The Pig in a Poke Paradox

The 1985 Amy Heckerling film National Lampoon's European Vacation opens with the Griswald family competing for cash and prizes on the fictitious game show Pig in a Poke . The Griswalds, having already won some impressive prizes, are presented with a choice: walk away with their winnings or "be a pig" and vie for the top prize. Clark W. Griswald (Chevy Chase) decides on the family's behalf to be a pig. The family go on to accidentally win the top prize, which turns out to be an all-expenses-paid tour of Europe and hilarity, as the saying goes, ensues. The scene pokes fun at a number of clichés found in American television game shows. There's the pedantry and self-satisfaction of some Jeopardy contestants. There's the creepiness of Richard Dawson's insistence on kissing each female contestant on Family Feud . Then there's the dilemma over whether the Griswalds will quit while they're ahead or "be a pig". In game show after game show— W...