(Jim poses by his podium on "Hot Seat")

(Jim on the set of "The Joker's Wild")

The following is an interview I conducted with Jim Peck in the year 2000.  Our last conversation was October 27, 2000.  All original questions are below; first is a brief synopsis of his hosting career.

Jim's first foray into hosting gameshows came with the show "The Big Showdown" which aired on ABC beginning in late 1974.  Jim's moment of *ahem* fame came on this show when he took a tumble down the stairs.  This incident is described more throughly in the interview portion; you may also remember viewing the clip via NBC's "Outrageous Gameshow Moments" specials.  Following "The Big Showdown" he hosted "Second Chance" and "Hot Seat" for ABC, both mediocre shows.  Second Chance went on to become "Press Your Luck" in 1983.  Also, Jim was a substitute host for David Hartman on "Good Morning America" in this same time period.  After "Second Chance" ended in 1977, he went on to host a revival of "You Don't Say" and the infamous Chuck Barris production "3's a Crowd" in 1979.  Jim was a sub-host for Jack Barry on "The Joker's Wild" in the early 1980s, and went on to be the court reporter on the first "Divorce Court".  Since then, he has been in Wisconsin, working at Marquette University, as well as doing some work for local TV stations in Milwaukee.

The Interview

DS: What was going in through your mind after you fell down the stairs?

JP: I was thinking "I am going to look like the biggest dork in the world."  When I realized that I wasn't hurt and had gotten a laugh, I thought "I'm not quitting on a laugh. If Ronnie (Ron Greenberg, the packager) wants to stop the show, that's fine, but I'm going on".  Ron decided that it was a "human moment" and left it in.  I think that segment has made every "blooper" show in the world  Literally, I just got a residual check from Amsterdam. [at time of interview]

Jim on the set of "The Big Showdown"

DS: Did you think the bonus game was "fair" ?

JP: Yes, I think they were fair. Although if we had known how long it would take for someone to roll "showdown" we might have looked for something else. The plus of the dice roll was the drama. At that time $10,000.00 was a lot of money.

(a contestant winning $5,000 in the bonus game)

DS: Did you enjoy working with Merrill Heatter and Bob Quigley? (the producers)

JP: I loved it. Bob and Merrill were terrific guys and did everything first class. The only problem was that Merrill loved deli food and his wife, Elaine, wouldn't let him eat it at home. Therefore, they catered a huge lunch when we taped and ate all of this wonderful stuff in MY dressing room. Not only did that mean that I didn't get to rest, but I also managed to over eat every week. The other great thing about H-Q was their exec. producer, Bob Noah. He is the classiest man I've ever met. Check out: "All the Right Answers". It is a novel about the quiz show scandals which pre-dates "Quiz Show". Bob was exec. producer of "21" and was the first, albeit in a fictional form, to break the code of silence. Very true to what actually happened.

(Jim on the set of Hot Seat)

(Jim with a female contestant on "Hot Seat"

DS: Did you enjoy working with Chuck Barris?

JP: Chuck was a ball. He would call a meeting, take everyone in a limo to the airport, and continue the meeting in Puerto Vallarta. (Sp?) Very bright, very funny. Has published at least one novel, "You and Me, Babe".

(Jim on the "3's a Crowd" set)

DS: How much editing was done (in the context, such as fights, expletives)?

JP: There was, as I recall, virtually no editing. We did it "live" on tape.

DS: Was there a particular moment that got the show cancelled?

(The logo of "3's a Crowd"

JP: I believe that it was its premier. Actually, we were "attritted", as Gen. Schwarzkopf used to say. There ocurred a slow buildup of resentment over the months we were on. For example, we were the most popular show in Detroit, but the station there dropped us when they were picketed by groups of secretarys. I ran into Chuck Barris about a year after we went off and he said:"Jim, I finally figured out the problem with "Three's.." Nobody was having fun!All three groups really lost and the audience didn't have the chance to identify with a winner."

DS: What was it like to be associated with Jack Barry and Dan Enright?

JP: Excellent! Both were bright, and Jack became a friend.

DS: You seem so [comfy] with this show. Was this your favorite?

(Jim guides a contestant through the "Face the Devil" round on "The Joker's Wild")

JP: One of the reasons for my being so relaxed was that Ron Greenberg actually produced the show. Ron always watched out for me and made everything fun and secure.(Besides, there were no steps on Joker)

DS: Did you ever sub-host the kids version "Joker, Joker, Joker" and if so, did the kids interact well (with you)?

JP: No, I never did the kid's version

Jim with a contestant on "You Don't Say"

Jim on the set of "Second Chance", the predecessor to "Press Your Luck"

DS: What do you currently teach at Marquette?

JP: I am not teaching. I am helping out with public relations and fundraising.

Snaps provided by Mike Klauss. Some information is credited to the "Encyclopedia of TV Gameshows", 3rd edition.  No challenge to ownership is implied nor intended.  Please do not ask me for Jim's email address.

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