Split Second

Split Second was an American game show, which aired first on ABC from March 20, 1972-June 27, 1975 and again in first run syndication from 1987-1988. Tom Kennedy hosted the ABC version, and Monty Hall, who created Split-Second with Stefan Hatos, hosted the 1987-1988 revival.

Related Topics:
ABC - March 20 - 1972 - June 27 - 1975 - 1987 - 1988 - Tom Kennedy - Monty Hall - Stefan Hatos

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The series featured three contestants, one of which was the returning champion, and earned money by correctly answering questions, with the winner playing for an automobile and a cash jackpot.

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The questions asked in this game show involved three parts (e.g. "I will give you three game shows, you tell me who created it"). Once the parts of the question is revealed, the three players rang in, and the first to ring in got to choose one of the three parts and answered it; while the second to ring in choosed one of the two remaining parts, and the last player had to answer the third part of the question. If a player rang in too soon (before the parts of the question are revealed), that player would be locked out and would have to answer the last part of the question.

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The scoring system was as follows:

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If all three players answered their parts correctly, each received $5. If two of the three answered right, each received $10, and if only one player answered his/her part correctly, that player (called a "singleton") earned $25 as well as a bonus prize. In the Monty Hall 1980s version, the scoring system was $10 for all three players with correct answers, $25 for two out of three, and $50 for the singleton. Play continued in this format until a bell signaled the end of the round.

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In the second round, the same rules were played as the first, however the scoring system changed: $10 was awarded for all three players answering their parts correctly, $25 for two out of three with correct answers, and $50 plus a prize awarded to one of the three who answered his/her part of the question correctly and the other two missing their parts of the question. As in the first round, a bell would signal the end of the second round. The 1980s scoring system was $20, $50 and $100 respectively.

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After the second round, the third and final round was played, called the "Countdown Round". The player in the lead was given a target number of three, with the second-place contestant given a target number of four, and the third place player a target number of five. The object of this round was the first to ring in and answer from one to all three parts of a question correctly (an incorrect answer gave the second or third player who rang in first a chance to answer). For each correct answer, the target number is reduced by one, with the first player hitting zero winning the game. The other two players received whatever cash they accumulated plus parting gifts.

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In the 1980s version, four correct answers were needed for the first place player to win the game; five for the second and six for the third place contestant.

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The winning contestant then had a chance to win one of five cars on display. The player selected one of five keys and the car of his/her choice. If the car started up, he/she won it, as well as a cash jackpot (which began at $1,000 and increased $500 each day until won). If the car did not start, then the contestant returned to play again the next day, and if he/she won again, then the player chose from one of four cars, and so on. A champion who won five days in a row automatically won the car of his/her choice plus the cash jackpot.

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The 1987-88 revival was the same as the earlier version, except, in the bonus game, the champion chose three of five displayed windows. If the three selected windows displayed the word "Car", he/she won the automobile.

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