Sqrambled Scuares

Host/Producer

Buzz Berry

Hostesses

Katie Haas Delilah Christie (October-December 2013)

Broadcast

Boone version: Charter Cable (NC): 9/2/2002-9/19/2011 Hickory version: Charter Cable (NC): 3/17/2008-7/28/2008 Myrtle Beach version: HTC Digital Cable, Channel 4 (SC): 9/16/2012-Present

Packager

BZB Productions

It's the game that scrambles your mind while you unscramble the squares, with local contestants, local prizes and lots of fun! So get ready, because it's time to play SQRAMBLED SCUARES! Here's your host, Buzz Berry!

Sqrambled Scuares is a local game show where contestants unscramble words & phrases & names and in the process win cash & prizes.

Gameplay

Main Game

Two contestants compete; each is spotted 100 points to start the game. They face a game board of 16 squares numbered 1-16. Behind those numbers are letters in a puzzle plus a few surprises. Players take turns picking squares. Each time a player reveals a letter, it is placed on the descrambler board in its proper word, but in the order it was found, and the player is awarded points and a chance to unscramble the squares; consonants are worth 10 points, while vowels are worth 20.

Once both players have found a letter during a round, they may ask for revealed letters to be placed in their proper positions for a cost of 10 points for a consonant or 20 points for a vowel. All letters placed in this way are on a yellow background.

Special Squares

As the game is played, players may find various special items that will help or hinder them as the game progresses:

• Bonus Points: In addition to the points for the letter, the player is awarded the points noted on the card; generally, this is either "Bonus 10" or "Bonus 20".
• Doubler: The point value of the letter is doubled to 20 for a consonant or 40 for a vowel.
• Double Doubler: The point value of the letter is quadrupled to 40 for a consonant or 80 for a vowel.
• Placer: The letter is placed in its proper position on the board at no cost, with other letters being moved as necessary.
• Stealer: The player receives double the base value of the letter (20 points for a consonant, 40 for a vowel) while their opponent loses the base value of that letter.
• Twofer: The player may take an extra turn.
• Prize: The player is credited with a prize, typically a $20–$25 gift certificate to a local business. The player only keeps his/her prizes by unscrambling the squares for that round. Occasionally, a prize is coupled with additional points or a Placer.
• Misser: The player loses their turn without a chance to unscramble the squares, and no letters are placed. Prior to the start of the round, the host will announce the number of Missers on the board (always the difference between 16 and the number of letters in the solution); typically, there will be no more than three Missers.

Solving

After finding a letter, or placing one, a player has five seconds to state "I'd like to unscramble the squares". The host will then give the player a chance to give the solution; if the solution given is correct, that player keeps all the prizes credited to him/her (if any) and steals 100 points from his/her opponent. Scores can never go below zero.

Players can also ask to unscramble the squares before picking or placing a letter; this is generally not done if there are no more Missers on the board, although it has happened on occasion.

If nobody has unscrambled the squares after all of the letters have been found or five minutes have elapsed (whichever comes first), the players alternate turns placing letters only until one of them unscrambles the squares. Players still lose points for each letter placed.

On at least one episode, the winner of each round also had the first chance at a bonus question called the "Sqrambled Scuestion". The question had four multiple-choice options, read in a random order. If the player gave the correct answer, they won a $25 Wal-Mart gift card and a 50-point bonus. An incorrect answer gave the opponent a chance at the points and gift card.

---

The game is played in two rounds, each with one puzzle. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins $50 and a chance to play the "Super Sqramble" round; in the event of a tie (the most recent being Episode #392 on October 26, 2009), both players win the game and $50, and play Super Sqramble together.

Super Sqramble

The day's winner has 60 seconds to unscramble a nine- or ten-letter word, two letters of which are on a yellow background. Once 15 seconds have elapsed, the host tells the player the location of one of the yellow letters, and once 30 seconds have elapsed, the host tells the player the location of the other yellow letter. Players may move letters around as they wish during the round.

At any point during the round the player may press a button to stop the clock and indicate that they know the word. If they are correct, they win an additional $100 "Super Stash of Cash" ($500 on every 100th show). If not, the time resumes and they may continue moving letters and guess again.

Should the first contestant fail, their opponent (who watches the proceedings from a "second try" chair) is given a third letter to move into its proper position and ten seconds to unscramble the word for $50.

In the event of a main-game tie, the contestants work together in the Super Sqramble and split $200 if they win.

Currently, the local Auntie Anne's provides the prize money.

Changes

Originally, only the day's winner could try Super Sqramble. When the "second try" rule was first implemented, the runner-up had only five seconds to unscramble the word.

Tagline

"For (insert contestants), I'm Buzz Berry saying we'll see ya around, if don't turn square. Bye-Bye for now."

Links

Official Site
YouTube Channel