User:Daniel Benfield/Lingo 1987 Video Archive

Despite the production company's problems with paying to winners, the original 1980s Lingo remains a solid game, as proven by its huge success abroad that in turn led to GSN reviving the show in the 2000s...although the less said about the 2011 revisit, the better.

Interestingly, it seems that the GSN revivals paid a tribute or two to its originator: for a season of the Woolery era, the logo used the color scheme of the 1980s one, and the Engvall series brought back the Prize Balls (albeit as a prize kept regardless of outcome).

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 ©1987-88 Ralph Andrews Productions/Bernstein-Hovis Productions and associated entities.

American Version (1987-88)
Syndicated, Daily: September 28, 1987 - March 25 [September], 1988 (130 episodes)

While like I said the format is solid (and hey, the art director was Ed Flesh so what's not to love there?), the ratings weren't spectacular and most American stations carrying the show dropped it after the first 13 weeks (September 28-December 25), which probably wasn't the best idea since the show straddled and in this case left some viewers on a cliffhanger.

In early or mid-October, No Lingo added three gold balls which, if one was drawn, immediately ended that round of play (pretty helpful if you struck out, since that had a seven-ball penalty); this was dropped to one by October 30.

Probably the biggest sign of budget problems came by October 30, when the rules changed somewhat: while teams could now stay until losing twice (previously, it was winning three games or losing once) and six balls were drawn for missing a word in No Lingo, the bonus round top prize now depended on how you made a Lingo in the main game – a vertical or horizontal awarded $500 toward a chance at $16,000; a diagonal put up a starting point of $1,000 for a possible $32,000; and a Double Lingo (two lines completed with the same ball) gave $2,000 on the way to $64,000.

Also by October 30, the rules for Prize Balls changed: originally, the balls were independent, but now the lowest prize ($250 in Traveler's Cheques) was no longer present and both remaining balls had to be drawn for the Lingo Jackpot (started at $1,000 and went up $500 per game until won); sometime between December 25 and February 22, the trip was also removed.

On February 22, due to Reagan going on a book tour, he was replaced by Ralph Andrews himself. Oddly, no mention is made on said show of Margaux MacKenzie replacing Dusty, but due to how little seems to be known about the series it's possible she left before Michael did.

Michael Reagan and Dusty Martell (September 28-February 19)
 * September 28, 1987 (Premiere: Pat & Mary vs. Gregg & Wendy, with Fred & George playing later; taped from KTMA, with a Contestant Plug {alternate copy})

Three gold "No Lingo" balls added to bonus game (debuted October 1987)
 * October 1987 (Friday: Adele & Kate {Game 2 - $11,500} vs. Wes & Sylvia, continued from yesterday with Tanis & Randi playing later {Lingo Jackpot: $6,000}; taped from WSVN, first few seconds missing, audio/video slightly off, trip location note replaced by a very grainy monochrome clip of some Wheel of Fortune credits {1989 theme})
 * October 1987 (Monday: Adele & Kate vs. Tanis & Randi, continued from last Friday with Rae & Linda {back due to a technical problem} and Vina? & Bill playing later; taped from WSVN, although a WPLG news promo cuts into the open {alternate copies: full episode, ending of first bonus round})

Larger "NO LINGO BONUS" lettering; new front-game/No Lingo payouts; Prize Balls dropped to two (Traveler's cheques removed); two-loss format added; gold "No Lingo" balls dropped to one (began by October 30, 1987)
 * October 30, 1987 (#24: Dawn & Margaret {$24,000!} vs. Gregg & Wendy {evidently back due to an error}, continued from yesterday with the champs in control {Lingo Jackpot: $9,500}; no open)
 * [Michael notes that Dawn & Margaret are the third-highest winners at this point.]


 * October 1987-February 1988 (Victor & Cindy? {$18,400 + No Losses} vs. Ingrid & Joanne? {Lingo Jackpot: $1,000}; taped from KDFI, last ~3 minutes only)
 * [Copyright date is 1987.]
 * October 1987-February 1988 (Victor & Cindy? {$18,400 + 1 Loss} vs. Ingrid & Joanne? {No Losses}, continued from yesterday {Lingo Jackpot: $1,000}; taped from KDFI, last ~2:20 only)
 * ["See you tomorrow!"]

"Light balls" added around gameplay example in opening, No Lingo money display changes from square Eggcrate numbers to round ones (and also looks cleaner; debuted by about December 21, 1987)
 * December 23?, 1987 (#63?: Ken & Tony {$7,200 + 1 Loss} at No Lingo for $16,000, due to a horizontal or vertical Lingo "yesterday"; opening segment only, first number draw through draw for $2,000 missing)
 * December 25, 1987 (#65: Val & Marie {$6,000 + No Losses} at No Lingo for $16,000 {currently have $2,000 on their way there}, then vs. Brenda & Rick {1 Loss}; Lingo Jackpot: $5,000; no open, but a partial commercial is present)
 * [Michael notes that last Friday, someone and June played for $32,000; on Pam & June vs. Tony & Ken, which also circulates, Michael notes that Pam & June lost a $32,000 No Lingo the previous Friday.]

Ralph Andrews and Margaux MacKenzie (February 22-March 25; by this point, the last Prize Ball rules are in place and the No Lingo money display has been covered up with the show's logo}
 * February 22, 1988 (#106: Dale & Pam {$6,000 + 1 Loss} vs. Robin & Evelyn {1 Loss}, continued from last Friday with Kevin & Kirk playing later {Lingo Jackpot: $6,500}; two kids play a solo game!)

British Versions (1987/1988)
Central: 1987; ITV, Weekly: May 12 - July 14, 1988 (10 episodes in later version)

Pretty similar, with a top prize of £3,200. Hosted by Martin Walker for the regional series and Martin Daniels in the national one.

ITV (1988)
 * July 14, 1988 (Finale: Peter & Joyce vs. Pat & Dianne)