Break the Bank (1985 game show)

Break the Bank is a game show created by Richard S. Kline. It aired in syndication from September 16, 1985 to June 20, 1986, with repeats airing until September 12. It was not related to two previous shows by the same name.

The series debuted with Gene Rayburn as host, with Joe Farago taking over in December 1985. Kandace Kuehl was the co-host for the first three shows and was then replaced afterward with the 1983 Miss USA winner Julie Hayek. Voice-over artist Michael Hanks was the announcer.

Originally, Rayburn was supposed to host a revival of his hit signature game show Match Game in order to be paired up with The Price Is Right hosted by Tom Kennedy, but it was scrapped as reruns of the 1979–82 daily version aired in its place instead.

Break the Bank was the first game show produced by Kline's production company Kline & Friends. Kline and many of the show's production staff members had previously worked for Barry & Enright Productions, which had seen significant changes made after company founder Jack Barry died in 1984. Kline and his staff broke away from the company in protest against changes made by co-owner Dan Enright shortly thereafter.