Russian Roulette (game show)
Russian Roulette was a game show hosted by Mark L. Walberg that ran in two seasons from June 2002 to 2003. It currently airs on GSN). The Russian Roulette studio consists of a circle with six trap doors, four of which are occupied by the episode's contestants.
Front Game
The four players are given $150 at the beginning of the show. One contestant, a randomly selected person in control, is read a multiple choice question (three choices in the first round, four thereafter) by host Mark L. Walberg and must challenge another contestant to answer correctly. The contestant challenged has ten seconds to answer. If the challenged does indeed answer correctly, they receive money and are in control of the next question. In the first season, the contestants received $150 in the first round, $200 in the second, and $300 in the third for each correct answer. In the second season, the third round was played for only $250 a correct answer. After every question, another "drop zone" is added , heightening the odds of being eliminated on an incorrect answer. No more than five can be added. If the contestant is wrong on any question, they must play 'Russian Roulette'.
Playing 'Russian Roulette'
The player who answered incorrectly's trap door is "unlocked". After the host gives them a chance to say some "last words", they pull a handle in front of their hole. (trap door) This triggers red zones to begin "spinning" around the playfield, much like a roulette wheel. The number of red zones depends on the number of drop zones added previously. When the red lights stop spinning, if the contestant is not under a red zone, they are "safe" and play continues after adding another drop zone and locking their trap door again. However, if a red light ends up underneath a player, the trap door under them opens! The players fall about three feet (six feet in season one) into a room below the set with heavy padding. Contestants are instructed to crouch down and roll on so their heads won't remain above the hole. Only one injury has been reported, a sprained ankle, nevertheless contestants are required to sign lengthy waivers and release forms. Should a player "drop out" of the game, the round is over and the next round begins after a commercial break.
More Front Game
The second round is played similar to the first. In the third round, due to only two players remaining, contestants have the choice to answer the question themselves or pass it to their opponent. In the event time should run out in the first two rounds, the player with the most money leaves their zone and pulls a handle in center stage. If there is a tie for first everyone is in danger of dropping. (the host pulls the lever) The remaining contestant's zones are unlocked. The contestant that drop's money (if they had any) is divided between the remaining players. The last person remaining will have the chance to play the bonus round.
Bonus Round (first season)
The contestant is moved to the top-left zone and has one minute to answer five "brain-teaser" questions. These usually consist of jumbles, math problems, and general knowledge questions. For every ten seconds, one drop zone opens on the playfield. If time runs out or the contestant gives an incorrect answer, he drops, but he receives $500 for every correct answer given. Contestants must give their answer by saying "My answer is..." and the answer. If the player gets all five questions correct, the clock stops and the contestant wins $10,000. The contestant then has the option of forfeiting their $10,000 for one final pull of the handle with the number of drop zones remained unopened. Should the contestant decide to risk their winnings and win, they win $100,000. No money won in the front game is touched during the bonus round.
Bonus Round (second season)
Similar to the first version, but the contestant must answer ten multiple choice questions (with three answers) in a minute in order to win $10,000. If he fails, he receives an additional $300 for every correct answer. It is no longer necessary to say "My answer is" before the answer. The contestant once again has the option of risking their money for a final pull.
$100,000 Winners
Three people have won the grand prize on Russian Roulette.
