Spell Binders - Pilot 2

It's time to spell out the answers on this Goodson pilot...check out the end, Debralee must have had dinner plans! ;)

[@Golbez1991]

Thanks for the upload WInk! Anything with Charles in it is pure gold! He always steals the show!

[@Lupton2000]

12:25 sound effect used for Super Password to introduce the Cashword. Also used on Wordplay as the timer on the bonus game went up. It was last used on the 2000 To Tell the Truth as the audience votes were recorded.

[@jesselockhart1230]

22:30 The shadow of Bill Cullen moseys along to the right.

[@henrymurphy3365]

Cool to finally see this. Seems like the love child of Now You See It and Alex Trebek's Double Dare. I dig Score Productions' jazzy take on the ABC song though. Thanks, Wink!

[@christophercotton9048]

aka Twinkle Twinkle ✨️ Little Star 🌟. Same basic melody as the Alphabet Song.

[@andrewschroy6368]

@@christophercotton9048 Baa Baa Black Sheep uses that melody, too. As does Johnny Johnny.

[@timglende8869]

If this had sold, Jeopardy probably would not have come back.

[@hockeybagged]

Thank you for posting this Wink, I've wanted to see this one for a long time :)

[@terracottapie]

9:23 -- Someone please make a gif of 1978 Charles Nelson Reilly going "L... O... L"

[@Musicradio77Network]

The sound effect at 20:55 where they timer was set was later used in "Wheel of Fortune" during a bonus round where a contestant can call out the puzzle to win.

[@malicool1304]

sound effect was also used on the give n take pilot

[@theodorehsu5023]

Of course, Bill Anderson would also co-host "The Better Sex" with Sarah Purcell, and would host "Fandango" for The Nashville Network for 6 years in the 80s. He would also help the TNN competition show "You Can Be A Star" working to help the inner workings of the show.

[@jaycunningham4215]

This theme song is kickin’!

[@bluebear1985]

According to a more recent interview with Bill Anderson, he claimed that this show didn't make it to air because of a number of technical problems with the computer used for the show. It looked pretty good, but it may have been a few years ahead of its time.

[@AdamJ617]

I’m amazed by how generous you’ve been in the past few weeks. 👍 What do we owe you?

[@spwash1000]

I've never seen this pilot before and I don't how it was played. BTW thanks for uploading this rare find!

[@sha11235]

Just listen to what the host says.

[@dakotareeves3939]

This is the 2nd pilot episode of the American unsold game show "Spell Binders" (it didn't air on NBC) and this pilot aired in August 1978. 🇺🇲 🇺🇲

[@johnnysama]

This, I believe, is the first usage of the 7-segment electromechanical 'vane' display on a game show. That display would be used on more game shows during the 1980s. Catchy theme song, as well. Thanks again, Wink! :D Cheers.

[@herestoyoudoc]

lots of Ferranti-Packard Flip-Dot displays too, like the one they had on Family Feud

[@scootover7]

Maybe I'm crazy but I enjoyed the bonus round getting the audience involved. It wasn't the greatest game, but I've seen a lot worse.

[@gilwood7530]

DEBRA LEE AND CHARLES ---Its like being home sick from school ....YES I am that old

[@NEPatriot]

A few sound effects we know...the second set winning chimes from Card Sharks with Jim Perry before mid-1979; the right card prediction bell from Card Sharks as well as the miscall buzzer, and a right answer from Match Game/Hollywood Squares and even Scrabble with a "chuck buck" dealt out. And...the old timer from Wheel of Fortune pre-1989...only going 60 seconds. And even a losing horn.

[@LittleRockElevators]

You left out one more sound effect. The buzz in sound effect was later used on Super Password when the cashword is about to be played.

[@robertdonahoo8183]

Yes, this was shot at the NBC Burbank Studios were Card Sharks, MGHS and Scrabble were produced.

[@stedco75]

So I wonder what would have happened if one of the teams didn't reach $500 after two rounds, as two rounds took up all the time allotted for the front game. I guess the episodes might have straddled.

[@chuckers40]

Watching this pilot, It's a cross between "Family Feud"; Now You See It (Narz); and Scrabble

[@gamblincabbie9505]

Actually closer to The Magnificent Marble Machine with the difference of spelling vs scrolling it one letter at a time.

[@Jack21Spades]

This would make a great party game!

[@PatrioticPirate]

I think it should have sold. It's easy enough for the younger generation, so maybe it would sell today. Bill Anderson could probably host today, but nowadays people wouldn't respect him enough.

[@christophercotton9048]

@@PatrioticPirate considering the Fremantlemedia North America/Fremantle USA owns the Goodson-Todman game show library they can get it to sell and air in primetime on either CBS or ABC.

[@TonyKanameKuran]

Before "Wheel of Fortune", the tick-tock SFX was originally used in this set of pilots for Spell Binders.

[@LittleRockElevators]

Another game show used that same ticking sound effect called Give N Take

[@TonyKanameKuran]

@@LittleRockElevators And (before these) that game show with Pat "Schneider" Harrington.

[@christopherkemp8398]

this is bill Anderson first game show back in late 1970's then he came back to host fandango on the THE NASHVILLE NETWORK IN THE LATE 1980'S

[@jimlange944]

Christopher kemp Wrong. Before this he hosted The Better Sex with Sarah Purcell on ABC in 1977.

[@joseandresbustamante6872]

I wanna see a pilot of puzzle roulette or The wizard of odds

[@sha11235]

I would've gotten the Lucky 7 pretty easily. Wouldn't have needed so many letters.

[@tvtimetravel]

Sherrie was on Match Game PM that same year. It's episode 120. Charles was her head-to-head match partner in that episode!

[@mbclev]

How could this idiot not know the card game "Hearts", given the question????

[@damienchance2622]

I wish NBC would bring back daytime game shows

[@christopherslappey1681]

I Couldn't Agree More.

[@rsb97080]

I liked it.

[@nintendonerdsvideos4727]

man I love card games, I proablly would of got these in 10 seconds

[@artytoons]

The theme could have been re-used for Child's Play. Plays like a Jack Narz Now You See It or Chain Reaction letter-letter-letter game.

[@PREGO1966]

There is no resemblance between Now You See It and Chain Reaction. Unfair comparison, There were no clues in Chain Reaction. Plus you were just guessing words linked together that came out one at a time which is how it had to be played. However, yes it does look like the semi final/qualifying game of Now You See It

[@millenniumman75]

The original Wheel of Fortune bonus round timer sound during Lucky 7!

[@jimlange944]

smashwhammy Look at when the pilot was taped and that will answer your question.

[@jaycunningham4215]

smashwhammy This was 1978 for NBC. Child’s Play came in 1982 for CBS. Many think that the “new Jeopardy” was given the nod over this.

[@artytoons]

Referring to the letters in the mystery word revealed one letter at a time. The clue in Chain Reaction was the revealed word above or below the mystery word at play.

[@dakotareeves3939]

On pilot episode two of Spell Binders, the two teams competing are Debralee & Jay and Charles & Sherrie.

[@DrakeFeatherwing]

A lot of the shows I've seen on Wink's channel looks like they could potentially be modernized if rights were given, and with a little reworking to some of the rules... Stinks to see so many good shows done for a couple years then tossed to the wayside...

[@tedcarey3637]

The sexual innuendos in this are hilarious!

[@hduckworthobrien9841]

Do you have more pilots, Yet?

[@DocTrower1980]

I believe this could have worked. Granted, the whole game was basically the "Elimination Round" of "Now You See It" being played out for a half-hour, but it could have worked. Also, did anyone notice the name tags on the contestants? They're the same ones used on Family Feud.

[@pbatommy]

IMHO, the second part of the game should've been removed. Play to 7 points, with the winner winning $500 and then play the bonus game as is done here.

[@LordChristopherOfMidway]

I don't get why they used those levers instead of the standard button-buzzers. They just look awkward.

[@gsnman]

The contestants' name tags give me Family Feud vibes.

[@christopherdunne7848]

The audience deal would have to be re-worked. "The woman with the striped shirt and white pants etc." was too convoluted. There would have to be some number system or something.

[@danieltaylor9275]

CHRISTOPHER DUNNE Perhaps they should've done what the Joker's Wild did: have Gene Wood call out three contestants to submit two answers of their own. The champion's celebrity partner would submit one answer and would submit another answer if they reject the audience member's answer.

[@JFD62780]

. . . holycrap we're hearing Oldskool Wheel's extended ten-second cue in a Goodson-Todman show... ...Was that really the property of NBC before Wheel went syndie?

[@andrewschroy6368]

Not necessarily-- Give-n-Take, a CBS show, used that cue for when the red arrow slowed down.

[@crawford586]

That 1970's / 1980's NBC canned applause with the whistles always annoyed me.

[@MrMatteNWk]

Yeah, uh, OW! Woo!

[@mattcrowley8993]

If this actually sold, the losing sound should have been the losing horns from TPIR.

[@collegeslammer]

wait a sec, does the bonus round timer sound like Wheel?

[@LittleRockElevators]

Yes. The timer sound was also used on another game show called Give N Take hosted by Jim Lange.

[@garyrosato2405]

That was a weird sound during the bonus round

[@damienchance2622]

They missing the R in star spangled banner

[@TDog14126]

Was this ever picked up? Doesn't sound familiar

[@akampfer]

Does anyone know where this was taped?

[@tyrese3745]

I'm guessing NBC Studios in Burbank.

[@robertdonahoo8183]

@@tyrese3745 You're exactly right.

[@wnychevy09]

Isn't that country singer Bill Anderson?

[@LittleRockElevators]

Yep.

[@donaldpaluga]

The Kung PAo BUckaroo himself Bill Anderson!

[@gamblincabbie9505]

He would later do decent in the Game Show hosting roll on his home away from home TNN of the 80s

[@markjones1184]

This should have sold

[@sha11235]

I don't know. It seems kind of dumb and a recycling of Family Feud parts and Now You See It parts.

[@jeffboettcher2531]

Guessing that this was done after 'The Better Sex' got cancelled?

[@newstarcadefan]

I think so. However. I can safely say that he had a long-running gameshow in Fandango, and the host of You can be a star on the *old* TNN.

[@Cincinnati_Ashley]

YCBAS was hosted by Jim Ed Brown.

[@KiddBloo86]

Whose the theme by?

[@TonyKanameKuran]

Score Productions.

[@KiddBloo86]

@@TonyKanameKuran I'd love to find a clean copy

[@dreinternetradio5181]

A show that reminds me of the banality of the song THE QUACK earlier this year--this could not have been sold. Great host though.

[@tyrese3745]

Might've work for NBC's Daytime Schedule.

[@flatfingertuning727]

Were those Ferranti Packard displays?

[@poppopw5305]

Yes, and its font was very similar to the one used on Family Feud

[@andrewschroy6368]

18:37 - What's with that odd (and kinda creepy) sound effect?

[@greshaminc156]

America used the same bell noise in spell binders that Japanese used in their old game shows

[@redeye_]

i know 2 of those shows that used that sound. (quiz) time shock. & Japanese family feud (I asked 100 quizzes)

[@01chippe]

Is that the country singer?

[@kevinfitzmaurice4072]

Yes. Bill Anderson.

[@MitchellHang]

Wink, I hope you have the pilot for "Oddball" (hosted my M*A*S*H star Jamie Farr) in your archives. If yes, could you please upload it?

[@jeprice08]

15:56 - 16:06 Don't listen to the audience, Debralee! They may want you to win; they might even want to hop into your shoes and go, "If I were you, I'd do that," but it's NOT their money.

[@DocIdaho]

Keith Evers they had nothing to lose.. if they went for it and missed, they'd lose 600 to 0 instead of 500 to 0.. but, if CNR missed it, they'd be behind 400-200

[@MitchellHang]

5:29 If they removed the hyphen there would have been room for an extra "R".

[@DiegoTehMexican]

I love Debralee but this was screaming for Brett instead. Interesting concept but definitely relying on the celebs to boost things. Not sure how I feel about Bill Anderson as a host, but nice to see him get a second chance after The Better Sex, particularly in the Goodson-Todman stable.

[@bluebear1985]

His second chance for a show that actually made it to air didn't happen until cable channel The Nashville Network put "Fandango" on in 1983. Anderson would do that show for six years.

[@anotherguy2741]

This is another example of later shows from Goodson-Todman not doing as well as newer versions of their classic shows. It might not have been a bad show but for whatever reason it didn't make it.

[@andrewschroy6368]

By the way, the video's not playing for me. EDIT: Never mind-- it's working now. :-)

[@andrewschroy6368]

At least Bill Anderson would get a better show five years later with Fandango on TNN... :D

[@jeprice08]

At least, Bill Anderson was a far better host here than Nipsey Russell was on Star Words.

[@Bigstaxx3381]

Keith Evers Nipsey was a great game show panelist and they just tried to hard with him being a host

[@someguy23475]

Bill Anderson was a passable host both here and The Better Sex. Not great, not horrible. Nipsey Russell was a great panelist but terrible host in all of his pilots and shows.

[@WolfpackEntertainmentYT]

does this show remind anyone else of Lingo?

[@drewconway7135]

When did Conway Twitty start hosting game shows?

[@digiblader1]

Not shocking this didn't sell--pilot's way too complex to last as a series..

[@MTCesquire]

Gregory Pearsoll How complex is roll the dice, play or stop? How much simpler can you get?

[@JayJayinNYC]

Agreed. It was interesting but I couldn't see this lasting and course the default standard $5,000 prize for the end game was getting a little stale at this point. It was 1978 and $5,000 wasn't what it used to be early 70s. Cheapos.

[@DocIdaho]

1978, average car was $4700.. so, $5000 was decent

[@lauragriffin6512]

Not surprised this one didn't last. Way overthought and too complicated