I was just 16 when "Hit Man" debuted on NBC. It was different to be sure, but I've come to have an entirely new appreciation for the program and its concept almost 30 years after the fact.
Jay Wolpert was great for thinking "outside the box" when it came to quiz shows such as this, and "Whew!". The last out of the box game show concept prior to these was probably Merv Griffin's Jeopardy!
I think "Hit Man" would be a great game for classrooms to use as a fun way to promote better comprehension on subjects. Hit Man was entertaining and educational, and it also had a lot of visually appealing and colorful elements to the game. Rod Roddy announcing and Peter Tomarken hosting really made "Hit Man" a diamond in the rough. It's too bad the viewership for this game was so low. I've been enjoying the few episodes that I have been able to find on youtube.
What was/is your take on "Hit Man"? Do you remember when it debuted on NBC? I happened to have gotten very sick over the 1982 winter recess I had from school, and I was actually home sick on Monday, January 3rd, 1983, so I was able to watch the debut of $ale of the Century, Hit Man & Just Men. Sadly, in doing so, I missed the debut of Plinko.
I know the very talented Randy West frequents this board, and that he was the last champion on the show. If memory serves, he won $1,200. I'd love to hear from you Randy about your impressions of the game, the set, Peter, Rod, etc. It must have been disappointing to not have been able to defend your championship.
No wonder my ears were burning. Either you were typing about me, or a bed bug was nesting next to my tympanic membrane!
I first met Jay Wolpert when called to audition for "Hit Man"; Fred Wostbrock was one of the contestant coordinators, and I was in his file of contestants. I immediately loved Jay; he's brilliant, fun and funny, and he clearly took a liking to me. We were both from the Bronx, and he reminded me of old friends. In fact, Jay and I are still friends today.
I agree that the game would be a perfect teaching tool. Beyond the video game inspiration which had no appeal to me personally, the format was like a high school reading comprehension test. It seemed to me that without a great memory for details, the luck could come from the random chance that I'd know something about the topic. I was always aware that I had a limited number of appearances (I think it was 1 a year, 3 in 5 years). I figured I'd happily take my chances because this was a cash show instead of a show where I might win a bunch of prizes that I'd have little use for.
I remember the show taped at NBC; like all the shows of that era, the set was bright, colorful and visually stimulating - not a black floor or varilight in sight. I remember I was becomming nervous after the Wednesday show taped thinking that I might not get on, as the contestant pool always has a few extra people. Finally I was called to play by Fred and took my place on the set. As I did at "Press Your Luck," I ignored the fact that Rod Roddy and I had become too friendly for any interpretation of the rules against this sort of thing. I didn't see it as a real issue, and thankfully Rod never mentioned anything. After all, he never knew I was a contestant until he saw me walk on set. He didn't have access to the questions, and if he had, he certainly wasn't going to jeopardize his career.
Just before tape rolled, Jay shared a word of encouragement with each contestant. I told him I had become afraid that he wasn't going to use me. He said he purposely saved me for the last episode because he thought I'd win and give the show a good finale. I really appreciated that vote of confidence, even though I later bungled the bonus round.
I did my big smiling, friendly, semi-charming thing that producers seemed to like, and that got me on so many of these shows. I remember there was actually some S&P issue during taping that I don't recall, and an entire video and its questions were thrown out. I think the topic that was deleted was about the seven wonders of the world - if that one is not on the show, then I'm right; if it's on the show, I forgot the tossed topic.
Like most of my appearances, I remember realizing I was behind. I often felt like I was losing on these shows, and then something would happen that allowed me to pull ahead. I was happy to win, but felt my heart sinking during the bonus round as I apparently picked the columns with the most questions. And damn, I couldn't remember that answer about Gene Kelly - "Dancing, a Man's Game." I really felt I let Jay down with that loss. He didn't seem to care as much as I did.
The coolest thing was that I spoke with the paralegal from NBC S&P (actually called "Compliance" at that net) who explained that because I had been denied the opportunity to appear on the next episode to defend my championship, that they would not count this appearance against me in the eligibility requirements for other appearances! I asked for it in writing, and in a few days I got a letter that allowed me to appear just a few months later on another show.
The best thing from the experience was that Jay Wolpert started to invite me to play his games that were in development. I was soon in his inner circle; I learned so much from the exposure to the workings of the biz, and formed a friendship that allowed me to try my hand at writing for games.
All in all, a treasured memory! Thanks for asking!!
Randy
tvrandywest.com
