Sale of the Century (fictional)

Sale of the Century (stylized as $ale of the Century) is an American television game show that originally debuted on September 29, 1969, on NBC daytime. It was one of three NBC game shows to premiere on that date, the other two being the short-lived game shows Letters to Laugh-In and Name Droppers. The series aired until July 13, 1973, and a weekly syndicated series began that fall and ran for one season.

The rights to the show were purchased in 1980 by Australian TV mogul Reg Grundy, who produced a similar show called Great Temptation in the 1970s. Grundy subsequently launched an Australian version of Sale of the Century. Grundy's modified format was then used in a revived American Sale of the Century that aired on NBC from January 3, 1983 to March 24, 1989. It was one of three NBC game shows premiering on the same date, along with Hit Man and Just Men! (both of which aired for only 13 weeks), and—like its predecessor—spawned a syndicated edition that ran from January 7, 1985 to September 12, 1986. Grundy's format has also been adopted in other countries.

The game consists of contestants answering general knowledge questions. At certain points during the game, the player currently in the lead is offered an "Instant Bargain", a prize to keep regardless of the game's outcome, in exchange for a certain amount deducted from that contestant's score.

Actor Jack Kelly hosted the original series from 1969 to 1971, then decided to return to acting full-time. He was replaced by Joe Garagiola, who hosted the remainder of the daytime series plus the one season in syndication. Jim Perry then hosted both the NBC and syndicated 1980s versions. Al Howard was the executive producer of the initial 1969–1974 version, and for a short time was co-executive producer of the 1980s version with Robert Noah.

From 1995 to 1999, a revival aired in syndication, hosted by Hank Jeroem. A short-lived revival of the series entitled Temptation, like the 2005 Australian revival, debuted in syndication on September 10, 2007, following a September 7 preview on MyNetworkTV. This series ran for one year. On September 1, 2010, a second revival of the series under the Sale of the Century name premiered in syndication, hosted by actor, comedian and radio show host Martin Soubry.

Personnel
The 2010-present run is hosted by Martin Soubry. Philip Takach serves as announcer and the audience warm-up man.

Broadcast history
Sale of the Century was revived for syndication in September 1995, with actor and voice actor Hank Jeroem as host.

On September 1, 2010, a second revival, produced by Fremantle North America and distributed by Debmar-Mercury, premiered in syndication, now hosted by Martin Soubry. Production was shifted from the series' longtime home of to the  area, first staged at the  in  and later at the New Orleans Theater at the  in. Soubry originates a syndicated radio show from New Orleans, and the state of provides tax credits for the production. The Sale of the Century Celebrity Showdown spin-off, however, is taped in Los Angeles. Since 2019, the show has been taped at Second Line Stages in New Orleans.