Page "What Would You Do?" Paragraph 53

* Pie Pod-The most used and most popular " pie device " on the show, this contraption could launch up to four whipped cream pies at one audience member.

He or she would be set up in a hydraulic chair and covered with a clear plastic tarp, leaving his or her head exposed.

Then the chair, which resembled a barber's chair or an antique-style dentist's chair, would be pumped up until the participant's head was aligned with a target behind him or her.

Summers then asked the audience ( or the winning player, in case of a game that sends the loser to the Pie Pod ) how many pies should be launched -- " 4 " was the usual answer — and then released them, following a count of three.

During the first season, a device called the " Crowning Glory " was suspended over the participant's head.

This was a container shaped like a crown that held a small amount of pink slime.

Most of the time this was only released if the audience determined that the " victim " flinched during the release of the pies ; however it could be used for any random occasion Marc deemed warranted it, such as it being someone's birthday.

In the second season, the Crowning Glory was removed, but a fifth pie was added ; in addition, participants were no longer covered with a smock, and the large lab goggles were replaced with small swimming goggles.

( Incidentally, on very early episodes, the Pie Pod could be loaded with up to six pies-but the two outer ones were never launched, and were subsequently removed.

) On even earlier episodes, the audience member would not get a plastic tarp to protect their clothes, and / or no goggles, or only safety glasses that were usually knocked right off with a direct hit.

On one occasion, Marc cursed ( which was censored out ) and had to go to the Pie Pod as a result.

One game was played directly at the Pie Pod, where Marc interviewed a member of the studio audience while a 60-second clock counted down.

When the audience member thought that they were within 10 seconds of the 60-second target, they were to say, " Stop ," and for every 10 seconds they were out, one pie would be launched.

If the 60 seconds expired, all four pies would be launched.