Press Your Luck: The Revival
On the morning of Sunday, January 27, 2002, while Lizzie and Matt were at church with their aunt, Mr. McGuire came across some thing very interesting: The game show, Press Your Luck, which had been canceled since 1986, was returning to production.
"Jo, Press Your Luck is being revived," he said to his wife.
"Alright," she said happily.
"And it says here that teenagers will participate in the first episode back."
"You think Lizzie might be interested?"
"We'll show an episode to her, and we'll find out."
"Oh, I loved that show when we were dating."
"Me, too."
That evening at the dinner table, Mr. McGuire brought the idea up to Lizzie.
"Hey, Lizzie. There's a game show that will be revived this week," he said.
"Oh, which one?" she asked excitedly. " The $100,000 Pyramid? The Newlywed Game? Match Game? Let's Make A Deal?"
"All very nice guesses, but not quite," Mrs. McGuire said.
"Okay, then. Which one?"
"You ever heard of Press Your Luck?"
"No."
"Well lucky for you, there is a rerun on tonight at 6:30 on Game Show Network."
(Animated Lizzie: Okay, let's review. They're trying to show me a game show from two decades ago for no apparent reason? I tell you, parents these days.)
After Lizzie had seen the rerun, she thought it was interesting. Her parents had told her that teenagers were going to participate in the first episode.
"Mom, I want to audition after all," she said.
"Okay, I'll call the studio, and I get you a time slot for auditioning. The place is just about three blocks over," Mrs. McGuire said.
(Animated Lizzie: Interesting, but I'm not sure about those whammies. They looked pretty ridiculous.)
That Friday, Mrs. McGuire drove Lizzie to the auditions. When they were over, Lizzie was cleared to play. But what she didn't know was that Miranda and Gordo had qualified as well.
"Mom, I'm glad that I will play next week." Lizzie was so excited that she could barely sit still.
"I am too, honey."
"Only one problem. I saw Miranda and Gordo there. What if they both make it? Two of us will have to lose."
"True, but I'm sure that that won't effect your friendship."
(Animated Lizzie: Oh, come on now. Yes it will.)
"Are you sure?" Lizzie asked.
"Of course I am."
That night on the three-way, Miranda and Gordo spilled the news that they had qualified as well.
"You guys made it?" Lizzie asked in a surprised manner.
"Yes, we did!" her best friends said simultaneously.
"Well, congratulations."
"Don't worry, Lizzie," Miranda said, thinking Lizzie was concerned. "Neither of us will be disappointed if you beat us. Right, Gordo?"
"Exactly."
"Great," Lizzie said. "So that means I will feel the same way if one of you guys wins."
"Terrific."
And so the next day on February 2, the big day arrived. Lizzie, Miranda and Gordo were in their contestants' seats. Lizzie's parents, Miranda's parents, and Gordo's parents were in attendance.
The set was almost exactly the same as from its original run, but the board had big screen TVs instead of computers. The bouncing lights around the boards were pink instead of yellow. And of course, the whammies were there, the exact same drawings as from the other version.
At exactly 1:00, Pacific Daylight Time, the music started, and the crowd was told to applause. The show had begun. The announcer spoke. It was Rod Roddy again. He somehow had his schedule arranged so that he could do The Price is Right and this show in the same day. He said the same famous line as from two decades ago, only with a small difference:
"Today these three players are after high stakes. But they'll have to avoid the Whammy as they play the most exciting game in their lives. From TV Studios in Hollywood, after 16 years of waiting, it's once again time to Press Your Luck! And here's the host. The star of Press Your Luck, he's back, Peter Tomarken!"
With that, Peter Tomarken (yes the same Peter Tomarken from the 1983-1986 stretch) walked to his podium.
"Hello, everyone!" Peter said once he got to his podium. "Thank you, Rod. It's so nice to hear you say that again. You know I have really missed hosting this show, and I feel I'm ready. So let's meet our first contestants in the new era, starting with 15-year-old Lizzie McGuire." The crowd politely welcomed her with an applause. "Lizzie, where do you live?"
"I live in Anaheim," she said.
"Right next door to us," Peter said. "Now what do you want to be when you grow up?"
"Probably an elementary school teacher. Young kids are so lovable."
"I agree. Glad to have you on the show. Our next contestant is 16-year-old Miranda Sanchez." The crowd applauded as Peter started asking her questions.
"Where do you go to school, Miranda?"
"I go to school at LA Prep High School. I'm a sophomore."
"Okay. What do you think you want to be when you grow up?"
"An ophthalmologist. Ever since I was two, I have been interested in how the eyes work, and I hope to specialize in working on them. I'd be willing to take five years of graduate school for it."
Peter laughed and then said "Well that's nice to know. Good luck to you. Last but certainly not least, we have 17-year-old David Gordon." The crowd started to applaud, but Peter stopped them. "Wait, wait. Now, his name is David Gordon, but he is well known as Gordo. That's what's on his nametag."
"Thank you, Peter," said Gordo as the crowd welcomed him.
"Where'd you get that nickname?" Peter asked.
"Oh, my mother and father thought that I would need a nickname for when I started high school so my identification would be easier. All they could think of was Gordo."
"Do you like it?"
"Been using it for 14 years, and I have encouraged people to use it."
"Nice. So, what do you want to be when you are an adult?"
"A scientist. Science is cool."
"Great. Well, let's get started. I give you four questions. A correct buzz- in will give you three spins and a multiple choice gives you one. Are you ready, guys?"
"Yes, Peter," they said together.
(Author's Note: Make up your own questions and pretend they were applied to the show. It might be boring if I wrote down the questions and said what they said.)
On the first question, Miranda buzzed in and gave the correct answer, while Lizzie and Gordo correctly gave the answer in multiple choices. Miranda got three spins and Lizzie and Gordo got one spin. On the second question, all three got the answer wrong. Third question, Lizzie buzzed in wrong, but Miranda and Gordo got it right in multiple choice. Miranda had four spins, Gordo had two and Lizzie stayed at one. On the final question, Lizzie buzzed in correctly, Miranda got the multiple choice question right, but Gordo didn't. Final spin count: Miranda five, Lizzie four, Gordo two.
"We'll be back to take these spins to the brand new big board right after this," Peter said to the camera before the commercial break.
During the commercial break, parents were allowed to go up on the stage, and comfort their children. They did that.
Eleven minutes later, the break was over, and the show returned. Peter spoke, and told the rules after the music stopped.
"Okay, kids, you have more than $25,000 up on that board there. You have your spins to help you rack up some cash, but there are Whammies there. Player who ends this round with the most amount of money will have the honor of playing last in the final round, which is where you want to be. You can pass your spins anytime you have a fear of the Whammy, and four Whammies will put you in the detention room, where you'll be doing homework and stuff. You don't want to do that. Player with the least amount of spins goes first. Gordo, that's you with two spins. Are you ready?"
"Sure am, Peter," said Gordo. The pink lights on the board started to randomly bounce, and Gordo said a line he made up: "Come on, Whammies, go away. Let's see some Big Bucks! STOP!" He smashed the buzzer, and the lights stopped on $500.
He took his last spin, but landed on a Whammy. The Whammy cartoon was the Bad Dancing Whammy where there was a tap-dancing Whammy and he consequently got the hook.
"Oh, Gordo. Zero dollars, but hang in there. Lizzie, let's go to you. You have four spins, are you ready?"
"Yes, I am!" Lizzie shouted. She said her line: "Okay, Big Bucks, No Whammies! That's what I want to see! STOP!" Her first spin landed on 200+spin. On her next spin, she hit $1,250. Her third spin landed on $1,500, bringing her a three-spin total of $2,950.
She knew that she would likely hit a Whammy after racking up that much money, so rather than take her final two spins, she passed them back to Gordo. Gordo was forced to take the spin, and hit $500, and $550 respectively, bringing his total to $1,050.
"Okay, Lizzie has first place with $2,950, and Gordo is last with $1,050," Peter said. "Let's go see what Miranda can do with her five spins. Are you ready to spin, Miranda?"
"You betcha!" Miranda said with enthusiasm, and this was her line: "Let's go, No Whammies. Instead, I wanna see some megabucks! STOP!" She hit the buzzer, which stopped the board with the bouncing lights at $600. Her next spin stopped at a food processor, which had a value of $258. Her third spin, however, landed on a Whammy. The cartoon was the Breakdancing Whammy. She had a look of dismay as she took her next spin. It was $1,250. She was in second place, and she knew if she passed to Lizzie and whammied, she would be in first place. So, Miranda passed her spin to Lizzie.
However, Miranda's plan backfired as Lizzie nailed the top amount, $1,500, bringing her first round total to an impressive $4,450.
"That's the end of the first half. Gordo is third with $1,050, Miranda second with $1,250, and Lizzie has the advantage with $4,450, a big lead," Peter said to everyone, then turned to the camera. "We'll be back with another round of questioning, and see who will get big spins for big bucks." The contestant's table turned to face the audience as the show went into commercial break.
(Animated Lizzie: Now this game is much easier than The Price Is Right. So far, I've done a good job avoiding the Whammy. [A Whammy sneaks up behind her and taps her on the shoulder. She turns around and slaps the Whammy to the ground] How about that?! I've found a different way to beat the Whammy!)
The show returned ten minutes later. Peter asked everyone a new set of questions. On the first, Miranda buzzed in correctly, while Lizzie and Gordo got the correct multiple-choice answer. Miranda had three spins and Lizzie and Gordo had one apiece. On the next, Lizzie buzzed in correctly, Miranda got the multiple-choice question right, but Gordo didn't. Lizzie went to four, Miranda went to four and Gordo stayed at one. Third question, no one got the buzz-in or the multiple-choice questions right. But on the fourth question, Gordo got the buzz-in right, while Lizzie and Miranda got the multiple-choice right. Final spin count: Gordo five, Miranda four, Lizzie four.
"When we come back, we will take these spins to the big board and find out who will walk away with the Big Bucks," Peter said to the camera before heading to a commercial break.
(Animated Lizzie: Peter is a very nice person, and a very funny host. I keep thinking back to 1984 when in one show, he pointed out there was a fly dying on the ground, and went to ask it for help. I couldn't stop laughing.)
After the lectures by the parents, the show returned.
"Okay, people. There is more than $80,000 up on that board there, but the Whammies are still floating around," Peter said as the show returned. "Lizzie, you are in first place with $4,450, so you have the honor of playing last. Player with the least amount of money goes first. That would be Gordo with $1,050 and five spins. Are you ready, Gordo?"
"Yes, I am," he said as he began to take his spins. His first spin landed on $800. But on his next spin, he ran into a Whammy. The cartoon was the Lawnmower Whammy. After the cartoon, Gordo's second Whammy card popped out. He decided to take his last three spins. But on his next spin, he hit another Whammy. The cartoon this time was the Roller Skating Whammy.
"Gordo, you're in trouble now," Peter remarked.
"I need to go," Gordo said. "I mean you need money to win."
"I understand. But remember, one more Whammy will put you out of the game," Peter reminded.
Gordo knew that. In games, he was a risk taker. He took his final two spins, and hit $2,000 and $2,500 respectively, bringing his total to $4,500.
Then it was Miranda's turn. She started with a total of $1,250. On her first spin, she hit 4,000+spin. On her second and third spins, she landed on $600 and $5,000+spin. Her total was now $10,850. Jumping in her seat with excitement, she passed her spin to Gordo. Gordo took the spin, but hit a Whammy. The cartoon was the Pogo Stick Whammy.
(Animated Lizzie: Poor Gordo. I haven't felt this bad for him since he failed the test given to all schools by the state of California.)
"Sorry, Gordo. You're out of the game," Peter said.
"That's okay. You can't win them all."
"Exactly. We appreciate good sports like you. Lizzie, it's your turn. You have $4,450 and four spins. Are you ready?"
"You bet I am!" she yelled, as she took her first spin. She hit a trip to Calgary, which was now valued at $3,751. That brought her total to $8,201. Her next spin was one of the luckiest anyone could hit. She stopped the board at Double Your $$ + spin. I'll help you with the math. What is $8,201 multiplied by 2? That's right! The Double Your $$ + spin brought her total way up to $16,402.
"Lizzie! You are so lucky now!" Peter commented. The crowd cheered her, especially her parents. There was no way Lizzie was going to take the spins now. Uncontrollably squealing with delight and excitement, she gave Miranda her three spins.
Miranda was $5,552 behind her best friend. It was possible, but it wasn't likely that she could rally. The first two spins she took were both $2,000. That put her in a predicament. She had a spin, which she was forced to take because it was passed to her. Lizzie was $1,552 ahead of her. Miranda would have to pick up something more than that to win.
"Okay, Miranda. Last gasp time. You are now at $14,850. Lizzie is at $16,402. You will have to get something more than $1,552 in order to win. One spin you must take awaits you," Peter explained. "Are you ready, Miranda?"
"I guess so," Miranda said. She desperately begged for something more than that and hit the buzzer. The bouncing pink lights landed on $500. It was far less than enough and Lizzie was the champion.
"We'll be right back to tell you what you won right after this, Lizzie," Peter said to a triumphant Lizzie. She was all clapping and jumping up and down in her seat. The show went to commercial break.
After the show returned, Lizzie had calmed down, but was still elated.
"Lizzie, here's Rod to tell you what you've won," Peter said.
Rod Roddy spoke: "Well, Lizzie, first of all you and your family will be flying on Northwest Airlines to Calgary, Alberta. You'll stay at a Ramada hotel in downtown Calgary for two weeks in the summer, where you will have the choice to go to either a Calgary Flames hockey game, or a Calgary championship rodeo. That was valued at $3,751. And you've won a cash total of $12,651. That brings you to a grand total today of $16,402! Congratulations, Lizzie!"
"Lizzie, congratulations on winning the first Press Your Luck contest of the new era," Peter complimented. "Miranda and Gordo, you will not leave us empty-handed. We have nice parting gifts for you." Miranda and Gordo thanked him.
"You're welcome." Peter then turned to the camera. "We thank all of you for tuning in and watching. For all of us at CBS, we will see you tomorrow. Until then, this is Peter Tomarken saying so long." He did his trademark salute as the show went into the credits.
To show good sportsmanship, Miranda congratulated Lizzie, and gave her a hug. Gordo did the same thing.
Later that night, the three friends went on the three-way.
Miranda: So, what are you going to do with the money, Lizzie?
Lizzie: I'll put most of it in my college fund.
Gordo: Hey. Why are you even asking that, Miranda. That should be a matter of confidentiality.
Miranda: Well, Peter asks that to his winning contestants all the time, so why shouldn't I?
Lizzie: Speaking of Peter, what did you think of him as a host?
Gordo: He was funny. I liked him. To me, he was the best of any one of them in the game show business.
Miranda: Better than Monty Hall, Richard Dawson, Pat Sajak, Chuck Wollery, or Bob Eubanks?
Gordo: Yep. Peter Tomarken stands on top.
Lizzie: To me, he's up there.
Miranda: Well, congratulations again, Lizzie. I'm happy for you.
Gordo: I am, too.
Lizzie: Thanks. Good-bye.
Everyone hung up.
Two days later, the tape was shown on national television. Everyone from their school watched it. Lizzie was happy. Miranda and Gordo were disappointed, but they were mature teenagers, so they could only grin and bear it.
Even Kate Sanders was happy for her.
"Hey Lizzie. I saw you on TV. You should be proud of yourself," she said to Lizzie after school.
"Thanks, Kate. Why the sudden change of emotion? Usually, you'd be very snobby at something like this."
"True, but since I never want to be on TV, I'm not jealous."
"You think Ethan might want to try out?"
"He might. I'll talk to him. I gotta go. Congratulations," Kate said, and walked away.
"Thanks, Kate," Lizzie called after her.
Although Lizzie's mother and father would see their daughter hit four Whammies in the next show, at just 15 years old, they had witnessed her day of triumph and glory.
THE END
On the morning of Sunday, January 27, 2002, while Lizzie and Matt were at church with their aunt, Mr. McGuire came across some thing very interesting: The game show, Press Your Luck, which had been canceled since 1986, was returning to production.
"Jo, Press Your Luck is being revived," he said to his wife.
"Alright," she said happily.
"And it says here that teenagers will participate in the first episode back."
"You think Lizzie might be interested?"
"We'll show an episode to her, and we'll find out."
"Oh, I loved that show when we were dating."
"Me, too."
That evening at the dinner table, Mr. McGuire brought the idea up to Lizzie.
"Hey, Lizzie. There's a game show that will be revived this week," he said.
"Oh, which one?" she asked excitedly. " The $100,000 Pyramid? The Newlywed Game? Match Game? Let's Make A Deal?"
"All very nice guesses, but not quite," Mrs. McGuire said.
"Okay, then. Which one?"
"You ever heard of Press Your Luck?"
"No."
"Well lucky for you, there is a rerun on tonight at 6:30 on Game Show Network."
(Animated Lizzie: Okay, let's review. They're trying to show me a game show from two decades ago for no apparent reason? I tell you, parents these days.)
After Lizzie had seen the rerun, she thought it was interesting. Her parents had told her that teenagers were going to participate in the first episode.
"Mom, I want to audition after all," she said.
"Okay, I'll call the studio, and I get you a time slot for auditioning. The place is just about three blocks over," Mrs. McGuire said.
(Animated Lizzie: Interesting, but I'm not sure about those whammies. They looked pretty ridiculous.)
That Friday, Mrs. McGuire drove Lizzie to the auditions. When they were over, Lizzie was cleared to play. But what she didn't know was that Miranda and Gordo had qualified as well.
"Mom, I'm glad that I will play next week." Lizzie was so excited that she could barely sit still.
"I am too, honey."
"Only one problem. I saw Miranda and Gordo there. What if they both make it? Two of us will have to lose."
"True, but I'm sure that that won't effect your friendship."
(Animated Lizzie: Oh, come on now. Yes it will.)
"Are you sure?" Lizzie asked.
"Of course I am."
That night on the three-way, Miranda and Gordo spilled the news that they had qualified as well.
"You guys made it?" Lizzie asked in a surprised manner.
"Yes, we did!" her best friends said simultaneously.
"Well, congratulations."
"Don't worry, Lizzie," Miranda said, thinking Lizzie was concerned. "Neither of us will be disappointed if you beat us. Right, Gordo?"
"Exactly."
"Great," Lizzie said. "So that means I will feel the same way if one of you guys wins."
"Terrific."
And so the next day on February 2, the big day arrived. Lizzie, Miranda and Gordo were in their contestants' seats. Lizzie's parents, Miranda's parents, and Gordo's parents were in attendance.
The set was almost exactly the same as from its original run, but the board had big screen TVs instead of computers. The bouncing lights around the boards were pink instead of yellow. And of course, the whammies were there, the exact same drawings as from the other version.
At exactly 1:00, Pacific Daylight Time, the music started, and the crowd was told to applause. The show had begun. The announcer spoke. It was Rod Roddy again. He somehow had his schedule arranged so that he could do The Price is Right and this show in the same day. He said the same famous line as from two decades ago, only with a small difference:
"Today these three players are after high stakes. But they'll have to avoid the Whammy as they play the most exciting game in their lives. From TV Studios in Hollywood, after 16 years of waiting, it's once again time to Press Your Luck! And here's the host. The star of Press Your Luck, he's back, Peter Tomarken!"
With that, Peter Tomarken (yes the same Peter Tomarken from the 1983-1986 stretch) walked to his podium.
"Hello, everyone!" Peter said once he got to his podium. "Thank you, Rod. It's so nice to hear you say that again. You know I have really missed hosting this show, and I feel I'm ready. So let's meet our first contestants in the new era, starting with 15-year-old Lizzie McGuire." The crowd politely welcomed her with an applause. "Lizzie, where do you live?"
"I live in Anaheim," she said.
"Right next door to us," Peter said. "Now what do you want to be when you grow up?"
"Probably an elementary school teacher. Young kids are so lovable."
"I agree. Glad to have you on the show. Our next contestant is 16-year-old Miranda Sanchez." The crowd applauded as Peter started asking her questions.
"Where do you go to school, Miranda?"
"I go to school at LA Prep High School. I'm a sophomore."
"Okay. What do you think you want to be when you grow up?"
"An ophthalmologist. Ever since I was two, I have been interested in how the eyes work, and I hope to specialize in working on them. I'd be willing to take five years of graduate school for it."
Peter laughed and then said "Well that's nice to know. Good luck to you. Last but certainly not least, we have 17-year-old David Gordon." The crowd started to applaud, but Peter stopped them. "Wait, wait. Now, his name is David Gordon, but he is well known as Gordo. That's what's on his nametag."
"Thank you, Peter," said Gordo as the crowd welcomed him.
"Where'd you get that nickname?" Peter asked.
"Oh, my mother and father thought that I would need a nickname for when I started high school so my identification would be easier. All they could think of was Gordo."
"Do you like it?"
"Been using it for 14 years, and I have encouraged people to use it."
"Nice. So, what do you want to be when you are an adult?"
"A scientist. Science is cool."
"Great. Well, let's get started. I give you four questions. A correct buzz- in will give you three spins and a multiple choice gives you one. Are you ready, guys?"
"Yes, Peter," they said together.
(Author's Note: Make up your own questions and pretend they were applied to the show. It might be boring if I wrote down the questions and said what they said.)
On the first question, Miranda buzzed in and gave the correct answer, while Lizzie and Gordo correctly gave the answer in multiple choices. Miranda got three spins and Lizzie and Gordo got one spin. On the second question, all three got the answer wrong. Third question, Lizzie buzzed in wrong, but Miranda and Gordo got it right in multiple choice. Miranda had four spins, Gordo had two and Lizzie stayed at one. On the final question, Lizzie buzzed in correctly, Miranda got the multiple choice question right, but Gordo didn't. Final spin count: Miranda five, Lizzie four, Gordo two.
"We'll be back to take these spins to the brand new big board right after this," Peter said to the camera before the commercial break.
During the commercial break, parents were allowed to go up on the stage, and comfort their children. They did that.
Eleven minutes later, the break was over, and the show returned. Peter spoke, and told the rules after the music stopped.
"Okay, kids, you have more than $25,000 up on that board there. You have your spins to help you rack up some cash, but there are Whammies there. Player who ends this round with the most amount of money will have the honor of playing last in the final round, which is where you want to be. You can pass your spins anytime you have a fear of the Whammy, and four Whammies will put you in the detention room, where you'll be doing homework and stuff. You don't want to do that. Player with the least amount of spins goes first. Gordo, that's you with two spins. Are you ready?"
"Sure am, Peter," said Gordo. The pink lights on the board started to randomly bounce, and Gordo said a line he made up: "Come on, Whammies, go away. Let's see some Big Bucks! STOP!" He smashed the buzzer, and the lights stopped on $500.
He took his last spin, but landed on a Whammy. The Whammy cartoon was the Bad Dancing Whammy where there was a tap-dancing Whammy and he consequently got the hook.
"Oh, Gordo. Zero dollars, but hang in there. Lizzie, let's go to you. You have four spins, are you ready?"
"Yes, I am!" Lizzie shouted. She said her line: "Okay, Big Bucks, No Whammies! That's what I want to see! STOP!" Her first spin landed on 200+spin. On her next spin, she hit $1,250. Her third spin landed on $1,500, bringing her a three-spin total of $2,950.
She knew that she would likely hit a Whammy after racking up that much money, so rather than take her final two spins, she passed them back to Gordo. Gordo was forced to take the spin, and hit $500, and $550 respectively, bringing his total to $1,050.
"Okay, Lizzie has first place with $2,950, and Gordo is last with $1,050," Peter said. "Let's go see what Miranda can do with her five spins. Are you ready to spin, Miranda?"
"You betcha!" Miranda said with enthusiasm, and this was her line: "Let's go, No Whammies. Instead, I wanna see some megabucks! STOP!" She hit the buzzer, which stopped the board with the bouncing lights at $600. Her next spin stopped at a food processor, which had a value of $258. Her third spin, however, landed on a Whammy. The cartoon was the Breakdancing Whammy. She had a look of dismay as she took her next spin. It was $1,250. She was in second place, and she knew if she passed to Lizzie and whammied, she would be in first place. So, Miranda passed her spin to Lizzie.
However, Miranda's plan backfired as Lizzie nailed the top amount, $1,500, bringing her first round total to an impressive $4,450.
"That's the end of the first half. Gordo is third with $1,050, Miranda second with $1,250, and Lizzie has the advantage with $4,450, a big lead," Peter said to everyone, then turned to the camera. "We'll be back with another round of questioning, and see who will get big spins for big bucks." The contestant's table turned to face the audience as the show went into commercial break.
(Animated Lizzie: Now this game is much easier than The Price Is Right. So far, I've done a good job avoiding the Whammy. [A Whammy sneaks up behind her and taps her on the shoulder. She turns around and slaps the Whammy to the ground] How about that?! I've found a different way to beat the Whammy!)
The show returned ten minutes later. Peter asked everyone a new set of questions. On the first, Miranda buzzed in correctly, while Lizzie and Gordo got the correct multiple-choice answer. Miranda had three spins and Lizzie and Gordo had one apiece. On the next, Lizzie buzzed in correctly, Miranda got the multiple-choice question right, but Gordo didn't. Lizzie went to four, Miranda went to four and Gordo stayed at one. Third question, no one got the buzz-in or the multiple-choice questions right. But on the fourth question, Gordo got the buzz-in right, while Lizzie and Miranda got the multiple-choice right. Final spin count: Gordo five, Miranda four, Lizzie four.
"When we come back, we will take these spins to the big board and find out who will walk away with the Big Bucks," Peter said to the camera before heading to a commercial break.
(Animated Lizzie: Peter is a very nice person, and a very funny host. I keep thinking back to 1984 when in one show, he pointed out there was a fly dying on the ground, and went to ask it for help. I couldn't stop laughing.)
After the lectures by the parents, the show returned.
"Okay, people. There is more than $80,000 up on that board there, but the Whammies are still floating around," Peter said as the show returned. "Lizzie, you are in first place with $4,450, so you have the honor of playing last. Player with the least amount of money goes first. That would be Gordo with $1,050 and five spins. Are you ready, Gordo?"
"Yes, I am," he said as he began to take his spins. His first spin landed on $800. But on his next spin, he ran into a Whammy. The cartoon was the Lawnmower Whammy. After the cartoon, Gordo's second Whammy card popped out. He decided to take his last three spins. But on his next spin, he hit another Whammy. The cartoon this time was the Roller Skating Whammy.
"Gordo, you're in trouble now," Peter remarked.
"I need to go," Gordo said. "I mean you need money to win."
"I understand. But remember, one more Whammy will put you out of the game," Peter reminded.
Gordo knew that. In games, he was a risk taker. He took his final two spins, and hit $2,000 and $2,500 respectively, bringing his total to $4,500.
Then it was Miranda's turn. She started with a total of $1,250. On her first spin, she hit 4,000+spin. On her second and third spins, she landed on $600 and $5,000+spin. Her total was now $10,850. Jumping in her seat with excitement, she passed her spin to Gordo. Gordo took the spin, but hit a Whammy. The cartoon was the Pogo Stick Whammy.
(Animated Lizzie: Poor Gordo. I haven't felt this bad for him since he failed the test given to all schools by the state of California.)
"Sorry, Gordo. You're out of the game," Peter said.
"That's okay. You can't win them all."
"Exactly. We appreciate good sports like you. Lizzie, it's your turn. You have $4,450 and four spins. Are you ready?"
"You bet I am!" she yelled, as she took her first spin. She hit a trip to Calgary, which was now valued at $3,751. That brought her total to $8,201. Her next spin was one of the luckiest anyone could hit. She stopped the board at Double Your $$ + spin. I'll help you with the math. What is $8,201 multiplied by 2? That's right! The Double Your $$ + spin brought her total way up to $16,402.
"Lizzie! You are so lucky now!" Peter commented. The crowd cheered her, especially her parents. There was no way Lizzie was going to take the spins now. Uncontrollably squealing with delight and excitement, she gave Miranda her three spins.
Miranda was $5,552 behind her best friend. It was possible, but it wasn't likely that she could rally. The first two spins she took were both $2,000. That put her in a predicament. She had a spin, which she was forced to take because it was passed to her. Lizzie was $1,552 ahead of her. Miranda would have to pick up something more than that to win.
"Okay, Miranda. Last gasp time. You are now at $14,850. Lizzie is at $16,402. You will have to get something more than $1,552 in order to win. One spin you must take awaits you," Peter explained. "Are you ready, Miranda?"
"I guess so," Miranda said. She desperately begged for something more than that and hit the buzzer. The bouncing pink lights landed on $500. It was far less than enough and Lizzie was the champion.
"We'll be right back to tell you what you won right after this, Lizzie," Peter said to a triumphant Lizzie. She was all clapping and jumping up and down in her seat. The show went to commercial break.
After the show returned, Lizzie had calmed down, but was still elated.
"Lizzie, here's Rod to tell you what you've won," Peter said.
Rod Roddy spoke: "Well, Lizzie, first of all you and your family will be flying on Northwest Airlines to Calgary, Alberta. You'll stay at a Ramada hotel in downtown Calgary for two weeks in the summer, where you will have the choice to go to either a Calgary Flames hockey game, or a Calgary championship rodeo. That was valued at $3,751. And you've won a cash total of $12,651. That brings you to a grand total today of $16,402! Congratulations, Lizzie!"
"Lizzie, congratulations on winning the first Press Your Luck contest of the new era," Peter complimented. "Miranda and Gordo, you will not leave us empty-handed. We have nice parting gifts for you." Miranda and Gordo thanked him.
"You're welcome." Peter then turned to the camera. "We thank all of you for tuning in and watching. For all of us at CBS, we will see you tomorrow. Until then, this is Peter Tomarken saying so long." He did his trademark salute as the show went into the credits.
To show good sportsmanship, Miranda congratulated Lizzie, and gave her a hug. Gordo did the same thing.
Later that night, the three friends went on the three-way.
Miranda: So, what are you going to do with the money, Lizzie?
Lizzie: I'll put most of it in my college fund.
Gordo: Hey. Why are you even asking that, Miranda. That should be a matter of confidentiality.
Miranda: Well, Peter asks that to his winning contestants all the time, so why shouldn't I?
Lizzie: Speaking of Peter, what did you think of him as a host?
Gordo: He was funny. I liked him. To me, he was the best of any one of them in the game show business.
Miranda: Better than Monty Hall, Richard Dawson, Pat Sajak, Chuck Wollery, or Bob Eubanks?
Gordo: Yep. Peter Tomarken stands on top.
Lizzie: To me, he's up there.
Miranda: Well, congratulations again, Lizzie. I'm happy for you.
Gordo: I am, too.
Lizzie: Thanks. Good-bye.
Everyone hung up.
Two days later, the tape was shown on national television. Everyone from their school watched it. Lizzie was happy. Miranda and Gordo were disappointed, but they were mature teenagers, so they could only grin and bear it.
Even Kate Sanders was happy for her.
"Hey Lizzie. I saw you on TV. You should be proud of yourself," she said to Lizzie after school.
"Thanks, Kate. Why the sudden change of emotion? Usually, you'd be very snobby at something like this."
"True, but since I never want to be on TV, I'm not jealous."
"You think Ethan might want to try out?"
"He might. I'll talk to him. I gotta go. Congratulations," Kate said, and walked away.
"Thanks, Kate," Lizzie called after her.
Although Lizzie's mother and father would see their daughter hit four Whammies in the next show, at just 15 years old, they had witnessed her day of triumph and glory.
THE END