Act 1: Classic password for cash. $250 on the first clue, $50 less for each subsequent clue. First clue goes to the winning team for the previous word, if one exists, or to the team which went second; control for the first word in the round is random. Civilians and celebritities alternate giving, until time runs out. Pairings change at the end of the act.
Act 2: Puzzle password. Three clues per team per word. $50 for each password guessed. $500 if the puzzle is solved with one word showing, less $50 for each one after that. Two puzzles in this act. Control rules as in Act 1. If the puzzle is not solved after the $300 opportunity or the fifth word is not guessed, the puzzle value is reduced to $250, and recievers, then givers, each get a guess (if the fifth word is solved, that reciever does not get a second guess at the $250 level, but their partner gets the first giver's chance; either way the person who recieved the next to the last clue goes first at this last chance). Celebrities give the first clues, with giving and receiving changing after each word. Pairings change after each puzzle.
Act 3A: Puzzle password, higher stakes. Same rules as Act 2, but with puzzle solve values doubled (start $1000, remove $100 after each word). At least one puzzle must be played, with more if time allows. If time runs out mid-puzzle, a "speed round" is played, beginning at the same dollar amount as the last guess (a sounder would be played immediately after the final/successful word guess, before any puzzle guesses were made) in the same order as if the final word had been revealed (with the contestant who earned a guess going first). After each four guesses, another word is revealed, and guesses are made in the same order again until the puzzle is solved or all five words have been revealed. Top money-earner after time runs out goes on to the bonus round(s) with a celebrity of their choice.
Act 3B: 10 words in 60 seconds. Not necessarily Alphabetics, but I think there needs to be a theme or other gimmick, or it's a little too hard, but the original lightning round was a bit too easy. Civilian chooses whether to give or recieve.
Act 4: "Double Trouble." One word clues to two-word phrases, 3 in 30 seconds, double their previous bonus winnings or nothing, but the contestant may elect not to play. Same give/recieve arrangement as in the previous bonus round. If the contestant decides not to play, spend the 30 seconds recapping/chatting, then roll credits.
