Things You'll Need
Instructions
The Collyer Era
Choose a couple from the studio audience.
Dress both members of the couple in protective clothing (jumpsuits) if the stunt is a messy one; otherwise, simply make sure both members of the couple are dressed in non-restrictive clothing.
Introduce the stunt ("problem") and set the time limit for performing it between 30 and 60 seconds, in increments of five seconds. Withhold the key restriction on the contestant(s) until the last second.
Start the clock. Stop the clock only if the contestants complete the stunt before time runs out or if the contestants are having difficulty, in which case the clock is restarted after giving them helpful advice.
Warn the contestants the first time they violate the restriction on performing the stunt, such as for using their hands when doing so is not permitted.
Award the contestants a cash prize if they complete the stunt within the time limit and repeat Steps 3 through 5. Give them a consolation prize of lesser value if they fail the stunt and tell them, "You didn't beat the clock; the clock beat you."
Repeat Step 6, doubling the value for winning the stunt and the consolation prize, but instead of repeating Steps 3 through 5, give them 20 seconds to unscramble a famous phrase whose words are displayed out of order on a magnetic board. Award a special prize if the contestants successfully unscramble the phrase within the time limit.
The PAX TV Version
Have three couples compete in performing the same stunt.
Award 10 points to the couple completing the stunt first and the right to be first to perform a 30-second solo stunt.
Ask both members of each couple a two-part trivia question; if both members of the couple answer their parts correctly, award them 10 extra seconds to perform their stunt. Then, have each couple perform the solo stunt. Award each successful couple 10 points plus one point for each second remaining on the clock.
Repeat Step 1, starting with the couple with the highest score, then the second-place couple, and then the couple with the lowest score. Advance the two couples who perform the stunt fastest to the final round; send the slowest couple home with lovely parting gifts.
Give the remaining couples a trivia question and have them bid against each other as to how fast they can perform a final stunt, with the couple correctly answering the question starting the bidding from a top time of two minutes downward. Once one couple goes lower than the other is willing to, the other couple tells the first couple to "Beat the clock."
Make the first couple perform the stunt in the time limit. If they succeed, they win; otherwise, the other couple wins.
Place the winning couple in an enclosed chamber with currency and prize vouchers and turn on a wind machine for 60 seconds. Have the couple gather dollars and vouchers in mid-air, then stuff them into a fanny pack worn by the male partner. The couple wins whatever is in the fanny pack when the machine is turned off.