Author Topic: Blank Check (Read 6054 times)

wdm1219inpenna · « **on:** May 06, 2011, 12:07:58 PM »

I happened upon the pilot episode of "Blank Check" on youtube. I was curious to see this show, as I have no recollection of it from my youth. From what I read, Art James and much of the staff did not care for this game, as it seemed to be about "dumb luck". It seemed to have some elements of strategy to it, trying to figure out if the check writer would be greedy and try to write the biggest check or not. The questions were somewhat entertaining as well. Overall I didn't think this show was so dreadful, but since it only aired for a very short while in 1975, and given the comments made by Art James and apparantly others associated with the show, it was not very well liked or well received.

I'm not quite sure why this show appealed to me at all, but it did when I just viewed it. I guess the only annoying thing I associate with this program is the fact that Price is Right was forced to change the name of "Blank Check" to "Check Game" because of the threat of legal action for name copyright infringement. Have any of you seen the video, or recall this show at all? I was wondering what your take was on it.

Here is the link to the pilot. The quality of it is not very good, but it is audible...

Ian Wallis · « **Reply #1 on:** May 06, 2011, 12:39:06 PM »

I remember this show. I was annoyed when it bumped the much superior Celebrity Sweepstakes to 10 AM, meaning I could no longer watch it when home from school for lunch. After a while I guess I accepted it and watched it a fair bit in the day. I was always fascinated by numbers.

After a while I switched to Split Second, which was competing with in on ABC at the time. One day I went back to Blank Check and discovered that they changed the format somewhat towards the end of the run. I can't really remember how it was changed, but I think someone else who remembers it said one time that they went to more of a Hollywood Squares-type question format. It was still more than that - there was some change as to how they played the game that I really can't recall.

Anyone remember?

Bob Zager · « **Reply #2 on:** May 06, 2011, 04:17:57 PM »

The only change I recall is that instead of the contestants trying to be first to ring in and answer a "double meaning," question, Art James started with the contestant at the furthest left, asking a general knowledge question. If that "challenger," answered correctly, he/she would try to guess the "Checkwriter's" selection of number. If correct, that "challenger," switched places with the checkwriter. Play then proceeded to the player on the immediate right (thus, from the upper row), and continued until somebody successfully wrote a four-digit check.

The bonus round was then played, and afterwards, the traditional "double meaning," toss-up question was used only to determine a new checkwriter.

Ian Wallis · « **Reply #3 on:** May 06, 2011, 04:29:51 PM »

Thanks Bob. Now that you mention that it does ring a bell. I do recall each contestant being asked individually but I just couldn't remember what else was different.

Today I consider this show a bit of a gem - maybe it's because only 2 episodes exist (that we know of) and we've seen so little of this show over the years.

clemon79 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 06, 2011, 05:10:44 PM »

Quote from: Ian Wallis on May 06, 2011, 04:29:51 PM

Today I consider this show a bit of a gem - maybe it's because only 2 episodes exist (that we know of) and we've seen so little of this show over the years.

A "rare find", maybe, but to call it a "gem", to me anyhow, implies that the game was good. And it *really* wasn't.

Ian Wallis · « **Reply #5 on:** May 06, 2011, 05:48:29 PM »

Quote

A "rare find", maybe, but to call it a "gem", to me anyhow, implies that the game was good. And it *really* wasn't.

Point taken. But to be honest, some of these short-lived games from the '70s have fond memories for me. I actually wouldn't mind seeing a few more episodes of Blank Check, if any others are around.

alfonzos · « **Reply #6 on:** May 06, 2011, 05:57:46 PM »

The game had a bland quality about it. The game wasn't particularly compelling or fun to watch. I do remember a slight change in the rules late in the series's run. The check writer could always choose zero as one of the first three choices of digits.

whewfan · « **Reply #7 on:** May 06, 2011, 07:38:26 PM »

Quote from: alfonzos on May 06, 2011, 05:57:46 PM

The game had a bland quality about it. The game wasn't particularly compelling or fun to watch. I do remember a slight change in the rules late in the series's run. The check writer could always choose zero as one of the first three choices of digits.

A "0" was actually one of the 5 numbers? I can understand the "psychology" involved... would the checkwriter dare to choose a "0" as the first digit in the check? If I was the challenger, I wouldn't guess "0" for the first digit because, if the checkwriter also chose the "0", then it would be placed in the check, and it would be worth less than $1000, and that doesn't make for a very interesting game.

clemon79 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 06, 2011, 07:47:19 PM »

Quote from: whewfan on May 06, 2011, 07:38:26 PM

A "0" was actually one of the 5 numbers? I can understand the "psychology" involved... would the checkwriter dare to choose a "0" as the first digit in the check?

Very possibly, since the check was written from right to left, which is exactly why the 0 was available for the first three picks but not the fourth. 'Cuz, you know, having the check be worth less than $1000 wouldn't make for a very interesting game.

whewfan · « **Reply #9 on:** May 06, 2011, 09:23:11 PM »

name='whewfan' timestamp='1304725106' post='261329']
A "0" was actually one of the 5 numbers? I can understand the "psychology" involved... would the checkwriter dare to choose a "0" as the first digit in the checkVery possibly, since the check was written from right to left, which is exactly why the 0 was available for the first three picks but not the fourth. 'Cuz, you know, having the check be worth less than $1000 wouldn't make for a very interesting game.

Oops... I forgot that the checkwriting was from right to left.

Neumms · « **Reply #10 on:** May 07, 2011, 06:10:30 PM »

Anyone notice that "Blank Check" was based on an idea by William T. Naud and Rich Jefferies? Wasn't there speculation that "Rhyme or Reason," a W.T. Naud Production, had Dan Enright involved? Jack Barry wasn't in on that, but he was here, raising the Enright angle again.

Neumms · « **Reply #11 on:** May 07, 2011, 06:14:18 PM »

Also, the game is the same thing over and over, but a host who's a little better at human interaction could have made it livelier. They went to the trouble of finding a cemetery plot salesman and Hugh Hefner's security guy and Art doesn't even probe or comment.

wdm1219inpenna · « **Reply #12 on:** May 08, 2011, 10:31:46 AM »

Quote from: Neumms on May 07, 2011, 06:14:18 PM

Also, the game is the same thing over and over, but a host who's a little better at human interaction could have made it livelier. They went to the trouble of finding a cemetery plot salesman and Hugh Hefner's security guy and Art doesn't even probe or comment.

Three reasons spring to mind why Art might not have probed further into the players' biographies. 1. This was a pilot, and while I'm not certain, I am guessing this was an episode that was never going to air, nor was ever meant to see the light of day. 2. Due to the fact that there are 6 contestants, it would take up a great chunk of time to do probes on every one of them. 3. In theory, with the same group of 6 remaining all week, there might have been chances during the week to probe 1 or on one day, 2 of the players a bit further.

Neumms · « **Reply #13 on:** May 08, 2011, 11:47:20 AM »

Quote from: wdm1219inpenna on May 08, 2011, 10:31:46 AM

Three reasons spring to mind why Art might not have probed further into the players' biographies. 1. This was a pilot, and while I'm not certain, I am guessing this was an episode that was never going to air, nor was ever meant to see the light of day. 2. Due to the fact that there are 6 contestants, it would take up a great chunk of time to do probes on every one of them.

True, it would take time. He didn't really bring anything out of anybody, though. But NBC bought the pilot, so they knew what they were doing.

davidhammett · « **Reply #14 on:** May 08, 2011, 12:08:53 PM »

Quote from: clemon79 on May 06, 2011, 07:47:19 PM

Quote from: whewfan on May 06, 2011, 07:38:26 PM
A "0" was actually one of the 5 numbers? I can understand the "psychology" involved... would the checkwriter dare to choose a "0" as the first digit in the check?
Very possibly, since the check was written from right to left, which is exactly why the 0 was available for the first three picks but not the fourth. 'Cuz, you know, having the check be worth less than $1000 wouldn't make for a very interesting game.

Actually, the "0" was *not* one of the 5 numbers... it was an additional number that gave the player 6 to choose from initially.

The one episode I was able to see on a trip to Alabama was on March 7, 1975, and they were doing the new format by that time.