Opening Spiels[]
1970s and 1989 version: "Today, sixteen players (here) are trying to win $25,000/$50,000. Every one of them holds a different riddle, but only one of them holds the Jackpot Riddle. You never know when someone in the game will stand up and yell… (Contestant: JACKPOT!) (And now,) Ladies and gentlemen, (here's the star of our show,/your host is/here is your host,) Geoff Edwards!"
1970s version (Format 2): "Today, sixteen contestants will try to find the one player who holds a secret question worth up to $10,000. That's the player who will stand up and yell… (Contestant: JACKPOT!) Ladies and gentlemen, here's the star of our show, Geoff Edwards!"
1984 Pilot: "Ladies and gentlemen, one of these fifteen players is holding a secret Jackpot Riddle that could be worth thousands of dollars. Who can it be? Well, at any moment, someone in the game is going to stand up and say… (Contestant: JACKPOT!) Now, here's the Poet Laureate of Television, Nipsey Russell!"
1985-1988 version: "Ladies and gentlemen, every one of these fifteen players is holding a different riddle, but one of them is holding a secret Jackpot Riddle that could/will be worth thousands of dollars. Who can it be? At any moment, someone in the game is going to stand up and say… (Contestant: JACKPOT!)
1985-1988 version (Alternate version 1): "Today, the Jackpot stands at (insert amount). And we will continue to add money with every single riddle until someone in the game stands up and says… (Contestant: JACKPOT!)
1985-1988 version (Alternate version 2): "Ladies and gentlemen, the Jackpot stands at (insert amount). And there are only (insert number) contestants left in the game. Which one will open a wallet and say… (Contestant: JACKPOT!)
Rest of 1985-1988 spiel: "(And) Now, here's your host, Mike Darow!"
Catchphrases[]
"Here's the target number... (Insert target amount). Whatever the last three digits matched the target number, you'll be playing a Super Jackpot worth... (insert Super Jackpot amount)!" - Host
"JACKPOT!"
"For (insert riddle amount), here's/this is my riddle, (insert riddle), What am I?" - Contestant
Nipsey's Poem[]
"They recently made a movie about a mermaid,
Can't understand the reason why.
Not enough woman to make love to,
And too much fish to fry!"
Taglines[]
"Join us tomorrow/Monday when somebody will once again have a chance to stand up and yell... (Contestants: JACKPOT!)" - Mike Darow & Geoff Edwards (1985-1990)
"This is Ken Ryan/John Harris (speaking,) hoping (that) you win the Jackpot!" - Ken Ryan/John Harris (1985-1988)