Yes, there will still be a “Secret Word” of the day - a pre-selected term that if stated by a contestant brings them $500 - but no, it won’t be announced by a Groucho-styled duck puppet lowered down on a wire as in the original series. She said, ‘Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt.’ Jay then asked, ‘Which Roosevelt?’ The woman responded, ‘There’s more than one?,'” Werner said. “My favorite moment so far is when Jay asked a contestant to name the four Presidents on Mount Rushmore. Werner and his former partner Marcy Carsey previously produced a version of “YBYL” in syndication hosted by the now-disgraced comedian Bill Cosby that ran for one season in syndication in 1992-93. Producers are focused on finding “interesting and likeable” people from all over the country, he said.

Tom Werner, who is executive producer of “YBYL,” reinforced that the contestants and their interaction with Leno is the crux of the show. It’s month-changing money,” Leno quipped. The most a contestant can win is about $5,500.

The small amount of money at stake also helps make for a lighter mood.

Another aspect of the original that will be retained is the low value of the cash winnings available to contestants. “This is a comedy show with a kind of tenuous connection to a game,” Leno told Variety.Īs with the original, contestants will be everyday people but with offbeat personalities, unusual occupations and other colorful characteristics that Leno will explore.

Pic of groucho youbet your life