The Diamond Head Game
Encyclopedia
The Diamond Head Game is an American
game show
that aired from January 6 to July 4, 1975 in five-day-a-week syndication. Borrowing its name from a long dormant volcano on the island of Oahu
, the series was hosted by Bob Eubanks
and assistant Jane Nelson, and is the only game show that was taped entirely on location in Hawaii
. Alan Thicke
wrote the memorable theme song.
In the second round, each of the contestants stood at the base of Diamond Head (a three-step podium). Eubanks announced a category and 12 answers that fit. The contestants alternated giving responses, having to do so from memory. If a contestant gave a incorrect response, repeated an answer or failed to answer in time, he/she was eliminated. The remaining contestants won $50 each and climbed up one step of Diamond Head. In the rare event that all 12 responses were given without repetition, everyone collected $50 and a new question was played. The process repeated, with contestants winning $100 each after the second player was eliminated. The last remaining player advanced to the Money Volcano bonus round. All players kept the money they earned.
When time expired, Eubanks pulled out up to 10 bills and/or prize cards. If at any time Eubanks pulled out a $1 bill, the contestant lost everything and the game ended. However, the contestant could stop at any time and keeping what had been won to that point. Eubanks also offered a buyout prize in exchange for any soon-to-be-revealed cash and/or prize cards.
The team with the most points after three rounds moved on to the fourth round, where they competed as individuals. The round was played much like the second round of the previous format, except that an incorrect/repeat answer or failure to respond penalized the player with a strike; two strikes eliminated that contestant. The winner received a prize and advanced to the Money Volcano bonus round.
from October 1997 to April 1998.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
game show
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
that aired from January 6 to July 4, 1975 in five-day-a-week syndication. Borrowing its name from a long dormant volcano on the island of Oahu
Diamond Head, Hawaii
Diamond Head is the name of a volcanic tuff cone on the Hawaiian island of Oahu and known to Hawaiians as Lēahi, most likely from lae 'browridge, promontory' plus ahi 'tuna' because the shape of the ridgeline resembles the shape of a tuna's dorsal fin...
, the series was hosted by Bob Eubanks
Bob Eubanks
Robert Leland "Bob" Eubanks is an American television/radio personality and game show host, best known for hosting the game show The Newlywed Game on and off since 1966, where he was known for using the catchphrase, "Makin' Whoopee"...
and assistant Jane Nelson, and is the only game show that was taped entirely on location in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. Alan Thicke
Alan Thicke
Alan Thicke is a Canadian actor, songwriter, and game and talk show host. He is best known for his role as Jason Seaver, the patriarch on the ABC television series Growing Pains.- Early life :...
wrote the memorable theme song.
Premise
The Diamond Head Game had two formats. The first format was used for the first 13 weeks.Front game
The audience was divided into four sections, each representing "one of the islands of Hawaii." Two contestants were selected from each section at a time to compete in a head-to-head match. Eubanks read a general-knowledge question, and the first to buzz in had the chance to answer. A correct answer was worth one point, while an incorrect response or failing to provide a guess in time gave the point to the other contestant. The first contestant to earn two points won a prize and advanced to the next round. The process repeated until all four contestants ("representatives from each island") were determined.In the second round, each of the contestants stood at the base of Diamond Head (a three-step podium). Eubanks announced a category and 12 answers that fit. The contestants alternated giving responses, having to do so from memory. If a contestant gave a incorrect response, repeated an answer or failed to answer in time, he/she was eliminated. The remaining contestants won $50 each and climbed up one step of Diamond Head. In the rare event that all 12 responses were given without repetition, everyone collected $50 and a new question was played. The process repeated, with contestants winning $100 each after the second player was eliminated. The last remaining player advanced to the Money Volcano bonus round. All players kept the money they earned.
Money Volcano
The contestant was given 15 seconds to grab as many dollar bills and prize cards as possible and place them within a pouch placed around his/her waist. Among the dollar amounts in the Money Volcano was a $10,000 bill.When time expired, Eubanks pulled out up to 10 bills and/or prize cards. If at any time Eubanks pulled out a $1 bill, the contestant lost everything and the game ended. However, the contestant could stop at any time and keeping what had been won to that point. Eubanks also offered a buyout prize in exchange for any soon-to-be-revealed cash and/or prize cards.
Front game
Two teams of three contestants competed in three question-and-answer rounds. A category was announced, along with five possible answers. A correct answer earned a team points, while an incorrect answer or failure to respond allowed the opposing team to answer.The team with the most points after three rounds moved on to the fourth round, where they competed as individuals. The round was played much like the second round of the previous format, except that an incorrect/repeat answer or failure to respond penalized the player with a strike; two strikes eliminated that contestant. The winner received a prize and advanced to the Money Volcano bonus round.
Money Volcano
The first half of the game was played as before. However, Eubanks drew a maximum of only five bills and offered opportunities for the contestant to quit and keep their current winnings, or trade for one of five bonus envelopes. Three of the envelopes concealed $100, another $5,000 and the fifth a grand prize. As before, the penalty for having a $1 bill drawn meant the contestant won nothing, and the game ended.Episode status
All episodes exist. The series was rerun on GSNGame Show Network
The Game Show Network is an American cable television and direct broadcast satellite channel dedicated to game shows and casino game shows. The channel was launched on December 1, 1994. Its current slogan is "The World Needs More Winners"...
from October 1997 to April 1998.