Line #22 Series/TheCrossWits


1	[[quoteright:160:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Cross-Wits_664.jpg]]
2	GameShow that originally ran in daily syndication from 1975-80, originally hosted by Jack Clark. Two teams, each consisting of two celebrity guests and a civilian captain, competed to solve thematic {{crossword puzzle}}s. The celebrities scored points for their team captain by answering individual clues, but only the contestants were allowed to solve the master puzzle for bonus points. At the end of the game, the contestant from the winning team played the Crossfire bonus round for a trip, with help from one celebrity teammate.
3
4	A one-season revival aired for the 1986-87 season as ''The New [=CrossWits=]'', hosted by David Sparks. This version used computer-generated boards for all the puzzles, as well as color-coding to indicate whether the subject was a person, place or thing. The winning contestant could pick any of the four celebrities for the Crossfire round, and anyone who won the grand prize was given a chance to win a car as well.
5	----
6	!!This show provides examples of:
7	* TheAnnouncer: The original series alternated between veteran announcers Jay Stewart (''Series/LetsMakeADeal'', ''Series/SaleOfTheCentury'') and John Harlan (''Series/NameThatTune'', ''Series/CatchPhrase'') plus then-disc jockey Jerry Bishop (later the announcer on ''Series/JudgeJudy''). Michelle Roth was announcer on the revival.
8	* BonusRound: Crossfire, where the winning contestant and one celebrity teammate had 60 seconds to solve a themeless 10-word puzzle. Getting all 10 won a grand prize. For the revival, a team successful here won a trip, then got to play a 1-in-3-chance game for a car.
9	* BonusSpace: The "Mystery Word" for the Sparks version; correctly guessing the word got the contestant a prize plus the points.
10	* ColorCodedForYourConvenience: For the Sparks version, the puzzles had different colors depending on what the solution was; red was a person, blue was a place, and gold was a thing.
11	* CrosswordPuzzle: The main premise.
12	* ADayInTheLimelight: Jerri played as a celebrity for one week, with Kitty Hilton (then-wife of game show announcer Bob Hilton) performing puzzleboard duties.
13	* GameShowHost: Jack Clark, then David Sparks.
14	* JerkAss: During one week of the original run, [[Series/RowanAndMartinsLaughIn Alan Sues]] wanted to play the BonusRound but wasn't picked until Friday...at which point he stood silent the entire time and didn't help the contestant at all.
15	* LovelyAssistant: Jerri Fiala in the original.
16	* {{Pilot}}: Two were done in '''1966''' called ''Crossword'', with just one celebrity per team. The host was [[Series/YouBetYourLife George Fenneman]], who was visibly uncomfortable and unrehearsed on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaoIAchOyS0 Pilot]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgYLeGGc88M A]] (with [[{{Series/Bonanza}} Michael Landon]] and Creator/CarolynJones) but more in control for Pilot B (with Tippi Hedren and Creator/PaulLynde).
17	* RulesSpiel: Handled, rather oddly, by Roth in the revival.
18	* ThinkMusic: Used during the "seven-second conference" in the main game.
19	* VideoCredits: Used in the Clark run; all four celebrities would have their names appear crossword-style around the box; after that, the screen would show the producer/director credits.

Context Series / TheCrossWits