Hot Potato - RARE Game Show Pilot

[@bayousmackerdixford3389]

Loved this shit at times me my dad late grandmother would watch it together .... olden days gone by sadly good times@

[@jamesqualls8125]

Great show, with a penalty box and no hockey sticks needed. Bill Cullen 1 of the great game show hosts of all time

[@gilwood7530]

I would watch Bill read from the phone book ... Seemed like a very nice guy

[@ordinaryk]

Two things killed Hot Potato: Switching to a celebrity format three months into its run, and the time slot it was in (not only was it up against Family Feud, but the noon time slot was often pre-empted by local news, so Hot Potato wouldn't be seen at all in many areas). It ended up being canceled after only five months and replaced with reruns of Diff'rent Strokes. It deserved much better, and Bill Cullen (as usual) was an exceptional host.

[@2themoon863]

Interesting; if the man in the middle of the Teachers team looks familiar-if you follow civil rights law or his appearances on Fox News, it’s attorney Leo Terrell.

[@olddisneylandtickets]

I noticed him right away

[@crgray1979]

Didn't know he was a teacher

[@calebwashingtonproductions]

Hot Potato was a good show. The switch to an all-celebrity format was a big mistake. Thanks for sharing, Wink.

[@GCBlues45]

That was Enright's desision to do that.

[@devares2006]

Mainly because it was getting crushed by Family Feud and The Young & the Restless.

[@RejLeatherman]

It wasn't ALL-celebrity, 2 stars and 1 civilian. But, I agree, it ruined the game. But, this week on "The Match Game Hollywood Squares Hour", Bill Cullen was one of the panelists. And that was the week BEFORE "Hot Potato" debuted, so it got a daily plug. Maybe Fremantle can get HP? After getting MG/HS and BOTH "Concentration"s, I put nothing past them.

[@dougghiz8339]

This show only ran for 6 months. Bill Cullen later replaced Jack Barry on The Jokers Wild, because Jack Barry died of a heart attack while jogging.

[@sha11235]

@@GCBlues45 He probably did it with Bullseye too.

[@poppopw5305]

Loved this show, the sound effects and Mr. Bill Cullen who always did a masterful job hosting.

[@drummingdanny84]

This pilot was filmed in December of 1983, a mere month before the premiere of the series. Initially, this show was pitched to CBS, but they passed on it with a younger-looking host. So, NBC took on the project with a more experienced emcee. Enter: Bill Cullen. This was his last network game show gig and his next-to-last for Barry & Enright (and his overall career). Unfortunately, this show met its doom by being placed in the noon timeslot which wasn't a smart move being that it was up against "Family Feud" and would be replaced by reruns of "Diff'rent Strokes" on July 2, 1984 (which served as a place filler for the Bert Convy-officiated fifth edition of "Password" called "Super Password", which ran until 1989). All was not lost as Bill was nominated for a Daytime Emmy award in 1985.

[@TogonzoMedia]

Many stations in the Eastern and Central time zones also preempted the Noon slot for local news and those stations also offered no rebroadcasts of the game shows. So the only way I could watch Noon gameshows was either by C-Band satellite dish or if the weather was ripe for DXing an out-of-market station with a rooftop antenna.

[@drummingdanny84]

@@TogonzoMedia Or viewers had to wait three years after the initial cancellation of the original series to watch it on the USA Network.

[@bigred3164]

Bill Cullen, "Mr. Game Show, the most humble game show host of all time.

[@sha11235]

I didn't even know when he died until several years later. It wasn't like I was looking in the paper every day back then to see if any celeb died and you couldn't get the info as quickly as today.

[@daviddaskalnojokeradio]

Someone was talking about Bob Eubanks and I thought of Bill Cullen, which immediately makes me think of Hot Potato. Awesome to see this here.

[@jjgillmen]

Fun Fact: Leo Terrell was a teacher at the time of this pilot. He is now a former civil rights attorney and Fox News Contriubtor.

[@DjPyro2010]

The song that begins at 0:05 is Stop Look and Listen by Donna Summer. Reached top 60 in UK in 1983.

[@thewhammy83]

Open with Donna Summer (Stop, Look, and Listen); close with Sylvester (You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)). With all those moving lights, a game show set can double as a discotheque.

[@BenJabituya]

13:00 - The sound of finding the Zero in "Play The Percentages" end game.

[@millenniumman75]

13:32 and 19:41 - more cues from Play the Percentages. They didn't have Hal Hidey's music package yet - since there was no approval for series at that point.

[@interactii]

Great show! Thanks for all the wonderful pilots!

[@FrankTeddy2011]

As a kid, I was totally fascinated by this show...the steam from the sign, the lighting, the moving penalty boxes, the video screens and the host! I prefer this opening theme with the guitar riff. But the bonus round is WAY too anti-climactic...it seemed like even Bill was trying to hurry things along. Otherwise, it’s the Hot Potato I remember. This game, along with Child’s Play, were two games that made me fall in love with genre. Thanks again, Wink!

[@sha11235]

The bonus round was a little different here.

[@LordChristopherOfMidway]

Notice that a repeat answer was automatically called wrong. When NBC picked up the series, Bill allowed one repeat answer without penalty. A second repeat was counted wrong. He would also periodically give the list of correct answers so far, and he would talk about the "three lights" in front of him: right, wrong, and repeat.

[@wschmrdr]

Only if you repeated a correct answer. If you repeated an incorrect answer, it was automatically wrong.

[@angeladay1534]

Forgot about this show. This was lots of fun! 😆💖🙌🏽

[@johncraw8572]

Awesomeness please do more thanks

[@njadakaboles9999]

l love the pilot closing theme im jamming that now . and donna summers is the opening theme stop , look , and listen song as the opening theme

[@ChrisBakerauthor]

_Hot Potato_ had the misfortune of getting the noon time slot. Many stations aired news at noon instead. Where I grew up, we had two NBC affiliates. One showed the news, and the other showed whatever NBC fed them.

[@jrjames99]

Father Greg and Bartha both appeared on tic tac dough with Wink Martindale. Father Greg in 1983 and Bartha in 1984. I think Bartha was also on name that tune in 1980.

[@DBR00]

I always liked Bill Cullen as a game show host. He seems like a really nice guy.

[@sha11235]

He had a long list of game show credits.

[@crgray1979]

He hosted I think 21 game shows

[@OS-yf3ko]

Thanks for the uploads!!

[@KPCarter2000]

Has anyone noticed that the music cue used in the regular game was also used on the Game show PLAY THE PERCENTAGES..

[@christopherhorsford3627]

Aired At 12 Noon On NBC!

[@mykalimba]

The five screens displaying computer graphics (three in the front game, two in the bonus round) are Commodore 64 machines.

[@BenJabituya]

I thought those were Sony Trinitron monitors, since Barry & Enright Productions is owned by Sony Pictures Television.

[@Musicradio77Network]

The ending had the Barry & Enright logo intact rather than plastering the Columbia/TriStar TV or Sony Pictures TV logo that you see on GSN these days. This is a pilot that it was never aired on GSN back in the day. Not even on USA back in the 1980’s.

[@dougghiz8339]

R.I.P. Bill Cullen, Charlie O'Donnell

[@brothergaryii]

The repeat answer from the pilot @ 13:01 was taken from the short-lived game show "Play The Percentages," another B&E series.

[@danieltaylor9275]

It would later be used on 1985 version of Break the Bank.

[@stevebier710]

Interesting how they used Sylvester’s “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” as the closing theme.

[@drummingdanny84]

Hey, you're right.

[@gsnman]

IKR???

[@Jack21Spades]

I JUST spotted that.

[@SurfNetSal75]

They must have really liked disco, like using Santa Esmeralda as the Bullseye pilot theme.

[@vinniemystery563]

Jack Barry and Dan Enright was disco heads lol

[@rg8152]

♪ You better Stop! Look and Listen... ♪

[@drewconway7135]

I like this theme music better than what made it into the series. Though I am probably alone in that assessment.

[@trekadam30]

I loved & miss Hot Potato.

[@damienchance2622]

Me to

[@davetindell4110]

I actually used to watch this show a lot. It made it a while on TV. Came on before Tic Tac Dough.

[@boardgameman6298]

I enjoyed this show. Cullen was a good choice.

[@franklincourten8281]

It was nice for a team to win $$ in the first part of the game! Interesting bonus round, too!

[@louislokuta2463]

Who else picked up on the fact that some of the music used in this pilot was also used in "Play the Percentages" as the main themes...........?

[@BenJabituya]

Hey Wink, This is Rohan. I'm sure we messaged each other on Facebook. I love game shows. This was one of my favorite game shows when I was a kid.

[@BenJabituya]

What was the opening theme? Sounded like a Donna Summer tune.

[@thewhammy83]

"Stop, Look, and Listen" from 1983.

[@lesliemiros6743]

Was that the alternate win music from Play The Percentages?

[@Huuudge25]

I'd love to get my hands on the sound effects from this !

[@sha11235]

Another creation from Barry and Enright. One of the last before Jack passed away.

[@coltonrichards8885]

If Hot Potato made a comeback, the song of the same name by The Wiggles should be the theme song.

[@libertubey2199]

Thanks again, Wink. The Dean of Game Show host's last great stand. I never count "The Joker's Wild" only because that was Jack Barry's baby.

[@antster1983]

Was also great as a panellist or player on To Tell the Truth, Match Game (plus Match Game Hollywood Squares Hour where he plugged Hot Potato) and various iterations of Password and Pyramid.

[@Jack21Spades]

Ending theme sounds like Sylvester..!

[@gsnman]

Yes, indeed.

[@Jack21Spades]

LOOK!!! IT IS SYLVESTER!!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5fVYmaLpd6nmJY

[@TeamPaul17]

8:40 Am I missing something here? If he KNOWS the final answer, couldn't he just say it and win? Why challenge?

[@poppopw5305]

@TeamPaul17 to possibly knock the opponent out, especially if it's the last one standing

[@glennprince3]

Yes and that was almost a game ending error because the last teacher knocked out said that name, but chose the other one. His hubris almost cost them the round and the game. As far as pilots go, this was a really, really good game.

[@BenJabituya]

That's the name of the game. Challenging your opponent if you feel the potato is getting too hot for you.

[@mykalimba]

Seemed like a bizarre move to me, too.

[@richcerasale8909]

keep them coming wink

[@BenJabituya]

19:41 - "Play The Percentages" car win cue!

[@daaimlewis356]

Can You Please Find The New Family Feud Challenge Pilot #2 Please?

[@jimtrue1465]

Bill says there are NINE things on a drivers license in all 50 states. The contestants named 5, Bill gave another 2. I'm curious what the 8th and 9th item are.

[@mykalimba]

The contestants answered: Age (probably shown as DOB), Address, Name, Restrictions, and Expiration Date. Bill added: State Name and Signature. If I were to venture a guess on the other two, I'd guess: Photograph and ID Number?

[@01chippe]

What about organ donor status. Those are on NY state, anyway.

[@ChrisBakerauthor]

I don't ever remember this game show with teams like this. I only saw the version with celebrities.

[@BenJabituya]

13:31 - "Play The Percentages" game win cue!

[@ChrisBakerauthor]

IMDB says that this show had 35 episodes. Wikipedia says 115 episodes. I suspect it's 115. And yet Wikipedia says that IMDB is the source for the 115. I think it lasted longer than just seven weeks.

[@davec5090]

This is my favorite game show, and it lasted six months (January to June 1984).

[@IvoryM1986]

For those who signed in to TVPMM, they have the HP Bonus Walk cue that was never heard on TV, in fact was never heard until the TVPMM site was first opened. I don't recall if it was heard in the old TQ's game show music site though.

[@JosephPratt1986]

Bill Cullen did a fantastic job on "Hot Potato."

[@vinniemystery563]

He did it all noone can replace him on there he a perfect fit

[@franklincourten8281]

I like the theme of this pilot! The one that would be used not so much!🤷‍♂️

[@BlaqC]

@Victor Charles a.k.a. VicGChad07 oo, drat! Here I thought I'd get to display mad Donna Summer knowledge and you beat me to it by-6 days! Good call, Victor.

[@ericviccaro9386]

The theme song for the pilot wasn't as heavy on the synthesizers. Thanks for posting, Wink.

[@nextbarker2702]

The pilot bonus game, wasn't bad, it should've made it to air

[@ABCEasyas--]

Interesting to hear the theme music changed. I got a Blue Monday by New Order vibe fro, the other theme.

[@ChrisBakerauthor]

Bill Cullen's only job after this was hosting _Joker's Wild_ after Jack Barry died. So, this was the last pilot he did.

[@marcusphilpot1376]

I'm very grateful Wink, I've always wanted to see the pilot episode of this. I love the theme as much as I love the debut theme

[@ABCEasyas--]

They refused the win cue from Play the Percentages

[@sha11235]

Bonus game is a little different.

[@TheMidknightryder13]

My favorite part, besides Mr. Cullen,' was the opening theme. Don't ask.

[@spazzman90]

Oh man. Was really hoping for some Wink hosted Hot Potato! I'll have to save that for my first request for AI generated video.

[@ForeignerFan74]

I Remember Hot Potato!

[@davec5090]

Surprisingly, Hot Potato is my favorite game show! It's neat to see the similarities and differences from this pilot and the series, which the theme and the bonus round stakes are the two major differences (the seven-straight jackpot was added later in the series).

[@jfurdell]

What's the opening music?

[@jfurdell]

Victor Charles a.k.a. VicGChad07 Yes, that’s it. You can tell Hal Hidey made the broadcast opening theme into a sound-alike. Very cool!

[@damienchance2622]

@21:04 why the audience booing the IRS agents.

[@nextbarker2702]

The theme song heard here, is this the same one used when the show aired? or sligfht diff.

[@marcellosilva7137]

Opening theme kinda has a resemblance to the ending of Sonic 3 from Sega Genesis, doesn’t it??

[@BenJabituya]

It really does!

[@misstee101]

Theme music version is different

[@ABCEasyas--]

How was Hot Potato played? Did Bill Cullen toss potatoes at the contestants? That would be funny!

[@operator35]

Alt.tv.game-shows lives on.

[@vanessalachowski1150]

Is there a Celebrity version?

[@bryanlane3713]

I was disappointed when this show only lasted thirteen weeks.

[@Tubewings]

It actually lasted five months.

[@GCBlues45]

@LittleRockElevators,Dan Enright doing

[@wecantfightgravity]

@LittleRockElevators Yes. Just like Bullseye. While it was good, it changed to Celebrity Bullseye, and that was what killed the show.

[@eyehatefarcebook11]

But it lasted longer on USA Network reruns! Go figure.

[@cpowers94]

"We're IRS agents!" *lusty boos*

[@jamesklatt]

Did Jack Barry die when the show was still on the air?

[@ChrisBakerauthor]

I thought this was a good show. It should have lasted longer.

[@raymondswenson5529]

This game would be a good reboot candidate whether you use real people or c-list celebrities. Certainly would be more entertaining than Card Sharks. Didn't they have one regular contestant and two celebrities when NBC made that move?

[@DavidSmith-rv2hw]

16:27 bartha waited all game, for her chance to chirp

[@BenJabituya]

9:53 - No winning cue.

[@GabeNotNewell]

funny i see lot of questions about Poland

[@kmsimedia]

I have to admit I like this end game better than the one we got. Hot Potato was a good show, but it got a bad time slot and the usual bad decision by Barry Enright to switch to the celebrity format. It could work today though...... If TV liked bicycling.....

[@NEPatriot]

I liked the bonus round on the show itself in terms of payoff, though the more games a team won the bigger their jackpot in the bonus. The pilot, not as much. Main game play...no change. In the pilot, the payoff could be $600 doubled 4 times for $9600

[@wschmrdr]

Under some production companies, the teachers would have won game 2 because he said Slayton first.

[@wschmrdr]

Actually, some interesting trivia about that answer, too: Deke Salyton never flew a Mercury capsule for medical reasons, despite being chosen. He eventually was permitted to fly into space, though, as part of the Apollo-Soyuz Project, where the two superpower countries did a rendez-vous with their capsules, and the last time America ever flew a Saturn rocket.

[@semplenyc]

The syndicated version is better than the pilot.

[@OliveOyl12590]

Syndicated? This was on NBC.

[@semplenyc]

OliveOyl12590 didn’t know that. Thanks.

[@eyehatefarcebook11]

You probably meant to say it reran on the USA Network and/or CBN after it's initial run. Trust me, I remember it very well.

[@ABCEasyas--]

OliveOyl12590 There was a syndicated Hot Potato. I remember seeing it! Bill was tossing potatoes at the contestants. It sure was funny.

[@wschmrdr]

20:05 Sounds like it was recorded at NBC.

[@pem1974]

Why?

[@drummingdanny84]

It was recorded at Stage 3 in Burbank.

[@jmiller297]

The theme music they used when they actually went to air sounded way better... 💯👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@ianschwartz08]

The name reminds me of the wiggles.

[@ChrisBakerauthor]

Bartha? Is that seriously a name?

[@bduhe219]

YAWN

[@DBradshaw25]

Who knew priests could gamble on a game show?

[@jaredjlinden]

The word “potato” doesn’t belong in the name of a game show.