Sale of the Century (1983–1989)

Updated version of the 1969-1974 NBC game show. Three contestants competed to answer trivia questions, with scoring in dollars. The game was interrupted at certain intervals for Instant ... See full summary »

Stars:

Jim Perry, Summer Bartholomew, Jay Stewart

2 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Jim Perry	...	Himself - Host (2 episodes, 1983-1989)

Storyline

Updated version of the 1969-1974 NBC game show. Three contestants competed to answer trivia questions, with scoring in dollars. The game was interrupted at certain intervals for Instant Bargains, which allowed the player in the lead to buy a prize at a discounted prize (e.g., a $795 stereo color TV for $6), always at the risk of later losing the game; and a new feature, the "Fame Game," where the host read first-person clues leading to the identity of a person, place, thing, etc., with the winner having a chance to earn cash, a bonus prize or add to his score with the choice of one of nine numbers. The player with the highest score could elect to use his score money to buy specially-discounted luxury items (e.g., a $4,500 diamond-studded Swiss watch for $120), or accumulate his score money by winning future games and having access to either a luxury car, an escalating jackpot which began at $50,000 and increased by $1,000 per show until won, or everything on stage. Later in the show's...

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Plot Keywords:

non fiction

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Genres:

Family | Game-Show

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 January 1983 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Stage 1, NBC Studios - 3000 W. Alameda Avenue, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

National Broadcasting Company (NBC), Reg Grundy Productions Pty. Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Initially, contestants who won the game went to the "Sale of the Century" where they could use their winnings to buy prizes. If the contestant won enough money during their reign, they could buy every prize on stage, plus receive a cash jackpot that started at $50,000 and grew by $1,000 each day not won. Starting in January 1985 (December 1985 on the syndication run), to cut costs, the end game was a prize matching game called "The Winner's Board", where the contestant won whatever prize they ended up matching on a game board. Once the contestant has cleared the whole board (which would take 10 days) would have one final decision: Keep the cash and prizes or risk it all and win one more game. If successful, the contestant keeps the cash and prizes and wins a $50,000 jackpot bonus. During the 1987-1988 season, the bonus round was changed once again to contestants having to solve six riddles from the clues Jim Perry would read to them. The contestants could stay a max of three days, and the prizes were a new car, $10,000, and a trip.

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Quotes

Jim Perry: Going once... Going twice!

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Crazy Credits

During the end credits of the final episode, there are some shots of the control room. As the Reg Grundy logo appears, the director does a final countdown until the end of the program.

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Connections

Version of Temptation (2007)

User Reviews

Looking for Episodes from 1983

I was a contestant on Sale Of The Century in the fall of 1983. I won a cash jackpot of $65,000 after winning eight games in a row. The shows were taped from September 3 to 10, 1983 and aired from October 3 to October 10, 1983. How can I get a tape of those shows? I had the time of my life participating as a contestant on Sale Of The Century. I made some wonderful friends from all over the United States, including the staff of the game show. I was told by the producers that my eight appearances seemed to loosen up Jim Perry, the host. I was admittedly, very glib. I appeared on three other t.v. game shows; Joker's Wild, Tic Tac Dough and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. I won over $120,000 in cash, as well as cars, trips, furniture, appliances, clothing; even a robot from one of the four t.v. game shows where I appeared---AND WON! Please, Please, if anyone knows a way I can get a tape of my shows; please leave a message at this site. Thank You, Gary Halfon