Jon Bauman hosted this syndicated show that combined the action and prizes of a Game Show with the musicality of American Bandstand.
Round 1 was the Visual Round. A series of pop music trivia questions were asked; these questions involved the screen onstage, displaying photos and video. Sometimes the questions had to do with the visual clues, sometimes they just established who the question was going to be about. Buzzing in with the right answer won $50; after the last question of the round was asked, the subject of that question would come out and lip-sync one of their hits.
Round 2 was the Countdown Round. (No, not that one.) Jon would read rapid-fire trivia questions, and the first player to buzz-in with a correct answer won the money. The first question was worth $50; each successive one was worth $10 more than the last. While there was a 60 second clock, if time ran out as Jon was reading a question, he would continue reading it and the contestants could still buzz in on it. Whoever had the most money after time was called won the game and advanced; everyone kept whatever cash they'd accrued regardless.
In the Superstar Bonus Game, the winning player would have to unscramble the names of musical acts; Jon would read a clue to each one, but interrupting him to answer was OK, and passing was also allowed. Solving three scrambled names in 30 seconds won a prize package...and win or lose, one of the scrambled acts would come out and lip-sync one of their hits right after. One of the two acts would close out the show as well, lip-syncing another song during the credits.
Light on gameplay, but heavy on music and pure unfiltered 80s aesthetic, the show lasted just one season from September 1983 to September 1984.
The Pop 'N' Rocker Tropes!
- The Announcer: The legendary Phil Hartman, in his one and only game show announcing role. MG Kelly read the names of the sponsors.
- Bonus Round: The Superstar Bonus Game, with roughly $2,500 worth of prizes at stake.
- Game Show Host: Jon Bauman, of Sha Na Na and The Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour fame.
- Invisible Backup Band: While most of the performances that have surfaced averted this, Irene Cara lip-synced her hits with nobody accompanying her at all.
- Opening Narration: "From Los Angeles, California, the music capital of the world, here it comes! The Pop 'N' Rocker Game! A Game in Concert!"
- Product Placement: In addition to the music performances, the intro would namecheck two of the sponsors. All contestants won a small prize package regardless of how they played, as well.
- Speed Round: The Countdown Round, played under a 60 second clock. (Although Jon still finished out whatever question he was reading when time was called.)
- Studio Audience: One who would rush to the stage whenever a performance took place.
- Timed Mission: The Superstar Bonus Game gave you 30 seconds to unscramble the names of three musical acts.
