The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: Jimmy Owen on March 25, 2004, 07:43:39 PM
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Everybody remembers what they looked like, but nobody knows their names. Were they ever credited?
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One of the models was named Lou Melford. She filled in for Lee Menning on a 1984 episode I have.
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80's "Sale"? As in model Summer Bartholomew?
"Sale" was the last series Jay Stewart announced. It was sad to watch him during the difficult last years of his life. RIP
Randy
tvrandywest.com
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[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Mar 25 2004, 08:43 PM\'] 80's "Sale"? As in model Summer Bartholomew?
"Sale" was the last series Jay Stewart announced. It was sad to watch him during the difficult last years of his life. RIP
Randy
tvrandywest.com [/quote]
He actually did announce the final week of Blackout a few months after leaving $ale. That was his final on-camera work.
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[quote name=\'zachhoran\' date=\'Mar 25 2004, 06:50 PM\'] He actually did announce the final week of Blackout a few months after leaving $ale. That was his final on-camera work. [/quote]
I think it's safe to say that Randy was referring to Stewart's last REGULAR gig.
Good LORD but your nitpicking is getting irritating. More than usual. And that's saying something.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Mar 25 2004, 08:54 PM\']
Good LORD but your nitpicking is getting irritating. More than usual. And that's saying something. [/quote]
An atheist shouldn't be preaching, but the lord ain't good sometimes brutha'
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[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Mar 25 2004, 08:43 PM\'] 80's "Sale"? As in model Summer Bartholomew?
[/quote]
In addition to Summer, Sally and Lee, there was also a troupe of models which would usually appear in the shopping area, I think it was two males and two or three females.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Mar 25 2004, 05:54 PM\']Good LORD but your nitpicking is getting irritating. More than usual. And that's saying something.[/quote]
Thanks Chris... I knew I had to use a qualifying phrase like "last series" or be called out by our most knowledgeable group. But technically that qualifier didn't suffice to clarify it was Jay's last regular work exclusive of fill-in. So I guess I asked for it!
But if nitpicking be the rule of the day, here's one back at ya'. Can YOU spot the error in:
That was his final on-camera work.
;-p
Randy
tvrandywest.com
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[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Mar 26 2004, 01:15 AM\'] [quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Mar 25 2004, 05:54 PM\']Good LORD but your nitpicking is getting irritating. More than usual. And that's saying something.[/quote]
Thanks Chris... I knew I had to use a qualifying phrase like "last series" or be called out by our most knowledgeable group. But technically that qualifier didn't suffice to clarify it was Jay's last regular work exclusive of fill-in. So I guess I asked for it!
But if nitpicking be the rule of the day, here's one back at ya'. Can YOU spot the error in:
That was his final on-camera work.
;-p
Randy
tvrandywest.com [/quote]
I spot at least two. By the by, one of the models on the nighttime edition was Karen Witter, who went on to a regular stint as Tina on One Life To Live.
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To pull this back to the original question, I don't think Jimmy was referring to the co-hosts like Summer or Lee Menning. I think he was asking about the nameless faces that pointed to the prizes while they were being described. $ale had a whole troupe of them, and except for dropping a first name occasionally when Perry would kid around during a Sale, I don't think they were ever identified.
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[quote name=\'Don Howard\' date=\'Mar 26 2004, 01:41 AM\'] I spot at least two. By the by, one of the models on the nighttime edition was Karen Witter, who went on to a regular stint as Tina on One Life To Live. [/quote]
Continuing a long line of Playboy Playmates who move on to game shows:
Janice Pennington, Julie Cialini, Nikki Ziering, Heather Kozar as models, plus such frequent celebrity guests as Stella Stevens and Martha Smith.
I guess after she married Chuck Lorre (Dharma & Greg producer) she stopped doing on-camera work.
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Two of the male models on $otC were David and Gregorio.
Chuck Donegan (The Illustrious "Chuckie Baby")
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As far as I am concerned, Summer Bartholomew was the Hostess, not a model on the show. The models were three gals and two guys. I do remember David as one of the guys, yet I don't recall the other guy. Per other threads here, we do know two of the female models, Lou Melford and Elaine Hobson (Elaine was the African-American model with that energizing smile). The third one, the blonde member was named Linda, but her last name is not known.
By the way, per another thread, I belived Lou was on the Learning Channel hosting something. Was this true and is she still doing things for the Learning Channel? Just curious.
In terms of Summer, she was more like a Karen Marie Thomas (1,000,000 Chance of a Lifetime), a Vanna White (WOF), or even Stacy Hayes (Lingo), which is being a hostess who had more of a speaking part on the show.
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Elaine, David and Greg were on the show from start to finish. Joanne (who later was a model on the first two weeks of "LMAD" in '84) was replaced by Linda, and then Lou came aboard around the middle as well.
There was one other black male, the guy named Peter.
As far as them not having speaking roles, I always liked when they did the home viewer contests and they'd have all the models and Jay up on stage dressed in fercockta costumes (nurse, motorcycle cop, Sherlock Holmes, etc) giving the rules disclaimer. So they did get things to say from time to time.
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[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Mar 25 2004, 08:43 PM\'] 80's "Sale"? As in model Summer Bartholomew?
"Sale" was the last series Jay Stewart announced. It was sad to watch him during the difficult last years of his life. RIP
Randy
tvrandywest.com [/quote]
Very sad indeed about Jay. He was to Let's Make A Deal as Johnny Olson and Rod Roddy was to TPIR.
There was a blonde model I remember on the syndicated $ale named Karen. Too bad Jim doesn't like computers; otherwise he could have share light on who the models where and what they are up to these days.
The co-hostesses I remember were Sally Julian, Lee Menning, and Summer Bartholomew. Jay in fact did a little double-duty as announcer and co-host in mid-'84 when Lee was not able to co-host.
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80's "Sale"? As in model Summer Bartholomew?
"Sale" was the last series Jay Stewart announced. It was sad to watch him during the difficult last years of his life. RIP
Randy
tvrandywest.com
He actually did announce the final week of Blackout a few months after leaving $ale. That was his final on-camera work.
Speaking of StoC, I never did get an answer to a question I asked the last time that show's models were discussed. Namely, DID DON MORROW EVER APPEAR ON-CAMERA WHILE HE WAS SALE'S ANNOUNCER?
Cordially,
Tammy Warner--the 'Anitra Ford of the Big Board!'
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[quote name=\'Winkfan\' date=\'Mar 27 2004, 06:54 PM\'] [quote name=\'zachhoran\' date=\'Mar 25 2004, 05:50 PM\'] [quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Mar 25 2004, 08:43 PM\'] 80's "Sale"? As in model Summer Bartholomew?
"Sale" was the last series Jay Stewart announced. It was sad to watch him during the difficult last years of his life. RIP
Randy
tvrandywest.com [/quote]
He actually did announce the final week of Blackout a few months after leaving $ale. That was his final on-camera work. [/quote]
Speaking of StoC, I never did get an answer to a question I asked the last time that show's models were discussed. Namely, DID DON MORROW EVER APPEAR ON-CAMERA WHILE HE WAS SALE'S ANNOUNCER?
Cordially,
Tammy Warner--the 'Anitra Ford of the Big Board!' [/quote]
I don't remember Don ever appearing on camera during his time as announcer, Tammy. If he did, it was very rare.
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Sorry to dwell on such a sad subject, but why did Jay Stewart part ways with Sale of the Century?
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[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Mar 29 2004, 08:26 AM\'] Sorry to dwell on such a sad subject, but why did Jay Stewart part ways with Sale of the Century? [/quote]
To focus on his other career as a talent agent. One person on his roster, Harry Stevens, was the announcer on the syndicated Finders Keppers.
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[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Mar 29 2004, 05:26 AM\'] Sorry to dwell on such a sad subject, but why did Jay Stewart part ways with Sale of the Century? [/quote]
Because of the respect our members have for Jay and his work, I trust that we'll be able to keep this information in its proper perspective. And as Mike Wallace and millions of other Americans can attest to, clinical depression is a debilitating disease.
Jay suffered from chronic depression towards the end of his life. Like many others in that battle, he took to drinking heavily. The producers at "Sale" were generous in trying to accommodate Jay as his condition deteriorated, and they would pre-record almost all of his material for the week's shows first thing in the morning. (Fans will want to know that towards the end of his tenure on the show the only line he delivered live was the reveal of the fame game board when a contestant picked one of the nine squares - the logistics of pre-taping nine possibilities and accessing the correct one for playback in real time was too complex. Jay had nine 5x8 file cards in an open top box and would immediately pull and read the correct one as the contestant made their choice).
Jay did remain on set for the full day of taping to perform the warm-up responsibilities. I visited and stayed for only 2 episodes as I was horrified by what I saw. Jay was clearly under the influence, there was little life in his eyes, and while he tried to exude the efferevescent personality we remember, it was hollow and his face resembled that of a sad clown's. Indeed, much of what he said was mumbled and slurred, and at one point he almost tripped and fell down the audience steps at NBC studio 3.
Jay was ultimately released from the show and one of the nicest and most generous gentlemen in Hollywood, voice agent Don Pitts gave Jay a job, an office and a desk at the talent agency then known as Joseph, Helfond and Rix (now Kazarian, Spencer and Associates). Jay was to sign game show host and announcer talent and market them to producers, many of whom he knew.
While he secured some work for Harry Stevens with his former employer Barry-Enright on "Pictionary", and booked a commercial for Gene Wood, most of Jay's four months as an agent was not very productive. Jay's phone log and notes from between May 23rd and September 14th (I remember this as 1989) show that he had active dialogue with just about everybody in the game show world including well known names from the networks, production companies, distributors, the casting community and AFTRA.
Jay also spoke with and/or actively represented a few performers, myself included among Don Bleu, Joe Farago, John Cramer, Fred Holiday, and Pat Finn. It was a treat to sit with Jay as he recounted his career highlights, educated me at great length about performing on game shows, and as we strategized for future work. From the best I could tell Jay had stopped drinking, but the profound depression from which he was suffering was clearly apparent.
I was with Jay on a memorable Friday afternoon. At 5 PM he wrapped our conversation saying that he had to pick up his car from the service department at Casa De Cadillac before they closed at 6PM, and that he would call me on Monday. I was beyond shocked on that Sunday afternoon when I heard that Jay had committed suicide at his home.
A generous man, a terrible end.
Randy
tvrandywest.com
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Wow. Thanks, Randy, for the accurate (if somewhat sobering, no pun intended) information.
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Thank you, Randy, for the loving insight. Even to this day, Jay's death affects me. Remembering watching him on such shows as The 700 Club and others where he was telling us how he was finding new purpose and peace through religion, it was exciting news. Back then, I also believed like many did that, hey - come to God, life's problems are solved! Then we are incredibly shocked to discover we are not always immune from certain elements in life that can be potentially overpowering, such as depression. I remember reading the news story and wondering - how could this be? One person can handle it well, someone else struggles, but both have a place in God's heart. It taught me we are all vulnerable, and that's why we have to keep picking each other up and help each other as much as we can. Thanks for the chance to unbottle some long time thoughts....
the ol' Rev...
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[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Mar 29 2004, 08:19 AM\'] [quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Mar 29 2004, 05:26 AM\'] Sorry to dwell on such a sad subject, but why did Jay Stewart part ways with Sale of the Century? [/quote]
Because of the respect our members have for Jay and his work, I trust that we'll be able to keep this information in its proper perspective. And as Mike Wallace and millions of other Americans can attest to, clinical depression is a debilitating disease.
Jay suffered from chronic depression towards the end of his life. Like many others in that battle, he took to drinking heavily. The producers at "Sale" were generous in trying to accommodate Jay as his condition deteriorated, and they would pre-record almost all of his material for the week's shows first thing in the morning. (Fans will want to know that towards the end of his tenure on the show the only line he delivered live was the reveal of the fame game board when a contestant picked one of the nine squares - the logistics of pre-taping nine possibilities and accessing the correct one for playback in real time was too complex. Jay had nine 5x8 file cards in an open top box and would immediately pull and read the correct one as the contestant made their choice).
Jay did remain on set for the full day of taping to perform the warm-up responsibilities. I visited and stayed for only 2 episodes as I was horrified by what I saw. Jay was clearly under the influence, there was little life in his eyes, and while he tried to exude the efferevescent personality we remember, it was hollow and his face resembled that of a sad clown's. Indeed, much of what he said was mumbled and slurred, and at one point he almost tripped and fell down the audience steps at NBC studio 3.
Jay was ultimately released from the show and one of the nicest and most generous gentlemen in Hollywood, voice agent Don Pitts gave Jay a job, an office and a desk at the talent agency then known as Joseph, Helfond and Rix (now Kazarian, Spencer and Associates). Jay was to sign game show host and announcer talent and market them to producers, many of whom he knew.
While he secured some work for Harry Stevens with his former employer Barry-Enright on "Pictionary", and booked a commercial for Gene Wood, most of Jay's four months as an agent was not very productive. Jay's phone log and notes from between May 23rd and September 14th (I remember this as 1989) show that he had active dialogue with just about everybody in the game show world including well known names from the networks, production companies, distributors, the casting community and AFTRA.
Jay also spoke with and/or actively represented a few performers, myself included among Don Bleu, Joe Farago, John Cramer, Fred Holiday, and Pat Finn. It was a treat to sit with Jay as he recounted his career highlights, educated me at great length about performing on game shows, and as we strategized for future work. From the best I could tell Jay had stopped drinking, but the profound depression from which he was suffering was clearly apparent.
I was with Jay on a memorable Friday afternoon. At 5 PM he wrapped our conversation saying that he had to pick up his car from the service department at Casa De Cadillac before they closed at 6PM, and that he would call me on Monday. I was beyond shocked on that Sunday afternoon when I heard that Jay had committed suicide at his home.
A generous man, a terrible end.
Randy
tvrandywest.com [/quote]
How terribly sad.
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[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Mar 29 2004, 10:19 AM\'] [quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Mar 29 2004, 05:26 AM\'] Sorry to dwell on such a sad subject, but why did Jay Stewart part ways with Sale of the Century? [/quote]
Because of the respect our members have for Jay and his work, I trust that we'll be able to keep this information in its proper perspective.
(snip)
A generous man, a terrible end.
[/quote]
Hey Randy,
Thank you for having the courage to share this inside and deeply personal information with us.
The message board gods are smiling as they made your very detailed post come right after Zach's usual pat response, refined and somewhat diluted from years of message board participation.
I was at what may have been Jay Stewart's last tapings of SOTC ... I think it was in January of 1988. (Charlie Tuna had already taken over "Scrabble" and was doing an excellent job over there.) It was the syndicated show, and I had quite an impression that this wasn't the same guy who was ebullient and energetic all those years with Monty Hall. I could even hear it in those shows he announced after the taping... the voice was shot, and it was clear that he was a shell.
I remember Jay having pre-recorded his opening spiel except for Jim Perry's intro, and most of the rest of the copy had been pre-recorded as well. He slated the promos in a booming but strained voice: "TEN SECOND PROMO!" "THIRTY SECOND PROMO!"
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Randy -
Thank you for sharing that personal account. Though not easy to hear, it goes a long way toward dispelling any folklore surrounding the matter, and it means a lot more coming from someone who knew him.
Zach, someone of Jay Stewart's stature doesn't leave a show in mid-series and abandon an announcing career of several decades standing to take up an entirely new career on a whim. You know better than that.
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[quote name=\'davemackey\' date=\'Mar 29 2004, 04:32 PM\']
I was at what may have been Jay Stewart's last tapings of SOTC ... I think it was in January of 1988. (Charlie Tuna had already taken over "Scrabble" and was doing an excellent job over there.) It was the syndicated show, and I had quite an impression that this wasn't the same guy who was ebullient and energetic all those years with Monty Hall. [/quote]
I know this thread has turned into a somber one thanks to Randy's heartfelt words, but if it was early 1988(and that is about when Jay Stewart's time on $otC ended) it'd be the NBC version and not the syndie.
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[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Mar 29 2004, 05:22 PM\']
Zach, someone of Jay Stewart's stature doesn't leave a show in mid-series and abandon an announcing career of several decades standing to take up an entirely new career on a whim. You know better than that. [/quote]
You're right, that doesn't normally happen, even in show business :)
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[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Mar 29 2004, 09:19 AM\'] Because of the respect our members have for Jay and his work, I trust that we'll be able to keep this information in its proper perspective ... (rest of an excellent post trimmed, go read it first) [/quote]
Having known people with depression - including family - I know how difficult it is. And it is something that doesn't "just show up" but is part of a person for a long time. Which makes his earlier work on LMAD more impressive — because of all the physical demands (moving props, appearing with Zonks), it's right up there with what Randy and his cohorts do on TPIR.
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[quote name=\'zachhoran\' date=\'Mar 29 2004, 04:58 PM\'] I know this thread has turned into a somber one thanks to Randy's heartfelt words, but if it was early 1988(and that is about when Jay Stewart's time on $otC ended) it'd be the NBC version and not the syndie. [/quote]
And the message is being totally lost due to your continued nitpicking.
Do you realize that IT DOESN'T MATTER which one it was? It's not at all important to the message? No, you don't. Because Zach Horan, once again, has to yank away the spotlight to show the world how much Zach Horan knows about game shows. Even AFTER getting called on the carpet after your first overly-careless attempt at doing same in this thread.
You wanna know why people don't like you? THIS IS WHY PEOPLE DON'T LIKE YOU.
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[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Mar 29 2004, 10:19 AM\'] Jay suffered from chronic depression towards the end of his life. Like many others in that battle, he took to drinking heavily. The producers at "Sale" were generous in trying to accommodate Jay as his condition deteriorated, and they would pre-record almost all of his material for the week's shows first thing in the morning. [/quote]
Which was certainly generous of the Grundy production team to do.
Based on what I've read and seen, it seems that most game production companies in the '60s, '70s, and '80s went beyond the call to do right by their coworkers (witness, for example, Squares putting Charley Weaver's girlfriend on the payroll after his death). Given most of the shows today are being produced by much larger multinational corporations, I'm dubious the same accommodations could be made.