The set for this show was absolutely amazing! A double level stage complete with elevators, hypnotic light show, great sound effects, and a sci fi kind of feel.This show should be rebooted. 🙂
Aired simultaneously in both Canadian and American syndication -- premiered on 1981/09/14. I actually had to go into digitized back issues of _New York_ Magazine to cross-check the stuff I found on Wikipedia as I'm researching New York TV schedules...
What a find, thank you so much for posting! I remember watching this on Global at either 2 or 2:30 PM for quite a few years. Pitfall is my favorite Canadian game show of all time and I’ve never seen an episode in such great condition. What I wouldn’t give for a clean copy of the theme song. Thanks again so much for posting and I look forward to seeing more episodes posted!
Thanks Kelly! Yes it is a fun yet short-lived show. I have one more episode from the master recording that I will post soon (it is the very next episode). I don't have a clean of the theme song but can try and find it. Please subscribe to www.bonusround.ca and support our mission of preserving and re-broadcasting classic Canadian game shows! It costs me a bunch of cash to license, digitize and run the on-demand service so I'd love to have lots of paying subscribers so we can license more and more content!
@@BonusRoundCanada I like this video. None of the other videos did the music any justice. It's clear in this one. The big question I have is about the show that proceeded this one in time. Is any of the music created for 1980-1981 Let's Make a Deal still around somewhere? Monty Hall was really smart about carrying music over into other series - 1984-1986 Let's Make a Deal used them prolifically, and even into 1986-1987 Split Second.
@@Wheeloffortunefan999 Hi there! Sorry but full episodes of Definition are only available to paid subscribers at www.bonusround.ca. $4.99/month for unlimited streaming and no commercials. Thanks.
Alex said the first check he got bounced and he still had the copy of that check to remind him just how bad this show was. I don't even think the contestants were awarded their prizes
This was the game show most famous for not paying the host or contestants of their dues because the company went bankrupt. Very surprised to see the tapes still being around seeing how Canada loved to erase their old tapes.
All it took was one wrong suit and now we're in big trouble, as our players try to cross this bridge to win 2,500 nothings in prizes. So watch now as the players, host, audience and crew face the the danger to receive nothing in cash and prizes while working on Pitfall! And here's the man who stepped on the pitfall marked "We lost millions to Monty Hall", it's Alex Trebek!
I have one more studio master that I have digitized! It is the very next episode and is of equal quality. I will post it soon. The rest of the studio masters are likely all destroyed. Please support my efforts to digitize and re-broadcast classic Canadian game shows by subscribing to my video on demand channel at www.bonusround.ca. Thank you!
During the 1985 to 86 season, KHJ-TV channel 9 in Los Angeles broadcast repeats of Pitfall. It was on at 1pm to avoid conflict with Jeopardy. I wonder if they used masters or copies. Either way, I wonder if what KHJ (now KCAL 9) broadcast still exists
@@lisahardy9707 They shouldn't have taped it in Canada, and they should've gotten a more worthy company like Ralph Edwards Productions and shot in LA, either at CBS TV City or Metromedia Square.
If it were done in the US, however, Rick Marotta (that was their drummer in the original song) should've simply re-recorded it as an instrumental vamp version.
Used to watch this on WSMW-27 Worcester-Boston, MA when it originally aired. A shame the contestants and Alex got shafted by the production company. Fortunately for Alex, Jeopardy! would soon come calling.
I watched it on the same channel. WSMW Channel 27. It came on right after Let's Make A Deal. I'm about 50 miles away from the station though, so that was always fun trying to tune in. I think I saw more static than show. lol
Surprisingly, WOR-TV (now WWOR) Channel 9 in the NYC/Northern New Jersey area carried the show, which aired at 1:30pm right after Let’s Make a Deal (the short-lived 1980-81 revival).
I noticed Bill Armstrong wasn't listed as Exec. Producer. Did he come on after, or just not credited? Too bad he didn't host more. Did a decent job on Liar's Club.
It sounded like in the second bonus round at time index approximately 20:50 that New Year's Eve was the 31st of "September" rather than "December". Can someone with better ears tell me if I am hearing things? Especially since there is no "September 31st". I'm sure she knew the famous poem, but sometimes one can slip on a banana peel regarding the calendar.
While Alex would consider this *his* "career nadir", I say _Pitfall_ would definitely be a good show for ABC's _Summer Fun & Games_ block-with veteran cartoon voice actors Gregg Berger hosting, and Frank Welker announcing.
Hey -- We do have one more studio master tape of Pitfall. It is now on our Canadian game show streaming SVOD channel at www.bonusround.ca (subscriptions are available in the US, Canada and other countries) We will post it here on RUclips at some point soon. Thanks.
Something that stuck with game shows made in Canada and distributed to both Canada and the U.S. If I recall, this also affected the 1980s _Split Second_ and the 1980s _Chain Reaction._
All it takes is one wrong step and you've got big trouble as our players try to cross this bridge and win $25,000 in cash! So watch now as they brave those dangers to win thousands of dollars on Pitfall! And now, here's the man to guide you through all the pitfalls today, Tom Bergeron!
Considering what the contestants eventually got on this show, it's most likely getting pushed out the door to the alley behind London Drugs in downtown Vancouver.
Not too long before this, Catalena Productions collaborated with Hatos-Hall Productions to produce a version of "Let's Make a Deal" in Vancouver. In that case, at least Monty Hall was able to make sure the contestants actually received what they won.
have read that this show was a complete mess...the pitfalls were known to malfunction all the time and alex trebek said that he was never properly paid for working on this show!!
The set for this show was absolutely amazing! A double level stage complete with elevators, hypnotic light show, great sound effects, and a sci fi kind of feel.This show should be rebooted. 🙂
Just for the record, if this show is to be rebooted, actually pay your host and ensure that the contestants get their cash and prizes.
@foxmccloud7055 not to mention find a production company with money.
The first time I had watched Pitfall was on WOR-TV channel 9 in New York from American Cablevision (now named Spectrum) back in 1982.
Aired simultaneously in both Canadian and American syndication -- premiered on 1981/09/14.
I actually had to go into digitized back issues of _New York_ Magazine to cross-check the stuff I found on Wikipedia as I'm researching New York TV schedules...
That bonus round reminds me a little of the Gauntlet of Villains on Whew!.
I'd like to introduce Alex to ten of the most perfidious producers that ever stood between a host and his salary....
"Whew!" has those Gauntlet of Villains", and "Pitfall" has that Pitfall round.
The Gauntlet of Villains, has 10 bad guys, Pitfall round has that elevator.
Gauntlet of Pitfalls, perhaps?
What a find, thank you so much for posting! I remember watching this on Global at either 2 or 2:30 PM for quite a few years. Pitfall is my favorite Canadian game show of all time and I’ve never seen an episode in such great condition. What I wouldn’t give for a clean copy of the theme song. Thanks again so much for posting and I look forward to seeing more episodes posted!
Thanks Kelly! Yes it is a fun yet short-lived show. I have one more episode from the master recording that I will post soon (it is the very next episode). I don't have a clean of the theme song but can try and find it. Please subscribe to www.bonusround.ca and support our mission of preserving and re-broadcasting classic Canadian game shows! It costs me a bunch of cash to license, digitize and run the on-demand service so I'd love to have lots of paying subscribers so we can license more and more content!
@@BonusRoundCanada I like this video. None of the other videos did the music any justice. It's clear in this one. The big question I have is about the show that proceeded this one in time. Is any of the music created for 1980-1981 Let's Make a Deal still around somewhere? Monty Hall was really smart about carrying music over into other series - 1984-1986 Let's Make a Deal used them prolifically, and even into 1986-1987 Split Second.
@@BonusRoundCanada can you upload some episodes of definition?
@@Wheeloffortunefan999 Hi there! Sorry but full episodes of Definition are only available to paid subscribers at www.bonusround.ca. $4.99/month for unlimited streaming and no commercials. Thanks.
dammit thanks anyway
Rest In Peace Alex Trebek
Alex thought this as the absolute worst experience of his career, as he didn't get paid when the company went bankrupt.
Agreed.
Well now, he got the last laugh in the end, didn't he? 😊
Rip Alex. ❤
As he says, "the only time I got stiffed for a paycheque."
Alex said the first check he got bounced and he still had the copy of that check to remind him just how bad this show was. I don't even think the contestants were awarded their prizes
This was the game show most famous for not paying the host or contestants of their dues because the company went bankrupt. Very surprised to see the tapes still being around seeing how Canada loved to erase their old tapes.
The world got 40 more years with Alex. The world was very lucky for 40 years.
Used to watch this on KCRA 3 in Sacramento, CA. Loved the bonus round.
little did trebek know that answers would become questions in a few years. RIP❤️🇨🇦
lost🇨🇦classic
Used to watch this as a kid, but never realized that was Trebek.
This was around a year and a half after High Rollers ended on NBC and Trebek was also hosting Battlestars on that same network in America as well.
12:11 "I've checked with our accountants..." You didn't check clearly enough Alex, there ain't any money for Madalene or YOU! :-(
Definitely throws me hearing Alex say, "...half hour of questions and answers."
WLIG Ch 55 Riverhead, Long Island aired reruns of Pitfall when the station was born in 1985
All it took was one wrong suit and now we're in big trouble, as our players try to cross this bridge to win 2,500 nothings in prizes.
So watch now as the players, host, audience and crew face the the danger to receive nothing in cash and prizes while working on Pitfall!
And here's the man who stepped on the pitfall marked "We lost millions to Monty Hall", it's Alex Trebek!
Funny this pops up as I am watching "Classic Concentration". RIP Alex.
IIRC, this is the only studio master copy in existence.
I have one more studio master that I have digitized! It is the very next episode and is of equal quality. I will post it soon. The rest of the studio masters are likely all destroyed. Please support my efforts to digitize and re-broadcast classic Canadian game shows by subscribing to my video on demand channel at www.bonusround.ca. Thank you!
@@BonusRoundCanada I wish you had the 1980 Pitfall pilot hosted by John Barton.
During the 1985 to 86 season, KHJ-TV channel 9 in Los Angeles broadcast repeats of Pitfall. It was on at 1pm to avoid conflict with Jeopardy. I wonder if they used masters or copies. Either way, I wonder if what KHJ (now KCAL 9) broadcast still exists
Omg my childhood🤩🤩🤩
Thank you for sharing this and so many other videos on your channel ❣️ (new subscriber, btw ☺️)
This show was overdue for a reboot.
According to the web the Production company that made the show went bankrupt and a lot of contestants didn't receive their prizes.
& Alex was NEVER paid
@@lisahardy9707 They shouldn't have taped it in Canada, and they should've gotten a more worthy company like Ralph Edwards Productions and shot in LA, either at CBS TV City or Metromedia Square.
WOR-TV 9 NYC aired this.You know that this is not an American show when offense and defense are spelled with a C.
KHJ (KCAL) 9 had this game show, in Los Angeles.
@@paullarue2010 Excellent 👍
11:36 Madeline had as much chance of getting her $6100+ as Alex did of getting paid for this half-hour of work.
RIP Trebek
Ahhh, that was the last week of peace I had on this earth.
Why so
@@js2010ish Many bad things began to happen. It began with the gruesome death of a friend, in a car accident.
@@code-52 🙏🏼
R.I.P Alex Trebek.
Why does the theme song remind me of Steely Dan's "Peg?"
If it were done in the US, however, Rick Marotta (that was their drummer in the original song) should've simply re-recorded it as an instrumental vamp version.
Rare 2 bonus round wins in one day. Has that happened before
Used to watch this on WSMW-27 Worcester-Boston, MA when it originally aired. A shame the contestants and Alex got shafted by the production company. Fortunately for Alex, Jeopardy! would soon come calling.
I watched it on the same channel. WSMW Channel 27. It came on right after Let's Make A Deal. I'm about 50 miles away from the station though, so that was always fun trying to tune in. I think I saw more static than show. lol
Surprisingly, WOR-TV (now WWOR) Channel 9 in the NYC/Northern New Jersey area carried the show, which aired at 1:30pm right after Let’s Make a Deal (the short-lived 1980-81 revival).
KHJ-TV (now KCAL) channel 9 in Los Angeles aired this iirc
It aired at one pm follow by Break The Bank
RIP Alex Trebek
With the current game show boom, you would think Canada would’ve considered a complete reboot of their catalogue.
I noticed Bill Armstrong wasn't listed as Exec. Producer. Did he come on after, or just not credited? Too bad he didn't host more. Did a decent job on Liar's Club.
Did he quit in the middle of the run? The prize at the 5th platform indicates this is later in the run
I think he quit partway through the run. The maximum value of each bonus round was cut in half as well.
Alex trebek winking
It sounded like in the second bonus round at time index approximately 20:50 that New Year's Eve was the 31st of "September" rather than "December". Can someone with better ears tell me if I am hearing things? Especially since there is no "September 31st". I'm sure she knew the famous poem, but sometimes one can slip on a banana peel regarding the calendar.
They sure liked "DALLAS" questions on this show.
While Alex would consider this *his* "career nadir", I say _Pitfall_ would definitely be a good show for ABC's _Summer Fun & Games_ block-with veteran cartoon voice actors Gregg Berger hosting, and Frank Welker announcing.
Do you have any more episodes of ``Pitfall?''
Hey -- We do have one more studio master tape of Pitfall. It is now on our Canadian game show streaming SVOD channel at www.bonusround.ca (subscriptions are available in the US, Canada and other countries) We will post it here on RUclips at some point soon. Thanks.
my god no wonder they went bankrupt look at that set & they discreetly do not mention where the contestants are from to keep it generic
Something that stuck with game shows made in Canada and distributed to both Canada and the U.S.
If I recall, this also affected the 1980s _Split Second_ and the 1980s _Chain Reaction._
All it takes is one wrong step and you've got big trouble as our players try to cross this bridge and win $25,000 in cash! So watch now as they brave those dangers to win thousands of dollars on Pitfall! And now, here's the man to guide you through all the pitfalls today, Tom Bergeron!
Pluto should have counted.
Marie and I think alike.
Most Canadian game shows aimed at US syndication use American spellings on graphics. Pitfall does not (offence and defence).
I noticed that,too.
This is quite an entertaining game show. Alex rocked the “jew fro” here.
Was the trip to London, England? Or London, Ontario?
England
Considering what the contestants eventually got on this show, it's most likely getting pushed out the door to the alley behind London Drugs in downtown Vancouver.
@@MrMatteNWk Exactly. No wonder why Catalena Productions went bankrupt.
@@tyrese3745 Catalena Productions also produced the 1980-1981 syndie revival of Let's Make a Deal.
@@darrylh1971 I'm aware of that. Thank you.
Madeleine did excellent. 😀👍
1:00 Marie's a cutie, quite stylish
The video's thumbnail is taken from Rare Full Episode: Pitfall (1981) with Alex Trebek (#2) rather than (#1)
This game show ended because the show’s production company filed for bankruptcy. Many contestants never received their winnings.
Not too long before this, Catalena Productions collaborated with Hatos-Hall Productions to produce a version of "Let's Make a Deal" in Vancouver. In that case, at least Monty Hall was able to make sure the contestants actually received what they won.
have read that this show was a complete mess...the pitfalls were known to malfunction all the time and alex trebek said that he was never properly paid for working on this show!!
I NEED THE RULES
Who was Walt Disney's silly cartoon dog? Pluto should have been okay. The show fucked up.