User:Daniel Benfield/Wipeout 1988 Video Archive

Wipeout is one of those great shows that got a brief run in the States but went on to success elsewhere. (It really should've lasted longer here, though.)

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 ©1987-89/1994-2002 Dames-Frasier Productions/Paramount Television/Action Time and associated entities.

American Version (1988-89)
Syndicated, Daily: September 12, 1988 - June 9 [September 8], 1989

Repeats aired on USA from September 11, 1989 - September 13, 1991.

(NOTE: Two episodes {Dave/Jim/Michelle and Jean/Dave/Jill} have been in an odd habit by the uploader of videos being put up, taken down, and uploaded again. To my knowledge, it's happened twice; while I'm not sure if it's stopped, I thought I should note this just in case it happens again.)


 * Taped 9/2/87 (Pilot: La Dawn {$2,300}/Chuck/Nan {Car: Chevy Corvette}, with so many differences it's almost like an entirely different show!; has slate and...fee plugs?!)
 * [I think Jim Hackett is announcer, albeit uncredited.]

1988 copyright date

"One-and-done" rule, contestants wear nametags (early episodes)
 * September 12, 1988 (Premiere: Tracee/Carole/Michael {Car: Ford Bronco II 4x4}; taped from KYW, with commercials)
 * [Jim Hackett announces.]
 * September-October 1988 (Nikki/Kathy/Kevin {Car: Ford Bronco II 4x4}, with Peter forgetting what show he's doing!; USA repeat, ends during credits)
 * [Jim Hackett announces.]
 * September-October 1988 (Stephen/Alex/Nancy {Car: Ford Bronco II 4x4}; WRAL repeat from late February-early March 1989, with commercials)
 * [Jim Hackett announces. One promo is for a gardening expo on 3/17-19.]
 * September-October 1988 (Valerie/Jeffie/Don {Car: Ford Bronco II 4x4}; ends during sponsor list)
 * [Jim Hackett announces.]


 * September-October 1988 (Dennis/Cynthia/Karen {Car: Buick Century wagon}; USA repeat, player interviews missing {alternate copy, about a minute less})
 * [Jim Hackett announces.]


 * September-October 1988 (Dave/Jim/Michelle {Car: Chrysler LeBaron convertible}, with an amazing bonus round; taped from some Channel 8)
 * [Jim Hackett announces.]

"Returning champs" rule, player names on podiums (debuted by October 20)
 * [ -October 21, 1988] (#30: John/Donna {Day 2 - $2,700+}/Cynthia {Car: Chevy Baretta GT}; WCBS? repeat from Christmas 1988 with commercials and PSAs, audio level fluctuates)
 * [Peter does the intro, but credits Bob Ridgely (who does the rest of the show) when he walks out. One promo is for a Christmas super sale.]
 * October 24, 1988 (#31: Tina/John/Tom {Car: Chevy S-10 Blazer}; WCBS repeat from Christmas 1988, with commercials)
 * [John Harlan announces.]


 * October 31, 1988 (#36: Pamela/Lisa/Mark {Car: Chevy S-10 Blazer}; WCBS repeat from Christmas 1988 with commercials, including Wheel of Fortune and Win, Lose or Draw promos!)
 * [John Harlan announces.]
 * November 1-2, 1988 (#37-38: Janet/Erica/Ken {Car: Chevy S-10 Blazer}; WCBS repeat from Christmas 1988)
 * [John Harlan announces.]
 * November 2-3, 1988 (#38-39: Janet/Scott/Monica {Car: Chevy S-10 Blazer}; taped from WRDC, with commercials)
 * [John Harlan announces. One promo is for the film The Good Mother (released 11/4/88), coming out this Friday.]


 * November 1988 (MAGGIE BROWN/Marshall {$3,190}/Matthew {Car: Chevy Beretta GT})
 * [Bob Ridgely announces.]


 * December? 1988 (Jean {Day 2 - $2,200+}/Dave/Jill {Car: Jeep Wrangler}, with Peter insulting Bill Mitchell!; taped from some Channel 8)
 * [Bob Ridgely announces. Peter notes that Jean's back from yesterday, and briefly plugs JCPenney's 1988 Christmas calendar.]


 * Taped 1988 (Marty {Day 2? - $1,691}/Joanie/Rolando {Car: red Jeep Wrangler}; some pre-Board 2 portion of Challenge Round missing {jumps from Peter talking about a previous episode to him reading the second Challenge Round question})
 * [John Harlan announces. Peter notes "an earlier show" that had a question about proper etiquette.]


 * Taped 1988 (Kaylene/Cameron/Dean {Car: Buick Skyhawk sedan}, with the first category being about 200-episode TV shows!; WRAL repeat from March-April 1989, with commercials)
 * [John Harlan announces. Peter states that they've given away about 5-7 cars over the past 2-3 weeks.]


 * Taped 1988 (Laz/Susan/Mitch {$6,000+; Car: Chevy Baretta GT}; USA repeat)
 * [John Harlan announces.]

1989 copyright date; car winner montage added to opening
 * Early 1989 (Darnell {$3,470}/Scott/Dorian {Car: Chevy Beretta GT}, with Peter dropping the Hot Spot!; USA repeat, with commercials {alternate copy, no commercials})
 * [John Harlan announces. Opening montage: female ("The Deadly Sins"), male ("Von Trapp Kids"), female ("No Cholesterol").]


 * Early 1989 (Lynn {Day 2? - $2,896}/Carl/Anna {Car: Mazda 626 EX? Sedan}; USA repeat)
 * [John Harlan announces. Opening montage: same as above.]


 * June 9?, 1989 (Possible Finale: Tammy {$3,100+}/Arthur/Adrienne {Car: Chevy Beretta GT}; original broadcast, with a partial commercial)
 * [John Harlan announces. Opening montage: male ("Warsaw Pact Countries"), female ("'Ball' Games"), male ("2500 Mile Rivers").]

German Version (1993-95)
Sat.1: April 26, 1993 - September 27, 1995

Riskier Was, hosted by Gundis Zambo. One notable difference is that the third player is chosen from the audience, with staff members working (on-camera!) to give him/her a mic and add lettering to their podium.

Originally, the set was mostly green and the contestant area had the nameplates below the scores; by the end of 1994, the set became blue and purple with the nameplates above the scores.

Green set, nameplates below scores (1993-94?)
 * 1993-94? (Babsi/Lutz/Elizabeth)

Blue/purple set, nameplates above scores (1994?-95)
 * 1994 (Intro {different episode than the below})
 * 199? (Monica/Frank/Michael)
 * 199? (Markus/Sabine/Rosi; begins during second player interview, ends late in Challenge Round)
 * April 13, 1995 (Wolfgang/Michael/Tanja; 1999 repeat?, ends during Challenge Round)

British Version (1994-2002)
BBC1, Daily: May 25, 1994 - December 3, 2002 (495 episodes in 9 series)

The most successful version of the franchise, although it fell down after original host Paul Daniels left.

Paul Daniels (1994-97)
 * May 25, 1994 (Premiere: Lee-Anne/Alan/Sarah; Challenge repeat)
 * June-November 1994 (Paul/Diane/Robert; Challenge repeat)
 * June-November 1994 (Gail/Steve/Philippa {Part 3}; complete broadcast!)
 * January-April 1995 (Barbara/Lloyd/Carole; Challenge repeat)


 * 199? (Brief clip of a bonus round player {Mark, with the category "Sporting Numbers"} falling over shortly after time expires)

Bob Monkhouse (1998-2002)

1998
 * 1998 (Anita/Michael/Martine; ends after Round 1)

2001
 * 2001 (Adam/Sandra/John; Challenge repeat)
 * 2001 (Ben/Amanda/John; Challenge repeat, begins with a promo for Dating In the Dark)
 * 2001 (Joy/Will/Ingrid; Challenge repeat, brief cable box graphic during first interview)
 * 2001 (Sharon/Duncan/Chrissie; Challenge repeat, most of Bob's monologue missing)


 * 2001 (Janek/Dean/Barry; Challenge repeat, most of Bob's monologue missing, ends right before copyright screen)
 * 2001 (Stuart/Tracey/Ray; Challenge repeat)
 * 2001 (Pam/Bill/Doreen; Challenge repeat, player intros missing)
 * 2001 (Iain/Jean/Steve; Challenge repeat)


 * 2001 (Sian/Eddy/Adele; Challenge repeat)
 * 2001 (Mark/Annie/John; Challenge repeat)
 * 2001 (Fiona/Paul/Sally; Challenge repeat, player intros and Bob's monologue missing)
 * 2001 (Jo/DAVID ST. JOHN/Jane; Challenge repeat, player intros and interviews missing)
 * 2001 (Paul/Gemma/Matthew; Challenge repeat, most of Bob's monologue missing)


 * 2001? (Pauline/Ian/Joan?; Challenge repeat, player interviews only)

2002
 * 2002 (Kate/Steve/Gaetana; Challenge repeat)

Australian Version (1999-2000)
Seven Network: 1999 - 2000

A short-lived version for kids, hosted by Tony Johnston. And it's played for points and prizes, because kids playing for cash on a game show is preposterous!

(That, and they probably spent all their money on the aesthetics. :P)


 * 1999 (Alex/Kate/Qui Yi; 2000 repeat)
 * December? 1999 (Lauren/Elizabeth/Andrew; December? 2001 repeat with commercials {including an ugly one for Red Rooster}, begins just before Round 2)
 * [One promo is for the "15th year" of Home and Away, beginning January 13.]