This is from a hazy memory of 1996. This format beats the hell out of the most recent generation of the show, with its anti-climatic third round.
I definitely agree with that; they used to show it in IL as well, and I pretty much stopped watching it after the major format change.
The earliest I can remember was around 1991...the front game was played the same way, minus the doubler, and the two bonus prizes were things like a grand piano, a car, etc. The bonus game was finding three dollar signs behind the four numbers; each one increased your money from $50K to $100K, and then up to the million. Finding the stopper along the way ended the game.
However, I always thought the format tpirfan described was the best; by that point, the show was well-polished (well, as well-polished as a state lottery show can get, I guess, besides IIR...
). I just wish they didn't get rid of Mark Patrick.
My mom always remembers this show as "that show where they never got excited about winning money." She's right; the sole episode I have on tape has people cracking half-smiles upon winning $5,000! Perhaps it was produced by Endemol?
Anthony