This has just about got
to be the
most obscure Bill Cullen series ever. Check out the dates
above.
Look at them again. That's right, this little gem was seen
exactly
twice before being rejected in favor of a variety show. Plus, it was a
local series.
According to the only source we know about (the Variety review linked above), the program was something of a disaster. "There's little to commend this new quizzer," the review began, before going on to pick apart the show's numerous technical flaws. What's more, the reviewer even said, "Emcee Bill Cullen showed little video presence." The review also gives us
our only
glimpse at the format. Defending champions were given the chance
to choose their opponents for the quiz, apparently based on little more
than knowing each potential contestant's occupation. Variety
also made note of the "fact that guests compete against each other,
person
remaining at the finish getting a crack at the jackpot."
That
now common practice was considered quite novel at the time.
(Bill's
radio and TV series Winner Take All
featured two players competing against one another, but did not include
an endgame jackpot.) Kenneth Johannessen
provided
the Variety review (as well as all the Variety reviews
on
our site), and is therefore responsible for the discovery of this
long-forgotten
series. Blame him. VIDEO
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