JACKPOT JINX

In the mid 80's, some NBC game shows that had progresive growing jackpots placed a ban against male contestants. Whenever a jackpot reached a certain amount, only female contestants were allowed to play. Once the jackpot was hit, men were invited back! I've seen it happen on these shows:

WHEEL OF FORTUNE (1986): The original Jackpot space that started $1,000 a day & grew $1,000 more until hit. $5,000 was the cut-off point for men.

SUPER PASSWORD: When the Super Password bonus reached $25,000 or better.

WORD PLAY: When the bonus reached $15,000 or better. The Reg Grundy shows (Sale of The Century/Scrabble) weren't effected, so they are innocent!

Why NBC might've done it, to win Daytime Emmys just like CBS did for $25,000 Pyramid. This should've been Quiz Show Scandals II!

OLYMPIC SPELL, ONCE EVERY 4 YEARS

Some game shows fixed it that men could only play once every 4 episodes/games. This policy happened on...

MATCH GAME (CBS only, not the PM version)
THE 80's PYRAMID
SUPER PASSWORD
PASSWORD +

WHAT A DROUGHT!

There have been three games that the Witch caused a drought against men/boys.

FUN HOUSE: Went through a fortnight of girl contestants.

WHEEL OF FORTUNE (NBC): Back in 1988 when Pat Sajak was about to leave the daytime version to host his short lived CBS late night talk show, the show had a ladies streak going starting in November (mostly 3 ladies, or girls for Teen Week, on nearly every episode). Very few men (& boys for Teen Week) ever played & they all failed to win. After Rolf Benirsche became the new host, the drought continued. But on Martin Luther King Day 1989, the spell was broken when a youth pastor gave hope to the men of America! A two month drought came to an end!

CHAIN REACTION (USA CABLE): In its final season, male contestants were discontiued all together. Why? Guess host Geoff Edwards got homesick for Treasure Hunt!

These spells made The Game Show Witch happy & cackling with glee!