User:Daniel Benfield/Pyramid Cullen Video Archive

Syndicated, Weekly: September 9, 1974 - September 9, 1979 (150 episodes, 30 per season)

The 1970s iteration of The $25,000 Pyramid is a pretty good version with a top-notch host in Bill Cullen, although it was a bit of an obscurity for years with very few episodes around. Somewhere around the late 1990s, someone who had taped a bunch of episodes from WLIG repeats in 1985-86 stepped forward, although it was only after quite a bit of effort that the episodes got from said person to someone who quickly spread it around to the masses.

It was worth it.

Airdates per Kris Lane's website, and apply to the New York area only. In an update to the site, he noted that the page had errors and that he was working on an updated version.

LEGAL STUFF SO I DON'T GET SUED: I'm only linking to these videos, none of which were uploaded by me, for the purposes of research and as a public record. Footage ©1974-79 Bob Stewart Productions/Viacom and associated entities.

Season 1 (1974-75)
All episodes taped 1974

Same as the daytime show at this point, with no frills.


 * Taped 1974 (Pitchfilm with ten $10,000 wins!)


 * February 27, 1975 (#1-TTP-74: Anne Meara & Tony Roberts; Dick vs. Barbara {taped 7/26/74, with slate; alternate copy... thing, from a 1985 WLIG repeat})
 * September 12, 1974 (#2-TFP-74: Anne Meara & William Shatner; Roger vs. Susan {taped 7/26/74, with slate}, with Ben Stiller appearing after the second Winner's Circle)

Season 2 (1975-76)
All episodes taped 1975

Big 7 debuts on the nighttime show, offering $1,000. The podium logo is definitely present by this point.


 * September 11, 1975 (Adrienne Barbeau & Tony Randall; Bill vs. Margie; WLIG repeat from 1985, grainy video)
 * September 18, 1975 (Lucie Arnaz & Clifton Davis; Bill vs. Susan; WLIG repeat)
 * September 25, 1975 (Lee Meriwether & Larry Linville; Scott vs. Karen; fuzzy video)


 * October 23, 1975 (Jo Ann Pflug & William Shatner; Hap vs. Joan; WLIG repeat from 10/31/85 with commercials, fuzzy video)
 * November 6, 1975 (Rita Moreno & Larry Linville. Richard vs. Linda; WLIG repeat from late October-early November 1985 with commercials, bright/grainy video)
 * [One promo shows a December 1985 calendar. Another is for "Decision '85 Long Island" coverage on November 5 at 7pm.]
 * November 20, 1975 (Anita Gillette & DICK CLARK!; Nick vs. Leslie; WLIG repeat from 1985 with a few commercials, jumpy/fuzzy video)
 * December 11, 1975 (Lee Meriwether & William Shatner; Tina vs. Judy; WLIG repeat, fuzzy video)


 * March 4, 1976 (Michele Lee & DICK CLARK!; Tom vs. Becky; WLIG repeat from 1985, fuzzy video)
 * March 11, 1976 (Lucie Arnaz & Gabe Kaplan; J.T. vs. Mary Ann; WLIG repeat, blurry video that gets blurrier at times)

Season 3 (1976-77)
All episodes taped 1976

The two versions now match visually, as the blue set is now used on the nighttime show. Also making its debut is the Money Card, replacing the Big 7 and offering an amount from $1,000-$5,000.


 * October 27, 1976 (Vicki Lawrence & Robert Hegyes; Merrick vs. Debbie; WLIG repeat from March-April 1986)


 * March 2, 1977 (Kate Jackson & Gary Burghoff; Jeffrey vs. Claudia, with Bill waxing nostalgic about one of his old games when "Quick As A Flash" is a category; WLIG repeat from 4/21-25/86 with most commercials, part of Bill's intro cut)
 * [Winner's Circle amounts use a smaller font, for whatever reason.]

Season 4 (1977-78)
All episodes taped 1977

The Money Card's highest value drops to $4,000, and that's pretty much it.


 * September 28, 1977 (Loretta Swit & Tony Roberts; Paul vs. Judy; WLIG repeat, video collapses/fast-forwards during second category of Game 1 {but the outcome's easily visible}, ends during credits)


 * February 1, 1978 (June Lockhart & Soupy Sales; Jim vs. Cheryl; WLIG repeat, with a few commercials)
 * February 22, 1978 (Jo Anne Worley & William Shatner; Joyce vs. Lynn; second half only, ends as Bill signs off)
 * May 3, 1978 (Anne Meara & Soupy Sales; Glenn vs. Suzanne?; WLIG repeat, with a news brief)
 * May 17, 1978 (Anita Gillette & John Ritter; Les vs. Batesy {GREAT contestant!}; WLIG repeat with a few commercials, green-tinted video at times)

Season 5 (1978-79)
All episodes taped 1978

The final season sees the versions match again, as the blue Winner's Circle backdrop is now present. Big 7 also makes its triumphant return, now offering a car, and William Shatner makes his last two appearances in the franchise...so far.


 * September 24, 1978 (Loretta Swit & William Shatner; Maggie vs. Lisa; WLIG repeat, with a few commercials)
 * October 1, 1978 (Debralee Scott & Peter Lawford; Bob vs. Sharon; first half only)
 * February 3, 1979 (Lois Nettleton & Robert Urich; Pamela vs. Pat; possibly original broadcast)


 * Taped 1978 (Mackenzie Philips & Soupy Sales; Michael vs. Jeanne; WLIG repeat from 1986, with a few commercials)
 * Taped 1978 (Kathy Glass & Billy Crystal; Odeb vs. Cass; WLIG repeat, with a few commercials)