Three Little Words (television series)
Encyclopedia
Three Little Words was a popular game show that was produced by TWW
then by HTV West and ran on the ITV
network from 1967 until 1987. The programme was hosted by several people, including Don Moss, Alan Taylor
, and Ray Alan
with his wife Barbie.
The show was created by Roy Ward Dickson
, who invented many game shows. It has similarities to Password. The aim was to get your partner to say a particular word by giving them single word clues.
For example one partner might offer the clue "headgear" to describe the word "hat".
20 points were given for a word solved on the first clue, 15 points scored for a word solved in two clues and 10 points were awarded for a word solved on the third attempt. After three clues the opponents had a shot at the word for 5 points.
After a certain number of words the team with the highest score became the champions and won money. Teams could win up to 6 times before being forced to retire.
Ken and Christine Rowland were the only couple to receive full marks having given the correct answers after each first clue word. However some of their clues, eg "Schneider" to produce the answer "trophy", clearly worried Ray Alan and they were not invited back like other winners.
Some contestants would make it a bit harder for their opponents, by inserting references that would only mean something to them, for example, one would say some girl's name and the other would reply "Nurse" and get it right (someone they know with that name is a nurse) or give three personal references that the other partner got wrong, leaving the opposing team to figure out the right answer from just three personal names - the answer being some kind of occupation (relatives and friends of the first couple with those names being in that job).
Television Wales and the West
Television Wales and the WestTelevision Wales and the WestTelevision Wales and the West , accessed 19 August 2006, accessed 19 August 2006 was the British "Independent Television" contractor for the franchise area serving 'South Wales and West of England' 1956–68 Television Wales and the...
then by HTV West and ran on the ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
network from 1967 until 1987. The programme was hosted by several people, including Don Moss, Alan Taylor
Alan Taylor (television presenter)
Alan Taylor was a television presenter, popular in Wales and the West Country during the 1960s and 1970s.Taylor was originally from Cardiff, where his family had an electrical business. He served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. He began his television career as a continuity...
, and Ray Alan
Ray Alan
Ray Alan was an English ventriloquist and television entertainer from the 1950s until the 1980s. He was associated primarily with the puppet Lord Charles and later also with the puppets Tich and Quackers.-Biography:...
with his wife Barbie.
The show was created by Roy Ward Dickson
Roy Ward Dickson
Roy Ward Dickson was a pioneering Canadian television producer, writer, and emcee. Dubbed King of Quiz by an Edmonton journalist, Dickson invented the game show...
, who invented many game shows. It has similarities to Password. The aim was to get your partner to say a particular word by giving them single word clues.
For example one partner might offer the clue "headgear" to describe the word "hat".
20 points were given for a word solved on the first clue, 15 points scored for a word solved in two clues and 10 points were awarded for a word solved on the third attempt. After three clues the opponents had a shot at the word for 5 points.
After a certain number of words the team with the highest score became the champions and won money. Teams could win up to 6 times before being forced to retire.
Ken and Christine Rowland were the only couple to receive full marks having given the correct answers after each first clue word. However some of their clues, eg "Schneider" to produce the answer "trophy", clearly worried Ray Alan and they were not invited back like other winners.
Some contestants would make it a bit harder for their opponents, by inserting references that would only mean something to them, for example, one would say some girl's name and the other would reply "Nurse" and get it right (someone they know with that name is a nurse) or give three personal references that the other partner got wrong, leaving the opposing team to figure out the right answer from just three personal names - the answer being some kind of occupation (relatives and friends of the first couple with those names being in that job).