@NuStraya @SA_TV @fournews @greenpea Jackpot! is a five-nights-a-week quiz/game show in which ordinary New Zealanders compete to test their knowledge, build up their money and win a range of luxury prizes valued at more than $100,000, plus a cash jackpot starting at $50,000 and increasing by $2,000 until won (as the title suggests).
The show utilises key elements from successful overseas formats, such as Sale of the Century, and sees three contestants pitting themselves against each other in a buzzer game played over three rounds. Contestants begin with a score, or âcash bankâ, of $125 each.
When the host asks a trivia question, the first contestant to buzz in has the chance to answer that question; if correct, he/she earns $25 (round one), $50 (round two) or $100 (round three); if incorrect, he/she loses $25 (rounds one and two) or $50 (round three). It is possible for contestant to fall below $0.
The host reveals the answer immediately if the contestant answers incorrectly; no other contestants are given the chance to answer. Contestants need not wait until the host has finished asking the question.
Also throughout the game are several âWho am I?â questions, based on those from Sale of the Century. The host reads out a series of clues to the identity of a famous person, revealing facts which become progressively more helpful; the final and most helpful clue is the personâs first initial and surname. As before, the first contestant to buzz in has the chance to answer the question; if correct, he/she makes a âpick a numberâ selection; if incorrect, he/she loses no money and is locked out, but the host continues reading clues and the other contestants are given the chance to answer.
Round 1
As before, a correct answer adds $25 to the contestantâs cash bank while an incorrect answer deducts $25 from the cash bank. After the first six questions, a longer form question (known as the âBrain Drainâ) is asked. The initial value of $100 is reduced by $25 every 10 seconds. After 30 seconds, the timer freezes at $25 for the remainder of the question. If the first contestant buzzes in and answers the Brain Drain correctly, he/she earns $100 or less (depending on how early a correct answer is given) and wins a small prize as a bonus. There are a few more questions, and then the first âWho am I?â question which ends round one.
Viewer question
Before the first commercial break, the host asks a question to the viewers and the answer is revealed after the break.
Round 2
As before, a correct answer adds $50 to the contestantâs cash bank while an incorrect answer deducts $25 from the cash bank. After the first six questions, an audio clip, i.e. a music track or sound effect, is played to the contestants. The host then asks a question related to the audio clip and the first contestant to buzz in has the chance to answer that question; if correct, he/she earns $100 and wins a small prize as a bonus; if incorrect, he/she is locked out and the other contestants are given the chance to answer. After this, three more questions are asked before the second âWho am I?â. This ends round two.
Round 3
As before, a correct answer adds $100 to the contestantâs cash bank while an incorrect answer deducts $50 from the cash bank. After the first three questions, a visual clip, i.e. a still image or video footage (e.g. film, TV show, music video), is shown to the contestants. The host then asks a question related to the visual clip and the first contestant to buzz in has the chance to answer that question; if correct, he/she earns $200 and wins a small prize as a bonus; if incorrect, he/she is locked out and the other contestants are given the chance to answer. After this, there are three more questions, followed by the final âWho am I?â, then the 60 second âQuick Fireâ section (see below).
Quick Fire
After the final âWho am I?â, the host asks a series of questions in a âquick fireâ manner, attempting to fit in as many questions as possible within 60 seconds. A correct answer adds $25 to the contestantâs cash bank while an incorrect answer deducts $25 from the cash bank.
Pick a Number
Correct âWho am I?â answers choose one of six boxes (numbered 1-6). Most boxes conceal small prizes, but one of which conceals a $200 addition to the contestantâs cash bank. However, the $200 value is added only in round three.
The contestant with the most money wins the game and becomes a carryover champion. If there is a final tie, the tied contestants answer a tiebreaker question, where a correct answer from either contestant wins the game while an incorrect answer defeats the contestant in favour of his/her opponent.
Memory board
The carryover champion goes to a 16-square, âmatch to winâ type memory board where, over five nights, he/she has 45 seconds to reveal the two matching squares to get as many major prizes (e.g. electronic goods, household items, jewellery, kitchen appliances, lifestyle products, luxury furniture etc) as possible. On night four, an overseas holiday package is added to the memory board and on night five, a car. Overall, the major prizes are valued at more than $100,000.
Also added to the memory board are $250, $500 and $1,000 additions to the carryover championâs cash bank and, on night five, the giant cash jackpot which, as before, starts at $50,000 and increases by $2,000 each night.
After the memory board, the carryover champion has the option of leaving the show undefeated and walking away with the prizes (including all cash earned and any small prizes won), or returning to play for more major prizes on the next show, at the risk of losing those already won. This continues until night five when the carryover champion wins the game, plays for the car and jackpot, leaves the show undefeated and walks away with the prizes.
Celebrity Jackpot!, a weekly spin-off from
Jackpot!, sees three celebrities playing for home viewers, who wins all cash and prizes earned during the show.
Logos
The logos, as shown above, are similar to that of the Nick Jr. logo but, although the font and colours for the customised designs are utilised, the show idea is not affiliated with either Nickelodeon or Nick Jr.