Sale of the Century: Australia's Most Beloved Quiz Show That Captured the Nation

For over two decades, Sale of the Century dominated Australian television screens, becoming the longest-running quiz show in the country's broadcasting history. From its premiere on 14 July 1980 to its final episode on 29 November 2001, this remarkable game show aired over 4,600 episodes on the Nine Network, entertaining millions of viewers and making instant celebrities of its contestants and hosts alike.

The Origins and Launch of an Australian Television Phenomenon

The story of Sale of the Century in Australia began with legendary television producer Reg Grundy, who had already tasted success with a similar format called Great Temptation during the 1970s. Grundy purchased the rights to the American Sale of the Century format in 1980 and launched a modified version that would become uniquely Australian. The show's debut episode featured Tony Barber as host, Victoria Nicolls as co-host, and Ron Neate as announcer, though Pete Smith would take over announcing duties after just ten episodes and remain the voice of the show for most of its run.

The format was deceptively simple yet brilliantly engaging. Three contestants would compete, each starting with $20 in their bank. By correctly answering general knowledge questions, they could earn $5, while incorrect answers would cost them the same amount. The twist that made Sale of the Century special was the shopping element - contestants in the lead could sacrifice part of their score to purchase luxury items at ridiculously discounted prices, creating strategic decisions that kept viewers on the edge of their seats.

The Golden Years Under Tony Barber

Tony Barber, who had previously hosted Great Temptation, became the face of Sale of the Century for its first eleven years. His enthusiasm and warmth made him a household name across Australia. Barber had fought hard for the hosting role, even creating his own audition tape when he wasn't initially considered for the position. His autobiography would later reveal how he believed the show's success came from its unique mix of quiz and game show elements, allowing bright contestants to shine while still giving underdogs a chance to triumph.

During Barber's tenure, the show evolved continuously. The introduction of the Fame Game, where contestants could answer "Who Am I?" questions to win bonus points or prizes, became one of the most popular segments. The Fast Money rounds and Mad Minute speed rounds added excitement and urgency to the proceedings. The show also introduced the Cash Card in 1989, replacing the earlier Cash Box, where contestants could potentially win substantial jackpots that grew by $1,000 each night they weren't won.

Record-Breaking Wins and Memorable Champions

Sale of the Century created numerous television legends through its remarkable prize offerings. On 12 November 1986, part-time taxi driver David Poltorak achieved what remains the highest front game score in Australian Sale of the Century history, reaching $200 and answering an incredible 35 out of 55 questions correctly. His total prize haul of $376,204 was a record at the time. Poltorak would later join the show as a question writer and has recently appeared as a Chaser on Seven's quiz programming.

Other notable champions included Hayward Mayberley, who in October 1983 became the biggest prize-winner in Australian television history up to that point, taking home $343,536 including a $206,000 cash jackpot. Robert Kusmierski later broke this record in 1992, winning $676,790 including a massive $508,000 cash jackpot - a sum so substantial that he had needed to borrow a friend's suit just to appear on the show. Cary Young, who won $78,606 in 1982, went on to represent Australia in the 1987 World Championship and emerged victorious.

The Glenn Ridge Era and Evolution

In April 1991, Glenn Ridge took over hosting duties from Tony Barber, beginning a new chapter for Sale of the Century. Ridge brought his own style to the show while maintaining the energy and excitement that viewers expected. He was accompanied by various co-hosts including Jo Bailey, Nicky Buckley, and finally Karina Brown. Under Ridge's stewardship, the show continued to innovate, introducing new game elements and maintaining its position as a ratings powerhouse throughout the 1990s.

The show celebrated numerous milestones during this period, including special celebrity weeks where stars from popular Australian television series like The Sullivans, The Young Doctors, Prisoner, and A Country Practice competed for home viewers who would win all the prizes. International tournaments pitted Australian champions against contestants from the United States and United Kingdom, with Australian representatives often emerging victorious.

The Final Years and Attempted Reinvention

By 2000, facing declining ratings after two decades on air, the show underwent a significant revamp and was renamed Sale of the New Century. The format was altered to include four contestants per night in an elimination format, with the lowest scorer being eliminated after certain rounds. New elements like the Brain Drain question were introduced, where contestants could score between $5 and $20 depending on how quickly they answered.

Despite these changes, the show's ratings continued to decline. After Glenn Ridge, Karina Brown, and Pete Smith were let go in 2001, Nine Network announced the show would be "rested" for the first half of 2002. However, when its replacement, Shafted, failed to capture audiences and was replaced by Frasier reruns that performed better, plans to revive Sale were indefinitely postponed, effectively ending the show's remarkable 21-year run.

The Legacy Lives On: Temptation and Beyond

The Sale of the Century format refused to die completely. From 30 May 2005 to 23 January 2009, the show was revived on the Nine Network under its original 1970s title, Temptation. Hosted by Ed Phillips with Livinia Nixon as co-host, this incarnation attempted to modernise the format while maintaining its core appeal. Though it ran for nearly four years, it couldn't recapture the cultural phenomenon status of the original.

In July 2018, rumours surfaced that Network Ten was considering bringing back Sale of the Century with a new format. Reports suggested that FremantleMedia was setting up studio space for a potential revival, though these plans never materialised. The enduring interest in reviving the format speaks to its lasting impact on Australian television culture.

Cultural Impact and Merchandising Success

Sale of the Century transcended television to become a genuine cultural phenomenon in Australia. The show's catchphrases entered everyday language, with Tony Barber's enthusiastic delivery and the famous opening announcement about "Australia's biggest bargain sale" becoming instantly recognisable to generations of Australians. Board games based on the show were produced by Crown & Andrews, and a PC CD-ROM game featuring Glenn Ridge and Nicky Buckley was released in the 1990s, complete with special buzzers that could be connected to a computer's joystick port.

The show perfectly captured the aspirational spirit of the 1980s and 1990s, with its showcase of luxury cars, yachts, fur coats, and exotic holidays. It represented an era when game shows could offer life-changing prizes and when families would gather around the television at the same time each evening. The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia has preserved episodes of the show, recognising its significance in Australian broadcasting history and celebrating milestone anniversaries of its debut.

The Enduring Appeal of Australia's Richest Quiz

Sale of the Century succeeded because it combined multiple elements that appealed to Australian audiences: the excitement of competition, the dream of sudden wealth, and the strategic element of knowing when to spend and when to save. Unlike purely knowledge-based quiz shows, Sale allowed contestants who might not be the smartest to still win through clever purchasing decisions and a bit of luck with the Fame Game or Cash Card.

The show also reflected changing Australian society across its two-decade run. From the beige-on-beige aesthetic of its 1980 debut to the glitzier production values of the 1990s, Sale of the Century evolved with its audience while maintaining its core appeal. The role of female co-hosts evolved too, from the decorative positions of the early years to more substantive roles in later incarnations, though the show remained very much a product of its times in terms of gender representation.

Today, Sale of the Century is remembered fondly as a quintessentially Australian television experience. Facebook groups dedicated to memories of the show remain active, with fans sharing clips, discussing favourite moments, and debating the greatest champions. The show's format has influenced numerous other game shows, and its success helped establish the Nine Network's dominance in the game show genre that continues to this day with programs like Millionaire Hot Seat.

As Australian television continues to evolve in the streaming age, Sale of the Century stands as a reminder of when appointment television could unite the nation, when ordinary Australians could become overnight sensations, and when the simple formula of questions, prizes, and personality could create magic on screen. While the show may never return in its original form, its influence on Australian television and popular culture remains undeniable, cementing its place as one of the most successful and beloved game shows in television history.