Jokers Wild (TV series)

Jokers Wild is an American television game show created by Bob Stewart and originally hosted by Jack Barry. The show is known for its distinctive oversized dice featuring playing card faces, used to determine the amount of money or prizes contestants could win.

The basic format of Jokers Wild involved three contestants who answered trivia questions presented by the host. Instead of answering questions directly, contestants "rolled" three dice, each featuring faces depicting a Joker, Ace, King, Queen, Jack, or Ten. The dice combination determined the category and point value of the question presented. Rolling Jokers offered special advantages, typically allowing the contestant to choose the question category or offering bonus prizes.

The contestant who accumulated the highest score by the end of the main game would advance to a bonus round, where they could win a larger prize, often a car or a substantial cash amount. The bonus round also usually involved dice rolls that determined the prize.

The original Jokers Wild premiered in 1972 on CBS and ran until 1975. It was revived in syndication in 1977 and ran until 1986, with various hosts following Barry's death in 1984, including Bill Cullen and Pat Finn.

The show's success was driven by its blend of trivia and chance, making it appealing to a wide audience. It also spawned several international versions. Although the original versions are no longer in production, Jokers Wild remains a memorable game show due to its unique gameplay mechanic featuring oversized dice.