Welcome to....
And here's your host..
Jim Peck!
Broadcast History
Host: Jim Peck
Announcer: Dan Daniels
Assistant: Heather Cunningham
Airdates: December 23, 1974-July 4, 1975, ABC
Studio: ABC Studio TV-15, New York
First Round
"The Big Showdown" combined a bit of strategy, and knowledge.
Three contestants competed with 6 categories. Each category ranged
from 1-6 points. A number was revealed before a round of questions
and that was the "Payoff 
Point."
The game started with a one point toss-up question for control. The player who
answered correctly would then pick a category and another toss-up was read with
the goal to hit the payoff point. 
A player
could not go over the payoff point, and a player was blocked out
of a
question if it meant they'd go over with a right answer. A payoff
point paid off to $25-$500 (which was randomly selected by a dial in Jim's
podium).
The categories changed midway through,
and near the end a 90 second speed round
was played in which each
Payoff Point was worth $100. The players with the 2 highest scores
went on to the "Final Showdown."
Final Showdown
In the "Final Showdown" the 2 players competed with only 3
categories, ranging from 1-3 points. The top scorer of the day started with
conrol of the board. The payoff point was 7, and like
in the
first round, a player was blocked out if there was a chance of
going over the payoff point. The first player to reach the payoff
point won $250 and went on to roll the dice for a chance at $10,000.
Bonus Round
The winner of the Final Showdown went on to roll the dice for
$10,000. The dice however had the 6's eliminated on each die, and
were replaced with the word "Show" on one, and "Down" on the other.
The first roll determined the "Payoff Point." The player rolled the
dice, and if they rolled "Showdown" won $10,000. If not, the number
they rolled was important. The player then had 30 additional seconds
to roll the dice.
Everytime they rolled their Payoff Point they won
$250 cash and 5 extra seconds of rolling time 
after the 30 seconds.
If they rolled Showdown, the won $5,000.
EPISODE #68: THE DAY THE BIG SHOWDOWN BECAME THE BIG FALLDOWN!
There have been many theories as to what happened. Some have suggested a greased step, some have suggested a banana peel. Whatever the reason, it became arguably one of the most funniest and best moments in game show history. After Dan Daniels said "And here's your host, Jim Peck!" Jim, obviously in excitement started walking down the step, till he found, THE step, and managed to fall right down. Jim played it fairly cool, laughed about it, and said to the audience "Sure, you people would applaud a lynching!" A great moment in game show history!
Click here to watch this classic moment!
Facts
-The Big Showdown was Jim Peck's first game show hosting job. He later went on to host such shows as "Hot Seat", a syndicated "You Don't Say!", and the highly controversial "3's a Crowd." He also was a fill-in for Jack Barry and Bill Cullen on "The Joker's Wild." He now hosts a local show on PBS in Milwaukee.
-Only two episodes exist of "The Big Showdown." The pilot (Titled "Showdown") and the episode where Peck falls. ABC unfortunately destroyed most of it's 70's shows, such as "Password", "Moneymaze", and "Split Second."
-The "Moneymaze" followed "The Big Showdown" on many ABC stations. This has been one of the most famous duos among game show fans.