Trivia Challenge ~ Season 2

Creator
Producer & Director Jeff Disharoon
Host
Announcer
Technical Director
CG Operator
Audio Technician
Scoreboard Operator
Floor Manager
Set & Lighting Designer
Talent Scout
Computer Graphics
Questions Coordinator

Trivia Challenge returns for it's second season during the fall 1995 semester at Salisbury State University. The Eastern Shore's newest game show is back with all new questions, sponsors, host and set. Based on the overwhelming positive response to the show last season, the producers were almost obligated to return for this season. Trivia Challenge would have to confront and conquer many problems to remain at the top of the SSU-TV ratings.

First and foremost, Trivia Challenge had to overcome the sophomore jinx that many other shows had suffered from. SSU-Sports, The Couch, The MidWeek News and The Really, Really Big Show are just a few examples of past shows that failed during year two after seeing some success as new programs. Trivia Challenge survived because of the great training program that Michael W. Mowery installed at the midway point of last season. The control room crew had already been established during last season so that there wouldn't be a let down period at the beginning of the new season. This proved to be an excellent decision as Trivia Challenge beat out all other new shows to the air this year and increased their television audience from last season.

Another huge obstacle to overcome was the departure of Trivia Challenge's host, Bill Bendelow. Bendelow was one of the many seniors who graduated and left holes to fill on the production crew. The biggest problem was not finding someone to host the program, but finding someone who had the ability to interact with the contestants and keep the pace of the show flowing even during boring episodes. The rumors about the new host came true when SSU-TV General Manager, Lucinda Bunting signed on as host.

It was a difficult decision for Lucinda to make because nobody knew how the audience would react to a new host. After many conversations with the new Producer (Jeff Disharoon), Lucinda was still unsure if she should accept the position. She then turned to higher sources to help her. First she contacted Bill Bendelow and asked how advice on how to host a show like this. He gave her some pointers and then she watched some old shows to see how he handled certain situations. Finally Lucinda contacted Trivia Challenge creator Michael W. Mowery and talked to him about the show. He encouraged her and suggested that she view the early unaired episodes of the show when Bendelow first started. This would show that even he had a hard time grasping the show at the beginning. He also encouraged her to take the job and to just have fun with it. After all this research, Lucinda finally agreed to become the second host of Trivia Challenge.

Another obstacle that the show had to overcome was that creator and producer Michael W. Mowery graduated. Jeff Disharoon was the new producer and decided to make a few minor changes to give the show a fresh new look.

First a couple of rule changes were made. Jeff reinstated the original scoring system where round #1 questions were worth 5 points and round #2 was worth 10 points. The challenge round is more jeopardy then ever. A category is pre chosen before the last commercial break. During the break the contestants wager a certain number of points and the control room crew selects a question from the category. This was done to eliminate the possibility of easy questions being asked during the challenge round. Once the break is over, Lucinda asks the question and the contestants write down their answers. This change was made to eliminate the high scores that occurred last season. The crew forgot however that the scores were so low that it gave the appearance that the questions were to hard.

Another change that Jeff made was minor adjustments to the set. A slightly bigger wheel of fate was added along with new signage. Also a new flat was brought in behind the contestants instead of the black curtain.

One change that Jeff made which Mowery does not like is that there is no longer a prize showcase or season high score graphic. Mike felt that this added to the game show atmosphere and allowed the announcer to become in some ways a sidekick to the host. One reason why this was dropped is probably because of the lack of sponsors that Jeff has signed with. Wanting to go outside the campus community is harder than Jeff originally thought.

One final change is that Trivia Challenge now has a new opening. It is a collection of clips of the studio, set and equipment shot with the gain effect. The final graphic is the second season logo which wipes right into a medium shot of Lucinda as she begins the show. The new theme music is provided by Network Music Inc. Mowery likes the new opening which is one agreement that the two have. The down side to the change is that the old theme song from 42nd Street is no longer used and also the opening takes away from another spot where the announcer used to be part of the show.

When all said and done, the audience can obviously tell that this is still the same Trivia Challenge that they came to know and love. The reasons fro the changes were to help Jeff, Lucinda and the rest of the crew find their own identity. This will help to break the ties left behind by Bendelow and Mowery and in the end, hopefully make the show even more successful.

 

 

On Air Talent
Lucinda Bunting - Host

The Shows

Episode TC201 09/21/95
Mike Porter - 50 vs 150 - Smiley

The first episode of the new season was entertaining considering all the changes made since Bill Bendelow last hosted the program. Lucinda's Buntings first attempt at host went over well. She talks often which helps the down time. Unlike Bill, Lucinda has a mean streak in her as she makes fun of the contestants fro not getting the answers. She has not yet learned how to feel out the contestants or have fun with the questions yet, which makes her less entertaining than Bill. Although in her own words she says "I'm no Bill Bendelow." One thing that Lucinda has mentioned which is now her catch phrase is "Trivia Challenge for the Mentally Challenged." The early returns show that this phrase is right on the money

The control room crew hasn't changed since last season final show which is a major advantage to Jeff Disharoon. Because the control room crew already knows their jobs, Jeff can concentrate on the many studio crew changes. First of all, Warren "Fred" Bailey has returned as floor manager. Bailey last worked on episode #9 during season 1. The camera operators and studio hands rotate on a weekly basis this season. These positions have been filled by Nicole Lable, Susan Pransal, Lauren Michener, Kris Gagner, Kevin Maloney and Jeremiah Wilke. This season senior crew members Jeff Disharoon, Robin Guida, Dan Luise and Warren Bailey also act as question consultants. Robin Guida is also Trivia Challenges new talent scout as she replaces Vicki Huchko. Chris Bennett and Matt Peek return as co announcers. Finally Michael Mowery (gone but not forgotten) does still receive a created by and lighting and set design credits.

The categories: Round #1: Music & Musicians, History, Science & Technology, MASH and Sci-Fi. Round #2: 60's songs, 90210, Sports, TV and Acronyms.

WSUR returns as the lone sponsor while new ones are working out the details. While the sponsors are working things out, PSA's are shown during the commercial breaks.

 
Episode TC202 09/28/95
Jen (ZTA) - 30 Vs 75 - Joy (AST)

The second show of the year pinned two SSU sororities against each other. This type of show can be tracked back to the rugby/frat game at the end of last season. This show also marked the first time that two females played since Elizabeth Pagel destroyed Kristie Dooley way back in show three of season one. For the first time in the shows young history, all the on air personalities were females. Lucinda makes fun of the guests in only a way she could. The game itself was moderately entertaining. This episode could have really used Bill Bendelow's witty sense of humor to make the game flow better.

There were no crew changes from last week which is a sign of strength of the crew that Disharoon has assembled.

The categories: Round #1: 90210, Useless Trivia, Slogans, Batman and Stadiums. Round #2: TV States, Movies, Music, Useless TV Trivia and Science.

 

 
Episode TC203 10/05/95
The Bandits - 250 Vs 280 - The Berserkers

The highest scoring game of the season so far also proved to be the most entertaining as well. Lucinda Bunting still has a bit of a mean streak, however she is learning to loosen up and have fun with the contestants as well.

The only crew change of significance is that Chris Bennett was not present. Mike Porter, Jacquelin Lanza (from WBOC-16) and long time Trivia Challenge crew member Kathy Piechota were added to the question coordinators list.

The categories: Round #1: Presidents, Beavis & Butthead, Disney, Mascots and Annimaniacs. Round #2: Capitals, David Letterman, Nightly News, Football and Melrose Place.

 

 

 
Episode TC204 10/12/95
Bryan Cheriany - -10 Vs 20 - Vinny Alagretto

The scores were terrible! The contestants , well, sucked! The entertainment value of episode four is unmentionable. Both contestants proved that kids don't go to college to learn, they go to have fun. Even Lucinda's mean streak couldn't help save this one. The show got so bad, that even she walked out on it. Jeff Disharoon was confronted with his first problem dealing with the new scoring system. When Bryan reached the challenge round, he had no points. Jeff's on the spot decision was to give him 10 points to bet with. As you can see, it didn't help as Bryan now has the distinct honor of being the only contestant to finish with negative points.

The technical crew remains the same as it did last week. A month into the new season, it appears that the crew is very dependable which only helps the quality of the show.

The categories: Round #1: Rollercoasters, Movies, Who?, Elements and Which Is Bigger? Round #2: Sci-Fi, Music & Musicians, History, Science & Technology and MASH.

The show still seems to have its appeal with the campus community and Robin Guida has contestants booked through the third season already.

 

Trivia Challenge's Honor's

 The Award of Excellence ~ presented to Jeff Disharoon at the 1996 SSU-ITVA Awards Festival for the production of the show
Most Recognizable Talent ~ presented to Lucinda Bunting at the 1996 SSU-ITVA Awards Festival for his job as host.

 

Appropriate for all audiences
Running Time: 30 min
Video Release 9/95
DVD Release 5/02