I have read the latest about the Pyramid pilot, just now actually. My reactions?
A) Fremantle must have gotten the rights to Pyramid too.*
B) This is like the Bizarro World version of last year's pilot and the reactions to it.
C) Come back Donnymid, all is forgiven?
Seriously, though, this is kind of what I feared...that somehow, someone would think the "retro" style didn't work last time when LMAD got the nod, so we'd be right back to grimdark Pyramid (aka the style of set we've all seen on all game shows throughout the noughties). Just speculation, but can't help but wonder. Yes the gameplay is there, but let me put it to you this way: TTD90 didn't really change the game, did it? However, it was the presentation did it in for hardcores. I can see a Pyramid with no pyramid doing the same.
Funny that Lane Reaction was mentioned (say, who was behind that show again?), I posted on Buzzerblog after it was referenced there too, re: Davies possibly not only tanking Pyramid's look, but also the contestant casting. GSN CR is another show that had promises of sticking to the older version's format, but it sounds to me like it too was done in by unfortunate tweaks, a generic look, and (my original point) obsession with only getting younger, photogenic contestants. As I so snarkily put it:
July 5, 2010 at 5:57 pm
And hey, remember GSN Chain Reaction? The show that suffered mostly cause they casted young people who looked great but couldn’t play the game? (Looks and no substance, a problem for all forms of entertainment, and is right up there with the remake abuse as something that should be curbed ASAP) Gee I forget, who was behind that revival again?
Wonder if they’re gonna lasso the standing cluegiver in the Winner’s Whatever-the-Heck-It-Is-Now so he/she can’t use their hands? It would be HIGH-larious like the blindfold in the end game from Lane Reaction.
Here's a thought: on one hand, I wondered if no pyramids meant we're going to have computerized graphic versions of the game boards (that would be so GSN Original...). But on the other hand...though it sounded permanent, perhaps the lack of pyramid and etc. is just to K.I.S.S. for the pilot, and if it’s picked up, maybe a real set, bigger payoffs (not to be all Mo’ Money or nothing), and even something more in lines with the 2009 pilot? Otherwise may as well call this MDPW Part 2…that too was essentially Pyramid gameplay without the pyramid (and was also a good game that would be better if not for being an in-name-only of a classic title. And mediocre, “oh noes, the password has no clear opposite. PASS!” players)
* - However, Fremantle's core shows (TPIR, LMAD, FF) have at least been improvements over their other fare, as far as their evolution and/or updating.
