While new houses had periodically been offered as grand prizes on previous game shows, such as the original "Price is Right," never was there a show which offered a new home as the top prize...that is, until "Dream House." In this game hosted by Mike Darrow, two couples, including a returning champion, competed to win a brand new home worth $40,000 or more. The game was a basic general knowledge quiz, with several rounds played and multiple-choice and true-false questions asked. Cash amounts were awarded for correct answers, depending on the round and other factors. The top scoring couple of the day was the champion and won a room of furniture, valued at $3,000 or more. If the couple won a certain number of shows (seven on the daytime series, four on the prime-time version), the couple won their dream house. Before the show, the couple chose what type of house they wanted to play for--it could be a house using contemporary, ranch, farmhouse and modern styling (worth $40,000 or more); or they could opt for a far-less expensive alternative, such as a vacation cottage, modular home, houseboat or motorhome (still worth at least $8,500). The show would be revised in 1983 under the same name, with Bob Eubanks as host.
—Brian Rathjen <briguy_52732@yahoo.com>
