High Rollers (July 4, 1975)

[@jasonstone5953]

RIP Alex Trebek - thanks for all the entertainment over the years.

[@tyrondavis6727]

RIP Alex Trebek 1940-2020😢 Thank you for the game show.🇺🇸🍁👑

[@MTPromices]

Word

[@tonyarceneaux286]

Wink Martindale hosted the show too.

[@geoffreybovey3482]

Alex, you were and are a quiet, soothing BADASS example to all of us on how to be strong, kind, dedicated, and hard working. Thank you for all you did. May you Rest In Peace, my Canadian Hero but brother to all.

[@geoffreybovey3482]

Oh, one more thing: thank you to whomever went to the trouble of posting this. KZbinrs like you provide an invaluable service to those of us craving sweet reminders of our childhoods. Thank you, seriously.

[@craigsmith3182]

Ray might have lost at High Rollers but he managed to win 2 Super Bowl rings later in life

[@miccal99]

I think we'd all prefer that outcome in life

[@streetcarjay]

Rest peacefully Alex Trebek. Sudbury's favorite son.

[@Joannec95]

He is one of them.

[@jeffandbike4503]

Well miss you Alex. Have great memories watching this as a little boy. Rest in peace. 1940-2020

[@deecee4702]

Today Nov. 8th, 2020. R.I.P. Mr. Trebek. You were certainly a class act. You were also one of the best game show hosts ever! Now that you are in a better place make sure all the saints answer you in the form of a question! You will be missed!

[@unputer]

What a legend. I'll never forget Ray Wersching winning numerous games for the 49ers as a youth ;)

[@WaltGekko]

Yep. And it was not uncommon then for players in pro sports to be contestants on game shows.

[@raymondgallardo576]

You know the theme song that opens this episode, for the first few seconds, it started out jazzy, then it became danceable like if we could hear some early disco, and it finishes jazzy. Groovy baby!

[@Tubewings]

After watching a full episode of the original version, I have to say the 1978 revival was unquestionably the best version of the show.

[@willmack5909]

The only thing I disliked about the 1978 revision was the "BIG" Numbers were no bigger than the regular match play numbers as they used the same game board for both. Outside of that one thing, I agree.

[@Tubewings]

@@willmack5909 You do have a point there.

[@ericsamuelson5656]

The 80s version with Wink Martindale combined the 1978-80 regulation board and the 1974-76 Big Numbers round seen here

[@andthepoetliftshispen5752]

High Rollers and Split Second were my favorite 70's game shows.

[@bmasters1981]

Alex was only 34 at the time of this broadcast on NBC on Independence Day '75 (wouldn't be long until he turned 35)!

[@tyrese3745]

My friends, we and much of the Providence of Canada are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Alex Trebek, the host and former producer of the 1980s successful revival of "Jeopardy!". Trebek died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 80 this morning. In his 57 year career in both Canadian & American television, he hosted the NBC 1974-76 and 1978-80 versions of High Rollers, Double Dare on CBS from 1976 to 1977, the second syndicated season of The $128,000 Question, the 1981-82 and 1983 versions of Battlestars, and, of course, the 1987-91 NBC Daytime revival of Concentration, namely "Classic Concentration". He also was a spokesman for the Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company, appearing in many commercials for the company. He is survived by former wife Elaine Kares (a businesswoman), currently widowed wife Jean Currivan (a real estate manager), their two children, Matthew and Emily and an adopted daughter Nicky from his first marriage. RIP George Alexander "Alex" Trebek (1940-2020). You will forever be missed but always remembered in our hearts and memories.

[@bmasters1981]

He was also on the early-90s To Tell The Truth for a time as well.

[@johnpat3622]

The "Providence of Canada" ?

[@tyrese3745]

@@johnpat3622 Google it

[@Musicradio77Network]

RIP: Alex Trebek (1940-2020) 😢

[@misstee101]

Rest in peace Alex Trebek. Thank you for entertaining us after all these years!

[@grapplergirl10]

Alex and Ruta were both class acts ❤️

[@Tmanaz480]

1975 was the precise year of maximum lapel and tie width.

[@WaltGekko]

This episode is notable as one of the contestants was Ray Wersching, then a placekicker in the NFL for the then-San Diego (originally and since 2017 currently) Los Angeles Chargers. He would be there through early in 1977 season when (I believe) he was cut and moved on to the San Francisco 49ers, where he would eventually be part of two Super Bowl winning teams when the 49ers took Super Bowl XVI in January 1982 (end of 1981 season) over the Cincinnati Bengals and Super Bowl XIX in January 1985 (end of 1984 season) over the Miami Dolphins (there is video of his first game with the 49ers against the New York Giants from early in the 1977 season on KZbin). It was not uncommon back then for professional athletes to appear as contestants on game shows as they were not paid anywhere resembling what they are now (even with inflation factored in) as a rule.

[@Loogaroo1]

And most ironic of all: the man who replaced Wersching as kicker for the Chargers in 1977 was none other than future Wheel of Fortune host Rolf Benirschke.

[@WaltGekko]

@@Loogaroo1 I don't think many people even remember Rolf Benirschke replacing Pat Sajak on the daytime version of "Wheel of Fortune" for its final few months on NBC (January-June 1989) before NBC canceled that version and it went to CBS where Bob Goen replaced Benirschke (Pat Sajak has been host of the nighttime version for its entire run dating back to 1983).

[@marcpower4167]

I did some research the average NFL salary at the time was about $23,000. Or about $120,000 in today's dollars. After Ray retired he had an insurance business, he and his partner were indicted for embezzlement, his partner went to jail, he was later exonerated but lost the business.

[@victorkreitner754]

One of Rays future coaches who was on Bill Walsh' staff and later coached Cincinnatti to a SB was Sam Wyche who appeared once on Match Game with Gene Rayburn in the 70s.

[@WaltGekko]

@@victorkreitner754Brian Billock (Ravens Head Coach when they won Super Bowl XXXV in 2001) also was a contestant on Match Game in 1978.

[@Lava1964]

Wow--this was a slice of my childhood. Thanks for posting this gem!

[@revinhatol]

_Dedicated to_ *Alex Trebek* _Forever in our Hearts_ _Always our Inspiration_

[@MrShadowknight2000]

This show needs ti return

[@tbryan5437]

This is awesome. I'm watching Perry Mason with my son. Ruta Lee has been on a few times. I'm telling my son about this time on this game show. I feel a little bad about it now, but back then, we all in my family found Ruta annoying and wished the light would hit her on the head. It was stunning and hilarious when it happened. It's like having a (mild) evil wish that comes true. I had completely forgotten that Alex was the host at this time. He sure looked groovy then. This really brings me back.

[@ValleyoftheRogue]

RIP, Mr. Trebek.

[@ordinaryk]

RIP Alex 😥

[@riceboy1701e]

So long, Alex. Thank you for so many memories.

[@dgray9020]

Rest in Peace Mr Alex Trebek.

[@tyrondavis6727]

RIP George Alexander "Alex" Trebek 1940-2020🌈❤️💙🤍🏔️🦅🇺🇸💎 You are a true game host gem. High Roller 1975 game show says it all. Thank you for the game show video.

[@ZacRitnerAnimeFan93]

45 years ago. Happy 4th of July.

[@Zoomer30]

This set was so much better than what they did in the late 70s run.

[@gaipontiff2]

This game show was my first memory of Alex Trebek. RIP.

[@briansheil9763]

1:01-BANG! Right on the noggin. I’m glad Ruta Lee was okay.

[@meathead177]

I was laughing

[@chuckers40]

R.I.P. to a legendary game show host. Alex, you will be missed.

[@zacsz]

RIP Alex

[@Fishie_Bug]

Rest well, Alex Trebek

[@MSP10julia]

Alex Trebek (1940-2020)

[@SUPERxSEXYSHAWTY]

RIP ALEX TREBEK TRUE CLASS ACT

[@gsnfan]

RIP Alex Trebek

[@jerryvan-hees7130]

Forgot all about this game show. Didn't agnowledge that ruta Lee was a hostess on this show. I was to young.

[@GeorgeMaster-xg7lg]

Alex's star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame is on the corner of Hollywood and Wilcox.

[@Eduardo-lt2op]

In memory of Alex Trebek. (R.I.P.)🙏🙏🙏💐💐💐

[@ThunderFist1978]

I was only familiar with the Wink Martindale run until now.

[@user-ty6do8yz4l]

When "we" were young, it was easy to tell OLD stuff, as it was Black and white film/pictures. Now, something almost 50 years old doesn't seem that old. The 70s were obviously the peak of America, and human happiness, all things considered. There were bad times, but the good outweighed them. No longer true now. It felt like 1987, was when the scales began to tip towards more evil, not sure why ...

[@drewski1535]

Oh wow Look at Alex with an Afro even his mustache was thick what great game show host he has been for a longtime no matter what may come of him while he is in a brave battle against cancer he will always be remembered for his amazing game show hosting skills but will always be remembered for Jeopardy

[@NBrew808]

The champion on this episode is a former SF 49ers kicker.

[@markyboughter1087]

Happy 4th of July Alex trebek we miss you forever

[@Zoomer30]

1000 gals of gas in 1975 was a lot of money.

[@chuckers40]

it's still a lot of money.

[@ronn1963]

Thought I heard the contestant say “oh sh*t” at 10:15 mark when she lost at the big numbers! Was it just me?

[@roysorgo]

She sure did. Nice catch.

[@charlesallan-ks6gq]

Stay tuned for The Hollywood Squares next on NBC

[@user-us3dc7nb7u]

Pat Parelli is also known as Patricia Russo Caparelli. She graduated from Malden High School in 1963 and she got married later that year. She is 79 now.

[@glennpoch4742]

Alex got an invitation to the NAACP awards one year because of his afro and tan. People legitimately thought he was black, lol.

[@joanneclark6044]

Alex I'm compelled to call my dad of your passing (however he passed in 2016) he never missed an episode of Jeopardy. You my friend will be missed

[@100aceswid]

Rest in peace. This is the first game show that I seen him in.

[@GeorgeMaster-xg7lg]

Now if only the nighttime syndicated version would pop up with Elaine Stewart as the dice roller.

[@tracyisbest]

You wouldn't think that Ray Wersching would be the 2nd leading scorer in 49ers history behind Jerry Rice would you? He would have been 1st but Rice was a freak. Kickers are usually the leading scorers all-time on a football team: a point for each try after TD and 3 points for every field goal adds up over a decade on a team.

[@jamesqualls8125]

Yikes, that would have been a major game show blooper. Watch out for ceiling lights

[@tubelover10]

#RIPAlexTrebek Thanks for the amazing game show memories

[@starshipcaptain4753]

Like the show, I think I remember this or a slightly revised newer version. But if I was a contestant I would want to stand not sit and I would won't to roll my self. RIP AT

[@thefirespecialist9007]

Need to bring back this show with Alex... oh wait 😔

[@jeopardy60611]

This game is a little different from how I remember it. I remember the main game numbers being in a 3x3 grid with prizes accumulating in each column, the main game had insurance markers for doubles, and the contestants rolled the dice rather than the model.

[@chuckers40]

that was the second incarnation of High Rollers on NBC (1978-1980)

[@ardythshaw1778]

I was a contestant on High Rollers in 1974 and won $17,000 in cash and prizes. I'd like to know who to contact to see if I can find a tape of that show. I'll be 80 in February.

[@vitomcsween974]

Who was watching this game show on KZbin way before Alex died May he rest in peace

[@brodie2005thegamer]

Fun Fact: Alex's 2nd wife was 12 years old at that time!

[@marcpower4167]

He said in an interview not long before his passing, that his one regret in life is that he didn't meet his wife sooner. Said something like "I would say, I wish I knew her in my 20s but then when I think about it, she wasn't even alive then..."

[@Salvatore1268]

Pat is absolutely positively gorgeous Never knew ray wersching was on a game show Sip alex Ruta lee was cool

[@blindsportslover]

A couple of things. Would you rather have a person roll the dice for you or you roll them your self, and which board did you like better? A prize behind each number or the board with the three columns?

[@marcpower4167]

Definitely prefer to roll the dice myself, as far prizes under each number or each column....I think I prefer the columns, a little more strategy involved

[@johndistefano7037]

I loved High Rollers

[@TroyGoodwin]

Gene Shalit’s long lost son.

[@jeffreylong3963]

July 4, 1975 (Independence Day 1975)

[@soylentteal]

Wersching was on the show...just for kicks.

[@DaddyDave7747]

Why doesn't Game Show Network still play these classics? When they first came on, it was Beat the Clock from the 50's (Sponsored by Winston...)The host handed the teams two children a carton of smokes each for "mom and dad"! What's my Line, Password, Concentration, Card Sharks, Family Feud with Richard Dawson (best host imo) etc. Garbage now.

[@herestoyoudoc]

With few exceptions, most 1970s game shows no longer exist. Videotape was expensive and studios wiped them to reuse them. Mark Goodson was the only producer with the foresight (or maybe the narcissism?) to save either a kinescope or a videotape of every episode, which is why GSN shows mostly Goodson shows. The fact that we have any episodes of HQ shows like "High Rollers" is a miracle; usually taped by a viewer or maybe a media school.

[@Tekken90Fan]

Ruta Lee is definitely a funny and classy lady, She's definitely the perfect choice of being the hostess of High Rollers :)

[@stevejones6247]

oh my God you killed Kenny

[@deadpan80]

I didnt know Gabe Kaplan hosted a game show!!

[@stantonrogers]

Are there anymore High Rollers episodes with Alex Trebek or Wheel of Fortune with Chuck Woolery & Susan Stafford, please?

[@jehobden]

RIP, Alex

[@foxmccloud7055]

Having to choose between having the dice lady rolling the dice and having the contestants roll the dice themselves? I would have the contestants roll the dice themselves.

[@massapower]

RUTA LEE on There's Company 😛👍🏻

[@animemangafan1987]

#RIPAlexTrebek 😢😭

[@kristinnace7103]

what did i just say! no credit to alex trebek 1940-2020

[@ericsamuelson5656]

ABC needs to replace The View in favor of High Rollers so it will air opposite The Price is Right with Drew Carey (I'm WAY too picky with present day TV). Set the main game like its seen here (with insurance markers for doubles) and contestants to roll for themselves. If the contestant wins, announcer Rich Fields will read the list of prizes on their board. Hire Chris Harrison to be the emcee & Camille Kostek to model the prizes. It will air at 11am weekdays right before Daytime Wheel of Fortune or Snap Judgment (whichever ABC will pick) at 11:30.

[@yaywhewclips242]

She didn't get an insurance marker for rolling double four. Early episodes, that came later.

[@stevejones6247]

I remember watching that look how big Alex hair is

[@georgemaster689]

Why did Ruta Lee not return for the 1978-80 version?

[@GameShowManOne]

2:34 Ruta reacting to Ray's answer like she'd been slugged in the gut. Jeez.

[@mixon270]

a fun board game too

[@johnpat3622]

0:28 The Dice Man Cometh.

[@povertyspec9651]

Ray won the only things the Chargers have ever won!

[@davidfearis7335]

1:00 LMAO!!!

[@meathead177]

Ikr

[@Dim4323]

Why cant the contestants role the dice like the Orginal?

[@Tubewings]

This version IS the original.

[@jerryvan-hees7130]

So long alex.

[@user-ty6do8yz4l]

Just in case you thought Alex was never cool!

[@drewconway7135]

10:01 She should have taken the 9 and the 2. Instead she picked the 8 and the 3, which made 4 a bad roll. And so of course the next roll cooked her goose.

[@gm12551]

2:10 when you could kiss someone in the 70’s and it be socially acceptable

[@samueljimson9837]

He has a fro

[@jamesmoss3424]

Pattie did good. 😀👍

[@RobRVA]

Poor Ruta was almost decapitated!

[@notmyrealname2592]

Alex looks like Gene Shalit's illegitimate son.

[@pip12111]

More like Avery Schreiber

[@jeromehoward1249]

I like aussie women! ❤😊

[@mikeferguson5935]

Except for the trips all the prizes are junk.

[@pip12111]

Miss Lee looks like Margaret Thatcher

[@raymondhetes9783]

Double vision cause Ruta, was buzzed,,a bit tipsy???

[@jonnyvase9348]

The spotless jasmine syntactically crush because november substantively raise under a two creek. second-hand, standing sphynx

[@devares2006]

Alex Trebek with an afro. I bet Sean Connery would've had a field day back then.

[@riceboy1701e]

They just greeted each other.

[@sikwilly45]

"I see your curtains match your mother's carpet, Trebek."

[@devares2006]

@@sikwilly45 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@sikwilly45]

@@devares2006 Thank you.

[@christophercotton9048]

Shocking! Positively shocking!