The Gauntlet losing streak hits 33*. Today's champ gets to 9 (the most anybody has gotten in that streak by two, among shows that aired), with time running out on a blooper about the Flintstones' neighbors last name.
*33 if there was a Gauntlet loss on the unaired show 117, otherwise 32 of 33. The gaps can be filled in on all other shows that haven't aired. Today's show was episode 124. The last Gauntlet win was on show 94. The streak ends next week; show 127 from Lost and Found has a win.
Do we know that no episode in between had a win?
One way to know what happened on 117 is if 118 had a returning champion, no?
Yes, we know that 122 didn't have a win because the champ crowned at the end of 121 returned for 123. Same with 101, also skipped.
The champ at the start of 118 was the guy who busted his knee. He wasn't on at the end of 116.
So #117 was NOT aired? I wonder if it was because Stephen (and/or Tom) mentioned what his Private Eye "nickname" was. Let's just say nowadays, if whoever said it did it in a taping today, it definitely would have been edited out.
It makes sense, as they never uttered his nickname in eps #118 & 119.
With all that being said,, there IS a chance that we may never see his triumphant return to the show beginning with his belated Gauntlet run if his nickname was mentioned again in that yet to air episode.
I only remember being at home seeing only 2 of his episodes first run 40- some years ago -- the days he messed up his knee and when Stephen returned for his 3rd run of the Gauntlet. Hopefully they will air that episode(s), and MUTE any reference(s) to his nickname, if there were any.