Split Decision 1985 Pilot - Jim McKrell

This is the pilot of a 1985 game show called Split Decision, hosted by Jim McKrell (Celebrity Sweepstakes). The show however was unsold, but it's still a great show and in my opinion it should have gotten on the air.
No copyright infringement intended.

[@paullarue2010]

I was in school, back in 1985.

[@californiadude999]

Jim McKrell probably got his biggest exposure playing a game show host in the Golden Girls episode “Grab That Dough”

[@illustriousrocket4476]

This is my favorite unsold pilot. Everything about it is fantastic - the format is exciting and original, Jim McKrell did a great job hosting it, the set looks great, the music and sound are good... this is a game that absolutely should have sold. I dream of it somehow making a comeback to try again.

[@MyGuyJustinH]

Yes, this game show should've been sold.

[@marcpower4167]

It's okay, but feels like a more complicated version of card sharks to me.

[@KnuckleballLover]

Never seen this until now. So many good game shows back in the 80's and 90's.

[@poppopw5305]

That set was fantastic! Hard to believe the amount of bulbs that were on these games as this was way before the advent of LED technology. Really enjoy this game!!

[@spacemanmonster23]

About time we see this!! Thank You!!

[@MMB18abel]

The music that played during the taking a break segments was SAY YOU'RE WRONG by Julian Lennon.

[@Jack21Spades]

."...and I don't know which waaaasy to turn..." YEAH! THAT'S IT!

[@therealbrentrolland]

Thank you for uploading this!

[@Jiltedin2007]

Love the theme song to this game show: Sunset People by Donna Summer

[@BrandonSugiura]

I want this show to come back!

[@gregorygow5445]

Me too! I would like to see it return for ABC’s Fun And Games soon.

[@willmack5909]

And my apologies for being remiss in my last post. I want to thank you kindly Dontryl for sharing this video with those of us who are long time game show fans, such as myself.

[@01chippe]

Interesting they use “Sunset People” as the theme.

[@srijanabajracharya1086]

Wow

[@kocoaberry7041]

This would have been a great game show and the host was wonderful so charismatic. He also played on an episode of The Golden Girls as a game show host

[@JoeyLamontagne]

GRAB THAT DOUGH!!!

[@willmack5909]

He also hosted "Celebrity Sweepstakes" back in the 1970s and did a great job doing that as well.

[@Musicradio77Network]

The theme song to this pilot was “Sunset People” by Donna Summer from her album “Bad Girls”.

[@aaronbruceladner1983]

Bob Must've Been Excited When that Deuce Came Up

[@mitchellries256]

McKrell was incredibly unlucky with game shows. After his big success with Celebrity Sweepstakes, all he did was the short lived Quiz Kids game and nothing else but a bunch of unsold pilots.

[@marcpower4167]

He did a religious show for PAX called Genesis but that didn't last long.

[@greg6363]

McKrell was an actor as well who made numerous appearances in film and television including Semi-Tough, Teen Wolf, CHiPS, Stingray and Dallas.

[@dakotareeves3939]

This is 1st of only two pilot episodes (both aired in July '85) of the American "Split Decision" program; the two contestants competing on this pilot are Bob & Miriam. 🇺🇲 🇺🇲

[@AaronBruceLadner]

Nice Game!!

[@ddt99]

I didn’t know Jim McKrell was a game show host. He was great in the movie Teen Wolf.

[@dougcoffey7354]

Jim also hosted the game shows Celebrity Sweepstakes, The Game Game, and Quiz Kids.

[@christophercotton9048]

This show would work in prime time for NBC as a challenge to ABC's Summer of Games block. Pair it with the forthcoming Password revival and you have a winning combination for Monday nights.

[@Norfolk250]

21k is now 51k (Canadian)

[@Ben_the_Rosafan]

Richard Reid Productions (who produced this pilot) are better known for various academic quiz bowl programs.

[@BRBTheFireball]

Check out those closing credits: Fred Wostbrock was one of the production assistants.

[@sha11235]

+BRBTheFireball Uh, yeah, and? Sorry, I don't know who he is.

[@andrewschroy6368]

He co-wrote those game show encyclopedias along with David Schwartz and Steve Ryan. And was Wink Martindale's agent for many years.

[@jnadle1]

And Heidi Cayn before she joined Stone-Stanley Productions.

[@AdamJ617]

The background music for the Paris prize plug sounds like "San Ysidro" by Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin.

[@AdamJ617]

I believe the cue for the Fur was also by Dave Grusin, City Lights.

[@aaronbruceladner1983]

Dave Grusin Gave Us the Theme from ST. ELSEWHERE

[@JimmySand9]

Jim McKrell's a good host; but clearly few network executives felt the same, they rejected almost every pilot he was in. Jack Clark had the same problem.

[@ryanstrnad1852]

I heard one time Jack Clark volunteered for alot of those pilots. Not necessarily an audition. Rod Roddy did the same.

[@jnadle1]

@@ryanstrnad1852 Jack did have a minor hit, The Cross-Wits from 1975-1980.

[@zacheryalderton6699]

GREAT MAN

[@marcpower4167]

Not necessarily rejected because of the host. if they like the format they can replace the host if they want.

[@deknight1965]

The opening theme, I believe, was Sunset People by Donna Summer, from her "Bad Girls" CD...

[@poppopw5305]

Definitely sounds like it!!

[@SweptAway529]

You're absolutely right! Good song!

[@JoeyLamontagne]

Who would've thought a Donna Summer song would also make a great game show theme

[@PatrioticPirate]

19:21 sounds like Julian Lennon- Say You're Wrong...

[@jimlange944]

@@JoeyLamontagne Barry & Enright. They've used two Donna Summer songs as theme songs to pilots.

[@paullarue2010]

I went to Medford, Oregon. I might want to Klamath Falls, Oregon.

[@tinamarie86]

I believe that there was a Price is Right pricing game with the same name as this pilot

[@jesselockhart1230]

I absolutely love the main, but the bonus game practically gives money away which is why I think this never got sold.

[@jnadle1]

Save it for primetime, then.

[@marcpower4167]

I agree, I would say it's always bet on the middle card fitting in between. Not one of the outside cards that makes it too easy.

[@Bigstaxx3381]

good format

[@craigprice5333]

That theme is Sunset Fever sung by Donna Summer.

[@aaronbruceladner1983]

Aces are High, and Deuces are Low, Just Like on CARD SHARKS.

[@aaronbruceladner1983]

12:01, The "Pot Limit" Bonus Game

[@paullarue2010]

Big bet!

[@mshroye2]

OMG!!! YOU KNOW HOW MANY YEARS I'VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR THIS PILOT. YOU ROCK!!!

[@zacheryalderton6699]

GREAT AUDIENCE

[@michaelsaya4989]

Too bad for the contestant. If a game show is not bought by a network, there are no payouts.

[@marcpower4167]

a lot of times they're paid actors so they wouldn't have gotten all those prizes anyway.

[@jasonrichardson7242]

The way the cards fall in this game makes me think the deck was fixed.

[@yaphettvazquez9796]

It's A Joker!!!!

[@paullarue2010]

Charlie O'Donnell was a available good announcer.

[@pinedelgado4743]

Yes, Paul!! Charlie O was a top-notch announcer!! I liked him! :) :)

[@paullarue2010]

Yep. Charlie O'Donnell voice.

[@terryleemangrumii8566]

I think this should've ended with the same "in association with" NBC Entertainment logo from SNL seasons 10 (84-85) and 11 (85-86).

[@christophercotton9048]

Terry Lee Mangrum II they can now use either the current NBC Universal or the Universal Television logos.

[@paullarue2010]

Bob won three prizes.

[@aaronbruceladner1983]

16:50

[@roysanders5970]

The Acey-Deucey thing reminded me of "Card Sharks".

[@gilwood7530]

Do not remember this one. Pretty cool, quick moving

[@sha11235]

Thought this might've come from Goodson/Todman Productions.

[@benhallums2654]

SPLIT DECISION is Based on RED DOG GAME.

[@MrMarcellolsilva]

Just like TALK ABOUT is based on OUTBURST

[@paulnguyen8910]

All-in! The result of this was another card-based game show "Card Sharks".

[@HarlemHyena]

Definitely a few tweaks required here and there, but if Card Sharks worked so well, surely a TV version of the Red Dog kind of Acey-Deucey could've gotten some traction.

[@DucNguyen0131]

Too bad the show didn't pick up in favor of Your Number's Up!

[@bethbeyer9511]

That was great game show. I wish they would have more of the classic old game shows on gsn instead of the horrible new ones.

[@jhzenor61481]

don't count on it, this is why I no longer have gsn, I switched cable companies in September of 2013, cable company I have now used to carry gsn, not anymore they don't, I'm happy w/o gsn.

[@supergamer7473]

The new game shows on GSN are actually great! You are an invalid and you don't get it. You don't matter and you don't belong!

[@seto749]

I love Divided, but there is rather too much Family Feud.

[@jnadle1]

@@seto749 There's always Pluto TV and Roku TV live.

[@zachhoran]

Perhaps They decided to go with Your NUmber's Up(whose pilot was hosted by Geoff Edwards and not Nipsey Russell) instead for the 10AM slot, which is probably the slot it would have gone in given the time frame. It's also possible the game resembled Card Sharks a smidge in some people's opinions, which wasn't far away from coming back on the air on CBS daytime. This pilot taped on 7/11/85, as per CHuck DOnegan's tape trading page. The song going into the commercial breaks is the instrumental part of Julian Lennon's then recent hit Say You're Wrong.

[@paullarue2010]

Some of the game shows, have toss-up questions.

[@paullarue2010]

7 made Bob Freeman a winner.

[@supergamer7473]

Ignore the trolls and haters, they don't get it.

[@kingchrisl89]

This should be on the air, and automatically retire the car winners; with the one car per player rule.

[@roysanders5970]

That I know.

[@christopherkemp8398]

I WAS A LITTLE KID JIM MCKRELL HOSTED CELEBRITY SWEEP STAKES BACK IN THE LATE 1975-1976 SEASON ON NBC NETWORK.

[@briangehring1009]

No it's called Sunset People

[@Musicradio77Network]

You're right! It is "Sunset People" by Donna Summer from the album "Bad Girls".

[@danbarker4857]

I think this is the only card game show in which the HOST hands the cards, and not the hostess.

[@paullarue2010]

Nice set!

[@danbarker4857]

Once Celebrity Sweepstakes was cancelled, I don't believe Jim hosted a game show, other than the Golden Girls, Grab the Dough.

[@franklincourten8281]

Did they use the same set for the "Grab That Dough" episode of the Golden Girls?

[@davidc8988]

He did the Quiz Kids as well.

[@andrewschroy6368]

There's a 1986 pilot called "Star Cluster" as well that had him as host (along with the same announcer from CS, Bill Armstrong, doing the announcing).

[@marcpower4167]

He did do a religious game show on PAX TV called Genesis but it didn't last long...

[@douglasghiz1287]

He is probably in his 80s.

[@christophercotton9048]

Douglas Ghiz 83 to be exact.

[@danbarker4857]

VERY good format, should've sold.

[@sha11235]

+Dan Barker I guess they didn't sell enough to get it on the air. That is how it works. It is interesting, although it seems too easy to play.

[@andrewschroy6368]

And I know another clue that would have Maine and Oregon as correct answers-- "The largest city is named 'Portland'."

[@drummingdanny84]

(as Jim McKrell on an epsiode of "Golden Girls") Why don't you both shut up and answer this question....😅😅😅

[@digiblader1]

Good format, but the prizes would've had to be cut in value substantially if it sold for series--even for NBC, no way they could afford to give away $21K Lincolns every day...

[@jnadle1]

Maybe a Pontiac Sunbird or Chevy Spectrum if it needs to be daytime-worthy.

[@ksonchannel2068]

And by 1987 if Split Decision stays on with Jim McKrell as host, $5,000 or more would win you a Renault GTA Convertible or a Plymouth Sundance or a Toyota Corolla or a Dodge Caravan or maybe a Mexican Cruise or a Trip to Fiji on Continental Airlines.

[@dreinternetradio5181]

The Game Game is among one of my least favorite game shows of all time--it made no sense.

[@HappySnoutHour]

Good game, Great prizes, great set and Jim was a good host. I wonder why this pilot didn't sell?

[@LogoMan7777]

+HappySnoutHour My guess is that NBC's accountants fainted when they saw the bonus game.

[@HappySnoutHour]

+Greg Palmer There have been other successful pilots in the past that had huge bonus rounds that were toned back when picked up (e.g. Bullseye which was a million dollars).

[@supergamer7473]

+Greg Palmer Really? Considering that $ale of the Century was on at the time. Also consider that a game like this, with huge prizes and all would fit in perfectly today. :D

[@LogoMan7777]

SuperGamer7 true

[@sha11235]

+HappySnoutHour Well, in order for the pilot to sell, there have to be enough advertisers to buy it. Since there are also a limited number of slots on TV for the game shows, advertisers will pick only a certain amount of shows and sometimes not enough advertisers buy a show.

[@paullarue2010]

NBC had this show?

[@douglasghiz1287]

Is Jim McKrell still living?

[@1TexasTV]

Yes, he's still living.

[@CreightonRabs]

@@1TexasTV And he's still living as of January 1, 2023 (since it's been a few years, I wanted to update reaffirm that, if that's okay).

[@mrceleb2006]

No wrong answer buzzers heard here...if anyone answered wrong in the main game, I think a buzzer would have sounded!

[@willmack5909]

Not bad, but the bonus game seemed a bit too easy to win, given the player could place a card in the middle. Based on the game Acey-Deucey, it usually is required to establish a high and low card first, then try to fit one in the middle. The end game gave the player the option to keep the 5 in the middle which made it too easy I thought to win. This is a hybrid of "Card Sharks". I liked the main game, the questions were interesting, and liked that it was a best 3 out of 5 hands to win. What I didn't like was winning the game didn't win anything except the chance to play the bonus game. $500 for winning the game seems fair, and perhaps $100 per hand won to the runner-up, plus consolation prizes. The chips in the bonus game were completely unnecessary I thought, but I understand they wanted to have a "casino" theme. I suppose the final hand in Pot Limit allowed any amount to be bet because they didn't want to be too much like Card Sharks. To me, the player should have to risk at least half. Say he got another joker and ended up with $5,600 as his final amount. Obviously he'd bet no more than $600 to guarantee himself the car, which would be quite anti-climactic. Player should have to risk at least half, especially with having 8 deuces and 8 aces in the deck. Also it would have been better had the players been given the chance to cut the cards while on the air, like they did with Gambit. Card Sharks never showed the decks being cut, but we were always assured that they were cut by the players before going on the air. Not a bad game here, but I kept being reminded of Card Sharks which had much more excitement and tension in its bonus game.

[@LogoMan7777]

+Will Mack Right. With that much money floating around, the prize "levels" should be $4K, $6K, $8K.

[@MountainHawkPYL]

+Greg Palmer Good idea on raising the levels, but I think $2500/$5000/$8000 makes a better structure. A major rule in creating games is, "Playtest, playtest, playtest". Also the "Goldilocks" rule: not too easy, not too tough, but just right.

[@sha11235]

+Will Mack Speaking of Card Sharks, I thought this would be by the same producers. It wasn't.

[@LogoMan7777]

It's also known as Card Sharks, or if you're in Florida, Florida's Jackpot.

[@kokoken1]

Too easy to win in the bonus round. No need to stack the deck with extra aces and deuces. And ties should go to the house.

[@someguy23475]

Bonus round is way too easy. I would dump the extra 2s and aces, force the player to put the cards on each side, and a duplicate card is a loss. The exception would be if a pair shows up, you can win by getting another duplicate (and with a much higher payout). If say a 7 and 8 show up, it is a push since there is no way to win. A push does count as one of the three hands.

[@paullarue2010]

Richard Dawson kissed alot of women, on "Family Feud".

[@michaelholman517minKC]

I'm sorry, but I found this to be strange more than anything else. I'm not surprised that this went nowhere.

[@davidc8988]

How was it strange?

[@michaelholman517minKC]

Probably because it just seemed too simple. I don't mind games of chance, but this does nothing for me.

[@AndyBruinewoud]

It seems simple yet there are so many rules to go through before both of the games. I can see people unfamiliar with Red Dog being utterly confused the first time around.

[@dreinternetradio5181]

Nope--his game show of note is The Game Game (How ???? are you?)

[@JLewis95]

Too blurry.

[@sha11235]

If it is a pilot, how do you have a returning champ?

[@illustriousrocket4476]

Pilot episodes often have a fictitious "returning" champion in order to exhibit the way the game works more fully. Most pilots, at least back when this was made, are scripted so potential buyers can see all the different facets of the show. This is legal for pilots since they're demonstration shows - the contestants are usually actors paid a flat fee for their appearance.

[@kevinhoward9593]

Im confused. if this is a Pilot and the show never was sold how the hell do you have a "Returning Champion"? Champion of what? air? some imaginary game they played?

[@CreightonRabs]

It's a pilot program of a series which lays out the format of how the show works, so it's not like there was an imaginary game per se.

[@supergamer7473]

GSN is a great network that produces great game shows, anyone who says otherwise is invalid and doesn't belong anywhere.

[@juliecortez6896]

The

[@Silenced23]

Seems like a card game mixed with Jeopardy, and The Price is Right.

[@jmjfanss]

And card sharks

[@danbarker4857]

Would the game had been over if he'd busted out?, our gave him $1000

[@sha11235]

+Dan Barker Probably.

[@danbarker4857]

I asked, because Jim never stated it.

[@JoeyLamontagne]

I think it would be $0, since it is a bonus game.

[@lesliebell4189]

Card Sharks ripoff

[@semplenyc]

I'm sorry but this show is a snoozer. Plus the end game is way too easy. Even the explanation of the rules were a bit unclear. Can't see this as a show that would have made it to air or even syndication.

[@stevenelief6784]

Great stuff, but it's easy to see why game shows are a thing of the past. Rubbish, brain dead puff pieces for low IT'S.

[@aaronbruceladner1983]

16:31