Comedian looking for a new home for ‘Bonk’

Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007 | 7:02 a.m.

Comedian/magician Kerry Pollock wrapped up a showcase at the Rampart's Addison Lounge and is looking for a room.

But don't look for his low-budget production at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

Pollock stars in "Bonk," a comedy game show he created for clubs and corporate events.

The emphasis is on the comedy.

Three contestants at a time take the stage and put on construction helmets that light up when they are touched by Nerf-like mallets. Then the contestants answer questions.

You don't have to be a member of Mensa to play this game.

Question: "How many bakers in a dozen?"

"Thirteen!"

"No! Twelve. I said how many bakers in a dozen."

Question: "How many of each kind of animal did Moses take on the ark?"

"Two!"

"No! Moses didn't take any. It was Noah."

If a contestant thinks he knows the answer, he bonks himself on the helmet. There is some strategy. If you think your opponent doesn't know the answer, you can bonk him (or her).

There are three sets of contestants, with the winner in each set returning for the finale.

The show lasts about an hour.

Prizes, the good ones, come from the casino's Players Club. The lesser prizes - an air-conditioner filter, light switch and other curious items - are paid for out of Pollock's pocket.

"Bonk" played at the Rampart for four days, and the room was full each time. It wasn't just that admission was free, but audience members also had a chance to win prizes in a drawing.

Pollock says he has been contacted by several casino reps who saw the showcase. He hopes to have a home for his show by March.

It's goofy, inane and cheap enough that it might find an audience.

Pollock came up with the idea for the show eight years ago and began perfecting it at trade shows around the country.

"I've seen game shows at trade shows, and they're pretty boring," Pollock said. "I wanted to do something unique." He described the show as "corny and schmaltzy."

The show's longest run was 30 weeks on Monday nights at a comedy club in Cleveland.

"I would like to see it remain a free show," Pollock said. "It plays pretty big for being low budget."