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This one popped into my head last night as I was watching an old ep. of Pitfall with Dancing Alex Trebek (the Rosemary Ep).
Anybody know or does anyone want to speculate what game shows have built the most expensive sets. And since technology, computers and video monitors are the new norm, perhaps it would be worth listing them by decade.
• The Magnificent Marble Machine had to be one of the 3 most expensive sets in the 70s with that giant pinball machine.
• And I would even think Pitfall had to cost a pretty penny with 9 individual elevators or lifts.
• And with 70+ individual games plus the set itself (which includes the audience) Price Is Right has to be in the All-Time Top 3.
Others?
And does anyone from the biz know what the average cost of a set has been over the years.
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PYL, with all the slide projectors and whatnot, had to cost a bit.
Same with TJW, at least by 1972 standards.
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I seem to recall reading an interview with Mark Goodson where he talked about how game shows have evolved and he mentioned that NBC's "Time Machine" cost some obscene amount of money to produce, like $1-2 million. I'm sure other expenses were factored in, but I'm sure the set accounted for a lot of that total.
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Kennedy has a great set. Small and nothing elaborate, but they're real.
Oh, you mean...
Hundreds of thousands of dollars, even for the seemingly simple sets. Everything is custom designed and custom built by union craftsmen. As a reference, just the PODIUM that Dirk in audio and I designed for TPiR cost $6,000. Just a podium!
I have no doubt that in today's dollars we can be in the neighborhood of a million for the most elaborate. Among the big ticket items are the custom designed and custom programmed electronics, and the big plasma screens. Of the sets I've seen recently, American Idol's could be in that ballpark.
Randy
tvrandywest.com
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[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Jun 9 2005, 01:02 PM\']Kennedy has a great set. Small and nothing elaborate, but they're real.[/quote]
When I see Tom this summer, I'll ask him about them.
Oh, you mean....
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' date=\'Jun 9 2005, 01:12 PM\'][quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Jun 9 2005, 01:02 PM\']Kennedy has a great set. Small and nothing elaborate, but they're real.[/quote]
When I see Tom this summer, I'll ask him about them.
Oh, you mean....
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You all got jokes. Silly.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' date=\'Jun 9 2005, 12:12 PM\'][quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Jun 9 2005, 01:02 PM\']Kennedy has a great set. Small and nothing elaborate, but they're real.[/quote]
When I see Tom this summer, I'll ask him about them.
Oh, you mean....
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DAMN. DAMN. DAMN.
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[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Jun 9 2005, 01:02 PM\']As a reference, just the PODIUM that Dirk in audio and I designed for TPiR cost $6,000. Just a podium!
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My memory is a bit hazy on this, but I recall the cost to build that podium was around either $30k or $60k. To the garbage pile it went.
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[quote name=\'cmjb13\' date=\'Jun 9 2005, 12:08 PM\'][quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Jun 9 2005, 01:02 PM\']As a reference, just the PODIUM that Dirk in audio and I designed for TPiR cost $6,000. Just a podium!
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My memory is a bit hazy on this, but I recall the cost to build that podium was around either $30k or $60k. To the garbage pile it went.
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Your memory from what source?
I recall $6,000 as the estimate based on the specs and drawings. Even adding the cost of the hardware (monitor, amps, etc.) which were all recycled from and to other CBS goodies, you've got to be way off. But if you think it's worth $30,000, I'll be happy to sell you an exact re-creation for $20,000!
Consider it just another cost of doing business, just like re-painting the announcer's name at his parking space or buying another case of hair gel for Ryan Seacrest. I understand the price of the french fries went up a nickel at the commissary!
Randy
tvrandywest.com
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[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Jun 9 2005, 04:22 PM\']Your memory from what source?
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I distinctly recall being told before I was asked (I'm sure it was Rich) to guess how much it cost to build, that it was as much as some people make in a year. (which is where that high figure came from).
But you would know a hell of a lot better than I would.
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[quote name=\'cmjb13\' date=\'Jun 9 2005, 05:36 PM\']I distinctly recall being told before I was asked (I'm sure it was Rich) to guess how much it cost to build, that it was as much as some people make in a year. (which is where that high figure came from).[/quote]
Well, some people don't make $6,000 in a year. Heck, some people don't make $100 in a year. That was mighty flimsy data from which to make up a number.
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I'd guess Winning Lines was pretty damn expensive to build.
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I'm thinking that '76 "Break the Bank" was an expensive set. "Password Plus" might qualify as well, especiallly considering how large it was.
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[quote name=\'fostergray82\' date=\'Jun 9 2005, 02:32 PM\']I'd guess Winning Lines was pretty damn expensive to build.
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Pretty damn expensive, indeed. That was a monster! The people in the top row were so high they might have been visible on radar at LAX! I don't know the height of the grid in that studio at 1040 N. Las Palmas (stage 2, iirc), but that set didn't seem to leave a whole lotta space above.
I was next door on stage 1 taping the original pilot for Endemol's "Fear Factor" starring Jerry Springer (don't ask). "Winning Lines" had not aired yet, and I couldn't figure out what that set was for or what it was supposed to do. It took a closer look to realize that it was designed for a few dozen people to sit in it. I'd have had a nosebleed.
I remember hearing how Dick Clark et al had been sitting around for hours on at least one tape date before they could get the electronics to work correctly. A monster indeed!
Randy
tvrandywest.com
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[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Jun 9 2005, 04:30 PM\']I was next door on stage 1 taping the original pilot for Endemol's "Fear Factor" starring Jerry Springer (don't ask). "Winning Lines" had not aired yet, and I couldn't figure out what that set was for or what it was supposed to do. It took a closer look to realize that it was designed for a few dozen people to sit in it. I'd have had a nosebleed.
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How'd they get people up there, anyhow? I don't remember there being a staircase on either side, but I could be wrong about that, too.
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http://www.detnews.com/pix/2000/01/11/feat1.jpg (http://\"http://www.detnews.com/pix/2000/01/11/feat1.jpg\")
There was a staircase on both sides.
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Do you guys think Legends of the Hidden Temple's set was expensive?
Think about it, a huge temple-like set that took up quite a bit of the stage, then you've got the moat you have to bring in, probably attached to it is the audience bleachers. Plus, all those ancient-looking trinkets must have added up.
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[quote name=\'wschmrdr\' date=\'Jun 9 2005, 08:01 PM\']Plus, all those ancient-looking trinkets must have added up.
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Nothing you can't make out of the bargain bin at Dollar General.
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I'm sure Sony must have a big budget for the set of WOF. Even though it appears simplistic in nature, there's the video monitors, the electronic puzzle board, the maingame & little bonus wheels & oh yeah the 1.5 MILLION COLORS!
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[quote name=\'cmjb13\' date=\'Jun 9 2005, 05:36 PM\'][quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Jun 9 2005, 04:22 PM\']Your memory from what source?
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I distinctly recall being told before I was asked (I'm sure it was Rich) to guess how much it cost to build, that it was as much as some people make in a year. (which is where that high figure came from).
But you would know a hell of a lot better than I would.
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Confrimed (more to clarify for my own sanity than questioning you) from a source that it was about $6000.
I'll admit when I'm wrong, but I'd still bet the farm, I was told a higher number than that.
Oh well.
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[quote name=\'Modor\' date=\'Jun 10 2005, 01:40 AM\'][quote name=\'wschmrdr\' date=\'Jun 9 2005, 08:01 PM\']Plus, all those ancient-looking trinkets must have added up.
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Nothing you can't make out of the bargain bin at Dollar General.
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Hell, with some of the cheap looking crap they had on there, looks like they used clearance isle at Wal-Mart (don't know about other Wal-Marts, but the ones in north GA have a clearance isle in 'em somewhere).
Anywho, back on the subject........the various sets used for Hollywood Squares (from beginning to end) seem like they woulda literally broke the bank in terms of cost and time to build.
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[quote name=\'RobertSearcy\' date=\'Jun 10 2005, 08:20 AM\']Anywho, back on the subject........the various sets used for Hollywood Squares (from beginning to end) seem like they woulda literally broke the bank in terms of cost and time to build.[/quote]
Grammar Police: I don't like to see the word "literally" used improperly. I'm literally sick to death about it.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' date=\'Jun 10 2005, 09:09 AM\'][quote name=\'RobertSearcy\' date=\'Jun 10 2005, 08:20 AM\']Anywho, back on the subject........the various sets used for Hollywood Squares (from beginning to end) seem like they woulda literally broke the bank in terms of cost and time to build.[/quote]
Grammar Police: I don't like to see the word "literally" used improperly. I'm literally sick to death about it.
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Figuratively, you're nutz. :)
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Randy's probably right on with TPiR's extensive costs over the years. Think about games that have been retired/trashed over the years, as well as the huge pile of them currently in rotation. Pathfinder is an enormous game with a complex set, and yet Magic # and 1/2 Off are the most expensive games ever built. There's literally MILLIONS wrapped up in Price props. The Plinko chips alone cost the show's budget about $500 a piece!
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[quote name=\'ClockGameJohn\' date=\'Jun 15 2005, 12:28 AM\']The Plinko chips alone cost the show's budget about $500 a piece!
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Good Gawd. Did they install chips in them so they would leave a little digital streak behind them while they dropped?
Damn. I'm in the wrong business. I could make 'em some Plinko chips, and I'd only charge $250 per. :)
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Jiminy H. Criminy! How in the HELL does one Plinko chip run up $500?
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[quote name=\'whoserman\' date=\'Jun 15 2005, 07:09 PM\']Jiminy H. Criminy! How in the HELL does one Plinko chip run up $500?
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Labor takes up a good portion of that cost, I'm guessing, probably much more so than parts. Those unionized CBS shop guys don't work for cheap...
How often do Plinko chips need to be replaced, anyway? I can't imagine all that often...probably have at least some of the same chips they had in 1983.
--Sam
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[quote name=\'SamJ93\' date=\'Jun 15 2005, 06:45 PM\'][quote name=\'whoserman\' date=\'Jun 15 2005, 07:09 PM\']Jiminy H. Criminy! How in the HELL does one Plinko chip run up $500?
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Labor takes up a good portion of that cost, I'm guessing, probably much more so than parts. Those unionized CBS shop guys don't work for cheap...
How often do Plinko chips need to be replaced, anyway? I can't imagine all that often...probably have at least some of the same chips they had in 1983.
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They've had to have changed color at least from the orginal. And please someone explain how in the hell is Magic # and 1/2 Off the most expensive sets built? One's a just, some lights and a reflection, the other is just a bunch of little elevators (are those *that* expensive?)
Brandon Brooks
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How expensive was the Henry version of Now You See It? All the mechanics with the lifting set, not to mention all the chasing light and neon.... PLUS the electronic readouts for the gameboard and electronic pen. All that had to cost a pretty penny.
On a side note, do you think it'd be cheaper to build a set with chasers instead of all the concert/rave lights flashing around. Sorry if this was covered in a different thread, but dammit I miss the chasing lights, lol.
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[quote name=\'gwarman2005\' date=\'Jun 15 2005, 05:52 PM\']How expensive was the Henry version of Now You See It? All the mechanics with the lifting set, not to mention all the chasing light and neon.... PLUS the electronic readouts for the gameboard and electronic pen. All that had to cost a pretty penny.
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The mechanics might have cost a few bucks. but comparitively the light pen and the gameboard would have been dirt cheap, especially because the majority of the images were prolly just done on a character generator of some kind, which they already had in the studio.
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These things are so expensive because they are custom designed and built, and because they are built industrial-strength to withstand (potentially) years of set-up and strike. Plus, the production company gets stuck in the end with the bill so there's no incentive to economize if the work is being done in a network's stage electronics shop.
How about Treasure Isle for the most expensive game show set?