User:Daniel Benfield/Last Word Video Archive

Syndicated, Daily: September 18 - December 15, 1989 [January 5, 1990] (65 episodes)

What does everybody want? Not The Last Word, clearly – it was a 13-week flash-in-the-pan which doesn't seem to have made much of a mark in Canada (where it aired on Global) or the States, and if I'm not mistaken was Merrill Heatter's last sold series until Catch 21 nearly 20 years later.

Canadian airings included an interview portion with the celebs, as well as a home viewer contest in which three connected words were shown (one partially revealed); a randomly-selected player who submitted the correct answer would receive a prize.


 * Taped 1989 (Pilot: Leann Hunley and Michael Corbett; Tony vs. Linda)
 * [Taped at ABC Television Center in Hollywood (the series taped in Canada), with Burton Richardson announcing and Jana White as co-host (Jennifer Lyall filled this role in the series).]


 * September 18, 1989 (#89-001/Premiere: Ted Lange and Jill Whelan; Tony vs. Janie)
 * Late 1989 (Meredith MacRae and PETER MARSHALL!; Jim {$1,700} vs. Kimely, continued from yesterday? at the beginning of Game 2; average quality)
 * Late 1989 (June Lockhart and Dick Van Patten; Tim {$1,800} vs. Roni {$16,500}, continued from last time at the beginning of Match 2, Game 2; ends during credits)


 * December 12?, 1989 (#89-062?: Edie McClurg and Pat Harrington; Dick {$900} vs. Alex {$11,200}, continued from yesterday at the beginning of Match 2; ends during fee plugs {alternate copy})
 * [Wink notes that last time, Edie and Alex managed to beat the 60-Second Challenge twice in a row, which had never happened before this point. The 12/14 show, with the same celebs, is Stephen vs. Alex. The way the show closes, though, makes no mention of finishing the match on the next show.]