Press Your Luck started as a game show on CBS in the ’80s and grew into a beloved series that stood the test of time. In each episode, host Peter Tomarken asked contestants trivia questions so they could earn spins. And when it came time to spin, they hoped for “big bucks, no whammies!” So, what happened to Press Your Luck host Peter Tomarken? Here’s what to know about his tragic death.
What happened to ‘Press Your Luck’ host Peter Tomarken?
Press Your Luck host Peter Tomarken is well-known in the game show world. Tomarken spent the episodes asking contestants questions so they could accrue spins for their turn. When contestants took their turns, they faced the board filled with prizes and the dreaded whammies. Contestants who accidentally hit the buzzer and landed on a whammy lost all of their earnings, but contestants who avoided the whammies could continue to accrue prizes.
What happened to ‘Press Your Luck’ host Peter Tomarken?
Press Your Luck host Peter Tomarken is well-known in the game show world. Tomarken spent the episodes asking contestants questions so they could accrue spins for their turn. When contestants took their turns, they faced the board filled with prizes and the dreaded whammies. Contestants who accidentally hit the buzzer and landed on a whammy lost all of their earnings, but contestants who avoided the whammies could continue to accrue prizes.
- 10/24/2023
- by Lauren Weiler
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Jay Wolpert, a TV game show producer who helped popularize “The Price is Right” and had a late career resurgence as a credited writer on Disney’s mega-blockbuster “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” has died. He was 79.
Wolpert died Monday morning in Los Angeles after suffering from Alzheimer’s, his longtime manager of 20 years told TheWrap.
Wolpert created CBS’ “Double Dare” in the ’70s, spending much of his early career at Goodson-Todman Productions. He also worked with Chuck Barris and Dan Enright and helped develop classic game show hits such as “Family Feud,” “Card Sharks” and “Match Game.” But he most importantly helped introduce some of the humor and narrative elements to “The Price Is Right’s” Showcase Showdowns, working on the show as a producer between 1972-1978 and for over 1,300 episodes.
He also found success writing for the big screen, moving into screenwriting and...
Wolpert died Monday morning in Los Angeles after suffering from Alzheimer’s, his longtime manager of 20 years told TheWrap.
Wolpert created CBS’ “Double Dare” in the ’70s, spending much of his early career at Goodson-Todman Productions. He also worked with Chuck Barris and Dan Enright and helped develop classic game show hits such as “Family Feud,” “Card Sharks” and “Match Game.” But he most importantly helped introduce some of the humor and narrative elements to “The Price Is Right’s” Showcase Showdowns, working on the show as a producer between 1972-1978 and for over 1,300 episodes.
He also found success writing for the big screen, moving into screenwriting and...
- 1/4/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Elizabeth Banks has been set to host Press Your Luck, the latest ABC game show revival that is set to premiere next month. The network in March ordered Press Your Luck and another revival, Card Sharks, both produced by Fremantle. Joel McHale has already been set to host Card Sharks.
The newcomers will will debut back-to-back Wednesday, June 12 at 8 Pm (Press Your Luck) and 9 Pm (Card Sharks).
Created by Bill Carruthers and Jan McCormack, the original Press Your Luck premiered on CBS on September 19, 1983, and ended on September 26, 1986, with Peter Tomarken as the show’s host, Rod Roddy as the primary announcer, and pesky Whammys were the stars. The show was a retooling of the earlier Carruthers production Second Chance, which was hosted by Jim Peck and aired on ABC in 1977.
“Elizabeth Banks is exactly the type of woman we want on ABC – she’s a big star who’s smart,...
The newcomers will will debut back-to-back Wednesday, June 12 at 8 Pm (Press Your Luck) and 9 Pm (Card Sharks).
Created by Bill Carruthers and Jan McCormack, the original Press Your Luck premiered on CBS on September 19, 1983, and ended on September 26, 1986, with Peter Tomarken as the show’s host, Rod Roddy as the primary announcer, and pesky Whammys were the stars. The show was a retooling of the earlier Carruthers production Second Chance, which was hosted by Jim Peck and aired on ABC in 1977.
“Elizabeth Banks is exactly the type of woman we want on ABC – she’s a big star who’s smart,...
- 5/2/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
ABC is adding two more classic game show reboots to its lineup.
“Press Your Luck” and “Card Sharks” have been picked up to series at the network and are set to go into production this spring, the network said on Wednesday. No host or premiere dates have been announced.
The Fremantle-produced game shows join a roster which also includes “Celebrity Family Feud,” “$100,000 Pyramid,” “Match Game” and “To Tell the Truth.”
Also Read: Jimmy Fallon's 'Tonight Show' Games Are Coming to NBC Primetime With 'That's My Jam' Series Order
“Press Your Luck” first aired in 1983 on CBS, running for three seasons with Peter Tomarken as host. A new version, titled “Whammy!” ran briefly on the Game Show Network in 2003.
During each game, three contestants compete against each other answering questions to earn spins on the “Big Board” where they could either win cash and prizes or lose all their earnings...
“Press Your Luck” and “Card Sharks” have been picked up to series at the network and are set to go into production this spring, the network said on Wednesday. No host or premiere dates have been announced.
The Fremantle-produced game shows join a roster which also includes “Celebrity Family Feud,” “$100,000 Pyramid,” “Match Game” and “To Tell the Truth.”
Also Read: Jimmy Fallon's 'Tonight Show' Games Are Coming to NBC Primetime With 'That's My Jam' Series Order
“Press Your Luck” first aired in 1983 on CBS, running for three seasons with Peter Tomarken as host. A new version, titled “Whammy!” ran briefly on the Game Show Network in 2003.
During each game, three contestants compete against each other answering questions to earn spins on the “Big Board” where they could either win cash and prizes or lose all their earnings...
- 3/13/2019
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Two more classic game shows are making a return to TV. ABC has ordered revivals of Card Sharks and Press Your Luck. Produced by Fremantle, the shows will go into production this spring. Hosts and premiere dates will be announced soon.
In each game of Press Your Luck, three contestants compete against each other answering questions to earn spins on the Big Board. Contestants then use their spins to win cash and prizes while trying to avoid the Whammy, who could take all of their winnings and leave them with nothing. The winning contestant moves on to the All-New Bonus Round to face the Whammy in a final battle for the chance to win a fortune. John Quinn will serve as showrunner and executive produce, along with Fremantle’s Jennifer Mullin.
Card Sharks features two players who face off in a head-to-head elimination game with the goal of one player...
In each game of Press Your Luck, three contestants compete against each other answering questions to earn spins on the Big Board. Contestants then use their spins to win cash and prizes while trying to avoid the Whammy, who could take all of their winnings and leave them with nothing. The winning contestant moves on to the All-New Bonus Round to face the Whammy in a final battle for the chance to win a fortune. John Quinn will serve as showrunner and executive produce, along with Fremantle’s Jennifer Mullin.
Card Sharks features two players who face off in a head-to-head elimination game with the goal of one player...
- 3/13/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
ABC is doubling down on its game-show revival business, adding both Card Sharks and Press Your Luck to its roster of retro redos, where they will join Match Game, $100,000 Pyramid, (Celebrity) Family Feud and To Tell the Truth. (Judging by The Gong Show‘s absence from ABC’s press site, I’d say it got gonged.)
Pre-production on hour-long episodes is underway, with an eye on spring premiere dates, Vulture reports.
Card Sharks debuted in 1978 with Jim Perry as host, inviting contestants to guess audience survey results on a variety of topics, for a chance to flip oversized playing cards on the big board.
Pre-production on hour-long episodes is underway, with an eye on spring premiere dates, Vulture reports.
Card Sharks debuted in 1978 with Jim Perry as host, inviting contestants to guess audience survey results on a variety of topics, for a chance to flip oversized playing cards on the big board.
- 3/13/2019
- TVLine.com
Big bucks, expensive vowels, and a million cackling Whammies.
The Daytime Emmys are this Sunday, and for the first time ever, there’s a gay nominee for Best Game Show Host — the marvelous and frightfully funny Billy Eichner. Wahoo! To celebrate, let’s rank the 25 best game shows of all time. Get out your purse and prepare to buy some vowels, gents.
25. Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?: Sorry Double Dare, but Carmen Sandiego is the greatest kids’ game ever. It made geography cool while highlighting the glamorous felonies of a femme fatale. I wish more TV shows concluded with the entire cast yelling in unison, “Do it, Rockapella!”
24. Let’s Make a Deal: Carol Merrill and Monty Hall could woo you into anything. Though if you’re already wearing a chicken outfit, you probably don’t need much coercing.
23. Sale of the Century: Jim Perry...
The Daytime Emmys are this Sunday, and for the first time ever, there’s a gay nominee for Best Game Show Host — the marvelous and frightfully funny Billy Eichner. Wahoo! To celebrate, let’s rank the 25 best game shows of all time. Get out your purse and prepare to buy some vowels, gents.
25. Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?: Sorry Double Dare, but Carmen Sandiego is the greatest kids’ game ever. It made geography cool while highlighting the glamorous felonies of a femme fatale. I wish more TV shows concluded with the entire cast yelling in unison, “Do it, Rockapella!”
24. Let’s Make a Deal: Carol Merrill and Monty Hall could woo you into anything. Though if you’re already wearing a chicken outfit, you probably don’t need much coercing.
23. Sale of the Century: Jim Perry...
- 6/14/2013
- by Louis Virtel
- The Backlot
We rarely associate hotness with game show hosting, but why is that? It takes bravado, rigidity, and charisma to run a good game show, and I'd say the same rubric applies to male strippers and So You Think You Can Dance contestants. In honor of the late Richard Dawson, the original host of Family Feud and an unforgettable Match Game panelist, I'll be tallying the hottest men of televised gaming. Please remember to phrase your cat-calls in the form of question.
10. Jeff Probst, Rock & Roll Jeopardy
Though he only hosted VH1's Jeopardy! spinoff from 1998 to 2001, Jeff Probst's dimpled cuteness and conversational hosting style were enough to substantiate him as a great emcee. Naturally he's better remembered for hosting Survivor for all of its 5,700 cycles, but he looked mighty fine standing behind Trebek's podium.
9. Richard Dawson, Family Feud
Richard Dawson was most known for smooching contestants and calling out "Survey says!
10. Jeff Probst, Rock & Roll Jeopardy
Though he only hosted VH1's Jeopardy! spinoff from 1998 to 2001, Jeff Probst's dimpled cuteness and conversational hosting style were enough to substantiate him as a great emcee. Naturally he's better remembered for hosting Survivor for all of its 5,700 cycles, but he looked mighty fine standing behind Trebek's podium.
9. Richard Dawson, Family Feud
Richard Dawson was most known for smooching contestants and calling out "Survey says!
- 6/5/2012
- by virtel
- The Backlot
8. Chuck Woolery ("Wheel of Fortune," "Love Connection," "Scrabble"): Chuck Woolery was the original host of "Wheel of Fortune," but lost the gig to the smarmy wet blanket, Pat Sajack, after a salary dispute. Almost all of Woolery's episodes have been permanently lost, as NBC had a habit of wiping tapes to save money.
Where Is He Now? The man is over 70, so he's not doing much. His most recent show was "Lingo" on Gsn, which ran from 2002-2007. I don't know where it aired, but in 2003, there was also a reality show that tracked Woolery's daily life.
7. Ray Combs: ("Family Feud"): Combs started out as a warm-up act for sitcoms, including "Amen." He had very little experience when he was selected, but Combs was behind the revitalization of the show, after replacing Richard Dawson. However, after six years, Richard Dawson replaced Combs again. Combs last words on "Family Feud,...
Where Is He Now? The man is over 70, so he's not doing much. His most recent show was "Lingo" on Gsn, which ran from 2002-2007. I don't know where it aired, but in 2003, there was also a reality show that tracked Woolery's daily life.
7. Ray Combs: ("Family Feud"): Combs started out as a warm-up act for sitcoms, including "Amen." He had very little experience when he was selected, but Combs was behind the revitalization of the show, after replacing Richard Dawson. However, after six years, Richard Dawson replaced Combs again. Combs last words on "Family Feud,...
- 6/13/2011
- by Dustin Rowles
American National Transportation and Safety Board investigators believe engine failure is to blame for a plane crash which killed former game show host Peter Tomarken and his wife. A preliminary investigation shows the plane's engine had extensive damage, including a hole in the engine's case. Tomarken was flying the plane when it crashed into the ocean near Santa Monica, California, last Monday, killing Tomarken and his wife Kathleen. The couple were en route to San Diego, California, where they were scheduled to pick up a patient for transport to the University of California Medical Center in Los Angeles. The trip was part of the volunteer program Angel Flight which provides flights to those unable to afford medical transportation. Tomarken hosted a series of game shows in the 1980s, including Press Your Luck.
- 3/21/2006
- WENN
US TV game show host Peter Tomarken lost his life in a plane crash yesterday. The Press Your Luck and Hit Man host was flying from Santa Monica to San Diego, California when his plane crashed into the ocean just south of the Santa Monica Pier. Engine trouble is being blamed for the crash.
- 3/14/2006
- WENN
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