Split Second (I) (1972–1975) User Reviews

Split Second was a Fast Paced Hit for ABC

[hfan77 · 7/10 · 19 October 2009]

ABC was on a roll in the early 70s with game show hits such as Let's Make a Deal, The Newlywed Game and Password. Then in March of 1972, came a new show from Stefan Hatos and Monty Hall titled Split Second. Split Second turned out to be a fast paced hit for ABC with challenging questions and the right host to handle the lightning quick proceedings in Tom Kennedy. It was a very simple game that home viewers could play along with as they saw the answers on the board.

The bonus round had plenty of drama as the winning contestant tried to start one of the five cars. If it started they left with the car. If it didn't, they returned with a better chance of winning the car.

Unfortunately, the 80s revival, hosted by Hall only lasted one season. It suffered from competition and station clearances. This is a show that should be revived someday. It was a fast pace quiz show with a format that would still work today.

Wish I could see the lost shows again, too

[Moax429 · 9/10 · 10 July 2016]

I remember "Split Second" very well.

When it premiered on ABC in 1972, I had just turned 10, but watched it when I was home during summer vacations or any days off I had from school. Moreover, I had a better appreciation for cars after watching that show; I never really noticed the makes and models of cars I saw on the road before "Split Second." Whenever I saw a Pontiac Grand Prix or Chevy Corvette, for example, I would say, "That's the car I saw on 'The Car Show' (my alternate title for "Split Second")!" And, I also remember for Christmas 1972 I received a model car kit (remember those?) of a 1973 Corvette, which my dad (may he rest in peace) helped me put together and paint. And, many times when I was 11, I remember telling my dad "I want a Pontiac Grand Prix when I grow up!" (Sadly, GM discontinued Pontiac in October 2010, and as of this posting I drive a 2008 Chrysler Sebring convertible - but that's *nothing* to sneeze at, and if that's about as close as I get to owning a sports/luxury car in my lifetime, I'm indeed *lucky.*)

To answer kayakkenn's question about the cars "Split Second" featured: They were only *General Motors* products, namely, Chevys one week and Pontiacs the next, although in early 1974 for one month instead of the Chevys they had *Buicks* on one week and Pontiacs the next. (It's too bad when "Split Second" featured the Buicks they didn't have the then-futuristic-looking Riviera among the lineup.)

And I remember some of the (now-lost) episodes very distinctly: In early 1973, a lady who called herself "Beaver" won a 1973 Chevy Monte Carlo after turning the key and the car started; on an earlier episode, a Kathleen Schmidtke won a 1973 Chevy Impala (I believe). And then on four 1974 episodes, a returning champion named Barry Coleman was wearing his family's "good luck pants" (some brown plaid trousers, but then, that was early 70's fashion) and tried to win a Pontiac Grand Safari wagon, but couldn't start the car and on the fifth day was defeated by somebody else.

I was also always hoping that whenever the Chevys were featured the contestants would go for the Corvette, Camaro, Chevelle (especially if it was the Super Sport model), or Monte Carlo, and when the Pontiacs were featured they would choose the Grand Prix or Firebird. I also began to suspect "random" meant "rigged" after a while (at the close of each show, Jack Clark was heard saying, "The car that started today and the cars that were blacked out were selected *entirely at random* just prior to the start of today's program"), because I noticed the cars that started - particularly the Pontiacs - began to follow a pattern; for example, the Ventura would start on Tuesdays, the Grand Safari wagon on Thursdays, and the Firebird on Fridays. Shades of the Quiz Show Scandals of the late 50's I heard about, maybe?

I, too, remember all the blurbs about "It's a Brand New Day on ABC!" and their adding two more soap operas right before the show got canceled in June 1975; I thought, "Well, it may be a brand new day for soap fans (especially the target audience), but it's a *sad* day for me (as well as other "Split Second" fans) now that 'The Car Show' is going off!" But, since I was 13 at that time, that gave me more time to spend outside on nice days during summer vacations, as well as more opportunities to do other things during fall and winter on other days off from school.

I also remember I often fought with my mom when I was home to see "Split Second," as she usually watched "Search for Tomorrow" on CBS, which was on against it (most of the time, she would let me see "Split Second;" you have to remember VCRs weren't around in the early 70's). But I *do* remember seeing that 1975 "Split Second" finale; I distinctly remember my dad was home on a week's vacation and he told my mom, "I don't want to listen to any soap operas." Thanks, dad!

I was sorry to hear recently ABC brainlessly "wiped" (erased) about 97% of all the "Split Second" episodes in 1976 to use the tapes for other programming (boo-hiss!). I was recently able to see those surviving six episodes on You Tube; one contestant chose a 1972 Grand Prix and won it after turning the key. And, I also saw the 1975 finale once again - what memories. (Besides the modification to the intro Richard Wagoner mentioned above, Jack Clark also changed the closing spiel on that last show: "'Split Second' *was* a Stefan Hatos/Monty Hall Production.")

I read at Wikipedia that the UCLA Film and Television Archives has about 15 other episodes of "Split Second" in their collection. I can only hope Monty Hall's production company can strike a deal with UCLA and put those other surviving "Split Seconds" out on DVD or You Tube. (For the record, I *never* had a chance to see the 1986 revival, which *is* still surviving; at that time - after just graduating from college - I was busy trying to get my career off the ground.)

In any event, "Split Second" was great fun. I'll give it a 9.

Split Second Contestant

[GerryC1836 · 6 February 2005]

It's been nearly two years since anyone (and only one) posted something about Split Second. I just found this site today, so here goes. I was a contestant on the show. My 'show' was taped in July '74 and aired in Sept. '74. I won the first day but lost the second day. That appearance was a pleasant memory. It all happened very quickly. I saw the show only once (live, at that!) and applied. Passed the preliminary test; was called back for live test at the production offices (on Hollywood Bl.) with two others and passed. Told I was on the eligible contestant list and was called two days later to come to the ABC studio to be in the eligible contestants pool. They actually had two taping sessions, morning and afternoon. I was chosen for the afternoon session. During that time, you had to go through a producers' round, right on the set, to see how you react under actual playing conditions. If you didn't make it through that, you were automatically cut. I was a college student at the time. If I won a car, I would sell it and live off that for one school year. The first day I won. I went for the Chevy station wagon, figuring it would bring me the most money. I turned the key but it didn't start. (The Vega started.) I looked at Tom Kennedy and almost apologetically said 'It didn't start.' During the next show I missed two or three easy questions and let my mind wander. I finished in second place and needed four answers to win. I got one question in the first set and need three more to win. The next set was movie monsters and listed Dracula, THE WOLFMAN, and THE INVISIBLE MAN. We had to name the actor who portrayed them. I correctly named Bela Lugosi as Dracula and then Claude Rains as The Invisible Man (the toughest to identify of the three). With each answer, Kennedy got more and more excited (and louder). On the third, The Wolfman, I remembered there were two Lon Chaneys, Jr. and Sr. I said 'Lon Chaney', paused for a 'split-second' and added 'Senior.' Kennedy took a deep breath, readying to congratulate me, looked at his answer card and said, loudly and almost sorrowfully, 'Wrong answer!' The lady contestant sitting next to me, needing only one answer, rang in and quizzically said 'Lon Chaney Jr.?' Kennedy screamed 'Congratulations! You've won!' My reign ended. After the show, Kennedy and the producer said 'Lon Chaney' alone would have been sufficient. Because I said it, they had to count it as an incorrect answer. I had to wait until the program aired (about a month later) to get my prize(s). I think I won about $800, a weekend for two at some chain hotel, and three pairs of Farrah slacks. I used the weekend-for-two the for a honeymoon in San Francisco the following summer and have long since outgrown those slacks. I still watch Jeopardy, and every time I hear a contestant add something to their answer, I think 'Don't do that!' And, of course, anytime I hear the name Lon Chaney, my mind instantly goes back to the 'split-second' and mentally kick myself. It was considered a real honor to be a contestant on Split Second, as you had to have a certain degree of intelligence, like Jeopardy today. (I tried out for Jeopardy twice since then and, obviously, didn't make it. I'm still very proud to just have been on Split Second. It was a terrific show.

Great Show

[rwagoner-3 · 10/10 · 3 October 2006]

This one was one of my favorites, along with the same era's Password and Jeopardy. Tom Kennedy was excellent as host, and the pace of the show was amazing.

I remember well when the show was canceled. ABC was promoting "It's a brand new day on ABC," as they expanded their soap lineup and removed both Split Second and Password from the schedule. On Split Second's last show, they did the normal opening but ended with "... as Split Second splits!."

My understanding is that ABC erased most of the videotapes of this show. The only one I know of that is still floating around is the actual last show... so unless someone finds the old ones in a vault or something else, Game Show Network won't be showing them.

Oh the Vega!!!

[kayakkenn · 10/10 · 24 May 2008]

I feel for the above poster, I would have gone for the big Chevy wagon too! I bet it was the one with the fake wood on the sides, the roof rack, and the tailgate that disappeared downward into the car.

I watched this show during my youth while I was on break from school. I remember being very angry when the winning contestant would choose to attempt to start the lousy Vega over the much nicer Caprice! Jeez, at least go for the Chevelle or Monte Carlo!! I did love this show, and I recall that the cars were usually Chevys. I also seem to remember some Pontiacs also. Were they always GM cars? I don't recall any Ford or Chrysler products. They ranged from the economy model to the top of the line. The winner could choose from five cars to attempt to start. I would love to see those now vintage cars sparkling new again.

Fast paced

[cpass-20595 · 10/10 · 2 February 2020]

Great show, fast paced and Monty Hall was fantastic. Learned a lot by just playing along.

Slow

[mrdelacruz-29845 · 6/10 · 15 October 2023]

The host of the show talks too slowly especially during the bonus round. Get a new host! I don't see why they keep him. He takes up too much time during the 60 second bonus round. He takes too long to read the questions and then to answer them He shouldn't be the host of the show. I wish I could enjoy the show but as it is with his slow pronunciation I have to change channel during the bonus round. Some of the bonus round players catch on to this and speak quickly because he is so slow in asking and answering the questions. It would be a better show if they had a different host. I would be able to watch the whole show.