Questions Regarding the Joker’s Wild $1M ToC

[TheInquisitiveOne]

Good evening. Hope you’re having a good weekend wherever you are.

I’ve been waxing nostalgic as of late and stumbled upon the final two days of the Joker’s Wild $1,000,000 Tournament of Champions (tried to find the whole tournament, but oh well). As I watched, a couple of questions came to mind as I try to get an idea of the uniqueness of this tournament, and as I try to be the Thanos of TV Guide ad collecting (found a nice one from the Toledo edition with a photo of Jack Barry surrounded by all the participants, with the ad said it was “coming soon.” About that…)

When was the tournament originally broadcast? I looked around for specific dates, though all I was able to find was that it broadcast in November of 1980. I don’t know why I thought it was a spring tournament; I could chalk that up to my watching the tournament in its entirety during one of GSNs “Game Show Saturday Night” blocks (March 2001, specifically).

While the tournament had a set format, was the tournament blocked for a set schedule? I ask this because the tournament ended mid-episode and the show went back to normal play with the last pre-tournament champion playing his opponent. Was that episode meant to be the final night, or was it simply a case of “whatever, whenever?”

Finally, I seem to recall players from past tournaments returning to play in this one. I think I saw the winner of the $100,000 tournament (who defended his championship in the following year’s $250,000 tournament) in the field, but I’m trying to point out others.

Thank you guys for your time. As always, I appreciate it. Be safe.

The Inquisitive One

(I thought I put this in The Big Board. Man did I goof. My apologies.)

[BrandonFG]

When was the tournament originally broadcast? I looked around for specific dates, though all I was able to find was that it broadcast in November of 1980. I don’t know why I thought it was a spring tournament; I could chalk that up to my watching the tournament in its entirety during one of GSNs “Game Show Saturday Night” blocks (March 2001, specifically).

I found one listing that mentions it airing the week of November 10, 1980 (6:00 pm). Apparently it started on the Thursday of that week, the 13th.

Finally, I seem to recall players from past tournaments returning to play in this one. I think I saw the winner of the $100,000 tournament (who defended his championship in the following year’s $250,000 tournament) in the field, but I’m trying to point out others.

IIRC, Frank Dillion appeared, but like you said only the final two days are on Youtube.

[SuperSweeper]

I’m having a hard time quoting, but I’m pretty sure Frank Dillon did NOT compete in this tournament - either he voluntarily chose to not play or he was working for the show by that time.

[TLEberle]

If Eileen Jason came back for the million dollar go she was knocked out in the first round because I don’t remember seeing her during the Saturday Night marathon.

[SuperMatch93]

Was TJW still bicycled by this point? It may not have aired in November in all cities.

[BrandonFG]

Was TJW still bicycled by this point? It may not have aired in November in all cities.

I remember reading Thom McKee’s TTD run aired on different dates in different cities, so I imagine the sister show was also bicycled.

[trainman]

As far as I know, when "Entertainment Tonight" debuted in the fall of 1981, it was the very first syndicated show to be distributed via satellite -- so it's a safe bet that TJW was being bicycled in the 1980-81 season.

[That Don Guy]

While the tournament had a set format, was the tournament blocked for a set schedule? I ask this because the tournament ended mid-episode and the show went back to normal play with the last pre-tournament champion playing his opponent. Was that episode meant to be the final night, or was it simply a case of “whatever, whenever?”

Finally, I seem to recall players from past tournaments returning to play in this one. I think I saw the winner of the $100,000 tournament (who defended his championship in the following year’s $250,000 tournament) in the field, but I’m trying to point out others.

They couldn't have known in advance when the tournament would end, especially since the final was a "best-of" format.

As for returning contestants, I'm pretty sure Hal (The Suit) Shear returned for the million dollar tournament.

[TLEberle]

Hal Scheer would have been out in the heat round as well then.