By Sharon Oliver
Contributing Writer
REGION – In 1971, Massachusetts legislature passed a bill introducing the state’s first lottery, beginning its sales with a game called “The Game” and its first drawing held in 1972 at Faneuil Hall where seven people won $50,000.
Lottery game shows
In the spring of 1975, “The Game” was changed to “The Big Money Game” and by the fall, a weekly half hour show of the same name made its debut. It was hosted by former WEEI personality Tom Russell. “The Big Money Game” show offered a top prize of $500,000 and lasted for 10 years. In 1995, the Lottery introduced another show called “Bonus Bonanza,” which aired until March 1998.
Despite its name, some took issue with “The Big Money Game” being called a game show. The program’s producer Adam Villone explained, “A game has three elements, but our program has only one of those – chance. The players need no special skills or intelligence to win.” Locals who won large cash prizes may have begged to differ.
Several people shared memories of the show on Facebook.
Diane Rae Donato wrote:
“My grandmother won $10k on a lottery tv show in 77 or 78… it must have been this one? It was some type of match game if I remember correctly?! Me and my brother and mother were on TV with her after she won! I’d also love to find the episode!!!”
Andy Leclerc added:
“I KNEW this show existed! I remember models wearing gowns with the letters in the word “MONEY” embroidered in the bodices and would descend a staircase a certain number of steps at random, with the first one reaching the bottom won cash for her backing rooting section. And, yes, the original theme did have lyrics. Now onto my quest to prove the existence of WNAC Channel 7’s RACE TO RICHES…”
Robyn Hatch recalled:
“My uncle Tommy McDonough was on the show and my mother, and my aunt Barbara were in the audience, and you could hear their loud voices screaming in excitement great memory.”
“Bonus Bonanza’s” format was similar to “The Price is Right.” Contestants wore name tags and whoever’s face was spotlighted when the spinning wheel stopped got to play a mini game with the chance to play the bonus game for a possible $200,000.
Other game show connections
Aside from locally produced and televised “game shows,” the Bay State is or was home to some prominent hosts and announcers for quite a few nationally televised game shows. Quincy native Eugene “Gene” Wood not only hosted “Anything You Can Do” (1971-1972) and “Beat the Clock” (1972-1974), but he was also the announcer for popular game shows like “Card Sharks,” “Password,” “The Price is Right,” and the original version of “Family Feud.” Gene Wood died of lung cancer in Boston in 2004.
Widely known for hosting MTV’s “Remote Control” (1987-1990), actor and comedian Ken Ober was born in Brookline and worked as a substitute teacher in Boston while studying at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He caught his big break after appearing on “Star Search” in 1984. “Remote Control” involved three contestants sitting in lounge chairs, selecting one of nine channels on a big-screen television. Each channel represented a subject having to do with pop culture.
The show also helped launch the career of Worcester native Denis Leary who appeared in sketches playing various characters. In his pursuit of an acting career, Ober appeared in sitcoms like “Parenthood,” “Who’s the Boss,” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Ken Ober died in 2009 of natural causes at age 52.
Hailing from Pittsfield is actress Elizabeth Banks who is known for starring in the “Pitch Perfect” film series as well as “The Hunger Games” film series. She has been the host of “Press Your Luck” game show since 2019.
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