FACT FILE Broadcast History: 1997-2000, 2002-03, Nine Network Host: John Burgess Packager: Southern Star (1997-2000) Southern Star Endemol (2002-03)

Main Game

The Australian show was based on the British and American versions of the game; However, the rules were slightly different from the latter versions. The random dollar amount for the normal catch phrases was still selected by one of the two contestants to start each round. A correct answer won the contestant the predetermined money amount instead of going to a cash bank. In addition, the contestant still earned a chance to solve the catch phrase for that particular round. In place of the cash bank for each round, a correct answer to the round's catch phrase won bonus money for him/or ($100 for the first round, $200 for the second round and $300 for the third round.) Also, one square in a single round's catch phrase offered a small mystery prize if selected.

The 2002 revival had most of the rules intact, but with three contestants and a few twists. If in the second round, its particular catch phrase was solved after five squares or less, another round worth $200 was played. Also, there was a mystery cash prize in a round each night. It was worth at least AU$200 which increased by that same amount for each night not won. The mystery cash prize did not affect the final score. After three rounds, the contestant who had earned the most money won the game. In the 2002 revival, the night's champion also won two prizes of his/her choosing.

The endgame basically had the same rules as in the American version, which was to capture five letters in a row by correctly answering catch phrases within 60 seconds. Doing it successfully won him/her a prize depending on whether the five-in-a-row pattern involved the letter M. Champions who had successfully defended their title for at least five consecutive nights would win a car by making said pattern involving 'M'. At a point during the original run, the letter M was temporarily renamed "VW" after the sponsor of the car prize, even when the car was not yet able to be won. That later changed back to 'M' in the 2002 revival. Champions could return for as many nights as required until they were d efeated in the main game, or until they won the car.

• The Aussie version of Catch Phrase was simply titled just that through 1998. In 1999, the show was re-titled Burgo's Catch Phrase in honor of its host.
• The Aussie show's mascot -- a character called "Jimmy" -- often appears in some of the catch phrases.
• The 2002 revival of Burgo's Catch Phrase replaced Pass the Buck (not to be confused with the US GS) which John Burgess also hosted. That show, however, was cancelled after about two months on the air.