Runaround (game show)

Runaround
Format	Game Show
Created by	Heatter-Quigley Productions
Presented by	Paul Winchell
Narrated by	Kenny Williams
Country of origin	USA
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	51[citation needed]
Production
Running time	30 Minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	NBC
Picture format	NTSC
Original run	September 9, 1972 – September 1, 1973

Runaround is a children's television game show produced by Heatter-Quigley Productions. The program is hosted by Paul Winchell, airing Saturday mornings on NBC from September 9, 1972 to September 1, 1973. The program is announced by Kenny Williams, with music by Mort Garson.

Format

The basic format of the game invited nine children to answer a three-way multiple choice question by running towards their chosen answer, then standing on marked areas numbered 1, 2 or 3. Just before the correct answer is revealed, the host invites the children to "Runaround... now!" at which point they have a split second to jump onto a different area – the idea being to give your opponents the runaround in case they are merely following your movements.

Host Winchell would say, before giving the correct answer, "When you hear the click, stick!" and then a moment later, "Last chance!", after which point he would press a finger-clicker (a toy device that made a clicking sound). Players still moving or not on one of the three answer areas were eliminated from the round (sent to a penalty area at the side of the stage). Winchell would then say, "Let's see who's right with the light!", whereupon the house lights would dim and the area for the correct answer would light up. Players getting the answer correct took a pink ball from a large bowl near the middle of the stage; players with the incorrect answer were eliminated from the round. Each player had his/her own transparent tube, into which the balls were dropped (this was a substitute scoring device for toteboards, which the show did not have). The player with the highest number of balls at the end of the show was the day's winner.

International versions

British version

Main article: Runaround (UK game show)

Dutch version (Ren je Rot/Kies je Ster)

Still from Ren je Rot

• The format was sold to the Netherlands for broadcast on TROS. Ren je Rot (the Dutch translates as Run Till You Drop) began on October 5, 1973 and was presented by actor Martin Brozius (and sideman Lars Boom). His catchphrase was "Rrrren je rrrot". The show kickstarted the career of magician Hans Kazan who first expressed his skills during the 1976/77 season.

• The 123rd and final Ren je Rot was broadcast on June 1, 1983; TROS felt that it was time for new programmes. Martin Brozius continued performing at parties and events, but in the late 1980s/early 1990s his career was dented by tax- and health problems that he never fully recovered from.

• Kazan filled the Ren je Rot-shaped void with his Blufshow before commercial station RTL asked him to present The Price is Right. Touring relentlessly with his Magic Show (which included his two sons and daughter-in-law) he moved to Spain in the late 1990s to get his own share of bankruptcy.

• In 2002 both Martin Brozius and Hans Kazan appeared on I Love 1978 to look back on Ren je Rot. The former learned from his daughter stealing the questionnaire, the latter was quoted "If (Ren je Rot) was shown today it would've been a hit again".

• Kazan wasn't far from the truth, as the programme is now resurrected as Kies je Ster (Pick your Star, basically the Dutch version of Poparound). It is hosted by the members of three-piece girl group Djumbo for joint broadcast on TROS and Sterren.nl, a satellite-channel devoted to 50 years of mainstream Dutch music.

• Suffering from diabetes Martin Brozius did not live to see Kies je Ster; like his UK-counterpart Mike Reid he died at the age of 67 on March 24, 2009.

German version (Eins, Zwei oder Drei)

• Eins, Zwei oder Drei ("One, Two or Three") began on December 10, 1977 and was the very first show on German TV to be licensed from the United States; Michael Schanze hosted the first eight seasons. The 25th anniversary in 2002 was celebrated by staging a 25 hour marathon. Daniel Fischer, who debuted in 2005, is the fourth presenter. The fifth presenter is Elton, who debuted in 2010.