High Rollers (NBC, Syndication) with Alex Trebek

This video collage that I made is from the game show, "High Rollers" that aired on NBC from July 1, 1974 to June 11, 1976 and again from April 24, 1978 to June 20, 1980. The syndicated version ran from September 8, 1975 to September 19, 1976.

The host was Alex Trebek

The hostesses were Ruta Lee (NBC) and Elaine Stewert (Syndicated, second and only black & white picture).

The original 1974-76 series is believed to have been destroyed. However, the Andy Warhol collection copy of the July 4, 1975 episode and the studio master copy of the June 11, 1975 episode can be seen in The Paley Center for Media.

For a long time only two episodes of the 1978-80 series existed (the 20th episode from a Video Tape master, and one from an off-air tape featuring the last episode). Another episode was discovered in 2004, followed by 7 more in 2006, all of which are in circulation among tape traders and collectors.

The status of the 1970s syndicated run is not known at this time, though some believe the tapes have also been destroyed, or possibly deteriorated into an unviewable condition.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Alex
• Trebek
• NBC
• High
• Rollers
• Game
• Show
• Ruta
• Lee
• Elaine
• Stewert

[gshowguy]

And Kenny Williams did a better job of announcing on the 1974 and 1978 versions than Dean Goss did on Wink Martindale's version in 1987, IMO.

Now if only Alex could grow the 'stache and 'fro back... ;-)

[sylviabh8ule]

Does the 1976 finale exist anywhere? I think I remember seeing the final show. Alex and Ruta had the staff on stage and they threw balloons down at the end.

[269848]

@StukInBuf Yeah, I agree. With the successes of TPIR and Let's Make A Deal, why not? I can't understand why the networks are so scared of trying game shows again. Nowadays, I'm trying to make up for lost time seeing game show programming.

[brainsareus]

alex, looked like a 70's porn star. 

[MsKeith1969]

i am old enough ( i am 41 years old, born in 1969) that i actually remember this game show. i just wish i could have been an adult back during the 70's.

[bluebear1985]

@StukInBuf Another interesting fact.  The previous Friday, Alex had his first American game show cancelled by NBC, "The Wizard of Odds". He's one of only a few emcees to have a series canceled on Friday and be back the following Monday with a new one.

[bradhig]

When did the 1974-1976 1979-1980 have big light up numbers on the set like the later 1980s version?

[StukInBuf]

July 1, 1974 when it all began... CANADA DAY!! And who else to be the host than Canada's own Alex Trebek.

[wdm1219]

At 1:03 the host looks like Bert Convy more than Trebek.

[DA90027]

40 years and Ruta is still wearing her hair the same way...lol

[juan833cheer]

Forget the 1987-88 High Rollers Theme; this Old-School High Rollers theme with Alex Trebek as host ROCKED BIG TIME!!! SUPER THEME MUSIC BY THE GREAT STAN WORTH.

[StukInBuf]

A game show worthy of seeing the TV stage again... High Rollers!

Since CBS has now dumped two soaps(Guiding Light and As The World Turns), it would be nice to see at least "High Rollers" given a chance to come back to TV after a long absence.

Only one consideration, though... can one conceive of "High Rollers" and CBS being mentioned in the same breath?