Gambit 12-7-1976

[@MrBruneye]

OMG! I am 54 years old now and remember Gambit well! The CBS morning game block of shows when I was home sick from school. Those days will never come back, unfortunately. Thanks, Wink !! This is a treasure!

[@mlubiarz]

Me too!

[@fredmckinney8933]

Same, and I'm also 54.

[@williamboylejr.9098]

Me too also. Rest In Peace to Elaine Stewart, Merrill Heather, Bob Quivley, and Kenny Williams.

[@BrianDennison-f2g]

CBS yes Philadelphia Pennsylvania I was in 2nd grade 1976 I was 55 June 11 2024

[@terracottapie]

I don't care how many times I heard "Dicker & Dicker of Beverly Hills" when I was a kid... I laughed every single time.

[@jon2849]

Thanks Wink loved the show when I was a kid (10) Great health to you.

[@unclechrislv]

I love Elaine's segments with her talking directly to the viewer.

[@millenniumman75]

It definitely made the show a lot more personable.

[@MyGuyJustinH]

I do too

[@tommyparkerparker]

Elaine was a beautiful woman.

[@crazyclimber80]

Thank you so much for this Wink! I was just barely old enough to watch this on our huge B&W television back then. They showed reruns shortly after the series ended, at odd hours of the night/morning. My folks let me catch those on weekends. That weird giant deck made me wish I had one.

[@williamboylejr.9098]

I wish that I had one of those giant decks. This game show cost me to start a playing card collection.

[@williamboylejr.9098]

That should be caused, not cost. The Gambit deck Would be the holy grail Of my playing card collection

[@gsnfan]

Wow, even the commercials are intact! Fantastic!

[@tvtimetravel]

Fantastik is one of the commercials!

[@millenniumman75]

This video is awesome. Thank you for posting this! I can't believe that the products seen in EVERY commercial are still around today. I remember Hawaiian Punch in the big can and that Halls sound effect haha. They used that for years. I do like the swap format with the big board - that really gave some flexibility and a chance to see more of the board.

[@StukInBuf]

I like the Formula 44 ad; I haven't had to use that particular medicine in recent years for coughs, but I do remember the taste... excellent, for a cough syrup.

[@ChrisBakerauthor]

Thanks for the commercials. This is only saved because somebody recorded it at home on a VCR.

[@danielabraham7002]

I still remember those scale model cars on the turntables!

[@Noveltooner]

"Gambit" may have had the smallest set of any Heatter-Quigley. They thought BIG!!! Think "Video Village," "Shenanigans," "The Hollywood Squares, "Temptation" and "The Magnificent Marble Machine. "Video Village" had originated from the same CBS New York studio that hosted the original "Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella." It had been the largest set ever built for any game show and, although it looked roomy on TV, it was really squeezed into that theater (I hope none of the backstage crew suffered from claustrophobia). When it moved out to CBS Television City, I wouldn't be surprised if Merrill Heatter had told them "Okay, you can exhale now."

[@TBONE_2004]

Loving it, Wink! In your own words " *YOU GOT IT, BROTHER!* "

[@Ian16545]

Another set of classics jumps the charts! You, Wink, just made my week.

[@rodgoldberg4063]

Wish they would return this show on buzzr.

[@HarlemHyena]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the whole "mini diorama" biz when the car's being described. At that, whenever a Vega was on the line it was a die-cast scale model; all other cars were stand-up cutouts!

[@royrogers3404]

Wow. The original commercials.

[@MetroShadow1]

Fresh "Gambit." Always a treat! Thanks!

[@RJSchex]

Strange that only three shows remained, yet there was still a contestant plug nonetheless. (On a side note, I just love Joyce Lakin's hair! She looks very much like the late Lee Chamberlin did during the 71-72 season.)

[@watson956]

5:25 and 23:28 Love how the big prize is a Matchbox

[@terracottapie]

Holy crap. I didn't even realize that until you pointed it out and I went back and looked.

[@tammylewis2408]

@11:59, the promo for A Star is Born. Kris Kristofferson recently passed away; that version with him and Barbra Streisand was the best. @26:51 reminds me of the music for the Donkey Kong video game.

[@ericsamuelson5656]

Swap the crystal for a $3500 fur coat would offend Bob Barker

[@semplenyc]

The cardboard car is hilarious but I love the show!

[@HarlemHyena]

(As Uncle from Jackie Chan Adventures) One more thing! (Normal voice) After watching some episodes of Break the Bank '85 w/ Gene Rayburn, I noticed the "win w/ 21" fanfare here was among the few randomly thrown in while Bank Cards were being tested at the end of the show. What was Kline thinking including them in the 1st place?

[@tirmyta]

Thank you, Wink!

[@ChristopherHagee]

From pgrm.'s swan song wk. on CBS-TV N'twrk in Dec., 1976. Now this pgrm. could've run till Dec. 31, 1976 (Fri.-New Yr.'s Eve)

[@ChristopherHagee]

Speaking, December 31, 1976 (Fri.-New Yr.'s Eve), why do you suppose that 1976 College Football season's IXth Peach Bowl classic bet. Univs., Ky./N.C. couldn't have been pushed 2 1/2 hrs. from 2:30 PM (E.T.) to 12 Noon (E.T.) with syndicated Mizlou TV network starting coverage, that game that day at 12 Noon (E.T.) and that same season's XVIIIth Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl classic bet. Univ., Neb./Tex. Tech be moved ahead from 8:00 PM (E.T.) to 3:15 PM (E.T.) with ABC-TV Network starting coverage, contest at 3:15 PM (E.T.)?

[@georgemaster9952]

Las Vegas Gambit only lasted from 1980-81,but this Gambit series was on CBS from 1972-76.Wonder why?

[@MMB18abel]

NBC likely had weak game shows competing with GAMBIT until WHEEL OF FORTUNE entered the fray. In the case of LVG, only THE JEFFERSONS reruns on CBS and syndicated programming competed, people were likely watching the latter.

[@beauwarren5680]

So this is a weird question, but does anyone know how I can track down an episode of Gambit that featured my dad, Jack Warren? He and my mom were on it in the 70s, and it would literally be the only video footage of my father(who died when I was 2) in the world. Any help would be incredibly appreciated.

[@christopherangel6690]

Unfortunately the status of these Gambit episodes are presumed to be lost because I would love to see the first season from 1972.

[@neilbuckley711]

Same question for me. Dear friend’s mother died just a few years after she was on Gambit and if that tape were ever found it would be the only video to exist of her.

[@MMB18abel]

Wink, I learned Romain Johnston was the set designer for the show. Did he want the set to have a home style feel? That's what it felt like to me.

[@sungrey]

Fantastic half hour! I had to laugh at Kenny still giving the contestant plug, though... this is the last week, you guys had to know you were going off the air! lol

[@MMB18abel]

The Bob Eubanks CARD SHARKS was still accepting contestants for the San Diego area on the last broadcast on CBS.

[@friedchickenicedtea]

Keep up the good work, Winker!

[@BrianDennison-f2g]

Tuesday December 7 1976 I was in 2nd grade Pennsylvania I am 55 now

[@ChrisBakerauthor]

They traded the Fostoria Crystal--my grandfather worked there.

[@RJS3566]

Always thought this was the best Gambit format. Las Vegas Gamit was OK. Recently discovered the 1990 pilot on KZbin and wasn't surprised it didn't sell. They made too many changes to the format, and having Bob Eubanks as host didn't help things.

[@scootover7]

I don't think his hosting was really the problem, the too many changes, and 1990 game show were dying on network TV.

[@jjgillmen]

5:12 -- what's this prize description cue? I've been searching all over but can't find it.

[@bencalebrod]

THis show became the SWAP shop towards the end of its run with all of those swap cards on the gambit board.

[@millenniumman75]

I think it was just an oddity that so many had been uncovered in that game.

[@GeekGameCulture]

Still a bit better than the bonus they have now for Catch 21, the spiritual successor of this show. Don't get how that is so liked seeing how it's WAAAAAY too dependent on luck of what cards come up in the deck to do what they are asking you to do. Would love for C21 to use this format instead.

[@thetalkingarchive4795]

When they first showed Jack, I thought he was Dick Gautier for several seconds.

[@mocub33]

When the Contestant plug is shown, am I hearing the Director Track? I faintly here someone calling for Music.

[@markschildberg1667]

It’s probably bleed-through from Kenny Williams’s headphones.

[@jehobden]

I remember seeing clips of GAMBIT in the tv movie "A Circle of Children". An autistic boy kept repeating words he heard on GAMBIT, but no one could figure out what he was saying for a long time. I wonder why CBS was still running the plug for contestants when the show was in its last week on the air.

[@port566]

That sounds like a good chance to reply with a letter saying, "I'm sorry to say that Gambit was cancelled, but we have this other show we'd like to consider you for. If you're interested, you can call us or go to..." Yes it's a bait-and-switch, but I probably wouldn't object if it gives me a chance to win money or prizes.

[@yaywhewclips242]

Yes, daytime commercials were even fantastic. Now daytime ads R all 🚑 chaser lawyer ads. And those hooky days in 6-9 grades and watching game shows and another world/all my kids.

[@PREGO1966]

Keep em comin, Winston

[@christopherangel6690]

I love Gambit. It would be a good reboot with single players and big money and prizes. Have Rachael Reynolds as dealer!

[@alkohalak8199]

It could work. You need the right host just like Wink.

[@RC-lw4ys]

Do you have anymore episodes of Gambit? Thank you!

[@Wizardof]

UCLA needs to digitize and upload their specimens!!!! Collection says "non viewable on archive machinery" means what...?

[@danielabraham7002]

Does anyone have a clean copy of "Gambit"'s theme and / or win sting music?

[@josephgalla8562]

I Remember this Game show very Well I always Liked Elaine Stewart The Lady who Handels the Cards and she is very Atrractive.

[@mulletboater]

Sailboats were such a common prize in older game shows. It just occurred to me why as i was watching this. It sounds like a presumably glamorous vehicle if someone just says "sailboat" but they come in different sizes. Its probably not a significant boat like with a cabin and a motor that you see people living in and traveling around the country in for years on end, but could be like the boat in Tommy Boy that Farley barely fit in. A dinky little ten foot +/- boat that isn't safe for anyplace aside from canals or creeks and doesn't come with a motor, but just a dinky one mast sail that only propels it if your perfectly upwind of a good breeze.

[@brocklinqualls6836]

Love ya Elaine

[@nextbarker2702]

Is this MH/BQ'S only network show for CBS?

[@mbclev]

Heatter-Quigley at least had "Video Village" (adult and junior editions) and "The Amateur's Guide to Love" on CBS before "Gambit".

[@KPCarter2000]

the commericals are so Classic

[@wikkedwood]

Why did the dude still cough after he swallowed some formula 44? Does the stuff work or doesn't it?!?

[@charlieismyhero3000]

Wondered this too after the bungled swaps! Lol

[@charlieismyhero3000]

They swapped “the Crystal” twice and should have started with trading the $100 not the “Vegas trip” How did no one on the show’s production not realize this?! Let a lone anyone else commenting?😂🤦🏻‍♂️

[@charlieismyhero3000]

They even “took her coat away already”😭 They should have took the “mink coat” away because she traded a prize they no longer had any way to win it!

[@jdayala-wright8875]

They got another swap card when they swapped for the crystal, which meant that swap continued until another prize appeared which was the Mink.

[@BlackwoodCompany]

How long did the swap cards exist on the Gambit Board?

[@bryanlaw9262]

I'm not a huge fan of finales! Don't like to see things end!

[@Tubewings]

That whole SWAP card thing really confused me. What would have helped me was if they covered up the SWAP cards that had already been used and prizes that had already been swapped out. And speaking of prizes, that Orange Bowl game would have Colorado of the then-Big 8 facing Ohio State of the Big Ten. The Buckeyes would beat the Buffaloes, 27-10. Oh, BTW, Beatty would not end up playing Howard Hughes in the TV movie that aired in 1977. That role would be played by a then-little-known actor named Tommy Lee Jones. AND WHY WOULD THERE BE A CONTESTANT PLUG FOR "GAMBIT" WHEN THE SHOW WOULD BE OFF THE AIR IN THREE DAYS?!

[@millenniumman75]

They are taped in advance, I think. The Price is Right's December shows were often taped in October.

[@charlieismyhero3000]

They swapped “the Crystal” twice and should have started with the $100 not the “Vegas trip” How did no one on the show’s production not realize this?! Let a lone anyone else commenting?😂🤦🏻‍♂️