Original Documentary Profiles Legendary 'Press Your Luck' Contestant Michael
Larson Who 'Broke the Game's Code' and Became Its All-Time Money Winner
Documentary Premieres Sunday, March 16 from 9 to 11 PM ET/PT and Includes the
Two Controversial Larson Episodes Not Broadcast Since Initial
Airings 19 Years Ago
HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Game Show Network (GSN) is
broadening its programming slate to include the production of its first-ever
documentary based on the real-life story behind contestant Michael Larson's
legendary winning streak on CBS' "Press Your Luck" game show in June 1984.
The documentary, BIG BUCKS: THE PRESS YOUR LUCK SCANDAL will debut Sunday,
March 16 from 9 to 11 PM ET/PT (and will re-air March 17 and 22 from 9-11 PM
ET/PT and March 26 and 28 from noon-2 PM ET). The announcement was jointly
made today by Rich Cronin, president and chief executive officer, GSN and Bob
Boden, senior vice president, programming, GSN as part of the network's
Television Critics Association presentation.
Larson, an unemployed ice cream truck driver from Ohio, memorized the
sequence of flashing screens and awaited the dreaded "Whammy" on "Press Your
Luck's" game board to become the show's all time money winner, racking up
$110,237 in cash and prizes with his two-episode appearance. The documentary
will feature both the original episodes of Larson's game play and exclusive
interviews from sources close to the show and Larson, including host Peter
Tomarken, co-contestants, Larson's family and network executives.
"We have always found the Michael Larson story fascinating," commented
Cronin. "With the exception of the 'Twenty One' scandal, which was
dramatized in the feature film 'Quiz Show,' Larson's story is one of the most
controversial in game show history. In fact, a feature film is currently
being developed."
"Larson's memorization of the 'Press Your Luck' game board was anything
but illegal -- just truly amazing," stated Boden. "He literally outsmarted
the game and had producers introducing new rules."
Larson, who had watched "Press Your Luck" since it premiered on September
19, 1983, tried out to become a contestant in the spring of 1984 after fervent
study of the show's game board. The "Press Your Luck" game board was
comprised of flashing TV screens which featured money in dollar amounts,
prizes and the cartoon character "Whammy." Contestants stopped the flashing
sequence and "landed" on a screen by pressing a control button on his or her
podium. Landing a "Whammy" would wipe out a contestant's winnings. After
researching the pattern of the flashing screens, Larson deduced that there
were only "six" different sequences and upon memorizing each pattern he would
theoretically be able to control the board any way that he wished as a
contestant.
With this insight, Larson flew to LA with only enough money in this pocket
to try out to be a contestant. The executive producer and head contestant
consultant disagreed over his acceptability as a contestant, however,
ultimately he got his chance. Larson was ready to take on the board.
As a contestant, Larson played it safe on his first spin by hitting a
whammy, but on the following two spins he garnered the top dollar amount,
$1250. Larson began to really heat things up in round two when he earned
seven spins. He pinpointed two screens which he wanted to continuously hit to
earn money and additional spins. He immediately started to raise his prize
winnings from $14,000 to $18,000 to $28,000. As Larson kept rolling, the show
ran out of time and had to cut the show at his 15th consecutive spin and
record earnings of $36,851. Prior to Larson's experience, "Press Your Luck"
never had to resume a show that wasn't completed in the allotted 22 minute
time frame.
Spinning on and on, Larson increased his earnings to $70,000 before he
began to struggle with the synchronization between the timing of the buzzer
and the flashing of the board.
When he hit the $102,000 mark after 40 consecutive spins, Larson
relinquished his remaining spins to the other contestants. In the end, Larson
won the game and left with $110,237, with over $100,000 of it in cash.
As a result of his outsmarting the board, the producers added sixteen more
patterns and the network set a $75, 000 cap on winnings. What did he do with
his money? Larson spent his entire earnings in less than two years. Larson,
who was later interviewed by the FBI for his alleged involvement with
unsecured securities dealings, died in 1999 of cancer in Florida while on the
run from the SEC.
The documentary, BIG BUCKS, NO WHAMMYS: THE MICHAEL LARSON SCANDAL is
being executive produced by Termite Art Productions (MTV's "Celebrity
Undercover," "Unsolved History") for Game Show Network.
Termite Art Productions is a Los Angeles based production company, founded
in 1995 by Erik Nelson, and acquired by Lion's Gate Entertainment in 1998.
Over the past years, Termite Art Productions has produced a wide variety of
programs for such varied networks as FOX, CBS, UPN, MTV, VH1, TBS, The
Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel, Court TV, A&E, Animal Planet, The
History Channel, PBS and now, Game Show Network.
Game Show Network, currently seen in over 50 million homes, is the premier
programming service exclusively dedicated to the exciting world of games, game
playing and game shows. Game Show Network is jointly owned and operated by
Sony Pictures Entertainment and Liberty Media Corporation. Game Show Network
offers a wide array of programming including game show favorites from its
diverse library, and new interactive game shows where viewers can compete
against each other from their own homes. Game Show Network can be found on
the World Wide Web at gameshownetwork.com. GSN programs more interactive
television than any other single network with over 65 hours per a week.
Liberty Media Corporation (NYSE: L, LMC.B) owns interests in a broad range
of video programming, broadband distribution, interactive technology services
and communications businesses. Liberty Media and its affiliated companies
operate in the United States, Europe, South America and Asia with some of the
world's most recognized and respected brands, including Encore, STARZ!,
Discovery, QVC, and Court TV. Liberty Media can be found on the World Wide
Web at http://www.libertymedia.com .
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a division of Sony Corporation of
America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global
operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television
production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution;
worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and
distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment
products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment
in 67 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide
Web at http://www.sonypictures.com .
SOURCE Game Show Network
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