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

A sort of episode guide for the NBC Sale of the Century, 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

 * Taped 1982 (Pilot): Unknown.
 * ?/Susan/JACK CAMPION. [Clips were used in a debut promo aired in late December.]


 * January 3-7, 1983 (Premiere week): Omega Manhattan man's watch ($1,800; $48), Waverly Collection living room set ($3,500; $114), mink coat ($5,500; $181), 14-day vacation in Europe ($13,316; $254), Catalina 21-foot sailboat ($21,686; $326), Mercedes-Benz 300SD sedan plus $1,050 keyring and $6,682 cash ($49,198; $390).
 * Mon: Lynn/Joel/Janice. [Jim's comments suggest that getting to the car awards everything else as well. It should be noted that all but the first two sale prices here are much higher than in the below two weeks.]
 * Tue: ?/?/Janice (Day 2 - $49 to spend).

Fame Game faces now gone through after first Fame Game question, $25 Money Card reveal now uses standard cue, transparent briefcase of money added to endgame to represent the cash bonus (began by 2/15/83)
 * February 14-18, 1983: Wurlitzer organ ($2,295; $47), Hobie 16-foot sailboat ($3,795; $103), Mastercraft gift certificate ($6,000; $147), 29-day trip to Europe ($9,188; $204), house full of furniture ($20,000; $245), Mercedes-Benz 380SL convertible plus $1,050 keyring and $5,766 cash ($53,722; $308).
 * Tue: Greg/Seth/Robert (Day 2 - $55 to spend). [Jim mentions "yesterday" and "tomorrow". While he doesn't gave a sale price for the Lot, most of the sale prices are substantially lower than during premiere week.]
 * During Fame Games, Jay still only describes the prizes. Reg Grundy Productions logo animation is still a flat "RG" graphic zooming out from the center of the screen.
 * Wed: ?/?/Greg (Day 2 - $80 to spend).


 * By March 11, the Lot is won three times. Jim notes this on the 3/15 episode.

Lee Menning becomes hostess (began 3/14/83)

Jay now says "And behind (celeb name) we have..." with Fame Game picks (began by 3/14/83)
 * March 14-18, 1983 (Lee's first week): Regal game table and chairs ($1,500; $47), Neiman Marcus shopping spree ($3,500; $105), 10-day trip for four to Ireland plus $1,200 cash ($8,176; $150), Norman Rockwell lithograph ($13,000; $204), Lancer 25' sailboat ($24,000; $246), Mercedes-Benz 300TD station wagon plus $1,050 keyring and $6,774 cash ($44,824; $310), all of the above ($95,000; $360).
 * Mon: MORT KAMINS/Lenore/Tom ($150 to spend). [Jim welcomes Lee as the new hostess. Peter Marshall is on the Fame Game board this week!]
 * Tue: Sheila/Rosemary/MORT KAMINS (Day 2 - $60 to spend). [Sheila's nameplate is misspelled "Shelia" throughout.]
 * Wed: Ed/Miriam/MORT KAMINS (Day 3 - $141 to spend).
 * Thu: Anthony/Arline/MORT KAMINS (Day 4 - $226 to spend). [Jay Stewart appears on-camera as a leprechaun!]
 * Fri: John/Jacque'/MORT KAMINS (Day 5 - $301 to spend). [Mort wins the Lot, leaving as the show's then-biggest winner with $107,369!]
 * Endgame sale prices still vary from week to week.

Endgame sale prices stabilized to $55-$120-$185-$250-$335-$420-$510, keyring no longer included with cars, cash bonus now included with the Lot (began by 4/18/83)
 * April 18-22, 1983: Kawasaki jet ski ($2,499), Wesley Allen queen-size canopy bed ($3,530), trip to Paris plus $1,200 cash ($6,608), 18k gold ring ($12,000), 21' powerboat ($24,500), Mercedes-Benz station wagon ($37.000).
 * Wed: Jon/LAURA CHAMBERS/David ($137 to spend). [Pat Sajak is on the Fame Game board this week! Laura notes that "I'd love to go to Paris in April."]
 * Thu: Evon/Joe/LAURA CHAMBERS (Day 2 - $70 to spend).
 * Fri: Robin/Brad/LAURA CHAMBERS (Day 3).
 * Logo pin given to departing players is still off-model. Car cue is still the main theme variant.


 * April 25-29, 1983: Unknown, unknown, unknown, fur coat ($10,000), Fleetwood motorhome ($24,000), Mercedes-Benz 300SD turbo diesel sedan ($42,295).


 * May 9-13, 1983: Unknown, unknown, unknown, fur coat ($15,000), sailboat ($24,000), Mercedes-Benz 300TD station wagon ($37,000).
 * Fri: John/Linda/Jim ($214 to spend).
 * Buzzers are still inside the podiums. Fame Game still has just the $25 Money Card.

Cash Jackpot added (began 5/30/83)

The Cash Jackpot, starting at $50,000 and growing $1,000 per day until won, replaced the frankly odd "enough cash to make the Lot reach $95,000" idea. The sale price for the Lot was upped to $600 to reflect the higher stakes.

The odd thing about this addition wasn't that the $510 prize level still existed, but rather that it was the Cash Jackpot by itself. Champs who got to that level ended up stopping there as a result, not willing to give back so much money in hopes of getting the other six prizes as well.

The syndicated version, which debuted in January 1985, swapped the standalone Cash Jackpot for "all six onstage prizes", with the Cash Jackpot only obtainable through winning the Lot. I prefer this setup, since it put the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and gave champs who reached the next-to-last prize level a tough choice rather than a piss-easy one.

Buzzers moved to tops of podiums, $10 and $15 Money Cards added to Fame Game, logo pin now on-model, standard car cue debuts, hanging safe replaces transparent briefcase, Reg Grundy Productions logo animation changes to 3D style (began by 7/12/83)
 * July 11-15, 1983: Unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, Cadillac Eldorado ($26,583). [Cash Jackpot graphic is medium Helvetica numbers, with horizontal lines above and below the amount.]
 * Tue: Dave/Gail/RICHARD HEFT ($393 to spend). Cash Jackpot: $81,000. [Richard goes for the car!]
 * Opening logo animation is still a counterclockwise wipe. Contestant podiums (aside from the buzzers) still look the same as they did when the show debuted. Jay still does not announce the Cash Jackpot value as its sign descends.

Golden coloring added to contestant podiums (began by 8/9/83)
 * August 8-12, 1983: Trip to Boston/New England tour ($3,242), men's fur coat ($5,000), living room ensemble ($9,025), 14k gold necklace ($13,000), canopy boat ($17,850), Cadillac Eldorado ($24,527).
 * Mon: ?/?/BARBARA PHILIPS. Cash Jackpot: $67,000.
 * Tue: Diane/Dwight/BARBARA PHILLIPS ($484 to spend). Cash Jackpot: $68,000.
 * The transparent safe is not used, suggesting that the procedure was altered after Richard's win to use the briefcase for Jackpot wins and the safe on all other days.
 * Wed: Players unknown. Cash Jackpot: $50,000.

Jay now announces Cash Jackpot value as its sign descends (began by about mid-10/83)
 * At some point, likely after Barbara's run, the Cash Jackpot is won(?) for $66,000. The hanging safe is still present.

Standard opening logo animation debuts, transparent safe now rises from floor (began by 10/24/83)
 * October 24/26-28/31, 1983 (Tournament of Champions, Semifinals Week 1): Pop-up camping trailer ($3,995), evening gowns by Ted Lapidus ($7,500), 25-day trip to the Riviera ($8,712), 18k gold watch ($12,000), Norman Rockwell lithograph ($15,000), Cadillac Seville ($25,760). [Each week has three players competing throughout, with the scores carrying over from day to day and $20 being added at the start of each game. High score after Day 5 of each week goes shopping, buying any combination of prizes they can afford, and moves on to the Finals. The Cash Jackpot is frozen at $50,000 throughout.]
 * Players this week are Mort Kamins/Barbara Philips/Richard Heft.
 * On 10/24, clips are shown of each player's big win, with the airdates displayed. (Of note is that all three airdates had been figured out before said episode surfaced.)
 * No episode aired on 10/25, pushing everything forward by a day.
 * At this point, the transparent safe is still present.


 * November 1-4/7, 1983 (Tournament of Champions, Semifinals Week 2): Unknown.
 * Players this week are Cathy Powers, an unknown male, and an unknown female.

Cash Jackpot intro graphic enlarged, red-blue-yellow colors added to Cash Jackpot sign, transparent safe removed entirely (began by 11/9/83)
 * November 8-11/14, 1983 (Tournament of Champions, Semifinals Week 3): Unknown, 7-day trip to British Columbia ($5,210), 24k Canadian Maple Leaf coins ($9,152), 16-day trip to the 1984 Winter Olympics in Yugoslavia ($11,160), diamond ($15,000), Cadillac Eldorado ($25,200).
 * Players this week are Fran Wolfe/Michael Tadro/Helen Duvall.


 * November 15-18/21, 1983 (Tournament of Champions, Finals Week): Personal computer ($2,820), his-and-hers watches ($6,500), brass bedroom furniture ($9,313), choice of trips to the Middle East, South America, or Europe ($14,000), 1984 Chevrolet Corvette ($25,559), $50,000 cash. [The winner of this week gets the Lot, totaling $108,192.]
 * Players this week are Cathy Powers/Mort Kamins/Fran Wolfe.
 * As of 11/21, Jim still does the buzzer check and Fame Game faces are still introduced by Lee and Jim.


 * Over the course of seven shows airing around December 1983 (taped 11/11 and 13/83), Raymond "Ray" Winston wins $83,833, including $74,034 cash and a set of luggage. The cash total indicates he won the Cash Jackpot, with his grand total suggesting that he bought it upon reaching that point.
 * Ray previously appeared on Split Second (1973), 3 for the Money (1975), and Double Dare (1977). NBC's eligibility requirements at the time included "you don't qualify if you've already been on three game shows" (unaired pilots seemingly not counting towards that), making Ray ineligible...so how did he get on Sale in the first place? Simple: he hadn't listed Double Dare when asked to write down what game shows he'd previously played on, with NBC only discovering it after his run was taped.
 * Ray, evidently not willing to accept being rightly outed by the network as a liar, decided to sue for his winnings, resulting in a legal battle that continued until 1991.
 * Big thanks to LawLink for posting the final appeal ruling from 5/28/91, which is the source of the above info (as well as some other info that isn't really relevant to this page).

1984

 * January 16-20, 1984: Unknown.
 * Wed: Bob/Roger/KATHY RILEY (Champ). [Kathy wins the $78,000 Cash Jackpot in a very awkward way...]


 * February 27-March 2, 1984: Unknown, unknown, gold coins ($9,600), trip on the Orient Express ($13,380), unknown, restored 1931 Ford Model A ($26,659).
 * Wed: Harry/Vicki/Ed ($149 to spend). Cash Jackpot: $79,000.
 * Jim no longer does the buzzer check at the start of the game, but still conducts Instant Bargains from his podium. Fame Game board still uses faces, although they're no longer introduced by Lee and Jim. Front game still ends with three $5 questions.

Speed Round replaces last three questions (began by 3/28/84)

With the change in how the game concluded (much more exciting than "I have three questions left.", honestly) and hence more spending cash, the endgame sale prices were upped to $75-$160-$245-$330-$435-$540-$650-$760.

Per recollections, the Speed Round originally lasted 90 seconds before being dropped to the standard 60. If so, the endgame sale prices were likely raised even higher than the aforementioned setup.

Also by March 28, the Fame Game board adds cash bonuses and replaces the faces with numbers. While some versions of Sale used the faces and others used the numbers, this is the only iteration I'm aware of that actually changed from one to the other.

Jim now conducts Instant Bargains next to them, standard Fame Game board debuts (began by 3/28/84)
 * March 26-30, 1984: Video camera, VHS recorder, and TV ($3,207), room full of furniture ($5,178), tour of the South ($8,056), unknown, unknown, Mercedes-Benz ($23,880).
 * Wed: Nanci/Bob/DAWN McKELLAR ($572 to spend). [Dawn goes for the $99,000 Cash Jackpot.]
 * Jim notes that this week, Instant Bargains have a "Money Back Question" if someone buys one.


 * April 9-13, 1984: Electric organ ($4,500), BMW R65 motorcycle and sidecar ($6,099), 17-day tour of Eastern Europe ($8,450), 33-karat sapphire and diamond ring ($14,000), 17' Fleetwood travel trailer ($15,257), Cadillac Seville with cabriolet roof ($29,795).
 * Wed: Keith/Jane/DAVID RODGERS ($566 to spend). [David wins the $109,000 Cash Jackpot and leaves, retiring with $122,084!]
 * Speed Round still has the original "ding" as its clock appears.

Sale Surprise debuts (began by 5/3/84)
 * May 7-11, 1984: Unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, restored 1948 Ford convertible. [Theme of endgame prizes is "Back to the 40s".]
 * Thu: Paul/Susan/BILL BAXTER ($564 to spend). [Bill wins the $70,000 Cash Jackpot and leaves, retiring with $85,256!]
 * Rainbow buzzers are still present. Speed Round now has its standard "ding" as its clock appears. Logo pin still given to all players.

Revamped set (began by 5/17/84)

Logo pin no longer given to players (began by 5/17/84)
 * May 14-18, 1984: Unknown, unknown, trip to Germany, tea and coffee service ($12,000), gold and diamond jewelry ensemble ($15,000), Cadillac Seville ($29,589).
 * Thu: Gary/Andy/IAN BARONDESS ($305 to spend). Cash Jackpot: $54,000. [The entire Lot is valued at $129,147.]
 * Money Cards still have their original appearance. Closing credits are still done over a slowly-zooming-out shot of the darkened set.

Money Cards become red-on-yellow (began by 6/27/84)
 * May or so 1984: Unknown.
 * Fri: Tom/Bonnie/STEFAN CHASNOV ($572 to spend). [Stefan wins the $58,000 Cash Jackpot and leaves, retiring with $63,613!]
 * Fame Game board in the available footage shows an unusual "$5+" Money Card ("Five Plus", basically "$5 and Pick Again").

Closing credits now done over shots of shopping area (began by 6/27/84)
 * June 25-29, 1984: Unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, Datsun 300ZX ($26,194).
 * Wed: Kyle/Dick/STEPHANIE HOLMQUIST ($633 to spend). [Stephanie wins the $74,000 Cash Jackpot and leaves, retiring with $83,337!]
 * Thu: Players unknown. Cash Jackpot: $50,000.


 * July? 1984: Collection of sportswear ($3,000), Regal 5-foot bar and stools, plus a 45" rear-projection TV and VCR ($7,506), stereo system ($9,060), 26-day trip to South America ($12,170), diamond and platinum ring ($15,000), BMW 528E ($26,235).
 * ?: Monty/Sheila/DAVID HERELKO ($611 to spend). [David wins the $82,000 Cash Jackpot and leaves, retiring with $97,613!]


 * August? 1984: Home gym ($2,500), 45" rear-projection TV and VCR ($5,050), gold medallions ($10,000), 11-day trip to Athens ($11,976), 25' Catalina sailboat ($16,915), BMW 528E ($27,405).
 * ?: Terry/Tom/SUSAN WOLFE ($374 to spend). [Jim mentions that today is director Jerome Shaw's birthday.]
 * ?: ?/?/SUSAN WOLFE ($513 to spend).
 * ?: Veronica/Bill/SUSAN WOLFE ($608 to spend). [Susan wins the $61,000 Cash Jackpot and leaves, retiring with $69,798!]

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.

Unfortunately, with the new format came the ousting of the Cash Jackpot, replaced by a flat $50,000 bonus, which remained for the rest of the run.

Originally, nine-time champs still had to make a match on the Winner's Board, even though there would only be four numbers left. This was changed in May or June 1985 to simply have the champ pick one of two numbers to get their Day 9 prize.

1984, Continued

 * November? 1984: 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.]
 * "$100,000" graphic during intro does a slight vertical flip, with no flashing.
 * Tue: ?/?/Debbie (Day 2 - $9,675).


 * November 12-16, 1984: 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 the "$5+" Money Card. Jeff wins the car!]
 * Winner's Board still uses asterisks to cover the numbers picked by an ongoing champ on prior days.


 * November 19-23, 1984: 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.


 * December 10-14, 1984: Unknown, [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+). [Margerite wins the car!]
 * Sale Surprise cue is still a ringing bell.


 * December 17-21, 1984: 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).


 * December 24-28, 1984 (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+). [Lee Menning's last episode, though no mention seems to be made of this.]

Summer Bartholomew becomes hostess (began 12/31/84)
 * December 31, 1984-January 4, 1985 (College Players, continued): unknown.
 * Mon: ?/?/Dean (Day 2 - $3,918).

1985

 * Unknown, 1985: Unknown. [Winner's Board includes a dining room set, a big-screen TV, a car stereo, a trip to Barbados, a piano, and a video camera.]
 * ?: Jonathan/Kim/Michael (Champ). [Has the "pick a number" Fame Game and Summer is hostess, but that's about all I can determine (the available footage begins shortly before the last Fame Game and ends just into the description of the picked Winner's Board prize, with no questions that could help with dating).]
 * While Jim says the winner is "going shopping", this is probably just a slip of the tongue due to the nighttime show.

Sale Surprise cue becomes a series of clangs (began by about 1/7/85)
 * January 1985: Diamond ring, jet ski, fur coat, trip to Mexico City, Audi 5000S. [Winner's Board also has a wine credenza, a silver tea service, and a set of dining room furniture.]
 * Wed: JOHN DEVERO/?/?.
 * Thu: Bob/Cindy/JOHN DEVERO (Day 2). [Placement based on a promo which has clips of this episode and the one below.]
 * Fri: Philip/Kathleen/JOHN DEVERO (Day 3 - $10,069). [Each player finds a Money Card, and John wins with $103!]
 * "$100,000" graphic during intro is still yellow and flashes. Sale prices still have their original appearance.


 * January 1985: Unknown.
 * Mon: ?/?/JOHN DEVERO (Day 4 - $11,988). [John is defeated here, as he appears in the 1985 TOC (see below) with a total of just $13,713.]

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)
 * February 4-8, 1985: 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.]


 * February 11-15/18-22, 1985 (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 $10,000). Presumably due to the endgame overhaul, this Tournament is structured differently than the 1983 one: 18 champs are present (from both the Shopping and early Winner's Board eras, suggesting there was no Tournament in '84), and the structure results in an unusual two-player Finals.]
 * 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 (unknown)/Chris Price (unknown)/Tim O'Rourke ($62,843).
 * Wed2: Jeff Hewitt/Bill Baxter/Steve Warren. [Semifinal #2.]
 * Thu2: Jeff Hewitt/Stephanie Holmquist. [Finals, Day 1. Structured as best-of-three.]
 * Fri2: Jeff Hewitt/Stephanie Holmquist. [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)
 * April 1-5, 1985: 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.]


 * April 8-12, 1985: 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 bonus, 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!]


 * April 15-19, 1985: 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).


 * April 22-26, 1985: 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!]


 * April 29-May 3, 1985: 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).


 * May 6-10, 1985: 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.]


 * May 13-17, 1985: 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)
 * May or June 1985: 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 bonus, 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)
 * July 1-5, 1985 (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).


 * July 8-12, 1985: 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)
 * July 15-19, 1985: 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).


 * July 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).


 * July 29-August 2, 1985: 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).


 * August 5-9, 1985: 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).


 * August 12-16, 1985: 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).


 * August 19-23, 1985 (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: J.B./Paige/Steve (Day 2 - $1,733).


 * August 26-30, 1985: 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)
 * September 2-6, 1985: 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).


 * September 9-13, 1985: 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).


 * September 16-20, 1985: 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.]
 * Tue: ?/?/Earl (Day 2).


 * September or October 1985: 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).]


 * September or October 1985: 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)
 * October 14-18, 1985: 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).


 * November 1985: 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)
 * November 25-27/29, 1985: 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).


 * December? 1985: 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 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)
 * December 23-24/26-27, 1985: 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). [Likely Judy Cahill's first game.]

1986

 * January 6-10, 1986: 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.


 * February 10-14, 1986: 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). [Jim plugs next week's Home Viewer Sweepstakes.]
 * Still has the third Instant Bargain.


 * February 17-21, 1986: Unknown. [Home Viewer Sweepstakes runs for at least this week.]
 * Mon: ?/?/Saundria (Day 2 - $7,270).


 * May 1986: Dining room, diamond earrings, Rockwell lithograph, trip to the Virgin Islands, Ford Taurus.
 * ?: ?/?/RICHARD WHITE (Day 8 - $36,011). [Uncertain placement.]

Instant Cash replaces last Instant Bargain (began by late 5/86)
 * May 1986: 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 $4,000. [Jim plugs the home game, suggesting it was just released recently. Clip shown of Gabrielle winning the $10,000 last time.]
 * The home game is given to all players, and while this isn't mentioned on-air every day the game's publisher (American Publishing Corp.) is consistently present in the sponsor list. Unlike the game's print runs in Australia and New Zealand, the American Sale game has no pictures of the host or set (heck, not even the game's commercial had any connection to the show!).
 * ?: ?/?/Barry (Day 2 - $4,761). Instant Cash is $5,000.


 * Unknown, 1986 (College Week): Piano, emerald ring, large-screen TV, trip to Australia, Nissan 300ZX. [Winner's Board also has a stereo system and a rolltop desk.]
 * Mon: Brian/?/?. Instant Cash is $5,000. [First day of a Home Viewer Sweepstakes. Brian hits Mystery Money or Try Again in the last Fame Game, declines, then hits the $25 Money Card!]
 * Tue: Dave/Mary/Brian (Day 2 - $3,173). Instant Cash is $6,000. [One question is about the 1986 Academy Awards, held 3/24/86. Speed Round clock still has the Winner's Circle timer sound.]
 * Wed: ?/?/Brian (Day 3 - approx. $8,373). Instant Cash is $7,000. [Jim didn't give Brian's grand total on the previous show.]


 * July 7-11, 1986: Wicker living room, gold watch, motorscooter, trip to Alaska, BMW 325
 * Mon: Kevin/Pat/Dick (Day 4 - $13,498). Instant Cash is $8,000. [Speed Round clock still has the Winner's Circle timer sound.]
 * Tue: ?/?/Dick (Day 5 - $17,696). Instant Cash is $1,000.

Second Speed Round clock sound introduced (began by 8/5/86)
 * August 4-8, 1986: Piano, diamond earrings, personal computer, trip to Hawaii, Porsche
 * Mon: ?/?/Ellen (Day 4). Instant Cash is unknown.
 * Tue: Deborah/Michael/Ellen (Day 5 - $16,500+). Instant Cash is $1,000.
 * Wed: ?/?/Ellen (Day 6 - $19,719). Instant Cash is $2,000. [Ellen wins the car!]
 * Thu: JODY SPRECKLES (Day 10 - $53,000+)/Aldo/Ellen (Day 7 - $44,609). Instant Cash is $3,000. [Jody wins the $3,000 to clear the Winner's Board!]
 * Jody is back due to an error in her original 10th game (which took place some time prior to the debut of the Instant Cash).
 * Fri: J.T./Jim/JODY SPRECKLES (Day 11 - $57,012). Instant Cash is $4,000. [Jody wins the $50,000 bonus, retiring with $107,462!]


 * September 1-5, 1986: 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 $1,000.
 * Tue: VINCE WALDRON/?/?. Instant Cash is $2,000. [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 $1,000. [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 $2,000.
 * Fri: Bryan/Anna/AL McDONALD (Day 3 - $8,043). Instant Cash is $3,000.


 * September 8-12, 1986: 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 $4,000.
 * Tue: Raymond/Carol/AL McDONALD (Day 5 - $13,647). Instant Cash is $5,000.
 * Wed: Ed/Cindy/AL McDONALD (Day 6 - $18,535). Instant Cash is $6,000.
 * Thu: Ort/Barbra/AL McDONALD (Day 7 - $23,085). Instant Cash is $1,000.
 * Fri: Rob/Rebecca/AL McDONALD (Day 8 - $26,563). Instant Cash is $2,000. [Al has the three major prizes remaining, and wins the $10,000!]


 * September 15-19, 1986: 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 $1,000. [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 $2,000. [Al plays for the car to clear the Winner's Board.]
 * Wed: Gordon/Diane/MICHAEL NEWKIRK (Day 2 - $3,222). Instant Cash is $3,000.
 * Thu: Players unknown. Instant Cash is $4,000.


 * October 6-10, 1986: 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 $8,000.
 * Tue: Players unknown. Instant Cash is $9,000.
 * Wed: Wayne/?/?. Instant Cash is $10,000.
 * Thu: ?/?/Wayne (Day 2). Instant Cash is $1,000.
 * Fri: Casey/Missouri/Wayne (Day 3 - $18,037). Instant Cash is $2,000. [Jim notes that Wayne won it for $10,000 "a couple of days ago".]


 * October 13-17, 1986: 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 $3,000.
 * Tue: ?/?/Alison (Day 2 - $4,348). Instant Cash is $4,000.

1987
Copyright byline enlarged and now uses lowercase lettering as well (began by 3/30/87)
 * May 25-29, 1987 (College Week): Large-screen TV, stereo, personal computer, trip to Paris, Fiero. [Winner's Board also has gold coins and video equipment.]
 * Mon: Players unknown. Instant Cash is $1,000.
 * Tue: Kana/?/?. Instant Cash is $2,000.
 * Wed: ?/?/Kana (Day 2). Instant Cash is $3,000.
 * Thu: ?/?/Kana (Day 3). Instant Cash is $4,000.
 * Fri: Linda/Hugh/Kana (Day 4 - $11,553). Instant Cash is $1,000. [Kana hit it for $4,000 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.]


 * June 1-5, 1987: Unknown.
 * Mon: Hugh (Day 2 - $3,521)/?/LINDA CREDIT (Day 6). Instant Cash is $2,000.
 * Tue: ?/?/LINDA CREDIT (Day 7). Instant Cash is $3,000.
 * Wed: ?/?/LINDA CREDIT (Day 8). Instant Cash is $4,000.
 * Thu: ?/?/LINDA CREDIT (Day 9). Instant Cash is $5,000.
 * Fri: ?/?/LINDA CREDIT (Day 10). Instant Cash is $6,000. [Linda plays to clear the Winner's Board.]


 * June 8-12, 1987: 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 $7,000. [Linda wins the $50,000 bonus, retiring with $140,457!]
 * Tue: JOHN HOMA/?/?. Instant Cash is $8,000.
 * Wed: ?/?/JOHN HOMA (Day 2). Instant Cash is $9,000. [John wins the car!]
 * Thu: Bob/Kathy/JOHN HOMA (Day 3 - $24,782). Instant Cash is $10,000. [Clip shown of John winning the car yesterday.]
 * Fri: Greg/Sheena/JOHN HOMA (Day 4 - $32,012). Instant Cash is $11,000. [American Publishing Corp. is still present in the sponsor list, indicating that players still get the home game.]


 * June 15-19, 1987: Unknown.
 * Mon: ?/?/JOHN HOMA (Day 5 - $38,050). Instant Cash is $12,000. [Per recollections, John went on to claim Instant Cash for $17,000 and 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.]


 * October 5-9, 1987: 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 $1,000.
 * Wed: ?/?/TOM O'BRIEN (Day 8). Instant Cash is $2,000.
 * Thu: ?/?/TOM O'BRIEN (Day 9). Instant Cash is $3,000.
 * Fri: Keith/Karen/Gary. Instant Cash is $4,000. [Jay Stewart appears on-camera!]


 * October 12-16, 1987: Patio furniture, piano, fur jacket, trip to the Caribbean, Audi.
 * Mon: ?/Keith (Day 2 - $4,960)/TOM O'BRIEN (Day 10). Instant Cash is $5,000. [Tom plays to clear the Winner's Board.]
 * Tue: Scott/Rita/TOM O'BRIEN (Day 11 - $102,000). Instant Cash is $6,000. [Tom wins the $50,000 bonus, retiring with $152,847!]
 * Jim notes that Tom has $81,400 cash, though I'm really not sure how that happened. By this point, American Publishing Corp. is no longer mentioned in the sponsor list, indicating that the home game has been discontinued.
 * Wed: Players unknown. Instant Cash is $7,000.

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, each day's winner got 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.

While the WBMG was certainly a more interesting watch than the Winner's Board endgame, it was recycled from Grundy's unsold Matchmates and was a lousy fit for Sale. While the payouts were certainly decent ($5,000-$6,000-$7,000-$8,000-$9,000-$10,000-Car-$50,000), the six-word puzzles tended to have the first three be unhelpful (such as "FAMOUS AUTHOR WROTE" or "FICTIONAL PLACE WHERE"), the words popped in at a slightly slower rate than one per second, and there was no consolation payout for solving some puzzles but failing to win (meaning that players had no incentive to keep playing after it became clear they weren't going to win).

By far the biggest issue, though, was how the $50,000 bonus was handled - champs had to win the car to try for that final WBMG level, which I wouldn't mind if losing the car-level WBMG didn't end your run right there. Yes, really - no coming back to try again, you just retired.

1987, Continued
Reg Grundy Productions logo animation changes from chroma-keyed model to CGI graphic (began by 12/30/87)
 * December 28, 1987-January 1, 1988: Spa, grandfather clock, diamond earrings, trip to New York, Ford Thunderbird.
 * Mon: Anna Maria/Grover/Francine (Day 2 - $3,999). Instant Cash is $1,000. [Not the debut of the WBMG. Jim's comments suggest this is early on, possibly the second week.]
 * Tue: Al/?/Francine (Day 3 - $10,000+). Instant Cash is $2,000.
 * Wed: Marc/Betty/Al (Day 2 - $3,929). Instant Cash is $3,000.
 * Thu: ?/?/Marc (Day 2 - $8,970). Instant Cash is $4,000.
 * Fri: ?/?/?. Instant Cash is $1,000.

1988

 * January 11-15, 1988: Brass bed, jukebox, gold coins, trip to London, Jeep.
 * Mon: Players unknown. Instant Cash is $7,000.
 * Tue: TOM COLLINS/?/?. Instant Cash is $8,000.
 * Wed: ?/?/TOM COLLINS (Day 2). Instant Cash is $9,000.
 * Thu: Charles/Karin/TOM COLLINS (Day 3 - $14,260). Instant Cash is $10,000. [Jay Stewart is still announcer.]
 * Fri: ?/?/TOM COLLINS (Day 4 - $25,753). Instant Cash is $11,000.

Don Morrow becomes announcer (began by 1/20/88)
 * January 18-22, 1988: Complete kitchen, artwork, diamond bracelet, trip to New Zealand, Saab.
 * Mon: ?/?/TOM COLLINS (Day 5). Instant Cash is unknown.
 * Tue: ?/?/TOM COLLINS (Day 6). Instant Cash is unknown.
 * Wed: Eric/Janis/TOM COLLINS (Day 7 - $50,847). Instant Cash is unknown. [Don Morrow still refers to the end game as "our brand-new Winner's Big Money Game" in the show opening.]
 * Thu: Players and Instant Cash unknown.


 * February 1-5/8-9, 1988 (Tournament of Champions): Personal computer, console piano, diamond pendant, trip to Fiji, Mercedes-Benz. [Has nine players, all from the Winner's Board era, with the WBMG played for $5,000 during the Semifinals.]
 * Mon: Andy Ross ($81,900)/Linda Credit ($140,457)/Bob Rafael ($65,000+). Instant Cash is $1,000. [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 $2,000.
 * Wed: Ben Wang (~$50,000)/John Homa (~$88,000)/Diane Cross (~$77,000). Instant Cash is $3,000. [Jim notes that Ben started his run during a College Week.]
 * Thu: Diane Cross/Linda Credit/Tom O'Brien. Instant Cash is $4,000. [Finals, Day 1. Structured as "first to win two games" with the WBMG played for $10,000 until someone does, at which point s/he gets another $10,000 and plays the WBMG for the car.]
 * Fri: Diane Cross/Linda Credit/Tom O'Brien. Instant Cash is $1,000. [Finals, Day 2.]
 * Mon2: Diane Cross/Linda Credit/Tom O'Brien. Instant Cash is $2,000. [Finals, Day 3. Winner's prize is still picked at start of second segment. Winner's Board still has its original appearance and staging.]
 * Tue2: Diane Cross/Linda Credit/Tom O'Brien. Instant Cash is $3,000. [Finals, Day 4. Diane wins the Tournament and the car, leaving with a new grand total of $146,995!]

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 (began by 4/11/88)
 * March or April 1988 (taped 2/88): Unknown, unknown, unknown, 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 $5,000. [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 $6,000. [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 $1,000. [Second question mentions April 15 as upcoming.]
 * Thu: ?/?/Bud (Day 2). Instant Cash is $2,000.

Standard intro returns
 * March or so 1988: Large-screen TV, Erté artwork, diamond ring, Scandinavian cruise, Oldsmobile.
 * Mon: Kevin/Andi/Bill (Day 3 - $16,746). Instant Cash is $1,000. [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 $2,000.


 * May 1988: Patio furniture, computer, ring, trip to Florida, "cabriolet" (convertible).
 * Thu: Karen/Jim/RANI WHITE (Day 6 - $51,627). Instant Cash is $3,000 (third show in a row it's been in #3). [Rani wins with $100, then gets the $10,000!] [Jim mentions that Rani has won the WBMG in each of her first four games, but missed it for $9,000 yesterday.]
 * Fri: ?/?/RANI WHITE (Day 7 - $65,641). Instant Cash is $4,000.


 * May 1988: 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 bonus, retiring with $140,011!]
 * Tue: Players and Instant Cash value unknown.

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


 * Unknown, 1988: Computer, diamond ring, exercise bike, trip to Ireland, "luxury automobile".
 * Mon: Players unknown. Instant Cash is $13,000.
 * Tue: Robin/?/?. Instant Cash is $14,000.
 * Wed: ?/?/Robin (Day 2). Instant Cash is $15,000.
 * Thu: Katie/Stan/Robin (Day 3 - $12,394). Instant Cash is $16,000.
 * Fri: Michelle/Paul/Robin (Day 4 - $17,118). Instant Cash is $1,000.


 * Unknown, 1988: 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 $2,000.
 * Tue: Marge/Anthony/Robin (Day 6 - $25,606). Instant Cash is $1,000.
 * Wed: Jeanne/Win/Robin (Day 7 - $38,337). Instant Cash is $2,000. [Robin loses the car-level WBMG, retiring with $41,537.]
 * Thu: Linda/Steve/Gloria. Instant Cash is $3,000.
 * Fri: ?/?/Linda (Day 2 - $4,940). Instant Cash is $4,000.


 * Unknown, 1988: Unknown, unknown, unknown, 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 $1,000. [Terry won Instant Cash for $4,000 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 $2,000.


 * Unknown, 1988: Patio furniture, piano, diamond ring, trip to Barbados, "luxury automobile".
 * Mon: Players unknown. Instant Cash is $1,000.
 * Tue: Players unknown. Instant Cash is $2,000.
 * Wed: Terrill/?/?. Instant Cash is $3,000.
 * Thu: Vikki/Chip/Terrill (Day 2 - $4,397). Instant Cash is $4,000.
 * Fri: ?/?/Chip (Day 2 - $2,144). Instant Cash is $5,000.


 * July 4-8, 1988 (1404-1408): Unknown. [Not known to have been seen on USA.]
 * Mon: Players unknown. Instant Cash is $3,000.
 * Mon: Players unknown. Instant Cash is $4,000.
 * Mon: Players unknown. Instant Cash is $5,000.
 * Thu: Christy/?/?. Instant Cash is $6,000. [WBMG won!]
 * Fri: ?/?/Christy (Day 2 - at least $5,000). Instant Cash is $7,000. [WBMG won!]


 * July 11-15, 1988 (1409-1413/Varsity Week, aka "High School Students Week"): Large-screen TV, pair of motorscooters, miniboat, Jeep, trip to the 1988 Summer Olympics (Seoul, Korea). [Instant Cash and WBMG are worth $2,000 and $5,000 all week. Winner's Board has just five numbers to pick from, the sixth card instead saying "VARSITY WEEK". Winner of the week gets the Jeep and Olympics package.]
 * Mon: Rudy/?/?.
 * Tue: Tim/Heather/Jason. [First, and earliest, NBC episode aired by Buzzr.]
 * Wed: Ilene/Mike/Brandi.
 * Thu: Mary Ann/David/Whitney. [Also circulates from a USA broadcast.]
 * Fri: Jonah/Marnee/Mark.


 * July 18-22, 1988 (1414-1418): Miniboat, gold ring, dining furniture, trip to Aruba, Volkswagen Jetta. [Not known to have been seen on USA.]
 * Mon: Debra/Oscar/Christy (Day 3 - $24,212). Instant Cash is $8,000.
 * Tue: Tara/Alan/Christy (Day 4 - $27,744). Instant Cash is $9,000.
 * Wed: Gail/Dan/Tara (Day 2 - $11,525). Instant Cash is $10,000.
 * Thu: Noie/Ralph/Tara (Day 3 - $20,440). Instant Cash is $11,000. [Also circulates from original broadcast, with commercials.]
 * Fri: Linda/Mo/Tara (Day 4 - $24,374). Instant Cash is $12,000. [Tara wins with $120!]

Winner's Board removed (began by 8/26/88)

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.

On November 28, the turntable backdrop used for Instant Cash no longer varies from show to show, instead settling on a style based on the "fan" backing at the top of the Instant Cash prop. Of note is that this backdrop had debuted earlier (definitely by November 1) as one of the varying designs.


 * August 22-26, 1988: Brass bed, piano, diamond earrings, trip to the Bahamas, "luxury automobile".
 * Thu: Bart/?/?. Instant Cash is $1,000.
 * Fri: Bryan/Barbara/Bart (Day 2 - $9,080). Instant Cash is $1,000. [Jim notes that Instant Cash has been won two days in a row, and also plugs the upcoming "End of Summer Bash" shows.]


 * August 29-September 2, 1988 (End of Summer Bash, aka "High School Students Week"): Audio/video system, personal computer, trip to Hawaii, Jeep. [Instant Cash is worth $2,000 all week.]
 * Mon: Players unknown.
 * Tue: Alan/Jennifer/Erik.
 * Wed: Jason/Erin/Robert.
 * Thu: Lauren/Andy/Darcey.
 * Fri: Anne/Chris/Evelyn.


 * September 5-9, 1988: Living room set, artwork, gold watch, trip to New England, Sterling 825S.
 * Mon: Steve/Florence/Bart (Day 3 - $12,004). Instant Cash is $2,000.
 * Tue: Jim/Elaine/Bart (Day 4 - $23,242). Instant Cash is $3,000.
 * Wed: ?/?/Elaine (Day 2 - $11,074). Instant Cash is $4,000.
 * Thu: ?/?/Elaine (Day 3). Instant Cash is $1,000.
 * Fri: Diane/Damon/Elaine (Day 4 - $34,219). Instant Cash is $2,000.


 * September 12-16, 1988: Stereo system, spa, pearl necklace, trip to Mexico, Volkswagen Jetta.
 * Mon: Rhona/Jim/Elaine (Day 5 - $49,999). Instant Cash is $3,000. [Summer Bartholomew is the answer to the first Fame Game question!]
 * Tue: Stacy/Jeff/Elaine (Day 6 - $67,688). Instant Cash is $1,000.
 * Wed: Marisa/Rin/Stacy (Day 2 - $1,600). Instant Cash is $2,000.
 * Thu: ?/?/Stacy (Day 3 - $11,189). Instant Cash is $3,000.

[The below two weeks may actually be in August. I'm not 100% sure yet.]


 * September? 1988: Grandfather clock, artwork, diamond bracelet, trip to Australia, Camaro.
 * ?: Josh/Kathy/Kelton (Day 2 - $7,899). Instant Cash is $3,000. [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 $4,000.


 * September? 1988: Large-screen TV, baby grand piano, diamond watch, trip to the Caribbean, Ford Thunderbird.
 * ?: Steve/Chris/Dan (Day 2 - $5,036). Instant Cash is $8,000.
 * ?: ?/?/Dan (Day 3 - $10,846). Instant Cash is $9,000.


 * October 3-7, 1988 (1468-1472): Personal computer, artwork, diamond pendant, trip to Hong Kong, Jeep.
 * Mon: Royal/Hi/Chou Chou (Day 3 - $14,355). Instant Cash is $2,000. [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 $3,000.
 * Wed: Rhonelda/Kyle/Arlene (Day 2 - $3,299). Instant Cash is $4,000. [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 $5,000.
 * Fri: Nick/Ella/PHIL CAMBRY (Day 2 - $10,958). Instant Cash is $6,000. [Jim plugs Pep Rally Week as being the next five shows.]

Money Cards changed to final designs (began 10/10/88)
 * October 10-14, 1988 (1473-1477/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 $2,000. [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).]


 * October 17-21, 1988 (1478-1482): Living room furniture, fur jacket, jukebox, trip to New York, "luxury automobile".
 * Mon: Michael/Janet/PHIL CAMBRY (Day 3 - $15,182). Instant Cash is $7,000. [Jim mentions that the last five shows had college players.]
 * Tue: John/Bonnie/PHIL CAMBRY (Day 4 - $21,381). Instant Cash is $8,000.
 * Wed: ?/?/PHIL CAMBRY (Day 5 - $27,980). Instant Cash is $9,000.
 * Thu: ?/?/PHIL CAMBRY (Day 6). Instant Cash is $10,000.
 * Fri: ?/?/PHIL CAMBRY (Day 7). Instant Cash is $11,000.


 * October 24-28/31, 1988 (1483-1488/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 $1,000. [Phil won it for $11,000 last time. Phil loses the WBMG, retiring with $91,323.]
 * Tue: Players unknown. Instant Cash is $2,000.
 * ?: Scott/Denise/Jay. Instant Cash is unknown. [Seen in a promo for this week.]
 * Mon2: Jim/?/?. Instant Cash is unknown.


 * November 1-4, 1988 (1489-1492): Baby grand piano, diamond bracelet, "family of bikes", trip to Atlantic City, Audi.
 * Tue: Azeem/Donna/Jim (Day 2 - $7,545). Instant Cash is $1,000.
 * Wed: Peter/Margie/Jim (Day 3 - $19,830). Instant Cash is $2,000.
 * Thu: Noel/Christie/Jim (Day 4 - $29,910). Instant Cash is $3,000.
 * Fri: Lisa/Brian/Christie (Day 2 - $3,950). Instant Cash is $4,000. [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".]


 * November 7-11/14-18, 1988 (1493-1502/Salute to True Romance).
 * Mon: Margaret/Steven/Melanie.
 * Tue: Steve/Esther/Raymond. [Has a horrible WBMG run!]
 * Wed: Players unknown.
 * 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.]


 * November 21-23, 1988 (1503-1505): 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 $5,000.
 * Tue: Lucinda/Fred/Diane (Day 2 - $5,691). Instant Cash is $6,000.
 * Wed: Emil/?/Fred (Day 2 - $12,329). Instant Cash is $7,000.
 * [No episodes aired on 11/24-25.]

Instant Cash turntable backdrop no longer varies (began 11/28/88)
 * November 28-December 2, 1988 (1506-1510): Kitchen, fur jacket, jewelry, trip to England, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme.
 * Mon: Joe/Dominique/Emil (Day 2 - $4,000). Instant Cash is $8,000.
 * Tue: Rick/Pattie/Emil (Day 3 - $8,516). Instant Cash is $9,000. [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 $1,000.
 * Thu: Bonnie/Howard/Pattie (Day 3 - $10,912). Instant Cash is $2,000.
 * Fri: Sharon/Rick/Pattie (Day 4 - $18,462). Instant Cash is $3,000.


 * December 5-9, 1988 (1511-1515): Spa, artwork, diamond bracelet, trip to the Virgin Islands, Volkswagen Cabriolet.
 * Mon: Ann/Larry/Pattie (Day 5 - $23,749). Instant Cash is $4,000.
 * Tue: Carla/Jamie/Ann (Day 2 - $4,548). Instant Cash is $5,000.
 * Wed: Ruth/Walt/Carla (Day 2 - $12,139). Instant Cash is $1,000.
 * Thu: Mary/Gianni/Carla (Day 3 - $17,692). Instant Cash is $2,000.
 * Fri: Vivenne/Sean/Carla (Day 4 - $27,787). Instant Cash is $3,000.


 * December 12-16, 1988 (1516-1520): 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 $4,000. [Skipped by GSN!]
 * Tue: CHIP ESTEN/Bonnie/Matt (Day 2 - $2,538). Instant Cash is $5,000.
 * Wed: Tony/Michelle/CHIP ESTEN (Day 2 - $8,562). Instant Cash is $6,000.
 * Thu: Godfrey/Kimberly/CHIP ESTEN (Day 3 - $13,952). Instant Cash is $7,000.
 * Fri: Johnny/Kathy/CHIP ESTEN (Day 4 - $27,898). Instant Cash is $1,000.


 * December 19-23, 1988 (1521-1525): 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 $2,000.
 * Tue: ?/?/Karen (Day 2). Instant Cash is $1,000.
 * Wed: Nancy/Randy/Karen (Day 3 - $21,420). Instant Cash is $2,000.
 * Thu: Angela/?/Randy (Day 2 - $2,900). Instant Cash is $3,000.
 * Fri: Ursula/Jeff/Angela (Day 2 - $5,100). Instant Cash is $4,000. [Copyright notice is still "©1988 REG GRUNDY PRODUCTIONS, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED".]


 * December 26-30, 1988 (1526-1530): Unknown. [Full week skipped by GSN!]
 * Mon: ?/?/Angela (Day 3 - $10,998). Instant Cash is $1,000.
 * Fri: Kerry/?/?. Instant Cash is unknown.

1989
Copyright notice changes to "©1989 GRUNDY INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS LTD. All Rights Reserved" (began by 1/3/89)
 * January 3-6, 1989 (1531-1534): 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 $1,000.
 * Wed: Todd/Jill/Kerry (Day 3 - $17,744). Instant Cash is $2,000.
 * Thu: Bill/Janet/Kerry (Day 4 - $28,843). Instant Cash is $3,000.
 * Fri: Nick/Cheryl/Kerry (Day 5 - $36,451). Instant Cash is $1,000. [Skipped by GSN!]


 * January 9-13, 1989 (1535-1539): Living room set, artwork, his-and-hers watches, trip to Mexico, Jeep.
 * Mon: Jim/Julie/Kerry (Day 6 - $48,800). Instant Cash is $2,000.
 * Tue: Steve/LaRAE DILLMAN/Kerry (Day 7 - $54,066). Instant Cash is $3,000.
 * Wed: Pat/DON BENN/LaRAE DILLMAN (Day 2 - $4,820). Instant Cash is $4,000.
 * Thu: Paula/John/LaRAE DILLMAN (Day 3 - $14,226). Instant Cash is $5,000.
 * Fri: Ann/Jamie/LaRAE DILLMAN (Day 4 - $21,706). Instant Cash is $1,000.


 * January 16-19, 1989 (1540-1543): Brass bed, 35mm camera, diamond necklace, trip to Miami Beach, Camaro Z28.
 * Mon: Barbara/Sam/LaRAE DILLMAN (Day 5 - $24,306). Instant Cash is $2,000.
 * Tue: C.J./Paul/LaRAE DILLMAN (Day 6 - $29,234). Instant Cash is $1,000.
 * Wed: Abbe Jaye/Harvey/LaRAE DILLMAN (Day 7 - $36,937). Instant Cash is $2,000. [LaRae loses the car-level WBMG, retiring with $44,756.]
 * Thu: Jackie/Ray/Philly. Instant Cash is $3k.
 * [No episode aired on 1/20.]


 * January 23-27, 1989 (1544-1548): Den furniture, diamond bracelet, fur jackets, trip to Hawaii, Ford Taurus.
 * Mon: Craig/Eileen/Ray (Day 2 - $6,556). Instant Cash is $4,000. [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 $1,000.
 * Wed: Don/Judy/Victor (Day 2 - $8,414). Instant Cash is $2,000.
 * Thu: Robb/Kathleen/Don (Day 2 - $5,268). Instant Cash is $1,000.
 * Fri: Leo/Teri/Robb (Day 2 - $7,700). Instant Cash is $2,000.


 * January 30-February 3, 1989 (1549-1553): Computer, Erté artwork, game table, trip to Bermuda, Jeep.
 * Mon: Charlie/Laura/Leo (Day 2 - $2,809). Instant Cash is $3,000.
 * Tue: Steve/Lori/Charlie (Day 2 - $5,312). Instant Cash is $4,000.
 * Wed: Lou/Dawna/Steve (Day 2 - $10,864). Instant Cash is $5,000.
 * Thu: ?/?/Steve (Day 3 - $16,748). Instant Cash is $1,000. [Skipped by GSN!]
 * Fri: Robert/?/?. Instant Cash is $2,000. [Skipped by GSN!]


 * February 6-10, 1989 (1554-1558): 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 $3,000.
 * Tue: Tony/Karen/Robert (Day 3 - $15,645). Instant Cash is $4,000.
 * Wed: Gail/?/Robert (Day 4 - $21,940). Instant Cash is $5,000. [Skipped by GSN!]
 * Thu: Judy/Michael/Gail (Day 2 - $4,645). Instant Cash is $1,000.
 * Fri: Bob/Lee/Michael (Day 2 - $5,269). Instant Cash is $2,000.


 * February 13-17, 1989 (1559-1563/Brides Week): Caribbean cruise, crystal-and-dinnerware set, complete kitchen, trip to St. Thomas, Ford Probe. [Instant Cash and WBMG are worth $2,000 and $5,000 all week.]
 * Mon: Stacey/Judi/Susan.
 * Tue: Sheryl/Lisa/Stella.
 * Wed: Susan/Dorothy/Christine.
 * Thu: Marlene/Lori/Sharon.
 * Fri: Karen/Trudy/Heidi.


 * February 20-24, 1989 (1564-1568): Brass bed, stereo system, Oriental rug, trip to New York City, Oldsmobile Cutlass.
 * Mon: Pat/Katie/Bob (Day 2 - $7,930). Instant Cash is $3,000.
 * Tue: Matt/Kathy/Pat (Day 2 - $2,849). Instant Cash is $4,000.
 * Wed: Charles/Mary/Pat (Day 3 - $6,098). Instant Cash is $5,000.
 * Thu: Kevin/Christa/Pat (Day 4 - $8,233). Instant Cash is $6,000.
 * Fri: Jim/Christine/Kevin (Day 2 - $5,900). Instant Cash is $7,000.


 * February 27-March 3, 1989 (1569-1573): Living room set, jewelry, stereo, trip to Colorado, Volkswagen.
 * Mon: Michael/Laurel/Kevin (Day 3 - $11,275). Instant Cash is $8,000.
 * Tue: DARRELL GARRISON/Stephanie/Kevin (Day 4 - $22,013). Instant Cash is $9,000.
 * Wed: Jake/Ceacy/DARRELL GARRISON (Day 2 - $8,600). Instant Cash is $10,000.
 * Thu: Bernie/Cyndi/DARRELL GARRISON (Day 3 - $21,049). Instant Cash is $11,000.
 * Fri: Mike/Cynthia/DARRELL GARRISON (Day 4 - $25,991). Instant Cash is $12,000.

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


 * March 20-24, 1989 (1574-1578/Finale week): Baby grand piano, diamond watch, artwork, trip to Hawaii, Jeep.
 * Mon: John/Nansi/DARRELL GARRISON (Day 5 - $40,670). Instant Cash is $13,000.
 * Tue: Ray/Terrie/DARRELL GARRISON (Day 6 - $54,250). Instant Cash is $14,000.
 * Wed: Kurt/Cher/DARRELL GARRISON (Day 7 - $72,148). Instant Cash is $15,000. [Darrell loses the car-level WBMG, retiring with $79,348.]
 * Thu: John/Gina/Ted. Instant Cash is $16,000.
 * Fri: Frank/Jody Lee/John (Day 2 - $3,736). Instant Cash is $1,000. [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.]