[quote name=\'DrJWJustice\' date=\'Nov 25 2003, 11:24 PM\'] [quote name=\'matchgame\' date=\'Nov 24 2003, 01:23 PM\'] "Password" has been abused both on-air (the *wonderful* 'Stars' format) and pre-air (Plus, Super). [/quote]
PW All-Stars could be called an abuse, but I don't think I can agree with PW+ being an abuse. Allen Ludden actually seemed to like the challenge of the Password Puzzle aspect of the game. Now, the specifics of the format changed as it went thorugh a very tortured 3-year run. That *might* qualify as abuse, but I'll leave that to the eye of the beholder.
SuperPW was little more than a tweaking of PW+, and it stayed true to its format throughout its run. [/quote]
Was just going to mention Password Plus as another tinkered G-T show. In its three-year run, let's see if I can get all bases covered...in no particular order...
- 6 --> 4 clues per password
- Wrong puzzle guesses lose option --> Person who guesses password keeps the option no matter what
- Opposites allowed --> No opposites
-And of course, circa 1982 changes...
- Two $100 rounds, $200 thereafter ---> Three $100's, $200 thereafter. Along with that, the winning score went from $300 to $500. And on a related topic...
- Same partners throughout game --> Changing partners after the $100 rounds
- Alphabetics worth $5,000 every time --> Alphabetics goes up by $5,000 every time it isn't won (and as such, the $1,000 penalty for illegal clues became 1/5 of the jackpot)
And then there's the cosmetic changes to the show (I know we only meant rules, but I'm on a roll)
- Hosts of course
- Hanging Alphabetics board --> Board hidden in wall
- By 1982, the letter indicator for Alphabetics went much faster
- Main game puzzle board: Rainbow + non-neon numbers + border --> Rainbow + neon numbers and border, and the numbers "shut off" when you uncovered clues --> Rainbow board + Neon that stays on the whole time --> Blue checkerboard or "disco" design as Allen called it --> Checkerboard with narrower font and slot for sliding clues and answer in.
- Password display on desk went from yellow to white (did its font get skinnier too? if so it was more subtle than the puzzle board)
- Chyron for stars' intro --> No chyron post-Allen comeback
- Showing the puzzle board revealing passwords/full-board shot --> Only zooming in on the words on the board revealed (think it started with or a bit before the Kennedy run)
Did I cover everything?