History Series / SupermarketSweep

[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/supermarket_sweep.PNG]]
[[caption-width-right:350:We're ready to play... ''Supermarket Sweep!'']]

The series ended on July 14, 1967 after just 19 months, and by all indication vanished into obscurity over the next two decades, with Al Howard creating another show during the interim, ''Series/SaleOfTheCentury'' on NBC. Eventually, though, Howard brought ''Sweep'' back in 1990 on Creator/{{Lifetime}}, now producing the show under his own production company, Al Howard Productions. Now hosted by David Ruprecht and featuring Johnny Gilbert as the announcer, the front game now had a considerable variety and groceries were no longer awarded (indeed, the supermarket was a soundstage) — instead, the teams played the Big Sweep for cash with the highest total playing a Bonus Sweep for another $5,000. The other major difference is that there were no returning champs, although some teams were invited back for a Sweep of Champions or Second Chance Week.

GameShow created by Al Howard that originally began development for Creator/{{ABC}} in 1965. The show was produced by Talent Associates, who had already pitched another show to ABC, ''Series/GetSmart'', later to air on Creator/{{NBC}}. The game, which was broadcast from grocery stores across the country, was simple: in the first round, three players stood behind cash registers and were shown a product from the store by host Bill Malone, then had to guess how much it cost. The player closest to the actual price won that product and 10 additional seconds of sweep time (each player began with 1:30). After a certain number of products, their teammates did the shopping, running up and down the supermarket aisles grabbing food and special items to get the largest total while the announcer (initially Wally King, later replaced by Richard Hayes) did play-by-play. At the end of the sweep, the team that picked up the largest cash value of groceries throughout the market was the winner and came back on the next show, although everyone got to keep their groceries.

Compare and contrast ''Series/ShopTilYouDrop'', which it was paired up with during the Lifetime and PAX runs (though ''STYD'' got a short-lived run on what is now [[Creator/ABCFamily Freeform]] from 1996-1998).

Compare and contrast ''Series/ShopTilYouDrop'', which it was paired up with during the Lifetime and PAX runs (though ''STYD'' got a short-lived run on what is now Creator/{{Freeform}} from 1996-1998).

The revival, which was quick to note that it was ''returning'' and not an all-new property, ran until 1995. After several years of reruns, [[Creator/{{Ion}} PAX]] revived it from 2000-03. Gilbert initially remained with the show during the ChannelHop, but was later replaced by Randy West.

Compare and contrast ''Series/ShopTilYouDrop'', which it was paired up with during the Lifetime and PAX runs (though ''STYD'' got a short-lived run on what is now [[{{Creator/ABCFamily}} Freeform]] from 1996-1998).

* BonusRound: The Bonus Sweep (also referred to as the Super Sweep, which was used in the UK version as well), utilizing LinkedListClueMethodology: Clue #1, which David read, led to the first product which contained Clue #2, which led to the second product which contained Clue #3, which led to the third product and the $5,000, which teams had to physically have their hands on before the time was up. Failure to do so earned $200 for each item.

* ProductPlacement: The biggest use of this trope for everyday items outside of ''Series/ThePriceIsRight'' (and perhaps inclusive). Pretty much outright averted in the UK version, though, likely due to broadcast regulations.

Compare and contrast ''Series/ShopTilYouDrop'', which it was paired up with during the Lifetime and PAX runs (though ''STYD'' got a short-lived run on what is now Creator/ABCFamily from 1996-1998).

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: A very early episode of the Lifetime version featured a different team sweatshirt design, and Team 3 [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vtxysGIh-k wore purple rather than yellow.]]

* TransatlanticEquivalent: There were two UK runs from 1993-1999 and 2007 on Creator/{{ITV}}, then Challenge TV, both hosted by [[CampGay Dale Winton]]. An Australian version produced by Reg Grundy (and as per Grundy tradition, using a similar set [at first]) that aired on the NineNetwork from 1992-1994, hosted by former Australian [[Series/ThePriceIsRight Price is Right]] host Ian Turpie. And a Canadian version hosted by Tino Monte, airing on Creator/{{Global}} from 1992-1995.

The series ended on July 14, 1967 after just 19 months, and by all indication vanished into obscurity over the next two decades, with Al Howard creating another show during the interim, ''Series/SaleOfTheCentury'' on NBC. Eventually, though, Howard brought ''Sweep'' back in 1990 on Creator/{{Lifetime}}. Now hosted by David Ruprecht and featuring Johnny Gilbert as the announcer, the front game now had a considerable variety and groceries were no longer awarded (indeed, the supermarket was a soundstage) — instead, the teams played the Big Sweep for cash with the highest total playing a Bonus Sweep for another $5,000. The other major difference is that there were no returning champs, although some teams were invited back for a Sweep of Champions or Second Chance Week.

The revival, which was quick to note that it was ''returning'' and not an all-new property, ran until 1995. After several years of reruns, [[Creator/{{ION}} PAX]] revived it from 2000-03. Gilbert initially remained with the show during the ChannelHop, but was later replaced by Randy West.

The series ended on July 14, 1967 after just 19 months, and by all indication vanished into obscurity over the next two decades, with Al Howard creating another show during the interim, ''Series/SaleOfTheCentury'' on NBC. Eventually, though, Howard brought ''Sweep'' back in 1990 on Creator/{{Lifetime}}. Now hosted by David Ruprecht, the front game now had a considerable variety and groceries were no longer awarded (indeed, the supermarket was a soundstage) — instead, the teams played the Big Sweep for cash with the highest total playing a Bonus Sweep for another $5,000. The other major difference is that there were no returning champs, although some teams were invited back for a Sweep of Champions or Second Chance Week.

The revival, which was quick to note that it was ''returning'' and not an all-new property, ran until 1995. After several years of reruns, [[Creator/{{ION}} PAX]] revived it from 2000-03.

GameShow created by Al Howard that originally began development for Creator/{{ABC}} in 1965. The game, which was broadcast from grocery stores across the country, was simple: in the first round, three players stood behind cash registers and were shown a product from the store by host Bill Malone, then had to guess how much it cost. The player closest to the actual price won that product and 10 additional seconds of sweep time (each player began with 1:30). After a certain number of products, their teammates did the shopping, running up and down the supermarket aisles grabbing food and special items to get the largest total while the announcer (initially Wally King, later replaced by Richard Hayes) did play-by-play. At the end of the sweep, the team that picked up the largest cash value of groceries throughout the market was the winner and came back on the next show, although everyone got to keep their groceries.

The development of ''Sweep'' wasn't easy: the first test shows had women running the aisles, which the producers felt wouldn't be thought of kindly by female viewers. Further, one player had '''a heart attack''', resulting in executive producer Leonard Stern adding a rule stating that runners had to be 40 or under and have a note from a physician certifying they were healthy enough to participate [[note]](this was Stern's only contribution to the show despite his credit, mainly because he was pretty much occupied with overseeing ''Series/GetSmart'' and developing three sitcoms of his own: ''He & She'', ''The Hero'', and ''Run, Buddy, Run'')[[/note]]. Having the ladies do the pricing and the men doing the sweep improved the show, as the men were faster and more active. ABC opted to do some test showings in movie theaters, which brought the most enthusiastic reaction the network had ever seen for one of its daytime shows.

''Sweep'' debuted on ABC's daytime schedule on December 20, 1965, although some critics weren't too kind to it. Producer David Susskind, who had a reputation of being associated with "class" shows, was quick to note to ''TV Guide'' that while it saved his company and brought in some profit, he wasn't involved with the show.

The series ended on July 14, 1967 after just 19 months, and by all indication vanished into obscurity over the next two decades, with Al Howard creating another show during the interim, ''Series/SaleOfTheCentury'' on Creator/{{NBC}}. Eventually, though, Howard brought ''Sweep'' back in 1990 on Creator/{{Lifetime}}. Now hosted by David Ruprecht, the front game now had a considerable variety and groceries were no longer awarded (indeed, the supermarket was a soundstage) — instead, the teams played the Big Sweep for cash with the highest total playing a Bonus Sweep for another $5,000. The other major difference is that there were no returning champs, although some teams were invited back for a Sweep of Champions or Second Chance Week.

GameShow created by Al Howard that originally began development for Creator/{{ABC}} in 1965. The game, which was broadcast from grocery stores across the country, was simple: in the first round, three players stood behind cash registers and were shown a product from the store by host Bill Malone, then had to guess how much it cost. The player closest to the actual price won that product and 10 additional seconds of sweep time (each player began with 1:30). After a certain number of products, their teammates did the shopping, running up and down the supermarket aisles grabbing food and special items to get the largest total while an announcer did play-by-play. At the end of the sweep, the team that picked up the largest cash value of groceries throughout the market was the winner and came back on the next show, although everyone got to keep their groceries.

The series ended on July 14, 1967 after just 19 months, and by all indication vanished into obscurity over the next two decades. Eventually, though, Howard brought ''Sweep'' back in 1990 on Creator/{{Lifetime}}. Now hosted by David Ruprecht, the front game now had a considerable variety and groceries were no longer awarded (indeed, the supermarket was a soundstage) — instead, the teams played the Big Sweep for cash with the highest total playing a Bonus Sweep for another $5,000. The other major difference is that there were no returning champs, although some teams were invited back for a Sweep of Champions or Second Chance Week.

* {{Cap}}: In the Big Sweep, you were limited to five of any one item.

** At least one team [[http://youtu.be/0xYEYR2xTnw?t=20m7s failed]] to find THE FIRST PRODUCT in the bonus round.

* IncrediblyLamePun: In some early Lifetime episodes, Ruprecht would make a joke involving a grocery product (e.g., "Aren't we all ''glad'' to be here?"), then toss said product off-camera to groans from the audience.

* GoldenSnitch: The Big Sweep was all that mattered. The front game was only there to build up time for the Sweep itself, and it wasn't unheard of (though very rare) for the team with the least amount of time to win. By the end the expensive Farmer John hams, gallon bottles of vegetable oil, baby formula, turkeys, and diapers were pretty much the show's equivalent to [[WheelOfFortune R-S-T-L-N-E]] — always claimed, always a guarantee of a good Sweep total.

*** Originally "Come on, you're on!" [[ThePriceIsRight Wonder why it was changed...]]

* ProductPlacement: The biggest use of this trope for everyday items outside of ''ThePriceIsRight'' (and perhaps inclusive). Pretty much outright averted in the UK version, though, likely due to broadcast regulations.

* TransatlanticEquivalent: Two UK runs from 1993-2001 and 2007 on Creator/{{ITV}}, then Challenge TV, both hosted by [[CampGay Dale Winton]], plus an Australian version produced by Reg Grundy (and as per Grundy tradition, using a similar set [at first]) and airing on the NineNetwork from 1992-1994, hosted by former Australian [[Series/ThePriceIsRight Price is Right]] host Ian Turpie, as well as a Canadian version hosted by Tino Monte, airing on Global from 1992-1995.

* BigWinSirens: A series of sirens and a clanging bell were used if the $5,000 was won.
* BonusRound: The Bonus Sweep, utilizing LinkedListClueMethodology: Clue #1, which David read, led to the first product which contained Clue #2, which led to the second product which contained Clue #3, which led to the third product and the $5,000, which teams had to physically have their hands on before the time was up. Failure to do so earned $200 for each item.

* ProductPlacement: The biggest use of this trope for everyday items outside of ''ThePriceIsRight'' (and perhaps inclusive).

* TransatlanticEquivalent: Two UK runs from 1993-2001 and 2007, both hosted by [[CampGay Dale Winton]], plus an Australian version produced by Reg Grundy (and as per Grundy tradition, using a similar set [at first]) and airing on the NineNetwork from 1992-1994, hosted by former Australian [[Series/ThePriceIsRight Price is Right]] host Ian Turpie, as well as a Canadian version hosted by Tino Monte, airing on Global from 1992-1995.

* RetiredGameShowElement: The first Lifetime season occasionally had a giant monster roaming the aisles, with contestants having to turn around if they encountered it.

* [[AndYourRewardIsClothes And Your Reward Is Groceries]]: The ABC version gave all three couples the groceries they picked up in the Sweep, while the winning couple got the groceries ''and'' returned to defend their championship.
** On the Lifetime/PAX versions, the groceries were only used to build cash totals and only the winning team kept their cash total. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y44tyEDb_I In fact, one contestant put his episode up online and said that most of the dry goods used were past their expiration date, and the perishables such as meat were props.]]

* AwesomeYetPractical: The announcer would frequently claim pharmaceutical items such as hair products and contact lens solution were this. Unlike the standard meats and cheeses (which could fill up a cart and require a switch for an empty one), the pharmaceuticals were expensive and ''small'', taking up very little space in a cart.

** On the Lifetime/PAX versions, the groceries were only used to build cash totals and only the winning team kept their cash total. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y44tyEDb_I In fact, one contestant put his episode up online and said that most of the dry goods used were past their expiration date, and the perishables such as meat and cheeses were props.]]

** Subverted; as per [[WordOfGod announcer Randy West]], the cheeses were real, and staff got to take some home at the end of each season.