User:Daniel Benfield/Sale of the Century 1980s Syndicated Episode Guide

Since I've been compiling info and names about the 1980s syndicated Sale of the Century, both for my own edification and UltimaGanon's Video Archive, I figured I might as well throw this out here. :)

The nighttime shopping era wasn't too different from the daytime one, with the notable exception of the Cash Jackpot being part of the last plateau rather than as its own step right before the Lot (I never understood that). The Cash Jackpot starts at $50,000 and increases $1,000 per day until won...or until they decide to switch the endgame format; more on that later.

My thanks to Ryan Rinkerman for some of this info, and various people who have uploaded stuff to YouTube and the like. Dates in bold are when GSN first aired said episodes (ones they've skipped are also noted); episodes I know to circulate from their original and/or USA Network broadcasts are noted where possible.

NOTE: There are some relatively-minor spoilers, such as the returning champ and what day they're on (if applicable) as well as any wins of at least $100. For the Winner's Board era, any car or $10,000 wins are also noted.

This page also lists any upcoming episodes GSN's put into their latest advance schedules, which are usually released about two weeks ahead (and, as advance schedules go, subject to change).

Season 1 (1985)
January 7 - May 24 [September 13], 1985 (100 episodes)

For the first three weeks, the endgame prize structure was $85-$195-$285-$390-$485-$610 (car)-$720 (all six prizes)-$830 (Lot). Beginning on January 28, these were tweaked to the more familiar $85-$175-$260-$340-$445-$530-$640-$750.

The price drops were presumably to make said prizes a bit easier to win, as every prize after Level 1 required wins of $110-$90-$105-$95-$125-$110-$110 in the original structure and $90-$85-$80-$105-$85-$110-$110 in the revised one.

January
 * January 7, 1985 (#S-001/Premiere): Jack vs. Andra vs. Buck. [November 29, 2013 (also circulates from a USA broadcast); the first eight episodes aired as a Black Friday marathon.]
 * January 8, 1985 (#S-002): Paul vs. Colleen vs. Buck (Day 2). [November 29, 2013]
 * January 9, 1985 (#S-003): Glenn vs. Audrey vs. Paul (Day 2). [November 29, 2013; Jay Stewart demonstrates exercise equipment in a pink jogging suit!]
 * January 10, 1985 (#S-004): Ric vs. Ellen vs. Paul (Day 3). [November 29, 2013 (also circulates from a USA broadcast)]
 * January 11, 1985 (#S-005): Jeff vs. Judy vs. Paul (Day 4). [November 29, 2013]

"All the prizes and a Cash Jackpot of [amount]..." changed to "Cash and prizes worth over $100,000..." (began 1/14/85)
 * January 14, 1985 (#S-006): Phyllis vs. Vince vs. Judy (Day 2). [November 29, 2013; a model tries to show off a new computer...and fails to understand how a mouse is used.]
 * January 15, 1985 (#S-007): Randi vs. Nick vs. Phyllis (Day 2). [November 29, 2013]
 * January 16, 1985 (#S-008): Gerry vs. Wanda vs. Nick (Day 2). [November 29, 2013]
 * January 17, 1985 (#S-009): Greg vs. Joy vs. Gerry (Day 2). [December 2, 2013 (first episode on the regular daily schedule)]
 * January 18, 1985 (#S-010): Robert vs. Maggie vs. Greg (Day 2). [December 3, 2013]


 * January 21, 1985 (#S-011): Hal vs. Mariann vs. Greg (Day 3). [December 4, 2013]
 * January 22, 1985 (#S-012): Jean vs. Bill vs. Mariann (Day 2). [December 5, 2013 (also circulates from a USA broadcast); one Instant Bargain is a trip to New York, and the person playing the apple (no, seriously) gets into some difficulty!]
 * January 23, 1985 (#S-013): Beth vs. Ron vs. Mariann (Day 3). [December 8, 2013]
 * January 24, 1985 (#S-014): Dennis vs. Judith vs. Ron (Day 2). [December 9, 2013]
 * January 25, 1985 (#S-015): John vs. Susie vs. Ron (Day 3). [December 10, 2013; fun game with a really weird answer!]

$750 buys the Lot and Cash Jackpot (began 1/28/85)
 * January 28, 1985 (#S-016): JOHN GOSS vs. ? vs. Ron (Day 4). [John buys all three Instant Bargains...and still wins! SKIPPED BY GSN!]
 * January 29, 1985 (#S-017): Clay vs. Donna vs. JOHN GOSS (Day 2). [December 11, 2013]
 * January 30, 1985 (#S-018): Tom vs. Diana vs. JOHN GOSS (Day 3). [December 12, 2013 (also circulates from a USA broadcast)]
 * January 31, 1985 (#S-019): Pat vs. Yooh vs. JOHN GOSS (Day 4). [December 13, 2013]

February
 * February 1, 1985 (#S-020): David vs. Catherine vs. JOHN GOSS (Day 5). [December 16, 2013 (also circulates from a USA broadcast)]

"$100,000" graphic changes to sparkly non-flashing numbers (began 2/4/85)
 * February 4, 1985 (#S-021): Van vs. Sandra vs. JOHN GOSS (Day 6). [December 17, 2013]
 * February 5, 1985 (#S-022): ? vs. ? vs. JOHN GOSS (Day 7). [SKIPPED BY GSN!]
 * February 6, 1985 (#S-023): Chip vs. Naomi vs. JOHN GOSS (Day 8). [December 18, 2013 (also circulates from a USA broadcast, as well as what seems to be a slateless master copy)]
 * February 7, 1985 (#S-024): Bill vs. Pam vs. Ed. [December 19, 2013]
 * February 8, 1985 (#S-025): Nick vs. Rose vs. Ed (Day 2). [December 20, 2013 (also circulates from original broadcast, with commercials); has a really odd moment with a "prospector" in an Instant Bargain.]


 * February 11, 1985 (#S-026): Bob vs. ? vs. Ed (Day 3). [SKIPPED BY GSN!]
 * February 12, 1985 (#S-027): Ron vs. Nancy vs. Bob (Day 2). [December 23, 2013]
 * February 13, 1985 (#S-028): Steve vs. Wanda vs. Ron (Day 2). [December 25, 2013]
 * February 14, 1985 (#S-029): Stan vs. Hilary vs. Ron (Day 3). [December 26, 2013]
 * February 15, 1985 (#S-030): Don vs. Diana vs. Preston. [December 27, 2013; Jim seems to know quite a bit about Preston's wife...]


 * February 18, 1985 (#S-031): George vs. HELAINE LOWEY vs. Preston (Day 2). [December 30, 2013]
 * February 19, 1985 (#S-032): Rhonda vs. Anthony vs. HELAINE LOWEY (Day 2). [January 2, 2014]
 * February 20, 1985 (#S-033): Laurie vs. Dave vs. HELAINE LOWEY (Day 3). [January 3, 2014]
 * February 21, 1985 (#S-034): Susan vs. Eric vs. HELAINE LOWEY (Day 4). [January 6, 2014]
 * February 22, 1985 (#S-035): Kit vs. Rick vs. HELAINE LOWEY (Day 5). [January 7, 2014]


 * February 25, 1985 (#S-036): Jack vs. Dick vs. HELAINE LOWEY (Day 6). [January 8, 2014]
 * February 26, 1985 (#S-037): Renee vs. David vs. HELAINE LOWEY (Day 7). [January 9, 2014]
 * February 27, 1985 (#S-038): Karin vs. Vince vs. HELAINE LOWEY (Day 8). [January 10, 2014 (also circulates from a USA broadcast); Helaine goes for the Lot, and there's a tense Instant Bargain!]
 * February 28, 1985 (#S-039): Emory vs. Linda vs. SKIP JORDAN. [January 13, 2014 (also circulates as what seems to be a slateless master copy)]

March
 * March 1, 1985 (#S-040): Danny vs. Judy vs. SKIP JORDAN (Day 2). [January 14, 2014]

Intro changes "Tonight" to "Today" (began 3/4/85)
 * March 4, 1985 (#S-041): Joe vs. Ali vs. SKIP JORDAN (Day 3). [January 15, 2014]
 * March 5, 1985 (#S-042): Barry vs. Ede vs. SKIP JORDAN (Day 4). [January 16, 2014]
 * March 6, 1985 (#S-043): Kevin vs. Bobbin vs. SKIP JORDAN (Day 5). [January 17, 2014; ends in a tie!]
 * March 7, 1985 (#S-044): Blaine vs. Pat vs. SKIP JORDAN (Day 6). [January 20, 2014; ends in a tie!]
 * March 8, 1985 (#S-045): Mick vs. Debra vs. SKIP JORDAN (Day 7). [January 21, 2014; Skip goes for the car!]


 * March 11, 1985 (#S-046): Arnie vs. Melinda vs. Mick (Day 2). [January 22, 2014]
 * March 12, 1985 (#S-047): Gordon vs. Shelli vs. Mick (Day 3). [January 23, 2014]
 * March 13, 1985 (#S-048): John vs. Sheila vs. Mick (Day 4). [January 24, 2014] Sotctiebreaker2.jpg
 * March 14, 1985 (#S-049): Steve vs. Devera vs. John (Day 2). [January 27, 2014; amazing Speed Round!]
 * March 15, 1985 (#S-050): Jay vs. Suzy vs. Steve (Day 2). [January 28, 2014]


 * March 18, 1985 (#S-051): Ernie vs. Sandy vs. Steve (Day 3). [January 29, 2014]
 * March 19, 1985 (#S-052): Joe vs. Janet vs. Steve (Day 4). [January 30, 2014]
 * March 20, 1985 (#S-053): MICHAEL FRIEDMAN vs. Laurie vs. Joe (Day 2). [January 31, 2014]
 * March 21, 1985 (#S-054): Ron vs. Lynne vs. MICHAEL FRIEDMAN (Day 2). [February 3, 2014]
 * March 22, 1985 (#S-055): Mitch vs. Lori vs. MICHAEL FRIEDMAN (Day 3). [February 4, 2014]


 * March 25, 1985 (#S-056): Chuck vs. Bev vs. MICHAEL FRIEDMAN (Day 4). [February 5, 2014; a player's ESP goes horribly wrong, in an amusing way.]
 * March 26, 1985 (#S-057): Charles vs. Adrianne vs. MICHAEL FRIEDMAN (Day 5). [February 6, 2014; Charles flips out on the last question!]
 * March 27, 1985 (#S-058): Brian vs. Cindi vs. MICHAEL FRIEDMAN (Day 6). [February 7, 2014]
 * March 28, 1985 (#S-059): Ken vs. Nancy vs. MICHAEL FRIEDMAN (Day 7). [February 10, 2014]
 * March 29, 1985 (#S-060): Matt vs. Judi vs. MICHAEL FRIEDMAN (Day 8). [February 11, 2014]

April
 * April 1, 1985 (#S-061): Wil vs. ALICE CONKWRIGHT vs. MICHAEL FRIEDMAN (Day 9). [February 12, 2014 (also circulates from a USA broadcast); Michael goes for the Lot!]
 * April 2, 1985 (#S-062): Myrna vs. John vs. ALICE CONKWRIGHT (Day 2). [February 13, 2014]
 * April 3, 1985 (#S-063): Peter vs. Don vs. ALICE CONKWRIGHT (Day 3). [February 14, 2014]
 * April 4, 1985 (#S-064): Linda vs. Curt vs. ALICE CONKWRIGHT (Day 4). [February 17, 2014]
 * April 5, 1985 (#S-065): Jeff vs. Richard vs. ALICE CONKWRIGHT (Day 5). [February 18, 2014]


 * April 8, 1985 (#S-066): Irwin vs. Chuck vs. ALICE CONKWRIGHT (Day 6). [February 19, 2014 (also circulates from original broadcast, specifically (W)WOR New York); Alice goes for the Lot!]
 * April 9, 1985 (#S-067): Steve vs. Elizabeth vs. Mitch. [February 20, 2014]
 * April 10, 1985 (#S-068): Carol vs. Bill vs. Elizabeth (Day 2). [February 21, 2014 (last episode of the original lease)]
 * April 11, 1985 (#S-069): Laura vs. Larry vs. Elizabeth (Day 3). [September 29, 2014 (first episode of the second lease)]
 * April 12, 1985 (#S-070): Dave vs. Gabriel vs. Elizabeth (Day 4). [September 30, 2014]

1-9 Fame Game numbers change to a yellow/red motif, Money Cards change from yellow/red to orange/black (debuted 4/15/85)
 * April 15, 1985 (#S-071): Sandy vs. Kathleen vs. Dave (Day 2). [October 1, 2014]
 * April 16, 1985 (#S-072): Alan vs. Liz vs. Wally. [October 2, 2014 (also circulates from a USA broadcast)]
 * April 17, 1985 (#S-073): Brian vs. Suzanne vs. Alan (Day 2). [October 3, 2014; one prize is a video jukebox!]
 * April 18, 1985 (#S-074): Jim vs. Judy vs Brian (Day 2). [October 6, 2014]
 * April 19, 1985 (#S-075): M.J. vs. Adrienne vs. Dave. [October 7, 2014 (also circulates from an old broadcast; not sure if 1980s or USA, though); very exciting game!]

Money Card numbers change from black to blue (began 4/22/85)
 * April 22, 1985 (#S-076): Ron vs. Patricia (who's British!) vs. Mike. [October 8, 2014 (also circulates from an old broadcast; not sure if 1980s or USA, though); Jim does a bit of singing!]
 * April 23. 1985 (#S-077): Frank vs. Jack vs. Patricia (Day 2). [October 9, 2014 (also circulates from an old broadcast with no credits; not sure if 1980s or USA, though)]
 * April 24, 1985 (#S-078): Walt vs. Victoria vs. Frank (Day 2). [October 10, 2014 (also circulates from an old broadcast with no credits; not sure if 1980s or USA, though); Jim makes a You Bet Your Life reference, and Frank refuses a table because it doesn't come with chairs!]
 * April 25, 1985 (#S-079): Duane vs. Valerie vs. Frank (Day 3). [October 13, 2014 (also circulates from an old broadcast with no credits; not sure if 1980s or USA, though); Jay Stewart models an Instant Bargain!]
 * April 26, 1985 (#S-080): Phil vs. Lynne vs. Tom. [October 14, 2014; Jay Stewart appears for the first Instant Bargain!]


 * April 29, 1985 (#S-081): Hope vs. Marty vs. Lynne (Day 2). [October 15, 2014; nobody gets the first Fame Game, the second is guessed after one sentence, and Trip or Pick Again is found!]
 * April 30, 1985 (#S-082): Shelby vs. Rich vs. Lynne (Day 3). [October 16, 2014; second Instant Bargain is so weird that not only does Jim not want to walk over there (he does) but drops the price from $10 to $2!]

May
 * May 1, 1985 (#S-083): Pam vs. Paul vs. Lynne (Day 4). [October 17, 2014]
 * May 2, 1985 (#S-084): Giovan vs. John vs. Lynne (Day 5). [October 20, 2014; GSN doesn't crunch the credits!]
 * May 3, 1985 (#S-085): Suze vs. Michael vs. Lynne (Day 6). [October 21, 2014]


 * May 6, 1985 (#S-086): Joel vs. Niki vs. Michael (Day 2). [October 22, 2014; a moth invades the first Instant Bargain, Jim shares some Monopoly facts before the second Fame Game, and Michael wins with $115!]
 * May 7, 1985 (#S-087): Jim vs. Eileen vs. Michael (Day 3). [October 23, 2014; Perry can't think of any positives to say about the first Instant Bargain, and Michael wins with $120!]
 * May 8, 1985 (#S-088): Greg vs. Melissa vs. Michael (Day 4). [October 24, 2014; has a rare camera angle before one Fame Game pick.]
 * May 9, 1985 (#S-089): Dennis vs. Lynn vs. Michael (Day 5). [October 27, 2014]
 * May 10, 1985 (#S-090): Gary vs. Terri vs. Ken. [October 28, 2014]


 * May 13, 1985 (#S-091): Lyle vs. Dina vs. Gary (Day 2). [October 29, 2014]
 * May 14, 1985 (#S-092): Jack vs. Lucienne vs. Lyle (Day 2). [October 30, 2014]
 * May 15, 1985 (#S-093): Dick vs. Jan vs. Jack (Day 2). [October 31, 2014]
 * May 16, 1985 (#S-094): Helen vs. Al vs. Jan (Day 2). [November 3, 2014; last Instant Bargain is a home robot, and Jay Stewart makes two cameos!] Sotctiebreaker.jpg
 * May 17, 1985 (#S-095): Melanie vs. MATT OTTINGER! vs. Jan (Day 3). [November 4, 2014 (also circulates from a WSYM airing); Matt went on to host WKAR's Quizbusters in 1989, and has hosted it (and a later spinoff, QB Jr.) ever since.]


 * May 20, 1985 (#S-096): Lianne vs. Jim vs. Jan (Day 4). [November 5, 2014; the fish-shaped soup...thing...Perry mocked on #S-087 makes a return...with pizzazz! :P]
 * May 21, 1985 (#S-097): Susan vs. Dore vs. Jan (Day 5). [November 6, 2014]
 * May 22, 1985 (#S-098): Grace vs. Jonathan vs. Jan (Day 6). [November 7, 2014; Jan goes for the cars!]
 * May 23, 1985 (#S-099): Tony vs. Jinni vs. Len. [November 10, 2014]
 * May 24, 1985 (#S-100/Season Finale): TIM HOLLERAN vs. Shirley vs. Len (Day 2). [November 11, 2014 (also circulates from a USA broadcast); Jim hints at it being the end of the season.]

Season 2, Shopping (1985)
September 16 - November 15, 1985 (45 episodes)

The only real differences between this and Season 1 are that the "starting money" animation is different (the $20 pops in from left to right, whereas before it was the second and third displays followed by #1), and the Money Cards revert from blue-on-orange to red-on-yellow.

On October 14, the Fame Game board changes from "pick a number" to stopping a bouncing light, with the Money Cards revealed beforehand by Summer. Early episodes of this period had the board do a diagonal (bottom-left to top-right) light pattern during the intro: 7, 4-8, 1-5-9, 2-6, 3; this changed to the familiar "bouncing light" on the 28th.

September
 * September 16, 1985 (#S-101/Season Premiere): Ed vs. Susan vs. TIM HOLLERAN (Day 2). [November 12, 2014 (also circulates from a USA broadcast)]
 * September 17, 1985 (#S-102): Raymond vs. Melinda vs. TIM HOLLERAN (Day 3). [November 13, 2014 (also circulates from a USA broadcast)]
 * September 18, 1985 (#S-103): Chip vs. Lenore vs. TIM HOLLERAN (Day 4). [November 14, 2014 (also circulates from a USA broadcast)]
 * September 19, 1985 (#S-104): Robert vs. Verne vs. TIM HOLLERAN (Day 5). [November 17, 2014 (also circulates from a USA broadcast)]
 * September 20, 1985 (#S-105): Chuck vs. Pamela vs. TIM HOLLERAN (Day 6). [November 18, 2014]


 * September 23, 1985 (#S-106): Tom vs. Susan vs. TIM HOLLERAN (Day 7). [November 19, 2014; the first Instant Bargain accidentally gets knocked over while Summer describes it! (Not that the goofy Star Wars-based presentation helped matters...)]
 * September 24, 1985 (#S-107): Pat vs. Lisa vs. TIM HOLLERAN (Day 8). [November 20, 2014 (also circulates from a USA broadcast); Tim goes for the Lot, and Kevin Nealon makes a cameo!]
 * September 25, 1985 (#S-108): Terry vs. Verna vs. Jorge. [November 21, 2014]
 * September 26, 1985 (#S-109): Rick vs. Bonita vs. Terry (Day 2). [November 24, 2014]
 * September 27, 1985 (#S-110): Scott vs. Kathe vs. Rick (Day 2). [November 25, 2014]


 * September 30, 1985 (#S-111): Robert vs. Sue vs. Rick (Day 3). [November 26, 2014]

October
 * October 1, 1985 (#S-112): James vs. Nancy vs. Rick (Day 4). [November 27, 2014; James wins with $104!]
 * October 2, 1985 (#S-113): Jim vs. Terry vs. James (Day 2). [December 1, 2014]
 * October 3, 1985 (#S-114): Steve vs. Sarah vs. James (Day 3). [December 2, 2014]
 * October 4, 1985 (#S-115): Neal vs. Sharon vs. James (Day 4). [December 3, 2014]


 * October 7, 1985 (#S-116): Mark vs. Betty vs. Neal (Day 2). [December 4, 2014]
 * October 8, 1985 (#S-117): Lee vs. Judy vs. Neal (Day 3). [December 5, 2014 (aired with no crunch!)]
 * October 9, 1985 (#S-118): Gene vs. Kimberly vs. Neal (Day 4). [December 8, 2014]
 * October 10, 1985 (#S-119): Bob vs. Diane vs. Rich. [December 9, 2014]
 * October 11, 1985 (#S-120): Marta vs. David vs. Diane (Day 2). [December 10, 2014]

Press Your Luck-style Fame Game board (began 10/14/85)
 * October 14, 1985 (#S-121): Clark vs. Gail vs. David (Day 2). [December 11, 2014; Jim insults the second Instant Bargain!]
 * October 15, 1985 (#S-122): Dale vs. Mary vs. David (Day 3). [December 12, 2014]
 * October 16, 1985 (#S-123): Ron vs. Mindy vs. David (Day 4). [December 15, 2014]
 * October 17, 1985 (#S-124): Mike vs. Ronda vs. Ron (Day 2). [December 16, 2014]
 * October 18, 1985 (#S-125): Gayle vs. Jerry vs. Ronda (Day 2). [December 17, 2014]


 * October 21, 1985 (#S-126): Joyce vs. Jerry vs. Ronda (Day 3). [December 18, 2014]
 * October 22, 1985 (#S-127): Chris vs. Jeannette vs. Jerry (Day 2). [December 19, 2014]
 * October 23, 1985 (#S-128): Randy vs. Susan vs. Chris (Day 2). [December 22, 2014; Chris wins with $103!]
 * October 24, 1985 (#S-129): Jon vs. Pamela vs. Chris (Day 3). [December 23, 2014]
 * October 25, 1985 (#S-130): Dennis vs. Lisa vs. Chris (Day 4). [December 25, 2014]

"Bouncing light" Fame Game board during intro (began 10/28/85)
 * October 28, 1985 (#S-131): David vs. Judi vs. Dennis (Day 2). [December 29, 2014]
 * October 29, 1985 (#S-132): Robert vs. Sandi vs. Dennis (Day 3). [December 30, 2014]
 * October 30, 1985 (#S-133): Susan vs. Ernie vs. Sandi (Day 2). [December 31, 2014]
 * October 31, 1985 (#S-134): Phyllis vs. Tom vs. Sandi (Day 3). [January 1, 2015]

November
 * November 1, 1985 (#S-135): Harold vs. Rita vs. Tom (Day 2). [January 2, 2015]


 * November 4, 1985 (#S-136): Bob vs. Barbara vs. Tom (Day 3). [January 5, 2015]
 * November 5, 1985 (#S-137): Lou vs. Vicki vs. Chris. [January 6, 2015]
 * November 6, 1985 (#S-138): Sheryl vs. Jerry vs. Vicki (Day 2). [January 7, 2015]
 * November 7, 1985 (#S-139): Ginger vs. Tony vs. Vicki (Day 3). [January 8, 2015; first time a Fame Game goes unguessed in the "stop the light" era! Ginger buys all three Instant Bargains...and still wins!]
 * November 8, 1985 (#S-140): Aida vs. Hugh vs. Ginger (Day 2). [January 9, 2015]


 * November 11, 1985 (#S-141): Joyce vs. Mark vs. Ginger (Day 3). [January 12, 2015]
 * November 12, 1985 (#S-142): Jon vs. Carol vs. Mark (Day 2) [January 13, 2015]
 * November 13, 1985 (#S-143): Tony vs. Susan vs. Mark (Day 3). [January 14, 2015; Tony is back from last week due to a question that might have disadvantaged him.]
 * November 14, 1985 (#S-144): Brad vs. Buffy vs. Mark (Day 4). [January 15, 2015; the fish soup tureen shows up again!]
 * November 15, 1985 (#S-145/Shopping Finale): Bill vs. Lauren vs. Brad (Day 2). [January 16, 2015 (aired with no crunch!; also circulates from a USA broadcast); Cash Jackpot: $87,000.]
 * [This week's a bit odd: it's not until the last segment of this episode that Jim notes the change to the Winner's Board, and there's not even any hints at it until the next-to-last segment. It kinda comes across as them having looked at their ratings while this episode was taping (from what I've read, the ratings and clearances weren't particularly good) and going "Well, crap, we better switch to the Winner's Board. Tell Jim.", because otherwise this week doesn't really make much sense. (Neither does dropping the Cash Jackpot to the flat $50,000, either, making the past seven weeks of buildup kinda worthless.)]

Season 2, Winner's Board (1985-86)
''November 18, 1985 - May 30? [September 12], 1986 (125 episodes)''

At this point, from what I can tell, it becomes a bit hard to distinguish between the daytime and nighttime versions. At least through #S-166, the nighttime show retained the "plain" 1-9 Fame Game numbers; the NBC series used the large colorful numbers throughout.

From what I can tell, only the syndicated run used the "plain" numbers, probably to make the two versions distinguishable. Aside from this and the Genesis Entertainment (nighttime)/NBC Studios (daytime) credits, they're like Wheel of Fortune in being near-identical.

On December 2, the Speed Round clock changes from the Vane display to a large round font, possibly Helvetica Extra Bold. A week later, on December 9, it changed again to a Futura-based font.

1985
 * November 18, 1985 (#S-146/Winner's Board debut): Lloyd vs. Susan vs. Brad (Day 3). [January 19, 2015 (also circulates from a USA broadcast); while Brad started fresh with the Winner's Board, he was considered the returning champ, even getting the "So far..." intro by Jay.]
 * November 19, 1985 (#S-147): ALAN CEVEDNIK vs. Debby vs. Brad (Day 4). [January 20, 2015; Alan's last name per Chuck Donegan's collection (I had previously used "Sudenik" here).]
 * November 20, 1985 (#S-148): Richard vs. Arlyss vs. ALAN CEVEDNIK (Day 2). [January 21, 2015; Alan wins with $120!]
 * November 21, 1985 (#S-149): Tom vs. Linda vs. ALAN CEVEDNIK (Day 3). [January 22, 2015]
 * November 22, 1985 (#S-150): Doug vs. Jennifer vs. ALAN CEVEDNIK (Day 4). [January 23, 2015]


 * November 25, 1985 (#S-151): Mark vs. Carole vs. ALAN CEVEDNIK (Day 5). [January 26, 2015; has a fun first and third Instant Bargain, plus Alan wins with $103!]
 * November 26, 1985 (#S-152): Don vs. Marie vs. ALAN CEVEDNIK (Day 6). [January 27, 2015]
 * November 27, 1985 (#S-153): ? vs. ? vs. ALAN CEVEDNIK (Day 7). [SKIPPED BY GSN!]
 * November 28, 1985 (#S-154): Willie vs. Michele vs. ALAN CEVEDNIK (Day 8). [January 28, 2015 (also circulates from original broadcast, with commercials); third Instant Bargain has "pizzazz"! :P]
 * November 29, 1985 (#S-155): Fletcher vs. Mary vs. ALAN CEVEDNIK (Day 9). [January 29, 2015 (aired with no crunch!; also circulates from original broadcast with commercials, as well as a USA broadcast); first Instant Bargain doesn't work until Jim pushes it with his foot!; first $10,000 win on the nighttime Winner's Board!]

Speed Round clock changes to a large, round font (began 12/2/85)
 * December 2, 1985 (#S-156): Rich vs. Pauletta vs. ALAN CEVEDNIK (Day 10). [January 30, 2015 (also circulates from a 1/16/94 USA broadcast)]
 * December 3, 1985 (#S-157): Dana vs. Robert vs. Pauletta (Day 2). [February 2, 2015; Pauletta wins with $129!]
 * December 4, 1985 (#S-158): Irene vs. Bill vs. Pauletta (Day 3). [February 3, 2015]
 * December 5, 1985 (#S-159): Shirley vs. Ira vs. Pauletta (Day 4). [February 4, 2015]
 * December 6, 1985 (#S-160): Jana vs. Rocky vs. Pauletta (Day 5). [February 5, 2015]

Speed Round clock changes to a Futura-based design (began 12/9/85)
 * December 9, 1985 (#S-161): Paul vs. Ardell vs. Rocky (Day 2). [February 6, 2015; Rocky wins with $100!]
 * December 10, 1985 (#S-162): Harold vs. Cheryl vs. Rocky (Day 3). [February 9, 2015]
 * December 11, 1985 (#S-163): Kirby vs. Sheila vs. Rocky (Day 4). [February 10, 2015]
 * December 12, 1985 (#S-164): Joseph vs. Barbara vs. Rocky (Day 5). [February 11, 2015; Rocky wins with $120!]
 * December 13, 1985 (#S-165): Al vs. Kim vs. Rocky (Day 6) [February 12, 2015; first car win on the nighttime Winner's Board!]

[Note that at this point, the show goes into repeats for at least two weeks, if not three. #S-165 has a 1985 copyright date, while #S-166 has a 1986 one. In addition, per this recollection by an audience member for shows 166-167, said shows were taped 12/85 and aired in early '86. Jim comments on the show getting some new stations in #166, which would make more sense if said at midseason. As such, the show is believed to have taken a three-week rest, through January 3, 1986.]

1986

January
 * January 6, 1986 (#S-166): Jim vs. Christi vs. Rocky (Day 7). [February 13, 2015 (taped 12/85)]
 * January 7, 1986 (#S-167): CURTIS WARREN vs. Pam vs. Rocky (Day 8). [February 16, 2015 (taped 12/85)]
 * January 8, 1986 (#S-168): Ellis vs. Kathy vs. CURTIS WARREN (Day 2). [February 17, 2015]
 * January 9, 1986 (#S-169): ? vs. ? vs. CURTIS WARREN (Day 3). [February 18, 2015]
 * January 10, 1986 (#S-170): ? vs. ? vs. CURTIS WARREN (Day 4). [February 19, 2015]


 * January 13, 1986 (#S-171): ? vs. ? vs. CURTIS WARREN (Day 5). [February 20, 2015]
 * January 14, 1986 (#S-172): ? vs. ? vs. CURTIS WARREN (Day 6). [February 23, 2015]
 * January 15, 1986 (#S-173): ? vs. ? vs. CURTIS WARREN (Day 7). [February 24, 2015]
 * January 16, 1986 (#S-174): ? vs. ? vs. CURTIS WARREN (Day 8). [February 25, 2015]
 * January 17, 1986 (#S-175): ? vs. ? vs. CURTIS WARREN (Day 9). [February 26, 2015]


 * January 20, 1986 (#S-176): Zareh vs. Susan vs. CURTIS WARREN (Day 10). [Circulates from a USA broadcast; Curtis plays to clear the Winner's Board!] [February 27, 2015]
 * January 21, 1986 (#S-177): Skip vs. Elaine vs. CURTIS WARREN (Day 11). [Circulates from a USA broadcast, albeit only the last 11 minutes; Curtis goes for the $50,000 bonus!]

[The below three episodes fall into the above period, but their specific placement is unknown.]


 * January 1986: Howard vs. Felice vs. CURTIS WARREN. [Circulates from a USA broadcast; can anybody say "blowout"?]
 * January 1986: Ray vs. Nana vs. CURTIS WARREN. [Circulates from a USA broadcast; Jim switches an Instant Bargain for one contestant for a trip to San Francisco!]
 * January 1986: Richard vs. Felice vs. CURTIS WARREN.

Uncertain placement

As far as I know, these are listed arbitrarily, mostly per Ryan Rinkerman's collection. I have no idea whether said ordering reflects Jim noting prior winners. Hopefully, GSN will air the full run, but for the moment they're just now getting into '86.


 * 1986: Melanie vs. Tim vs. Sandi. [Begins at second Instant Bargain, totals 10 minutes; big win!]
 * 1986: LISA MUNOZ vs. Ryan vs. Ann. [Circulates from original broadcast, with commercials.]
 * 1986: Cindy vs. Clay vs. LISA MUNOZ (Day 11). [Circulates from a USA broadcast; Lisa goes for the $50,000 bonus!]
 * 1986: James vs. Liz vs. Jerry. [Circulates from a USA broadcast; big car win! (James is the same one from October '85, back due to an error.)]
 * 1986: Jasmine vs. Doug vs. Cindy. [Cindy goes for it all!]