[Yakety Sax, also known as Benny Hill Show theme]
-It's time for "Schwobble."
- It's a little bit of "Bingo." It's a little bit of "Scrabble."
And it's a lot like "Wheel of Fortune."
- "Schwobble" originates live
from the basement of Ascension All Saints Hospital in Racine.
- Good afternoon and welcome to "Schwobble."
- And it's produced exclusively for the entertainment
of hospital patients and their visitors.
- We tell them right off the bat, I do at least,
that's it's more interesting than a soap opera
and a lot more fun than the news.
Thank you.
- Volunteers like "Schwobble" host Kristine Hincz
have been putting on the show each week since 1984.
- You might be a "Schwobble" winner.
- Before the 1 p.m. in-house broadcast,
volunteers take to the hospital hallways,
spreading the word that the game will soon be on.
Hi. Congratulations are in order, yes?
- Thank you. - A little boy, little girl?
- Girl.
- A little girl.
- Patients don't know what it's all about
until we enter their room and kind of introduce
the game with a game sheet.
- When you know the answer we'd like you to call in.
We'll put your voice live on the air.
Then you can pick from all the great prizes that we have.
- Our own version of Vanna White
selects the appropriate letter.
The word starts to form.
She could just be in the pink.
Sometimes the clue gives it away right away.
Other times it just makes them have to think a little harder.
She just could be in the pink.
- Hi. Is it blushing bride?
- You are correct.
Okay, we've got our second "Schwobble" winner right here.
- Cause it's so corny.
But it's so simple.
And that's our premise with "Schwobble."
We want the people to relax a little bit.
They laugh, smile.
When you see a patient smile, I mean it's phenomenal.
It's just so wonderful.
- Loves his or her work.
- Wanting to make people smile
is what unites the "Schwobble"team.
[harmonica note]
[humming same note]
? It had to be you.
- Many "Schwobble" members have also been Sweet Adelines.
- Cooler By The Lake, that's our name.
Our bond is the love of singing and its four-part harmony
a cappella style.
And I'm a baritone.
- Sweet Adeline is a very different breed of people.
You want to entertain and sing and have fun
and make people smile.
- ? You've got a friend in me.
- I came from New York
and didn't have a friend in the world here.
- ?... friend in me.
Found Sweet Adelines a short time after arriving
and made wonderful friends.
It gave me a lot of confidence.
Therefore I got some confidence to stand in front of a camera
and help put on the "Schwobble" game.
Space number three.
Sometimes they vanish.
- This fifteen-year-old may be "Schwobble's" biggest fan.
- Magic -- magician's ... assistant.
- Katrina always schedules her monthly procedures
on a "Schwobble" day.
It makes her hospital stay a prizewinner.
- You got it.
Okay, you're live on the air.
What is the answer?
- Magician's assistant.
All right.
What would you like this time for your prize?
- I'll take the yoyo, please.
- The yoyo.
Are you a Yankees fan?
- No.
- Oh okay.
- I like yoyos.
- I'm a Yankees fan.
Okay, you like yoyos.
I don't blame you.
And this one is an official yoyo.
Good job.
- Soon the yoyo and the other prizes
are on their way to the winners.
- Did you have fun?
- Yeah. - Yeah.
- Then all of sudden, if you win, that's it.
It's a surprise.
It's a surprise and a pleasant surprise.
- And it's not only the patients who feel like winners.
- Sure.
Who wouldn't want to make someone else happy?
- And we certainly hope
you don't have to be in the hospital next week,
but if you are, we will be right here next Tuesday,
ready to play "Schwobble."
Remember, if you don't have any wrinkles,
you haven't laughed enough.
[Yakety Sax, also known as Benny Hill Show theme]