I remember the "List." it was given out as part of the press kit provided by Viacom. Somewhere, I have a copy of the list for the second season, 1975-76. I was taking a media course in High School. Pyramid was the topic of my term paper; made all the better by my having the opportunity to interview several contestants from that season. The list included their contact information. Dick Clark's back-to-back wins (in taping order) were second season episodes. I was in the studio on tape day and eventually interviewed both his contestant partners for my paper.
Recollections of life in Stewartville are pretty much on the mark. A contestant would play until losing to an opponent in the front game or clearing the Big Board. From 1973 until 1976, a jackpot win would add $10,000 to any previous winnings. Similarly, all winnings on the Cullen show were kept unless you cleared the second Big Board. At that point, your total would top off at $25,000.
From 1976 until 1980, clearing the Big Board augmented your winnings to the Jackpot total only.
Peter Lawford used to agonize over his inability to clear the Big Board. He finally achieved a win on the daytime show in 1974 or 1975. An audience member rushed on stage to present him with a novelty newspaper. The headline read, "Pyramid Staff Rejoices! Lawford Finally Wins!"
Last and certainly not least, the contestant who won seventeen consecutive main games in 1978 was Ruth Hlavacek. I may be wrong about the spelling although I remember her very well. Lois Nettelton, Dick Cavett, Ruth and Me. "Pyramid, July 20, 1978, Part 3." It's on YouTube and
my blog. My "fee spot" was edited out, I am sad to say. Air transportation for the entire week of shows was provided by my shirt collar.
