Sale of the Century/Quotes & Catchphrases

Opening Spiels
Original version opening spiel:

"Today on the Sale of the Century, the total retail value of our prizes is more than $XX,XXX. These three players/two couples will have an opportunity to buy these prizes. (Players names, hometown, and occupation), (and welcome back our returning champion(s)) (champion(s)) who told us (s)he/they would like to buy (prizes)) And now here is the star of the Sale of the Century, Jack Kelly/Joe Garagiola!"

80s 1st NBC opening spiel:

''"Today on America's biggest bargain sale we're offering a brand new car/(insert car name) valued at $XX,XXX for $XXX. (A [insert prize] valued at $XX,XXX for $XXX.) (A cash jackpot of $XX,XXX for $XXX.) Cash & prizes worth over $100,000 for $XXX. Two of the incredible bargains on... (echoing) Sale of the Century." And now, here's the star of the show, Jim Perry!''

80s 1st Syndicated opening spiel (early episodes):

''"Today/Tonight on America's biggest bargain sale we're offering a brand new car/(insert car name) valued at $XX,XXX for $610. All of the prizes and the Cash Jackpot of $XX,000/Cash & prizes worth over $100,000 for $830. Two of the incredible bargains on... (echoing) Sale of the Century." And now, here's the star of the show, Jim Perry!''

80s 1st Syndicated opening spiel:

''"Today/Tonight on America's biggest bargain sale we're offering a brand new car/(insert car name) valued at $XX,XXX for $530. Cash & prizes worth over $100,000 for $750. Two of the incredible bargains on... (echoing) Sale of the Century." And now, here's the star of the show, Jim Perry!''

80s 2nd opening spiel:

''"Today/this week, we're offering/one of our contestants/players will win (insert two/three prizes), and a trip to (insert trip). And continue a journey toward a fortune in cash & prizes, including (insert car or other vehicle) and $50,000 in cash. In total, over $100,000 on... (echoing) Sale of the Century." And now, here's the star of the show, Jim Perry!''

Catchphrases
"Welcome to Sale of the Century. Let's welcome back to our champion (insert name). Win today, you'll be playing the Winner's Big Money Game for (insert cash jackpot). - Jim Perry (on a returning champion on the last show during the Winner's Big Money Game era.)

"Here to introduce the challengers, Sally Julian/Lee Menning/Summer Bartholomew." - Jim Perry

"$20 to start you all off." - Jim Perry, starting the game

"Five dollars for the correct answer, he/she goes to $25" - Jim Perry on the first correct answer given to begin the game.

"You're right for another $5." - Jim Perry

"Oh, no. (insert correct answer). A quick buzzer cost you $5." - Jim Perry (on a contestant ringing in early and answered incorrectly.)

"It's time for an Instant Bargain. Player in the lead can buy bargain merchandise." - Jim Perry (at the start of the Instant Bargain.)

"It's normally priced at (insert amount), but it can be yours for only (insert amount) on Sale of The Century" - Hostess (1)

"It's normally priced at (insert amount), but today on Sale of The Century, it's yours for only (insert amount)." - Hostess (2)

"Going Once... Going Twice... No Sale!" - Jim Perry

"We'll knock the (insert amount) off your score..." - Jim Perry after a contestant made an Instant Bargain purchase.

"It's time for the Fame Game. We're playing, not for dollars, but for picking/controlling the board of the Fame Game. (It could be Money Cards, cash, or prizes.) Players, buzz-in when you know about a Famous Person/Place/Thing." - Jim Perry (at the start of the Fame Game)

"Incorrect. Out of the rest of the question. (You stay at (score)/No dollar value.) We'll clear it, continue for (insert opponents)." - Jim Perry (on a contestant ringing in and answered incorrectly during the Fame Game)

"No!/Incorrect! And (insert last contestant) gets the rest of the question all to himself/herself." - Jim Perry (on a second contestant ringing in and answered incorrectly during the Fame Game)

"Yes!/You are right! With very little/limited information. (Nicely done/solved.)" - Jim Perry (on a contestant ringing in early and answered correctly during the Fame Game)

Jay: "And behind number (insert number), we have (insert Money Card, cash, or prize)." - Jay Stewart when he/she selects either the Money Card, cash or a prize on the Fame Game.

Jim: "(insert amount) dollar money card where, Summer?" - During the second version of the Fame Game

Summer: "Behind number (insert number)!" - During the second version of the Fame Game

"Come on (insert amount) dollar money card...NOW!" - Contestant

"(insert amount) dollar money card...NOW!" - Contestant

Jim: "No, it lands on number (insert number) and he/she gets..." - During the second version of the Fame Game

Jay/Don: "(Insert cash or prize)." - When a contestant doesn't land on the Money Card during the second version of Fame Game

"(Very) Good/Excellent prize. That's yours to keep no matter how you finish in the game." - Jim Perry

Jim: "Where were those Money Cards?" - During the first version of the Fame Game

Summer: "Behind number (insert numbers.) - During the first version of the Fame Game

We'll be back right after this commercial timeout!" - Jim Perry going to commercial

(while laughing) We'll be right back." - Jim Perry going to second commercial break

"And now, we finish up the game with the Speed Round. (I'll ask as many questions as I can in 60 seconds/one minute.) May I have 60 seconds on the clock. (Insert score recap.) We start the Speed Round now!" - Jim Perry

"We have a tie. (Last place contestant's name), you're out of it, you can't/cannot answer. It's just between (insert two tied contestants). Remember if you answer correctly, you'll add $5, and you would win, and if you answered incorrectly, you lose $5, and lose." - Jim Perry (on a Tiebreaker)

"Let's Go Shopping!" - Host

"A cash jackpot of $XX,XXX! - Jay Stewart

"When you make a match, that prize is yours." - Jim Perry

"Win card! Next thing is an automatic match." - Jim Perry

"Four puzzles in 20 seconds and you'll win $??,???." - Jim Perry

"I call your attention to the board, and remember, you can see the words a lot faster than I can say them; I'm only repeating the words for our viewers at home." - Jim Perry

"The clock starts when the first word of each puzzle is revealed; it stops when you hit your plunger to give me an answer." - Jim Perry

"One more before the clock hits double-zero and you'll win $??,???." - Jim Perry

"You must stop the clock before the double-zero." - Jim Perry during the Winner's Big Money Game

Quotes
"Welcome to Sale of the Century. I'm delighted to be back with you on NBC and thrilled to be here with a show that I know you're gonna enjoy. I'm gonna enjoy everyday introducing our lovely hostess, Sally Julian!" - Jim Perry (on the first episode of the series)

Contestant Gaffes
Contestant: The Hudson? [buzzer]
 * Perry: On what river would you find the cities of--

Perry: What would you call a Japanese poem of 17-- [contestant buzzes in] Tim? Contestant: Uh... [buzzer] Miyoshi Yumeki. Perry [laughing with the audience]: ...17 syllables that almost always refers to a season of the year? It's either Miyoshi Yumeki or a haiku, and you lose five on that.
 * Perry: Vienna, Budapest, and Belgrade are all on the Hudson. No, they are on the Danube. You lose five.

Contestant: His wife. [buzzer] Perry: Only if the cheese was very, very old!
 * Perry: In the children's nursery rhyme "The Farmer in the Dell", what stands alone?

John: The NFL. Perry: Uhh no no. [buzzer] Well that's right about that on football but it wouldn't fit the date. No the AFL merged with what other trade union? The CIO. Not the American Football League, the American Federation of Labor. John: Excuse me. [Hides his face in his jacket.]
 * Perry: In 1955, a longtime rivalry came to an end when the AFL merged-- [John buzzes in] John?
 * From the final episode on March 24, 1989

Big Moments
Barbara: Italy. Jim: Italy is right. You're up to $110. What was the occupation of world famous George August Escopier? Barbara: He was a chef. Jim: That's exactly right, Barbara! You're up to $115. Last question, $1 away from $140,000: The Gaza Strip is a controversial piece of land occupied by what troubled Middle Eastern nation? BARBARA?! Barbara: Israel! Jim: ISRAEL'S RIGHT!!! [Lot win music fanfare and sirens go off] $120!!! SHE DID IT! My goodness! With three in a row! Barbara Phillips, come on up here, let's get your husband up here. Get up here! Come on over! She's got it all. This is her gifted husband. Congratulations. Why don't you join me, the two of you? Let's open the doors. Barbara's got the cash jackpot, she's got everything we've got back here. Hang onto this cash. It's all yours, Barbara Phillips! We're going to wrap it up and tell her everything she's won right after this commercial timeout!
 * Jim: Well, I don't usually say this, but at this point I have three questions worth $15 ($5 each). I mention that because, $116 is what Barbara needs for everything. Diane and Dwight, answer if you like. In which Mediterranean nation is the lira the unit of currency? Barbara?
 * Jim Perry, along with first and only daytime show lot winner in the shopping endgame Barbara Phillips, in a final question round from 1983 in daytime

Roger: "1st" Jim: "First is right for another five! In what great opera do we hear the famous toreador song? Bob?" Bob: "(silence) I just gave it to her." Jim: It is Carmen, you lose $5! Last question, A train... Oh, the hell with the last question! She's got it! $78,000 to our champion, Kathy Riley!"
 * Jim: "Roger, you are out of it, but you can answer if you like. Bob you have $70, and I have $15 worth of questions. One correct answer from Kathy Riley, or one incorrect answer from Bob, and Kathy is $78,000 richer. Which amendment to the United States constitution guarantees the freedom of speech, press, religion and...? Roger?!"
 * Jim Perry & Contestants, last question round in a 1984 show with Kathy Riley's $78,000 win. Incidents where the final three questions would not change the outcome of the game resulted in the implementation of the Speed Round, as more questions would be asked and the outcome of the game could change considerably as many questions would be asked in sixty seconds.

"$109,000 in the Cash Jackpot, However, Speed round finishes up the Game, as many Questions as we can get in in One Minute. I will set the Clock for 60 Seconds, Good Luck to all Three Players. $84 and the Win is what David needs for the Cash Jackpot of $109K. We start the Speed Round, Now!" - From David Rogers' Jackpot Win in 1984

"60 Seconds on the Clock, remember, John must win. He must get at least $95 for everything, He's going for over $130,000 worth of cash and prizes. John at $80, Chip at $40, Naomi at $35. We start the Speed Round, Now!" "John, RIGHT ON THE MONEY!! He got exactly what he needs! He needed 95 and the win? He got 95; and the win!" - From John Goss' Huge Win in 1985

"Well, all three players are back in, 60 Seconds on the clock for the Speed Round. If Helaine wins, she is $130,850 Richer. If she loses, it's all Over. Karin is ahead by $5. Karin at $65, Vince at $25, Helaine at $60. Good Luck, We Start the Speed Round, Now!" - From Helaine Lowery's Huge Win in 1985

"Two fours, Two fours would've done it. Well, Speed Round finishes it up, 60 Seconds on the Clock. Tim, if he wins, is $156,561 Richer. Lisa and Pat, you've got an ample opportunity to overtake him, because I've got a lot of questions. $65 for Tim, $35 for Pat, and $25 for Lisa, We start the Speed Round, Now!" - From Tim Holleran's Huge win in 1985

Taglines
"This is Jack Kelly (later Joe Garagiola) saying bye-bye from Sale of the Century. Thank you! - Original Version Goodbye

"(insert contestant's name) meets two new challengers tomorrow. I'm Jim Perry, Thanks for being with us on Sale of the Century. -Jim's Goodbye

"Three new challengers next time on Sale of the Century. Bye for now." - Jim Perry upon a champion's retirement

"Well, that wraps it up for Sale of the Century. First of all, on a personal note, this is my wife June. And if it were not for her and 30 years, I wouldn't be standing here today. And if it were not for all of these people behind us and all of the people up in the booth, we wouldn't have had 6¼ years of Sale of the Century where we have given away over $8,500,000 and I know of instances where we changed people's lives for the better. I hope for you that we have given you some joy, and some pleasure and entertainment, and somewhere along the line, possibly a little bit of knowledge that has added to your day. A lot of you have been very supportive of us for a long time. It has been almost 2,000 episodes of Sale of The Century, and we leave this show with great pride, a show that has been a wonderful show. And all of these people that we're going to see their faces, Summer and all the on-camera people, and all the people behind. It's because of them that it has been the great joy that it has. I thank you. I bless you. Goodbye, my friends." - Jim Perry (on the final episode of the series)

Announcer Lines
"All prices are manufacturers' suggested retail value, and are corrected at the time of recording. This is Jay Stewart speaking." - Jay Stewart

"Sale of the Century stars Jim Perry. This is Jay Stewart (later Don Morrow) speaking." - Sale Announcer

"Sale of the Century is a Reg Grundy Production!" - Sale Announcer