The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: JacksonBrowne1980 on April 14, 2004, 01:01:22 PM
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i can remember the USA game block; it was cool, does anyone remember the date USA started the afternoon game block?
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I believe the USA Net. Game Show Block was started in 1986 and ran all the way to September 1995. USA's trademark show was, of course, PYL. ("MG" has become GSN's equivillant)
-Joe R.
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No, the ETOVGS says 1984
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Oct 84 for MML and GS. TJW and "Bullseye" added April 1, 1985 and it built from there.
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[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' date=\'Apr 14 2004, 03:17 PM\'] Oct 84 for MML and GS. TJW and "Bullseye" added April 1, 1985 and it built from there. [/quote]
mml and gs? I must be out of the circle here, what 2 shows were those.
And I guess it's a safe bet that USA's block eventually became the idea for GSN, correct?
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[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' date=\'Apr 14 2004, 02:17 PM\'] Oct 84 for MML and GS. TJW and "Bullseye" added April 1, 1985 and it built from there. [/quote]
I didn't have cable at the time (blast!), but didn't they replay GONG and MML (standing for MAKE ME LAUGH, passwordplus) in the 11PM ET hour? Or were those entirely different episodes (I saw a few of them visiting friends before I was finally able to get cable myself)?
Doug
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[quote name=\'passwordplus\' date=\'Apr 14 2004, 02:23 PM\'] [quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' date=\'Apr 14 2004, 03:17 PM\'] Oct 84 for MML and GS. TJW and "Bullseye" added April 1, 1985 and it built from there. [/quote]
mml and gs? I must be out of the circle here, what 2 shows were those.
And I guess it's a safe bet that USA's block eventually became the idea for GSN, correct? [/quote]
Make Me Laugh and Gong Show, respectively.
As for USA being the inspiration, I'd actually say no, since CBN (now ABC Family, formerly FOX Fam, formerly Family Channel) was doing reruns since c. 1981 or 82.
Wait a minute, 4 actual answers, and one of them wasn't Zach? Did Hell freeze? :-)
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[quote name=\'fostergray82\' date=\'Apr 14 2004, 02:42 PM\'] [quote name=\'passwordplus\' date=\'Apr 14 2004, 02:23 PM\'] [quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' date=\'Apr 14 2004, 03:17 PM\'] Oct 84 for MML and GS. TJW and "Bullseye" added April 1, 1985 and it built from there. [/quote]
mml and gs? I must be out of the circle here, what 2 shows were those.
And I guess it's a safe bet that USA's block eventually became the idea for GSN, correct? [/quote]
Make Me Laugh and Gong Show, respectively.
As for USA being the inspiration, I'd actually say no, since CBN (now ABC Family, formerly FOX Fam, formerly Family Channel) was doing reruns since c. 1981 or 82.
Wait a minute, 4 actual answers, and one of them wasn't Zach? Did Hell freeze? :-) [/quote]
1981; with "$50,000 Pyramid".
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Yeah, CBN had the first big game show block. I believe it ran from about 3-630 (Blockbusters was the last show in that particular block at one point.) USA's block invariably ran from 12 or 1 to 5 (before the old Dance Party USA with some girl named Kelly Ripa.)
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don't forget TJW and TJW90 and ASB, they were part of the game block as well.
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[quote name=\'JacksonBrowne1980\' date=\'Apr 14 2004, 04:22 PM\'] don't forget TJW and TJW90 and ASB, they were part of the game block as well. [/quote]
TJW was mentioned already.
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don't forget about hot potato; it was on the game block too as well as $otc, scrabble, & chain reaction
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[quote name=\'JacksonBrowne1980\' date=\'Apr 14 2004, 02:09 PM\'] don't forget about hot potato; it was on the game block too as well as $otc, scrabble, & chain reaction [/quote]
Yeah, there were a lot of shows that came and left that block, and we're not going to list every single damn one of them.
(Sorry. My patience for the guy has totally run out.)
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Is it true that 1986 version of Chain Reaction was a "USA original" and not a syndicated game show?
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[quote name=\'bulldog_06\' date=\'Apr 14 2004, 10:13 PM\'] Is it true that 1986 version of Chain Reaction was a "USA original" and not a syndicated game show? [/quote]
Yes it was a USA original, as was Jackpot, Bumper Stumpers, and Love Me Love Me Not, all those shows were taped in Canada and aired in the US via the USA network.
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Okay, I got that. Were there anymore USA originals in the 80s? Because we all know those stupid games, USA made in the 90s?
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[quote name=\'bulldog_06\' date=\'Apr 14 2004, 10:23 PM\'] Okay, I got that. Were there anymore USA originals in the 80s? Because we all know those stupid games, USA made in the 90s? [/quote]
The above shows I mentioned are the only original game shows USA did in the 80s. Gonzo Games and the other less-than-popular ones came in the 90s, and 2001 bought the short-lived SMush.
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I remember USA airing reruns of "Liars Club" hosted by Bill Armstrong back when I first had cable TV in 1986.
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USA had wipeout; it was a cool show; it aired in different times on USA in the years. dunno the times.
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Can't remember when they aired, but I recall that Wink TTD, Play the Percentages, and Face the Music were part of the USA block at one point or another.
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and they also had name that tume with jim lange; it was a cool game show. i loved watching it on USA
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ok, mr. smith; usa network had heest game block in the afternoon in 1984, i watched it everyday; it was cool
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I do remember USA's afternoon Game Block!!! I remember watching it when I was very young! I watched it since I was 3 or 4 and I used to skip school to watch it when I started school in 1991!
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Also, I remember when I was in 4th grade in 1995 It was homecoming day and we got off early to attend the Homecoming Parade and I turned on USA only to find Love Connection on! It was then it was replaced by USA Live! I got a little upset, and I discovered GSN that very same year, and I remember when my grandmother got me a Primestar that Christmas, Becuase I wanted GSN, and she did not have cable TV becuase she lived in the boondocks in Southeastern Alabama, I discovered that GSN wasn't even availible yet! I finally recieved it in 1997.
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I liked the old USA game block as well when haing cable. USA games aired 50 weeks a year (with a 2 week vacation for U.S. Open Tennis).
Favorite USA game; Jackpot! It was the longest running of the three versions.
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I remember the block well. I remember being upset every end of summer because I couldn't watch American Gladiators (USA, 10am et) and most of the other shows, and I'd rush home from school just to watch part of PYL. But, then I remember they were replaced with kid's actions shows (most of them just Power Ranger wannabes)
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I also remember when USA reran old sitcoms such as My Sister Sam and Double Trouble, I wish USA could rerun those sitcoms rather than the junk they are showing now! I wish there could be a spin-off channel from USA where they could rerun those sitcoms as well as the game shows they aired. With GSN going their god-awful route.
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[quote name=\'SRIV94\' date=\'Apr 14 2004, 02:30 PM\'] [quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' date=\'Apr 14 2004, 02:17 PM\'] Oct 84 for MML and GS. TJW and "Bullseye" added April 1, 1985 and it built from there. [/quote]
I didn't have cable at the time (blast!), but didn't they replay GONG and MML (standing for MAKE ME LAUGH, passwordplus) in the 11PM ET hour? Or were those entirely different episodes (I saw a few of them visiting friends before I was finally able to get cable myself)?
Doug [/quote]
That is correct, Doug. Upon further research from my TV Guide collection, MML started on USA in late night. Gong was on in the afternoon and in late night. The afternoons from Oct 84 to April 85 usually consisted of sitcoms "Gidget" and "Good Morning World" and the 70's "Candid Camera" and "Gong Show." More of a "comedy" block until April 85. MML made it's first appearance in daytime in April 85. So the first "block" was TJW at 4, followed by "Bullseye" MML (spelling Candid Camera at 5, it moved to 3) and "Gong Show."
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[quote name=\'Jamey Greek\' date=\'Apr 16 2004, 08:17 AM\']I also remember when USA reran old sitcoms such as My Sister Sam and Double Trouble, I wish USA could rerun those sitcoms rather than the junk they are showing now![/quote]
I actually agree...I kinda enjoyed their little short-lived sitcoms block, and of course the game shows (at least the ones GSN doesn't air). It's better than the Law and Order spinoffs they keep airing.
I wish there could be a spin-off channel from USA where they could rerun those sitcoms as well as the game shows they aired. With GSN going their god-awful route.
Technically, that spin-off channel is Trio. They've aired some pretty rare gems, including Idiot Savants (1996 MTV game show) and Battle of the Network Stars from c. 1976, so anything's possible.
As for the GSN rant, for the last time, it's not *that* bad. Yeah, it could be better, but it could be a lot worse, say, the c. 2000 schedule?
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I was a big USA game show fanatic.
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[quote name=\'gsnstooge\' date=\'Apr 16 2004, 05:15 PM\'] I was a big USA game show fanatic. [/quote]
So was I. I used to watch the game show block and Cartoon Express all the time. Nowadays, the only USA show that even remotely resembles a good show is Monk.
With apologies to Eddie Money, I wanna go back...
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Remember it? I used to remember skipping school days just to watch the block! :P
Even taped some (like many)... ironically they were just random tapings, and I ended up getting some surprising eps, including Scrabble's first ep back to the "classic" format (ditching the spelling format), Maxine Parks' PYL blunder ("I came to see you and the Price is- Press Your Luck!"), and probably others.
Too bad I didn't tape more back then, I'd probably have more classics (like Talkabout... I remember when USA reran them and I was peeved 'cause they replaced HS86 reruns... eventually they returned.)
I do think most certainly that the two USA GS originals that premiered in 1995 (Quicksilver and Free4All) killed the block. by then the "USA Live" thing came in 1996 and had reruns of the People's Court, Love Connection and their new original: "The Big Date". (That was, what, Mark L. Walberg's third GS?)
Enough rambling for this post. (Methinks it's one of my longest to this forum.)
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[quote name=\'TonicBH\' date=\'Apr 17 2004, 03:15 AM\'] (like Talkabout... I remember when USA reran them and I was peeved 'cause they replaced HS86 reruns... eventually they returned.)
[/quote]
Squares didn't return to USA after Talkabout replaced it. When Talkabout left USA's air, it was replaced with the last half hour of a USA movie IIRC.
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OK, I never share this story because it is so unbelieveable that even I have come to doubt it. While true, I wouldn't blame you for treating it as one of those "Ripley Believe It Or Not" tales:
I had a 3 day run as champion on "All Star Blitz" around 1985. Among the booty was a trip to Mazatlan which I took almost a year later. I check-in at the Holiday Inn in Mazatlan with Jane (wonder where she is today). The bellhop takes us to the room and is doing that tip-hustling thing of demonstrating how to turn on the lights, how to open the curtains, how to flush the toilet, and how to watch TV.
We're obviously gringos, so he tunes the TV to the only English language channel on their satellite system. He points to the screen and says "USA". I thought he was referring to the fact that it's a channel from the US, but it's indeed the USA cable channel. The bellhop starts yammering in Spanish, I look up; he's pointing to the screen and to me. On USA at that moment is a rerun of "All Star Blitz" with me playing! I'd love to tell you it was the episode where I won the trip, but if it were I'd have been looking for Alan Funt or Rod Serling to step out from under the bed!
Believe it or not!
Randy
tvrandywest.com
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[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Apr 17 2004, 10:59 AM\'] Believe it or not!
[/quote]
{Egghead}I don't believe it!{/Egghead}
Fun story.
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When did Trio rerun Idiot Savants? fostergray82? I had Directv for 4 years and I can't believe I missed it!
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[quote name=\'Jamey Greek\' date=\'Apr 17 2004, 03:05 PM\'] When did Trio rerun Idiot Savants? fostergray82? I had Directv for 4 years and I can't believe I missed it! [/quote]
It was only for one week last summer. Joel Stein (don't remember how he's linked to Trio) was a contestant on the show, and they showed his episodes.
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[quote name=\'fostergray82\' date=\'Apr 17 2004, 09:45 PM\'] [quote name=\'Jamey Greek\' date=\'Apr 17 2004, 03:05 PM\'] When did Trio rerun Idiot Savants? fostergray82? I had Directv for 4 years and I can't believe I missed it! [/quote]
It was only for one week last summer. Joel Stein (don't remember how he's linked to Trio) was a contestant on the show, and they showed his episodes. [/quote]
It's not that he's linked to Trio specifically, they wanted a celebrity to choose some shows and call it "My Trio" - Stein was, I guess, the biggest name they could get.
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[quote name=\'tommycharles\' date=\'Apr 17 2004, 09:49 PM\'][quote name=\'fostergray82\' date=\'Apr 17 2004, 09:45 PM\'] [quote name=\'Jamey Greek\' date=\'Apr 17 2004, 03:05 PM\'] When did Trio rerun Idiot Savants? fostergray82? I had Directv for 4 years and I can't believe I missed it! [/quote]
It was only for one week last summer. Joel Stein (don't remember how he's linked to Trio) was a contestant on the show, and they showed his episodes. [/quote]
It's not that he's linked to Trio specifically, they wanted a celebrity to choose some shows and call it "My Trio" - Stein was, I guess, the biggest name they could get.[/quote]
Quentin Tarantino did a "My Trio" week right before "Kill Bill Vol. 1" came out. Lots of blaxploitation and kung fu movies, IIRC. I don't believe they've done one since then.
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[quote name=\'uncamark\' date=\'Apr 19 2004, 10:45 AM\']
Quentin Tarantino did a "My Trio" week right before "Kill Bill Vol. 1" came out. Lots of blaxploitation and kung fu movies, IIRC. I don't believe they've done one since then. [/quote]
Ah. Well...I think I'm ok with not having seen any of that :-)
It was cool of Stein to bring out Battle of the Network Stars, though. I hope that can get a decent revival someday.
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It was cool of Stein to bring out Battle of the Network Stars, though. I hope that can get a decent revival someday.
NBC did such a revival late last year, but not only was it not as fun as the originals, it featured only NBC stars.
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[quote name=\'tommycharles\' date=\'Apr 19 2004, 12:16 PM\'] [quote name=\'uncamark\' date=\'Apr 19 2004, 10:45 AM\']
Quentin Tarantino did a "My Trio" week right before "Kill Bill Vol. 1" came out. Lots of blaxploitation and kung fu movies, IIRC. I don't believe they've done one since then. [/quote]
Ah. Well...I think I'm ok with not having seen any of that :-)
It was cool of Stein to bring out Battle of the Network Stars, though. I hope that can get a decent revival someday. [/quote]
I don't think that will happen (and someone already said so and gave pretty much this reason, but I don't remember who) anytime soon.....I don't think a network would want to air a contest with stars from the other networks on it...
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[quote name=\'fostergray82\' date=\'Apr 17 2004, 09:45 PM\']It was only for one week last summer. Joel Stein (don't remember how he's linked to Trio) was a contestant on the show, and they showed his episodes.[/quote]
Actually, they showed one of his episodes, multiple times. For some reason, Joel didn't feel like showcasing the episodes where he sat in the dunce's chair.
[quote name=\'zachhoran\' date=\'Apr 14 2004, 10:25 PM\']2001 bought the short-lived SMush.[/quote]
Don't forget that 2001 also brought Strip Poker, which was basically a USA original (aired on USA and the very few UHF stations USA owned at the time).
[quote name=\'JayC\' date=\'Apr 16 2004, 08:15 AM\']But, then I remember they were replaced with kid's actions shows (most of them just Power Ranger wannabes) [/quote]
Sounds like you're thinking of "Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills". (I can't believe I remember this show; it was a direct knockoff of Power Rangers, except with worse production values, scripts, and pretty much everything else.) The game block was still around when this aired; as I recall, it came on right after the game block (and I watched it a couple of times for the same reason that people look at an accident on the freeway).
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[quote name=\'rigsby\' date=\'Apr 19 2004, 12:35 PM\'] a direct knockoff of Power Rangers, except with worse production values [/quote]
Now THERE'S a truly frightening concept.
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[quote name=\'rigsby\' date=\'Apr 19 2004, 12:35 PM\'] it was a direct knockoff of Power Rangers, except with worse production values, scripts, and pretty much everything else. [/quote]
Considering that plotting was pretty much a foreign concept to Power Rangers at that time, that is really saying something.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' date=\'Apr 19 2004, 08:49 AM\'] [quote name=\'rigsby\' date=\'Apr 19 2004, 12:35 PM\'] a direct knockoff of Power Rangers, except with worse production values [/quote]
Now THERE'S a truly frightening concept. [/quote]
The production values on the current run of "Power Rangers" are surprisingly high compared to earlier versions, including a lot less footage from the Japanese show it's based on. Part of that is because the non-Japanese portions are now being filmed in New Zealand, with mainly Kiwi actors.
I only know this from closed-captioning it, I swear.
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USA had the best game show block IMO; i think they should bring it back. the usa game show block rocked.
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[quote name=\'Steve Gavazzi\' date=\'Apr 19 2004, 05:21 PM\'] [quote name=\'rigsby\' date=\'Apr 19 2004, 12:35 PM\'] it was a direct knockoff of Power Rangers, except with worse production values, scripts, and pretty much everything else. [/quote]
Considering that plotting was pretty much a foreign concept to Power Rangers at that time, that is really saying something. [/quote]
Now THERE'S a truly frightening concept.
As a witness to that monstronsity, I can say that I've a little more respect to those who work on Power Rangers. At least on the Power Rangers there's some...I can't put my finger on it, but the cheeziness of the show was probably more an endearing factor. I vaguely remember TTAFFBH to be completely dry and too umm...serious? Thanks for the memories, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUGH??!!!!
ObGameshow: I think we're aware of how USA didn't exactly blow their budget in production values with their original game shows, but their least watchable game show could easily be more "Must see TV" than those something...something...uhh...fighters from Beverly Hills.
(Now you got the theme song to that show in my head...Ahh, good tunes, that)
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lI have a "Fall Preview" TV Guide and I read that USA was supposed to air reruns The Dating Game and The Newlywed Game did that ever happen? It was from 1984.
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[quote name=\'Jamey Greek\' date=\'Apr 20 2004, 07:46 AM\'] lI have a "Fall Preview" TV Guide and I read that USA was supposed to air reruns The Dating Game and The Newlywed Game did that ever happen? It was from 1984. [/quote]
No, that never happened. The two shows did appear in reruns on local stations during that era and new productions of both shows in syndication in 85 (for NG) and 86 (DG) most likely trumped any non-superstation (WOR, WGN, etc.) cable exposure of the shows.
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[quote name=\'jalman\' date=\'Apr 20 2004, 12:08 AM\'] As a witness to that monstronsity, I can say that I've a little more respect to those who work on Power Rangers. At least on the Power Rangers there's some...I can't put my finger on it, but the cheeziness of the show was probably more an endearing factor. I vaguely remember TTAFFBH to be completely dry and too umm...serious? Thanks for the memories, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUGH??!!!!
ObGameshow: I think we're aware of how USA didn't exactly blow their budget in production values with their original game shows, but their least watchable game show could easily be more "Must see TV" than those something...something...uhh...fighters from Beverly Hills.
(Now you got the theme song to that show in my head...Ahh, good tunes, that) [/quote]
Samurai Pizza Cats, anyone? OK, that was more a knockoff of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but very cheap. Not as bad as Tattooed blah blah blah Hills.
ObPowerRangers: The Japanese footage made the PR of old look cheesy, but it was low-cost. But when Disney took over the franchise, it looks like they brought a little more budget.
Still, I think the Zeo series was the best.
ObOriginalTopic: On the surface, Quicksilver wasn't that bad. The game itself was clever, but the small, cheap set, a first-time (only-time?) host doubling as announcer, and the theme that was little more than a remixed Shop 'til You Drop prize cue are why it was no TPiR.
Free 4 All, OTOH...well, I liked that theme.
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[quote name=\'GS Warehouse\' date=\'Apr 20 2004, 03:25 PM\'] ...a first-time (only-time?) host doubling as announcer [/quote]
Regis Philbin said "and now, night 124 of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" on WWTBAM's intro.
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[quote name=\'GS Warehouse\' date=\'Apr 20 2004, 05:25 PM\']
ObOriginalTopic: On the surface, Quicksilver wasn't that bad. The game itself was clever, but the small, cheap set, a first-time (only-time?) host doubling as announcer, and the theme that was little more than a remixed Shop 'til You Drop prize cue are why it was no TPiR.
[/quote]
"Eye Guess" was better.
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Something I've always wondered.
I notice that USA net's lineup featured a majority in NBC shows (GSN, as we know, has a majority in CBS).
Was NBC more generous back then and/or under diffrent management at the time ?
-Joe R.
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[quote name=\'JRaygor\' date=\'Apr 20 2004, 07:30 PM\'] Something I've always wondered.
I notice that USA net's lineup featured a majority in NBC shows (GSN, as we know, has a majority in CBS).
Was NBC more generous back then and/or under diffrent management at the time ?
-Joe R. [/quote]
The network the show aired on originally(if any) has/had nothing to do with whether USA or GSN picked the show up. They more than likely got the rights from whomever owns/owned the show at the time.
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Well, they did have Pyramid and PYL, so I think it was more of a Goodson-Todman thing, since USA never had a G-T in their line up (unlike CBN).
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[quote name=\'JRaygor\' date=\'Apr 20 2004, 07:30 PM\'] Something I've always wondered.
I notice that USA net's lineup featured a majority in NBC shows (GSN, as we know, has a majority in CBS).
Was NBC more generous back then and/or under diffrent management at the time ?
[/quote]
As noted, it has everything to do with the packager and little or nothing to do with the network.
But considering a) ABC was only airing one or two games at the most during the 1980s, and b) the only non-MGP games (Goodson's shows didn't show up on USA, if I recall) to air on CBS from 1980 or so on were Pyramid and Press Your Luck (well, Blackout, but I don't think USA wanted that one), it followed that most of the games would be from the Peacock.
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[quote name=\'Casey Buck\' date=\'Apr 20 2004, 07:12 PM\'] [quote name=\'GS Warehouse\' date=\'Apr 20 2004, 03:25 PM\'] ...a first-time (only-time?) host doubling as announcer [/quote]
Regis Philbin said "and now, night 124 of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" on WWTBAM's intro. [/quote]
When I said "first-time (and only-time) host", I didn't mean the only time a host was his own announcer. Stone Stanley used to do that all the time.* What I meant was, I don't recall seeing the name Ron Maesti since Quicksilver ended.
* But they did need an announcer for StYD. The contestants had to throw the boxes at someone at the prize table. :-)
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[quote name=\'GS Warehouse\' date=\'Apr 20 2004, 07:52 PM\'] When I said "first-time (and only-time) host", I didn't mean the only time a host was his own announcer. Stone Stanley used to do that all the time.* What I meant was, I don't recall seeing the name Ron Maesti since Quicksilver ended. [/quote]
Quick update - I saw Ron last week at an elegant Hollywood landmark temple of drinking.
He spent a year in the late 90s selling as an on-camera QVC host, but he missed the LA action. He's been up for a few game show projects, but they haven't come together. He does an occasional voice-over, but is primarily focused on his new career doing stand-up comedy. As the entrepreneur he always was, besides performing, Ron books the comics and produces the shows.
Idle thoughts: "Quicksilver and "Free-4-All" shared half of the huge stage 9 at KTLA/Hollywood Center/Tribune lot. The cameras just spun 180 degrees to shoot the other show on alternate tape days. That half of stage 9 was also used for "Love Connection" in 1993, and for "Couch Potatoes".
Randy
tvrandywest.com
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[quote name=\'GS Warehouse\' date=\'Apr 20 2004, 06:25 PM\'] Still, I think the Zeo series was the best. [/quote]
Taking this OT, but I'd say the best are Time Force, Wild Force, and the currently-airing Dino Thunder. (I haven't seen a lot of In Space, though, and most say that's an excellent year, as well.) The early seasons had great characters, but the writing back then was awful.
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I read on Chuck Donegan's website that before Quicksilver aired on USA and Stone-Stanley, it was pitched to Merv Griffin and CBS. Anyone confirm that?
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[quote name=\'zachhoran\' date=\'Apr 14 2004, 10:17 PM\'] [quote name=\'bulldog_06\' date=\'Apr 14 2004, 10:13 PM\'] Is it true that 1986 version of Chain Reaction was a "USA original" and not a syndicated game show? [/quote]
Yes it was a USA original, as was Jackpot, Bumper Stumpers, and Love Me Love Me Not, all those shows were taped in Canada and aired in the US via the USA network. [/quote]
Also, Don't forget Zach, USA also aired reruns of Cullen Chain Reaction in 1985. before the revival took off. Pretty similar to GSN with Whammy!
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[quote name=\'TonicBH\' date=\'Apr 17 2004, 03:15 AM\'] Remember it? I used to remember skipping school days just to watch the block! :P
Even taped some (like many)... ironically they were just random tapings, and I ended up getting some surprising eps, including Scrabble's first ep back to the "classic" format (ditching the spelling format), Maxine Parks' PYL blunder ("I came to see you and the Price is- Press Your Luck!"), and probably others.
Too bad I didn't tape more back then, I'd probably have more classics (like Talkabout... I remember when USA reran them and I was peeved 'cause they replaced HS86 reruns... eventually they returned.)
I do think most certainly that the two USA GS originals that premiered in 1995 (Quicksilver and Free4All) killed the block. by then the "USA Live" thing came in 1996 and had reruns of the People's Court, Love Connection and their new original: "The Big Date". (That was, what, Mark L. Walberg's third GS?)
Enough rambling for this post. (Methinks it's one of my longest to this forum.) [/quote]
I didn't tape much then either B.J. In fact, I wish I taped both USA and FAM Game Shows, when my mom was married to my crazy stepdad Tim (They married in 1992 and seperated in 1994 and divorced) He taped his soap opera over them! I remember watching Scrabble, and suddenly Guiding Light came on! I swear, we should have gotten seperate Blank Tapes then, one for my game shows, and the other for his soap operas!
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i started taping game shows at the age of 12; i taped stuff like PYL, TJW90, TTD90.
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I read on Chuck Donegan's website that before Quicksilver aired on USA and Stone-Stanley, it was pitched to Merv Griffin and CBS. Anyone confirm that?
It was told to me by Quicksilver host Ron Maestri himself, so that's pretty close to an official confirmation. :-)
Chuck Donegan (The Illustrious "Chuckie Baby")
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I recalll Wink's version of Tic Tac Dough on the block for a couple of years. I think USA's gameshow block was the inspiration for Family Channel's gameshow block which ended after Ray Comb died.
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[quote name=\'JacksonBrowne1980\' date=\'Apr 21 2004, 11:18 AM\'] i started taping game shows at the age of 12; i taped stuff like PYL, TJW90, TTD90. [/quote]
I've just started to transfer my tapes to dvd. I've got 10 done but it's going to take a wile to do all 1,204.
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I think USA's gameshow block was the inspiration for Family Channel's gameshow block which ended after Ray Comb died.
While that was possibly true (the earlier CBN game show block might've played a role as well), I think Pat Robertson had loftier dreams -- to use The Family Channel's block as a springboard for a dedicated game show channel of his own. But, his dreams were discarded when Sony's "Game Show Network" signed on in 1994, which featured practically the same mix of old game shows and interactive features that Family's block had.
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GEESE! I have over 100. I'm trying to get them organized. What I want to do eventually, is get episodes of each series on separate tapes. Like tapes for Dawson Feud, tapes for Dawson syndie and so on. My grandma did the same thing with Price is Right in the early 90's, I have some episodes in full from 1994(go me! lol), but I also have some that are partial, and then my grandma had guiding light taped over the rest! Thank goodness, I tape everything on my own now.