$25,000 Pyramid - Foiled Again? (Feb. 8, 1983)

Anita Gillette only has three seconds to finish her dash up the pyramid to help her partner win $10,000. Can she do it?

[@ddanelle4729]

I always appreciated the transparency Pyramid always had. It was great to let the audience and home viewers in on how they came to their decisions.

[@Thegooman67]

I love that “dead body” was the one that made it click 🤣

[@tugboat2030]

Should have gotten it earlier. Boat and soap is fairly obvious.

[@m.e.d.7997]

Ivory soap would have been better. Other soaps sink but not Ivory. It was 99.4% pure which was how it advertised itself

[@Thegooman67]

@@m.e.d.7997 Interesting, was that advertised heavily in the 80’s? I’ve never heard of ivory soap.

[@charlesallen4821]

​@@Thegooman6799.4% pure

[@stephb3321]

That was hilarious!😂

[@xray111xxx]

Using technology, and good judgement. Loved this show.

[@ivanholtzman2306]

If not for the audience applauding he would have made it...why do we need the audience applauding every time he gets a correct answer.

[@MrEdwardCollins]

Not only that, but it takes a moment for that silly device to flip around and reveal the answer for the person to give the clues. Ideally, it should flip around instantly as soon as the prior clue has been properly answered.

[@ferretqueen4286]

Jesus Loves You

[@MrEdwardCollins]

@@ferretqueen4286 I don't know what that has to do with the initial comment or my response, but there's no evidence Jesus exists, let alone evidence that he loves me or anyone else. The time to believe in something, anything at all, is after there is evidence and a valid justification to warrant that belief. Not before.

[@charliereese1002]

​@@MrEdwardCollins👍

[@sarahlockard5861]

I agree they lose 2-3 seconds every time the block flips.

[@kelperdude]

I like how the show was very fair with their decisions.

[@m.e.d.7997]

They really were

[@ferretqueen4286]

Jesus Loves You

[@sp2435]

Not fair!

[@roachtoasties]

Is there an applause light in the studio every time the contestant guesses something correct? Each time that happens it delays the next category and the train of thought of both. I think they should hold the applause until the end.

[@brookehanley3659]

Good point!

[@charlesallen4821]

They say that at many events but people tend to ignore the plea.

[@nickhill8612]

She spent too much time on the question before. She should have passed and came back to it.

[@kevingreen2400]

Had he started aluminum, he's golden. He said things aluminium. If he starts the word it's like shooting a buzzer beater. He starts the word he can finish thru the buzzer but he proceeded with things then aluminum... tough break.

[@marcpower4167]

Like Dick explained on another episode, if you get the key part started before the buzzer you're good. So if it ends up: Things made of (buzz) aluminum. That's a loss. If he just said "aluminum" he might have made it. At least that's how I understood it.

[@robertgreen9980]

The clue started with the word “things” all is other answers were accepted with the word “thing” first. He as robbed. He should be paid his 20k with interest!

[@paulkane7771]

@@robertgreen9980 *his *was Jessuz, learn how to write properly!

[@robertgreen9980]

@@paulkane7771 it’s called a typo. Learn how to comprehend.

[@robertgreen9980]

@@paulkane7771 oh and it’s spelled Jesus, learn how to write properly 😉

[@gamesgalore4218]

I clearly heard the buzzer first, before he said aluminum. If only they didn't spend so much time in the middle row!

[@tyrese3745]

Nobody's perfect.

[@PREGO1966]

I have never gotten along with the judge on this show. However I do regret to say the buzzer came first......this time.

[@tyrese3745]

@@PREGO1966 Like I said, nobody's perfect in an imperfect world.

[@PREGO1966]

@@tyrese3745 The name is Eric to my friends, and imperfect world or not, he clearly said "things with BUZZZZ aluminum"

[@tyrese3745]

@@PREGO1966 I know. I agree with you.

[@Michael-uu9nv]

The winner circle is the best part of the show.

[@chaingangsoldier3100]

Damn, that was a VERY close call! But I agree they made the right call though, I clearly heard the buzzer go off before the guy started saying Aluminium.

[@studlord9970]

When he said "things you buy ", and then DIDN'T immediately follow with "things you sell", I was all. ARRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHH! That was what cost him.

[@paulcarter1280]

If he would have just said the key word (ALUMINUM), he beats the buzzer. Unfortunately, the buzzer beats him.

[@bluebear1985]

They made the right call. The buzzer started before he said "aluminum".

[@JaceD4V1S88]

he literally starts his answer at the exact same time as the buzzer

[@kidfrombrooklyn66]

MISSED IT BY THAT MUCH !

[@Bluetailvappy]

This is one reason why, when time is short, you try to give abbreviated answers. If he had said "Aluminum Things" instead, he probably would have squeaked out the buzzer.

[@PackinStackin]

yep

[@jmiller297]

Dig his "Alex P. Keaton" hair... MEGA '80s!

[@m.e.d.7997]

The eighties were awesome.

[@jmiller297]

@@m.e.d.7997 SO awesome... I was *SO* born at the wrong time!

[@abe_froman8360]

Did they have to play such a long audio clip?

[@ajk]

Yeah I didn't get that either lol.

[@drewzuhosky6826]

@@ajk The only relevant audio of the clip was that last few seconds.

[@HipsterDoofus100]

If she said “a rubber ducky” they would’ve gotten float a lot faster and “a prostitutes body” would’ve gotten things you sell

[@LittleRockElevators]

The buzzer did beat him. If he would've just said aluminum, he would've won.

[@Driven2Beers]

As for Things That Float, I would've said, "Everything in Pennywise's sewer."

[@Getrealpeeps]

Yeah, the buzzer buzzed FIRST, BEFORE he said foil :(

[@m.e.d.7997]

It was plain to hear and see.

[@happytappyslappy]

Extremely close call! By a mere fraction of a second the buzzer beat him to the punch before the keyword aluminum.

[@MatthewHendrixrockinman1]

dam the buzzer beat him by about 2 tenths of a second

[@patcon314]

What if he had just said "aluminum" rather than starting with "things that"? It seems they accept answers that only have the key word.

[@chuckers40]

They would have given it to him, but the buzzer sounded first .

[@RobQuincyAdams]

If he had just said aluminum, I think he would have gotten enough of the word before the buzzer.

[@blindsportslover]

Just him saying that cost him the money.

[@DennisKovacich]

He got “things” out before the buzzer. So if he had skipped “things” and started the word “aluminum” at the same time, he would have won.

[@SarahB1863]

She gets "Things that float" and doesn't immediately say "A balloon"? He would have gotten it in a second if she'd come up with that clue!

[@NoEgg4u]

@0:18 -- She had trouble with "Things that float" The optimal clue, after "A boat", is "An old turd". Had she had given that clue, she would have made it onto funny game show compilation videos.

[@DavidinMiami]

Her clues were terrible. She wasn't thinking fast enough to come up with some variety. She also kept returning to the same clue again and again, several times, which didn't allow her mind to look for new clues.

[@laststopbeforeheaven]

The game shows were under pressure since the scandals of the 1950s. There's a documentary about a guy who was obsessed with Price Is Right and menorized the prices of everything.They thought he cheated, because his bids were too on the money. He didnt, but it was almost a scandal like the 1950s. Fair is fair.

[@Logan_Woods-zd2zi]

His response was only 'aluminum' and he was apparently too late. I would have awarded it to him if I were scrutineering. In '81, had the same exact hair he has (same color too), but sadly didn't appreciate it!

[@mreco7896]

I ❤️ you 80s.

[@aw4477]

Had they passed to aluminum, then come back to sell, I think they would have had it

[@DennisKovacich]

Or if he had realized that boats, soap, and rafts float before she said “dead body”!

[@harrypotteravenclaw]

I feel so bad for the guy, if the audience hadn't cheered, they would have probably got it :(

[@Jopo1226]

Things that float-Princess Peach! LOL I know this is before that time frame.

[@kenrutherford1109]

Super Mario Bros. didn't even exist at the time this program was recorded.

[@Jopo1226]

@@kenrutherford1109 Which is why I stated I know that was before this time frame.

[@earthquakepills]

It was a dead heat tie. He said "things that" at the exact same time as the buzzer buzzed, but the word 'aluminum' came after the buzzer.

[@PREGO1966]

That is not a tie, he said the "keyword" after the buzzer

[@davidmitchell6873]

The audience clapping after every correct answer is very distracting. Just hold off on the applause.

[@brookehanley3659]

Right! It is!

[@theawesomer8587]

It's buzzzzzzz aluminum!!!

[@meyerj75]

Dick Clark would have a lot to worry about whether or not his American Bandstand weekly show was about to be "foiled" by MTV's popularity at the time.

[@henryfarrell7211]

The buzzer did beat him if he would have just said Aluminum, they would have gave it to him

[@shaleyvale272]

The buzzer started before he said aluminum, but really, the answer is "things that are aluminum " and he started the word "things" (first word of answer) just before the buzzer.

[@RENTnerd87]

You have to start the key word in the answer before the buzzer, which in case was aluminum

[@PackinStackin]

@@RENTnerd87 if he would have said “Aluminum things” he would have won.

[@LL-bl8hd]

Not that it mattered but is "in the circus" considered an illegal clue (prepositional phrase)?

[@PREGO1966]

Prepositional phrases became as big issue in Donny Osmond's and Mike Richards' versions. If your subject in the the winner's circle was "Where you find clowns", the giver would likely say "in the circus" (or at the circus), "in (or at) a rodeo" and get accepted

[@banjochris]

The “what so and so would say” categories were different than the other boxes. As long as you were saying something that entity might reasonably say, you were OK. It wasn’t as constrained.

[@williamarndt9465]

The show is so different now. $100,000. But the set is exactly the same

[@mikeroenbeck5069]

Use to have a big big crush on Anita

[@brookehanley3659]

She was great on ‘Quincy’ as His girlfriend.

[@mikeroenbeck5069]

@@brookehanley3659 👍

[@SugaDontPlay]

Ugghhhh she was driving me crazy! She really couldn't think of things you sell!?!!

[@MatthewHendrixrockinman1]

things you sell I would have said your car your house your tv your lamp

[@SonnyBubba]

He was stuck on "things you buy", and to get him from thinking "things you buy" to "things you sell" is hard, because everything that you can sell you can also buy.

[@MatthewHendrixrockinman1]

yeah Jeff unfortunately Pyramid is not as easy as it looks

[@DNSKansas]

You could have done it better than Anita? You, as a nobody, would have peed in your pants. Anita was certainly trying her best, and could handle pressure much better.

[@DIEGOSHAY]

She said a hundred different things you sell.

[@paulstranc9619]

they took a lot of time on the $200 catagory and the $250 Catagory had she had passed on the $250 catagory which was things you sell and went to up to aluminum and came back to sell they would have won $10,000

[@m.e.d.7997]

Problem is you can sell just about anything if you own it. That is hard to narrow down. Stocks and Bonds was the ultimate clue and at least it came but too late. That box actually belonged at the TOP not aluminum things.

[@SonnyBubba]

A supermarket owner’s groceries. A broke person’s collectibles

[@dangeroreilly2028]

Is that Mr. Spooner, from Are You Being Served?

[@PREGO1966]

No Spooner was played by Mike Berry who was as English as the series, and if you listen to this guy, he is clearly an American. Moreover not to embarrass you, but when they come out of commercial, Wagstaff addresses him by name: "Sandy"

[@der22672]

I’m not so sure they should’ve accepted “STOCKS AND BONDS”. You’re suppose to just give a list, but that was three words. 🤔🤔

[@christopherdunne7848]

But you DO sell stocks-and-bonds, so that’s fine.

[@plushbatfan]

Close but no cigar. Tough break.

[@fornitegood122jr6]

No he didn't get it after the buzzer sorry

[@bprife]

That was close

[@brookehanley3659]

Anita was a good player. This is a high pressure situation

[@agalgonzalez]

A dead body. - Things that float!

[@GS-fy9mn]

In case "things you sell" ever comes up again - "unwanted valuable possessions"

[@ShinyRedGrapple]

Your old car, a merchant's goods

[@WarEagleTimeMachine]

Real estate....real estate....*nod*....real estate...

[@BColleran]

That might be too descriptive of a clue to pass.

[@jennifernordhoff6478]

He started the word!

[@B-ch6uk]

He did start by saying "things... He should have won since he started the sentence.

[@zipcity6720]

Replace the Supreme Court with the 1980s Pyramid Judges.

[@TakatofanAgain]

He did say Aluminum after the buzzer, BUT I thought the rule was that if he STARTED the answer before the buzzer, it counts, and he did start "Things that..." before, and that's the way it should be phrased. Setting aside wither or not he should have won, during "Things you sell", can someone explain Fuller Brushes? .... maybe a brand name at the time?

[@TakatofanAgain]

I just listened to it a million more times and I take that back, he really didn't beat the buzzer. Well, less annoyed now at least!

[@thechadmosher]

- You have to start the key word before the buzzer, being "Aluminum." - Fuller Brushes were sold door-to-door.

[@TakatofanAgain]

Thanks for the clarification and the explanation! :)

[@jldel615]

"Fuller Brushes" were brushes sold door to door from the 1920s to the 1980s. They were brushes made by the "Fuller Brush Company" sold by a salesman commonly referred to as a "Fuller Brush Man" -- they even made a comedy movie about this type of salesman called "The Fuller-Brush Man" in 1948, www.imdb.com/title/tt0040379.

[@chuckers40]

I was just watching the two other examples of this rule "Things made of Flannel" ; Things With a Strap", and this example. The Judges got it right on three calls. "Things made of Flannel" The contestant started the word "flannel" before the buzzer sounded. This is why Dick Clark was such great host. The way he explains the rules, you clearly understand why the judges made that call. Sometimes it was good, and sometimes it was bad.

[@tyrese3745]

1:05 Nope. The buzzer beat him.

[@paulkane7771]

Why did he keep saying "things you buy", and not also say "things you sell". (If there's a buyer, there's also a seller!) Also, her clues were not good. Besides real estate, she could have said "seashells by the seashore".

[@obiedrier4841]

Aww the sell one took so. Long. "Door to door"

[@PREGO1966]

That would be buzzed. You verbally sell "door to door". But it's not something THAT you sell. Can't believe I'm agreeing with the judge after all these years

[@bmoshareholderappleshareho855]

She spent too much time on that catergory.

[@D_Parks]

That’s dumb. He had definitely started his answer and that should count.

[@m.e.d.7997]

Ivory soap is a soap that floats

[@m.e.d.7997]

It was milliseconds close at that last call

[@chrisjacobs6389]

Pyramid rules say you must start the Key word before the buzzer sounds... in this case "aluminum" started after the buzzer... They made the right call.. Funny though... If this were Super Password, he would have won. They accept answers on the buzzer.. meaning as long as the buzzer is still sounding, the answer is still permissible... I think, yes, if he didn't say "things" and just said "aluminum" he would have won.. The Split Second cost him $9,250.

[@brianschaffer9220]

Damn...if he only just said ALUMINUM and nothing else, would have won.

[@chris.twentyeightt]

1:05 said it all and so did 2:40

[@sall4090roughcuts]

Foiled Again? he is the richest standard-bred pacer of all time --

[@Frooshchadfleadeegeehawk-he1tf]

Lavar Burton shoutout

[@markjones1184]

That was close, but I guess because buzzer was going as he said it, no win

[@vivianlawrence778]

What happened to Tie Goes To The Runner? That was a pretty lousy call, if you ask me, but since no one asked me, I shall now shut up. 😜

[@sdmcnulty22]

One word... PASS

[@ericnelson9100]

:12, shouldn't she have gotten buzzed for the wild head gesture?

[@chapter7thomas]

What took Anita so long to say STOCKS AND BONDS in the first place?

[@stevekay1925]

eBay stuff….just kidding I know this is 1983

[@brookehanley3659]

Good one. But yeah it was 1983

[@sarabrown7689]

He got stuck too long on the previous one. He kept saying all kinds of variations of buying but didn't make the logical jump to the opposite answer of selling.

[@raymondozminkowski7670]

these versions of pyramid was a joke

[@pasadena1994]

He literally missed it by half of a second

[@njn3]

even closer than a half second!

[@Royelsworth]

if he would have said aluminum instead of things aluminum he would have won to bad

[@1tommyday]

So close. Such a disappointment

[@rubiks6]

Not "BUY" ..... *"SELL."*

[@thechadmosher]

That's not how the Winner's Circle works.

[@rubiks6]

@@thechadmosher -"Things you sell." He was stuck for a long time.

[@chapter7thomas]

Anita demonstrated a clown so she should have been buzzed on that one....also she spent so much time on THINGS YOU SELL that they could have gotten the last one. But he would not have won anyway due to the 'clown' issue.

[@shaleyvale272]

So, using that logic, contestants should just give 1 word answers. Instead of saying, "things a clown says," just say "clown" , and instead of, "things you sell," just say, "sell" because apparently the other words in the answer don't count. He should gotten a lawyer.

[@chapter7thomas]

Yes, wishful thinking

[@joshandallo2170]

When he said "Things you buy" to her clue of "Real estate," she should have said something along the lines of "purchased real estate" which may have inclined him to say the opposite. So close!

[@jdayala-wright8875]

She would have gotten buzz for a synonym Purchase and Buy are the same

[@BrylcreemBill]

This is another example of the buzzer being concurrent with the contestant's answer. Apparently, this happened three times in the life of the show. And I've seen two of the three times. Despite the rules, one of the times they said the contestant won, and this time the contestant lost. I listened several times to the recording and both times were exactly the same. In the time it took the buzzer to begin and end, the contestant said the "essence" of the answer. BOTH times. The inconsistency of the judge cheapened the show.

[@thechadmosher]

The ending of the buzzer does not matter. For better or worse, the rule is that the key word must start before the buzzer starts. He did not say “aluminum” before the buzzer started sounding.

[@HipsterDoofus100]

They should have buzzed her for “stocks AND bonds” anyway

[@pjabrony8280]

There's nothing in the rules against using the word And.

[@phylliscurley2206]

Please don't clap after each response..it's annoying and distracting

[@birdy1numnum]

*Why is Dick Clark so harsh? He seems happy that he lost!*

[@PREGO1966]

Wagstaff was never harsh, he always wanted to give that money away.

[@birdy1numnum]

@@PREGO1966 I watched again and Dick seems so pleased. That's really sad. Unlike Bob Barker, Dick just didn't know how to host a game show.

[@builttrainer]

Tra-Gic.

[@RJN0607]

I would've given him the $10,000 because he was on the buzzer. If he said aluminium after the buzzer, I would've said no.

[@njn3]

if this were Super Password, he would have won the money.. They accepted answers on the buzzer.. Pyramid was like the NBA... the word (shot) had to be released before the buzzer

[@steve760]

Nah, the buzzer very clearly hit first. Definitely not a tie.

[@ericnelson9100]

She deh should have been buzzed on the second clue

[@StukInBuf]

For "things you sell," could she have said used cars?

[@thechadmosher]

SuperPat88 Yep.

[@malcolmmarshall5946]

Girl Scout cookies, magazine subscriptions...

[@jacksonkempen236]

You're old couch.

[@Leo-pq1nb]

Someone can't spell

[@ralphstreemkejr.]

I disliked actress Anita Gillette as Quincy’s girlfriend/wife, and I dislike her even more after seeing this. Lousy and too-few clues, too much time saying nothing. Cost the guy ten grand.

[@MatthewHendrixrockinman1]

that's bull

[@MatthewHendrixrockinman1]

I reviewed it some more the buzzer sounded first

[@MatthewHendrixrockinman1]

unfortunately true Hunter

[@Facetimer864]

I never realized how many mistakes that they make the contestants and the judges