Crystal miller sale of the century

Sad news today. Jim Perry, host of Card Sharks and $ale of the Century among other game shows, has died at age 82 after a long battle with cancer.

Jim Perry doesn't often turn up in those lists of great game show hosts that appear now and then on the Interwebs. But he was always a solid, competent, reassuring presence on the sound stage. Well known in Canada, Perry hosted shows on both sides of the border, including a very long stint (1974-89) on Definition. He also hosted the Miss Canada pageant from 1967 to 1990. The unflappable emcee never lacked for work.

After hosting the short-lived U.S game show It's Your Move in 1967, Perry hit it big in the 1970s and 1980s with Card Sharks and $ale. His Wikipedia bio notes his funny turn as a celeb player on Family Feud in 1983. Richard Dawson coaxed a reply from Jim about mouthwash.

Jim Perry more or less retired after a few gigs in the 1990s. He settled in Oregon with his wife June. R.I.P.

UPDATE: On his Facebook page Wink Martindale has announced that he will post five rare eps of Jim Perry's $ale on YouTube. I assume GSN and Buzzr TV, both of which run Jim's Card Sharks regularly, will also do some kind of tribute.

With today's airing of a 1986 episode of "$ale of the Century," it marks the last time the syndicated run of the game show will air on GSN.

At this point, we're in the week of Feb. 17-21, 1986, with Crystal Miller having won her eighth game and accumulated $61,000-plus in cash and prizes. Among her Winner's Board take includes a new car (an Audi 5000S 4 dr. sedan), $3,000 in cash and a trip to Holland.

There's been speculation on a video sharing channel about what may or may not have happened during Crystal's next appearance (and possibly subsequent appearances). All that is known is that she does NOT meet Lisa Munoz, who won't begin until the week of Feb. 24-28. So with that in mind, what does happen to Crystal Miller? Does she:

* Lose on either her ninth or 10th show (what would have been the next two aired shows)?

* Win on her 10th show to clear the Winner's Board and decides to retire? (With a take that I'm estimating at somewhere around $52,000 in Winner's Board prizes.)

* Win on her 10th show to clear the Winner's Board, decides to play for the $50,000 cash bonus and loses? (Thus, losing all of her Winner's Board prizes, but still keeping what Instant Bargains, cash accumulated during IBs and Fame Game prizes she did pick up, would probably amount to close to $25,000 in cash and prizes.)

* Win on her 10th show to clear the Winner's Board, decides to play for the $50,000 cash bonus and wins? (For a total payoff of around $125,000.

I am sure that there are fan recollections or someone who might have it on video that would know. Thanks!

If/when someone answers that question, we'll talk about Lisa Munoz and her reign.

Brian

Today, viewers watched $ale of the Century on GSN, for the last time…..

The episode originally aired February 17, 1986, and with over $56,372 in winnings so far, defending champion Crystal Miller had already cleared seven prizes off the Winner’s Board and wanted more.

Meanwhile, Jim is impressed with Summer’s latest outfit.

And here’s that day’s challengers who aim to knock Crystal off her champions perch.

SPOILER ALERT: Crystal won again.

And it’s back to the Winner’s Board where she won a pocket watch.

After today, will this be the last time $ale fans will get to see their favorite classic game show on television?

Come on Buzzr TV, do what is right and put $ale on your schedule when you launch in May.

Oh, and I still never found out what Dara’s last name was……

About jburnham21

I like stuff, especially the ones that don't suck.

This entry was posted in $ale champions, Jim Perry, Summer Bartholomew, Winner's Board and tagged big prizes, Buzzr TV, cancellation, champion, contestants, crystal miller, dara, game shows, GSN, hiatus, jim perry, sale of the century, summer bartholomew, winners board. Bookmark the permalink.