Stumpers (game show)
Encyclopedia
Stumpers! was a game show hosted by Password emcee Allen Ludden
that aired on NBC
from October 4 to December 31, 1976. Lin Bolen
, former head of NBC Daytime Programming, developed the show. Bill Armstrong was the program's regular announcer, with Charlie O'Donnell
filling in for several episodes. The show featured game play similar to Password, with two teams (consisting of one celebrity and one contestant) attempting to guess the subject of puzzles based on clues provided by their opponents.
The series premiered and ended on the same dates as 50 Grand Slam
, which immediately followed Stumpers! on the NBC schedule and was hosted by Ludden's good friend Tom Kennedy
, who made a walk-on appearance during the closing segment of the Stumpers! premiere (Ludden then returned the favor by doing a walk-on during the opening moments of the 50 Grand Slam premiere).
After each clue was given, the opposing player would have five seconds to provide as many guesses as they could. If the opposing player guessed the subject correctly, their team was awarded points as based on the number of clues already provided:
If the opposing player was unable to guess the Stumper after being supplied with all three clues, the clue-giving team would earn 15 points for a correct guess in round one, 30 points in round two. If neither team was unable to guess the Stumper, no points were awarded and play continued with the next Stumper.
Two Stumpers were played per team member, for a total of four Stumpers per round.
Round two, the "Double-Up Round," consisted of two more Stumpers worth double the points from round one. Both team members could provide a guess during round two, despite which opponent supplied the clues.
The team that was ahead at the end of round two won the game and a chance at $10,000 in the Super Stumpers round. The most a team could score in total was 120 points.
In the event of a tie, Ludden would provide the clues, one at a time, and the teams would buzz in to guess. The first to give the right answer won the game, while a wrong guess gave the opposing team a chance to guess. If neither team answered correctly after the third clue, another tie-breaker stumper was played.
Two complete games were played per episode. Contestants could stay on the show until they were defeated or won Super Stumpers twice. This happened at least twice, including the last episode.
, the status of the entire series is unknown; Two episodes (the premiere and finale) are known to exist among collectors of television game shows.
, and a $900 loss by Joe Schwab, also partnered with Bixby. After the last bonus round, Ludden spoke to the studio and home audiences by stating how the show helped to test the imaginations and minds of Americans during its 13-week run, and how some schools actually used the game show as a teaching method
to students. He also mentioned how happy he was that, after a 14-year stint as host of Password, he returned to a game similar to that show.
Following the credit roll, Bixby and Anita Gillette came back on stage to have a toast with Ludden followed by a shower of balloons and confetti
. Ludden eventually returned to NBC to host Password Plus
from January 1979 until he permanently retired due to his failing health in late October 1980. Ludden later died in June 1981 (the latter show ended in March 1982).
Allen Ludden
Allen Ludden was an American television personality, emcee and game show host, perhaps most well known for hosting various incarnations of the game show Password between 1961 and 1980.-Early years:...
that aired on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
from October 4 to December 31, 1976. Lin Bolen
Lin Bolen
Lin Bolen is an American television executive with a long-tenured career. Bolen is most noted for her role as the NBC Daytime Television Programming Vice President, a position she held from 1972 until 1978...
, former head of NBC Daytime Programming, developed the show. Bill Armstrong was the program's regular announcer, with Charlie O'Donnell
Charlie O'Donnell
Charles John "Charlie" O'Donnell was an American radio and television announcer, primarily known for his work on game shows...
filling in for several episodes. The show featured game play similar to Password, with two teams (consisting of one celebrity and one contestant) attempting to guess the subject of puzzles based on clues provided by their opponents.
The series premiered and ended on the same dates as 50 Grand Slam
50 Grand Slam
50 Grand Slam is a game show from Ralph Andrews Productions that aired on NBC from October 4 to December 31, 1976. Tom Kennedy hosted the show, with John Harlan as the announcer....
, which immediately followed Stumpers! on the NBC schedule and was hosted by Ludden's good friend Tom Kennedy
Tom Kennedy
James Edward Narz , known professionally as Tom Kennedy, is an American television presenter best known for his work in game shows. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, he was the younger brother of host Jack Narz who was brother-in-law of host Bill Cullen...
, who made a walk-on appearance during the closing segment of the Stumpers! premiere (Ludden then returned the favor by doing a walk-on during the opening moments of the 50 Grand Slam premiere).
Main game
The object of the game was to solve a "Stumper:" a puzzle consisting of three clues to a person, place, or thing. In round one, each player on a team gave clues to their opposing counterpart (contestant gave clues to contestant, celebrity to celebrity). The contestant or celebrity was shown the three clue words (but not the answer to the Stumper) and had to choose the one they thought would be least likely to help their opponent guess the Stumper.After each clue was given, the opposing player would have five seconds to provide as many guesses as they could. If the opposing player guessed the subject correctly, their team was awarded points as based on the number of clues already provided:
| Clue | Round 1 | Round 2 |
|---|---|---|
| First clue | 15 points | 30 points |
| Second clue | 10 points | 20 points |
| Third clue | 5 points | 10 points |
If the opposing player was unable to guess the Stumper after being supplied with all three clues, the clue-giving team would earn 15 points for a correct guess in round one, 30 points in round two. If neither team was unable to guess the Stumper, no points were awarded and play continued with the next Stumper.
Two Stumpers were played per team member, for a total of four Stumpers per round.
Round two, the "Double-Up Round," consisted of two more Stumpers worth double the points from round one. Both team members could provide a guess during round two, despite which opponent supplied the clues.
The team that was ahead at the end of round two won the game and a chance at $10,000 in the Super Stumpers round. The most a team could score in total was 120 points.
In the event of a tie, Ludden would provide the clues, one at a time, and the teams would buzz in to guess. The first to give the right answer won the game, while a wrong guess gave the opposing team a chance to guess. If neither team answered correctly after the third clue, another tie-breaker stumper was played.
Bonus round ("Super Stumpers")
The civilian contestant attempted to guess 10 Stumpers in 60 seconds based on clues supplied by their celebrity partner. This time, the celebrity chose the clue most likely to help the contestant guess the subject. If a contestant was stumped, they could only receive another clue by saying "clue." If the celebrity gave a clue without the contestant saying "clue", the stumper and the chance at the big money were discarded. Each correct Stumper won $100 for the contestant, and solving all ten won $10,000.Two complete games were played per episode. Contestants could stay on the show until they were defeated or won Super Stumpers twice. This happened at least twice, including the last episode.
Episode status
Due to NBC's practice of wipingWiping
Wiping or junking is a colloquial term for action taken by radio and television production and broadcasting companies, in which old audiotapes, videotapes, and telerecordings , are erased, reused, or destroyed after several uses...
, the status of the entire series is unknown; Two episodes (the premiere and finale) are known to exist among collectors of television game shows.
The finale
The finale contained a $20,000 win by Jess Petersen, partnered with Bill BixbyBill Bixby
Wilfred Bailey Everett “Bill” Bixby III was an American film and television actor, director, and frequent game show panelist.His career spanned over three decades; he appeared on stage, in motion pictures and TV series...
, and a $900 loss by Joe Schwab, also partnered with Bixby. After the last bonus round, Ludden spoke to the studio and home audiences by stating how the show helped to test the imaginations and minds of Americans during its 13-week run, and how some schools actually used the game show as a teaching method
Teaching method
A teaching method comprises the principles and methods used for instruction. Commonly used teaching methods may include class participation, demonstration, recitation, memorization, or combinations of these...
to students. He also mentioned how happy he was that, after a 14-year stint as host of Password, he returned to a game similar to that show.
Following the credit roll, Bixby and Anita Gillette came back on stage to have a toast with Ludden followed by a shower of balloons and confetti
Confetti
Confetti is a multitude of pieces of paper, mylar or metallic material which is usually thrown at parades and celebrations, especially weddings . Confetti is made in a variety of colors, and commercially available confetti is available in imaginative shapes...
. Ludden eventually returned to NBC to host Password Plus
Password Plus and Super Password
Password Plus and Super Password are American game shows that are revivals of the game show Password. Both Password Plus and Super Password had the same format other than some subtle changes....
from January 1979 until he permanently retired due to his failing health in late October 1980. Ludden later died in June 1981 (the latter show ended in March 1982).