Password Tracks

[Bill Neuweiler]

What was the reason for putting the chairs on tracks for both Password Plus and Super Password?

[Kevin Prather]

Sheer speculation, but perhaps it was to make damn sure they wouldn't tip over? Didn't need that on Pyramid though.

[BrandonFG]

More speculation (which seems to be very popular around here)...

With SP, could it be because the desk rotated into place?

With P+, the only thing I can think of is the fact that you had to step down to get to the desk.

[clemon79]

The really easy answer is that it keeps anyone from moving laterally, which then makes it easier for the cameras to get and keep the two-shots.

[Kevin Prather]

The really easy answer is that it keeps anyone from moving laterally, which then makes it easier for the cameras to get and keep the two-shots.

This is probably the best answer. On Pyramid, you didn't have this need because the players actually faced each other.

[clemon79]

This is probably the best answer. On Pyramid, you didn't have this need because the players actually faced each other.

Well, no less so than they do on Password. On Pyramid, though, you have the range of motion of the monitor to constrain the shot.

[Kevin Prather]

This is probably the best answer. On Pyramid, you didn't have this need because the players actually faced each other.

Well, no less so than they do on Password. On Pyramid, though, you have the range of motion of the monitor to constrain the shot.

Right. That's what I was getting at.

[geno57]

The really easy answer is that it keeps anyone from moving laterally, which then makes it easier for the cameras to get and keep the two-shots.

Oh, how I wish we could fasten the anchors' chairs to some tracks, where I work.

[chris319]

The really easy answer is that it keeps anyone from moving laterally, which then makes it easier for the cameras to get and keep the two-shots.

That's the real reason. ISTR that you could see a similar arrangement on the New York set. Now here's the smart-ass reason for fanb0i consumption:

the reason the chairs on the set were placed on tracks is that originally Ted Cooper intended to use motorized chairs and contestants would enter and exit through openings in the rear set wall on these motorized chairs. This bit of cruft is 100% untrue -- it is a story I just made up -- but I want to see how long it takes before some obsessed Ritalin-deprived fanb0i posts it somewhere as a true fact.

[irwinsjournal.com]

the reason the chairs on the set were placed on tracks is that originally Ted Cooper intended to use motorized chairs and contestants would enter and exit through openings in the rear set wall on these motorized chairs. This bit of cruft is 100% untrue -- it is a story I just made up -- but I want to see how long it takes before some obsessed Ritalin-deprived fanb0i posts it somewhere as a true fact.

That's totally untrue.  Everyone knows the plan was to zip-line the contestants in from the back of the studio audience...  

[Jimmy Owen]

the reason the chairs on the set were placed on tracks is that originally Ted Cooper intended to use motorized chairs and contestants would enter and exit through openings in the rear set wall on these motorized chairs. This bit of cruft is 100% untrue -- it is a story I just made up -- but I want to see how long it takes before some obsessed Ritalin-deprived fanb0i posts it somewhere as a true fact.

That's totally untrue.  Everyone knows the plan was to zip-line the contestants in from the back of the studio audience...  

X-treme Password.

[DrBear]

And here I thought that if they gave a bad clue - or worse, just said the password itself (hey there, Jack Paar) - they could be pulled offstage in an instant.

[clemon79]

And here I thought that if they gave a bad clue - or worse, just said the password itself (hey there, Jack Paar) - they could be pulled offstage in an instant.

Naw. Visually it's better to make that an ejector seat.