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.

[@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.

[@jeffandbike4503]

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

[@streetcarjay]

Rest peacefully Alex Trebek. Sudbury's favorite son.

[@Joannec95]

He is one of them.

[@JEMQueen]

OMG TY!!! for showing this very rare episode of High Rollers :D

[@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!

[@andthepoetliftshispen5752]

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

[@therealbrentrolland]

I have been waiting for ages for a 1975 episode of HR-thank you SO MUCH for posting this! Now, we'll see where the 1987 remake got its style! :)

[@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!

[@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

[@henrymurphy3365]

This. Is. GREAT!!! Never thought I'd see an original HR episode. Well done!

[@Lava1964]

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

[@megamanj2004X]

Outside of the mini clips of the intro (which had some awesome superimposed scanimation for 1974-76), brief clip of the super late "Face Lifters" format in the final weeks of it's run and pics, this is the first time an entire episode of a 1974-76 edition of HR has appeared on YT in its awesome glory! Whoever found this gets mad props from me! :D

[@JMFabiano]

Where is said clip of the Face Lifters format? And why do I remember it despite it being one year before my time? (Or am I confusing my memories with those of Battlestars?)

[@megamanj2004X]

+James Fabiano it was shown during the 1983-84 March of the Game Show Hosts special.

[@megamanj2004X]

which was one of the few times that original J! host Art Fleming and future J! host Alex Trebek we're on the same set.

[@byrd56]

I think the title sequence for "High Rollers" looked more like just plain filmed animation instead of the more video-based scanimation.

[@tnawcwvictoria]

and also, when Trebek hosted HR in 1974, Fleming hosted the show in New York City which was also the home to TODAY, SNL and Late Night and when HR returned in '78, that's when J! was taped in California along with HR, Wheel, Card Sharks, Password Plus and The Original Hollywood Squares

[@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

[@jayman25000]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for posting this clip! I have been waiting for an episode of the original High Rollers for years. I actually liked having Ruta on the show and having Ruta roll the dice. And, that intro? Classic!

[@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)!

[@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!

[@misstee101]

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

[@danielwestfall9578]

This is great. This is the first time I've seen this version. Mainly because I was almost 3 when it aired. Thanks for the upload.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@resmith29]

wow what a find never thought I would see a ep from 1975 thank you for sharing!!

[@willmack5909]

It was rather cute too seeing Ruta going in to give Alex a kiss on the cheek out of appreciation for his genuine concern for her being alright. Whoever was on that chandelier that day I hope got a stern talking to!

[@rodney1279TheFlip]

Yeah, Ruta was like. "This kiss is for looking out for me."

[@pinedelgado4743]

I'd have loved if, instead of a chandelier, they dropped an anvil on Ruta's head. LOL!! Couldn't stand her!!

[@Jack21Spades]

@@pinedelgado4743 Then let's see YOU do something-ANYTHING- that people will just WISH they could see again in 45 YEARS.

[@irwinallen1978]

@@pinedelgado4743 Make it a piano. She's even worse in person.

[@robwargo]

Thanks for posting! Loved this show as a kid.

[@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.

[@sugarbear522]

Great find! My only beef with the original version is this: Ruta Lee rollin for the players. The other perks, like a prize for each number, is perfect.

[@willmack5909]

Just noticed too that the Big Numbers that correspond with the main game board also are turned off too. Fun to see this I've probably watched it 4 times now! Love seeing these little nuances.

[@grapplergirl10]

Alex and Ruta were both class acts ❤️

[@PatrioticPirate]

Oh my God... STOP IT! The ORIGINAL High Rollers?! I LOVE IT!!!

[@KWJCDon]

I believe that is the same Ray Wersching who was a kicker for the SD Chargers and SF 49's in the 70's and the 80's. Players didn't make big bucks back then like they do now! Thanks to whoever found this lost treasure! Great quality too!

[@Tubewings]

He was playing for the Chargers at the time, and joined the San Francisco 49ers at the start of the '77 season (winning two Super Bowls in the process). Oh, and the guy that primarily replaced him as kicker for the Chargers? Rolf Benirschke.

[@WaltGekko]

@@Tubewings And Rolf Benirschke (who while with the Chargers actually had a condition that almost killed him) eventually would replace Pat Sajak on the daytime "Wheel of Fortune" for its final months on NBC before that was cancelled and went to CBS where Bob Goen took over that version.

[@WaltGekko]

@@Tubewings Yes, he was the kicker on the first two 49ers Super Bowl teams in 1981 (Super Bowl XVI in January 1982) and '84 (Super Bowl XIX in January 1985).

[@WaltGekko]

I don't think it was at the beginning. His first game was in Giants Stadium in The Meadowlands against the Giants, which I think was a few games in. There is video of that on KZbin.

[@Musicradio77Network]

RIP: Alex Trebek (1940-2020) 😢

[@rangerdj1]

How exciting...an episode of this show exists! THank you for sharing.

[@TheEggplantThatAteChicago]

Just want to add to the thanks; this was a delight.

[@riceboy1701e]

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

[@tirmyta]

Thank you very much for sharing this.

[@TonyKanameKuran]

Thank you for sharing this RARE episode!

[@MrShadowknight2000]

This show needs ti return

[@brooklyn6times]

Love this episode of the first run of Alex Trebek's "High Rollers" with Ruta Lee as the dice lady.

[@anonymousdeuce]

Thanks for making my day.

[@Tmanaz480]

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

[@PaulBlomJr]

Thanks for putting this up. Interesting to see this slightly different version of HR.

[@TheAverycross]

Alex Trebek and Ruta Lee at 2:08! Now THAT'S what I call a classic game show couple:) Thanks for this class post

[@pauli6043]

True professionals who reacted so well when the chandelier dropped too soon. They ad-libbed their lines and rolled right along.

[@pinedelgado4743]

No pun intended, I'll bet!!

[@theodorehsu5023]

We should be glad Ruta wasn't hurt! That could have been painful!

[@ValleyoftheRogue]

RIP, Mr. Trebek.

[@construction884]

The rules were noticeably different between this version and the 1978 version at 12:22 no insurance were given in the main game only during the big numbers.in the 1978 version markers were given both in the main game and big numbers thanks for posting this.

[@johnnysama]

Pretty neat to see an ep of the original High Rollers. Crazy blooper to start things off. XD

[@jeprice08]

If you can find an episode of Sale Of The Century with either Jack Kelly or Joe Garagiola hosting, I'd sure be very grateful!

[@briansheil9763]

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

[@meathead177]

I was laughing

[@revinhatol]

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

[@Celluloidwatcher]

Ruta Lee was a doll back in the day. When she rolled the dice on High Rollers, she was barely 40 and beautiful. She is now 80. I have the 1975 cover of a local TV listing book with her and young Alex Trebek, and she looked stunning in a multi-colored dress, showing her lovely legs off. Ah, if we can only go back in time. BTW, Alex was a ladies man back then, himself, as big mustaches and long/big hair were the rage in the Seventies.

[@thegameshowguy]

I'm FB friends with Ruta, and she still is beautiful!

[@diytom3448]

I’ve been watching her interview with Illeana Douglas. Ruta is a very smart women also. Has many Hollywood stories.

[@narzo]

I saw this at the Paley center in NYC some years ago. They have one other from this era, I hope you have that one as well.

[@ZacRitnerAnimeFan93]

45 years ago. Happy 4th of July.

[@dgray9020]

Rest in Peace Mr Alex Trebek.

[@ordinaryk]

RIP Alex 😥

[@Zoomer30]

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

[@ThunderFist1978]

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

[@horatiohawkins3751]

I just found this episode yesterday and I love it! I notice that during the Big Numbers bonus round When Rita Lee rolls the dice she calls out the numbers and yells out double, double, double like a croupier @ the craps table in Las Vegas. Plus the set looks like a Vegas casino. Thank you Merrill Heatter and NBC!

[@horatiohawkins3751]

Are there more 1975 episodes of High Rollers in the works? If there are $10,000 wins from that year please post it. Between this show, Card Sharks and Wheel of Fortune NBC was going for casino style game shows in the 70's

[@megamanj2004X]

Horatio Hawkins it was then-NBC Daytime head Lin Bolen's insistence of her wanting her game show hosts looking young and studly and she also ushered in what she called shows with flashy sets and tossed out the old shows with s what she called drab, less flashy sets. The new winners were High Rollers, Celebrity Sweepstakes, Jackpot! (until someone thought it was a good idea to change the questions from riddles to regular questions) and the mega-hit Wheel of Fortune. The victimized shows were Concentration after nearly 15 years, Jeopardy! with Art Fleming (which coincidentally was replaced by Wheel of Fortune) and The Who, What, Where Game among them.

[@georgemaster551]

I don't remember this version of High Rollers well,although this is an episode that escaped the clutches of destruction.If I would've had a VCR at the time,I would've recorded ALL episodes of this show and saved them all!

[@Lupton2000]

I hope someday someone can find the 1976 finale. But for now, I'm really enjoying this gem (haven't seen this version in 40 years!). My childhood is reborn.

[@jesselockhart1230]

So glad one of these episodes actually lives!

[@mshroye2]

Way to go dude I've always wanted to see an episode of the original HR but to be honest I'm a bit conflicted on the idea of ruta rolling the dice on one hand as long as someone rolls the dice I'm ok with that but on the other hand having the contestants determine their own fate kinda adds a bit of zest to the game. Also I prefer this over the column format

[@NEPatriot]

WOWIE ZOWIE! Thanks for the fireworks. But...POOR RUTA!!!!!! And yes folks 40 years or so before Wheel of Fortune High Rollers was doing the half car bit. Note in the main game a double came up...no insurance marker.

[@StukInBuf]

THE PRICE is RIGHT does half-car stuff in one of their games.

[@supergamer7473]

Money Game

[@jerryvan-hees7130]

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

[@artytoons]

Shut the Box for cash and prizes. Always love the word "High" floating upwards and the letters in "Rollers" rolling off the screen

[@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.

[@meyerj75]

I have to confess. I remember watching the later version of High Rollers but not this one. So, watching this for the very first time was like a mystery to me (i.e. contestants sitting down, each number on the board represents a prize, a la Concentration). to only thing I remember or read about was Ruta Lee/Elaine Stewart rolling the dice instead of the contestants. Still, it's good to find out at least one episode is still out there.

[@chuckers40]

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

[@jeopardy60611]

I believe I watched High Rollers in 1975 or 1976. I don't remember ever seeing a model rolling the dice instead of the contestants. But what I do remember is asking my mother why the dice were so big, because they are bigger than the dice in my Monopoly game. She told me that they are easier to see, which makes perfect sense.

[@RJSchex]

There was also a weekly syndicated nighttime version of "High Rollers" during the 75-76 season; on this version, Elaine Stewart (Gambit's dealer) rolled the dice; the two contestants stayed on for the entire show, with no returning champions. The syndie version was distributed by Rhodes Productions; its tapes-all 26 of them-probably still exist.

[@whirliebird74]

Like Hollywood Squares in syndication, they probably offered Castrol GTX motor oil and Turtle Wax to all car prizes...

[@jesseleelong]

In later syndie offerings, they offered Polyglycoat to all car prizes.

[@WaltGekko]

@@danalong1237 Actually Turner, which is a unit of Time Warner.

[@2nd2nun1]

Contestant Ray Wersching may not have won the game, but he came out a champ years later as a 2-time Super Bowl winning kicker for the San Francisco 49ers.

[@zacsz]

RIP Alex

[@Fishie_Bug]

Rest well, Alex Trebek

[@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

[@gsnfan]

RIP Alex Trebek

[@LogoMan7777]

So the 1987-88 intro is based on the 1974-76 intro.

[@willmack5909]

Yes indeed! That was one of the awesome things of Wink's version, that, and having actual BIG numbers again. The only thing I disliked about the 78-80 version was the "Big" numbers were the same size and played on the 3 columned board.

[@LogoMan7777]

That meant more room for actual prize displays.

[@GeorgeMaster-xg7lg]

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

[@wrh41]

Love the intro theme song - and Ruta! And dishy Alex with his stache and afro.

[@markyboughter1087]

Happy 4th of July Alex trebek we miss you forever

[@gaipontiff2]

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

[@M200XL]

YESSS!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!

[@Eduardo-lt2op]

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

[@willmack5909]

I so wish I could get my hands on a pair of those specific dice. I loved these dice used here, and on the 78-80 version as well as on Las Vegas Gambit. The dice Wink's version had seemed a bit too chalky somehow, and it seemed like they would chip and break sometimes. Not the golden dice, but the white dice on Wink's version seemed to chip.

[@RJSchex]

The font used for the numbers was derived from Mattel's Tuff Stuff 123's Blocks.

[@stantonrogers]

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

[@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

[@3373-g8z]

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 ...

[@MSP10julia]

Alex Trebek (1940-2020)

[@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.

[@BigSCTVfan]

I knew Ruta Lee was an actress, but I had no idea she filled the Vanna White role on a game show before.

[@megamanj2004X]

And one year before High Rollers debuted she was a celebrity panelist on Match Game, which Buzzr just showed days ago.

[@100aceswid]

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

[@Rlotpir1972]

The 'ding' sound was normally used in other NBC game shows like High Rollers '78, Card Sharks, Dream House, Scrabble, Match Game/Hollywood Squares Hour, and Classic Concentration. The 'buzzer' sound would later be modified and used for CBS's Card Sharks in 1986.

[@megamanj2004X]

and it was also used on its sister H-Q show Gambit (on rival CBS) when a couple "BUSTED" over 21 too.

[@megamanj2004X]

What's even more interesting was that during the Summer 1974-Summer 1975 period was that viewers had a very interesting big gambling choice of CBS's Gambit and its big deck of cards and card table or NBC's High Rollers and its big dice table and big numbers.

[@briansullivan5100]

trebek was so young here

[@streetcarjay]

Jay Boyle Alex is what you call the native of the nickel.

[@andrewschroy6368]

I think Gambit also used it as a time's up buzzer when no one rang in to answer a question, if I'm correct.

[@phillipmorales8886]

A very young Alex Trebek wow check out that afro! I remember this game show when I was 9 it would come on when I came from school for lunch.

[@RolandTaylorJr]

Where did you find this episode?! This is fantastic! I was a baby when the original version was on the air!

[@KT72273]

Somebody mentioned Brian Billick, I saw an episode of Match Game PM where he was an episode around 1977. I haven't seen that clip, not sure if it was a whole episode or just the opening.

[@wesclay14]

It was 1977 and he lost the game.

[@WaltGekko]

@@wesclay14 Actually I believe that was 1978.

[@NBrew808]

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

[@drr345]

Are there any more Ruta Lee episodes out there? I remembered how she would get excited when she rolled doubles.

[@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

[@gameshowfreak2007]

gotta love that funky drum beat at the beginning as the big numbers light up. :) one trend continues here with H-Q shows I never liked: the cash amounts in the front game seem puny compared to the prizes on offer. now the big numbers makes up for it (if you win it) but the problem is a few hundred dollars and expensive prizes mean the cash is wiped out after taxes so what's the point?