On this day May 19, 1984, CBS taped one of the most remarkable episodes in game show history when contestant Michael Larson appeared on Press Your Luck. In a display of unprecedented strategy and focus, Larson won a record breaking 110,237 dollars in cash and prizes, a feat that stunned the studio and viewers alike when it aired in June.
Larson was not just lucky. He had studied the game board patterns at home by recording episodes on his VCR and memorizing the sequences. Using this knowledge, he was able to avoid the dreaded Whammy and hit big money squares repeatedly for an extended streak that had never been seen before.
His performance raised eyebrows but was ruled legal, making it one of the most talked about moments in game show history. The episode remains iconic for its demonstration of observation, skill and cool under pressure.
Fun fact: CBS split the episode into two parts because Larson’s streak was so long it exceeded the usual airtime for a single show.
Larson was not just lucky. He had studied the game board patterns at home by recording episodes on his VCR and memorizing the sequences. Using this knowledge, he was able to avoid the dreaded Whammy and hit big money squares repeatedly for an extended streak that had never been seen before.
His performance raised eyebrows but was ruled legal, making it one of the most talked about moments in game show history. The episode remains iconic for its demonstration of observation, skill and cool under pressure.
Fun fact: CBS split the episode into two parts because Larson’s streak was so long it exceeded the usual airtime for a single show.
