Pyramid
Lifespan: September 16, 2002-present, Syndicated
Host: Donny Osmond
Announcer: John Cramer
PREMISE: Communicate words and subjects to win money.
PLAY: Play is similar to the classic Pyramid, with some changes:
Each category has six words or phrases to guess in 20 seconds, rather than 7 in 30.
One category is the "Super Six", which is worth a prize (Sony computer or camcorder in round one, trip in round two).
The winner of the front game goes to the Winner's Circle.
In the Winner's Circle, the celebrity gives clues to six subjects in 60 seconds. Each correct guess is worth $200 for the first three, $300 for the next two, and $500 for the top. Winning the Pyramid is worth $10,000.
Round two swaps celebrity partners. If the winner from the first round won $10,000, the next try is worth $15,000 more, otherwise the second round is also worth $10,000.
Contestants do not return to play again, unless they win $25,000. Those contestants return during sweeps week for a $100,000 tournament.
When six players have won $25,000, they return for three shows and a shot at $100,000.
The six players play one day over a three day period. The first trip to the winners' circle is for $25,000. If the same player returns, the second trip is for $75,000 (if the $25,000 was won first). If no one wins the $100,000 in this fashion, the player that won the $25,000 fastest gets the remaining $75,000. If more than one player should win the $100,000; it is divided equally among the winners. The winners' circle amounts are increased to $500 for the bottom row, $1,000 for the middle two and $2,500 for the top. Super Six prizes are trips to London and Rome, and a 40" Sony wide-screen TV.
The second tournament of the first season had four $25,000 winners returning to play again. In the semi-finals, the winner of each game went to the winner's circle for a shot at $25,000. The winner's circle subjects are worth $500-$1,000-$2,500 if the $25,000 is not won. The player who wins more money in the winner's circle gets to come back for the finals. On the third day, if a player gets to the winner's circle, climbing to the top is worth $50,000. If the campaign is not successful, the winner gets money for each subject guessed ($1000-$2500-$5000). A contestant who wins all five winner's circle attempts would leave with $175,000, but a $100,000 win is by no means guaranteed.