The Jackpot Hour With(out) Jack Power

by J. Merrill Motz

It's The Jackpot Hour with Jack Power, America's #1 game show! Even though Jack Power has left to host his own talk show, The Jackpot Hour with Jack Power must go on...so now, welcome your new host, NOT Jack Power!
Meet Cliff Kunkel. He's NOT Jack Power, but he's the new host of The Jackpot Hour with Jack Power, America's #1 game show, now that Jack Power has left to try his hand at replacing Johnny Carson with...

It's The Jackpot Hour with Jack Power, America's #1 game show! Even though Jack Power has left to host his own talk show, The Jackpot Hour with Jack Power must go on...so now, welcome your new host, NOT Jack Power!
Meet Cliff Kunkel. He's NOT Jack Power, but he's the new host of The Jackpot Hour with Jack Power, America's #1 game show, now that Jack Power has left to try his hand at replacing Johnny Carson with his own talk show, "Jack Chats!".
Except Cliff doesn't have any hosting experience...and he kind of doesn't know the rules of the show, and oh yeah, The Jackpot Hour with Jack Power is filmed live for some reason.

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The Jackpot Hour With(out) Jack Power

Character Information

2 actors - 1 M to play CLIFF, 1 M/F to double as all other roles.
***It is essential that "everybody else" be played by ONE actor. This will of course call for some very "quick" changes. We navigated this in the first production by keeping costumes super simple, each character only being represented by defining pieces like a wig, a hat, etc. Don't hurt yourselves going too complicated, you should get the vibe this is all loosey-goosey!
  • CLIFF KUNKEL
    former minor league (and sort of major league) baseball catcher, definitely NOT Jack Power.
    30s-50s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • ANNOUNCER (VO)
    "Johnny", a consummate pro like Don Pardo or Vin Scully. Never seen, but very unimpressed w/ Cliff.
    40s-60s
    Any
    Male
  • GIL MAXIMILIAN
    producer, needs to be in complete control. Would rather be anywhere else, preferably drinking.
    30s-40s
    Any
    Male
  • VIENNA WRIGHT
    long time co-host/Majordomo/Prima Donna of The Jackpot Hour, and SO over it.
    20s-30s
    Any
    Female
  • JACK POWER
    former host of The Jackpot Hour, late-80s-Tom-Cruise type in a flashy suit (with the sleeves pushed up), aviator shades, and a blinding smile.
    30s-50s
    White
    Male
  • HERB BOURBON
    beloved game-show creator, everybody's grampa in a sensible cardigan, thick black coke bottle glasses, and a giant stogie.
    60s-80s
    White
    Male
  • THE CONTESTANTS (NICK & NICOLE, MICHAEL & MICHAELA, LARRY & LAURA, IRA & SHIRA, DONNIE & DANA)
    sturdy, cornfed models of Midwestern politeness, optimism, & enthusiasm all
    Any
    Any
    Any

Production History

  • Fringe, Minnesota Fringe Festival, 2016