Press Your Luck/Quotes & Catchphrases

Original
Pilot: "These three players have been especially selected today to play television's richest game! Jack Campion is a lawyer who always plays to win! Maggie Brown says she never even thinks about losing! And Matt Dorf tells us he thinks the guy who says 'winning isn't everything' is crazy! But only one of them can play and win today, as they play television's most exciting and challenging new game, PRESS YOUR LUCK! And now here's your host, the star of Press Your Luck, PETER TOMARKEN!"

Early Episodes: "These three contestants are about to play the most exciting game of their lives(, which only one of them can win)! (introduction of each player, his/her hometown, and a small info bit on how just competitive s/he is going to be) From Television City in Hollywood, it's time to PRESS YOUR LUCK! And now here's your host, the star of Press Your Luck, PETER TOMARKEN!"

Best Remembered: (clips of contestants playing the game from past episodes, usually ending with who won the game) "Today, these three players are after high stakes/Big Bucks, but they'll have to avoid the whammy, as they play the most exciting game of their lives! From Television City in Hollywood, it's time to PRESS YOUR LUCK! And now here's your host, the star of Press Your Luck, PETER TOMARKEN!"


 * NOTE: When first used on November 7, 1983, the announcer's opening spiel used "big bucks". This would be changed to "high stakes" as of November 16, 1983.  From December 5-16, 1983, the opening spiel would be altered to replace "are after high stakes" with "will compete for high stakes".  As of December 19, 1983, the opening spiel would revert back to "are after high stakes" and would be used until sometime in February 1985, at which point the opening spiel would replace "high stakes" with "big bucks" and would be used for the remainder of the series.

Host Intros
"I thank you, Rod Roddy, hi, everybody, and welcome to Press Your Luck, the most competitive game on television, where players take big risks for Big Bucks."

"I thank you, Rod Roddy, hi, everybody, and welcome to Press Your Luck, (we are) television's most competitive game."

"I thank you, Rod Roddy, hi, everybody, and welcome to Press Your Luck, we're talking Big Bucks, and (hopefully) no Whammies."

"I thank you, Rod Roddy, hi, everybody, and welcome to Press Your Luck, we're talking Big Bucks once again."

"I thank you, Rod Roddy, hi, everybody, and welcome to another edition of Press Your Luck."

Revival
2002 Pilot (Tomarken): "The game with big bucks & whammies is back, bigger & better than ever! Once again, It's time to play WHAMMY, THE ALL NEW PRESS YOUR LUCK! And now please welcome our host and head whammy wrangler, PETER TOMARKEN!"

1st Season: "The game of big bucks & whammies is back, bigger & better than ever! It's time to play WHAMMY, THE ALL NEW PRESS YOUR LUCK! And now please welcome our host, TODD NEWTON!"

2nd Season: "The game of big bucks & whammies is even bigger & better than ever! It's time to Press Your Luck and play WHAMMY! Let's meet today's players! (insert self-introductions) And now please welcome our host, TODD NEWTON!"

Gameshow Marathon: "These three players are after Big Bucks, but they'll have to avoid the whammy as they play the most exciting game of their lives! From CBS Television City in Hollywood, it's time to PRESS YOUR LUCK! And now here's your host, RICKI LAKE!"

Host Intros
"Welcome (once again) to Whammy, The All New Press Your Luck where you can spin your way to big bucks and some great prizes too. Let's meet our players."

Catchphrases
“I'm gonna ask you questions and your correct answers will earn you spins at the big Press Your Luck game board. The more spins you have, the more money you can win, because our board is loaded with thousands of dollars in cash and fabulous prizes, and every time you stop the board like this—STOP!—you'll add money to your total as I just did when I added $750 to mine, unless, of course, you hit a Whammy. If you do that, that little devil comes out, and takes back everything you've won so you want to be very careful. The player with the highest total at the end of the game gets to keep it all and returns tomorrow and do it all over again. Are you all ready to Press Your Luck?” - Peter Tomarken (Pilot)

“I have four questions and your correct answers will earn you spins at the big Press Your Luck game board. The more spins you have, the more money you can win, because our board is loaded with thousands of dollars in cash and fabulous prizes, and every time you stop the board like this—STOP!—you'll make money as I just did, $1500. However, you have a chance as it were to hit a Whammy and if you do that, he jumps out, bites you on the neck and takes away all your money. So you want to be very careful because it's very depressing. Alright, the player with the most money at the end of the game gets to keep it all and return to play tomorrow. Are you all ready to Press Your Luck?” - Peter Tomarken (First Show)

“I have four questions and your correct answers will earn you spins at the big Press Your Luck game board. A correct buzz-in answer gives you three spins, a correct multiple choice answer gives you one spin. The more spins you have, the more money you can win, because our board has thousands of dollars in cash and fabulous prizes and every time you stop the board like this—STOP!—you'll make money (insert amount). On occasion you can hit a Whammy and if you hit a Whammy, he'll take away all your money so be very careful.” - Peter Tomarken

"I have four more questions and that means four more chances to earn some mighty big spins. Remember, the more spins you have, the more money you can win at that big board. And the player with the most money at the end of the game gets to keep it all and return to play tomorrow." - Peter Tomarken (at the second Question Round in the first few weeks)

"I have four more questions and the answers will become spins, and in this round each spin could be as much as $5,000." - Peter Tomarken (at the second Question Round)

"You give me a buzz-in answer, three spins, and a multiple choice answer, one spin." - Peter Tomarken (at the start of the first Question Round in 5 seconds or less)

"If (insert contestant) gets it right, he'll/she'll pick up three spins. I'm going to give (insert contestant)'s answer and two others to (insert the other two contestants names). If they’re right, they'll pick up a spin apiece." - Peter Tomarken

"I'll give to you in multiple choice. If you get it right, you'll pick up a spin apiece." - Peter Tomarken (if nobody buzzes in during the Question Round)

"You didn't get an answer after you buzzed in, so you're locked out for now. I'll give to (insert two opponents) in multiple choice. If they get it right, they'll pick up a spin apiece." - Peter Tomarken (if a player buzzes in and didn't get an answer during the Question Round)

"Is the correct answer (insert answer), (insert answer) or (insert answer)?" - Peter Tomarken

"(contestant) gets a spin." - Peter Tomarken

"(contestant) gets three (big) spins." - Peter Tomarken

"(contestant) goes to (insert number)." - Peter Tomarken

"(contestant) stays at (insert number)." - Peter Tomarken

"You're all wrong! The (correct) answer is (insert correct answer). No spins." - Peter Tomarken (when all three contestants answered incorrectly during the Question Round.)

"You all have a chance to turn/convert those spins into (big (Press Your Luck)) dollars/bucks, so stay with us, we'll be back." - Peter Tomarken (at the start of the commercial break after the First Question Round.)

"That's the last question. These players are taking those spins to the (Big [Press Your Luck] [Game]) Board to decide who's gonna walk away with all the bucks, so come on back." - Peter Tomarken (at the start of the commercial break after the Second Question Round.)

"All right, players, as you can see there are prizes, surprises, and over $13,000 in cash, and of course a few Whammies up there. Now each time you spin you have a chance to add anywhere from $100-$1,250 to your total, and you'll notice that our board is constantly changing. Now we're gonna find out just how courageous you are, just how much confidence you have, because if you don't want to press your luck, you can pass your remaining spins to another player at anytime during your turn and protect your money that way. Remember that it's always possible that the next spin could be a Whammy, and if you hit him & lose it all, you go back to zero; so everything's at stake each time you spin. And if you pick up four Whammies, you're out of the game. History... Gone... Bye-Bye." - Peter Tomarken at the start of Round 1 of the Big Board in the pilot

"All right, now players, we weren't kidding when we said earlier that the sky's the limit on Press Your Luck because as you can see the value of the board has changed dramatically. Not only the prizes are even more fabulous, but there's over $50,000 in cash up there waiting to be won. Now in any single spin you can pick up anywhere from $500-$5,000. But let me caution you that the one thing that hasn't changed is the proverbial Whammy. So you want to be very careful. Let's take a look at the money totals and some other totals. We've Jack with no dollars, two Whammies, eight spins. We've got Maggie with $2,371 and no Whammies, three spins. We've Matt with no dollars, two Whammies and five spins. - Peter Tomarken at the start of Round 2 of the Big Board in the pilot

"All right, players, as you can see there are prizes, surprises, and over $13,000 in cash, and of course a few Whammies up there on that game board. So each time you spin you have a chance to add anywhere from $100-$1,250 to your total, and you'll notice that our board is constantly changing. So if you feel a Whammy coming on and you don't want to press your luck, all you have to do is pass your remaining spins to another player during your turn and protect your money that way. Remember everything's at stake each time you spin, and four Whammies will put you out of the game." - Peter Tomarken at the start of Round 1 of the Big Board in the first few weeks

"Thank you, and now players, we weren't kidding when we said earlier that you can win a bundle on Press Your Luck because as you can see the value of that board has changed dramatically. Not only are the prizes even more fabulous, but there's over $50,000 in cash up there just waiting to be won. Now in any single spin you can pick up as much as $5,000. But let me caution you that the one thing that hasn't changed is the proverbial Whammy. He is still lurking in the bushes waiting to take all your money. And speaking of money... (insert scores) - Peter Tomarken at the start of Round 2 of the Big Board in the first few weeks

"All right, players, you have earn the right to hit the Board. The Big Board has $13,000, also some prizes, surprises and a few Whammies, so (beware and) avoid the Whammies. Remember, the player that ends this Round with most money gets to play last in the Final Round, that's where the advantage. Remember, you can pass your spins at anytime during your turn if you have a fear of the Whammy, and four Whammies will put you out of the game." - Peter Tomarken at the start of Round 1 of the Big Board

"All right players, it's time for Big Bucks. Big Bucks has $50,000/$80,000/$100,000 at stake. One/some prize(s) worth more than $5,000 and also some Whammies, so avoid that/be careful." - Peter Tomarken at the start of Round 2 of the Big Board

"Are you ready to Press Your Luck?"- Peter Tomarken

"Big Bucks, No Whammies, STOP!" - Contestant

"Big Bucks, and NO WHAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSS!!! STOP!" - Steve Bryant (upon a prolonged catchphrase in July 1985)

"Stop at (insert amount/prize/trip). That prize/trip is worth (insert amount)." - Peter Tomarken

"Stop at (insert money) [and a spin]." - Peter Tomarken

"Stop at Big Bucks...(insert amount) and a spin!"- Peter Tomarken

"Stop at a Whammy!"- Peter Tomarken

"(Insert amount) dollars, (insert number) spins. (What's your pleasure?) Press Your Luck or Pass?"- Peter Tomarken

"You have one Whammy, and (x) spins. Do you want to start again?" - Peter Tomarken

"You have two Whammies and (x) spins. You want to be careful about picking up a third Whammy in Round 1. (What's your pleasure?) Press Your Luck or Pass?" - Peter Tomarken (if a contestant has two Whammies in Round 1)

"You have three Whammies. One more Whammy, and you'll be out of the game." - Peter Tomarken (if a contestant has three Whammies).

"Sorry (insert contestant), that's means you're out of the game." - Peter Tomarken (if a contestant whammies out)

"(Insert Home Player), grab something lucky, because whatever (insert contestant) wins, you'll also win. But, if (insert contestant) hits a Whammy, he'll/she'll lose all his/her money (and he/she will also be out of the game {upon a 4th Whammy}), but you'll receive $500 courtesy of the Whammy. But, if (insert contestant) hits money plus a spin, you'll receive the money, and (insert contestant) will get the money *and* the spin." - Peter Tomarken (about a Home Player Spin)

START OF SPEIL: "If you choose to keep going you'll have to get something with an additional spin to stay in the game..."
 * "If you pass to (insert contestant) and he/she whammies, (insert contestant), will (insert funny joke)."


 * "If you pass to (insert contestant) and he/she whammies, you win the game."


 * "If you pass to (insert contestant) and he/she whammies, (insert contestant), you and (insert contestant)/all three of you will came back."

"If you can hit something worth more than (insert amount), you'll win the game."

"If you can avoid/avert the Whammy, you'll win the game. If you Whammy, (insert contestant), will win the game."

"Stop at (insert amount), you did it. You're the champion for today with (insert winning total) - Peter Tomarken (if a contestant wins the game on the final spin)

"Stop at (insert amount), that's not enough. And (insert contestant), you're the champion for today with (insert winning total) - Peter Tomarken (if a contestant lost the game on the final spin)

"Stop at a Whammy and (insert contestant), you're the champion for today with (insert winning total) - Peter Tomarken (if a contestant Whammied on the final spin)

"We're back with today's big Press Your Luck winner, (insert contestant) with (insert winning total)"  - Peter Tomarken

"And now to tell you what you've won, here are the dulcet tones of the illustrious (one,) Rod Roddy." - Peter Tomarken

"(after descriptions of the prizes) That prize is worth/those prizes total (insert amount)! Combined with the (cash total) in cash you've won (today and the (insert previous total winnings) in cash & prizes you've won previously), gives you a grand total (insert contestant), of (insert grand total winnings)! Congratulations!" - Rod Roddy

"You don't get to hear the dulcet tones of the illustrious (one,) Rod Roddy, because it's all in cash! ((insert winning total) added to your previous total of (insert previous total winnings), gives you a grand total of (insert grand total winnings)!)" - Peter Tomarken

Taglines
START OF THE SPIEL: “Until next time..."
 * "...remember that the Whammy is actually a cute little guy, as long as he shows up when someone else is spinning. (and other Whammy poems)” (early 1983)


 * "...when we see (insert winner), (and two other players)..."


 * "...when we see three new players...." (after a retired champion)

REST OF THE SPIEL: "This is Peter Tomarken saying so long for Press Your Luck.” (September 19, 1983-June 26, 1984)

REST OF THE SPIEL: "This is Peter Tomarken [saying], 'Thanks for pressing your luck.' Bye-bye." (June 27, 1984-September 26, 1986)

In episodes from November 1985 through the September 26, 1986 finale, Peter will omit "saying."

REST OF THE SPIEL: "This is Peter Tomarken--and Steve Bryant--saying 'BIG BUCKS AND NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WHAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSS!!" (after Steve Bryant's first day as champ in 1985)

"Some members of our studio audience will receive..." - Rod Roddy and sub-announcers John Harlan and Charlie O'Donnell

"Here's what we have for our departing contestants!" - Rod Roddy and sub-announcers John Harlan and Charlie O'Donnell

"This is Roddddddddd Roddy/John Harlan/Charlie O'Donnell, speaking for Press Your Luck! A Carruthers Company Presentation!" - Rod Roddy and sub-announcers John Harlan and Charlie O'Donnell

"Merry Christmas, everybody! This is Rod Roddy speaking for Press Your Luck, a Carruthers Company Presentation!" - Rod Roddy signing off from the episode aired Christmas Day 1984.

To see some more quotes, click here.