpot Riddle, asked by the host. Either the King/Queen or the bleacher contestant who asked the question that brought the Jackpot amount to the target number could respond; if either answered correctly, both split the Super Jackpot.

Created by Bob Stewart

Presented by

Geoff Edwards

(1974–1975, 1989-1990)

Mike Darrow (1985-1988)

Narrated by

Don Pardo (1974-1975)

Wayne Howell (1975)

Ken Ryan (1985-1988)

John Harris (1985-1988)

John Harlan (1989-1990)

Johnny Gilbert (1989-1990)

Country of origin United States (1974-1975, 1989-1990)

Canada (1985-1988)

No. of episodes

450 (1974-1975 version)

120 (1989-1990 version)

Broadcast

Original channel NBC (1974-1975)

USA Network (1985-1988)

Syndicated (1989-1990)

Original run January 7, 1974 – March 2, 1990