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Quiz about Big Bucks The Press Your Luck Scandal

Big Bucks: The 'Press Your Luck' Scandal Quiz

A quiz on the Game Show Network original special event regarding the largest payout on "Press Your Luck."

A multiple-choice quiz by dg_dave. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
dg_dave

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
150,859

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1362

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What happened on Michael's first spin? Hint

he got $1,500

he whammied

he got $1,000

he got $500

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. How many patterns did Michael learn in the Big Board? Hint

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Who was the champion the previous day?

Answer: (first name, surname, or full name)

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Did the producers originally want to put Michael on the show?

Yes

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Which cable network tried, but failed, to get the rights to this episode in 1987? Hint

TNT

GSN

TBS

USA

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. How much money was won by Michael? Hint

$102,851

$110,237

$125,000

$107,653

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. How many whammies did Michael receive? Hint

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Which days did the episode originally air in the US? Hint

July 8 and 11, 1984

July 18 and 21, 1984

June 18 and 21, 1984

June 8 and 11, 1984

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. How many spins did Michael go without a whammy? Hint

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Is Michael Larson still alive?

Yes

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What happened on Michael's first spin?

Answer: he whammied

On Michael's first spin, he got a whammy because he had not calculated the time on the board. The next two spins he earned $1,250 on each.

2. How many patterns did Michael learn in the Big Board?

Answer: 5

He learned all five of the board's patterns at the time. Immediately after his large win, the producers changed the board to 32 patterns, thus making it harder to beat.

3. Who was the champion the previous day?

Answer: Ed Long

Ed Long won $11,519 the previous day and Janie Litras was the other contestant.

4. Did the producers originally want to put Michael on the show?

Answer: No

They did not want to put him on, but since he fit all the rules, they allowed him to be on the show. In essence, he cost CBS over $100,000.

5. Which cable network tried, but failed, to get the rights to this episode in 1987?

Answer: USA

USA was never allowed rights to air this episode when they replayed "Press Your Luck" in 1987.

6. How much money was won by Michael?

Answer: $110,237

Michael won $102,851 when he passed his four spins to Janie, but overall, he won $110,237.

7. How many whammies did Michael receive?

Answer: 1

Michael only got one whammy and it was his first spin in the first round.

8. Which days did the episode originally air in the US?

Answer: June 8 and 11, 1984

June 8 was day one of the two-part episode. It was the only two-part episode of the entire series.

9. How many spins did Michael go without a whammy?

Answer: 45

He went 42 when he passed his remaining four spins to Janie, then went three more when she passed her three back to him. She eventually had two passed back to her, and being down by over $100,000 with one spin left, she had to get something to get an additional spin.

10. Is Michael Larson still alive?

Answer: No

Michael Larson died of throat cancer on February 16, 1999 at the age of 49. He left behind a legacy of being able to beat the original "Press Your Luck" system. Hope you've enjoyed the quiz.

Source: Author dg_dave

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ladymacb29 before going online.
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