Get the Picture was an American game show aired from 1991-1993 on Nickelodeon. Hosted by Mike O'Malley, the show featured two teams answering questions and playing games for the opportunity to guess a hidden picture on a giant screen made up of 16 smaller screens.
Main Game
Round 1 (Connect the Dots)
An dot outline of an object, place, or animal was shown on the 16-panel screen with only the unconnected dots, the numbers of the sections, and the category showing. A buzz-in question worth 20 points was asked and a correct answer enabled a team to pick a square. The square that they chose had the dots connected, after which the team could guess the picture. A correct guess awarded the team 50 points, but a team lost 20 points for an incorrect attempt. Hidden in two of the squares were "Power Surges" which were picture guessing games worth 20 points. The round continued until time was called, at which point the picture (if one was being played) would be revealed one square at a time. The first team to buzz in with the correct answer got the 50 points for solving it.
Round 2 (Dots)
The board was broken up into squares with four points on them and a new subject was revealed. A question was asked with multiple answers, and any team that gave all answers earned 40 points. If a team missed any part of the answer, the opposing team could give the remaining answers and steal the points. The team that earned the points selected two dots to connect for every answer the question had. If the lines made formed a box, that portion of the picture was revealed. In this round, correctly guessing the picture scored 75 points, while incorrect guesses still cost 20 points. There was one "Power Surge" hidden on the board; however it was now a physical activity. Completing a Power Surge in this round earned the team 40 points. When time ran out, the picture currently in play was revealed in the same way as the end of round one, with a correct guess earning the 75 points. After time ran out, the highest scoring team won the game and advanced to the "Mega Memory" bonus round.
Speed Round
If time ran out in the middle of a picture in either round, the picture would be revealed one square at a time. Teams could buzz-in as often as they like with no penalties for incorrect guesses. The first team to get the picture right scored the points. A speed round was also played if both teams were tied at the end of round two; a new picture was loaded, and the team who guessed this picture right scored an extra 75 points and won the game.
Bonus Round (Mega Memory)
Nine numbered pictures were shown to the team for ten seconds, then concealed. The team stood in front of a large keypad numbered 1 through 9, each button corresponding to one of the pictures. O'Malley read a clue corresponding to one of the nine hidden pictures. Taking turns, the contestants pressed the number of the matching picture. For each correct answer within 45 (later 35) seconds, the team won cash or a prize. Each of the first six answers was worth $100 for each player. The seventh and eighth matches earned a prize, and the ninth was for the grand prize.
Rule changes in the 1992-1993 season
- The game started out with a toss-up picture played the same way as the speed rounds.
- The contestants played for cash instead of points.
- There were two "Power Surges" in round two, and they were now played center stage and involving knowledge instead of skill (just like in round 1).
- The time in "Mega Memory" was reduced to 35 seconds, and teams now split the money won in that round for the first six matches.
Episode status
No new episodes have been produced since the original run. Reruns currently air on Nick GAS.