VITAL STATS

Lifespan: September 1985 - January 1986
Host: Art James
Announcer: John Harlan
Produced by: Marty Pasetta Productions

Front Game Rules

Can you solve this Catch Phrase? Answer below.Two players competed. The object was to solve computer-generated puns known as "Catch Phrases." For instance, a picture of the word "Up" being stuck in a bottle might be a Catch Phrase for "Bottled Up," or a pair of scissors snipping off a couple letters from a widely-drawn "STORY" might be "Cut a Long Story Short."

Let's see how much each piece of the puzzle is worth...Can you solve the Super Catch Phrase? Answer below.During each toss-up, the computer would draw a Catch Phrase. Once the drawing was about halfway done, a bell would ring allowing the contestants to buzz in. A right answer added a predetermined amount of money to the bank and allowed the player to reveal one piece of the "Super Catch Phrase." After revealing the puzzle piece, the contestant had 5 seconds to ponder his/her guess. If correct, s/he won the amount in the bank.
The contestants played as many Super Catch Phrases as time permitted (usually two), and at the end of the game the player with the most money won the game and advanced to the bonus round.

End Game Rules

Here's our bonus round board...In the end game, the player faced a board composed of 25 squares. Each square had a Catch Phrase behind it, and the player could guess at any time while the puzzle was being drawn. The player could also pass a Catch Phrase and return to it later if s/he so desired. The object was to get five Catch Phrases in a row in under 60 seconds. Doing so horizontally or vertically won a moderately good prize, while winning by virtue of a diagonal line (which required the center box, which was more difficult) won a nicer prize. If time ran out, the player won $200 for each Catch Phrase guessed.


Loogaroo Looks it Over

In some ways, this game had potential. The Catch Phrases were cute and the end game was exciting. On the other hand, I can sorta see why this show didn't last long. It didn't seem to have any flow to it, Art James' hosting style seemed a little stiff for the show and I could see the writers running out of ideas, especially since the bonus round requires 25 different Catch Phrases each time. Another gripe has to do with the computer graphics; I think this show should've waited a little longer to come out, because the graphics seemed a little lackluster. In the end, this show might have come around too soon.

Catch Phrase

Gameplay: 2 pts.
Host: 2 pts.
Presentation: 1 pt.
Execution: 2 pts.
Total Score: 7 pts.



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Toss-up: PRETTY PLEASE WITH SUGAR ON TOP
Super CP: FARMER IN THE DELL