User:Daniel Benfield/Sale of the Century 1980s Prize Lists

A sort of episode guide for the NBC version, listing each week's available prizes, player names, and Cash Jackpot/Instant Cash values.

For the Winner's Board and WBMG eras, the first prizes listed are those mentioned during the intro, with any other known prizes listed afterward.

1983

 * 1/3-7/83: Man's watch, sofa & loveseat, mink coat, trip, Catalina 25 boat, Mercedes-Benz.
 * Mon: Lynn/Joel/Janice.

1984

 * 4/9-13/84: The Circus: Electric organ, a BMW R65 motorcycle and sidecar, a 17-day tour of Eastern Europe, a 33-karat sapphire and diamond ring, a 17-ft. Fleetwood travel trailer and a Cadillac Seville with cabriolet roof.


 * 5/7-11/84: Back to the 40s: A fully-restored, mint-condition 1948 Ford convertible. Rest of prizes, currently unknown.


 * 5/14-18/84: Fairy Tales:


 * 5/21-25/84: Outer Space:

Winner's Board (1984-87)
The Winner's Board contained 10 prizes: a car, a trip, cash awards of $3,000 and $10,000, and six other items that ranged from the useful (furniture, electronics, shopping sprees) to the esoteric (Jim frequently describes some prizes as "unusual"). As with the Shopping endgame, all the non-cash prizes changed from week to week.

1984, Continued

 * 11?/84: Fur coat, motorscooter, large-screen TV, trip to Hawaii, Mercedes-Benz. [Debut of the Winner's Board. No later than 11/5-9.]
 * Mon: MARGERITE NEWHOUSE/John/Debbie ($6,440). [Lou Mulford fills in for Lee Menning, who is on maternity leave. While Debbie is the returning champ, she starts fresh with the Winner's Board.]
 * Tue: ?/?/Debbie (Day 2 - $9,675).


 * 11/12-16/84: Piano, home video center, gold bracelet, trip to New York, Datsun 300ZX. [Winner's Board also has a silver-plated tea-and-coffee service.]
 * Mon: ?/?/JEFF HEWITT (Day 2). [A "Dollar Bill Contest" runs for the next two weeks.]
 * Tue: ?/?/JEFF HEWITT (Day 3).
 * Wed: Dave/Lisa/JEFF HEWITT (Day 4 - $12,295). [At this point, Jeff has already won the $3,000 off the Winner's Board.]
 * Lee Menning is back by this point. "$100,000" graphic during intro now resembles the one used by Wheel of Fortune at this point.
 * Thu: Tom/Jas/JEFF HEWITT (Day 5 - $17,005).
 * Fri: Gregg/Marlene/JEFF HEWITT (Day 6 - $22,055). [Has an unusual "$5+" Money Card (announced by Jay as "Five Plus", which is basically "$5 and Pick Again". Jeff wins the car!]
 * Winner's Board still uses asterisks to cover the numbers picked by an ongoing champ on prior days.


 * 11/19-23/84: unknown.
 * Mon: ?/?/JEFF HEWITT (Day 7 - $48,749).
 * Tue: ?/?/JEFF HEWITT (Day 8).
 * Wed: ?/?/JEFF HEWITT (Day 9).
 * [No episode aired on 11/22.]
 * Fri: Tim/Perrin/JEFF HEWITT (Day 10). [Jeff wins the $10,000 to clear the Winner's Board and leaves, retiring with $72,794!]
 * Winner's Board spaces are all blank. The fact this is also the case on 12/14 suggests that this was the first week without the asterisks.


 * 12/10-14/84: ?, [unknown]-screen TV, motorbike, trip to Lake Tahoe, Mercedes-Benz. [Winner's Board also has a mantle clock.]
 * Mon: ?/?/MARGERITE NEWHOUSE (Day 5).
 * Tue: ?/?/MARGERITE NEWHOUSE (Day 6).
 * Wed: ?/?/MARGERITE NEWHOUSE (Day 7).
 * Thu: ?/?/MARGERITE NEWHOUSE (Day 8).
 * Fri: Lisa/Keith/MARGERITE NEWHOUSE (Day 9 - $34,000+). [Sale Surprise cue is still a ringing bell. Margerite wins the car!]


 * 12/17-21/84: Gold earrings, pool table, personal computer, trip to the Bahamas, Cadillac Cimarron. [Winner's Board also has an Oriental rug.]
 * Mon: Celeste/?/MARGERITE NEWHOUSE (Day 10 - $60,434). [Margerite plays to clear the Winner's Board.]
 * Tue: ?/?/Celeste (Day 2).
 * Wed: Lauree/John/Celeste (Day 3 - ~$5,600).
 * Thu: Karen/Tom/Celeste (Day 4 - $10,619). [Jay Stewart appears on-camera!]
 * Fri: ?/?/Celeste (Day 5 - $15,414).


 * 12/24-28/84 (College Players): Fur coat, stereo system, piano, complete living room, BMW. [Winner's Board also has a lady's watch, a trip to the Poconos, and kitchen appliances.]
 * Thu: Ham/?/?.
 * Fri: Dean/Suzy/Ham ($3,000+).

Summer Bartholomew becomes hostess (began 12/31/84)
 * 12/31/84-1/4/85 (College Players, continued): unknown.
 * Mon: ?/?/Dean (Day 2 - $3,918).

1985
Sale Surprise cue becomes a series of clangs (began by about 1/7/85)

Sale price graphics change to standard style (began by about mid-1/85); "$100,000" graphic changes to sparkly, non-flashing numbers (began by 2/8/85)
 * 2/4-8/85: Gold bracelet, brass bed, home video center, trip to Aruba, Mustang convertible. [Winner's Board also has an Oriental table, his-and-hers watches, and an armoire.]
 * ?: J.B./Cynthia/TIM O'ROURKE (Day 10 - $52,343). [Jim notes that Tim won the car last time. Tim wins the $10,000 to clear the Winner's Board and leaves, retiring with $62,843!]
 * Thu: Linda/?/?.
 * Fri: Rita/Phillip/Linda (Day 2 - $4,000). [Jim notes that the his-and-hers watches were won earlier this week. Rita wins $3,804 and will be back post-Tournament.]


 * 2/11-15, 18-22/85 (Tournament of Champions): none shown. [Winner's Board has a piano, a trip to New York, a living room suite, a jet ski, a his-and-hers wardrobe, a mobile phone, a stereo system, and three cash prizes (the standard $3,000, plus $2,500 and $4,000 to replace the car and $10k).]
 * Mon: Mark Hoffman ($61,657)/Celeste Wallace ($41,443)/David Herelko ($97,654).
 * Winning the Tournament awards a $27,622 Porsche and $25,000 cash. As a result, the intro uses a sparkly "$50,000" graphic and the Cash Jackpot sign displays "$25,000".
 * Tue: Joe Lasher ($69,187)/Stephanie Holmquist ($83,410)/David Rogers ($122,114).
 * Wed: John Devero ($13,713)/Susan Wolfe ($69,851)/Dennis Eller ($54,996). [$13k seems like a pretty low threshold for TOC entry...]
 * Thu: Stephanie Holmquist/David Herelko/Susan Wolfe. [Semifinal #1. Winning the Semifinals awards $10,000.]
 * Fri: Stefan Chasnoff ($63,620)/Margerite Newhouse ($62,582)/Bill Baxter ($85,265).
 * Mon2: Bill Fogel ($66,459)/Ian Barondess ($58,000+)/Jeff Hewitt ($72,794).
 * Tue2: Steve Warren/Chris Price/Tim O'Rourke ($62,843).
 * Wed2: Jeff Hewitt/Bill Baxter/Steve Warren. [Semifinal #2.]
 * Thu2: Jeff Hewitt/Stephanie Holmquist. [Finals, Day 1.]
 * Fri2: Finals, Day 2. [Stephanie wins the Tournament, leaving with a new grand total of $152,897! Copyright notice is still "©REG GRUNDY PRODUCTIONS, INC. 1985".]

Copyright notice changes to "©1985 REG GRUNDY PRODUCTIONS, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED." on two lines (began by about mid-3/85)
 * 4/1-5/85: Personal computer, silver service, fur jacket, cruise to Mexico, Nissan 300ZX.
 * Thu: Steve/Jane/MARK DeCARLO (Day 9 - $48,598).
 * Mark finds the $10,000, then the WIN card, then makes a remark that indicates he knows he's going to get the other prize (there's no natural match for the $10,000).
 * Fri: Neil/Martha/MARK DeCARLO (Day 10 - $54,038). [Mark plays for the $10,000 to clear the Winner's Board.]


 * 4/8-12/85: Gold necklace, large-screen TV, 35mm camera, trip to Aruba, Toyota Celica. [Winner's Board also has a dining set.]
 * Mon: Howard/Deborah/MARK DeCARLO (Day 11 - $64,038). [Mark wins the $50,000, retiring with $115,257!]
 * Tue: Lisa/Morrie/Susan. [Morrie's a fun, older player - and wins the car!]
 * Wed: ?/?/Morrie (Day 2 - $20,340).
 * Thu: [Larry is definitely at least here.]
 * Fri: JEFF COLBURN/Carol/Larry (Champ). [Jeff wins the $3,000!]


 * 4/15-19/85: unknown.
 * Mon: ?/?/JEFF COLBURN (Day 2 - $4,945).
 * Tue: ?/?/JEFF COLBURN (Day 3).
 * Wed: ?/?/JEFF COLBURN (Day 4).
 * Thu: ?/?/JEFF COLBURN (Day 5).
 * Fri: ?/?/JEFF COLBURN (Day 6).


 * 4/22-26/85: Piano, gold earrings, living room furniture, trip to the Cayman Islands, Oldsmobile Toronado.
 * Mon: ?/?/JEFF COLBURN (Day 7).
 * Tue: ?/?/JEFF COLBURN (Day 8).
 * Wed: David/Shirley/JEFF COLBURN (Day 9 - $42,315).
 * Jeff finds the car, then the WIN card, then makes a remark that indicates he knows he's going to get the other prize (there's no natural match for the car, either). The fact that two consecutive nine-time champs pointed this out may have been the catalyst for the Winner's Board changing to "pick from two numbers" for Day 9.
 * Thu: Jim/Theresa/JEFF COLBURN (Day 10 - $47,984). [Jeff plays for the car to clear the Winner's Board.]
 * Fri: Windsor/Sandee/JEFF COLBURN (Day 11 - $73,353). [Jeff wins the $50,000 bonus, retiring with $123,753!]


 * 4/29-5/3/85: Jet ski, gold bracelet, personal computer, trip to the Caribbean, Chrysler convertible. [Winner's Board also has a shopping spree and a pocketwatch.]
 * Mon: Kevin/Judy/Jim. [Perry notes that next week will kick off an NBC game show sweepstakes on Sale, Scrabble, and Super Password.]
 * Tue: ?/?/Jim (Day 2 - $5,093).


 * 5/6-10/85: Living room furniture, large-screen TV, all-terrain vehicle, trip to Bora Bora, Camaro. [Winner's Board also has a Persian rug.]
 * Thu: Annette/?/?. [Annette wins the $3,000!]
 * Fri: Patti/Jerry/Annette (Day 2 - $3,000). [Jim does a Home Viewer Question, and notes that the drawing will be done on the 5/29 Scrabble.]


 * 5/13-17/85: unknown.
 * Mon: ?/?/Jerry (Day 2 - $3,900).

Nine-time champs no longer have to make a match on the Winner's Board (began by 6/24/85)
 * 5/ or 6/85: Personal computer, diamond ring, grandfather clock, trip to Paris, Austin-Healey replica. [Winner's Board also has a queen-size bed.]
 * Mon: Debbie/Marty/CINDY BARR (Day 9 - $52,962). [5/27 at earliest.]
 * Jim notes that Cindy won a sportscar last time, and that the prizes change every five shows. Strangely, Jim claims that nine-time champs not needing to make a match "has always been our policy", even though at the latest this is two months after Jeff Colburn showed why it needed to be changed.
 * Tue: Sue/Chris/CINDY BARR (Day 10 - $57,801). [Cindy plays for a queen-size bed to clear the Winner's Board. First Instant Bargain has a "Summer School" sign.]
 * Wed: Jasmine/Doug/CINDY BARR (Day 11 - $61,590). [Cindy wins the $50,000, retiring with $111,590!]
 * One Speed Round question is about the "hit movie" Masks (released 3/8/85). "Starting money" animation still has the second and third displays activate before the first.

"Starting money" animation changes to the $20 popping in from left to right (began by 7/1/85)
 * 7/1-5/85 (College Week): Large-screen TV, all-terrain vehicle, pool table, cruise to Mexico, Alfa Romeo.
 * Mon: Chris/Kari/Ron. [Ron wins the $3,000! Oddly, the "12" space on the Winner's Board has what looks like yellow pieces of tape bordering it in a few spots.]
 * Tue: Hunt/Marci/Ron (Day 2 - $4,116). [The Sale Surprise bell rings during the first Instant Bargain as a joke!]
 * Wed: Kevin/Nicki/Ron (Day 3 - $9,676).
 * Thu: ?/?/Ron (Day 4 - $11,671).
 * Fri: Ralph/Marci/Ron (Day 5 - $17,680).


 * 7/8-12/85: Bedroom ensemble, his-and-hers motorscooters, pearl necklace, trip to Hong Kong, Mustang convertible.
 * Mon: Jerie/Ron (Day 6 - $20,670)/Joanne ($7,554). [Joanne returns from 6/28, and Jim notes that her total includes $3,700 cash.]
 * Tue: Grace/Brian/Jerie (Day 2 - $3,100).
 * Wed: Bonnie/Paul/Grace (Day 2 - $2,655).
 * Thu: Carole/Henry/Bonnie (Day 2 - $5,889).
 * Fri: Sara/Jim/Bonnie (Day 3 - $10,024).

Directing slightly altered to do a dissolve rather than a cut after Jim reaches for his podium during the intro (began 7/15/85)
 * 7/15-19/85: Den furniture, gold wristwatch, 35mm camera, trip to London, Audi.
 * Mon: Eugene/Doc Holiday(!)/Bonnie (Day 4 - $12,024). [Jim congratulates WNDU in South Bend, Indiana on their 30th Anniversary.]
 * Tue: Kevin/Linda/Eugene (Day 2 - $3,000).
 * Wed: Len/Amy/Eugene (Day 3 - $5,400).
 * Thu: ?/?/Eugene (Day 4 - ~$7,600 or so).
 * Fri: Donald/Debbie/Eugene (Day 5 - $13,129).


 * 7/22-26/85 (College Week): Home video center, motorscooter, jukebox, trip to the Bahamas, Mazda RX-7. [Several prize cues this week are classic 1980s songs.]
 * Mon: Ken/Adrienne/Steve.
 * Tue: Raad/Carolyn/Steve (Day 2 - $2,465). [Steve wins the $10,000!]
 * Wed: Tomm/Jennifer/Steve (Day 3 - $13,265).
 * Thu: Kavian/Lisa/Steve (Day 4 - $16,015).
 * Fri: Chris/Suzanne/Kavian (Day 2 - $3,295).

[NOTE: Challengers' positions for 8/2, 8/19-20, 8/22-23, and 8/26-29 are unconfirmed.]


 * 7/29-8/2/85: Wickham dining furniture, gold earrings, electric golf cart, trip to Scotland, Pontiac Trans-Am.
 * Mon: Chris (Day 2 - $2,000)/Julie/Eugene (Day 6 - $18,200).
 * Tue: Jeff/Phyllis/Eugene (Day 7 - $22,351).
 * Wed: Cheryl/Ted/Phyllis (Day 2 - $4,408). [Phyllis wins the car!]
 * Thu: Marilynn/Marc/Phyllis (Day 3 - $25,367).
 * Fri: Carla/Sid/Phyllis (Day 4 - $29,822).


 * 8/5-9/85: All-terrain vehicle, his-and-hers watches, antique gramophone, trip to Tahiti, Austin-Healey replica.
 * Mon: Fred/Silvia/Sid (Day 2 - $7,675).
 * Tue: Lloyd/Midge/Fred (Day 2 - $3,473).
 * Wed: Catherine/James/Midge (Day 2 - $4,366).
 * Thu: Karyn/Roger/Midge (Day 3 - $7,861).
 * Fri: Tobi/Paul/Midge (Day 4 - $11,498).


 * 8/12-16/85: Complete kitchen, diamond-and-ruby ring, 35mm camera, trip to New England, Pontiac 6000.
 * Mon: Patrice/Bill/Midge (Day 5 - $15,407).
 * Tue: Paula/Mase/Midge (Day 6 - $16,867).
 * Wed: Yolanda/Jim/Paula (Day 2 - $1,960).
 * Thu: April/ERIC BROWN/Paula (Day 3 - $5,320).
 * Fri: Al/Susan/ERIC BROWN (Day 2 - $5,999).


 * 8/19-23/85 (College Week): Stereo system, his-and-hers watches, brass desk, trip to Hong Kong, Chevrolet Camaro.
 * Mon: Michael/Peri/Scott.
 * Tue: Glenn/Kiersten/Michael (Day 2 - $2,000).
 * Wed: Tim/Tracy/Michael (Day 3 - $9,439). [Michael wins the $10,000!]
 * Thu: Steve/Ann/Michael (Day 4 - $19,939).
 * Fri: JB/Paige/Steve (Day 2 - $1,733).


 * 8/26-30/85: Patio furniture, travel trailer, gold necklace, trip to the Virgin Islands, Pontiac Sunbird.
 * Mon: Steve (Day 3)/Susan/ERIC BROWN (Day 3 - $12,646).
 * Tue: Allen/Linda/ERIC BROWN (Day 4 - $15,646).
 * Wed: DeWayne/Carol/ERIC BROWN (Day 5 - $20,246).
 * Thu: Hal/Loretta/ERIC BROWN (Day 6 - $23,766).
 * Fri: Bobby/ANN MEYER/ERIC BROWN (Day 7 - $28,104). [Jay still does not say "Sale of the Century stars Jim Perry."]

"Sale of the Century stars Jim Perry." added to credits (began by 9/3/85)
 * 9/2-6/85: Fur jacket, gold coins, living room set, trip to Paris, Cadillac Cimarron.
 * Mon: ?/?/ERIC BROWN (Day 8 - $31,174).
 * Tue: Walter/ANN MEYER (back due to an error)/ERIC BROWN (Day 9 - $33,371).
 * Wed: Ellen/Joe/ANN MEYER (Day 2 - $3,412).
 * Thu: Glenda/Michael/ANN MEYER (Day 3 - $8,912).
 * Fri: Marilyn/Stephen/ANN MEYER (Day 4 - $11,109).


 * 9/9-13/85: unknown.
 * Mon: ?/?/ANN MEYER (Day 5 - $15,108).
 * Tue: ?/?/ANN MEYER (Day 6).
 * Wed: ?/?/ANN MEYER (Day 7).
 * Thu: ?/?/ANN MEYER (Day 8).
 * Fri: ?/?/ANN MEYER (Day 9).


 * 9/16-20/85: Large-screen TV, diamond bracelet, fur jacket, trip to London, Austin-Healey replica. [Winner's Board also has a dinette set.]
 * Mon: Joanna/Earl/ANN MEYER (Day 10 - $58,209). [Ann goes for the $10,000 to clear the Winner's Board. Still has the "pick a number" Fame Game.]
 * Tue: ?/?/Earl (Day 2).


 * 9/ or 10/85: unknown, possibly above week.
 * ?: Linda-Jo/Paul/Debra (Champ). [Debra was previously a big winner on Face the Music, and wins this game. One question is about the film The Emerald Forest (released 7/3/85).]


 * 9/ or 10/85: Stereo system, pool table, lady's fur jacket, trip to Japan, Ford Thunderbird. [Winner's Board also has his-and-hers watches.]
 * Mon: Tamara/Kerry/Debra (Day 5 - $18,057). [Jim notes that Debra won a trip to London on the Winner's Board, and comments during the first Instant Bargain indicate this is Monday. Still has the "pick a number" Fame Game.]
 * At one point, Debra says "they just discovered [the Titanic]", referring to an event on 9/2/85. Placement based on the fact a trip to London was offered during the above week and the fact the available copy of this show has a promo for The New Newlywed Game (which debuted 9/9/85). Jim congratulates WVVA on their 30th (Anniversary) year with NBC; said station launched 7/31/55 and officially joined NBC that September.
 * Tue: ?/?/Kerry (Day 2 - $2,200).

Fame Game board changes to "stop the flashing light" (began by 10/14/85)
 * 10/14-18/85: unknown.
 * Mon?: Tad/Gita/David (Day 4). [Ends in a three-way tie!]
 * One question mentions that Evel Knievel "will be returning" to Idaho for the dedication of a granite marker made in honor of his ill-fated 1974 jump across the mile-wide Snake River Canyon...except that per this article, said dedication was on 9/9/85, and given all of the above '85 listings the use of future tense makes no sense even if this was taped beforehand. Another question mentions the 1985 World Chess Championship in the present tense; said bout lasted from 9/3 - 11/9/85.
 * Tue?: ?/?/David (Day 5).


 * 11/85: All-terrain vehicle, video equipment, diamond bracelet, trip to Tahiti, Audi. [Winner's Board also has an organ and a shopping spree. Jay's intro mistakenly says the bracelet is gold.]
 * ?: RENAE JACOBS/Thom/Christy (Day 4 - $12,806). [Christy wins the car!]
 * Returning champ's total still does not appear onscreen as Jay says it. Has the "bouncing light" Fame Game board during the intro. Last fee plug is for the Sears Wish Book '85.
 * Renae was later April O'Neil in the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon and the first Lady of the Maze on Masters of the Maze.
 * Per Michael Pannoni, "I discovered in an issue of TV Guide that during the weeks of November 4 and 11, $ale held a home viewer sweepstakes for the daytime version (similar to what Press Your Luck held at that time) where the home audience selected one of ten special prizes at one segment. This show is likely from the week of November 18 due to not only the mention of the Sears Wish Book, but the following week would mention Thanksgiving. The Fame Game board's lights had a different pattern as Jim was being introduced during its first two weeks in October, and then the week of October 28 would almost certainly have Jim plugging the sweepstakes.﻿"
 * ?: ?/?/Christy (Day 5 - $35,769).

Returning champ's total displayed onscreen as Jay says it during the intro (began by about mid-11/85)
 * 11/25-27, 29/85: Large-screen TV, dining room, gold camera, trip to Paris, Ford station wagon. [Winner's Board also has some leather luggage.]
 * Mon: Brad/?/?.
 * Tue: ?/?/Brad (Day 2).
 * Wed: Eric/Judy/Brad (Day 3 - $8,728). [Brad wins the $3,000, and the cast has Thanksgiving dinner at the end of the show!]
 * [No episode aired on 11/28.]
 * Fri: ?/?/Brad (Day 4 - $14,228).


 * 12?/85: Bedroom set, diamond bracelet, rowing machine, trip to the Bahamas, Cadillac Cimarron.
 * ?: Richard/Marcia/DAVE GOODMIN (Day 10 - $53,741). [Dave wins the $10,000 to clear the Winner's Board and leaves, retiring with $64,045!]
 * Still has the "square numbers" Speed Round clock. Jim notes that Dave has also won a trip to New Orleans, a man's fur coat, and a diamond ring off the Winner's Board.
 * ?: players unknown.

Speed Round clock changes to Futura-based design (began by about mid-12/85)
 * 12/23-24, 26-27/85: unknown. [Winner's Board includes a dining room. Set decorated for Christmas.]
 * Mon: ?/?/Claudia (Day 4).
 * Tue: Taylea/Gary/Claudia (Day 5).
 * [No episode aired on 12/25.]
 * Thu: ?/?/Claudia (Day 6).

1986

 * 1/6-10/86: Fur coat, motorcycle, diamond ring, trip to Colorado, BMW. [Winner's Board also has a Persian rug.]
 * Mon: ?/?/JUDY CAHILL (Day 8).
 * Tue: ?/?/JUDY CAHILL (Day 9).
 * Wed: Glenda/Sean/JUDY CAHILL (Day 10 - $81,839). [Judy wins a Persian rug to clear the Winner's Board and leaves, retiring with $89,780! Jim mentions "more winners for the home contest" tomorrow.]
 * Thu: players unknown.


 * 2/10-14/86: Living room, pearl necklace, stereo system, trip to Holland, Lincoln Continental. [Winner's Board also has a bronze sculpture and an entertainment center, though the latter may be that stereo system.]
 * Thu: Duane/?/?. [Duane wins the $3,000!]
 * Fri: Ed/Saundria/Duane (Day 2 - $4,295). [Still has the third Instant Bargain. Jim plugs next week's Home Viewer Sweepstakes.]


 * 2/17-21/86: unknown. [Home Viewer Sweepstakes runs for at least this week.]
 * Mon: ?/?/Saundria (Day 2 - $7,270).

Instant Cash replaces last Instant Bargain (began 2?/86; definitely by 6/27)
 * 5/86: Dining room, diamond earrings, Rockwell lithograph, trip to the Virgin Islands, Ford Taurus.
 * ?: ?/?/RICHARD WHITE (Day 8 - $36,011). [Uncertain placement.]


 * ?/86 (Summer?): Spa, diamond bracelet, brass desk, cruise to Mexico, Volvo. [Winner's Board also has silver bars and a shopping spree.]
 * ?: Sharon/Barry/Gabrielle (Day 3 - $13,335). Instant Cash is $4k. [Jim plugs the home game, suggesting it was just released recently. Clip shown of Gabrielle winning the $10,000 last time. Speed Round clock still has the Winner's Circle timer sound.]
 * ?: ?/?/Barry (Day 2 - $4,761). Instant Cash is $5k.

Second Speed Round clock sound introduced (began by 8/5/86)
 * 9/1-5/86: unknown, trip to the Virgin Islands, BMW. [Winner's Board also has some artwork, an antique scale, a "birthday bath", living room furniture, a quilt, and a gold necklace.]
 * Mon: players unknown. Instant Cash is $1k.
 * Tue: VINCE WALDRON/?/?. Instant Cash is $2k. [Vince went on to have a successful writing career, including The Official Dick Van Dyke Show Book.]
 * Wed: AL McDONALD/Gisele/VINCE WALDRON (Day 2 - $5,779). Instant Cash is $1k. [Gisele was also on Tic-Tac-Dough ('85, Wink's Finale and Jim's Debut).]
 * Thu: Steven/Marianne/AL McDONALD (Day 2 - $3,468). Instant Cash is $2k.
 * Fri: Bryan/Anna/AL McDONALD (Day 3 - $8,043). Instant Cash is $3k.


 * 9/8-12/86: Contemporary sofa, men's jewelry ensemble, video equipment, trip to Tahiti, Alfa Romeo. [Winner's Board also has a family of bikes and a shopping spree.]
 * Mon: Art/Rebeca/AL McDONALD (Day 4 - $12,147). Instant Cash is $4k.
 * Tue: Raymond/Carol/AL McDONALD (Day 5 - $13,647). Instant Cash is $5k.
 * Wed: Ed/Cindy/AL McDONALD (Day 6 - $18,535). Instant Cash is $6k.
 * Thu: Ort/Barbra/AL McDONALD (Day 7 - $23,085). Instant Cash is $1k.
 * Fri: Rob/Rebecca/AL McDONALD (Day 8 - $26,563). Instant Cash is $2k. [Al has the three major prizes remaining, and wins the $10,000!]


 * 9/15-19/86: Large-screen TV, gold jewelry, jukebox, trip to Florida, Audi. [Winner's Board also has a home computer, an executive desk, and a leather wardrobe.]
 * Mon: Larry/Flo/AL McDONALD (Day 9 - $36,563). Instant Cash is $1k. [First day of a Home Viewer Sweepstakes. Al wins the $3,000!]
 * Tue: MICHAEL NEWKIRK/Yvonne/AL McDONALD (Day 10 - $41,862). Instant Cash is $2k. [Al plays for the car to clear the Winner's Board.]
 * Wed: Gordon/Diane/MICHAEL NEWKIRK (Day 2 - $3,222). Instant Cash is $3k.
 * Thu: players unknown. Instant Cash is $4k.


 * 10/6-10/86: Brass bed, diamond earrings, piano, trip to Hawaii, Cadillac. [A Home Viewer Sweepstakes runs for the next two weeks.]
 * Mon: players unknown. Instant Cash is $8k.
 * Tue: players unknown. Instant Cash is $9k.
 * Wed: Wayne/?/?. Instant Cash is $10k.
 * Thu: ?/?/Wayne (Day 2). Instant Cash is $1k.
 * Fri: Casey/Missouri/Wayne (Day 3 - $18,037). Instant Cash is $2k. [Jim notes that Wayne won it for $10k "a couple of days ago".]


 * 10/13-17/86: Living room, sapphire-and-diamond ring, spa, Mississippi river cruise, Alfa Romeo. [Winner's Board also has a shopping spree.]
 * Mon: Alison/Frank/Missouri (Day 2 - $6,784). Instant Cash is $3k.
 * Tue: ?/?/Alison (Day 2 - $4,348). Instant Cash is $4k.

1987
Copyright byline enlarged and now uses lowercase lettering as well (began by 3/30/87)
 * 5/25-29/87 (College Week): Large-screen TV, stereo, personal computer, trip to Paris, Fiero. [Winner's Board also has gold coins and video equipment.]
 * Fri: Linda/Hugh/Kana (Day 4? - $11,553). Instant Cash is $1k. [Kana hit it for $4k last time. Jim mentions at one point that Kana "has been rolling along for th[illegible] wins". Winner comes back on Monday to face current regular-play champ Linda Credit.]


 * 6/1-5/87: unknown.
 * Mon: Hugh (Day 2 - $3,521)/?/LINDA CREDIT (Day 6). Instant Cash is $2k.
 * Tue: ?/?/LINDA CREDIT (Day 7). Instant Cash is $3k.
 * Wed: ?/?/LINDA CREDIT (Day 8). Instant Cash is $4k.
 * Thu: ?/?/LINDA CREDIT (Day 9). Instant Cash is $5k.
 * Fri: ?/?/LINDA CREDIT (Day 10). Instant Cash is $6k. [Linda plays to clear the Winner's Board.]


 * 6/8-12/87: Living room, diamond earrings, 35mm camera, trip to Puerto Rico, Taurus. [Winner's Board also has a sauna, an antique pine cupboard, and some luggage.]
 * Mon: Joanne/Ric/LINDA CREDIT (Day 11 - $89,458). Instant Cash is $7k. [Linda wins the $50,000 bonus, retiring with $140,457!]
 * Tue: JOHN HOMA/?/?. Instant Cash is $8k.
 * Wed: ?/?/JOHN HOMA (Day 2). Instant Cash is $9k. [John wins the car!]
 * Thu: Bob/Kathy/JOHN HOMA (Day 3 - $24,782). Instant Cash is $10k. [Clip shown of John winning the car yesterday.]
 * Fri: Greg/Sheena/JOHN HOMA (Day 4 - $32,012). Instant Cash is $11k.


 * 6/15-19/87: unknown.
 * Mon: ?/?/JOHN HOMA (Day 5 - $38,050). Instant Cash is $12k. [Per recollections, John went on to claim Instant Cash for $17k and then cleared the Winner's Board, opting not to go for the $50,000 bonus; his stated total in the 1988 Tournament of Champions (see below) was about $88,000.]


 * 10/5-9/87: Large-screen TV, fur jacket, diamond bracelet, trip to Switzerland, Camaro. [Winner's Board also has a game table, an oak bedroom ensemble, and a "gorgeous and unusual" quilt.]
 * Mon: ?/?/TOM O'BRIEN (Day 6). Instant Cash is unknown.
 * Tue: ?/?/TOM O'BRIEN (Day 7). Instant Cash is $1k.
 * Wed: ?/?/TOM O'BRIEN (Day 8). Instant Cash is $2k.
 * Thu: ?/?/TOM O'BRIEN (Day 9). Instant Cash is $3k.
 * Fri: Keith/Karen/Gary. Instant Cash is $4k. [Jay Stewart appears on-camera!]


 * 10/12-16/87: Patio furniture, piano, fur jacket, trip to the Caribbean, Audi.
 * Mon: ?/Keith (Day 2 - $4,960)/TOM O'BRIEN (Day 10). Instant Cash is $5k. [Tom plays to clear the Winner's Board.]
 * Tue: Scott/Rita/TOM O'BRIEN (Day 11 - $102,000). Instant Cash is $6k. [Tom wins the $50,000 bonus, retiring with $152,847!]
 * Jim notes that Tom has $81,400 cash. This suggests that he won at least one big-value Instant Cash, possibly as much as $18k.
 * Wed: players unknown. Instant Cash is $7k.

Winner's Big Money Game (1987-89)
Debuted no earlier than October 19 and no later than December 21, though I suspect it's closer to the latter.

Originally, the WBMG had players solve five puzzles in 25 seconds. Sometime between February 9 and April 11, 1988, this was dropped to 4-in-20.

When the new endgame debuted, the day's winner won a prize from a six-number Winner's Board. As such, during that period the day of the week is determined by how many prizes are left on it before said pick.

1987, Continued

 * 12/28/87-1/1/88: Spa, grandfather clock, diamond earrings, trip to New York, Ford Thunderbird.
 * Mon: Anna Maria/Grover/Francine (Day 2 - $3,999). Instant Cash is $1k. [Not the debut of the WBMG. Jim's comments suggest this is early in the WBMG era, possibly the second week.]
 * Tue: Al/?/Francine (Day 3 - $10,000+). Instant Cash is $2k.
 * Wed: Marc/Betty/Al (Day 2 - $3,929). Instant Cash is $3k.
 * Thu: ?/?/Marc (Day 2 - $8,970). Instant Cash is $4k.
 * Fri: ?/?/?. Instant Cash is $1k.

1988

 * 1/11-15/88: Brass bed, jukebox, gold coins, trip to London, Jeep.
 * Mon: ?/?/?. Instant Cash is $7k.
 * Tue: Tom/?/?. Instant Cash is $8k.
 * Wed: ?/?/Tom (Day 2). Instant Cash is $9k.
 * Thu: Charles/Karin/Tom (Day 3 - $14,260). Instant Cash is $10k. [Jay Stewart is still announcer.]
 * Fri: ?/?/Tom (Day 4 - $25,753). Instant Cash is $11k.

Don Morrow becomes announcer (began by 1/20/88)
 * 1/18-22/88: Complete kitchen, artwork, diamond bracelet, trip to New Zealand, Saab.
 * Mon: ?/?/Tom (Day 5). Instant Cash is unknown.
 * Tue: ?/?/Tom (Day 6). Instant Cash is unknown.
 * Wed: Eric/Janis/Tom (Day 7 - $50,847). Instant Cash is unknown.
 * Thu: players and Instant Cash unknown.


 * 2/1-5, 8-9/88 (Tournament of Champions): Personal computer, console piano, diamond pendant, trip to Fiji, Mercedes-Benz.
 * Mon: Andy Ross ($81,900)/Linda Credit ($140,457)/Bob Rafael ($65,000+). Instant Cash is $1k. [Jim notes that none of the players in this Tournament have played the WBMG.]
 * Tue: Dave King (~$67,000)/Zak Barlo (~$75,000)/Tom O'Brien ($152,847). Instant Cash is $2k.
 * Wed: Ben Wang (~$50,000)/John Homa (~$88,000)/Diane Cross (~$77,000). Instant Cash is $3k. [Jim notes that Ben started his run during a College Week.]
 * Thu: Finals, Day 1. Instant Cash is $4k.
 * Fri: Finals, Day 2. Instant Cash is $1k.
 * Mon2: Finals, Day 3. Instant Cash is $2k. [Winner's prize is still picked at start of second segment. Winner's Board still has its original appearance and staging.]
 * Tue2: Finals, Day 4. Instant Cash is $3k. [WBMG still has its standard light-up check marks.]

WBMG changes from 5-in-25 to 4-in-20 (began 3/ or 4/88)

Car area now has varying decorations behind it; winner's prize now picked after the game; Winner's Board adopts standard shape and staging (all began by 4/11/88)
 * 3/ or 4/88 (taped 2/88): unknown, Jeep. [Winner's Board includes a trip to Colorado, a ruby-and-diamond necklace, some artwork, a motorscooter, and a living room.]
 * Mon: Sheree/Ron/Judy (Champ). Instant Cash is $5k. [Debut of the revised WBMG, though here it uses light-up versions of the check marks rather than black boxes with the check marks appearing.]
 * Tue: Roberta/Steve/Sheree (Day 2 - $2,595). Instant Cash is $6k. [WBMG check marks return to standard style. Closing voiceover plugs this week's daytime Win, Lose or Draw with guests Jed Allan, Mary Ann Mobley, Martin Mull, and Jessica Walter.]
 * Wed: Cathy/Bud/Sheree (Day 3 - $5,315). Instant Cash is $1k. [Second question mentions April 15 as upcoming.]
 * Thu: ?/?/Bud (Day 2). Instant Cash is $2k.

Standard intro returns; car area now has varying decorations behind it
 * 3/88 or so: Large-screen TV, Erté artwork, diamond ring, Scandinavian cruise, Oldsmobile.
 * Mon: Kevin/Andi/Bill (Day 3 - $16,746). Instant Cash is $1k. [Jim hopes viewers enjoyed the preceding "Brides-To-Be Week". One question references an event from 3/10/88.]
 * Tue: ?/?/Andi (Day 2 - $3,767). Instant Cash is $2k.


 * 4/88 or so: Miniboat, gold ring, dining furniture, trip to Aruba, Volkswagen Jetta.
 * Mon: ?/?/?. Instant Cash is $8k.
 * Tue: Tara/?/?. Instant Cash is $9k.
 * Wed: ?/?/Tara (Day 2). Instant Cash is $10k.
 * Thu: Nole/Ralph/Tara (Day 3 - $20,440). Instant Cash is $11k. [One WBMG puzzle is about a film released 3/18/88.]
 * Fri: ?/?/Tara (Day 4 - $24,374). Instant Cash is $12k.


 * 5/88: Patio furniture, computer, ring, trip to Florida, "cabriolet" (convertible).
 * Thu: Karen/Jim/RANI WHITE (Day 6 - $51,627). Instant Cash is $3k (third show in a row it's been in #3). [Rani wins with $100, then gets the $10,000!]
 * Fri: ?/?/RANI WHITE (Day 7 - $65,641). Instant Cash is $4k.


 * 5/88: unknown. [Winner's Board includes a necklace.]
 * Mon: Brenda/Joel/RANI WHITE (Day 8). Instant Cash is unknown. [Rani wins with $120 and gets the $50,000, retiring with $140,011!]
 * Tue: ?/?/?. Instant Cash is unknown.

[All weeks from here onward were at least partly reshown by USA.]


 * 7/ or 8/88 (A): Patio furniture, piano, diamond ring, trip to Barbados, "luxury automobile".
 * Mon: ?/?/?. Instant Cash is $1k.
 * Tue: ?/?/?. Instant Cash is $2k.
 * Wed: Terrill/?/?. Instant Cash is $3k.
 * Thu: Vikki/Chip/Terrill (Day 2 - $4,397). Instant Cash is $4k.
 * Fri: ?/?/Chip (Day 2 - $2,144). Instant Cash is $5k.


 * 7/ or 8/88 (B): Computer, diamond ring, exercise bike, trip to Ireland, "luxury automobile".
 * Mon: ?/?/?. Instant Cash is $13k.
 * Tue: Robin/?/?. Instant Cash is $14k.
 * Wed: ?/?/Robin (Day 2). Instant Cash is $15k.
 * Thu: Katie/Stan/Robin (Day 3 - $12,394). Instant Cash is $16k.
 * Fri: Michelle/Paul/Robin (Day 4 - $17,118). Instant Cash is $1k.


 * 7/ or 8/88 (C): Sauna, camera, gold-and-diamond earrings, trip to San Francisco, Cadillac. [Winner's Board prizes have a "gold" theme.]
 * Mon: ?/?/Robin (Day 5 - $20,418). Instant Cash is $2k.
 * Tue: Marge/Anthony/Robin (Day 6 - $25,606). Instant Cash is $1k.
 * Wed: Jeanne/Win/Robin (Day 7 - $38,337). Instant Cash is $2k. [Robin loses the car, so she retires with $41,537.]
 * Thu: Linda/Steve/Gloria. Instant Cash is $3k.
 * Fri: ?/?/Linda (Day 2 - $4,940). Instant Cash is $4k.


 * 7/ or 8/88 (D): unknown, Jeep. [Winner's Board includes a trip to Hong Kong and a camcorder.]
 * Mon: Mitchell/Sandy/Terry (Day 2 - $12,000+). Instant Cash is $1k. [Terry won it for $4k last time.]
 * Terry won some gold coins last time, and based on a few comments it seems this week follows the above two. "Well Jim the 2s have been good to me..."; the 2 card was still unpicked after Linda/Steve/Gloria.
 * Tue: ?/?/Terry (Day 3 - $14,501). Instant Cash is $2k.


 * 8?/88 (Varsity Week): Large-screen TV, pair of motorscooters, miniboat, Jeep, trip to the 1988 Summer Olympics (Seoul, Korea). [Winner of the week gets the Jeep and Olympics package. Player intros suggest this week consists entirely of high school students. Instant Cash is $2k all week.]
 * Mon-Wed were won by males, with Instant Cash claimed once and the WBMG beaten twice.
 * Thu: Mary Ann/David/Whitney.
 * One question is about Loni Anderson's "recent" marriage to Burt Reynolds, which this page indicates was in May. Another mentions Rambo III (released 5/25/88) as a "box-office smash". Still another mentions Valerie's Family, which was renamed The Hogan Family in mid-1988.
 * Winner's Board is still present, but has just five numbers to pick from (the sixth instead saying "VARSITY WEEK"). This and the fact Don says "our players will win" during the intro suggest being close to the end of the Winner's Board era.

Winner's Board removed (began by 8/22/88)

Presumably to save a bit of time, the Winner's Board was removed and Jim simply announced the winner's prize before the game began.

The Money Cards change to their final designs on October 10. These new cards are taller and thinner, though the most noticeable difference is the lack of a horizontal base for the "1" on the $10 and $15 cards.


 * 8/22-26/88: Brass bed, piano, diamond earrings, trip to the Bahamas, "luxury automobile".
 * Thu: Bart/?/?. Instant Cash is $1k.
 * Fri: Bryan/Barbara/Bart (Day 2 - $9,080). Instant Cash is $1k. [Jim notes that it's been won two days in a row, and also plugs the upconing "End of Summer Bash" shows.]


 * 8/29-9/2/88 (End of Summer Bash, aka "High School Students Week"): Audio/video system, personal computer, trip to Hawaii, Jeep.
 * Mon: ?/?/?. Instant Cash is $2k all week.
 * Tue: Alan/Jennifer/Erik.
 * Wed: Jason/Erin/Robert.
 * Thu: Lauren/Andy/Darcey.
 * Fri: Anne/Chris/Evelyn.


 * 9/5-9/88: Living room set, artwork, gold watch, trip to New England, "luxury automobile".
 * Mon: Steve/Florence/Bart (Day 3 - $12,004). Instant Cash is $2k.
 * Tue: Jim/Elaine/Bart (Day 4 - $23,242). Instant Cash is $3k.
 * Wed: ?/?/Elaine (Day 2 - $11,074). Instant Cash is $4k.
 * Thu: ?/?/Elaine (Day 3). Instant Cash is $1k.
 * Fri: Diane/Damon/Elaine (Day 4 - $34,219). Instant Cash is $2k.


 * 9/12-16/88: Stereo system, spa, pearl necklace, trip to Mexico, Volkswagen Jetta.
 * Mon: Rhona/Jim/Elaine (Day 5 - $49,999). Instant Cash is $3k.
 * Tue: Stacy/Jeff/Elaine (Day 6 - $67,688). Instant Cash is $1k.
 * Wed: Marisa/Rin/Stacy (Day 2 - $1,600). Instant Cash is $2k.
 * Thu: ?/?/Stacy (Day 3 - $11,189). Instant Cash is $3k.


 * 9/19-23 or 26-30/88: Grandfather clock, artwork, diamond bracelet, trip to Australia, Camaro.
 * ?: Josh/Kathy/Kelton (Day 2 - $7,899). Instant Cash is $3k. [9/20 at earliest, 9/28 at latest. One question mentions that "the new TV season is finally gearing up" following a five-month WGA strike; said strike ended on 8/7/88.]
 * ?: ?/?/Josh (Day 2 - $7,595). Instant Cash is $4k. [9/21 at earliest, 9/29 at latest.]


 * 9/19-23 or 26-30/88: Large-screen TV, baby grand piano, diamond watch, trip to the Caribbean, Ford Thunderbird.
 * ?: Steve/Chris/Dan (Day 2 - $5,036). Instant Cash is $8k. [9/22 at earliest, 9/28 at latest.]
 * ?: ?/?/Dan (Day 3 - $10,846). Instant Cash is $9k. [9/23 at earliest, 9/29 at latest.]


 * 10/3-7/88: Personal computer, artwork, diamond pendant, trip to Hong Kong, Jeep.
 * Mon: Royal/Hi/Chou Chou (Day 3 - $14,355). Instant Cash is $2k. [Jim congratulates KYTV on celebrating 35 years with NBC "over the weekend". Said station launched 10/1/53.]
 * Tue: Arlene/?/Chou Chou (Day 4 - $20,087). Instant Cash is $3k.
 * Wed: Rhonelda/Kyle/Arlene (Day 2 - $3,299). Instant Cash is $4k. [Jim plugs Pep Rally Week as being "next week". He later notes that a prior WBMG player missed a puzzle involving Florida (specifically mentioning the Everglades), which did indeed happen to Chou Chou.]
 * Thu: PHIL CAMBRY/?/Arlene (Day 3 - $11,486). Instant Cash is $5k.
 * Fri: Nick/Ella/PHIL CAMBRY (Day 2 - $10,958). Instant Cash is $6k. [Jim plugs Pep Rally Week as being the next five shows.]

Money Cards changed to final designs (began 10/10/88)
 * 10/10-14/88 (Pep Rally Week, aka "College Week"): Sailboat, his-and-hers watches, trip to Paris, Jeep. [Uses a "school marching band" version of the theme, which seems to be based on the 1983 arrangement.]
 * Tue: Aimee/Brian/Mitch. [Brian wins with $114!]
 * Thu: Chris/Lakita/Kip. Instant Cash is $2k. [Jim mentions a week with high school players where Instant Cash was won four times, almost certainly referring to End of Summer Bash where that did indeed happen. He also congratulates KGW for celebrating 30 years with NBC (30th-Anniversary year, that is; it didn't become an affiliate until 4/26/59).]


 * 10/17-21/88: Living room furniture, fur jacket, jukebox, trip to New York, "luxury automobile".
 * Mon: Michael/Janet/PHIL CAMBRY (Day 3 - $15,182). Instant Cash is $7k. [Jim mentions that the last five shows had college players.]
 * Tue: John/Bonnie/PHIL CAMBRY (Day 4 - $21,381). Instant Cash is $8k.
 * Wed: ?/?/PHIL CAMBRY (Day 5 - $27,980). Instant Cash is $9k.
 * Thu: ?/?/PHIL CAMBRY (Day 6). Instant Cash is $10k.
 * Fri: ?/?/PHIL CAMBRY (Day 7). Instant Cash is $11k.


 * 10/24-28, 31/88 (Trick or Treat Week): Piano, diamond necklace, silver punch bowl, trip to Transylvania, Capriolet.
 * Mon: Paul/Sylvia/PHIL CAMBRY (Day 8 - $85,344). Instant Cash is $1k. [Phil won it for $11k last time. Phil loses the WBMG, retiring with $91,323.]
 * Tue: ?/?/?. Instant Cash is $2k.
 * ?: Scott/Denise/Jay. Instant Cash is unknown. [Seen in a promo for this week.]
 * Mon2: Jim/?/?. Instant Cash is unknown.


 * 11/1-4/88: Baby grand piano, diamond bracelet, "family of bikes", trip to Atlantic City, Audi.
 * Tue: Azeem/Donna/Jim (Day 2 - $7,545). Instant Cash is $1k.
 * Wed: Peter/Margie/Jim (Day 3 - $19,830). Instant Cash is $2k.
 * Thu: Noel/Christie/Jim (Day 4 - $29,910). Instant Cash is $3k.
 * Fri: Lisa/Brian/Christie (Day 2 - $3,950). Instant Cash is $4k. [Jim notes that the last game ended in a three-way tie, and later plugs the Salute to True Romance as starting "on the next show".]


 * 11/7-11, 14-18/88 (Salute to True Romance).
 * Mon: Margaret/Steven/Melanie.
 * Tue: Steve/Esther/Raymond. [Has a horrible WBMG run!]
 * Wed: ?/?/?.
 * Thu: Julius/Kathy/Scott. [First, and earliest, NBC episode aired by GSN.]
 * Fri: John/Dina/Rodney.
 * Mon2: Eric/Lisa/Jack.
 * Tue2: Sarah/Brian/Veronica.
 * Wed2: Richard/Kathleen/Bruce. [1,500th show!]
 * Thu2: Patty/George/Lorien.
 * Fri2: Richard/Ted/Brian. [Finals.]


 * 11/21-23/88: Dining room furniture, artwork, trip to New England, Ford Taurus station wagon. [Full week skipped by GSN!]
 * Mon: Diane/Larry/Lisa (Day 2 - $8,800). Instant Cash is $5k.
 * Tue: Lucinda/Fred/Diane (Day 2 - $5,691). Instant Cash is $6k.
 * Wed: Emil/?/Fred (Day 2 - $12,329). Instant Cash is $7k.
 * [No episodes aired on 11/24-25.]


 * 11/28-12/2/88: Kitchen, fur jacket, jewelry, trip to England, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme.
 * Mon: Joe/Dominique/Emil (Day 2 - $4,000). Instant Cash is $8k.
 * Tue: Rick/Pattie/Emil (Day 3 - $8,516). Instant Cash is $9k. [Pattie was in the Salute to True Romance, and is back due to an error.]
 * Wed: Jaimi/Don/Pattie (Day 2 - $6,464). Instant Cash is $1k.
 * Thu: Bonnie/Howard/Pattie (Day 3 - $10,912). Instant Cash is $2k.
 * Fri: Sharon/Rick/Pattie (Day 4 - $18,462). Instant Cash is $3k.


 * 12/5-9/88: Spa, artwork, diamond bracelet, trip to the Virgin Islands, Volkswagen Cabriolet.
 * Mon: Ann/Larry/Pattie (Day 5 - $23,749). Instant Cash is $4k.
 * Tue: Carla/Jamie/Ann (Day 2 - $4,548). Instant Cash is $5k.
 * Wed: Ruth/Walt/Carla (Day 2 - $12,139). Instant Cash is $1k.
 * Thu: Mary/Gianni/Carla (Day 3 - $17,692). Instant Cash is $2k.
 * Fri: Vivenne/Sean/Carla (Day 4 - $27,787). Instant Cash is $3k.


 * 12/12-16/88: Pool table, diamond ring, video camera, trip to France, Eagle Premier (erroneously called a "Jeep Eagle Premier" by Don in the intro).
 * Mon: Matt/?/Carla (Day 5 - $34,607). Instant Cash is $4k. [Skipped by GSN!]
 * Tue: CHIP ESTEN/Bonnie/Matt (Day 2 - $2,538). Instant Cash is $5k.
 * Wed: Tony/Michelle/CHIP ESTEN (Day 2 - $8,562). Instant Cash is $6k.
 * Thu: Godfrey/Kimberly/CHIP ESTEN (Day 3 - $13,952). Instant Cash is $7k.
 * Fri: Johnny/Kathy/CHIP ESTEN (Day 4 - $27,898). Instant Cash is $1k.


 * 12/19-23/88: Baby grand piano, Erté artwork, diamond earrings, trip to London, Ford Thunderbird. [Set decorated for Christmas. Full week skipped by GSN!]
 * Mon: Karen/?/CHIP ESTEN (Day 5 - $31,998). Instant Cash is $2k.
 * Tue: ?/?/Karen (Day 2). Instant Cash is $1k.
 * Wed: Nancy/Randy/Karen (Day 3 - $21,420). Instant Cash is $2k.
 * Thu: Angela/?/Randy (Day 2 - $2,900). Instant Cash is $3k.
 * Fri: Ursula/Jeff/Angela (Day 2 - $5,100). Instant Cash is $4k. [Copyright notice is still "©1988 REG GRUNDY PRODUCTIONS, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED".]


 * 12/26-30/88: unknown. [Full week skipped by GSN!]
 * Mon: ?/?/Angela (Day 3 - $10,998). Instant Cash is $1k.
 * Fri: Kerry/?/?. Instant Cash is unknown.

1989
Copyright notice changes to "©1989 GRUNDY INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS LTD. All Rights Reserved" (began by 1/3/89)
 * 1/3-6/89: Sailboat, diamond ring, stereo, trip to the Bahamas, Mustang convertible.
 * [No episode aired on 1/2.]
 * Tue: Richard/Victoria/Kerry (Day 2 - $7,723). Instant Cash is $1k.
 * Wed: Todd/Jill/Kerry (Day 3 - $17,744). Instant Cash is $2k.
 * Thu: Bill/Janet/Kerry (Day 4 - $28,843). Instant Cash is $3k.
 * Fri: Nick/Cheryl/Kerry (Day 5 - $36,451). Instant Cash is $1k. [Skipped by GSN!]


 * 1/9-13/89: Living room set, artwork, his-and-hers watches, trip to Mexico, Jeep.
 * Mon: Jim/Julie/Kerry (Day 6 - $48,800). Instant Cash is $2k.
 * Tue: Steve/LaRAE DILLMAN/Kerry (Day 7 - $54,066). Instant Cash is $3k.
 * Wed: Pat/DON BENN/LaRAE DILLMAN (Day 2 - $4,820). Instant Cash is $4k.
 * Thu: Paula/John/LaRAE DILLMAN (Day 3 - $14,226). Instant Cash is $5k.
 * Fri: Ann/Jamie/LaRAE DILLMAN (Day 4 - $21,706). Instant Cash is $1k.


 * 1/16-19/89: Brass bed, 35mm camera, diamond necklace, trip to Miami Beach, Camaro Z28.
 * Mon: Barbara/Sam/LaRAE DILLMAN (Day 5 - $24,306). Instant Cash is $2k.
 * Tue: C.J./Paul/LaRAE DILLMAN (Day 6 - $29,234). Instant Cash is $1k.
 * Wed: Abbe Jaye/Harvey/LaRAE DILLMAN (Day 7 - $36,937). Instant Cash is $2k. [LaRae loses the car, retiring with $44,756.]
 * Thu: Jackie/Ray/Philly. Instant Cash is $3k.
 * [No episode aired on 1/20.]


 * 1/23-27/89: Den furniture, diamond bracelet, fur jackets, trip to Hawaii, Ford Taurus.
 * Mon: Craig/Eileen/Ray (Day 2 - $6,556). Instant Cash is $4k. [Jim hints at the show's cancellation coming in from the first break: "I thank you there, Don. Yeah, we'd love to have you down here - call quick!"]
 * Tue: Victor/Robin/Craig (Day 2 - $15,199). Instant Cash is $1k.
 * Wed: Don/Judy/Victor (Day 2 - $8,414). Instant Cash is $2k.
 * Thu: Robb/Kathleen/Don (Day 2 - $5,268). Instant Cash is $1k.
 * Fri: Leo/Teri/Robb (Day 2 - $7,700). Instant Cash is $2k.


 * 1/30-2/3/89: Computer, Erté artwork, game table, trip to Bermuda, Jeep.
 * Mon: Charlie/Laura/Leo (Day 2 - $2,809). Instant Cash is $3k.
 * Tue: Steve/Lori/Charlie (Day 2 - $5,312). Instant Cash is $4k.
 * Wed: Lou/Dawna/Steve (Day 2 - $10,864). Instant Cash is $5k.
 * Thu: ?/?/Steve (Day 3 - $16,748). Instant Cash is $1k. [Skipped by GSN!]
 * Fri: Robert/?/?. Instant Cash is $2k. [Skipped by GSN!]


 * 2/6-10/89: Piano, gold watch, sailcat, trip to New Orleans, Eagle Premier (referred to as "a luxury automobile" by Don in the intro).
 * Mon: Paul/Laurel/Robert (Day 2 - $9,700). Instant Cash is $3k.
 * Tue: Tony/Karen/Robert (Day 3 - $15,645). Instant Cash is $4k.
 * Wed: Gail/?/Robert (Day 4 - $21,940). Instant Cash is $5k. [Skipped by GSN!]
 * Thu: Judy/Michael/Gail (Day 2 - $4,645). Instant Cash is $1k.
 * Fri: Bob/Lee/Michael (Day 2 - $5,269). Instant Cash is $2k.


 * 2/13-17/89 (Brides Week): Caribbean cruise, crystal-and-dinnerware set, complete kitchen, trip to St. Thomas, Ford Probe.
 * Mon: Stacey/Judi/Susan. [For this week, Instant Cash is $2k and the WBMG is played for $5k.]
 * Tue: Sheryl/Lisa/Stella.
 * Wed: Susan/Dorothy/Christine.
 * Thu: Marlene/Lori/Sharon.
 * Fri: Karen/Trudy/Heidi.


 * 2/20-24/89: Brass bed, stereo system, Oriental rug, trip to New York City, Oldsmobile Cutlass.
 * Mon: Pat/Katie/Bob (Day 2 - $7,930). Instant Cash is $3k.
 * Tue: Matt/Kathy/Pat (Day 2 - $2,849). Instant Cash is $4k.
 * Wed: Charles/Mary/Pat (Day 3 - $6,098). Instant Cash is $5k.
 * Thu: Kevin/Christa/Pat (Day 4 - $8,233). Instant Cash is $6k.
 * Fri: Jim/Christine/Kevin (Day 2 - $5,900). Instant Cash is $7k.


 * 2/27-3/3/89: Living room set, jewelry, stereo, trip to Colorado, Volkswagen.
 * Mon: Michael/Laurel/Kevin (Day 3 - $11,275). Instant Cash is $8k.
 * Tue: DARRELL GARRISON/Stephanie/Kevin (Day 4 - $22,013). Instant Cash is $9k.
 * Wed: Jake/Ceacy/DARRELL GARRISON (Day 2 - $8,600). Instant Cash is $10k.
 * Thu: Bernie/Cyndi/DARRELL GARRISON (Day 3 - $21,049). Instant Cash is $11k.
 * Fri: Mike/Cynthia/DARRELL GARRISON (Day 4 - $25,991). Instant Cash is $12k.

[No episodes aired from 3/6-17.]


 * 3/20-24/89 (Finale week): Baby grand piano, diamond watch, artwork, trip to Hawaii, Jeep.
 * Mon: John/Nansi/DARRELL GARRISON (Day 5 - $40,670). Instant Cash is $13k.
 * Tue: Ray/Terrie/DARRELL GARRISON (Day 6 - $54,250). Instant Cash is $14k.
 * Wed: Kurt/Cher/DARRELL GARRISON (Day 7 - $72,148). Instant Cash is $15k. [Darrell loses the car, retiring with $79,348.]
 * Thu: John/Gina/Ted. Instant Cash is $16k.
 * Fri: Frank/Jody Lee/John (Day 2 - $3,736). Instant Cash is $1k. [John wins the final WBMG, retiring with about $13,000. Closing voiceover plugs this week's daytime Win, Lose or Draw with The Wild Samoan & Sgt. Slaughter vs. The Farmer's Daughter & Queen Kong.]