Game Show NewsNet

Cash Cab by Chico Alexander, GSNN

Air time: 6p ET/5p CT on Discovery
Host: Ben Bailey

Got all your Christmas shopping done? Then hitch a ride with Ben as he takes Toy, Sandy, and Judy to 19th & Broadway. They sweep the $25ers. They get their first X when they have to translate "cogito, ergo sum" ("I think, therefore I am"). They have $200 going into the Red Light Challenge: the last five movies to win the Best Picture Oscar. They get Gladiator... and that's it. "A Beautiful Mind", "Million Dollar Baby", "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King", and "Chicago." But they get one. That's worth NOTHING! They get their second strike when they can't remember what country Walt Disney opened its first international theme park (Japan). They need the mobile shout out on this: what bebop era pioneer was known for his famous up-turned trumpet and huge cheeks? "Dizzy Gillespie?" That's right, and the win music plays for $350! But will they trade it in for a double-or-nothing video? We're going for it! The question: this gives new meaning to the expression "sea of love". I'm guessing that they just have to identify it. It is... the Great Barrier Reef for $700. Yay.

Next, we go to Franklin between Church & Broadway with Jeanie. Contrary to what Ben says, that's 60 blocks. Jeanie gets strikes on the restaurant Ray Kroc opened (McDonald's) and the stage name of Ehrich Weiss (Harry Houdini). Jeanie calls Sue for this: during what war did Harry Truman tell Douglas MacArthur, "You're fired"? She has no idea, so Jeanie says "World War II". And Ben says "You are out of here!" Correct: Korean War. Sixty blocks is a long walk.

Night falls as Greg Couba & Denise Dickens head to the Union Square Cafe. And for the first time, we hear what the contestants hear as they enter the Cash Cab. The music that is superimped on the soundtrack is actually what they hear. Just a little technical for those that are interested in that sort of thing. They sweep the $25 questions. They get their first strike when they can't name the home state of Lambeau Field (Wisconsin). They get $250 going into the Red Light Challenge: not including Rudolph, the most famous reindeer of all, name the eight critters that pull Santa's sleigh. They know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner/Dunder and Blitzen. That brings them to $500. They have to use the mobile shoutout: what's the name for the Israeli settlement in which people participates in communal living? They go with the Gaza Strip. It's kibbutz. Final question... gotten for $600! But will they go for the Video Bonus? Yes! The question: diamonds are a crystalline form of which element of the periodic table? They think it's coal... It isn't. It's carbon. So no money, but a free cab ride.

100 Mexicanos Dijeron by Jason Hernandez, GSNN

Air time: 7p ET/6p CT on Telefutura
Host: Marco Antonio Regil

STAY TUNED...

Family Feud by Chico Alexander and Chris Tufts, GSNN

Air time: Check listings or familyfeud.com
Host: Richard Karn

Kimbell (Connie, Jenny, Karolin, Joann, Candice)

Broadous (Lillian, Deborah, Angelica, Michelle, Shyann); four days, $22,380

It's the last AstraZeneca Breast Cancer Awareness Special of the year... or at least the last chance for the Broadous family to make a splash on one. But first, they'd like to say hi to Uncle John and Aunt Leomia, the last two of the surviving 19 Broadouses. Round 1: something bridesmaids complain about. (7) "The colors!" Count it for ugly dresses as #1, as Lillian wins the faceoff. The cost and the escorts also make it, while the Kimbells try to steal with standing too long. Not there! The Broadous get 73. Other answers: not being married (said), wedding long/boring, the groom, other bridesmaids.

Round 2: something a pilot would get fired for doing in a cockpit during a flight (6). Deborah hits top of the board again with the alcohol. Sleeping, leaving the cockpit, and smoking would also get you fired. But what about not following directions? The Kimbells hope so... Not there! The Broadous are up to 163. Other answers: having sex, doing drugs.

Double Round: 100 women, which occupation has the sexiest men (5)? Karolin gets #2, firefighters. Joann gets #3, police, while Candice gets the number one with construction. That's it for them as the Broadouses try stealing with the postmen. Not there! The Kimbells get 82. Other answers: actors, strippers (said!)

Triple Round: something everybody knows about Cinderella (4). The glass slippers are number one for Michelle, while the rest of the family chimes in with the wicked stepmother. Anyone can win on this steal as the Kimbells try "she had to be home by midnight." That'll do it. Kimbells win, 307-163. Other answer: poor.

Jenny and Karolin are taking their game to the Fast Money board, where they pick up $755. Meanwhile, Family Feud and AstraZeneca are donating $5000 to Living Beyond Breast Cancer. Again, for more information, log onto http://www.getbcfacts.com

Jeopardy! by Chico Alexander, GSNN

Air time: Check listings or jeopardy.com
Host: Alex Trebek

Jeff Lawrence (limousine driver from Las Vegas); $26,200, two days

Barbara Noyes (police officer from Blauvelt, NY)

Peter Rubin (journalist from Brooklyn)

It's the Christmas battle and the state of New York has sent two of their best into J! Stadium for what is sure to be another holiday classic. Jeff, after a little limbering during his contestant intro, begins with $200 You Get An "F". At the TV time out, it's New York $4400 (Peter has $3400 and Barbara has a grand), Las Vegas zero.

Trivia that Gordon will like: Peter was almost the fourth judge on "American Idol". But Fox thought he was "untelegenic" and "not personable."

It gets worse for Jeff as he is docked -$800 on a technicality. Peter finds the Daily Double under $800 20th Century World Leaders. With $4000 and the lead, he bets $1000 on the President who exiled himself to Hawaii in 1986. "Who is Noriega?" Nope. It was Ferdinand Marcos. But he still leads with $3000. He'd bounce back to $6800 at the half to Barbara's $2000. Jeff, with a paltry $200, starts Double Jeopardy!...

... which has some themed categories: Be BC, Keeping Up Appearances, Dr. Who..., The Office, Obsoletely Fabulous, and "RU" Being Served? Jeff goes with $400 Obsoletely Fabulous. Peter finds the first Daily Double under $2000 Dr. Who... Peter wagers $3400. Dr. Who... specializes in the origin, development, diagnosis, & treatment of malignant neoplasms. "What is an oncologist?" Right for $21,000! Last category in play is Be BC, and the second Daily Double is under $1600. He makes it $1800 to go on the "great" guy who was governor of Galilee in 47 BC and king of Judea a few years later. "Rather than betray my total lack of biblical knowledge, I will say I don't know." Good call. Who was Herod? brings him to $22,400. Another $800 clue gives him $23,200, way ahead of Barbara's $6800 and Jeff's $1000.

Final Jeopardy! in "Shakespeareana": a knight in "Henry VI, Part I" who flees battle to save his life is an early version of this great character. Correct question: Who is Falstaff?

Jeff is right for $1995. Barbara is right for $8600. Peter is wrong with Richard III. But still, it's enough for the game and $21,400. Jeff leaves with $27,200.

The Price is Right by Travis Schario, GSNN

Air time: 11a ET/10a CT on CBS (markets may vary)
Host: Bob Barker

"It's the end of the week as we know it. *Backup* Christmas week." Christmas Week, day 5.

Timothy Hamilton, Joann Dobson, Joshua Criso, and Kimberly Harrington...

YOU will be the four to bid on the STUDIO CHRISTMAS TREE! At an ARP of $1550, Kimberly wins the tree with her $1276 bid, and has a shot at three very nice stocking stuffers...

Paul Bunyan stocking stuffers, that is...

Kimberly tries to convert a Triple Play for two Fords and a Cadillac CTS. First Base: a Ford Focus ZXWSE. $13,652 or $15,750? She takes the latter, and we get a YES. ARP: $18,095. Second Base: a Ford Mustang V6 Coupe Deluxe. $15,362 or $18,114 or $22,012? She takes the last, and gets a resounding NO. ARP: $19,910. We'll leave the Caddy out in the blizzard. 0/1.

OK, not ending Christmas week on a good note. Next, Joshua manages to pick up a side by side fridge/freezer WITH TV in door, worth $2749. Here's hoping he can pick up $10,000 in Grand Game (Target: $4.00). Hesitating not, he takes Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup ($1.02), a single serve Pringle's chips (79¢), and Bruce's Yams ($1.29). After a short conference with his fiance, he takes Jif peanut butter ($2.99) to complete the quadfecta. The other two products: Carapelli olive oil and Maxwell House Decaf, prices unrevealed. 1/2.

Our new contestant, Jennifer Roe, is one of "Bob's Happy Housewives." Not as desperate as others, I assume? Anyway, she picked up a Disney child's bed, designed like Cinderella's carriage, valued at $899. Her game was a Push Over for a Wurlitzer Jukebox, as Shane danced with Santa attached to her feet. With the setup as [358995095], she pushed very carefully to $5899. ARP: $8995. Just a little too far. 1/3. However, Jennifer did make it to the Showcases with a one-spin 95¢.

We're 1/3 for today. Gotta pick up the pace. Enter Timothy of the First Four to win a 3 piece bar set, valued at $2499. His speed-up game: Switch? for a trip to Boston and a trip to the Bahamas. Boston: $4428. Bahamas: $3783. Timothy switches and wins! 2/4.

As the sleigh draws nearer, Katelyn Yoder takes the stage after capturing a Sunlite drum set (ARP: $1267). She engaged in a Cover-Up for a Chrysler PT Cruiser, adorned with white ribbons.

                9
      5 3
    2 8 1
4 6 6 4
1 0 4 9 5
3 6 0 2 7
----------
$2 8 3 1 0

Her first cover of $16,495 nets her four correct (first three, and the 5). Her second attempt; $16,485; netted her a loss. ARP: $16,425. 2/5.

One more for break even. Our 9th seed, Ashley Romana, claimed a set of Fitz & Floyd Holiday Solstice serveware ($1080). Her game: Secret "X" for a $4000 Broyhill Painter's Shed family room. Placing her free X in the top left, she picks up 3 nutcrackers ($120) and a 256 MB MP3 player ($69) to place her other two X's in the top right and bottom right. Secret X in the Center, and we break even for the day.

Timothy made his way to the Showcases with $1000 on the Wheel and a 30¢ Bonus Spin. He is our Top Winner for the day, and Jennifer is our Runner-Up.

Showcase #1 has a frustrated Kris Kringle trying to slim down. Why? He can't fit down the narrow pipe on a Malm free-standing cone fireplace. He also doesn't want to get cramped in an airline seat on a trip to AUSTRALIA. And, he doesn't want to wreck the sleigh into the deck of a new 25' Catalina Yachts wing keel sailboat. Timothy passes on this slimming Showcase, so Jennifer bids $44,000 (?!).

Showcase #2 has our beloved Kris tricking out the sleigh. What with? A Clarion Gneiss GPS System, a Barbeques Galore Turbo gas grill, and he took the reindeer off to be pulled by a Ford F-150 Style Side 4x2. Facing a "grievance from the reindeer union," Timothy bids $35,000.

Timothy's Showcase: $23,089. He's over. Based on the groan from the audience, Jennifer may be over too. What an awful way to end Christmas week.

Jennifer's Showcase: $44,953. Difference of $953, and a total take for $45,852.

STATS: 3/6; $78,397
CHRISTMAS WEEK STATS: 18/30 (.600); $429,034

CBS has reruns slated for New Year's Week. New episodes start on the 2nd. HAPPY HOLIDAYS, Y'ALL!!

Wheel of Fortune by Chico Alexander, GSNN

Air time: Check listings or wheeloffortune.com
Hosts: Pat Sajak & Vanna White

Celeste got the first tossup for $1000. Student Ada Rosenbaum from Abilene, TX and project manager Warren Burton from Poway, CA also join us for the final day of 'Tis the Season Week. Second tossup of MORGAN FREEMAN goes to Warren for $2000. He starts the spinning with a trip to the Culinary Institute of America in New York on the Wheel. First round is an event... and a Prize Puzzle! Celeste gets $1000 from FTD, and solves SEEING THE NORTHERN LIGHTS for $1550 cash money... and a trip to Iceland! And if you've got Spin ID # TF 03854, you're on your way to Iceland as well! So far, Celeste has $12,250.

Jolly Time Mallow Magic Jackpot Round is On the Menu. Celeste gets another $1000 Gift Card, this time from Bodega Chocolates. She also picks up the trip to New York City, solving HOT OATMEAL WITH RAISINS AND BROWN SUGAR for $2500 cash money. In total, $22,400. Strange fact: it's what she had for breakfast at the hotel.

The gift that keeps on giving, $10,000, is up for grabs in the Mystery Round. Song Lyrics, the category. We run out of vowels as Ada solves I KNOW THAT MY HEART WILL GO ON for $4400.

Ada also solves the tossup of MUFFIN PAN for $3000 more. She leads off in this Thing. Ada picks up $5000 for a Y, exhausts the vowels... and solves PORTABLE DVD PLAYER for $7150 more, $14,550. Still time for one more round...

... and that's a Title. Pat spins out $1700 for a consonant. Warren solves SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE for $1700, giving him $3700 today. Ada has $14,550, but Celeste wins with $22,400, most of that in little cardboard goodies...

... so let's win some cash to go with that. Bonus round is Rhyme Time. With the usual six and CMP A, we get...

_ _ _ _ E P _ _ _ E

Celeste couldn't figure out what I had three seconds ago. HODGEPODGE was the solution, as she misses out on an Infiniti FX35. But hey, she's still going to New York and Iceland with $22,400!

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire by Don Harpwood, GSNN

Air time: Check listings or millionairetv.com
Host: Meredith Vieira

Yesterday, Wayne Smith (New Orleans, LA) made it to $4,000, having phoned a friend on the way. How will he fare today?

Though his hometown was hit by Hurricane Katrina, Wayne really wants to help his neighbours more than himself, and as part of a band called "Rocky Charles and the Stacks of Love", he'd like to do some benefit shows to help them. The other members of that group are all over the U.S., though, so he'd have to get the band together first. But first, there's a game to play here, and it resumes with this $8,000 question...

In 2003, a laboratory known as BALCO became embroiled in a high-profile scandal involving what?
A: Animal testing
B: Stem cell research
C: Sports doping
D: Nuclear waste disposal

Wayne hasn't heard of BALCO, so he asks the audience. 64% of the studio audience says C, but 35% of the AIM users say B. Wayne then uses the 50:50, which happens to leave B and C. So one of the audiences is right, but which one? Wayne decides to trust the studio audience, and goes with C... and it's C! On to $16,000...

On the equator, the length of a person's shadow is usually shortest at which of these times of the day?
A: 9 a.m.
B: Noon
C: 3 p.m.
D: 5 p.m.

Wayne isn't really sure. He's leaning towards C, but he thinks it's either that or B. He takes his time pondering whether to walk or go for it. Eventually, he decides to walk. Good thing, too, as it turns out that it was B. So that means that Wayne is going home with $8,000.

Next in the hot seat is George Bourdieu (West Palm Beach, FL). He's a hot dog vendor with his own cart, serving "Great Dogs, By George". But recently, he had been spending a lot of time studying and preparing for this show. Hope he studied well enough... George starts by knowing that the 2 Biblical figures that engage in disobedient behaviour often referred to as "the fall of man" are Adam and Eve (though I bet Pamela and Tommy Lee's "behaviour" was referred to as something completely different). He has no problem completing the lower tier, then goes through another couple of questions before getting to this for $8,000...

In 2005, the finale of the "American Idol"-like series "Super Girl" drew an estimated 400 million viewers in what country?
A: Brazil
B: Russia
C: Mexico
D: China

The 50:50 leaves C and D. George goes with D... and he's right! Another question later, and he goes for $25,000 with this...

On February 17, 1998, what space probe became the most distant man-made object from Earth?
A: Voyager I
B: Deep Space I
C: Pioneer 10
D: Ulysses

George asks the audience. 70% of the studio audience and 48% of the AIM users pick A, so he trusts them... and he has $25,000! Yet another question later, and he goes for $100,000...

What U.S. president's wife, Abigail, was once his schoolteacher?
A: Zachary Taylor
B: John Tyler
C: Millard Fillmore
D: Herbert Hoover

George is thinking A, but he isn't sure enough, so he decides to switch it out. After finding out that the answer was actually C, he faces this...

Which of these bodies of water lies above an enormous meteorite crater formed 35 million years ago?
A: Chesapeake Bay
B: Great Salt Lake
C: Lake Tahoe
D: Puget Sound

George calls his son Jean Claude, who says B, his exact words being "I think it's Salt Lake. I'm guessing. I'm pretty sure." With that, George goes for it and says B... but it's A! Ouch. Well, at least George has $25,000 to take home!

And that's it for this week. Millionaire will be in reruns for the next week or two, so see ya in the new year! Happy holidays, everyone!