The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: mbclev on March 24, 2004, 12:00:55 PM
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It was 15 years ago today that "Super Password" aired its last show, and I hope "Password" in some form comes back on the air soon. It is too great a game not to be on television. If it does come back, I'd like to see a host that keeps his or her mind in the game in unusual situations, which leads to this: I know that some people seem to like Bert Convy's hosting duties on "Super Password", but I beg to disagree. Bert usually seemed to be flustered when an unusual situation came up. Examples of this include:
1. He always seemed to be incredulous when someone gave an illegal clue
during the Cashword as if it never happened before. He was also flustered
(usually) when someone gave the password as a clue.
2. During the fall 1986 Tournament of Losers, Constance McCashin saw the
word "often" in the bonus round and gave what I thought was "a lot" and
thought she would be flagged for an illegal clue. Not until about a year
later when I was taking a business communications class at Cleveland
State University did it hit me; the professor either said or wrote the word
"allot" and then I realized that's what Constance might have said in that
bonus round, and in those cases, the clue giver gets the benefit of the
doubt, but Bert never bothered to explain it to the audience. (A similar
thing happened when Constance was on "Win, Lose, or Draw" when the
phrase in play was "No right turn" and Constance said "Do not turn to the
right" and I thought that answer would be accepted, but it was not, and
Bert never explained why it wasn't.) Tom Kennedy did a good job doing
this on "Password Plus".
Bert also actually laughed at Stacy Keach's personal problems right in front of Keach's "Mike Hammer" co-star, Lindsay Bloom, when she appeared with James Widdoes on the show, and Bert also said the bar pick-up line "You come here often?" to a contestant. (If Allen Ludden had said a thing like that, he would have been excoriated!)
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Bert's did last longer than ABC Password and P+, so SP does deserve some props. I think Bert was one of those hosts who had a fan base that would watch him in any show, so any minor failings were overlooked.
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I liked the time that the password "cloth" came up on the 5th clue of the puzzle. Bert then quietly says "hmmm...cloth". Betty White was the female celebrity, and the look she gave Bert was priceless!
I've got this on tape from Casey Kasem's Top 10 Game Show Moments of the Year (or something to that effect) that they counted down on "Game TV" one time.
As for "Password" coming back, it's now been off for 15 years (longer than any other time in its history). Back in '89, I'm sure the producers probably thought it would have come back before now, but since the televison landscape has changed since then, would a format like that work today?
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[quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' date=\'Mar 24 2004, 04:00 PM\'] As for "Password" coming back, it's now been off for 15 years (longer than any other time in its history). Back in '89, I'm sure the producers probably thought it would have come back before now, but since the televison landscape has changed since then, would a format like that work today? [/quote]
Well, look at Lingo. It's as simple as that game, perhaps simpler and it seems to be doing well for GSN. Not only that, but it has name recognition.
I don't think it'd work as a syndicated game and none of the networks are looking for anything like this for any place on their schedule. Maybe if Pax woke up one day and had money to spend on games or if GSN wanted a tried and true format for a new original.
So, I think the format would work, it's just a matter of finding it a place out there. Odd that even though there are more channels now than ever, there's lack of interest in what has worked so well before.
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[quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' date=\'Mar 24 2004, 01:00 PM\'] ... would a format like that work today? [/quote]
I beleave Inglish iz a dyeing langwage amung the masss awediance - Most peeple's vokabulery iz so limmitted that the newances of words' meenings and yoosages necesary to plaay the game goodly wood be mising, ore bee beyond the grasp of moost vyooers.
But there is a chance for success on FOX if the champ's playing of the lightning round involved real lightning. ;-)
Randy
tvrandywest.com
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I beleave Inglish iz a dyeing langwage amung the masss awediance - Most peeple's vokabulery iz so limmitted that the newances of words' meenings and yoosages necesary to plaay the game goodly wood be mising, ore bee beyond the grasp of moost vyooers.
LOL Randy
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[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Mar 24 2004, 03:28 PM\'] I beleave Inglish iz a dyeing langwage amung the masss awediance - Most peeple's vokabulery iz so limmitted that the newances of words' meenings and yoosages necesary to plaay the game goodly wood be mising, ore bee beyond the grasp of moost vyooers.
But there is a chance for success on FOX if the champ's playing of the lightning round involved real lightning. ;-) [/quote]
For heaven's sake, don't give 'em ideas!
But tat wuld be funi.
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But there is a chance for success on FOX if the champ's playing of the lightning round involved real lightning. ;-)
YES! and the next incarnation of "High Rollers" should have contestants with high tech heart monitor devices strapped INSIDE a huge pair of tranparent dice. After they're rolled down a hill (we'll call it the "extreme dice table") and the number is removed, someone is voted off, forced to eat cow guts and dropped through a floor while being subjected to a plethora of cleverly worded barbs from a snooty English host.
Ok, where can I pick up my Executive Producer's name plate? :-D
ITSBRY
itsbry@juno.com
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A trend in the Englishlanguage thanks to theInternet is that peopletendtosmush wordstogetherintoone. This isbecause youcanthavespaces in a URL forexample the URL for "General Electric" is actually generalelectric. This would makeitharder to judge Password if somebodythought "mashedpotatoes" was a valid onewordclue. It's not but theremaybe peoplewho spellitthatwaynow.
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And, btw....WHEEL 2000 IS NEU! NEU! NEU!
Charles
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[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Mar 24 2004, 06:16 PM\'] A trend in the Englishlanguage thanks to theInternet is that peopletendtosmush wordstogetherintoone. This isbecause youcanthavespaces in a URL forexample the URL for "General Electric" is actually generalelectric. This would makeitharder to judge Password if somebodythought "mashedpotatoes" was a valid onewordclue. It's not but theremaybe peoplewho spellitthatwaynow. [/quote]
That and like the over-reliance of the like word like would like cause people to like use that in like every clue.
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[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Mar 24 2004, 02:28 PM\'] [quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' date=\'Mar 24 2004, 01:00 PM\'] ... would a format like that work today? [/quote]
I beleave Inglish iz a dyeing langwage amung the masss awediance - Most peeple's vokabulery iz so limmitted that the newances of words' meenings and yoosages necesary to plaay the game goodly wood be mising, ore bee beyond the grasp of moost vyooers.
But there is a chance for success on FOX if the champ's playing of the lightning round involved real lightning. ;-)
Randy
tvrandywest.com [/quote]
BUZZZZZ
Shouldn't that be: **EYE** beleave?
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LOL ! BTW, AFAIK WDYC ? IDK ! ROTFL !
TTFN !
-JR
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[quote name=\'JRaygor\' date=\'Mar 24 2004, 08:45 PM\'] LOL ! BTW, AFAIK WDYC ? IDK ! ROTFL ! TTFN !
[/quote]
E-I E-I O
Old MacDonald
hadafarm.com
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I think, given the current market conditions, the best chance would be an hour of prime time, straddling. Either of the two classic formats would be viable:
1) You couldn't get away with 10 clues per word, but you could probably get by with six, and the game ends on when one team reaches 15. Instead of two games and you're out, just say that you're gone after you lose two out of three to the same opponent.
2) One hour of current programming time would probably be enough for one full game of the puzzle format, a bonus round under whatever name, and most of another game.
For the bonus round, there's no need to re-invent the wheel. I don't care what you call it; just use Alphabetics.
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[quote name=\'Jay Temple\' date=\'Mar 25 2004, 01:32 AM\'] I think, given the current market conditions, the best chance would be an hour of prime time, straddling. [/quote]
What? No way, man. There's just no possible way that any network (especially under current market conditions) would consider Password as a primetime minute let alone an hour.
I mean, really, what would lead you to believe that any network would ever do such a thing? It would be completely out of left field. Granted, maybe Michael Eisner would put it on ABC if he felt he was going to really be ousted from all positions of authority in the company as a final "screw you" to shareholders, but there's enough oversight to prevent that from happening.
Maybe if people across the nation start worshipping Allen Ludden for some reason, then they'd consider it. Heck, maybe they'd even get a Ludden-bot to do it. But that's probably the most likely scenerio for it to ever happen.
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I don't remember where I found it, but a couple of years ago, there was an official online Password game that could be played in chatrooms with others. I tried to play one evening, but couldn't find a single player who wanted to go by anything even remotely resembling Password's rules.
Everyone, and I do mean everyone, was using multi-word clues, even using whole sentences as clues. Several people also felt it necessary to give the initial, or even several letters, of the Password.
After about a half-hour of trying to find decent players, I gave up.
I can just picture the new TV version.
"The password is FOOT. Ryan Seacrest, first clue."
SOAP STAR: "I'm, like, six this tall."
CONTESTANT: "Meters?"
SOAP STAR: "No, it begins with an F and ends with a T."
CONTESTANT: "Fart?"
(Audience laughter)
HOST (Ryan Seacrest): "Yes! We'll give it to you! Ten points!"
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[quote name=\'geno57\' date=\'Mar 25 2004, 09:19 AM\'] I don't remember where I found it, but a couple of years ago, there was an official online Password game that could be played in chatrooms with others. I tried to play one evening, but couldn't find a single player who wanted to go by anything even remotely resembling Password's rules.
Everyone, and I do mean everyone, was using multi-word clues, even using whole sentences as clues. Several people also felt it necessary to give the initial, or even several letters, of the Password.
After about a half-hour of trying to find decent players, I gave up.
I can just picture the new TV version.
"The password is FOOT. Ryan Seacrest, first clue."
SOAP STAR: "I'm, like, six this tall."
CONTESTANT: "Meters?"
SOAP STAR: "No, it begins with an F and ends with a T."
CONTESTANT: "Fart?"
(Audience laughter)
HOST (Ryan Seacrest): "Yes! We'll give it to you! Ten points!" [/quote]
I think it was on Uproar.com, who also had/have a Feud, To Tell the Truth, Name that Tune, and MG7x online game on their site at one point. The UK equivalent of the site had a Catch Phrase game as I recall.
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[quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' date=\'Mar 24 2004, 04:00 PM\'] As for "Password" coming back, it's now been off for 15 years (longer than any other time in its history). Back in '89, I'm sure the producers probably thought it would have come back before now, but since the televison landscape has changed since then, would a format like that work today? [/quote]
I read in an earlier thread that Pearson TV was thinking of bringing back Password in, I think, 1998, but that never happened.
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[quote name=\'geno57\' date=\'Mar 25 2004, 09:19 AM\']
I can just picture the new TV version.
"The password is FOOT. Ryan Seacrest, first clue."
SOAP STAR: "I'm, like, six this tall."
CONTESTANT: "Meters?"
SOAP STAR: "No, it begins with an F and ends with a T."
CONTESTANT: "Fart?"
(Audience laughter)
HOST (Ryan Seacrest): "Yes! We'll give it to you! Ten points!" [/quote]
"....and the name of the game is....'Gasword!'"
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It may be overly obvious to some, but what I take from this whole thread is:
Password will NEVER AGAIN return to television.
Sad to say, of course, but...
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[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Mar 24 2004, 06:16 PM\']A trend in the Englishlanguage thanks to theInternet is that peopletendtosmush wordstogetherintoone. This isbecause youcanthavespaces in a URL forexample the URL for "General Electric" is actually generalelectric. This would makeitharder to judge Password if somebodythought "mashedpotatoes" was a valid onewordclue. It's not but theremaybe peoplewho spellitthatwaynow.[/quote]
And besides, Michael Davies already did that show. Didn't work. :)
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[quote name=\'Tony\' date=\'Mar 25 2004, 04:02 PM\'] It may be overly obvious to some, but what I take from this whole thread is:
Password will NEVER AGAIN return to television.
Sad to say, of course, but... [/quote]
Never? Never is a long time, man. I'm sure there were people who said that 21 would never come back, but it did.
Password is a good, solid game and there is a place for it. Just where and when that is is up for debate, but I refuse to believe that it's forever dead. It may not be today or tomorrow, but sometime somewhere, I'm sure the format will get another look.
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[quote name=\'ITSBRY\' date=\'Mar 24 2004, 05:21 PM\']
But there is a chance for success on FOX if the champ's playing of the lightning round involved real lightning. ;-)
YES! and the next incarnation of "High Rollers" should have contestants with high tech heart monitor devices strapped INSIDE a huge pair of tranparent dice. After they're rolled down a hill (we'll call it the "extreme dice table") and the number is removed, someone is voted off, forced to eat cow guts and dropped through a floor while being subjected to a plethora of cleverly worded barbs from a snooty English host.
Ok, where can I pick up my Executive Producer's name plate? :-D
ITSBRY
itsbry@juno.com [/quote]
No, no, no, no, no...to account for the "High," Jason Mewes will be hosting the show. What's more, the numbers in the main game and the Big Numbers will now include a zero, the catch being if you roll a four and a two, you can receive the elusive 420 Jackpot (emphasis on "pot," of course).
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[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Mar 24 2004, 04:28 PM\'] I beleave Inglish iz a dyeing langwage amung the masss awediance - Most peeple's vokabulery iz so limmitted that the newances of words' meenings and yoosages necesary to plaay the game goodly wood be mising, ore bee beyond the grasp of moost vyooers. [/quote]
Is all your TPIR copy written like this to help you pronounce things correctly? :-p
(On a more serious note, when I was a newsreader for the college radio station back in the day, the AP wire writers would dutifully put hyphens in between each letter of an abbreviation, eg. C-B-S, to make certain people wouldn't try to pronounce abbreviations as actual words.)
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Password is a good, solid game and there is a place for it. Just where and when that is is up for debate, but I refuse to believe that it's forever dead. It may not be today or tomorrow, but sometime somewhere, I'm sure the format will get another look.
Public television.
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You have to say something for the cosmopolitan types that Mark Goodson picked to entertain us on his shows - those 50s and 60s panelists and celebrities on his more cerebral games like Password were well-educated, refined, and interested in a wide variety of things, which lifted up the quality of the conversation and often educated us as well as entertained us. We could use a few more of them today, but they'd be considered "square" - but more likely they would be a threat to others' shallowness.
If you don't think english is a dying language - try finding a decent new creative word game on your store shelves today. After Scrabble, Boggle and Upwords, most games made by the majors are geared for spoken vs. written or spelled communication - or at least games that incur no penalties for incorrect spelling, like Scattergories. And they work with limited vocabularies instead of building them. Before somebody says "Balderdash", what are the odds those game words could get worked easily into everyday conversation and common usage? Still, I'm glad Password is back and a good seller again. What would you think of Password brought back sometime in the future as a young person's show - ages 12-15 - with the best and the brightest like the high school quiz bowls - rewarding them for their love of words? Chris is probably on the right track...a franchise for local PBS stations??
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[quote name=\'geno57\' date=\'Mar 25 2004, 09:19 AM\'] I don't remember where I found it, but a couple of years ago, there was an official online Password game that could be played in chatrooms with others. I tried to play one evening, but couldn't find a single player who wanted to go by anything even remotely resembling Password's rules.
Everyone, and I do mean everyone, was using multi-word clues, even using whole sentences as clues. Several people also felt it necessary to give the initial, or even several letters, of the Password.
[/quote]
I gave that site a whirl myself a few years ago and in the chat area, I even remarked that the clues being given were highly illegal. The community response: "We do whatever it takes to win". I then left the advertising market's coveted target audience to their Shirley Bernstein-approved style of game play and never returned.
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[quote name=\'inturnaround\' date=\'Mar 25 2004, 05:14 PM\'] I'm sure there were people who said that 21 would never come back, but it did.[/quote]
True, but Twenty One was extremely dumbed-down for its 2000 revival (never mind the original "smarted-up" version being rigged). If, as you say, Password will be back on the air someday, it stands little chance of being played with the same intelligent game play we know and love. Unless, of course, it reappearance is on public television, as Mr. Clementson suggested.
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[quote name=\'Don Howard\' date=\'Mar 26 2004, 04:02 AM\'] [quote name=\'geno57\' date=\'Mar 25 2004, 09:19 AM\'] I don't remember where I found it, but a couple of years ago, there was an official online Password game that could be played in chatrooms with others. I tried to play one evening, but couldn't find a single player who wanted to go by anything even remotely resembling Password's rules.
Everyone, and I do mean everyone, was using multi-word clues, even using whole sentences as clues. Several people also felt it necessary to give the initial, or even several letters, of the Password.
[/quote]
I gave that site a whirl myself a few years ago and in the chat area, I even remarked that the clues being given were highly illegal. The community response: "We do whatever it takes to win". I then left the advertising market's coveted target audience to their Shirley Bernstein-approved style of game play and never returned. [/quote]
I remember the Uproar game as well, and the blatant illegal clues annoyed me as well. The thing is, I don't think anyone in the chat rooms had any idea about the hook of Password: single-word clues.
The ones that always annoyed me were those who'd give fill-in-the-blank clues, just like the ones Geno did in his parody.
Password is: PRICE
Clue: The ___ Is Right
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The chances of Fremantle doing a show for U.S. public television are probably zilch.
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[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Mar 26 2004, 03:01 PM\']The chances of Fremantle doing a show for U.S. public television are probably zilch.[/quote]
As are the chances of them producing a decent (by our standards) revival of pretty much any classic MG show anyway, right?