Runaround (game show)

Format

Nine children competed by dashing to one of three numbered zones to answer a multiple-choice question. Just before the host revealed the correct answer, he shouted "Runaround... now!" and the kids had an instant to switch to a different zone, a trick meant to shake off opponents who might be copying their moves. Host Winchell first warned, "When you hear the click, stick!" then added "Last chance!" before pressing a toy clicker that made a snapping sound.

Any child still moving or not standing on a zone at that point was sent to a penalty area off to the side. Winchell then announced, "Let's see who's right with the light!" as the house lights dimmed and the correct zone lit up.

Children who had chosen that zone took a pink ball from a large bowl near center stage; those who were wrong were eliminated from the round. Each player had a clear tube that collected their balls, serving as a simple scorekeeper since the show lacked a tote board. At the end of the program, the child with the most balls in their tube was declared the winner.

International versions

The Dutch version of the game show, called Ren je Rot (which means Run Till You Drop), aired on TROS starting October 5, 1973. Actor Martin Brozius hosted it, with Lars Boom as his sidekick. Brozius became known for his catchphrase "Rrrren je rrrot." The program helped launch the career of magician Hans Kazàn, who first appeared during the 1976/77 season.

After 123 episodes, TROS decided the show had reached its end, and the final broadcast aired on June 1, 1983. Brozius kept performing at parties and events afterward, but tax and health issues stopped him from adapting the show for the stage. He passed away from diabetes on March 24, 2009. Kazàn stepped in to fill the gap with his own Blufshow, and later commercial station RTL asked him to host The Price is Right.

He toured extensively with his Magic Show, featuring his two sons and daughter-in-law, and now lives in Spain. From 2009 to 2010, the three members of the girl group Djumbo hosted Kies je Ster (Pick Your Star), which was the Dutch version of Poparound. The German adaptation, Eins, Zwei oder Drei (One, Two or Three), premiered on December 10, 1977, and was the first show on German television licensed from the United States. It is produced by public broadcasters ZDF (Germany), ORF (Austria), and until 2006, SF (Switzerland).

Three teams compete: one from Germany, one from Austria, and one from another country such as Georgia, Bulgaria, or Namibia, replacing Switzerland’s team after 2006. Each team has three children, boys and girls, aged about nine to eleven.

Michael Schanze hosted the first eight seasons until 1985, then Birgit Lechtermann took over for ten years. Gregor Steinbrenner became the third host in 1995 and also presented the 25th anniversary in 2002, which featured a 25-hour quiz marathon. Daniel Fischer started as the fourth host in 2005, and the current host, comedian Elton, began in 2010.