John's Page

Contestant: John Payer

John won it all ... he was 24 and a Steel Worker when he appeared on 2 Starcade! shows, taped in the Summer of '83.

He described his game playing ability as 'average,' but it was good enough for him to take home pretty much all the prizes we had to offer, including his very own video arcade game, Wacko!

John said he wanted to be on Starcade! because "I enjoy the competition. The show is great, not only does it test your skills on playing, but also your knowledge and I like that very much."

Games on Show #41
Sinistar, Gyruss, Super Zaxxon, Tron and Krull. Grand Prize: Wacko
Games on Show #43
Mario Bros, Tac Scan, Zoo Keeper, Gyruss and Motorace USA. Grand Prize: RB5X Robot.
In his bio John told us, "I work swing shift. So I set my recorder to tape Starcade! every Monday so I watch it when I get home."

"I have a beautiful daughter. Her name is Monica. She's a year old and when I play my Colecovision she takes the other controller, looks at the tv and pretends she is playing too."

When he checked in, John told us that it was his daughter that found Starcade! ...

"I was watching an old tape of the show with my kids. My daughter researched Starcade! on the Internet and came across your site. This is great!"

According to John, "I still have the Robot (RB5X) and the Wacko arcade game amongst the other prizes."

"... Wow, what memories!!"

John tells us that "I've been a truck driver for the last 20 years ... my wife was my girlfriend at the time of the taping ... she comes in at the end of the show twice while the credits roll ... I married a year later (after appearing on Starcade!) ... we are still married and have 2 kids."

"This show has brought smiles to all involved at the time it was on tv, and now when we all can look back and have a laugh at ourselves, while all-n-all we made history with Starcade!"

"My fondest memory, hmmm ... having my 15 minutes of fame, being treated like a tv star - the makeup (sweating in it while waiting your turn), the game room, Marie (Contestant Coordinator) and Lee (Caterer) putting up with us and Jim & Mavis for making us feel like we were truly tv personalities."

You were a star, John. Still are ... ask any Starcader!

STARCADE! SHOW #41

Game

Time Limit

John

Mike Rocha

Sinistar

50

5,500

4,900

Super Zaxxon

50

8,500

5,900

Krull

40

8,380

9,120

Grand Prize Play - John

Score to Beat

Scored

Gyruss

30

4,211

5,050+

STARCADE! SHOW #43 - an Invitational

Games

Time Limit

John

Mary Catanzaro

Zoo Keeper

30

2,170

2,220

Gyruss

30

5,500

2,150

 

Final Round

John

Tim Rubin

Motorace USA

30

5,000

4,500

John's Prizes

White's Metal Detector

John's Prizes

Konica 15 Disc Camera

John's Prizes

Wacko Video Arcade Game

John's Prizes

RB5X Robot

Mattel Aquarius Computer

John 2003
with his son Damian

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