The Game Show Forum > Game Show Channels & Networks
GSN, R.I.P.?
Ian Wallis:
I'll add my 2 cents in here:
I've been thinking lately that we had it better under Fleming as well. To give Cronin credit, when he first came to GSN he gave us \"Press Your Luck\" and \"Let's Make a Deal\" (two shows that actually could have been part of GSN from the beginning), and most of his originals are way better.
However, being a \"classics\" lover, it was much better before Cronin arrived. Maybe we wouldn't have had \"PYL\" and \"LMAD\" if Fleming had stayed, but at least we would have had a lot more use of the vault. Fleming wasn't afraid to try things, such as running the CBS \"Joker's Wild\", doing \"Games of the Week\", or even having obscure shows like \"Perfect Match\" on the weekends. I know a lot of us complained even then, but those shows and ideas are likely never to be seen again - unless our hope of a GSN2 comes around.
vtown7:
--- Quote ---Cram especially can appeal to people of all ages,
--- End quote ---
This is quite true. I have friends who own a bed and breakfast, enjoy the fact that GSN has been added to their digital cable... and they're in their SIXTIES!
Cheers,
Ryan V.
GS Warehouse:
I've said it before and I'll say it again: GSN has succumbed to advertiser pressure. If TV was not so money-driven, we'd be enjoying a more classic-driven GSN. But look at the advertising industry from my perspective: even though I fall in the 18-to-49 demo, I do not throw my money at just any product I see on TV. The people who do are the ones who watch trash like Friends and Fear Factor, but don't even know who Bill Cullen was. I never buy anything other than essentials, especially after getting laid-off, because I know my life savings will eventually become a down payment on my congressman's new Porsche. If everybody in the country had my views, TV will cease to exist.
BrandonFG:
It seems to me that GSN is starting to think that you can't run a network on \"niche\" programming. I mean, look at most of your cable networks, and how they've strayed from their original roots. One of the most notrorius examples will always be MTV, and more recently, AMC. Hell, even Nick, a station I grew up on with Double Dare, You Can't Do That on Television and other gems, has become nothing but Spongebob and Rugrats. Why? Original programming brings in $$$.[/COLOR]
The thing is, as has been stated a million times here, you can't run your network on nothing but 20 year old game shows. Yes, it would be nice, but GSN has to make money to stay above water, hence the crop of originals. Just the same, MTV can't make money on music videos 24/7, hence the crop of (crappy) original programming.
However, I'll counter that argument by saying 1) GSN needs to keep their original programming within the confines of game shows (\"GS\"N), just like MTV should keep theirs within the confines of music (\"M\"TV).
beatlefreak84:
After reading a lot of the comments from all of you, I'd have to agree with most of your sentiments.
While I was probably happier than a lot of people to see PYL come to GSN (!), I was kinda sad to see shows like TJW, TTD, and BS leave the schedule. You'd think Cronin would've taken a hint from that \"Feast of Favorites\" thing he did; if I were him, I would've put TJW and TTD right back on the sked, even if just for a weekend slot.
In a sense, I guess you're right: Cronin looks like he's trying to scale down the classics to just the ones with proven ratings. While I do see the need to make money and whatnot, come on, how many of you got up early and/or set your VCR's when \"Trivia Trap\" was on for three months?
Also, we're not the only ones who enjoy the classics. As I mentioned in another thread, when my friends talk about and/or watch GSN, they mention the CLASSICS, not the ORIGINALS (I have one friend who likes \"Cram\" and another who despises \"Lingo,\" and that's all they say about the originals). Trust me, there are way more people that will raise an eyebrow to mention of \"Bumper Stumpers\" than will to \"Cram;\" at least, among people I know!
I didn't mind that the classics were being scaled down to the morning hours, but I did mind that they were very repetitive and basically just the same few shows we've seen time and time again. And how many of you were PO'ed that they picked LC instead of Scrabble for Chuck's classic show? :)
As is true with any TV station, however, money has to be made. It's no surprise to me that GSN wants to focus on the development of originals, but I was very shocked that they decided to make a switch toward video games. Even more so, 21? It had 19 episodes!!!!!!
As far as a GSN 2 is concerned, before you say \"It's never gonna happen; deal with it,\" who would've ever pictured a Nick GaS? I think it's very feasible; however, don't expect it anytime in the near future.
As Matt said, nostalgia isn't what it used to be anymore, and he's right. Instead of being a cornerstone, it's almost as if the classics are filler, and we all know that shouldn't be. I'm not suggesting that GSN scrap their originals (most of them are watchable!) for classics, but I am suggesting that they at least give them some consideration when making up schedules for that \"irresistible demo.\" BTW, I'm in that demo, and nothing ticks me off more than shows aimed at me since they're too flashy and don't even care about entertainment value; what's the point in wathching with that?
Okay; I'm done now. Thanks for reading!
Anthony
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