Linda Peroutka appeared on The Joker's Wild in January 1973, broke the Joker's Jackpot and took home $11,100. Her episodes were shown for the first time in over 28 years in April 2001 on Game Show Network.

MK: Why did you try out for The Joker's Wild?
LP: I tried out because as a single woman, I could see that it would take me forever to get a down payment for a house with conventional means, and I thought I could do as well as the people I saw on the show.

MK: When your show aired, The Joker's Wild had been on CBS for only 4 1/2 months and it seemed like at least one facet of the game changed on a weekly basis in the first 13 weeks. Do you recall any drastic game changes between the time you tried out for The Joker's Wild and the time your episodes were taped? Approximately how long was the wait between your tryout and your call to be on the show?
LP: I don't recall any changes between the 2 times. It seems like I tried out in November or early December of 72. They called be some time before Christmas, and I told them it would be impossible for me to go then as I was a postal employee. I asked them to call after the holiday. They called on the Tues or Wed. before I actually taped the show, Sat. Jan 13th, I think. I had to call work to see if I could get off at noon on that Sat. and called them back to tell them I could be there. It was not a long wait between the original interview and the taping.

MK: How difficult were the questions on The Joker's Wild? I have noticed that some of the categories and questions from the CBS run of The Joker's Wild were arcane compared to those used on The Joker's Wild in the late 70s through the 80s.
LP: I thought the questions were easy. You have the tape; do they seem easy? I love Jeopardy, so they weren't too tough.

MK: Did you ever consider leaving after any of your first 2 games with the cash and prizes you had amassed or was the temptation and the end result so great that you had to continue?
LP: Nope, that was the plan when I was at home---to leave early. But, once I got rolling, I felt like it was my chance and never thought about quitting. I still have the Xerox of the check from CBS; it was a turning point in ny life financially speaking.

MK: As most people who have seen The Joker's Wild reruns from 1972 and 1973 on Game Show Network may have noticed, Jack Barry seems laid back and cynical, a side of Jack that obviously wasn't seen when he hosted Twenty-One in the 50s. How was Jack on and off-camera? Forgive me for the pun but was Jack the joker we see on TV or was he all business since it was his show?
LP: Jack was quite friendly as was the producer, a fellow as I recall named Lefty. I don't recall seeing two different sides of him. He just seemed like a nice guy.

MK: Were you on any game shows before or after The Joker's Wild? If so, how did you do?
LP: No.

MK: Did you consider trying out for either of the The Joker's Wild revivals, the 1977-1986 run or the 1990-1991 version? If so, how did those tryouts go? If you were on either or both of those shows, how did the show(s) compare to your original experience?
LP: I worked nights for a good part of my postal career so I don't even recall either one of those 2 versions. I didn't see much TV. I went to New Zealand and the folks on the tour thought it was refreshing to meet an American that had never seen "Dallas", "Dynasty", or any of those programs.

MK: Have you considered trying out for today's million dollar game shows and why?
LP: Sure, as a retiree, it would be nice to supplement my pension.

MK: There had been rumors over the past several years that Sony (who owns the Barry/Enright library including The Joker's Wild) would revive The Joker's Wild. If The Joker's Wild is revived, would you consider trying out?
LP: Absolutely! I think it would be a kick to go on it again all these years later. Since I live 120 miles from LA, maybe I could just send them a copy of the tape to show them that I'm not too dense (or wasn't once anyway)?

MK: Hypothetically speaking, if there was a tournament for retired champions throughout The Joker's Wilds' runs and someone had contacted you about appearing in the tournament, would you accept their invitation or do you consider yourself "retired" from playing The Joker's Wild?
LP: You bet I'd go. Where do I go to tell CBS that they should do that?