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The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: ITSBRY on December 28, 2006, 10:41:02 PM

Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: ITSBRY on December 28, 2006, 10:41:02 PM
The video quality isn't great and the audio is a couple of seconds behind in places, but they're still watchable.

Enjoy! ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4taTazzmfUY (http://\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4taTazzmfUY\")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haGdFyuIb7E (http://\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haGdFyuIb7E\")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM7Anr9zjCo (http://\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM7Anr9zjCo\")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS3ZmDjrDbs (http://\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS3ZmDjrDbs\")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv0rZStCkaQ (http://\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv0rZStCkaQ\")
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: TLEberle on December 29, 2006, 01:36:30 AM
[quote name=\'ITSBRY\' post=\'141663\' date=\'Dec 28 2006, 07:41 PM\']
The video quality isn't great and the audio is a couple of seconds behind in places, but they're still watchable.

Enjoy! ;)[/quote]Thanks for that. The High Rollers stuff is a treat, since that was the version I grew up on. And I had completely forgotten how inept John was at explaining stuff. Even the opening failed to build any sort of excitement. Oy.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: Robert Hutchinson on December 29, 2006, 02:31:10 AM
The best part about John's explanation in those clips, to me, was that even when he didn't botch it, it was painfully obvious that rote memorization was all that was getting him through safely.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: TLEberle on December 29, 2006, 02:37:34 AM
[quote name=\'Robert Hutchinson\' post=\'141671\' date=\'Dec 28 2006, 11:31 PM\']The best part about John's explanation in those clips, to me, was that even when he didn't botch it, it was painfully obvious that rote memorization was all that was getting him through safely.[/quote]Good, it wasn't just me, then. Reading cue cards is all fine and good, but wow that was the most forced-sounding read I think I'd ever heard. I wouldn't be surprised if he skipped a line or three in there. Perhaps I give more credit to Clark because he had several years of practice, but what's hard about "Your first trip to the Winner's Circle is worth $10,000, twice in the same show is worth a possible $25,000, and the three people who get to the top the fastest come back for $100,000?"

I must be missing something here, because I just can't see what John Davidson brings to the table in terms of hosting such a good show.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: Don Howard on December 29, 2006, 08:26:39 AM
[quote name=\'TLEberle\' post=\'141672\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 02:37 AM\']
Perhaps I give more credit to Clark because he had several years of practice[/quote]
Judging from the L.A. shows of The $10,000 Pyramid we were treated to on Game Show Network a few years ago, he had it nailed down much sooner than that.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: tvmitch on December 29, 2006, 10:44:35 AM
A nice treat, thanks! Makes me want to hook up my iSight camera to throw some quick clips up there without hassle...
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: ITSBRY on December 29, 2006, 11:24:51 AM
[quote name=\'mitchgroff\' post=\'141687\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 10:44 AM\']
A nice treat, thanks! Makes me want to hook up my iSight camera to throw some quick clips up there without hassle...
[/quote]

That's pretty much what I did...the quality isn't great, but it's better than I expected. Davidson Pyramid is really the only rarity in my collection, so I would like to preserve them digitally at some point. This was just a quick experiment with the video recorder on my digital camera.

It's actually YouTube that messed up the audio when it converted the clips. The files themselves are fine when I view them locally. YouTube also cut off about 2 seconds of each clip at the end. The one where John fumbles his way through the winner's circle rules explanation ends perfectly...."we're giving away $100,000....and....that's the name of the show!". The dude could read off the cards well enough but was in trouble when he had to think for himself, that's for sure.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: rigsby on December 29, 2006, 11:29:34 AM
Thanks for posting that.  I like how WISH dissolved from their logo directly into the opening.  It's a refreshing change from the usual couple of seconds of dark screen after the ID we usually get on our channels around here.

[quote name=\'TLEberle\' post=\'141672\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 02:37 AM\']
I must be missing something here, because I just can't see what John Davidson brings to the table in terms of hosting such a good show.
[/quote]

Availability?
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: clemon79 on December 29, 2006, 11:37:29 AM
[quote name=\'mitchgroff\' post=\'141687\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 07:44 AM\']
A nice treat, thanks! Makes me want to hook up my iSight camera to throw some quick clips up there without hassle...
[/quote]
Please don't. Despite what some seem to think, the quality (particularly the sound quality) is horrendous. That's just a trend I don't want to see spreading.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: Jimmy Owen on December 29, 2006, 01:55:09 PM
One thing about John Davidson that gets lost among our membership.  He's very good looking and women like him.  Since women are the target audience for game shows, that's really all that matters.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: opimus on December 29, 2006, 03:20:57 PM
[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'141699\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 02:55 PM\']
One thing about John Davidson that gets lost among our membership.  He's very good looking and women like him.  Since women are the target audience for game shows, that's really all that matters.
[/quote]
Is the Trebek and Ruta Lee version floating around anywhere?
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: BrandonFG on December 29, 2006, 03:28:03 PM
[quote name=\'opimus\' post=\'141702\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 03:20 PM\']
[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'141699\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 02:55 PM\']
One thing about John Davidson that gets lost among our membership.  He's very good looking and women like him.  Since women are the target audience for game shows, that's really all that matters.
[/quote]
Is the Trebek and Ruta Lee version floating around anywhere?
[/quote]
I think you're quoting the wrong post, but there is an episode or two, at the Museum of TV and Television Radio. I know there's some Trebek eps. around the traders, but don't know if any have Ruta.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: clemon79 on December 29, 2006, 03:34:18 PM
[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'141703\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 12:28 PM\']
I think you're quoting the wrong post, but there is an episode or two, at the Museum of TV and Television Radio. I know there's some Trebek eps. around the traders, but don't know if any have Ruta.
[/quote]
Of the (admittedly limited) number of clips I have seen, all of them seem to be from the clear-a-column-and-scoop-the-prizes format, and I'm pretty sure Ruta's entire run was from the prize-or-a-part-thereof-under-each-number format.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: Scrabbleship on December 29, 2006, 04:10:20 PM
[quote name=\'TLEberle\' post=\'141672\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 02:37 AM\']
I must be missing something here, because I just can't see what John Davidson brings to the table in terms of hosting such a good show.
[/quote]

The probability that he was the best person the Stewarts could settle on when they were trying to find a host and that he had just come off of the circus that his version of Squares was and in comparision to that Pyramid was arguably a walk in the park. If you were in the shoes of either Bob or Sande Stewart 16 years ago, would have you chosen differently?

It also didn't help that in its experimentation this version tried to fix some things that weren't broken (i.e. Double Trouble, Gamble for a Grand, the open). Out of all the versions of Pyramid, Donnymid included, IMO Davidson's felt like it was the most irksome.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: BrandonFG on December 29, 2006, 04:27:41 PM
[quote name=\'Scrabbleship\' post=\'141710\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 04:10 PM\']
The probability that he was the best person the Stewarts could settle on when they were trying to find a host and that he had just come off of the circus that his version of Squares was and in comparision to that Pyramid was arguably a walk in the park. If you were in the shoes of either Bob or Sande Stewart 16 years ago, would have you chosen differently?
[/quote]
I almost asked why wasn't Clark tapped for this version...then I remembered he was still on "The Challengers". I'm guessing the Stewarts wanted to use a host that had a recent history, considering Squares had only been off a year or two (then there's the USA reruns).

I'd love to know who he auditioned against.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: clemon79 on December 29, 2006, 04:27:54 PM
[quote name=\'Scrabbleship\' post=\'141710\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 01:10 PM\']
If you were in the shoes of either Bob or Sande Stewart 16 years ago, would have you chosen differently?
[/quote]
Very yes. Bob Goen was either available or would have dropped what he was doing. Wasn't WOF done by then?
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: Jimmy Owen on December 29, 2006, 04:34:23 PM
John D. was already working with the Stewarts on "Lucky Day USA," when Pyramid was revived.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: BrandonFG on December 29, 2006, 04:40:09 PM
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'141713\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 04:27 PM\']
[quote name=\'Scrabbleship\' post=\'141710\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 01:10 PM\']
If you were in the shoes of either Bob or Sande Stewart 16 years ago, would have you chosen differently?
[/quote]
Very yes. Bob Goen was either available or would have dropped what he was doing. Wasn't WOF done by then?
[/quote]
I think the daytime version was still going...wasn't this Pyramid a midseason show?

Still, no reason why he couldn't have done both...didn't both shows tape at CBS Television City?
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: Scrabbleship on December 29, 2006, 05:12:32 PM
[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'141716\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 04:40 PM\']
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'141713\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 04:27 PM\']
[quote name=\'Scrabbleship\' post=\'141710\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 01:10 PM\']
If you were in the shoes of either Bob or Sande Stewart 16 years ago, would have you chosen differently?
[/quote]
Very yes. Bob Goen was either available or would have dropped what he was doing. Wasn't WOF done by then?
[/quote]
I think the daytime version was still going...wasn't this Pyramid a midseason show?

Still, no reason why he couldn't have done both...didn't both shows tape at CBS Television City?
[/quote]

Daytime Wheel was entering its last week on CBS when Davidson's Pyramid began airing. Even with the move to NBC, was its future really that safe given that it had (arguably) run its course by that point? The location portion was no big deal, both Wheel and Pyramid taped at Television City.

Idle thought: Could Wheel's usage of Studio 33 (alongside that of TPiR and Feud) have been the main reason why Pyramid couldn't use 33 and was shunted to Studio 31?
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: clemon79 on December 29, 2006, 05:18:35 PM
[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'141716\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 01:40 PM\']
I think the daytime version was still going...wasn't this Pyramid a midseason show?

Still, no reason why he couldn't have done both...didn't both shows tape at CBS Television City?
[/quote]
No, I agree, but except for Trebek, that wasn't exactly a common thing at the time, for a dude to host two shows at the same time.

/"Two chicks at the same time, man."
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: Don Howard on December 29, 2006, 05:26:22 PM
[quote name=\'Scrabbleship\' post=\'141710\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 04:10 PM\']
If you were in the shoes of either Bob or Sande Stewart 16 years ago, would have you chosen differently?
[/quote]
Yep. My first stop would have been to the home of Tom Kennedy.
Also, after The Challengers was canned, was Dick Clark considered to take over the second season of The $100,000 Pyramid or were they determined to make it work with John?
Say, how would Johnny Baby do as the new host of The Price Is Right?
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: Scrabbleship on December 29, 2006, 05:51:08 PM
[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'141722\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 05:26 PM\']
[quote name=\'Scrabbleship\' post=\'141710\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 04:10 PM\']
If you were in the shoes of either Bob or Sande Stewart 16 years ago, would have you chosen differently?
[/quote]
Yep. My first stop would have been to the home of Tom Kennedy.
Also, after The Challengers was canned, was Dick Clark considered to take over the second season of The $100,000 Pyramid or were they determined to make it work with John?
Say, how would Johnny Baby do as the new host of The Price Is Right?
[/quote]

I was going to suggest Kennedy too. Three small things come into play:
1: Would Kennedy have been willing to have come out of semi-retirement to host?
2: Was there really a relationship between Kennedy and Stewart? I know he never did anything with Stewart and I don't think he even guested on any Stewart shows (though I think one of the EoTVGS's mentioned him as one of several game show hosts to appear on Personality).
3: Kennedy would have been just short of 64 when the show went on. Though experience trumps age, would the syndicator have wanted someone "that old" per se at the time?

I'd throw Geoff Edwards' hat into the ring, especially since Chain Reaction was winding up north of the border. However, would he have wanted it seeing that he ultimately would have gone into semi-retirement after Chain Reaction ended its run?
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: TimK2003 on December 29, 2006, 07:11:01 PM
[quote name=\'Scrabbleship\' post=\'141710\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 05:10 PM\']
The probability that he was the best person the Stewarts could settle on when they were trying to find a host and that he had just come off of the circus that his version of Squares was and in comparision to that Pyramid was arguably a walk in the park. If you were in the shoes of either Bob or Sande Stewart 16 years ago, would have you chosen differently?
[/quote]

Well....Patrick Wayne was available at that time!  Could've been the new Henry Polic II. <ducking>

And I'm sure that Pat O'Brien would've kept the syndicated Pyramid alive for four or five more years if he were tapped to be the host.  (Pat is the savior of all the shows he's hosted, you know!)
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: Kevin Prather on December 29, 2006, 07:30:26 PM
[quote name=\'TimK2003\' post=\'141724\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 04:11 PM\']
And I'm sure that Pat O'Brien would've kept the syndicated Pyramid alive for four or five more years if he were tapped to be the host.  (Pat is the savior of all the shows he's hosted, you know!)
[/quote]
I believe the phrase is, "He's a great guy."
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: SRIV94 on December 29, 2006, 07:31:06 PM
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'141721\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 04:18 PM\']
[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'141716\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 01:40 PM\']
I think the daytime version was still going...wasn't this Pyramid a midseason show?

Still, no reason why he couldn't have done both...didn't both shows tape at CBS Television City?
[/quote]
No, I agree, but except for Trebek, that wasn't exactly a common thing at the time, for a dude to host two shows at the same time.
[/quote]
It wouldn't be too long before Trebek started hosting three by that point.

And it was a little more common than you think--Eubanks was doing NEWLYWED and CS8x at the same time for a few years, and Convy did WLoD and SP concurrently for a year and a half (all of this predating Davidson's PYRAMID).  Of course, Eubanks, Convy and Trebek were all much more recognizable than Goen.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: Jimmy Owen on December 29, 2006, 08:53:36 PM
Generally J!, NG and Convy's WLOD were seen at night. Davidson's Pyramid had a lot of daytime clearances as I recall.  Around the fall before the show returned, USA Today reported that Willard Scott was under consideration as host, so they did try out other people.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: TimK2003 on December 29, 2006, 09:10:52 PM
[quote name=\'whoserman\' post=\'141725\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 08:30 PM\']
[quote name=\'TimK2003\' post=\'141724\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 04:11 PM\']
And I'm sure that Pat O'Brien would've kept the syndicated Pyramid alive for four or five more years if he were tapped to be the host.  (Pat is the savior of all the shows he's hosted, you know!)
[/quote]
I believe the phrase is, "He's a great guy."
[/quote]

That too!!!
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: pyrfan on December 29, 2006, 09:49:06 PM
Forgive me if I've posted this story here before, but I saw the first 10 Davidson "Pyramid" shows being taped in December of 1990. In the fourth show of the first day, they were supposed to go straight to the winner's circle in the second round with no music because they had two tiebreakers that day and were short of time. John was supposed to say to the contestant, "Linda, you're playing for $25,000." He flubbed it slightly, saying, "Linda, you're paying -- playing for $25,000." After saying this, he looked at the stage manager and said, "We don't have to stop for that, do we?" The stage manager responded, "We do now."

I was hoping that after "The Challengers" got canceled, Dick would return to the helm, but no such luck. I do remember, though, that months before the new version launched in January of 1991, Dick was on the Letterman show and said that he had recently had lunch with Bob Stewart and that they were talking about a revival of the show. It's too bad the timing was wrong for Dick to host it right off the bat. I have to think that it would have lasted longer with him hosting.

I have to say, though, that I was growing a little proud of John near the end. There was a contestant who kept winning over and over again, and John said to him, "Is it your fifth day yet?" I said to myself, "Wow! He learned the five-day rule!"


Brendan
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: Don Howard on December 30, 2006, 12:07:10 AM
[quote name=\'TimK2003\' post=\'141724\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 07:11 PM\']
And I'm sure that Pat O'Brien would've kept the syndicated Pyramid alive for four or five more years if he were tapped to be the host.  (Pat is the savior of all the shows he's hosted, you know!)
[/quote]
Pat O. wasn't the man of men yet at the time. Forrest Sawyer was the stud with The Midas Touch in those days.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: golden-road on December 30, 2006, 12:22:31 PM
I noticed one of the clips had Jason Alexander in it. I heard he was a very good player, so maybe you could put up some clips of him playing. Great Clips nevertheless.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: ITSBRY on December 30, 2006, 12:52:29 PM
[quote name=\'golden-road\' post=\'141748\' date=\'Dec 30 2006, 12:22 PM\']
I noticed one of the clips had Jason Alexander in it. I heard he was a very good player, so maybe you could put up some clips
[/quote]

He was an excellent player and was a guest on this version several times as I recall.

I'm not sure what all I have, but I'll look. Being a high school student at the time, I reused tapes so I have a lot of partial episodes. I think I have two full episodes with Jason...the one w/ Lynn Herring and another with Lynn Redgrave later in the run. I may be wrong though. The only full episode that I'm sure of is with Barry Jenner and Jo-Marie Payton. I think I also have a Tom Villard episode.

The problem with posting more is that my means to upload these are limited and pretty low-tech. I'm afraid that any game play (especially w/ Pyramid) would be ruined by the audio synching problem. I will play around with these and see what I can do though. Maybe Jaime over at POC has some stuff he can put up! :)
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: LetsGoMets2003 on December 30, 2006, 02:22:47 PM
Bryan, great find. About the only thing that was good in those clips were the opens. Once John walked out, it went downhill, fast. And I agree with golden-road, I'd love to see Mr. Alexander playing Pyramid. As for the guy who reccomended John Davidson to be the new PiR host earlier in this thread - shame on you. Now go to the TTD '90 room and take your punishment like a man. ;)
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: golden-road on January 04, 2007, 02:48:28 PM
One thing I've heard about Davidson Pyramid is that the front game board switched to monitors at some point. I know there is an audio problem with the clips, but I was wondering if your could at least show a clip of the monitors in action.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: TimK2003 on January 04, 2007, 03:00:39 PM
[quote name=\'golden-road\' post=\'142148\' date=\'Jan 4 2007, 03:48 PM\']
One thing I've heard about Davidson Pyramid is that the front game board switched to monitors at some point. I know there is an audio problem with the clips, but I was wondering if your could at least show a clip of the monitors in action.
[/quote]


Nothing exciting about them, they were displayed and used exactly like the old trilons.  

Once in a while, when a category was picked and the camera stayed on the slot, you'd see the category name slide off to one side of the screen while the pyramid shape would take it's spot.

I don't understand why the Stewarts went through the trouble and cost for that upgrade when it didn't really contribute anything to the show.  Had they been used in the Winner's Circle instead, I probably would have liked them more.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: clemon79 on January 04, 2007, 03:50:33 PM
[quote name=\'TimK2003\' post=\'142151\' date=\'Jan 4 2007, 12:00 PM\']
I don't understand why the Stewarts went through the trouble and cost for that upgrade when it didn't really contribute anything to the show.  Had they been used in the Winner's Circle instead, I probably would have liked them more.
[/quote]
Simple: because now you don't have to pay someone to stand behind the board and turn the trilons. You double it up with the guy running the Chyron for the actual list items, and you've saved money. And Bob Stewart is all about saving money.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: TimK2003 on January 04, 2007, 04:02:39 PM
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'142161\' date=\'Jan 4 2007, 04:50 PM\']
Simple: because now you don't have to pay someone to stand behind the board and turn the trilons. You double it up with the guy running the Chyron for the actual list items, and you've saved money. And Bob Stewart is all about saving money.
[/quote]

But didn't you still have a couple of stagehands turning the trilons in the WC?

One of those hands could still have worked behind the category board in the maingame.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: clemon79 on January 04, 2007, 04:45:04 PM
[quote name=\'TimK2003\' post=\'142162\' date=\'Jan 4 2007, 01:02 PM\']
But didn't you still have a couple of stagehands turning the trilons in the WC?

One of those hands could still have worked behind the category board in the maingame.
[/quote]
Or, alternately, they may not have.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: Jimmy Owen on January 04, 2007, 04:56:03 PM
That's also 12 art cards per show (or 60 per taping day) that didn't have to be made.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: clemon79 on January 04, 2007, 05:08:58 PM
[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'142169\' date=\'Jan 4 2007, 01:56 PM\']
That's also 12 art cards per show (or 60 per taping day) that didn't have to be made.
[/quote]
Oh, that's a _really_ good point. And light bulbs you no longer have to worry about burning out, or have someone turn on and off. (Although the latter point is kinda moot if the screens still had those lit borders around them - I forget if they did.)
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: thunder2007 on January 05, 2007, 01:38:29 AM
YES PLEASE post a clip from the small pyramid board. I never saw this version and would like to see how the set difference was on the small pyramid boards...thanks
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: Clay Zambo on January 05, 2007, 08:03:38 AM
[quote name=\'Scrabbleship\' post=\'141710\' date=\'Dec 29 2006, 04:10 PM\']
It also didn't help that in its experimentation this version tried to fix some things that weren't broken (i.e. Double Trouble, Gamble for a Grand, the open).
[/quote]

What was wrong with the open?  I know they'd started running WC wins during the Clark era, but I always liked  that nice, dark, dramatic, "This is the winner's circle..."  I seem to recall that the earliest Clark shows used something like that.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: clemon79 on January 05, 2007, 11:26:55 AM
[quote name=\'Clay Zambo\' post=\'142246\' date=\'Jan 5 2007, 05:03 AM\']
but I always liked  that nice, dark, dramatic, "This is the winner's circle..."  I seem to recall that the earliest Clark shows used something like that.
[/quote]
They did indeed. That was the one decent throwback to old-skool that they did on that show.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: uncamark on January 05, 2007, 05:04:29 PM
[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'142169\' date=\'Jan 4 2007, 03:56 PM\']
That's also 12 art cards per show (or 60 per taping day) that didn't have to be made.
[/quote]

And there's your change--although I'm sure category names were reused, they weren't reused the way the Winner's Circle subjects were (and many weeks, if they even made subject cards, they were probably replacements).  Stewart cut out the bigger expense.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: HYHYBT on January 05, 2007, 07:32:10 PM
Two other things: they didn't light up in sequence like the trilons did, which would have looked really wrong on the big pyramid.... and more importantly, they didn't work all that well. I remember them once all flipping repeatedly, like when the categories were revealed only it didn't stop, for example, and other things that I can't quite remember what they were but any of them would ruin a run at the Winners Circle. And not only did they reuse categories, they probably had the cards left over from the 80's run. If they wanted, they could use *only* old categories, throwing out the ones that were dated. No one would know the difference and printing costs would be nil. I suspect they did the small one first to see how it worked and looked, and would have done the other later on after the bugs were out but the show didn't last long enough.

And other than the host, the show was, in any way that matters, exactly as it had been through the 80's: Pyramid Done Right.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: ITSBRY on January 06, 2007, 12:02:11 AM
[quote name=\'thunder2007\' post=\'142241\' date=\'Jan 5 2007, 01:38 AM\']
YES PLEASE post a clip from the small pyramid board.
[/quote]

Here you go...note the odd color scheme that was used for a few episodes after the monitors debuted? :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvoqNu9cjec (http://\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvoqNu9cjec\")

I've also added one more opening with the alternate light pattern, which I thought looked great. The Davidson set was largely the same as the 80s set, but subtle things made it look a bit more proportional. The 80s set always seemed a little 'top heavy' to me. The scaled down crown on the Pyramid and the larger trilons really looked nice on this set. I've always been curious about how much of the set was rebuilt for this. I would imagine that the old set hadn't been destroyed, but who knows? Makes you wonder why they wouldn't just reuse it as-is if it was still around. Anyone happen to know?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9QOr0_rcIk (http://\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9QOr0_rcIk\")

Also, someone had asked about posting some J. Alexander game play. I have two full episodes with Jason, but only one WC where he plays. I was going to post a collection of clips, but the audio synching issue really bugs me and would totally ruin the game play. With the other stuff, the audio synching isn't as noticable since there's not much focus on faces.

Anywho...enjoy!
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: BrandonFG on January 06, 2007, 12:55:57 AM
[quote name=\'ITSBRY\' post=\'142313\' date=\'Jan 6 2007, 12:02 AM\']
[quote name=\'thunder2007\' post=\'142241\' date=\'Jan 5 2007, 01:38 AM\']
YES PLEASE post a clip from the small pyramid board.
[/quote]

Here you go...note the odd color scheme that was used for a few episodes after the monitors debuted? :)
[/quote]
Thanks for the clips. I like that they eventually went back to the red and gold pyramid setup instead of that blue and white. Would've been a nice effect had they used black lettering on a white background again, but it's neither here nor there.

About Davidson...I haven't seen this show in 15 years, except for that "THINGS THAT ARE STIFF" clip, where he jokingly yells out "Are we still on the air?". That one clip tells me how ill at ease he was, and that was 1:10. :-P
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: Robert Hutchinson on January 06, 2007, 01:59:50 AM
[quote name=\'ITSBRY\' post=\'142313\' date=\'Jan 6 2007, 12:02 AM\']I've also added one more opening with the alternate light pattern, which I thought looked great.[/quote]
They used that pattern for a couple of weeks fairly early in the '80s $25K run. I remember Dick Clark saying something along the lines of "I've done this show for almost ten years, and I never noticed that those lights do that." Except for the fact that the lights had only been doing that particular pattern for about two days, and that the lights hadn't been doing ANY sort of pattern like that for more than a few months, he was right on target. :)
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: Kevin Prather on January 06, 2007, 12:35:22 PM
Just so I'm sure, when you refer to the "alternate light pattern," the only difference is the trilons' light pattern, right? Not the border lights?
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: clemon79 on January 06, 2007, 02:40:47 PM
[quote name=\'whoserman\' post=\'142330\' date=\'Jan 6 2007, 09:35 AM\']
Just so I'm sure, when you refer to the "alternate light pattern," the only difference is the trilons' light pattern, right? Not the border lights?
[/quote]
I'm fairly sure he's referring to the "animation" pattern on the WC Pyramid, which went bottom THEN middle THEN top, instead of bottom PLUS middle PLUS top.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: ITSBRY on January 06, 2007, 02:59:21 PM
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'142333\' date=\'Jan 6 2007, 02:40 PM\']
I'm fairly sure he's referring to the "animation" pattern on the WC Pyramid,
[/quote]

Actually, the chasing light pattern around the Pyramid is different too. Three on, one off as oppossed to two on, one off is the best way I can think of to describe it. It's a little easier to see if you look at the arches on either side of the WC.

If you look closely, the lights "travel" in a different direction on the arches and on the points of the $100,000 crown as well. That's what always makes me think of this as the Bizarro world Pyramid. :)
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: thunder2007 on January 06, 2007, 03:20:28 PM
THanks for the new youtube clips. I would love to see a winners circle round if possible even if the audio is not in sync.

thanks
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: golden-road on January 06, 2007, 03:31:55 PM
Just saw the clip of the "monitor" board, and I have to say, IMO, not bad. I'm probably one of the few who liked it. Had some questions though:

1. As far as Double Trouble goes, were they seven random phrases, or did they have a common link?

2. Was there any different font used for Double Trouble, or did it come with the change to monitors.

3. What exactly did the "Gamble" card looked like?

4. For that matter, when the board switched, did the 7-11 & Mystery 7 retain their fonts?

5. I noticed that the "$100,000" sign didn't flash with the rest of the lights. Did it ever flash and if so, when?

6. Didn't Dick Clark do a pre-taped greeting on the first show?

7. I know about the normal opening "This is the Winner's Circle...", and the tournament opening "The first one of these players to make it to the top of the pyramid...", but when do we hear "If someone makes it to the top of this pyramid in less then XX seconds, they could win $100,000"?

Thanks for your help!
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: clemon79 on January 06, 2007, 03:44:38 PM
[quote name=\'ITSBRY\' post=\'142335\' date=\'Jan 6 2007, 11:59 AM\']
If you look closely, the lights "travel" in a different direction on the arches and on the points of the $100,000 crown as well. That's what always makes me think of this as the Bizarro world Pyramid. :)
[/quote]
I noticed that too, I just didn't worry overmuch about what I consider to be ludicrously minor details.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: The Pyramids on January 06, 2007, 03:46:26 PM
Yes, Dick Clark made a taped appearance on the first show from the set of the 'Challangers.'

I was wondering if this show had a problem with celebrity players? From the episode guide I've seen an effort was made to recruit new ones.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: ITSBRY on January 06, 2007, 08:15:37 PM
[quote name=\'golden-road\' post=\'142337\' date=\'Jan 6 2007, 03:31 PM\']
Had some questions
[/quote]

Don't know the answers to all of these, but I'll answer the ones I do know.

Quote
1. As far as Double Trouble goes, were they seven random phrases, or did they have a common link?

Random...some examples from the episode I have are, "Kitchen Sink", "Bald Eagle", "Paper Towel". They had 45 seconds to get seven and each team had to take one.

Quote
2. Was there any different font used for Double Trouble, or did it come with the change to monitors.

No, it was the same. I think DT was around before the monitors, but it wasn't there from the beginning as I recall.

Quote
3. What exactly did the "Gamble" card looked like?

Similar to the DT cards in font/color, but it just said "Gamble for a Grand" or "Gamble for Paris"...whatever the prize was. There was no Pyramid icon on it.

Quote
4. For that matter, when the board switched, did the 7-11 & Mystery 7 retain their fonts?

I'm not sure what you mean. I don't think 7-11 was used in this version (at least not in any of the episodes I  have seen). I think Gamble/Mystery/DT were the only bonus cards...someone please correct me if I'm wrong on this.

Quote
5. I noticed that the "$100,000" sign didn't flash with the rest of the lights. Did it ever flash and if so, when?

Someone else posted a tournament win on youtube...the sign flashes in that clip, but I don't know if flashed any other time.

Quote
6. Didn't Dick Clark do a pre-taped greeting on the first show?

Thanks to whoever answered this. I don't have/never saw the first episode. I wasn't aware of that...very cool!

Quote
7. I know about the normal opening "This is the Winner's Circle...", and the tournament opening "The first one of these players to make it to the top of the pyramid...", but when do we hear "If someone makes it to the top of this pyramid in less then XX seconds, they could win $100,000"?

Not sure about this one.

Quote
Thanks for your help!

Pleasure! Happy I could share this and give a little back in appreciation for everyone out there that has freely shared their stuff. It's certainly appreciated and enjoyed. :)
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: Robert Hutchinson on January 06, 2007, 11:08:10 PM
Re: Double Trouble:
[quote name=\'ITSBRY\' post=\'142346\' date=\'Jan 6 2007, 08:15 PM\']Random...some examples from the episode I have are, "Kitchen Sink", "Bald Eagle", "Paper Towel". They had 45 seconds to get seven and each team had to take one.[/quote]
Oh, I bet Mr. Davidson did well with that last part.

"Okay, Julie, your team can take either HERE'S JOHNNY or DOUBLE TROUBLE 2--"
(yelling offstage)
"What? She has to take that one?"
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: pyrfan on January 07, 2007, 12:43:28 AM
[quote name=\'ITSBRY\' post=\'142346\' date=\'Jan 6 2007, 09:15 PM\']
I don't think 7-11 was used in this version (at least not in any of the episodes I  have seen). I think Gamble/Mystery/DT were the only bonus cards...someone please correct me if I'm wrong on this.[/quote]

For the first 14 weeks of the show, the 7-11 was used in the first round on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The Mystery 7 was played in the second round of the above days, plus the first round on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the Double Troubles being the bonus cards played in the second round on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

After the second tournament, the Gamble for a Grand replaced the 7-11 altogether  -- except, for some reason, the Wednesday show of the Audrey Landers/Stuart Pankin week. During the last six weeks of non-tournament play, the Gamble card was being used in place of the Mystery 7 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but instead of Gamble for a Grand, it was always a more expensive trip than was usually offered in the Mystery 7.

Quote
I know about the normal opening "This is the Winner's Circle...", and the tournament opening "The first one of these players to make it to the top of the pyramid...", but when do we hear "If someone makes it to the top of this pyramid in less then XX seconds, they could win $100,000"?

They started using this opening once they had three contestants complete the winner's circle successfully during that qualifying period.


Brendan
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: pyrfan on January 07, 2007, 12:45:41 AM
[quote name=\'PaulD\' post=\'142339\' date=\'Jan 6 2007, 04:46 PM\']
Yes, Dick Clark made a taped appearance on the first show from the set of the 'Challangers.'

I was wondering if this show had a problem with celebrity players? From the episode guide I've seen an effort was made to recruit new ones.
[/quote]
I thought they did a pretty good job of rounding up a lot of the old gang, and almost all of them mentioned how happy they were to be back on the show. Notable absences, though, were Nipsey Russell (this was the first version of "Pyramid" that he didn't appear on as a guest), Markie Post, Charlie Siebert, Dick Cavett, and Shelley Smith. I do have to wonder how much of that was because Dick was no longer hosting the show. During the Landers/Pankin week, there are times when Stuart Pankin seemed to be getting visibly frustrated with John's hosting style, and it's possible that others might have felt the same way as Stuart and decided not to do the new version. Just a theory, though.


Brendan
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: HYHYBT on January 07, 2007, 06:02:28 PM
Quote
Similar to the DT cards in font/color, but it just said "Gamble for a Grand" or "Gamble for Paris"...whatever the prize was. There was no Pyramid icon on it.
Picking nits on nits: only on Gamble for a Grand. When it was for a prize, it was just typed out like any other category on the dark blue background.

Quote
Just saw the clip of the "monitor" board, and I have to say, IMO, not bad. I'm probably one of the few who liked it.
I liked it OK, but the lettering was too small. Even changing to showing a close-up of the board only when a category was picked, then moving over the podium instead of getting both together it was harder to read. The reveal at the beginning of the round was a nice touch, rather than their just being there. Mostly it was that first week with the blue-on-blue that put me off.
Quote
As far as Double Trouble goes, were they seven random phrases, or did they have a common link?
This one's already been answered, of course; I just had to mention how few people had the sense to play it like any other category and describe the phrases. For some reason, the first half of the run they'd describe the first word, then the second, then get the partner to put the two together making it nearly impossible even in 45 seconds.
Quote
Was there any different font used for Double Trouble, or did it come with the change to monitors.
It looked the same before the switch, except red lettering on a white background.
Quote
For that matter, when the board switched, did the 7-11 & Mystery 7 retain their fonts?
The Mystery 7 looked the same: "Mystery" curved over the top of a 7, red on light blue on the monitors, red (not orange like on Dick Clark's version) on the trilons. 7-11 also looked the same but red on the trilons and, as already mentioned, was never played on the monitors. For some reason, neither flashed when it was picked.
Quote
I noticed that the "$100,000" sign didn't flash with the rest of the lights. Did it ever flash and if so, when?
It flashed only for big wins, normally, though there is at least one episode where it's flashing during the open. It looked good reproportioned; the previous "$100,000" sign was cramped into space designed for 25. What bothered me was that they seemed unable to light (as in shine lights on) the top of the Pyramid. It looked all wrong sitting up there in the dark with the rest of the set so bright and cheery.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: golden-road on January 09, 2007, 12:27:49 PM
Just got done rewatching the clips, and had two questions:

1. How do you think Dick Clark would do with the changes as far as the Gamble & Double Trouble?

2. I know that Orbis Communications syndicated the show, but I also heard that Multimedia Entertainment took over syndication midway through the run. Did the Multimedia logo ever appear, and who does own Davidson Pyramid?
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: uncamark on January 09, 2007, 12:39:08 PM
[quote name=\'golden-road\' post=\'142584\' date=\'Jan 9 2007, 11:27 AM\']
Just got done rewatching the clips, and had two questions:

1. How do you think Dick Clark would do with the changes as far as the Gamble & Double Trouble?

2. I know that Orbis Communications syndicated the show, but I also heard that Multimedia Entertainment took over syndication midway through the run. Did the Multimedia logo ever appear, and who does own Davidson Pyramid?
[/quote]

1.  What do you think?

2.  Orbis did the first season.  The company was sold to Multimedia between seasons and Multimedia was the syndicator of record for the last season.  NBC Universal now owns Multimedia's back output, but the copyright was in the name of Basada, so I would assume that Sony would control the shows, but I don't really blame any GSN management for not wanting to DigiBeta them.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: Jay Temple on January 10, 2007, 02:14:39 AM
[quote name=\'HYHYBT\' post=\'142408\' date=\'Jan 7 2007, 05:02 PM\']
Quote
As far as Double Trouble goes, were they seven random phrases, or did they have a common link?
This one's already been answered, of course; I just had to mention how few people had the sense to play it like any other category and describe the phrases. For some reason, the first half of the run they'd describe the first word, then the second, then get the partner to put the two together making it nearly impossible even in 45 seconds.[/quote]
And it seems to me that more contestants figured out than didn't that it made sense to leave it as your last turn, because choosing it any sooner gives your opponent too much control over the other four choices. This led to two things that did not make for good TV: First, the DT categories often proved difficult enough that the team that trailed after two turns each still trailed after their third turn. Second, the final category always had to be played to completion. I don't have a clear recollection of a game where both occurred, but I imagine there was one.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: ChuckNet on January 10, 2007, 07:45:57 PM
Quote
I do have to wonder how much of that was because Dick was no longer hosting the show. During the Landers/Pankin week, there are times when Stuart Pankin seemed to be getting visibly frustrated with John's hosting style, and it's possible that others might have felt the same way as Stuart and decided not to do the new version. Just a theory, though.

That's entirely possible...and it apparently took some time for those "classic era" Pyramid celebs to get used to Davidson, as well...I recall Melody Thomas Scott, on one ep, accidentally calling him "Dick".

Chuck Donegan (The Illustrious "Chuckie Baby")
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: dale_grass on January 10, 2007, 07:55:23 PM
Quote
I recall Melody Thomas Scott, on one ep, accidentally calling him "Dick".

Sure it was an accident?
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: MikeK on January 10, 2007, 07:57:40 PM
[quote name=\'dale_grass\' post=\'142776\' date=\'Jan 10 2007, 07:55 PM\']
Quote
I recall Melody Thomas Scott, on one ep, accidentally calling him "Dick".

Sure it was an accident?
[/quote]
Given Davidson's Cosmo spread, anything's possible.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: BrandonFG on January 10, 2007, 08:13:29 PM
[quote name=\'MikeK\' post=\'142777\' date=\'Jan 10 2007, 07:57 PM\']
[quote name=\'dale_grass\' post=\'142776\' date=\'Jan 10 2007, 07:55 PM\']
Quote
I recall Melody Thomas Scott, on one ep, accidentally calling him "Dick".

Sure it was an accident?
[/quote]
Given Davidson's Cosmo spread, anything's possible.
[/quote]
Gold stars to each of you.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: dale_grass on January 11, 2007, 02:13:09 AM
From johndavidson.com (http://\"http://www.johndavidson.com/\"):

"His obvious ability to think on his feet and maintain control in unexpected situations led to his hosting That's Incredible!, The John Davidson Show, Hollywood Squares, and The $100,000 Pyramid, in addition to hosting The Golden Globes and numerous other variety specials."

Apparently the clips we've seen and the horror stories we've heard are simple anomalies in the career of a distinguished individual.  I think we all owe John a heartfelt apology.  And what better way than by buying his CDs Love Songs and Goin' Like Sixtay! for only $36.50?
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: clemon79 on January 11, 2007, 04:23:06 AM
Good lord what did that man do to his hair?
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: Hastin on January 11, 2007, 04:29:35 AM
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'142854\' date=\'Jan 11 2007, 01:23 AM\']
Good lord what did that man do to his hair?
[/quote]

I have no clue, it looks horrible. But if you like him enough, why not waste $20 on his Fan Club (http://\"http://www.johndavidson.com/fanclub.html\"). How freakin' exciting.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: aaron sica on January 11, 2007, 03:19:34 PM
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'142854\' date=\'Jan 11 2007, 04:23 AM\']
Good lord what did that man do to his hair?
[/quote]

Upon first glance of the picture I thought it was Kenny Rogers sans mustache and beard....
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: BrandonFG on January 11, 2007, 06:50:54 PM
[quote name=\'aaron sica\' post=\'142897\' date=\'Jan 11 2007, 03:19 PM\']
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'142854\' date=\'Jan 11 2007, 04:23 AM\']
Good lord what did that man do to his hair?
[/quote]

Upon first glance of the picture I thought it was Kenny Rogers sans mustache and beard....
[/quote]
I was thinking Michael McDonald's twin brother, sans beard.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: Robert Hutchinson on January 11, 2007, 09:00:38 PM
I felt unqualified to judge the hair, considering the horrible image resizing. Unprofessional, web site designer who loves Flash too much to actually look at the content. Unprofessional.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: clemon79 on January 11, 2007, 10:42:21 PM
[quote name=\'Robert Hutchinson\' post=\'142957\' date=\'Jan 11 2007, 06:00 PM\']
I felt unqualified to judge the hair, considering the horrible image resizing. Unprofessional, web site designer who loves Flash too much to actually look at the content. Unprofessional.
[/quote]
Agreed wholly. I wonder if they only tested it in one browser. It sure looked like complete crap in Firefox.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: Hastin on January 12, 2007, 02:55:01 AM
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'142977\' date=\'Jan 11 2007, 07:42 PM\']
It sure looked like complete crap in Firefox.
[/quote]

To quote some famous guy:

"There, fixed that for you."
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: SRIV94 on January 12, 2007, 01:24:03 PM
[quote name=\'Hastin\' post=\'143008\' date=\'Jan 12 2007, 01:55 AM\']
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'142977\' date=\'Jan 11 2007, 07:42 PM\']
It sure looked like complete crap in Firefox.
[/quote]

To quote some famous guy:

"There, fixed that for you."
[/quote]
Nicely played.  Shame I don't have any gold stars to dole out.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: clemon79 on January 12, 2007, 01:41:24 PM
[quote name=\'SRIV94\' post=\'143049\' date=\'Jan 12 2007, 10:24 AM\']
Nicely played.  Shame I don't have any gold stars to dole out.
[/quote]
He can have one of mine. :)

Well played, Clerk. Well played.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: Don Howard on January 12, 2007, 01:41:38 PM
[quote name=\'dale_grass\' post=\'142847\' date=\'Jan 11 2007, 02:13 AM\']
Apparently the clips we've seen and the horror stories we've heard are simple anomalies in the career of a distinguished individual.  I think we all owe John a heartfelt apology.  And what better way than by buying his CDs Love Songs and Goin' Like Sixtay! for only $36.50?
[/quote]
Only if that Cosmo picture is included.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: dale_grass on January 12, 2007, 06:28:39 PM
I missed the original discussion about Davidson's Cosmo spread so I did a search.  What came up was banter here and on ATGS about its awfulness (which I easily believe) but no picture.  Now, my problem is this: how do I say I want to see the picture without saying I want to see the picture?
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: clemon79 on January 12, 2007, 06:40:28 PM
[quote name=\'dale_grass\' post=\'143080\' date=\'Jan 12 2007, 03:28 PM\']
Now, my problem is this: how do I say I want to see the picture without saying I want to see the picture?
[/quote]
Too late. Pick up your ascot on the way out. :)
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: MikeK on January 12, 2007, 06:44:52 PM
[quote name=\'dale_grass\' post=\'143080\' date=\'Jan 12 2007, 06:28 PM\']
I missed the original discussion about Davidson's Cosmo spread so I did a search.  What came up was banter here and on ATGS about its awfulness (which I easily believe) but no picture.  Now, my problem is this: how do I say I want to see the picture without saying I want to see the picture?
[/quote]
Oh the horrors you've dredged up.

You don't want to see the photo.  Back in the day on ATGS, someone posted a link to an eBay auction with that photo.  Good heavens, how I wish Cosmo used 10-inch wide staples to secure their magazines.

I just lost my lunch.  From Christmas Eve.  2002.
Title: Posted a few goodies on YouTube
Post by: dale_grass on January 12, 2007, 07:58:44 PM
OK, I'll leave it at that.  Now if you'll excuse me, I left my ascot soaking in a bowl of Woolite...