It Takes Two (game show)
It Takes Two was a game show where contestants gave numerical answers to questions (which are usually crazy stunts and/or demonstrations) in order to win.
Broadcast History
The show had two runs. It's first run ran from March 31, 1969 - July 31, 1970 on NBC. The second run was in 1997 from March 10 - May 30 on the Family Channel (now called ABC Family).
Hosts & Announcers
The host for the first version was Vin Scully, and the announer was John Harlan. The host for the 1997 revival was Dick Clark and the announcer was Burton Richardson.
The 60s - 70s Version
Three celebrity couples competed in this version. On each question both players on each celebrity couple gave individual numerical answers to make one answer. After the celebrity couples gave their answers, a studio audience member guessed which couple was the closest. A correct answer won $100 for the audience member. Later in the run, the audience member won prizes. In 1970, if the audience member was right four times, he/she won a car. The 1st Theme of the Show happens to be the 1967 No. 14 Hit for Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston that used on the NBC-TV Show from 1969 to 1970.
The 1997 Version
In this version, the game was basically the same except that they're now two civilian contestants on each team rather than celebrity couples. Once again both players on each team gave individual numerical answers to make one answer (which is usually the average). Each question is now worth money for the team who is the closest, and the team whose the second closest wins half price (3/4 price on the first question, although 1/2 price in earlier episodes). If there's a two way tie, both teams get the first or second place money, but if there's a three way tie (which never happened), all three teams get the first place money. If at anytime the team hits the answer on the nose, a train whistle goes off, and in addition to the first place money they also win a special prize (usually a waverunner).
Scoring
Here's how they score:
| Questions | 1st Closest | 2nd Closest |
|---|---|---|
| Question #1 | $100 | $75 |
| Question #2 | $200 | $100 |
| Question #3 | $300 | $150 |
| Question #4 | $400 | $200 |
| Question #5 | $1,000 | $500 |
"Brainteaser" (Bonus Round)
The team with the most money wins the game, keeps the cash, wins prizes and has a chance to answer one last question called the "Brainteaser". The "Brainteaser" is a question that had to do with an act or demonstration that was already used during the show. Now in the main rounds, the team players write down their answers but in this round, they gave verbal answers, but still their answers were averaged out. If the correct answer is within range higher or lower (either within 20 of their guesses, within the averaged numerical answer, or within their individual answers) they win a grand prize.
Note: If the game ended in a tie, the teams whom tied get to answer the "Brainteaser" with the team winners of that question getting the grand prize.
Notes
60s & 70s Version
Future host Dick Clark appeared in that version with his wife Kari.
Other game shows hosts that appeared on the show were:
Tom Kennedy
Peter Marshall
Allen Ludden
Jack Narz
1997 Version
- The late Rod Roddy & Janice Pennington of The Price is Right came by for one of the questions as well as the "Brainteaser".
- Actress & former hostess for High Rollers Ruta Lee stopped by to roll dice for one question. It went like this, "How many times will Ruta roll sevens & elevens during the rest of the show?".
- Ed McMahon, Dick's co-host for TV Bloopers & Practical Jokes (which incidentally at that time reruns ran after It Takes Two), came by for two questions. One had to with his life as the late Johnny Carson's sidekick, and the other was for his American Family Publishers sweepstakes.
- Ron Pearson of Shopping Spree fame, came by to do some juggling for one of the questions.
- Vicki Lawrence, came in for some ironing on one question.