Game Shows Wiki
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Hosts
Randy Merriman (1951–1957)
Robert "Bob" Paige (1957–1959, 1962)
Bert Parks (1959)
Sub-Hosts
Bobby Sherwood
Warren Hull
Ralph Paul
Bob Haymes
Jimmy Blaine
Hostess
Bess Myerson
Sub-Hostess
Hollis Burke
Sydney Smith
Announcer
Ralph Paul
Mort Laurence
Models
Pat Conlon
Nancy Walters
Marion James
Pat Conway
Fran Miller
Broadcast
The Big Payoff
NBC Daytime: 12/31/1951 – 3/27/1953
NBC Primetime: 6/29/1952 – 9/14/1952, 6/21/1953 – 9/27/1953
CBS Daytime: 3/30/1953 – 10/16/1959
Image019
Cbs bigpayoff daytime 53-59 lee
Syndication (Daily): 9/3/1962 – 12/21/1962 (with reruns through 3/15/1963)
Packager
Walt Framer Productions

The Big Payoff was a quiz game show where contestants would have a chance to win prizes.

Gameplay[]

Contestants were selected from men who mailed in letters explaining why the women in their lives deserved prizes. The men were asked up to four questions (delivered on a silver tray by "Question Girl" Susan Sayers) for luxurious prizes like jewelry, appliances, and other prizes. If he correctly answered all of the first three questions, he would be asked a Payoff Question which, if answered correctly, won the couple the "Big Payoff" of a mink coat for the wife, a car for the man, and a trip aboard Pan American Airlines (later KLM Royal Dutch) for both.

During the daytime edition's final three weeks, the format changed to three couples competing in a guessing game for points. After three questions, the couple with the highest score answered the Payoff Question. For the 1962 revival, there were only two couples.

Controversy[]

The network version was canceled in the wake of the Quiz Show Scandals (along with cousin shows Top Dollar, and the original Name That Tune), because CBS couldn't ensure that it was being produced honestly.

Tickets[]

Music[]

"A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody (Theme Song)" - Irving Berlin
Vocals - Betty Ann Grove, Denise Lor, and Judy Lynn

Taping Location[]

New York City, NY

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