The Diamond Head Game

The Diamond Head Game
Format	Game show
Presented by	Bob Eubanks
Narrated by	Jim Thompson
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	130
Production
Running time	26 Minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	Syndicated (daily)
Original run	January 6 – July 4, 1975

The Diamond Head Game is an American game show that aired from January 6 to July 4, 1975 in five-day-a-week syndication. Borrowing its name from a long dormant volcano on the island of Oahu, the series was hosted by Bob Eubanks and assistant Jane Nelson, and is the only game show that was taped entirely on location in Hawaii. Alan Thicke wrote the memorable theme song.

Premise

The Diamond Head Game had two formats. The first format was used for the first 13 weeks.

Format #1

Front game

The audience was divided into four sections, each representing "one of the islands of Hawaii." Two contestants were selected from each section at a time to compete in a head-to-head match. Eubanks read a general-knowledge question, and the first to buzz in had the chance to answer. A correct answer was worth one point, while an incorrect response or failing to provide a guess in time gave the point to the other contestant. The first contestant to earn two points won a prize and advanced to the next round. The process repeated until all four contestants ("representatives from each island") were determined.

In the second round, each of the contestants stood at the base of Diamond Head (a three-step podium). Eubanks announced a category and 12 answers that fit. The contestants alternated giving responses, having to do so from memory. If a contestant gave a incorrect response, repeated an answer or failed to answer in time, he/she was eliminated. The remaining contestants won $50 each and climbed up one step of Diamond Head. In the rare event that all 12 responses were given without repetition, everyone collected $50 and a new question was played. The process repeated, with contestants winning $100 each after the second player was eliminated. The last remaining player advanced to the Money Volcano bonus round. All players kept the money they earned.

Money Volcano

The contestant was given 15 seconds to grab as many dollar bills and prize cards as possible and place them within a pouch placed around his/her waist. Among the dollar amounts in the Money Volcano was a $10,000 bill.

When time expired, Eubanks pulled out up to 10 bills and/or prize cards. If at any time Eubanks pulled out a $1 bill, the contestant lost everything and the game ended. However, the contestant could stop at any time and keeping what had been won to that point. Eubanks also offered a buyout prize in exchange for any soon-to-be-revealed cash and/or prize cards.

Format #2

Beginning on April 7, 1975 the format was changed for the last 13 weeks.

Front game

Two teams of three contestants competed in three question-and-answer rounds. A category was announced, along with five possible answers. A correct answer earned a team points, while an incorrect answer or failure to respond allowed the opposing team to answer.

The team with the most points after three rounds moved on to the fourth round, where they competed as individuals. The round was played much like the second round of the previous format, except that an incorrect/repeat answer or failure to respond penalized the player with a strike; two strikes eliminated that contestant. The winner received a prize and advanced to the Money Volcano bonus round.

Money Volcano

The first half of the game was played as before. However, Eubanks drew a maximum of only five bills and offered opportunities for the contestant to quit and keep their current winnings, or trade for one of five bonus envelopes. Three of the envelopes concealed $100, another $5,000 and the fifth a grand prize. As before, the penalty for having a $1 bill drawn meant the contestant won nothing, and the game ended.

Episode status

All episodes exist. The series was rerun on GSN from October 1997 to April 1998.

External links

• The Diamond Head Game at the Internet Movie Database