History Main / LosingHorns

* The CBS daytime version of ''ThePriceIsRight'' has one of the [[UrExample earliest examples]] and easily the [[TropeMaker most recognizable]], used after double overbids in the Showcase end game and many pricing game losses. These were also used on several other Goodson/Todman game shows. Heard on ''[[DoubleDare1976 Double Dare]]'' and the original version of ''CardSharks'' in truncated form, and the 1980s versions of ''Card Sharks'' in full.

* ''{{Blockbusters}}'' had a different one for each version, each resembling that version's theme song.

** The Doug Davidson version of ''The Price Is Right'' replaced the original horns with a groan on an electric guitar... and ''[[HellIsThatNoise glass breaking]]''.

* Losing the BonusRound on the "nine keys" version of the BonusRound on the Bergeron version of ''TheHollywoodSquares''.

* A harsh two-tone buzzer was heard on ''Dream House'' upon the doors failing to open if the couple entered the incorrect combination to unlock them.

* ''[[TreasureHuntUS The New Treasure Hunt]]'' used a subdued version of its "big win sirens" when the grand prize check was shown to have been chosen and passed up.

Generally associated with EpicFail. Some can qualify as NightmareFuel to younger viewers.

* '''Type B''': A series of goofy notes that form a descending "Wah- wah- wah- wahhhhhh" (example [[http://www.sadtrombone.com here]]). Does not always have to be four. Non-game show examples (especially in cartoons) are likely to fall under this type.

* '''Type B''': A series of goofy notes that form a descending "Wah- wah- wah- wahhhhhh." Does not always have to be four. Non-game show examples are likely to fall under this type.

* The {{Zonk}}s on ''LetsMakeADeal'', beginning with the 1976 Las Vegas season and, while with a different effect, continuing throughout the current version with Wayne Brady. Subverted in the 1990 version as a foghorn was usually heard instead.

* '''Type C''': A mocking tune, such as "[[RookieOfTheYear Pitcher's Got A Big Butt]]", usually played on an organ.

* '''Type C''': A mocking tune, such as "[[RookieOfTheYear Pitcher's Got A Big Butt]]".

* '''Type B''': A series of goofy notes that form a descending "Wah- wah- wah- wahhhhhh." Does not always have to be four.

* '''Type A''': These usually take the form of a "mock fanfare" resembling a bar from the show's original ThemeTune, with the last note a "sad trombone" trailing off. Some examples of this type have only the "sad trombone".

* ''{{Cram}}'': "Pitcher's Got A Big Butt" was played as soon as the clock hit zero at the end of the ''BonusRound''.

* ''Cram'': "Pitcher's Got A Big Butt" was played as soon as the clock hit zero at the end of the ''BonusRound''.

* The Latinoamerican GameShow ''Sábado Gigante'' (Giant Saturday) has an actual character, ''El Chacal'' (The Jackal), a masked man whose purpose was to play the Losing Horns on-camera, in a setup similar to ''TheGongShow''.

A series of sad notes heard on some {{game show}}s whenever a contestant has lost (the BonusRound, generally). These usually take the form of a "mock fanfare" resembling a bar from the show's original ThemeTune, with the last note a "sad trombone" trailing off.

!!Examples:

* Not a game show, but the original series of ''TheElectricCompany'' used what sounded like a dejected duck when the actor(s) on screen failed to read the displayed word or sentence within five seconds.
* The {{Zonk}}s in the Wayne Brady version of ''LetsMakeADeal''.

* The [[Zonk]]s in the Wayne Brady version of ''LetsMakeADeal''.

* The zonks in the Wayne Brady version of ''LetsMakeADeal''.

* ''WhoWantsToBeAMillionaire'', in a sense, whenever you go for a question worth at least $1,000 and miss. The piece heard after a failed $32,000 attempt is particularly jarring, and should you happen to be the unfortunate soul who misses the ''[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl9p6wfrql4 million-dollar question...]]''

* The Jack Narz and Alex Trebek versions of ''{{Concentration}}'': One "groan" played on trombones, similar to (but not exactly like) ''Price'', is heard after a bonus loss. Recycled on the 1989 revival of ''NowYouSeeIt''.

** The first season of ''Wait 'Til You Have Kids'' had ''two'': a one-note horn for no one getting a question right in the main game, and a standard theme-tune variation for a bonus loss. When the show took a more "serious" tone in the second season, the one from the upfront game was removed and the bonus loss sound was changed to a barely-audible effect of someone "sliding down the keys" on a piano, and even this was buried in the ThemeTune reprise.

** The first season of ''Wait 'Til You Have Kids'' had ''two'': a one-note horn for no one getting a question right in the main game, and a standard theme-tune variation for a bonus loss.