Groovy Gold (Johnsonverse)
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Groovy Gold is an American game show that aired on JTV from September 19 to October 7, 1983. Hosted by Rosie O'Donnell and created by Phil Stacker, the show has six contestants compete to answer a set of five trivia questions each drawn from thirty envelopes to win a $1,000 cash prize.
The series was critically panned, with many considering it the worst Johnson game show of all time. It has also been criticized for O'Donnell's hosting, as well as its set, music, and graphics. The show also taped as many as five weeks per session, and only 15 out of the 245 taped episodes aired. Modern reviews have been a bit kinder, praising its unique premise, though not by much. A revival, titled 30 Questions, has aired on Johnson-owned Game Show Network since 2007 with host Elizabeth Banks and an altered format. All 245 taped episodes of Groovy Gold are available on Netflix.
Gameplay
First round
All six contestants draw an envelope from a set of thirty. They must answer the question included, and they are correct, $100 is added to their score, but if they're wrong, the same amount is taken away from them. At any point in the game, a computer randomly shuffles around the position of the contestants, giving them each other's podiums, and by extension, their winnings.
Second round
This round involves contestants spinning a wheel to determine how much their values will be multiplied or how much of it will be taken away. Any contestant who buzzes in has a chance to win more money.
Third round
The three lowest-earning contestants are eliminated, and must act as "spoilers";
Bonus round
The winning contestant bets all of their in-game money
Production
Development
When Phil Stacker took over Johnson Industries on March 1, 1981, he made it his goal to get rid of any series on WBC that was "old school" and "not hip or cool". He started work on a new game show to replace Money Wheels, a successful WBC series that Stacker felt didn't fit in his plan.
Tapings
Because Stacker was overconfident in the series,