Oversized Playing Cards

[14gameshows]

When Card Sharks first premiered on NBC back in '78, who or what company made the huge 52-deck playing cards?  Was it the CBS Graphics Department?  And also how many red decks and blue decks were made?  If you think about the red decks used for the champion during the main front game, plus the red decks used for the Money Cards, and then the blue decks for the challengers, plus the fact that they taped 5 shows in on go and there is at least on average 2 front games per show, that is a lot of decks made.  My second question is when Card Sharks came back on CBS, did Goodson Productions use the same decks used from the previous versions or did they have CBS Graphics Department make an entirely new set of decks.  I do know that there was a separate set of cards used for the ticket, polling advertisement, and contestant plugs, respectivly.  Also the jokers and the CAR/NO/TRIP cards were new to this version and they had to be made.

[FeudDude]

The Eubanks/Rafferty version had an entirely new set of decks (I think those cards are actually slightly smaller than the NBC ones).  I believe the original cards were designed by somebody in the NBC (not CBS) art department, possibly Jim Agazzi.

[mystery7]

[quote name=\'FeudDude\' date=\'Oct 20 2004, 02:45 PM\']The Eubanks/Rafferty version had an entirely new set of decks (I think those cards are actually slightly smaller than the NBC ones).  I believe the original cards were designed by somebody in the NBC (not CBS) art department, possibly Jim Agazzi.

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I imagine there'd be a major union brawl if NBC was using cards made by CBS, or vice versa. When Pyramid moved from CBS to ABC in '74, ABC had to build a replica of the set because CBS wouldn't allow their set to be shown on another network.

Since Jim Agazzi also designed sets for CBS shows like Match Game, Double Dare and the '80s Card Sharks, I think of him as more of a staffer of Goodson's than NBC's.

[uncamark]

[quote name=\'mystery7\' date=\'Oct 20 2004, 03:26 PM\']
Since Jim Agazzi also designed sets for CBS shows like Match Game, Double Dare and the '80s Card Sharks, I think of him as more of a staffer of Goodson's than NBC's.

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I would guess that he worked for G-T on a free-lance basis, like most set designers.  Ted Cooper was the only designer on staff at G-T--close, Chris?

[JMFabiano]

[quote name=\'FeudDude\' date=\'Oct 20 2004, 01:45 PM\']The Eubanks/Rafferty version had an entirely new set of decks (I think those cards are actually slightly smaller than the NBC ones).  I believe the original cards were designed by somebody in the NBC (not CBS) art department, possibly Jim Agazzi.

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Yep, they did look smaller, as if a bit was trimmed off the top and bottom of the cards.  But they had the same artwork with the backing and with the face cards.  Trivia Fact: as much as it betrayed the spirit of the original incarnations, the show I now call CaSINO did keep the King of Diamonds from the original deck, using it for ALL the kings and an altered version for the Jacks.  

I too have gotten Agazzi's name when I asked who did the art work for the cards used from 1978 through 1989.  I'd like to know for sure.  I also think it's a shame that there's not enough pics online of the face cards from the CS deck, as I've loved those renditions from the day I first saw the show.  I've seen a decent close picture of the Queen of Diamonds on one site, but not much more.  Wonder if any of us ambitious types can get some screen grabs available someday???  Then again, *I'd* like to see it, your mileage may vary.  

And to the original poster...besides the jokers and the car cards, another addition for at least the Rafferty version were the prize cards in the main game decks.

[clemon79]

[quote name=\'JMFabiano\' date=\'Oct 25 2004, 07:59 PM\'] Trivia Fact: as much as it betrayed the spirit of the original incarnations, the show I now call CaSINO
[/quote]
What the hell are you talking about?

[FeudDude]

He's referring to Card Sharks 2001 - CaSINO stands for "Card Sharks In Name Only".

[clemon79]

[quote name=\'FeudDude\' date=\'Oct 25 2004, 09:38 PM\']He's referring to Card Sharks 2001 - CaSINO stands for "Card Sharks In Name Only".

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Oh. Okay. I'll buy that.

[JMFabiano]

[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Oct 26 2004, 12:05 AM\'][quote name=\'FeudDude\' date=\'Oct 25 2004, 09:38 PM\']He's referring to Card Sharks 2001 - CaSINO stands for "Card Sharks In Name Only".

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Oh. Okay. I'll buy that.

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Thank you.  That's what I get for overrating the "overness" with the group of my catchphrases, huh?  

But back to the Card Sharks' playing card art.  Yes it did rule, didn't it?  (Still hope we can come by pics/screen grabs.  And before you can say "Make your own," I have yet to get the proper equipment, FYI ;-))

[jrjgames]

Here is something you might find interesting...

Also, I was able to snag a blue and red deck from The Game Preserve before they discontinued them..they are quite large and was the same decks used on Floridas Flamingo Fortune.

Anyway, here is the answer I got from the Goodson people.

www.jrjgames.com/cs.jpg

John

[plinkoplus]

To All,

Hi there, I just may happen to help you folks out with obtaining the card pics from Card Sharks.  

But could somebody show me how I can upload pics on this forum.

Thanks,
Chris

[dzinkin]

[quote name=\'plinkoplus\' date=\'Dec 5 2004, 01:02 AM\']But could somebody show me how I can upload pics on this forum.

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You can't upload pictures, or any other files, to this forum.  However, if you upload pictures somewhere else, you can link to them from here.

[plinkoplus]

OK Folks,

Thanks alot dzinkin, I appreciate it.

There are 5 pics of the various cards used on CS.  They are from the CBS and Syndicated version.

They include the CAR, HAWAII, WIN, NO, & PRIZE cards.

The WIN card was used on kids week at most twice I think, anytime else, they used the HAWAII card.

Then there are the CAR card and the NO cards.

And finally, I have a great treat for you.  I got for you folks the PRIZE cards from the Bill Rafferty version.

Well to be honest, I created these myself, but I really tried to keep them exactly true to the ones used on the show.  

The prize cards have the design on them but they are blank, because this way you can make your own prize cards by using the Swiss Black font.  

But the actual font was thinner, so for those of you who know paintbrush, use the skew and stretch feature, and enter a number lower than 100 in the stretch box, and presto you have the exact font.

The link for the cards is:
http://plinkoplus.tripod.com/id7.html

Well I hope you like them.  Enjoy.

Yours Truly,
Chris

[zachhoran]

[quote name=\'plinkoplus\' date=\'Dec 5 2004, 01:49 PM\']OK Folks,



The WIN card was used on kids week at most twice I think, anytime else, they used the HAWAII card.


Yours Truly,
Chris

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It was only used for the Xmas 1987 Young Players' week, when they had the $10K prize package in lieu of the car, this included a bumper pool table, electronic keyboard, computer, bicycles, sailboat, and Trip to Hawaii.

[plinkoplus]

Actually I think the WIN card was also used in the Easter 1988 Young Players' week.

I have the shows on tape.

After that they went back to using the HAWAII card (that is until they had the new game with the survey).

Just so you know.

Thanks Zach for the clarification on the Xmas '87 shows.  Appreciate it very much.

Take care,
Chris