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.

A GSN Press Release

Originally posted by juiio
I'll definitely Tivo it and give it a chance, but two hours seems really long for this.

Originally posted by SunMonkey
How is this a "scandal?" I mean, they even note in the article that he did nothing illegal.

Originally posted by Red Dog <small>They are repeating this a lot of times this week (including tonight at midnight) in case you have a viewing or recording conflict.</small>

Originally posted by diesteldorf


BTW, what are some other ideas for extras [/B]

Originally posted by bigjim25
Here's a few times for BIG BUCKS: THE PRESS YOUR LUCK SCANDAL
SUN 9PM-11PM, MON 12AM-2AM, 9PM-11PM, TUES 12AM-2AM