Top Card

Back in 1990, when my beard was still brown and I retained the last vestiges of my hair, I appeared on a local game show called Top Card. Recently I came across an old VHS recording of that two-day event and decided to upload it to KZbin. Since it was a music trivia game, it was pretty much up my alley. And I did pretty well. So, if you're longing to remember what TV game shows looked like in the early 90's, this video is for you.

[@gilwood7530]

Video is clearer than most on here ! Thanks for posting ..fun to watch ! I love anything music oriented

[@MTheChequeGuy]

I remember this show from when I was a middle schooler in 1990... good times!

[@stevenall548]

I remember this show, its odd I was surfing through KZbin and was looking for old game shows I watched as a kid, and believe it or not, this show was one I was looking for, thanks for posting it.

[@actownsend7288]

That makes two of us

[@susanma4899]

Gail's accent is so cute. I was a contestant on this show too, but I've never been able to watch my episode. Maybe I'll find it one day...

[@rbrucewilliams2924]

How fun! I’m a Nashvillian and attended many tapings of this back then as a TNN intern in the booth. Haven’t seen a segment since. Plus, I know one of your opponents. Thank you for posting.

[@SBGGCA]

You are very welcome.

[@LakeNeuronYT]

I was on, on two different occasions. The first time, I won my game, did not win the bonus prize, and then lost the next day as returning champion. Then, two years later, I actually got a postcard from the producers pointing out that since two years had elapsed, I was eligible to try out again -- and so I did, and had exactly the same result -- won, lost the bonus round, lost the next day. When I was first on, the questions were all about pop culture and the show was hosted by Jim Caldwell; by the second appearance, there was a different host (Dan Miller, one of two different TNN personalities with that name) and the questions were focused on music. I recently found a VHS of one of my appearances; I no longer have a way to play it, but I'm going to try to get it digitized.

[@LogoMan7777]

How'd you lose the bonus round both times?

[@danalong1237]

31:39, announcer Don Dashiell mentions The Honeymooners, one of the most influential sitcoms of all-time that made stars out of Art Carney and “The Great One” Jackie Gleason.

[@GameShowMike]

Top Card was one of my favorite game shows on cable television. I would watch the show before I did my homework.

[@BeginnerSoapMaking]

I was on, too. Won a case of Tootsie Roll midges, amongst other stuff!

[@granny58]

Lol. The prizes were pathetic. Except the car.

[@funshine97]

Oooh! I love Tootsie Rolls! 😋

[@BeginnerSoapMaking]

@@funshine97 Not all the prizes can be great. I was happy with the Tootsie Rolls and set of phones !

[@theoneandonlypenguin4418]

thanks for sharing. I enjoyed it watching. bet it's like a trip down memory lane for you. love and peace

[@setheriah]

Don't forget the special categories Jim.

[@zachhoran]

Jim Caldwell hosted Tic Tac Dough in 1985-86(because Wink left to host and produce Headline Chasers that year). Caldwell hosted this show from APril 1989-March 1991 and was replaced by TNN's Dan Miller from 1991-93(You Can be a Star host), who also hosted Ten Seconds. Caldwell has been an infomercial host for the last 20 years since then. As to why they picked Caldwell, who didn't have a country flavor the way Bill Anderson or Dan Miller, I don't know.

[@danalong1237]

Miller was also a commentator for TNN’s weekly coverage of the Mesquite Championship Rodeo.

[@DomFalance]

Used to watch this all the time as a kid. Very cool

[@jeffandbike4503]

The logo of Top Card is the same as the original NBC Card Sharks with Jim Perry 1978-1981.

[@bearsfan74170]

Loved "Top Card", loved TNN!!!!

[@funshine97]

Doesn't the "Top Card" logo remind you guys of the "Card Sharks" logo?

[@rodney1279TheFlip]

funshine97 Yes it does.

[@jamesbond007816]

funshine97 so does the doors to the bonus round reminds me of Card Sharks

[@howardball1289]

Yep

[@armorybrunotjr.3204]

The graphic design is the same.

[@jackbusby9602]

At first glance, I thought, "I've never seen 'Card Sharks' on this set."

[@elliebellie7816]

Sounds "hip"? OMG, can't stop laughing - I actually used to say that!

[@armorybrunotjr.3204]

The host of "Top Card" is Jim Caldwell, who replaced Wink Martindale for the 1985-86 season of "Tic Tac Dough" as emcee.

[@mrceleb2006]

Dan Miller (not the TV news anchor who was born and died in Augusta, GA) replaced Jim Caldwell in 1991.

[@armorybrunotjr.3204]

After "Top Card" retired, Dan Miller hosted, "Ten Seconds".

[@ddt99]

He seemed like a nice enough guy but he made so many mistakes in every episode of Tic Tac Dough.

[@LogoMan7777]

@@ddt99 Not everyone can be Wink Martindale.

[@marcpower4167]

​@LogoMan7777 yeah I think Jim was really nervous or something he was much better as a host on top card & the the pilot for the great getaway game than he was on tic tac dough.

[@DrakeFeatherwing]

Better quality video than most VHS repros of game shows I've seen. Grats on your wins. :)

[@SBGGCA]

+Drake Featherwing -- Thanks kindly.

[@jndrummer5131]

Thanks for sharing and congrats on the win! I don't remember this show but I did watch Fandango on the same channel back then.

[@stevejones6247]

I think I remember this show

[@AidenIsLove]

Dang, these were some easy questions.

[@BRBTheFireball]

I've never been a country music fan, but when I was a kid, I would tune in to TNN just to watch this game show. A very enjoyable show. Jim Caldwell did a good job as host, far better than he did hosting Tic Tac Dough. I don't know why he got replaced by Dan Miller, although Dan was a great host, too. And you were an excellent contestant, Jim. Smart, intuitive, and fun. Thanks for sharing these videos.

[@LogoMan7777]

I guess Jim wasn't country enough.

[@TimothyMischka]

That's one impressive looking set- especially for a show on what was then TNN.

[@rbrucewilliams2924]

Can I say thanks? I didn’t design the set or anything, but worked for free (interned) at TNN during Dan’s stint as host. I remember lifting the cars into place with a fork lift and trying hard to keep the stairs from moving on that slick floor! The cars were outside except on taping days. They got really dirty and once we just barely had time to clean the sides that showed on camera.

[@themasterscall2426]

Jim, you were Predestined to Win

[@1962Chao]

I was on this show as a contestant (I didn't win). I've never even seen my episode! (I was 22 and didn't have cable.) ... I'm hoping it will turn up on youtube one day...My name is Susan, but I'm not the Susan from the second episode ;)

[@comancheviperrrr]

I don’t know if any of you have ever seen the show fandango hosted by Bill Anderson on TNM. But these questions are very similar to what they ask. Even some of the categories have the same name. It’s just weird.

[@LogoMan7777]

The first season was more general knowledge. After Season One, TNN decided there wasn't enough music.

[@Markwah11]

Love this game show!

[@coachrobwille4176]

Good work did you appear on a third day ? Were you on any others games shows

[@SBGGCA]

No, once you win the car, you were done. And, I was on Password years ago ... which was also quite fun.

[@coachrobwille4176]

Do you have video of that on password ?

[@thejoshsings9280]

I remember this show too! It was like card sharks. Except,different host

[@erikdraven1731]

I only ever saw the final season with Dan Miller, so I was under the impression that the format change was only with him. Thanks for proving me wrong.

[@hansel2001]

Wow. Bring this game back. The format is thoughtfully crafted.

[@Rlotpir1972]

It was a slight version of "Gambit".

[@mercuryvapoury]

Those mechanical 7-segment displays just scream early 90s... How long did the car last and do you still have the other prizes?

[@SBGGCA]

I didn't get the actual car you see in the segment. What I got was a credit with a local car dealer that I could apply toward any car on the lot. So, I bought a four-door Mirage that was more suitable for my family. It was a reasonably good car, overall. And no, most of the prizes are gone at this point. I gave several away. I kept the grill, the outdoor furniture, and the wall clock. They have all since expired.

[@MrSouthofBoston]

Engineer? You should have told them you had a hit song. I wore the first 707 tape out.

[@SBGGCA]

That was the bad thing about tapes. They wore out. :-)

[@juanitadavis2425]

How cool is that! Hey thx for sharing! Sure was fun to hear music from whence I came from. I never heard of this game before. I'll search for additional versions. Bless ya friend!

[@granny58]

She answered that question AFTER the buzzer! He says just under the wire. No.

[@JoshuaAdams-po4um]

She buzzed in just before the buzzer...

[@Bigstaxx3381]

Jim "YOU WIN" Caldwell

[@brockschul3221]

The you win catch phrase was said by Patrick Wayne

[@dougbradshaw7924]

I always enjoyed this show - thanks for sharing Jim!

[@ETHANGELIST]

Lol this was thoroughly entertaining to watch hahaha. Nice one Pastor Jim!!!! Great job ^_^

[@mauricesnell5886]

This is an interesting show back in the day. I'm surprised, however, that in "Top Card", the Ace is not classified as an 11 in this game.

[@juanitadavis2425]

me too how strange, huh

[@ABCEasyas--]

The game could’ve ended too quickly if they got 21 in two cards

[@jtbwriter]

I just found this-incredibly I did the 6th show with Jim Caldwell then a "returning contestant" show the 3rd season with Dan Miller. Forgot how much fun this was-I'll have to find my tapes! Thanks for the memories!

[@ericviccaro9386]

Jim Caldwell improved by leaps and bounds serving as emcee of this show from "Tic Tac Dough."

[@tonebonebgky2]

Another 10 years have come and give and it's now been 31 years, do you still have any of the prizes?

[@SBGGCA]

Ain’t it the truth.

[@megamanj2004X]

Ah yes a Jim Caldwell Season 2 episode of Top Card! Thank you so much for posting this rare gem!

[@brockschul3221]

I didn't know that Jim Caldwell did Top Card.

[@terrydavidson7934]

So many facets yo this "jim"!

[@brockschul3221]

If top card ever gets revived I think Christopher Rich should be the host

[@brockschul3221]

I didn't know that Jim Caldwell was the first host of Top Card. I thought it was always Dan Miller.

[@coachrobwille4176]

How did the car work out for you ?

[@SBGGCA]

What they do is they allow you a credit with a local car dealer. It's a set amount. It was enough to buy the basic model with no amenities. I opted to use the credit toward a different model car than the one on the show. It left me with a car payment, but it was still a really good deal.

[@LogoMan7777]

@@SBGGCA Well, that's cable for you. Now, if you'd been on The Price is Right or another game show, they might've been more generous.

[@NDW85]

Wow, Mr. Mclardy, you did pretty well during those 2 days you were on the show. Way to go! ALso, sorry if I spelled your last name wrong. Also, my mother was on Jeopardy in early 1990 and she also won that Royal Doulton Dinnerware. I just thought I'd bring it up.

[@jimt.626]

I agree. Congrats on the wins.

[@jeffthevideoguy23]

Holy shoulder pads Batman!

[@michaelewing4515]

I remembered Top Card on TNN (Now Paramount network)

[@FUGP72]

Based on the font alone, I would have thought this was very early 80s, not 90s. But even the questions are VERY old fashioned. Songs and movies from the 70s or much earlier. I guess this show wasn't going for any viewer under 40.

[@jeffandbike4503]

Before Top Card, Jim Caldwell took over as host of Tic Tac Dough in the Fall of 1985 when Wink Martindale moved to hosting Headline Chasers.

[@jeopardy60611]

I never saw this show. It has a Las Vegas Gambit feel to it.

[@PREGO1966]

Gambit and Las Vegas Gambit were indeed predescesors of it. Top Card was a TNN exclusive

[@LogoMan7777]

@@PREGO1966 Still think an ace should be 1 or 11. Although, when I think about it, each episode is self-contained, so they would've had to pad the show if there were any two-card blackjacks.

[@PREGO1966]

@@LogoMan7777 Firstly, the name is Eric to my friends. Second, it's possible that they should have but the game might have been too fast using normal ace rules

[@LogoMan7777]

@@PREGO1966 Nice to meet you, Eric. Not sure why that comment was necessary, though. You know, perhaps during the pilot, Reid and Land tried with conventional ace rules and found they had a little too much time on their hands the end. So, I will give you that.

[@TehJew22]

Unbelieveable!!! :DDDDDDD

[@LifeIncorporated]

4:15 He called my daddy baby O.o Stop the bad man from hitting on daddy.

[@DAwNzy7]

Well that was a fun video to watch! What a great memory you have there :) Thanks so much for sharing that with all of us Pastor Jim.. The show went perfectly for you! I have never seen that show before.. Did you get to play another game or was the car the end of it?

[@lightdog100]

what was it like to be on a game show like top card

[@erikdraven1731]

I don't think that could happen... the Top Card category in the center is only used if a frozen player needed one last chance. If two players were tied, and one person has already frozen, then the frozen contestant would win the round. Other than that, the round would be "over" when the outer eight categories are all used. If there is a tie between two non-frozen players, the center box would be used as a sudden death toss-up. At least, that's how it was told to me by someone who tried out.

[@bennetfox]

Do you still have the Charmglow grill?

[@SBGGCA]

No, it died years ago.

[@randomjohn]

21! Well done. Still have the clock?

[@bluebear1985]

That was an interesting bonus round on the second show. Way to go, Jim! :)

[@lidsman2221]

I really like this game show. I was pretty young in 1990 I think in 6th grade. I was wondering what went on during the commercial breaks and did you have a chance to cut the cards or anything? How was it determined that the cards really did come from a 52 card deck and were randomly drawn? How did they get the prizes to you and the car? Did you end up keeping the car? I was also wondering on the first show why you decided to stop where you did in the bonus round? Sorry for all the questions. Just thinks I have always wanted to know about.

[@SBGGCA]

Well, let's see. During the commercials the hosts had their makeup checked. The producers talked to the contestants about what was coming up. And anything that had gone wrong on-set was fixed. Pretty mundane stuff, really. We took the producer's word that it was a full and shuffled deck of cards ... I have no reason to believe otherwise. The prices showed up at my door over the course of a couple months. Yes, I kept the car, but I gave several other gifts away ... and sold one to help pay the taxes. I stopped on the first show because the producers actually came up to me and the host, Jim Caldwell, to say that the show was running long and we had to get done quick. You'll even head Jim say, "We're zipping along" after the first question. Rather than risk losing what I'd already won (and my wife did indeed say that she was hoping for a a food processor), I decided to call it quits and come back the next day. I hope that clears up your questions. :-)

[@lidsman2221]

Yes thank you for getting back to me. That was very nice of you. Just one more question. Did the car come on a truck or did they have you pick it up a dealer? Thanks!

[@SBGGCA]

lidsman2221 -- Well, here's the deal on the car. We went to the dealer to pick it up, where we were informed that we could have the basic car we won (no readio, no AC). Or, we could use the value of the car toward anything else on the lot. So, we took the value of the car and bought a four-door sedan. So basically, I bought a car but about two-thirds of the price was paid by the gameshow winning.

[@lidsman2221]

Oh wow. I had no idea they were giving away cars on the show that had no radio or ac on the show. That kind of sucks. Did they ever have to do retakes when taping? Thanks for the info.

[@LogoMan7777]

@@SBGGCA No AC and no radio. Wow, Reid/Land was really taking you for a ride. And then, you had to pay taxes on that.

[@PJade]

I saw Jim's appearance on Super Password on BUZZR this afternoon! Were you on any other game shows, Jim?

[@SBGGCA]

HEY! I have never seen that! I would LOVE to see it, though. What is BUZZR and is there a way that you can send me a link to that show? Thanks very much. And, no. Other than Password and Top Card, I was never on any other game shows. I was on Mike Douglas, Midnight Special, and Solid Gold with the band 707. But, no other fame shows.

[@SBGGCA]

@@retched -- Thanks. I recently downloaded Pluto TV and BUZZR is included. But, I appreciate your reply.

[@zachhoran]

@@SBGGCA 707 of I Could Be Good For You fame, 1980.

[@michaelfalkner1186]

Another car win which should've happened a card earlier. I assume they told you in the rules that an ace only counts as one.

[@jimt.626]

Strawberry Fields Forever off the Magical Mystery Tour album. I think

[@DomFalance]

Factoring in the bill from Uncle Sam, were you able to keep any of the stuff you won?

[@niathorne6072]

SAVANNAHTANNY 9:50 PM if you think that this game is such a heartbreaker, THINK AGAIN! It's noted as "100% Pure Instant Camouflage" with a double-heart in the middle!

[@DoctorMcFarlandStudios]

This is awesome

[@river4837]

I don't know but the prices they paid for the merchandise sure seemed inflated. Rice a Roni parting gift valued at $49.95 :)

[@mattembury215]

I know people attacked Jim Caldwell for being a poor host, but it’s tough to follow up a legend like Wink Martindale. Did well here too.

[@LifeIncorporated]

Who tore that furniture set apart? The dogs or the goat? All I remember of them is that they were a mess by the time I started walking around.

[@jamesmoss3424]

Graduation on winning thirty ago and whatever happened to the prices that you won.

[@SBGGCA]

They all wore out. Some I gave away as gifts, but the ones I kept served their usefulness and joined the trash heap.

[@jamesmoss3424]

@@SBGGCA that's real nice of you. 😀👍

[@brentgardner5103]

Blue Oyster Cult is a Pop group? Someone tell that to Buck Dharma! 😄😄😄

[@BallPythonsRule]

LOL at the gospel ad at the end of the first one =P....soveriegnty, much? =P

[@LogoMan7777]

Do you still have the car and other prizes?

[@SBGGCA]

No. Most of them are long gone. I did give a couple things away to friends and family. But, I have nothing left of the prizes.

[@LogoMan7777]

@@SBGGCA That's alright. At least you have the video and the memories. You should have come in at Season 1, when it was more general knowledge. I guess a general knowledge quiz didn't really fit on The *Nashville* Network.

[@Ben_the_Rosafan]

This is MILES ahead of Catch 21.

[@jamesklatt]

It is now paramount network.

[@all4Hisgloryalone2Tim215]

Its 1990 but it looks early 80's. Even the women's hairstyles look 80's

[@MTheChequeGuy]

Big hair was certainly the 1980s... 🙃

[@nextbarker2702]

Why did Jim leave in season 4? Infomercials?

[@zachhoran]

THey retired players on the show when they won the bonus round. Ditto on TNN's Fandango or 10 Seconds(which replaced Top Card in March 1993)

[@Tubewings]

Jim, has anyone ever told you that you looked like Harvey of "Double Dare"?

[@GameShowGumbo]

Very hard to win a car on this show. Congrats on doing it on Day 2, Jim.

[@gameshowfreak2007]

Great job Jim, congrats on the big win, a little disappointed you didn't do better on the bee gees category in game 2 (seeing as I am a fan) but anyway, question: what did you think of Jim Caldwell. albeit, did you think he was a good host, what was he like off camera etc. I asked because a lot of people weren't impressed with his work on Tic Tac Dough in 1986 I;m curious if he maybe learned from his mistakes.

[@lakebay972]

I thought Caldwell did a decent job on Tic Tac Dough; however, he had HUGE shoes to fill and was no Wink Martindale. Tic Tac Dough was Wink's show.

[@cartoongameshowman]

You won a car in just 2 days.

[@donnapodhurst6552]

ohhhh that hair---eeeewwwweeeee

[@brockschul3221]

Wish they had a young people's week for a trip

[@AntonnBailey]

What Ever Happened To Blake Pinkett?

[@jamesbenton4722]

Do you still have any of the prizes you won from the show?

[@SBGGCA]

No. I gave several away. The grill and outdoor furniture got old and rusty. And the car has been replaced. Time does its damage, I guess.

[@river4837]

How long did you own the car?

[@SBGGCA]

A few years. Honestly, it was not one of the better cars I've every owned. But, I can't argue with the price. 🙂

[@thenubeatnik]

sounds like Hit me With your Best Shot

[@tpir1972]

Did they borrow that bell when Jim hit 21 from Family Feud?

[@Ephraim225]

You're lucky Pam threw out the five on the first round hahahaha

[@gladfan1989]

If the center square were still there, they'd ask a wild card question.

[@lightdog100]

my aunt was on this show

[@megamanj2004X]

they probably would use the center category, aka The Top Card Category in that event.

[@newstarcadefan]

Loved this show back in the early 1990's. It is one of my favorites too. Just those pesky music rights prevents it from being re-aired though.

[@dft432]

same issue (music clearance) prevents 10 Seconds & Fandango from being rerun, too

[@tpir1972]

How do you think Jim did with Top Card?