Cal Lottery Big Spin
Ninernick
ANy fans of this California lottery show out there?
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Bring back gameshows to USA Network!!!!!!!!!!!
visit my homepage at http://members.aol.com/Ninernick/index.html
Don Del Grande
nine...@aol.com (Ninernick) wrote:
>ANy fans of this California lottery show out there?
I was, way back when, when the prizes were worth something (i.e. in the
pre-Lotto days when this was the only game in town). Once they said "we've
increased the number of million-dollar prizes" - by removing the "Jackpot"
(minimum $2 Million) spaces on the wheel and replacing them with $1 Million
- I lost interest.
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Don Del Grande, del_...@ix.netcom.com
Of course, had there been a condition that "Big Spin will be the only
lottery game and there will be no Lotto with a chance of jackpots in excess
of $100 million", I doubt the Lottery Initiative would have been voted
in...
Ninernick
they have added alot more games since then. you should check it out
Brian J Karimzad
I have been a long-time fan of the show.....I was too young to play the
lottery until very recently, so I missed out on the chance to have Geoff
Edwards call on a Saturday and say 'Hi, this is Geoff Edwards from the Big
Spin!....a lottery official is on the line to fill you in...'
The Big Spin began in the fall of 1985, starring Geoff Edwards. All
contestants got to spin the big wheel for cash and a feature was added
whereby Geoff would make a 'live' phone call to one of the next week's
contestants, which added more entertainment to the show. Various
promotional spots were also played for short periods.
The show was fun and popular until 1992 when they changed the set,
graphics, music, and most notably, the format. (I really miss the old
suspense music they used when spinning the big wheel. I heard it again
on an old NFL Films special).
Previously, all contestants went straight to the wheel with a chance to
win $2 million (with a double). Under the '92 format, everyone went up to
a giant 'Scratcher' with a grid of numbered video screens. The contestant
had to choose three numbers and if two 'Spins' were matched, they would go
to the wheel. Or, they would end up with $25,000. I forgot to mention that
they had the option of not choosing numbers and just taking $40,000. I
have a feeling all of this was a cost-cutting measure as a result of the
deep recession California faced from 1990-95, which bit into the
lottery's budget.
Under that format, few people made it to the wheel, and the game was very
boring. In early 1995, the original (and still my favorite host) Geoff
Edwards left after nine years on the show. For about a month, there was a
new host each week as a sort of 'talent search.' Finally, Larry Anderson
(later on GSN) got the job, and a new format was unveiled. New music, a
neat game show-esque set, and additional games made the show much more
exciting. It's similar to Illinois Instant Riche$, but still retains the
Big Wheel aspect, and some exciting new games.
The '95 format remains today, with the 'Fantasy 5 Dream Machine' being a
popular addition to the show. It is somewhat like Plinko, except the
contestant must decide whether to go on or not and risk their winnings
each time. However, Larry Anderson, who I feel did an excellent job
hosting, is gone. His replacement, Jack Gallagher, is terrible.
I went to a taping of the show in June, and while exciting to watch, Jack
really drags the show down. He is a 'comedian,' and is "Sacramento's own
celebrity" but a rather cold and uninspired game show host. I have rarely
watched since he joined the show, and it's a shame, since the format is
very exciting.
I'm sure our favorite Big Spin host Mr. Edwards might have some better
information to share....
Brian
P.S. For all those wondering when I'm going to update my website; stay
tuned. I tried recording new sounds over the weekend only to find that my
computer crashes under System 8 when using my SoundEdit 16 software. I am
in the midst of trying out updates and removing extensions to try and get
it to work.
Of course, also keep in mind that I am a very busy Stanford
student. I'm actually writing this message while at work (I should be
writing HTML right now).....but bear with me. I know how great it is to
hear 'new' sounds you haven't heard in years, and I am working my best to
free up time to deliver more content.
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http://www.stanford.edu/~karimzad
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Let's all Be There!
Gmshwfan
In article <Pine.GSO.3.96.971113...@med.Stanford.EDU>,
Brian J Karimzad <kari...@stanford.edu> writes:
>The Big Spin began in the fall of 1985, starring Geoff Edwards.
I'm fairly sure of the premiere year (somehow, I was thinking 1983), but I
know the debut host was, in fact, Chuck Woolery! Geoff came along within a
year, however.
When Geoff left, the show went straight to the dumper, thanks almost
completely to some awful hosts. Pine boards have more personality than
Larry Anderson, Jack Gallagher, or the Translation Bimbo (whatever her name is).
But I digress. :)
'Brian
"Politics leads Americans to tighten up and withdraw like constipated
English aristocrats. It leads the English to relax and extend like American
car salesmen."
-- Michael Lewis, writing about the British election in "Slate" magazine.
