New series of ‘Super Sale’

Press, 14 July 1982, Page 13

New series of ‘Super Sale’

Bob Parker will resume the role of quizmaster tomorrow in the return of “Super Sale" (on One at 8 p.m.). This quiz show rated very highly in 1980 but was rested last year. The format is quite straight-forward. Two couples compete against each other to amass as much “money" as possible from correctly answering questions valued at differing amounts. They can use their "money" to bid for items offered in "instant auctions" (which can be called at any stage during the proceedings) or ignore the auctions and let their "kitty" build up. The couple having the largest amount of money at the end of the allotted time go on for a chance at the major prizes. Assisting Bob Parker will be a former Miss New Zealand. Delyse Nottle, as the show’s hostess.

The producer. Donald Hope Evans, said: “This series, the contestants have been divided evenly between the North and South islands, and we have 11 couples from each."

Hope Evans travelled to 12 centres to interview 120 couples in his quest for suitable contestants to take part in the popular quiz show. Close to 3000 replies were received by the Dunedin office which’ Hope Evans believes indicates the high regard viewers have for the programme.

"It was pretty tough finding 22 couples. To start with it was difficult even getting it down to 120.” he said. "The selection was very subjective on my part — I could have done about six series with the calibre of people that responded to our promotion."

In the end Hope Evans decided to use the element of community service to pick his couples. “If they demonstrated they were willing to give up their time for community projects, that was good by me," he said. "I also picked them for the diversity of their careers so that we have a good cross-section of workers throughout. the series."

Why did people apply?

"Well, a lot of them thought it looked fun and didn't make fools of the contestants, and an awful lot said they wanted to be on a programme with Bob Parker.” The winning couple in each programme could win video gear valued at $5000; or an air trip to London and a tour valued at $9000: or the big prize — a $14,500

As well, the contestants have the opportunity to bid for prizes in the instant auctions, and these include golf clubs, power tools, tiles, bathroom products, fur coats, sewing machines, televisions, microwave ovens, spa pools, camping equipment and carpet valued at $3OOO. "It's the most valuable line-up of prizes ever offered on a show by Television New Zealand." said Hope Evans.

Two new "unseen" faces on this series of “Super Sale" are John Jones, of 4ZB. who is booth announcer, and Russell Shephard, usually to be found playing the piano for "Play School." providing the background music on an electronic organ. All 11 episodes of the series were recorded over three days in front of a live audience, at the Regent Theatre in Dunedin. The contestants on the first programme in the new series will be Steve and Tricia Yeoman from Auckland. and Louise and Ricky Carr from Dunedin.