As was its 1970s predecesor, "Split Second" was a fast-moving game show where three contestants, one a returning champion, competed to answer general knowledge questions and win cash. Host Hall announced a category (e.g., "Female Music Video Stars") and a question relating to the category ("Who was the star of the following music videos?"); the players were shown three clues ("Like a Virgin," "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," "Who's Ever in New England"). All three contestants rang in, the one who rang in first having the first chance to select a clue and provide an answer. If he was right, he won a share of the pot; his/her opponents could answer two or possibly all three questions. Players were rewarded based on their ability to answer $10 each if all three contestants provided one right answer; $25 if two of them were right; and $50 if just one answered all three questions correctly (by the way, the correct answers were, in order, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper and Reba McEntire).