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Jim finally hits the big-time in American television with Card Sharks.
Jim finally hits the big-time in American television with Card Sharks.
Jim with Lois Areno (left) and Janice Baker (right), two of the card dealers during the NBC run.
Jim with Lois Areno (left) and Janice Baker (right), two of the card dealers during the NBC run.
After hosting game shows primarily in Canada for the past thirteen years, Jim finally moved to American television screens with Card Sharks. Jim continued working for CTV with his two game shows Headline Hunters and Definition while also hosting the annual Miss Canada Pageant. He would now fly to Canada from California to take care of his shows while hosting Card Sharks in the United States. Jim had entered a period that would be the peak of his broadcasting career. As Jim's wife, June, once said, "ride the wave while you have it."
After hosting game shows primarily in Canada for the past thirteen years, Jim finally moved to American television screens with Card Sharks. Jim continued working for CTV with his two game shows Headline Hunters and Definition while also hosting the annual Miss Canada Pageant. He would now fly to Canada from California to take care of his shows while hosting Card Sharks in the United States. Jim had entered a period that would be the peak of his broadcasting career. As Jim's wife, June, once said, "ride the wave while you have it."
Card Sharks was one of the many creations from the iconic game show producers Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions. On Card Sharks, two contestants faced a board with two rows of over-sized playing cards. The object of the game was to guess whether the next card was higher or lower than the one that preceded it. The first player to win two games out of three advanced to the Money Cards.
Card Sharks was one of the many creations from the iconic game show producers Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions. On Card Sharks, two contestants faced a board with two rows of over-sized playing cards. The object of the game was to guess whether the next card was higher or lower than the one that preceded it. The first player to win two games out of three advanced to the Money Cards.
In the Money Cards, the winner was dealt a total of seven cards on a three-level board. The player started with $200 and wagered a portion or all of their money as to whether the next card was higher or lower. Contestants could win a total of $28,800 if they successfully doubled their bet with each play of the cards. Most players won an average of $1,000-$5,000 on a typical day.
In the Money Cards, the winner was dealt a total of seven cards on a three-level board. The player started with $200 and wagered a portion or all of their money as to whether the next card was higher or lower. Contestants could win a total of $28,800 if they successfully doubled their bet with each play of the cards. Most players won an average of $1,000-$5,000 on a typical day.
The familiar Card Sharks opening from 1979. The show's memorable theme had been used on the short-lived Goodson Todman game show Double Dare during the 1976-1977 season.
The familiar Card Sharks opening from 1979. The show's memorable theme had been used on the short-lived Goodson Todman game show Double Dare during the 1976-1977 season.
The full Card Sharks set seen at the opening of each episode. This opening shot, which included a zoom in on the Card Sharks sign, was actually from the pilot episode (note the different Money Cards board on the right side). It was used on every episode of the show through the finale in 1981.
The full Card Sharks set seen at the opening of each episode. This opening shot, which included a zoom in on the Card Sharks sign, was actually from the pilot episode (note the different Money Cards board on the right side). It was used on every episode of the show through the finale in 1981.
Two contestants were given five oversized cards from two standard decks of 52 playing cards. The champion played the red cards on the top level of the board while the challenger played the blue cards on the lower tier. The object of the game was for players to guess whether each succeeding card was higher or lower in value than the one preceding it. Aces were considered the highest cards while 2s were the lowest in value. Before playing their cards, contestants first had to guess how many from a group of 100 people responded to a survey question. The winner of the question played their cards.
Two contestants were given five oversized cards from two standard decks of 52 playing cards. The champion played the red cards on the top level of the board while the challenger played the blue cards on the lower tier. The object of the game was for players to guess whether each succeeding card was higher or lower in value than the one preceding it. Aces were considered the highest cards while 2s were the lowest in value. Before playing their cards, contestants first had to guess how many from a group of 100 people responded to a survey question. The winner of the question played their cards.
Our two contestants are ready to play. Jim asks the first question of the game.
Our two contestants are ready to play. Jim asks the first question of the game.
We asked 100 married men: has your wife ever locked you out of your bedroom? How many men said their wife has locked them out of their bedroom?
We asked 100 married men: has your wife ever locked you out of your bedroom? How many men said their wife has locked them out of their bedroom?
Dick guesses that 48 men said yes to this question.
Dick guesses that 48 men said yes to this question.
Pat thinks that the number is lower than 48. Jim noted in an interview that contestants were encouraged to deliberate on their answers during the survey questions.
Pat thinks that the number is lower than 48. Jim noted in an interview that contestants were encouraged to deliberate on their answers during the survey questions.
The actual number is 17 so Pat wins the question and the right to play her cards.
The actual number is 17 so Pat wins the question and the right to play her cards.
Jim reveals Pat's base card which is a King. Pat guesses that the next card is lower than a King.
Jim reveals Pat's base card which is a King. Pat guesses that the next card is lower than a King.
It is indeed lower! However, a 6 is a tough card to play.
It is indeed lower! However, a 6 is a tough card to play.
Pat opts to freeze on the 6. The freeze bar moves over and her first two cards cannot be taken from the board.
Pat opts to freeze on the 6. The freeze bar moves over and her first two cards cannot be taken from the board.
Jim then asked another survey question and game play continued in the same manner.
Jim then asked another survey question and game play continued in the same manner.
Pat wins the second question and gets another crack at her cards. Since she won the question, Pat wants to change that terrible 6. Instead she gets a 7!
Pat wins the second question and gets another crack at her cards. Since she won the question, Pat wants to change that terrible 6. Instead she gets a 7!
A few minutes later, Dick has caught up with Pat. We are now in Sudden Death and someone has to win on this play of the cards.
A few minutes later, Dick has caught up with Pat. We are now in Sudden Death and someone has to win on this play of the cards.
A maximum of four questions were played per game. If the fourth question was needed, the game entered "sudden death" and someone had to win on this last play of the cards. The player who won the "sudden death" question had the right to play their own cards or pass to their opponent and force them to play their hand. Whoever played had to turn over their remaining cards without making a mistake. Otherwise, their opponent won the game. The first contestant to work his/her way across the board of five cards won $100. The first player to win two games won the match and advanced to the Money Cards.
A maximum of four questions were played per game. If the fourth question was needed, the game entered "sudden death" and someone had to win on this last play of the cards. The player who won the "sudden death" question had the right to play their own cards or pass to their opponent and force them to play their hand. Whoever played had to turn over their remaining cards without making a mistake. Otherwise, their opponent won the game. The first contestant to work his/her way across the board of five cards won $100. The first player to win two games won the match and advanced to the Money Cards.
Pat has won the 4th and final question and has the option to play her cards or pass to Dick. She opts to pass and let Dick try to turn over his remaining two cards without a mistake.
Pat has won the 4th and final question and has the option to play her cards or pass to Dick. She opts to pass and let Dick try to turn over his remaining two cards without a mistake.
Dick is playing off of a 10. He says the next card is lower. Unfortunately for him, it is a Jack. Pat wins the game.
Dick is playing off of a 10. He says the next card is lower. Unfortunately for him, it is a Jack. Pat wins the game.
As simple as this game was, it called for some real strategy on the part of the contestants. For example, if lower value cards ranging from aces to about a 4 or higher cards ranging from 10s to Kings were revealed, the odds of correctly predicting the next card were much higher. However, a middle card ranging from a 5 to a 9 meant that the odds of correctly predicting the next card were much lower. In these cases, contestants had the option of changing their base card to try and obtain a better card. The player then had to play the changed card.
As simple as this game was, it called for some real strategy on the part of the contestants. For example, if lower value cards ranging from aces to about a 4 or higher cards ranging from 10s to Kings were revealed, the odds of correctly predicting the next card were much higher. However, a middle card ranging from a 5 to a 9 meant that the odds of correctly predicting the next card were much lower. In these cases, contestants had the option of changing their base card to try and obtain a better card. The player then had to play the changed card.
Players had the right to change their cards only if they won the survey question. If a player received a free turn due to their opponent incorrectly calling a card, they were not allowed to change their card since they had not won the survey question. So it was very important in the game's strategy to win the survey questions.
Players had the right to change their cards only if they won the survey question. If a player received a free turn due to their opponent incorrectly calling a card, they were not allowed to change their card since they had not won the survey question. So it was very important in the game's strategy to win the survey questions.
The Money Cards: The winner was dealt a total of seven cards on a three-level board (three cards on the first level, three on the second level, and one on the top row). The player started with $200 and a base card was revealed. The contestant wagered a portion or all of their money as to whether the next card was higher or lower. Calling a card correctly won the player the amount of their wager but calling the card incorrectly cost the player the amount of their bet.
The Money Cards: The winner was dealt a total of seven cards on a three-level board (three cards on the first level, three on the second level, and one on the top row). The player started with $200 and a base card was revealed. The contestant wagered a portion or all of their money as to whether the next card was higher or lower. Calling a card correctly won the player the amount of their wager but calling the card incorrectly cost the player the amount of their bet.
Pat advances to the Money Cards to see if she can win a fortune.
Pat advances to the Money Cards to see if she can win a fortune.
Pat is given $200 to start as Jim heads over to the board to reveal the cards.
Pat is given $200 to start as Jim heads over to the board to reveal the cards.
Pat's first card is a Queen. She bets $150 that the next card is lower.
Pat's first card is a Queen. She bets $150 that the next card is lower.
The next card is a 9, so Pat is now up to $350.
The next card is a 9, so Pat is now up to $350.
Pat bets only $50 that the next card is lower. Ouch, it's an Ace instead.
Pat bets only $50 that the next card is lower. Ouch, it's an Ace instead.
Pat loses the $50 and now has $300. However, an Ace is a good card. She bets it all that the next card is lower.
Pat loses the $50 and now has $300. However, an Ace is a good card. She bets it all that the next card is lower.
It's a 5 and now Pat has $600 as Jim moves the card up to the second level where Pat earns another $200.
It's a 5 and now Pat has $600 as Jim moves the card up to the second level where Pat earns another $200.
As the Money Cards progress, Pat has been dealt some tough cards. She only has $700 by the time she goes to the Big Bet where she must bet as least half of her winnings. Her card is a 7.
As the Money Cards progress, Pat has been dealt some tough cards. She only has $700 by the time she goes to the Big Bet where she must bet as least half of her winnings. Her card is a 7.
Pat changes the card and gets a 4, which is much better!
Pat changes the card and gets a 4, which is much better!
She successfully doubles her bet and wins $1,400. While this was a lower win in the Money Cards, contestants who were able to come back and play the Money Cards multiple times could rack up thousands of dollars.
She successfully doubles her bet and wins $1,400. While this was a lower win in the Money Cards, contestants who were able to come back and play the Money Cards multiple times could rack up thousands of dollars.
Here are some big winners of the Money Cards. Dick, the player that Pat defeated, won $19,200 during his turn at the Money Cards.
Here are some big winners of the Money Cards. Dick, the player that Pat defeated, won $19,200 during his turn at the Money Cards.
Sandy hits the show for $13,400!
Sandy hits the show for $13,400!
Near the end of the show's run, Peggy wins $16,000 in 1981.
Near the end of the show's run, Peggy wins $16,000 in 1981.
Norma Brown was the only contestant in the show's history to shoot the max and win the top prize of $28,800 on November 1, 1978.
Norma Brown was the only contestant in the show's history to shoot the max and win the top prize of $28,800 on November 1, 1978.
Here is the ticket plug seen on many of the episodes. Sometimes the plug would be shown in the middle of the show or, as in the case here, at the end of the show just before the fee plugs and credits.
Here is the ticket plug seen on many of the episodes. Sometimes the plug would be shown in the middle of the show or, as in the case here, at the end of the show just before the fee plugs and credits.
The famous Card Sharks credit roll with drawings of the cards inserted between the crew members' names. It was a pretty cool effect that helped lend a Vegas feel to the show.
The famous Card Sharks credit roll with drawings of the cards inserted between the crew members' names. It was a pretty cool effect that helped lend a Vegas feel to the show.
For its first two years, Card Sharks was a hit on NBC's daytime schedule. At one point in early 1980, Goodson-Todman tried to sell a syndicated nighttime version of the show to stations around the country. However, there was not enough interest and the syndicated version never came to fruition. On June 23, 1980, NBC reshuffled its daytime lineup after cancelling three of its game shows: Hollywood Squares, High Rollers, and Chain Reaction to make room for David Letterman's new 90 minute variety series. As a result, NBC moved Card Sharks from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon. The move ultimately hurt the show since many NBC affiliates dropped the game to air local news instead.
For its first two years, Card Sharks was a hit on NBC's daytime schedule. At one point in early 1980, Goodson-Todman tried to sell a syndicated nighttime version of the show to stations around the country. However, there was not enough interest and the syndicated version never came to fruition. On June 23, 1980, NBC reshuffled its daytime lineup after cancelling three of its game shows: Hollywood Squares, High Rollers, and Chain Reaction to make room for David Letterman's new 90 minute variety series. As a result, NBC moved Card Sharks from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon. The move ultimately hurt the show since many NBC affiliates dropped the game to air local news instead.
It's a very new lineup on NBC daytime in June 1980. This was the beginning of the end for Card Sharks.
It's a very new lineup on NBC daytime in June 1980. This was the beginning of the end for Card Sharks.
To help boost the ratings, the show held the MC Turnabout Tournament, a three-week event in which eight game show hosts played for charity, from September 8-26, 1980. The hosts who participated were Jack Clark, Bill Cullen, Tom Kennedy, Jim Lange, Allen Ludden, Wink Martindale, Gene Rayburn, and Alex Trebek. A celebrity charity tournament was also held in November 1980 with Bill Daly, Vicki Lawrence, Marcia Wallace, and Ross Martin among the players. However, nothing helped as Card Sharks slowly eroded in the ratings. A December 8, 1980, Broadcasting Magazine article noted that Card Sharks aired on only 133 NBC affiliates representing 70 percent coverage across the country in the noon time slot. Compared to the higher number of NBC stations that had aired the show at 10:00 a.m., the number of viewers was considerably less at noon.
To help boost the ratings, the show held the MC Turnabout Tournament, a three-week event in which eight game show hosts played for charity, from September 8-26, 1980. The hosts who participated were Jack Clark, Bill Cullen, Tom Kennedy, Jim Lange, Allen Ludden, Wink Martindale, Gene Rayburn, and Alex Trebek. A celebrity charity tournament was also held in November 1980 with Bill Daly, Vicki Lawrence, Marcia Wallace, and Ross Martin among the players. However, nothing helped as Card Sharks slowly eroded in the ratings. A December 8, 1980, Broadcasting Magazine article noted that Card Sharks aired on only 133 NBC affiliates representing 70 percent coverage across the country in the noon time slot. Compared to the higher number of NBC stations that had aired the show at 10:00 a.m., the number of viewers was considerably less at noon.
(Left to Right) Jim Lange, Tom Kennedy, Jim Perry, Jack Clark, and Alex Trebek during the three week MC Turnabout Tournament in September 1980.
(Left to Right) Jim Lange, Tom Kennedy, Jim Perry, Jack Clark, and Alex Trebek during the three week MC Turnabout Tournament in September 1980.
Ross Martin wins $7,800 for his charity during the Celebrity Tournament in November 1980
Ross Martin wins $7,800 for his charity during the Celebrity Tournament in November 1980
Vicki Lawrence and Marcia Wallace compete for their charities during the Celebrity Tournament.
Vicki Lawrence and Marcia Wallace compete for their charities during the Celebrity Tournament.
The producers continued tweaking the format in 1981. During the survey questions, if a contestant correctly guessed the number right on the nose, they were awarded an extra $500. Prior to this change, there was no reward for guessing the exact number. A second rule change involved the card play. Up to this point, if a player guessed higher or lower on a card and the next card was the same value (for example, the player had a 2 and guessed that the next card was higher and the next card was another 2), the player lost their turn and also lost any cards that were not frozen on the board. Under the new rule, players still lost their turn but did not lose any unprotected cards on the board. The same rule applied to the Money Cards. In this case, the player did not lose any money on their bet if two consecutive cards of the same value were revealed. Ratings continued to decline and Card Sharks ultimately left the air on October 23, 1981.
The producers continued tweaking the format in 1981. During the survey questions, if a contestant correctly guessed the number right on the nose, they were awarded an extra $500. Prior to this change, there was no reward for guessing the exact number. A second rule change involved the card play. Up to this point, if a player guessed higher or lower on a card and the next card was the same value (for example, the player had a 2 and guessed that the next card was higher and the next card was another 2), the player lost their turn and also lost any cards that were not frozen on the board. Under the new rule, players still lost their turn but did not lose any unprotected cards on the board. The same rule applied to the Money Cards. In this case, the player did not lose any money on their bet if two consecutive cards of the same value were revealed. Ratings continued to decline and Card Sharks ultimately left the air on October 23, 1981.
The following year, Firestone Program Syndication, the same company that had tried to syndicate Card Sharks in 1980, offered a package of 260 episodes (all reruns of the NBC series) of the show for local stations during the 1982-1983 season. A number of stations picked up the rerun package. Jim once noted in a 1983 interview that while he was glad the Card Sharks reruns were back on the air, what he did not like was that some stations aired the reruns in direct competition with his new game show, Sale of the Century on NBC at 10:30 am ET. In those markets, Jim competed with himself on two different channels. During the 1984-1985 season, the CBN Cable Network aired reruns of the show as part of its late-afternoon game show block.
The following year, Firestone Program Syndication, the same company that had tried to syndicate Card Sharks in 1980, offered a package of 260 episodes (all reruns of the NBC series) of the show for local stations during the 1982-1983 season. A number of stations picked up the rerun package. Jim once noted in a 1983 interview that while he was glad the Card Sharks reruns were back on the air, what he did not like was that some stations aired the reruns in direct competition with his new game show, Sale of the Century on NBC at 10:30 am ET. In those markets, Jim competed with himself on two different channels. During the 1984-1985 season, the CBN Cable Network aired reruns of the show as part of its late-afternoon game show block.
Card Sharks proved to be a very durable series. It returned in original production on CBS daytime on January 6, 1986, with Bob Eubanks as the new host while Bill Rafferty emceed a syndicated version seen during the 1986-1987 season. The CBS version lasted until March 31, 1989, almost exactly the same amount of time as Jim's edition.
Card Sharks proved to be a very durable series. It returned in original production on CBS daytime on January 6, 1986, with Bob Eubanks as the new host while Bill Rafferty emceed a syndicated version seen during the 1986-1987 season. The CBS version lasted until March 31, 1989, almost exactly the same amount of time as Jim's edition.
Bob Eubanks
Bob Eubanks
Bill Rafferty
Bill Rafferty
Pat Bullard hosted a revival of the show that premiered in the fall of 2001 with drastically different game play. This version was cancelled halfway through the season. Card Sharks popped up again during the summer of 2006 on CBS' primetime specials called Game Show Marathon and hosted by Ricki Lake.
Pat Bullard hosted a revival of the show that premiered in the fall of 2001 with drastically different game play. This version was cancelled halfway through the season. Card Sharks popped up again during the summer of 2006 on CBS' primetime specials called Game Show Marathon and hosted by Ricki Lake.
Pat Bullard
Pat Bullard
Ricki Lake
Ricki Lake
But you can't keep a good game down as Card Sharks turned up yet again on ABC in the summer of 2019 hosted by comedian Joel McHale. This version kept most of the original game play intact. The main difference is since this version is an hour long, two complete games are played and the contestants work their way across a board of ten cards each instead of five. To speed up the game play, for the show's second season, the contestants worked across a board of only seven cards. The stakes were raised considerably as well. The maximum payoff in the Money Cards was $640,000! This version lasted until 2021.
But you can't keep a good game down as Card Sharks turned up yet again on ABC in the summer of 2019 hosted by comedian Joel McHale. This version kept most of the original game play intact. The main difference is since this version is an hour long, two complete games are played and the contestants work their way across a board of ten cards each instead of five. To speed up the game play, for the show's second season, the contestants worked across a board of only seven cards. The stakes were raised considerably as well. The maximum payoff in the Money Cards was $640,000! This version lasted until 2021.
Joel McHale
Joel McHale
The 2019 edition of Card Sharks
The 2019 edition of Card Sharks
Because Card Sharks was Jim’s first successful show in the United States, he had lots of memories about the show.
Because Card Sharks was Jim’s first successful show in the United States, he had lots of memories about the show.
Check out this YouTube video taken from the opening of a Card Sharks episode in 1980 in which Jim explains how those monstrous cards are shuffled.
Check out this YouTube video taken from the opening of a Card Sharks episode in 1980 in which Jim explains how those monstrous cards are shuffled.
Card Sharks Videos:
Card Sharks Videos:
Two pilots for Card Sharks were taped on March 17, 1978. There were a few minor differences in the pilots compared to the regular series including a different contestant podium during the main game, a slightly different Money Cards board, Jim wore a lapel microphone on his jacket instead of using a hand-held mike, and Johnny Olson was the announcer instead of Gene Wood. The game play was the same as the regular series. Here is Pilot #1.
Two pilots for Card Sharks were taped on March 17, 1978. There were a few minor differences in the pilots compared to the regular series including a different contestant podium during the main game, a slightly different Money Cards board, Jim wore a lapel microphone on his jacket instead of using a hand-held mike, and Johnny Olson was the announcer instead of Gene Wood. The game play was the same as the regular series. Here is Pilot #1.
Here is Pilot #2. What happened in the Money Cards round in this episode probably helped with selling the series to NBC.
Here is Pilot #2. What happened in the Money Cards round in this episode probably helped with selling the series to NBC.
Contestants who appear in game show pilots are usually paid a small fee for their time by the show's producers but do not normally get to keep any prizes or cash that they win during the pilot. The reason for this is because most pilot episodes do not air on TV and the players are there to help sell the show to the networks or for syndication. Apparently, there was an exception on the second Card Sharks pilot with a contestant named John Smith. Check out this May 26, 1978, article in the Laurel, Mississippi newspaper, Leader-Call. (Note: This article contains a spoiler so be sure to watch Pilot #2 before reading this article.)
Contestants who appear in game show pilots are usually paid a small fee for their time by the show's producers but do not normally get to keep any prizes or cash that they win during the pilot. The reason for this is because most pilot episodes do not air on TV and the players are there to help sell the show to the networks or for syndication. Apparently, there was an exception on the second Card Sharks pilot with a contestant named John Smith. Check out this May 26, 1978, article in the Laurel, Mississippi newspaper, Leader-Call. (Note: This article contains a spoiler so be sure to watch Pilot #2 before reading this article.)
Here is the premiere NBC episode from April 24, 1978.
Here is the premiere NBC episode from April 24, 1978.
And 864 episodes later, here is the final Card Sharks episode on NBC from October 23, 1981.
And 864 episodes later, here is the final Card Sharks episode on NBC from October 23, 1981.
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