The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: Matt Ottinger on August 29, 2006, 10:20:44 AM
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The work is done! Eighty of you helped compile what we, as game show fans, consider to be the fifty greatest shows of all time. Some initial thoughts before we begin:
Our wildly non-scientific exercise is clearly skewed in two notable ways. As game show fans, we tended to be fans of shows that had games to them. Might seem obvious to us, but not to the average TV viewer. Two examples are the love we did not show to Love Connection (tied with several others for #154 on our list) and Studs, which did not receive a single vote from any of us. Beyond that, we as a group generally placed an emphasis on the quality of the game rather than the fame of the show. You'll see what I mean soon.
Secondly, there's definitely an age bias, though probably not as enormous a one as some had feared. Most of us came of age in the eighties, so a lot of quality shows from that decade probably got rated a little higher overall than they would if we were a slightly older bunch. Another good example of age bias is the children's shows. Six shows aimed at kids made the top 100, and they're all from the 80s and beyond. Meanwhile, Shenanigans didn't make the top 100, and shows like Choose Up Sides and Runaround didn't get any votes at all.
Our top show that didn't make the GSN list came in at #23 -- and it wasn't Double Dare.
Nine shows in our top 50 were on neither the GSN list nor the TV Guide list from 2001.
We had one tie in the top 50 (for 47th), and the difference between our number 2 and number 3 shows was a single point (3494 to 3493), a statistical tie if ever there was one.
77 of our 80 first place votes were shared by the top sixteen shows. The remaining first place votes went to another show in the top fifty, a reality show and a local show.
A sampling of hosts and the number of their shows included in the top 50:
Bill Cullen: 9
Tom Kennedy: 6 (his seventh was #51)
Jack Barry: 5
Alex Trebek: 5
Chuck Woolery: 4
Jim Lange: 4
Wink Martindale: 2
Bob Barker: 2 (sorry, Parent Game)
Patrick Wayne: 1
Later today, I'll start counting down from fifty. I'll eventually release the top 100, but I'll wait on printing the lower fifty to retain some amount of surprise.
Thanks to everyone who contributed!
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[color=\"#009900\"]50 Gambit/Las Vegas Gambit (1972-76/1980-81)[/color][/size]
(579 points, appeared on 32 out of 80 ballots)(Did not appear on the GSN or TV Guide lists)
That other card game, or that other game show based on blackjack, depending on how you look at it. One of six Heatter-Quigley shows in our Top 100.
[color=\"#009900\"]49 The Weakest Link (2001-03)[/color][/size]
(614 38/80)(GSN: 22)
The worldwide smash was a relative flash in the pan in the US, burning through a prime time AND syndicated run in less than three years before disappearing. Still, one of the few "modern" shows to make our list.
[color=\"#009900\"]47 The Dating Game (1965-74, 78-80, 86-89, 96-98)[/color][/size]
(629 34/80)(GSN: 10)(TVG: 28)
As I said in the intro, we show no love to the relationship shows. This bona fide classic barely made it onto our list. Thanks to his CIA connections, Chuck Barris knows where you all live, and he's gunning for you.
[color=\"#009900\"]47 Remote Control (1987-91)[/color][/size]
(629 34/80)(GSN: 36)(TVG: 36)
"TV mattered, nothing else did." The show that launched the careers of Adam Sandler, Colin Quinn and Ken Ober. One's still doing pretty well.
[color=\"#009900\"]46 College Bowl (1959-70, 1987)[/color][/size]
(639 25/80)(GSN: 39)(TVG: 3)
Arguably the most imitated and influential game show ever. (Seriously, how many high schools have Hollywood Squares clubs?) Without this show's impact, many people on this forum (well, me and mmb5 anyway) would not have cool part-time jobs. On fewer ballots, but those who had it ranked it higher.
More to come!
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Wow, I know it's a good show, but I'm amazed Remote Control ranked that high with the die-hards here. List looks good so far.
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[quote name=\'chad1m\' post=\'129662\' date=\'Aug 29 2006, 06:09 PM\']
Wow, I know it's a good show, but I'm amazed Remote Control ranked that high with the die-hards here. List looks good so far.
[/quote]
47th, not even appearing on half of the ballots, is high?
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'129663\' date=\'Aug 29 2006, 08:14 PM\']
47th, not even appearing on half of the ballots, is high?
[/quote]
Evidently it won its standing on points.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'129596\' date=\'Aug 29 2006, 09:20 AM\']
shows like Choose Up Sides and Runaround didn't get any votes at all.
[/quote]
I seriously considered putting Runaround on my list because I have fond memories of it as a child. It's the first game show I ever saw in my life that was aimed at children. But I didn't include it because I don't have modern-day access to a tape, print or DVD of it to re-evaluate it like I did, say, Treasure Isle.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'129663\' date=\'Aug 29 2006, 09:14 PM\']
47th, not even appearing on half of the ballots, is high?
[/quote]
I don't care how many ballots it appeared on, I'm just surprised it's on the Top 50 no matter how many times it was placed on a ballot.
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If I may make a suggestion - I imagine we're all going to compare our lists. Some of us have already posted them elsewhere, but not in here. May I suggest we wait until all 50 are up, and then let the arguments begin!
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[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'129668\' date=\'Aug 29 2006, 08:42 PM\']
If I may make a suggestion - I imagine we're all going to compare our lists. Some of us have already posted them elsewhere, but not in here. May I suggest we wait until all 50 are up, and then let the arguments begin!
[/quote]
You could suggest it. Doesn't mean some people are going to take you up on it. :)
Doug -- and the countdown to 2200 continues
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[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'129668\' date=\'Aug 29 2006, 06:42 PM\']
If I may make a suggestion - I imagine we're all going to compare our lists. Some of us have already posted them elsewhere, but not in here. May I suggest we wait until all 50 are up, and then let the arguments begin!
[/quote]
You may indeed make that suggestion, but I have to think Matt wouldn't be releasing them in chunks if he did not want it to foster conversation along the way.
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[quote name=\'chad1m\' post=\'129666\' date=\'Aug 29 2006, 06:38 PM\']
I don't care how many ballots it appeared on, I'm just surprised it's on the Top 50 no matter how many times it was placed on a ballot.
[/quote]
Fair enough, but I bet you're going to feel a little silly when Matt posts the complete results and you find out just how many points away it was from being 94th.
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Chris - I didn't mean don't comment on the results as they come up - that's half the fun. I just meant not posting our own top-50 lists. My bad for not making that clear.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'129671\' date=\'Aug 29 2006, 09:49 PM\'][quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'129668\' date=\'Aug 29 2006, 06:42 PM\']If I may make a suggestion - I imagine we're all going to compare our lists. Some of us have already posted them elsewhere, but not in here. May I suggest we wait until all 50 are up, and then let the arguments begin![/quote]You may indeed make that suggestion, but I have to think Matt wouldn't be releasing them in chunks if he did not want it to foster conversation along the way.[/quote]
Damn straight. I'd prefer that the conversations be limited to the shows that have been revealed (I had that one, I didn't have that one, I'm surprised that one made it) but that's about the only restriction I have.
[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'129673\' date=\'Aug 29 2006, 09:56 PM\']
Chris - I didn't mean don't comment on the results as they come up - that's half the fun. I just meant not posting our own top-50 lists. My bad for not making that clear.[/quote]
Oh...good...yeah, that.
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Glad to see College Bowl cracked the Top 50, I wasn't sure if it would. Would've hope it was ranked a bit higher, but no real surprises/questionable thoughts/complaints on the list so far from me... ;)
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First up, interesting list so far. All 5 of these shows were considered for my countdown, but only 1 made it. But I have one comment.
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'129661\' date=\'Aug 29 2006, 09:06 PM\']
[color=\"#009900\"]46 College Bowl (1959-70, 1987)[/color][/size]
(639 25/80)(GSN: 39)(TVG: 3)
[/quote]
I think you left a piece out, Matt. Wasn't BET's Campus All-Star Challenge (1990-95) considered a spinoff of College Bowl? At least that's how the EOTVGS describes it.
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[color=\"#009900\"]45 Treasure Hunt (1956-59, 73-77, 81-82)[/color][/size]
(675 44/80)(GSN: 49)
From College Bowl to this? The first show to be on more than half the ballots, it didn't rank very highly on many of them. Still, Chuck Barris' second show on our list (and Geoff Edwards' first) proves it has its guilty-pleasure fans. And we actually put it higher than GSN did!
[color=\"#009900\"]44 Deal or No Deal (2005-present)[/color][/size]
(696 34/80)(GSN: 26)
A spiritual cousin to Treasure Hunt in many ways (lots of boxes and random chance), there's no doubt that the show is a modern sensation, but our collective jury is still out about its historical greatness.
[color=\"#009900\"]43 Now You See It (1974-75, 1989)[/color][/size]
(737 39/80)
Perhaps the first example of how we know more about game shows than the average viewer (or even GSN, which coulda shown this). Originally only the most modest of a success (little more than a year) but a fun game with great play-at-home value. Because, you know, ever answer to every question is right there before your eyes. First of three Jack Narz shows.
[color=\"#009900\"]42 Break the Bank (1976-77)[/color][/size]
(757 37/80 including one first place vote)
For a lot of fans, the one that got away. At least now, we never have to wonder how Barry-Enright would have done a Heatter-Quigley show. BTW, this is not the shortest-lived show on our list!
[color=\"#009900\"]41 Twenty One (1956-58, 2000)[/color]
(769 39/80)(GSN: 40)(TVG: 15)
The original destroyed careers and, for a decade or so, a genre. Critics say it wouldn't work unrigged, which was more or less proven in 2000, but not before making one of our members rich. Whether deliberately being clever or not, two members had this at #21 on their list.
More tomorrow, including the shortest-lived show on our list, as well as the oldest.
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[quote name=\'Sonic Whammy\' post=\'129700\' date=\'Aug 29 2006, 11:08 PM\']
I think you left a piece out, Matt. Wasn't BET's Campus All-Star Challenge (1990-95) considered a spinoff of College Bowl? At least that's how the EOTVGS describes it.[/quote]
Yep, my bad.
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And I'll tell you what, I made a mistake, too, Matt. When I e-mailed you, I said that 21 would have been #51. I take that back. I forgot that Break the Bank was under consideration for me, too. I think that would've beat it for me. (Yes, I'm tipping my hand a little to everyone. For now, no fault.)
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Let's see...of the bottom 10, I had 5 on my list (missing Dating Game, NYSI, Treasure Hunt, Deal/No Deal and Break the Bank). Maybe because I skewded a bit older on some of them. (Or that I'm angry about Chuck Barris joining the CIA.)
Break the Bank didn't make my list; it was a nice enough ripoff of HS but not as interesting, and didn't last long enough to establish itself. IMHO, o'course.
I had Twenty One at No. 44; It was so big you just can't ignore it, even with its crookedness.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'129661\' date=\'Aug 29 2006, 09:06 PM\']
[color=\"#009900\"]46 College Bowl (1959-70, 1987)[/color][/size]
Arguably the most imitated and influential game show ever.
[/quote]
Okay, let's argue that. No, seriously. Beyond the local-tv-high-school-quiz thing, what influence did College Bowl have on our genre of choice?
(I'm not saying there isn't any, only that it's early, I have a long day ahead, a sad cat, am undercaffeinated, and I can't sort out what you might mean.)
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Some surprises for me so far: I'm surprised that Gambit and Break the Bank finished as low as they did. Break the Bank was No. 2 for me (yes, I liked it that much); and with Gambit's original 4-year run, I thought more people would have placed it higher.
I didn't have Deal or No Deal on my list at all (and frankly, considering some of the things we've said about it, I'm surprised it's there at all); but I'm happy with the placements of several of the others. I did have Twenty-One in the lower part of my list - I really enjoyed the 2000 version (and so did my wife, for that matter), and the '50s episodes I've seen were actually quite interesting......I guess that must have been because they were rigged!
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I'm already starting to find titles I regret not putting on my own list. I could've sworn, for instance, I included Gambit but when I rechecked my list it was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps I left it off because Card Sharks was more exciting.
Point well taken about College Bowl, Matt. I was in the "not Hollywood Squares" club in my own schools. However, believe it or not, there are a few high schools in the country that still put on Hollywood Squares demos during assembly, as I'm often hearing from teachers looking for theme music.
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* Gambit is one I should have had, if I hadn't decided to use the bottom 6 of my list for some fringe shows that struck my fancy.
* I wouldn't have come up with Bank in a million years, although once I Googled it and some some pictures, I DO remember it.
* College Bowl was on my list, then I dropped it once I realized I didn't have LMaD.
I'm liking the composition of the list so far. Having 80 votes makes for a strong cross-section of opinion.
Of the 7 shows on both the GSF list and mine, the difference in rank is less than 10 on 6 of them. Smalllest difference=0 (NYSI at 43); largest=22 (Link, GSF=49, me=27).
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[quote name=\'SteveRep\' post=\'129742\' date=\'Aug 30 2006, 08:48 AM\']
* Gambit is one I should have had, if I hadn't decided to use the bottom 6 of my list for some fringe shows that struck my fancy.
[/quote]
Ditto for me. GAMBIT was one I should've included but did not. And shamefully, COLLEGE BOWL never occured to me (although I was approaching a mere five by the time of its 1970 cancellation, I still should've had enough sense to put it somewhere).
Not that everything I did put in was dreck, mind you. :) And it seems I was among a couple primarily responsible for NYSI getting in--I had it 19th in my list, yet it only placed 43rd overall.
Doug -- and the countdown to 2200 continues
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[color=\"#009900\"]41 Twenty One (1956-58, 2000)[/color]
(769 39/80)(GSN: 40)(TVG: 15)
The original destroyed careers and, for a decade or so, a genre. Critics say it wouldn't work unrigged, which was more or less proven in 2000, but not before making one of our members rich. Whether deliberately being clever or not, two members had this at #21 on their list.
[/quote]
You said it didn't work unrigged here; I tend to disagree. I think it got off to a rocky and hastily-thrown-together start, partly because the format wasn't nailed down yet, and partly because Maury Povich wasn't quite comfortable hosting it at first. After it had been on the air a few months though I think it hit its stride and should have been renewed for another season. Its ratings, after all, were solid even though it was in a very tough timeslot.
-Flea
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[quote name='Ian Wallis' date='Aug 30 2006, 08:53 AM' post='129734']
Some surprises for me so far: I'm surprised that Gambit and Break the Bank finished as low as they did. Break the Bank was No. 2 for me (yes, I liked it that much); and with Gambit's original 4-year run, I thought more people would have placed it higher.
>I think one reason Gambit didn't rank higher is because a lot of people who voted are either too young to remember it or haven't seen it since they were very young. I've been trading for 8 years now and, as was the case when I first started trading, there is only a single episode of the 1972-76 version circulating. The 1980-81 version has, over the past year or so anyway, become much better represented (we went from 2 episodes to 7) on the trading circuit, but many of us here have only seen a single episode of the original. It's thus more difficult for us to rank a show that we've barely seen.
-Flea
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I've been trading for 8 years now and, as was the case when I first started trading, there is only a single episode of the 1972-76 version circulating. The 1980-81 version has, over the past year or so anyway, become much better represented (we went from 2 episodes to 7) on the trading circuit, but many of us here have only seen a single episode of the original. It's thus more difficult for us to rank a show that we've barely seen.
Point taken. Parts of my list were done from memory...for example, I had Wizard of Odds at 48, but I haven't seen an episode since '74 because none of them seem to exist anymore; but from my memories of watching it as a kid, plus the descriptions I've read in the EOTVGS, I remember it as being an interesting show.
One reason about being surprised about Gambit is because it seems like whenever it's talked about, it's remembered fondly. There were some stations in the late '70s that aired repeats of this for a while...maybe some of it's around somewhere.
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I watched both Gambit and Break the Bank, Gambit on its premiere day along with those other shows, and I put neither on my list.
The game play on Gambit just wasn't that interesting. Wink was good and the graphic design was terrific, but the awful set and Elayne what's-her-name offset that. Hardly a trailblazer, unless it pioneered the use of giant playing cards.
Break the Bank was just a poor man's Hollywood Squares. Watchable, yes, fun for a
summer, but hardly great.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'129701\' date=\'Aug 29 2006, 11:29 PM\']
[color=\"#009900\"]42 Break the Bank (1976-77)[/color][/size]
(757 37/80 including one first place vote)
[/quote]
Gee, who could that 1st place vote have come from?
I'm happily surprised to see this in the Fab Fifty.
Pretty good for a series that only ran 99 episodes (75 on ABC and 24 for syndication, correct?)
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[quote name=\'Clay Zambo\' post=\'129733\' date=\'Aug 30 2006, 08:09 AM\']
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'129661\' date=\'Aug 29 2006, 09:06 PM\']
[color=\"#009900\"]46 College Bowl (1959-70, 1987)[/color][/size]
Arguably the most imitated and influential game show ever.
[/quote]
Okay, let's argue that. No, seriously. Beyond the local-tv-high-school-quiz thing, what influence did College Bowl have on our genre of choice?
[/quote]
I don't know that Matt's talking about an influence on game shows here. As Matt said, there are no "Hollywood Squares" clubs in high school. I don't have a pile of Match Game ribbons and trophies in my bedroom. The thought that a game show actually influenced schools across the nation and introduced new extra-curricular activities to kids who otherwise would have had blank spaces next to their names in the senior yearbook, I would think, is pretty impressive.
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I deliberately did not include Twenty-One on my list because of the fact that it was rigged -- if it was rigged, no matter how much of an impact it had on the television landscape, it cannot be one of the 50 greatest game shows of all time. And the non-rigged version didn't do anything special (other than pioneer the concept of handing out absurd amounts of money in a misguided effort to obtain high ratings) to put the title on the list. Granted, it only made it to number 41, but this is the only disagreement I've had with the group so far.
--
Scott Robinson
(I like having this discussion much more than having the discussion of why Love Connection would be ranked so high.)
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Well I can honesstly say Deal ranked above Treasure Hunt becuase of me. I had it more than 21 spots higher.
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[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'129767\' date=\'Aug 30 2006, 11:38 AM\']
Well I can honesstly say Deal ranked above Treasure Hunt becuase of me. I had it more than 21 spots higher.
[/quote]
Yes, I'm sure it's ALL you. Who says someone didn't rank it 2nd?
Cripes.
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[quote name=\'MSTieScott\' post=\'129765\' date=\'Aug 30 2006, 11:23 AM\']
if it was rigged, no matter how much of an impact it had on the television landscape, it cannot be one of the 50 greatest game shows of all time.
[/quote]
So sez you. All depends on your definition of "greatest." To me, "Twenty-One" (and "$64,000 Question," for that matter) were cultural phenomena for their time.
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[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'129754\' date=\'Aug 30 2006, 11:29 AM\']
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'129701\' date=\'Aug 29 2006, 11:29 PM\']
[color=\"#009900\"]42 Break the Bank (1976-77)[/color][/size]
(757 37/80 including one first place vote)
[/quote]Gee, who could that 1st place vote have come from?[/quote]
I have no clue. We were only talking about this exact topic on Saturday night. No, really. We did, over some I pretzels while the Indians were beating the tar out of the Tigers.
I don't have my ballot in front of me, but I had Break the Bank in the mid-30s. If I considered game play and the enjoyment factor a little more than I did a show's longevity, BtB would've easily been in my top 10.
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[quote name=\'MikeK\' post=\'129773\' date=\'Aug 30 2006, 02:10 PM\']
[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'129754\' date=\'Aug 30 2006, 11:29 AM\']
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'129701\' date=\'Aug 29 2006, 11:29 PM\']
[color=\"#009900\"]42 Break the Bank (1976-77)[/color][/size]
(757 37/80 including one first place vote)
[/quote]Gee, who could that 1st place vote have come from?[/quote]
I have no clue. We were only talking about this exact topic on Saturday night. No, really. We did, over some I pretzels while the Indians were beating the tar out of the Tigers.
[/quote]
Bev and I remember it very well. And thanks so much again for the Temptation, et.al. surprise.
We enjoyed the game, the food and the fellowship.
I'm still mystified over why Break The Bank couldn't be moved to noon in July 1976.
Hot Seat really didn't need to see the light of a cathode ray tube.
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[quote name=\'tomobrien\' post=\'129770\' date=\'Aug 30 2006, 12:08 PM\']
So sez you. All depends on your definition of "greatest." To me, "Twenty-One" (and "$64,000 Question," for that matter) were cultural phenomena for their time.
[/quote]
I agree. I put both on my list, "Question" up much further because it came first and seems more influential and seems a little less rigged, if that's possible.
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[quote name=\'Neumms\' post=\'129799\' date=\'Aug 30 2006, 03:25 PM\']
[quote name=\'tomobrien\' post=\'129770\' date=\'Aug 30 2006, 12:08 PM\']
So sez you. All depends on your definition of "greatest." To me, "Twenty-One" (and "$64,000 Question," for that matter) were cultural phenomena for their time.
[/quote]
I agree. I put both on my list, "Question" up much further because it came first and seems more influential and seems a little less rigged, if that's possible.
[/quote]
I always heard The $64,000 Question simply manipulated categories and questions toward favored contestants without the contestants' or host's knowledge, while Twenty-One flat-out fed the answers to their favorite contestants and even coached them on how to act nervous and surprised on camera. So yes, you could say it's a little less rigged, but that's another way of saying something stinks but maybe not so much.
Still, I had both on my list too, for pioneering the idea a game show could be appointment/watercooler TV and for playing up the suspense element.
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[color=\"#009900\"]40 Go (1983-84)[/color][/size]
(796 39/80)
Thirteen weeks on the air (plus cable reruns) and a flawed scoring structure that frequently rendered the third round meaningless. But golly, what a fun little game to watch. Somewhere in a parallel universe, Kevin O'Connell is a game show legend and Wink Martindale is doing the weather in Buffalo.
[color=\"#009900\"]39 The Gong Show/Extreme Gong (1976-80, 1988-89/1998-99)[/color][/size]
(810 35/80) (GSN: 12)(TVG: 16)
Infamous, notorious, legendary, it pretty much had to make our list even though "greatest" is rarely used to describe it. Many of you probably left it off on "not-a-game-show" principle or it would have ranked even higher (as it did for GSN and TV Guide). You know, technically, George Gray made our list twice.
[color=\"#009900\"]38 Whew! (1979-80)[/color][/size]
(811 38/80)
Another example of a show most people have forgotten, we may not be able to pronounce it but we remember it for its addictive gameplay. Tom Kennedy's "traffic cop" skills were never put to better use. Randy is smiling.
[color=\"#009900\"]37 The Who What or Where Game/The Challengers (1969-74/1990-91)[/color][/size]
(837 38/80)
Interestingly, ballots were pretty evenly split, with older members remembering the classic and younger ones recalling the updated version. Both versions toiled under the shadow of Jeopardy!, but both had their fans. And again, if we had counted them as separate shows, neither would have made the Top 50.
[color=\"#009900\"]36 You Bet Your Life (1950-61, 1980-81, 1992-93)[/color][/size]
(855 39/80)(GSN: 31)(TVG: 24)
Sure there were two remakes, but we remember "The one, the only...Groucho!" Debuting on radio in 1947, this show is about to turn sixty. Could another remake be around the corner?
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40 Go (1983-84)
Thirteen weeks on the air (plus cable reruns)
Actually, it lasted for 16 weeks, 78 episodes having been produced. I'm guessing this makes Break the Bank the shortest lived show on the list at 15 weeks?
--Jamie
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[quote name=\'Jimmy Fiono Coyne\' post=\'129861\' date=\'Aug 30 2006, 10:50 PM\']
40 Go (1983-84)
Thirteen weeks on the air (plus cable reruns)
Actually, it lasted for 16 weeks, 78 episodes having been produced. I'm guessing this makes Break the Bank the shortest lived show on the list at 15 weeks?[/quote]
Sorry about the error. (I'm trying not to make too many of those, I know how some of us like to pick at them.) Still, Break the Bank had a number of syndicated shows that gave it more total episodes.
Techincally, there have been fewer episodes of Deal or No Deal to this point.
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YBYL revival? I hope not. The original was totally Groucho, and all accounts of the revivals were negative. If anybody wants to mount a personality driven show nowadays, I hope they go with something akin to Distraction/Jimmy Carr or George Gray/Link. Anything with as little substance as a game as YBYL would be bad in today's market, IMHO.
And does anybody know what, if anything, they did for the final "Go?"
-Jason
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[quote name=\'JasonA1\' post=\'129866\' date=\'Aug 30 2006, 11:00 PM\']
And does anybody know what, if anything, they did for the final "Go?"
[/quote]
It was mentioned that it was the final show and Kevin O'Connell gave a nice speech at the end. Simple and classy and not too mawkish. No one broke out a guitar and began to sing, the celebs didn't start destroying the set and President Reagan didn't interrupt the final five minutes of the program to make a speech.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'129846\' date=\'Aug 30 2006, 09:33 PM\']
37 The Who What or Where Game/The Challengers (1969-74/1990-91)
(837 38/80)
Interestingly, ballots were pretty evenly split, with older members remembering the classic and younger ones recalling the updated version. Both versions toiled under the shadow of Jeopardy!, but both had their fans. And again, if we had counted them as separate shows, neither would have made the Top 50.
[/quote]
And for the folks who don't remember the classic, I've dug up my audio (only) copy of the last third or so of an episode of Who What or Where. Enjoy it here (http://\"http://zoza.com/~kniwt/www.mp3\") while I'm of generous spirit.
It still unnerves me to compare the caliber of questions from 35 years ago to those of today.
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[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'129878\' date=\'Aug 30 2006, 10:23 PM\']
[quote name=\'JasonA1\' post=\'129866\' date=\'Aug 30 2006, 11:00 PM\']
And does anybody know what, if anything, they did for the final "Go?"
[/quote]
It was mentioned that it was the final show and Kevin O'Connell gave a nice speech at the end. Simple and classy and not too mawkish. No one broke out a guitar and began to sing, the celebs didn't start destroying the set and President Reagan didn't interrupt the final five minutes of the program to make a speech.
[/quote]
The final ep of GO was also notable for one thing (among those of us who used to enjoy reading credits): I'm almost positive that GO was the first NBC show to start the tradition of having an extra long credit roll for the final episode (including crediting cameramen and other assorted personnel whose names never saw the light of day on a regular credit roll). $otC, SP, WoF (the Burbank era, not the TV City era) and SCRABBLE (84-90 version) would all employ a similar credit roll for their final eps.
And to the other 34 of you who put GONG on your lists, I salute you. :)
Doug -- and the countdown to 2200 continues
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'129846\' date=\'Aug 30 2006, 10:33 PM\'][Not very many] weeks on the air (plus cable reruns) and a flawed scoring structure that frequently rendered the third round meaningless. [/quote]
Dawson's Family Feud had this same problem for a while, so I can't really call that a knock.
Kevin O'Connell certainly is different in terms of a host. I'm not sure if it's a good different or bad different, but it is what it is.
/Hooray Groucho!
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[quote name=\'Joe Mello\' post=\'129897\' date=\'Aug 30 2006, 10:37 PM\']
Kevin O'Connell certainly is different in terms of a host. I'm not sure if it's a good different or bad different, but it is what it is.
[/quote]
The thing about K.O., for those of us who have seen the premier episode of Go, is that he looked like he had been there for years from the very first day. And since these days everytime some comedian or hack VJ comes out and stinks up the set, we're supposed to say "aw, it's okay, they're new and nervous, they'll get better", it's nice to remember a time and a person for whom that wasn't an issue.
-
Go is a good show (I liked NBC CR better, however). Being a KNBC weathercaster was always a good prerequisite for easygoing hosts. Sometimes, though, I think KO was a little too sincere. Some more charisma would have served him better.
-
Let's see:
Go didn't make my list; just personal preference, I guess. But if I was doing a right-wing radio talk show, I'd borrow the theme.
Gong Show? It had to be on there; those of us around when it was hot remember every local group, college club and high school class doing their version of it. I wouldn't be surprised if some still do.
Whew! had to be on the list for this group, although personally it was just below the cut-off line. The hazards of being one of the old guys around here.
The three W's was higher on my list, but that was personal preference. Strangely, I never saw The Challengers.
And YBYL was, indeed, all Groucho and a bag of chips. And isn't it about time for another Marx Brothers revival? I firmly believe that "Duck Soup" should be played after every Bush press conference.
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[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'129905\' date=\'Aug 31 2006, 07:25 AM\']
Let's see:
Go didn't make my list; just personal preference, I guess. But if I was doing a right-wing radio talk show, I'd borrow the theme.
[/quote]
Gee, I'd've never thought of using it for a right-wing radio talk show (probably because I never listen to them), but I'd love to hear a hot college marching band play it--maybe in a medley with the NBC "Card Sharks" theme.
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[quote name=\'Clay Zambo\' post=\'129908\' date=\'Aug 31 2006, 06:45 AM\']
[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'129905\' date=\'Aug 31 2006, 07:25 AM\']
Let's see:
Go didn't make my list; just personal preference, I guess. But if I was doing a right-wing radio talk show, I'd borrow the theme.
[/quote]
Gee, I'd've never thought of using it for a right-wing radio talk show (probably because I never listen to them), but I'd love to hear a hot college marching band play it--maybe in a medley with the NBC "Card Sharks" theme.
[/quote]
Personally, I'd like to hear CS as a high school or college fight song for a Sharks mascot, of course. GO would be a good news theme, though.
-
I think it's ironic that a certain right-wing radio talk show host's theme is by "The Pretenders."
-
40 Go (1983-84)
Thirteen weeks on the air (plus cable reruns) and a flawed scoring structure that frequently rendered the third round meaningless. But golly, what a fun little game to watch.
Go didn't make my list. I must admit this is one game I just couldn't get into. I have a few episodes on tape and I'll watch them every once in a while, but I'd never go out of my way to watch this.
38 Whew! (1979-80)
Another example of a show most people have forgotten, we may not be able to pronounce it but we remember it for its addictive gameplay. Tom Kennedy's "traffic cop" skills were never put to better use. Randy is smiling.
This is another show that I'm surprised didn't rank at least a bit higher, because (in the trading curcuit anyway) most people seem to consider this a gem. It was in my personal top 10. I think this show was one of Tom's best performances. I'm pretty sure I've heard somewhere that he thought Split Second was a tougher show to do, but reading those bloopers flawlessly and still allowing contestants enough time to Charge! up the board while the clock was counting down seemed liked a difficult thing to do - and he did it great.
And to the other 34 of you who put GONG on your lists, I salute you. :)
Thanks for the salute! :)
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[quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' post=\'129915\' date=\'Aug 31 2006, 08:55 AM\']
38 Whew! (1979-80)
Another example of a show most people have forgotten, we may not be able to pronounce it but we remember it for its addictive gameplay. Tom Kennedy's "traffic cop" skills were never put to better use. Randy is smiling.
This is another show that I'm surprised didn't rank at least a bit higher, because (in the trading curcuit anyway) most people seem to consider this a gem. It was in my personal top 10. I think this show was one of Tom's best performances. I'm pretty sure I've heard somewhere that he thought Split Second was a tougher show to do, but reading those bloopers flawlessly and still allowing contestants enough time to Charge! up the board while the clock was counting down seemed liked a difficult thing to do - and he did it great.[/quote]
I didn't have it in my 50. It never entered my thinking process. Why? Because I have no exposure to the show at all. And it wasn't for dis-interest in watching. In Washington, I hardly remember it even being available. (And I gave every new show a fair shake) But then again, that could have been in the time when WTOP-9 was in its no-game show mode. Yup, they passed on everything, even TPiR.
I just went to YouTube and watched the clips of the opening and Randy's Gauntlet and nothing registers.
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[quote name=\'Kniwt\' post=\'129881\' date=\'Aug 31 2006, 12:00 AM\']
And for the folks who don't remember the classic, I've dug up my audio (only) copy of the last third or so of an episode of Who What or Where. Enjoy it here (http://\"http://zoza.com/~kniwt/www.mp3\") while I'm of generous spirit.
[/quote]
Oh, my gosh! That was a wonderful treat. Thank you so much.
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[quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' post=\'129915\' date=\'Aug 31 2006, 07:55 AM\']
I'm pretty sure I've heard somewhere that he thought Split Second was a tougher show to do[/quote]
If you happen to run across anyone who thinks all a game show host has to do is look good, talk pleasantly, smile a lot and as Steve Martin once claimed, talk like he's laughing, Tom Kennedy hosting Split Second is a highly effective counter-argument. I'm sure there are some legendary game show hosts who couldn't pull that one off like Tom did. He rivals Alex Trebek hosting Jeopardy! for smoothly rattling questions off that quickly and keeping up with contestants ringing in (he was a whole lot faster for one thing). An underrated gem, IMHO. I could go on and on.
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[quote name=\'SteveRep\' post=\'129929\' date=\'Aug 31 2006, 09:20 AM\']
I didn't have it in my 50. It never entered my thinking process. Why? Because I have no exposure to the show at all. And it wasn't for dis-interest in watching. In Washington, I hardly remember it even being available. (And I gave every new show a fair shake) But then again, that could have been in the time when WTOP-9 was in its no-game show mode. Yup, they passed on everything, even TPiR.
[/quote]
It was on my list, but low. WHEW! was one of those shows that I didn't appreciate when it was originally on (primarily because I tended to watch whatever NBC had on opposite it, which for much of its run was HSq or ALL STAR SECRETS). But once I saw the clips, I realized that it was a really good show. Of course, adding the celebrities changed the whole dynamic.
So far, I've had 11 of the 15 on my list (GAMBIT, COLLEGE BOWL and YBYL I should've had in retrospect, TWL I dismissed).
Doug -- and the countdown to 2200 continues
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[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'129914\' date=\'Aug 31 2006, 07:50 AM\']
I think it's ironic that a certain right-wing radio talk show host's theme is by "The Pretenders."
[/quote]
...even more ironic when you consider what the lyrics are about, or that Chrissy Hynde supposedly donates all of the money she makes from the host's use of the song, to a certain organization that host utterly despises.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'129846\' date=\'Aug 30 2006, 10:33 PM\']
[color=\"#009900\"]40 Go (1983-84)[/color][/size]
(796 39/80)
Thirteen weeks on the air (plus cable reruns) and a flawed scoring structure that frequently rendered the third round meaningless. But golly, what a fun little game to watch. Somewhere in a parallel universe, Kevin O'Connell is a game show legend and Wink Martindale is doing the weather in Buffalo.
[/quote]
I realize I'm in an apparent huge minority here, but why do people like this show? I cannot stand to watch it for more than one minute without going into convulsions. The alternating word thing is like fingernails on a chalkboard. And I can't be the only one thinking this, since it was 75 shows-and-out.
Please convince me where I'm wrong...
--Mike
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[quote name=\'mmb5\' post=\'129940\' date=\'Aug 31 2006, 11:46 AM\']
The alternating word thing is like fingernails on a chalkboard.[/quote]
The alternating word thing is THE thing that gets this show into the top 50.
The test is to see how quickly two people can get on the same page in trying to convey a thought to a third person.
It's a game of communication skills. For me, that's the biggest element that makes a game show good. That's why I have Password and Pyramid as #2 and #3 on my list.
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Password ranked near the top of my list. Pyramid would have been my #1, had I not factored Donny into it.
And, because of me, Go is ranked where it is. ;)
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[quote name=\'Modor\' post=\'129971\' date=\'Aug 31 2006, 02:52 PM\']
Pyramid would have been my #1, had I not factored Donny into it.
[/quote]
The Donny version was a non-factor for me. The enormity of how the show was done with Clark, Cullen and even Davidson squashes the revival into the dust that it is.
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[quote name=\'SteveRep\' post=\'129986\' date=\'Aug 31 2006, 02:18 PM\']
The Donny version was a non-factor for me. The enormity of how the show was done with Clark, Cullen and even Davidson squashes the revival into the dust that it is.
[/quote]
Yeah, but that doesn't give Mark the opportunity to complain about something.
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I very much enjoyed both Go and Whew!, but neither made my top 50. Had it been a top 60, however...
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I did not have Whew, Although in the two days I spent compiling and refining the list. Whew just kept poping in my head, but I still never put in on the list.
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Guys, just want you to know that the "release" of the next five or ten will be delayed until extremely late tonight. It's the first home football game for Okemos High School (Go Chiefs!) and it's taking me a lot longer than I thought to get ready.
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When GSN first started their 50 greatest list, and after the first couple of weeks seeing... you know, I decided I should make my own list, given that by that point, I had thrown the credibility of GSN's out the window. I did spend some time on it, at least a couple of hours, since I obsess about these kind of things.
When I made the list, I decided I was going to take into account many aspects, including the shows' originality, individuality, hosting, gameplay, popularity (and in some cases, infamy), longevity, but probably most importantly, the effect of the show(s) on the current "status" of culture, mindset, and popular TV in the U.S.
I started by writing down EVERY game show I knew and deserved to be in a "Top" status of anything. With that, my list was about 100 or so. I then went through it, and scratched off about 30 or so that I felt weren't high enough, and from that point on, that's where I had to start thinking. In my original list, the top 3 are tied (and if Matt allowed ties, that's exactly how I would've submitted them).
*Struggles to remember list, not having it on the computer being used*
Well, neither GO nor CR made my list, but I remember Gong being in top half. Deal or no Deal was in the 40's I believe, WWW and BtB didn't make it, but YBYL was in the teens or high twenties, same with College Bowl (I'm in College Bowl right now, so I HAD to give it some credit). And yes, I'll admit it, I placed Twenty-One in 21st place, though it was not my original intention. Though all the scandal surrounds it, I still thought, and did when it came back, that it was still one hell of a good game. Originally, it was like 22 or 23, and reviewing the list at one point, I just said "eh, what the heck". :)
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'129995\' date=\'Aug 31 2006, 02:58 PM\']
Guys, just want you to know that the "release" of the next five or ten will be delayed until extremely late tonight. It's the first home football game for Okemos High School (Go Chiefs!) and it's taking me a lot longer than I thought to get ready.
[/quote]
On a Thursday? Odd. Do you produce, or call the game?
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'129995\' date=\'Aug 31 2006, 05:58 PM\']
Guys, just want you to know that the "release" of the next five or ten will be delayed until extremely late tonight. It's the first home football game for Okemos High School (Go Chiefs!) and it's taking me a lot longer than I thought to get ready.
[/quote]
Darn!
Enjoy the game.
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I'm with you, Mike. GO just seemed like it was something haphazardly slapped together....the players bouncing back and forth between teammates appeared to be an attempt to create added excitement by having bodies flying around the stage. The game mechanic is exciting enough, thank you. The bouncing around was very distracting. If just adding motion supposedly creates a better game, then Bob should have revived Pyramid with both players on a team doing jumping jacks while describing and and guessing subjects. The Riddlers even had a touch of that...watch the glowing diamond race from end to end while recycling old Jackpot material. Sheesh.....
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[quote name=\'The Ol' Guy\' post=\'130008\' date=\'Aug 31 2006, 05:12 PM\']
I'm with you, Mike. GO just seemed like it was something haphazardly slapped together....the players bouncing back and forth between teammates appeared to be an attempt to create added excitement by having bodies flying around the stage. The game mechanic is exciting enough, thank you. The bouncing around was very distracting. If just adding motion supposedly creates a better game, then Bob should have revived Pyramid with both players on a team doing jumping jacks while describing and and guessing subjects. The Riddlers even had a touch of that...watch the glowing diamond race from end to end while recycling old Jackpot material. Sheesh.....[/quote]And if "Go" was done on radio, I would be in total agreement with you on that. Except we're watching a TV show, and television is all ABOUT the movement. A simple race to five becomes something more, and the score is shown in a clever way (how far down the line the "rover" is)
And I'm also of the opinion that Go has one of the best games, and one of the best playalong games ("say 'umpire," you ninny!" during the cluegiving)...it's so good I can forgive the slapped together scoring.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'129999\' date=\'Aug 31 2006, 05:07 PM\']
On a Thursday? Odd. Do you produce, or call the game?
[/quote]
Not so odd here in Alabama where I just finished shooting a high school arch-rivalry opener. Mostly they happen on Fridays but a few still play under Thursday night lights.
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Oh, yeah. My HS team is playing tonight. I think it's due to the Labor Day weekend.
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[quote name=\'SteveRep\' post=\'129969\' date=\'Aug 31 2006, 02:48 PM\']
[quote name=\'mmb5\' post=\'129940\' date=\'Aug 31 2006, 11:46 AM\']
The alternating word thing is like fingernails on a chalkboard.[/quote]
The alternating word thing is THE thing that gets this show into the top 50.
The test is to see how quickly two people can get on the same page in trying to convey a thought to a third person.
It's a game of communication skills. For me, that's the biggest element that makes a game show good. That's why I have Password and Pyramid as #2 and #3 on my list.
[/quote]
The alternating word thing is THE thing that gets this show in my bottom 50. Why not have them use air horns? Just as much a novelty, and frankly to me, more watchable. Yes, I realize I'm in a minority here, but if this was some game from the 60s with no surviving episodes, nobody would be wondering about it here. It's a weaker game than maybe Chain Letter, and that sure isn't going to make the list.
And to answer someone else's question for Matt, he produces the games. Football is done on Thursdays before Labor Day in Michigan for many schools.
--Mike
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Random thought about Go, one that's probably been thought of before.
It might have worked slightly better if it set up like Scrabble did it after they changed their format up a little bit: Make the teams play the SAME set of words (putting one team under the headphones, of course). This way you don't have to claim you got stuck with the junkier words.
I considered the idea that the two packets could be in separate categories, too, but I like the first idea better.
Also might have helped if the four players on the teams were related. That might be just me, though. The show needed a lot of work to me, no matter what.
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[color=\"#009900\"]35 Lingo (1987-88, 2002-present)[/color][/size]
(856 48/80)(GSN: 16)
Though many (myself included) consider the remake a compromised version of the original, it is GSN's most successful original show, and you can't beat the play-at-home factor. You knew they had to include it -- but look what we were willing to rank even higher at #32!
[color=\"#009900\"]34 Truth or Consequences (1950-51, 1954-75, 1977-78, 1987-88)[/color][/size]
(864 37/80)(GSN: 44)(TVG: 21)
For years and years, everybody knew Bill Cullen for The Price Is Right and everybody knew Bob Barker for this. Its historic significance is unmistakable, a 1941 special was the first game show on commercial television.
[color=\"#009900\"]33 The $64,000 Question/The $128,000 Question (1955-58, 1976-78)[/color][/size]
(916 36/80)(GSN: 28)(TVG: 22)
Speaking of historic significance, the biggest and best-remembered of the big-money quizzes did everything from making a star out of Dr. Joyce Brothers to diluting the TV exposure of Edward R Murrow. That last one may be a bigger crime than the rigging. The first one too, come to think of it.
[color=\"#009900\"]32 Chain Reaction (1980, 1986-91, present)[/color][/size]
(930 48/80)
We joked that GSN would include the original to promote their new version, then as it turns out, we not only put it in our own Top 50, we ranked it higher than Lingo. Though the cable run was healthy, the original was yet another "brilliant but cancelled" Stewart offering.
[color=\"#009900\"]31 He Said, She Said/Tattletales (1969-70, 1974-78, 1982-84)[/color]
(934 47/80)(GSN: 43)(TVG: 31)
It's actually quite remarkable today to look back at the enormous success Goodson-Todman had with reworking their old formats for a new audience in the early seventies. This one may not have reached the heights of Match Game and The Price Is Right, but it worked, in no small part because it was a perfect fit for Convy's talents.
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[quote name=\'Sonic Whammy\' post=\'130032\' date=\'Sep 1 2006, 01:18 AM\']
Random thought about Go, one that's probably been thought of before.
It might have worked slightly better if it set up like Scrabble did it after they changed their format up a little bit: Make the teams play the SAME set of words (putting one team under the headphones, of course). This way you don't have to claim you got stuck with the junkier words.
I considered the idea that the two packets could be in separate categories, too, but I like the first idea better.
Also might have helped if the four players on the teams were related. That might be just me, though. The show needed a lot of work to me, no matter what.
[/quote]
Same set of words would've killed the play-along for the housewife in the kitchen making lunch for the kids.
Related players would lead to questions like "Where...does...Uncle...Harry...work?"
What I would suggest for a set designer would be to make a G O sign that would double as the playing area for the game. The sign would raise and lower a la NYSI89. The teams would then be seated in a semi-circle within the G or the O with the guesser in the middle so instead of jumping to the next chair he or she could swivel the chair to the next questioners.
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I hear what you're saying, Travis, but again, motion by itself isn't a key to success. One of the things Groucho and Guidel faced from executives who wanted to move You Bet Your Life to TV from radio was "Hey, this is television! You can't have Groucho just sitting in a chair! He has to move around, do his funny walk, whatever!" Groucho's only compromise for tv was to grow a mustache. I love the idea of the alternating clue creating format - I just wasn't comfortable with how it was done on GO. Now Get Rich Quick is another story. Come to think of it...GO might have been a better title for that show. But that's just me....
Chain Letter not make the list?? Unthinkable! :-)
-
Lingo Finished one point ahead of You Bet Your life. These were two of the last shows I put down. Life at 50 and Lingo two spots higher at 48. So if I had not voted their order would have switched and Life would have been ahead by one point.
And since I had Truth or Consequences a lot higher, Life and Lingo would have finished above it without my votes. Wow just did the math without my 23rd spot for Truth; it would have also fallen one point behind WWW game.
-
T or C - closest I've come to hitting it right (I had it at 35). And for pretty much the reasons give.
64K Question - I had it ranked a bit higher because of its historic significance - and really, it's the same basic idea as WWTBAM - one person facing questions that get higher and higher. The two differences (other than honesty): the lack of specific categories and the lifelines.
Speaking of historic significance, the biggest and best-remembered of the big-money quizzes did everything from making a star out of Dr. Joyce Brothers to diluting the TV exposure of Edward R Murrow. That last one may be a bigger crime than the rigging. The first one too, come to think of it.
Chain Reaction ? This one really surprises me, even more than Go. At least I knew Go had some serious fans in this group.
Tattletales I had a bit lower (37) but it's the one all-celebrity game that ever worked for me. Get the right couples on there and it was a lot of fun.
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[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'130042\' date=\'Sep 1 2006, 12:09 AM\']
Lingo Finished one point ahead of You Bet Your life. These were two of the last shows I put down. Life at 50 and Lingo two spots higher at 48. So if I had not voted their order would have switched and Life would have been ahead by one point.
[/quote]
And if I had, it wouldn't have mattered.
See my point?
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[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'130055\' date=\'Sep 1 2006, 09:24 AM\']
64K Question - I had it ranked a bit higher because of its historic significance - and really, it's the same basic idea as WWTBAM - one person facing questions that get higher and higher. The two differences (other than honesty): the lack of specific categories and the lifelines.
[/quote]
The other big differences were the multiple choice and more importantly the ability to see the question before deciding to go on, which really adds to the on air tension and the play at home ability.
The main thing the had in common; they are only traditional game shows to finish #1 for the season in prime time. (Yes, I said "traditional" to exclude Survivor)
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The two differences (other than honesty): the lack of specific categories and the lifelines.
Okay; now, I have a question. I know that, at the time, everybody assumed that $64K was fixed (and almost everyone still does), but was there any proof that it was fixed? For example, there was proof that the B-E shows (21, for example) were fixed, and so was Dotto, but I never recall seeing any proof that $64K (or Challenge) was fixed.
I'm just curious because I wonder if the show was actually fixed, or people just assume it was because other like shows were at the time.
Anthony
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[quote name=\'mmb5\' post=\'129940\' date=\'Aug 31 2006, 10:46 AM\']
I realize I'm in an apparent huge minority here, but why do people like this show? I cannot stand to watch it for more than one minute without going into convulsions. The alternating word thing is like fingernails on a chalkboard. And I can't be the only one thinking this, since it was 75 shows-and-out.
Please convince me where I'm wrong...
[/quote]
I don't know if I can. Go was simply an awesome game (I ranked it #16). I love word association games, and I thought this was just a sharp, attention-maintaining game. Of course, like a previous poster did, I ranked Pyramid at #1 and Password at #3.
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[quote name=\'beatlefreak84\' post=\'130069\' date=\'Sep 1 2006, 01:19 PM\']
The two differences (other than honesty): the lack of specific categories and the lifelines.
Okay; now, I have a question. I know that, at the time, everybody assumed that $64K was fixed (and almost everyone still does), but was there any proof that it was fixed? For example, there was proof that the B-E shows (21, for example) were fixed, and so was Dotto, but I never recall seeing any proof that $64K (or Challenge) was fixed.
I'm just curious because I wonder if the show was actually fixed, or people just assume it was because other like shows were at the time.
Anthony
[/quote]
Steve Carlin on "The American Experience" said that the writers would find out what the contestants knew and tailored the questions accordingly.
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[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'130042\' date=\'Sep 1 2006, 03:09 AM\']
Lingo Finished one point ahead of You Bet Your life. These were two of the last shows I put down. Life at 50 and Lingo two spots higher at 48. So if I had not voted their order would have switched and Life would have been ahead by one point.
And since I had Truth or Consequences a lot higher, Life and Lingo would have finished above it without my votes. Wow just did the math without my 23rd spot for Truth; it would have also fallen one point behind WWW game.
[/quote]
Will you PLEASE stop patting yourself on the back? It's getting extremely annoying.
I had the newer half of the WWW/Challengers in the top 15 on my list. Therefore, I could say that I helped get it to its point. I'd be wrong, but still.
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[quote name=\'beatlefreak84\' post=\'130069\' date=\'Sep 1 2006, 12:19 PM\']
Okay; now, I have a question. I know that, at the time, everybody assumed that $64K was fixed (and almost everyone still does), but was there any proof that it was fixed? For example, there was proof that the B-E shows (21, for example) were fixed, and so was Dotto, but I never recall seeing any proof that $64K (or Challenge) was fixed.
I'm just curious because I wonder if the show was actually fixed, or people just assume it was because other like shows were at the time.
Anthony
[/quote]
Stone and Yohn's book, "Prime Time and Misdemeanors," has a pretty thorough detailing on how the fixing was done for both "Question" and "Challenge," primarily in regard to how contestants were "fed" areas of possible questioning beforehand by the production staffs. Patty Duke, for example, "had been given the questions and answers for each broadcast of the 'Challenge' by [staff member] Shirley Bernstein in the last warm-up just before the show."
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From what I understand, many of the people on $64K had no idea they were being manipulated. And maybe all weren't. However, some of the contestants were called before the same committee checking out Twenty-One, and a few of them spoke of either subtle or direct coaching - Patty Duke, Xavier Cugat, and a few non-celebs producers wanted to keep on. $64's stink level was much lower than Twenty-One's. Twenty-One getting all the headlines made other shows suspect, and it appears the networks did their own in-house checking on many of the others. Around that time, many of the shows were winding down in popularity anyway, so I'm guessing that brushing a lot of the quizzes off the schedules made the networks look good, when in reality they were doing a little sooner what they would have wound up doing later.
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[quote name=\'beatlefreak84\' post=\'130069\' date=\'Sep 1 2006, 12:19 PM\']
Okay; now, I have a question. I know that, at the time, everybody assumed that $64K was fixed (and almost everyone still does), but was there any proof that it was fixed? For example, there was proof that the B-E shows (21, for example) were fixed, and so was Dotto, but I never recall seeing any proof that $64K (or Challenge) was fixed.
[/quote]
Supposedly at least one contestant from "The $64,000 Question" testified before a grand jury that during his screening, some questions were used that were later used with him on the air. I've seen at least one source quote some rather embarrassing testimony of some sort from bandleader Xavier Cugat from when he was a contestant on the show. I don't think culpability against the producers or network was ever proven, but supposedly people close to the show have repeatedly claimed Revlon representatives pressured them to give popular contestants the answers in advance if that's what it took to keep them on the show.
-
The scandals are a reminder that it is a bad idea to let advertisers dictate program content. The execs who are too young to remember that history "are doomed to repeat it."
-
[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'130081\' date=\'Sep 1 2006, 12:56 PM\']
The scandals are a reminder that it is a bad idea to let advertisers dictate program content. The execs who are too young to remember that history "are doomed to repeat it."
[/quote]
Something to think about as the siren song of product placement in all forms of programming continues to wail all over the place.
-
Of course, the classic 64K story is that of Joyce Brothers, who went on the show as a boxing expert. The producers/Revson wanted her out and hauled out the toughest questions to dump her; she sailed right on through.
-
[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'129901\' date=\'Aug 30 2006, 11:33 PM\']Sometimes, though, I think KO was a little too sincere. Some more charisma would have served him better.[/quote]My plussed is non. "Too sincere"? "A little more charisma"?
This from the guy who above all else wants to host a game show...
-
[quote name=\'TLEberle\' post=\'130111\' date=\'Sep 1 2006, 06:00 PM\']
[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'129901\' date=\'Aug 30 2006, 11:33 PM\']Sometimes, though, I think KO was a little too sincere. Some more charisma would have served him better.[/quote]My plussed is non. "Too sincere"? "A little more charisma"?
This from the guy who above all else wants to host a game show...
[/quote]
Yeah, I don't get that either. I'm not saying that Kevin was the best there ever was... that spot is reserved for Laurie Faso. I am just so impressed with his ease at hosting a show that really isn't that much of a cakewalk.
-
[quote name=\'Brandon Brooks\' post=\'130121\' date=\'Sep 1 2006, 10:00 PM\']I'm not saying that Kevin was the best there ever was... that spot is reserved for Laurie Faso. [/quote]
OK, that's sarcasm.
I don't think we can annoint Kevin a Game Show God on the basis of one show that did, after all, fail. Still, it would have been nice to see him tackle a few other shows, and you wonder whether he could have been one of the greats with the right opportunities.
-
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130124\' date=\'Sep 1 2006, 07:29 PM\']I don't think we can annoint Kevin a Game Show God on the basis of one show that did, after all, fail. [/quote]Yeah, the show tanked, but not for lack of a good host. Like Chris said, out of the gate, Kevin was there, in charge, picked up on nuances in the scoring, and he knew how to build up tension. Not "his first few shows were dowright crap, but then he got good toward the end of the run." He was 100% on the ball, wire to wire. Sure, there were things he said that were Duh 101 ("Your strategy is to set a good time." Gee, thanks, Kev...) but the guy looked like he belonged, and had everything going for him. I am completely baffled as to what Jimmy meant in his comments.
-
Potentially belaboring the point, one of the synonyms for sincere is serious. To me, he was too serious. That may be a flaw in the show, though. It was pretty much, let's get down to business and there was no time for fooling around, I didn't get to see more than one side of Kevin's personality. Should I see more tapes?
-
[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'130086\' date=\'Sep 1 2006, 01:22 PM\']
Of course, the classic 64K story is that of Joyce Brothers, who went on the show as a boxing expert. The producers/Revson wanted her out and hauled out the toughest questions to dump her; she sailed right on through.
[/quote]
At least one account I heard suggested this is where the rigging at "The $64,000 Question" actually started, due to Revlon's desperation in wanting to get rid of Dr. Brothers. I don't know how an educated, soft-spoken woman answering even the toughest boxing questions wouldn't be entertaining; maybe she just didn't wear enough makeup to please the sponsor.
-
[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'130151\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 10:52 AM\']At least one account I heard suggested this is where the rigging at "The $64,000 Question" actually started, due to Revlon's desperation in wanting to get rid of Dr. Brothers. [/quote]
In Prime Time and Misdemeanors, Joseph Stone repeatedly makes one troubling insinuation in the Brothers case. The famed boxing writer Nat Fleischer was retained by the producers to write some hard boxing questions. What the producers claim not to have known is that Fleischer was a friend of Brothers' dad. Stone suggests that Fleischer could have been helping Joyce on the sly, though he admits being unable to prove it because he couldn't get Fleischer on the witness stand.
-
[color=\"#009900\"]30 Jackpot (1974-75, 1985-88)[/color]
(943 51/80)
Leave it to Stewart to keep coming up with innovative ideas, like having fifteen contesants all playing together for an entire week. The last Bob Stewart Production on our list until you-know-what.
[color=\"#009900\"]29 Win Ben Stein's Money (1997-2003)[/color][/size]
(963 47/80)(GSN: 27)(TVG: 30)
More than just an ingenious twist to the quiz game, this had tons of smart (and silly) humor masking the challenging questions, and hosts with such good rapport that they won an Emmy together.
[color=\"#009900\"]28 Supermarket Sweep (1965-67, 1990-2004)[/color][/size]
(1063 52/80)(TVG: 50)
The show that would not die. The original was run in actual supermarkets, the long-running cable remake on an eerily realistic set. (I know, I was there.)
[color=\"#009900\"]27 Split Second (1972-75, 1986-87)[/color]
(1074 46/80)
A quiz show that runs at about twice the speed of Jeopardy, this really ought to be a bigger hit than it was. A misguided remake didn't help. Our highest ranked show that was on neither the GSN or TVG lists.
[color=\"#009900\"]26 The Newlywed Game (1966-80, 1984, 1985-89, 1996-98)[/color]
(1337 57/80)(GSN: 9)(TVG: 11)
Once again, a show that the general public immediately recognizes as a classic, but it's only halfway up our list. Chuck Barris continues to take names...
Fewer people visit the Forum on a holiday weekend, so we'll continue with the second half of our list on Tuesday. Still to come, two more shows that GSN didn't have on its list, plus our #51-#100 shows and of course where the accepted favorites ranked.
-
Glad Jackpot made it. Believe it or not, my elementary school did not have a cafateria so we all went home for lunch(on a bus even) A lot of kids watched Jackpot at lunch and discussed the riddles.
Yes Newlywed Game is in the bottom 25, but what a sudden point jump 263 more points than the show before. And more mentions than any show yet.
I know I never really liked any of the classic Barris shows so all three got stuck in the 40s. I know I should have put them higher but not bring myself to do it.
-
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130156\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 11:55 AM\'] Still to come, two more shows that GSN didn't have on its list, [/quote]
I guessing High Rollers and Nickledeon's Double Dare.
-
The results are a compilation of 80 varied opinions so there's no 'right' or 'wrong' -- but you kinda do a Homer 'D'oh!' when you see you've left out shows that place this high.
Of course here, there's a significant West-ern bias toward some shows, another thing I didn't consider. (Sorry, RW)
And the thing is, I saw the original Sweep in the days before handheld cameras.
The 7 that I don't have are below. That leaves me thinking about the 7 I have that won't make it.
The 3 'for-fun' picks I knew had no chance.
There are 3 more that I'm chalking up to simple personal preference:
Russian Roulette, Greed and Hot Potato
But the 7th is the one that makes me go hmmm.....
I'da thunk fer shur that I've Got a Secret would make the list.
-
[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'130161\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 12:17 PM\']
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130156\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 11:55 AM\'] Still to come, two more shows that GSN didn't have on its list, [/quote]
I guessing High Rollers and Nickledoen's Double Dare.
[/quote]
Sounds right to me. Correct me if I'm wrong, that would mean four of the 50 were US cable creations -- DD, WBSM, Lingo and Remote Control. No?
-
[quote name=\'SteveRep\' post=\'130163\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 12:25 PM\']
[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'130161\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 12:17 PM\']
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130156\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 11:55 AM\'] Still to come, two more shows that GSN didn't have on its list, [/quote]
I guessing High Rollers and Nickledoen's Double Dare.
[/quote]
Sounds right to me. Correct me if I'm wrong, that would mean four of the 50 were US cable creations -- DD, WBSM, Lingo and Remote Control. No?
[/quote]
Could Lingo be counted though, since it started in syndication?
-
[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'130164\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 12:35 PM\'][quote name=\'SteveRep\' post=\'130163\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 12:25 PM\']Sounds right to me. Correct me if I'm wrong, that would mean four of the 50 were US cable creations -- DD, WBSM, Lingo and Remote Control. No?[/quote]Could Lingo be counted though, since it started in syndication?[/quote]
Foster's right. If you count Lingo, then you might as well count Supermarket Sweep, or even Whammy. The other three are the only ones in our Top 50 that originated as cable shows.
-
Oops.
Was that an accidental spoiler that Double Dare is upcoming?
-
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130169\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 12:52 PM\']
Foster's right. If you count Lingo, then you might as well count Supermarket Sweep, or even Whammy. The other three are the only ones in our Top 50 that originated as cable shows.
[/quote]
It slipped that there was a Lingo before GSN's made-in-Amsterdam episodes. So I digress.
-
[quote name=\'SteveRep\' post=\'130162\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 12:18 PM\']
But the 7th is the one that makes me go hmmm.....
I'da thunk fer shur that I've Got a Secret would make the list.
[/quote]
I don't know what else you are thinking, but I have I've Got a Secret as one of the 23 shows also on GSN's list.
-
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130156\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 10:55 AM\']
[color=\"#009900\"]30 Jackpot (1974-75, 1985-88)[/color]
(943 51/80)[/quote]
I apologize in advance if I sound nit-picky, but wasn't there a 1989-1990 revival?
-Joe R.
-
Of course here, there's a significant West-ern bias toward some shows, another thing I didn't consider. (Sorry, RW)
Apologies if you are being sarcastic - but if you aren't, this is just ridiculous. I doubt any member of our forum saw "Sweep" on their list and thought "gee, he posts here, better make this higher." If that were the case, then we'd see "Hollywood Game" "Mindreaders" and "Boggle" in the top 50 for similar reasons.
In fact, if the show's announcer was the factor in moving a show up or down your list, I have to question the rationale of your entire ballot. I'm talking in the collective your; I'm not accusing you of doing it Steve, just finding your insuation that people are doing this silly.
-Jason
-
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130156\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 10:55 AM\']
[color=\"#009900\"]27 Split Second (1972-75, 1986-87)[/color]
(1074 46/80)
A quiz show that runs at about twice the speed of Jeopardy, this really ought to be a bigger hit than it was. A misguided remake didn't help. Our highest ranked show that was on neither the GSN or TVG lists.
[/quote]
<Slaps himself on the noodle for not helping it be a bigger hit than it was.>
I knew I was gonna forget a couple, but this is ridiculous. Especially when one of our members carries that moniker.
Doug -- and the countdown to 2200 concludes
-
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130156\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 10:55 AM\']
[color=\"#009900\"]28 Supermarket Sweep (1965-67, 1990-2004)[/color][/size]
(1063 52/80)(TVG: 50)
The show that would not die. The original was run in actual supermarkets, the long-running cable remake on an eerily realistic set. (I know, I was there.)
[/quote]
Does anyone know if there are any copies of the 1960s version floating around? I would love to see this one. I'm betting no producer nor ABC has any copies whatsoever.
[color=\"#009900\"]27 Split Second (1972-75, 1986-87)[/color]
(1074 46/80)
A quiz show that runs at about twice the speed of Jeopardy, this really ought to be a bigger hit than it was. A misguided remake didn't help. Our highest ranked show that was on neither the GSN or TVG lists.
Everyone who included this one give yourselves a pat on the back. Excellent show (at least referring to the Tom Kennedy version).
-
[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'130181\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 02:10 PM\']Does anyone know if there are any copies of the 1960s version [of Supermarket Sweep] floating around? I would love to see this one. I'm betting no producer nor ABC has any copies whatsoever.[/quote]
Several episodes exist in, of all places, the Chicago Museum of Broadcast Communications. I don't know whether there are any at either of the coasts' Museums of T&R
-
[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'130174\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 01:11 PM\']
[quote name=\'SteveRep\' post=\'130162\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 12:18 PM\']
But the 7th is the one that makes me go hmmm.....
I'da thunk fer shur that I've Got a Secret would make the list.
[/quote]
I don't know what else you are thinking, but I have I've Got a Secret as one of the 23 shows also on GSN's list.
[/quote]
I've got 20 locks and 4 others for those other three slots (unless I'm overlooking yet another obvious) -- Blockbusters, Scrabble, Beat the Clock and Secret. TTTT.
I just noticed in Matt's instructions that all of Password (original, Plus and Super) counts as one entry. There's my slipup. I had Password at 4 and Plus/Super at 17.
That means I only have 49 shows on my ballot. Therefore, and it doesn't affect the rankings, I retroactively reinstate College Bowl to #50 on my ballot. :)
-
Q: Was the entire modern run of Sweep done in a studio? It's fuzzy, but I thought I remembered a line in the credits in the early '90s, offering thanks to a particular supermarket for the use of their facilities, or something similar.
-
[quote name=\'Robert Hutchinson\' post=\'130186\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 02:21 PM\']
Q: Was the entire modern run of Sweep done in a studio? It's fuzzy, but I thought I remembered a line in the credits in the early '90s, offering thanks to a particular supermarket for the use of their facilities, or something similar.
[/quote]
I have the first episode of the 90s series. It was Hughes markets that provided the contents of the shelves, but I think it was all taped in a studio, unless a supermarkets has a seating area for at least 100 people.
Does Hughes markets still exist, and it what part of the country did they have most of their stores?
-
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130183\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 02:14 PM\']
[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'130181\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 02:10 PM\']Does anyone know if there are any copies of the 1960s version [of Supermarket Sweep] floating around? I would love to see this one. I'm betting no producer nor ABC has any copies whatsoever.[/quote]
Several episodes exist in, of all places, the Chicago Museum of Broadcast Communications. I don't know whether there are any at either of the coasts' Museums of T&R
[/quote]
NYC's MT&R (which isn't nearly as fun to visit anymore since they cut back their viewing time from two hours to one, yet kept admission prices the same) also has one episode, albeit with very poor sound quality.
--Sam
-
I keep hoping the American syndi Deal or No Deal will borrow a page from the Jackpot! playbook (as well as the UK DOND) and use players who stay for an entire week as the briefcase-holders. Probably not gonna happen, but I can dream.
Am I mistaken in thinking that Split Second is also innovative in that all three players might answer every question?
-
[quote name=\'Clay Zambo\' post=\'130190\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 02:31 PM\']
I keep hoping the American syndi Deal or No Deal will borrow a page from the Jackpot! playbook (as well as the UK DOND) and use players who stay for an entire week as the briefcase-holders. Probably not gonna happen, but I can dream.
[/quote]
I think if there is a syndicated daily DOND, they should use a combination of UK and Aus. elements.
Here is my dream breakdown.
22 Players play for the entire week. A person is chosen by a 3 question quiz. Values range from $.01 to $200,000 (another dream winnings are tax-free). Cases are picked in this style per round 5-4-3-3-2-2-1. Players on the podium get a guess at whats in their case at $500xhow many cases are opened in that round. Even if someone plays the game on Monday, they still open cases, and get a chance at bonuses. Special rule, if a person has already played the game but comes in first on the quiz later in the week, the person gets a $5,000 bonus.
The theme to "On The Cover" is used.
-
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130183\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 01:14 PM\']
[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'130181\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 02:10 PM\']Does anyone know if there are any copies of the 1960s version [of Supermarket Sweep] floating around? I would love to see this one. I'm betting no producer nor ABC has any copies whatsoever.[/quote]
Several episodes exist in, of all places, the Chicago Museum of Broadcast Communications.
[/quote]
The MBC has a brief clip of both versions on their website (www.museum.tv) right now. The black and white clip takes place in a National Food Stores supermarket, which was a major chain in Chicago in the 60s. That local connection may have something to do with their having the episodes in the collection.
-
[quote name=\'rebelwrest\' post=\'130188\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 01:27 PM\']Does Hughes markets still exist, and it what part of the country did they have most of their stores?[/quote]Hughes was in SoCal, and was purchased by Ralphs in the 90's.
-
[quote name=\'rebelwrest\' post=\'130192\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 11:59 AM\']
Here is my dream breakdown.
[/quote]
My IQ dropped fifty points reading this post.
-
The MBC has a brief clip of both versions on their website (www.museum.tv) right now. The black and white clip takes place in a National Food Stores supermarket, which was a major chain in Chicago in the 60s. That local connection may have something to do with their having the episodes in the collection.
Wow. I didn't know the original black and white Supermarket Sweep existed. I wish they were on the trading circuit. I'd like to see a whole episode.
If only I lived in a town where there was a Museum of Television and Radio. I've been to the one in NY and LA. I saw (among other things): The Neighbors (skip it), Magnificent Marble Machine (not the episode on trading circuit), and The Moneymaze (real episode - not pilot.)
-
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'130197\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 03:35 PM\']
[quote name=\'rebelwrest\' post=\'130192\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 11:59 AM\']
Here is my dream breakdown.
[/quote]
My IQ dropped fifty points reading this post.
[/quote]
Well congratulations, now you have the IQ of a network executive (for GSN you have to drop another 50 IQ points)
-
Does anyone know if there are any copies of the 1960s version floating around? I would love to see this one. I'm betting no producer nor ABC has any copies whatsoever.
A few of us have a very, very jumpy copy of one episode, untransferable to DVD. If those interested could get past the detestable tracking, I'll post a clip sometime on PoC.
--Jamie
-
The problem with combining the UK format with Dutch/Aussie guess-the-case elements is that by the time it gets to your go in the chair, you could well be several thousands of dollars up anyway and it really wouldn't matter if your game went badly. And where's the drama in that?
-
[quote name=\'rebelwrest\' post=\'130199\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 12:53 PM\']
Well congratulations, now you have the IQ of a network executive (for GSN you have to drop another 50 IQ points)
[/quote]
And for another 50 on top of that, I could get close to.....ah, never mind. Most of you know where I'm going.
-
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'130232\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 07:28 PM\']
[quote name=\'rebelwrest\' post=\'130199\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 12:53 PM\']
Well congratulations, now you have the IQ of a network executive (for GSN you have to drop another 50 IQ points)
[/quote]
And for another 50 on top of that, I could get close to.....ah, never mind. Most of you know where I'm going.
[/quote]
Cleveland?
-
[quote name=\'Clay Zambo\' post=\'130190\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 01:31 PM\']
Am I mistaken in thinking that Split Second is also innovative in that all three players might answer every question?
[/quote]
In the main game, yes. Each of the 3 players can answer one of the 3 parts of the question, so in theory it can happen, but I highly doubt it did.
However in the Countdown Round, the player who buzzes in first can answer 2 or all 3 parts to the question if they can correctly guess each part of the question. Again, in theory each person *could* each get a chance to correctly answer one part of the question until someone gets to zero and wins the game, but you have a better chance in seeing 2 people going all the way and each winning $1M in the same episode of DonD.
-
Several months back, someone on eBay was selling an original kine film copy of a 60s Supermarket Sweep with a rather steep starting price. I sent Stu Shokus a note on it, hoping he'd be interested. There were no takers by the expiration date. Might be worth a look to see if it's back up. By the way, was that National Food Store in the Chicago episode the chain whose sign has the name National with three small stars underneath, and it's shaped like the traditional Goodyear sign? They were around West Michigan as well in them golden olden days...
-
My IQ dropped fifty points reading this post.
You're an evil genius; you've got plenty of IQ points left.
-
In Prime Time and Misdemeanors, Joseph Stone repeatedly makes one troubling insinuation in the Brothers case. The famed boxing writer Nat Fleischer was retained by the producers to write some hard boxing questions. What the producers claim not to have known is that Fleischer was a friend of Brothers' dad. Stone suggests that Fleischer could have been helping Joyce on the sly, though he admits being unable to prove it because he couldn't get Fleischer on the witness stand.
Watch the episode of the PBS documentary "The American Experience" that deals with the quiz scandal. Listen to Mert Koplin describe how Dr. Brothers became a contestant. The way he tells it, Joyce lit up when he mentioned the category of boxing. Hmmm, wonder why. Then listen to Sonny Fox describe how they tried to knock her off with a question not about boxers but about referees. That Joyce knew who Tex Rickert was in my mind supports Judge Stone's insinuations. Just my opinion, of course.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/quizshow/film...ript/index.html (http://\"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/quizshow/filmmore/transcript/index.html\")
-
[quote name=\'TimK2003\' post=\'130241\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 09:01 PM\']
[quote name=\'Clay Zambo\' post=\'130190\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 01:31 PM\']
Am I mistaken in thinking that Split Second is also innovative in that all three players might answer every question?
[/quote]
In the main game, yes. Each of the 3 players can answer one of the 3 parts of the question, so in theory it can happen, but I highly doubt it did.[/quote]
I'm pretty sure Clay meant that each of the three contestants could answer any given question, not that every single player would answer every single part of every single question, which of course would be all but impossible.
The other example that springs to mind of three players all being allowed to answer and score on the same question would be Press Your Luck. You've also got other shows, like 50 Grand Slam or the Fast Money round on Family Feud, where more than one player is answering the same questions, just at different times.
And then there's 1 vs 100.
-
Don't forget 100%!! Or, be like the rest of America, and do forget it.
-Jason
-
[quote name=\'chris319\' post=\'130252\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 09:03 PM\']
Watch the episode of the PBS documentary "The American Experience" that deals with the quiz scandal. Listen to Mert Koplin describe how Dr. Brothers became a contestant. The way he tells it, Joyce lit up when he mentioned the category of boxing. Hmmm, wonder why. Then listen to Sonny Fox describe how they tried to knock her off with a question not about boxers but about referees. That Joyce knew who Tex Rickert was in my mind supports Judge Stone's insinuations. Just my opinion, of course.
[/quote]
The whole Fleischer-Brothers connection does raise some interesting questions. But Stone also admitted that boxing (compared to, say, baseball) was a sport with a much smaller range of vital facts and statistics "and someone as intelligent and methodical as Brothers could have mastered it all in a matter of weeks." It certainly doesn't answer how she knew the Rickert question but to me, it doesn't make it an impossibility, either.
-
[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'130239\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 08:51 PM\']
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'130232\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 07:28 PM\']
[quote name=\'rebelwrest\' post=\'130199\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 12:53 PM\']
Well congratulations, now you have the IQ of a network executive (for GSN you have to drop another 50 IQ points)
[/quote]
And for another 50 on top of that, I could get close to.....ah, never mind. Most of you know where I'm going.
[/quote]
Cleveland?
[/quote]
Now do you feel like a bigger person for having said that?
Mike Klauss, you and I are road-tripping to Green Bay or Door County, Wisconsin.
-
[quote name=\'SamJ93\' post=\'130189\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 01:27 PM\']
NYC's MT&R (which isn't nearly as fun to visit anymore since they cut back their viewing time from two hours to one, yet kept admission prices the same) also has one episode, albeit with very poor sound quality.
[/quote]
That's too bad. I was going to go while I was in NY last week, but plans got changed.
For those of you who are West Coasters, is it that way in Beverly Hills now as well?
Doug
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[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'130257\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 11:57 PM\'][quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'130239\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 08:51 PM\']Cleveland?[/quote]
Now do you feel like a bigger person for having said that?
Mike Klauss, you and I are road-tripping to Green Bay or Door County, Wisconsin.[/quote]
Yes, we are. You supply the faux-wood paneled station wagon, I'll bring oodles of Temptation as well as crackers for that delicious Wisconsin cheese.
And then we can go to Seattle to try Chris' Old Fashioned Gazpacho. I'll bring some Glade for the ride home.
-
And then we can go to Seattle to try Chris' Old Fashioned Gazpacho.
Old fashioned meaning it was made in 1994, not to be confused with old-style.
-
[quote name=\'chris319\' post=\'130262\' date=\'Sep 2 2006, 10:18 PM\']
And then we can go to Seattle to try Chris' Old Fashioned Gazpacho.
Old fashioned meaning it was made in 1994, not to be confused with old-style.
[/quote]
It's like a fine wine. It gets better with age.
/So does soap, but I wouldn't eat that either.
-
[quote name=\'chris319\' post=\'130262\' date=\'Sep 3 2006, 12:18 AM\']
And then we can go to Seattle to try Chris' Old Fashioned Gazpacho.
Old fashioned meaning it was made in 1994, not to be confused with old-style.
[/quote]
Forget the gazpacho, I'll just have an old-fashioned.
-
Belated thanks to Kniwt for that great WWorW audio clip. Any idea what year that's from? I note it's a different theme song than the one on the episode that's been floating around for years.
-
[quote name=\'ChrisLambert!\' post=\'130277\' date=\'Sep 3 2006, 01:18 PM\']
Belated thanks to Kniwt for that great WWorW audio clip. Any idea what year that's from?
[/quote]
Thanks! I can't place it exactly, but it's likely from sometime in 1971-1973 (since I didn't move into the area until mid-1971). The funky theme music at the end happened because (and it's scary I remember this), WCKT Miami -- which used to be NBC before it became WSVN Fox -- aired WWW one day delayed from the rest of the nation (and Friday episodes the following Monday), and they played their own copy of the theme at the end so as not to air NBC's coming-up promos that, by the time WCKT aired them, were outdated.
Hope this helps.
-
The 7 that I don't have are below. That leaves me thinking about the 7 I have that won't make it.
I'm wondering too...I had what you could call a couple of "fringe" shows from the late '80s-early '90s which I kind of liked, but I knew probably weren't going to make it...but I had a few other shows that weren't that long-running, but I know they have their fans. I was thinking most of them had a good shot of making it, but now I'm starting to think they'll be left off.
If you go back to Matt's first post in this thread, he mentions that our top show that wasn't on GSN's list was No. 23. I guess I shouldn't say what I think that is...but we'll know soon about the others. As soon as that show's revealed, I'll state what I'm a little surprised didn't make it.
-
27 Split Second (1972-75, 1986-87)
(1074 46/80)
Everyone who included this one give yourselves a pat on the back. Excellent show (at least referring to the Tom Kennedy version).
I had it...and I think I had it exactly at 27. I really enjoyed this show as a kid...it's too bad there aren't more than 2 episodes of it around.
Thanks! I can't place it exactly, but it's likely from sometime in 1971-1973 (since I didn't move into the area until mid-1971). The funky theme music at the end happened because (and it's scary I remember this), WCKT Miami -- which used to be NBC before it became WSVN Fox -- aired WWW one day delayed from the rest of the nation (and Friday episodes the following Monday), and they played their own copy of the theme at the end so as not to air NBC's coming-up promos that, by the time WCKT aired them, were outdated.
If it's any help, I've figured out that the episode in the trade curcuit is from Dec. 1970. A few things Art James says about upcoming dates and stuff has helped narrow it down.
-
Even though it seems to have been forgotten several posts ago, the Naitonal Supermarkets in Chicago had the same logo back in the 60s as the one in Michigan described.
There are several other "SS" shows in the MBC when it reopens--it's because David Susskind's estate donated his archives to the museum and "SS" was produced by Al Howard as an employee of Susskind's production company. Since Susskind was known for somewhat more high-toned television than "SS," the critics at the time had a field day over this show.
-
And now, the second half of our collective efforts.
[color=\"#009900\"]25 Double Dare (1986-2000)(In one form or another...)[/b][/color]
(1369 54/80)(TVG: 29)
The kids' game that practically defined the kids' network for a generation of kids. How did GSN miss this?
[color=\"#009900\"]24 Beat the Clock (1950-61, 1969-74, 1979-80, 2002)[/b][/color]
(1579 62/80)(GSN: 35)(TVG: 23)
One of the first game shows to take advantage of the 'vision' part of 'television.' Bud Collyer kept things moving, and lovely Roxanne was the Vanna of her day. (Dolls have been made of both of them!)
[color=\"#009900\"]23 High Rollers (1974-76, 1978-80, 1987-88)[/color]
(1602 68/80)(TVG: 39)
Hardly anybody had this dice game in their top twenty, but so many people had it somewhere on their list that it almost made it to Top-20 status anyway. As some of you guessed, our highest-ranked show that didn't make the GSN list at all.
[color=\"#009900\"]22 Blockbusters (1980-82, 1987)[/color]
(1821 66/80)(GSN: 48)
The shortest-lived show of any in the Top-25, again we reward an interesting game as opposed to a successful show. The first of eight in the Top-25 that were hosted at one time or another by Bill Cullen.
[color=\"#009900\"]21 I've Got A Secret (1952-67, 1972-73, 1976, 2000-02, present)[/color]
(1938 64/80)(GSN: 21)(TVG: 27)
The oft-remade panel show with one of the simplest and most flexible formats in history. Panelists have included such TV icons as Lucille Ball, Johnny Carson, Carol Burnett and Jermaine Taylor.
-
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130437\' date=\'Sep 5 2006, 07:33 PM\']
Panelists have included such TV icons as Lucille Ball, Johnny Carson, Carol Burnett and Jermaine Taylor.
[/quote]
I lol'd.
-
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130437\' date=\'Sep 5 2006, 09:33 PM\']
The first of eight in the Top-25 that were hosted at one time or another by Bill Cullen.
[/quote]
If Blockbuster is the first Cullen show in the top 25, is I've Got a Secret the second?
-
Well, 3 of these 5 are pretty comparable with where I had them in my list, the exceptions being BB and HR. Those two ended up being in the 30's for me. Nonetheless, I felt both had great formats, and weren't on the air as long as they should have been. HR I think would be an especially great candidate for a present-day revival, with the whole Las Vegas rush still going strong, and an easy to follow format supporting that thought...
As for the 7 remaining Cullen shows? Hmm, Pyramid, TPIR, TJW, Password (Plus that is, if you're counting when he subbed), TTTT (subbed again), Hot Potato, and Eye Guess, I guess?? ;)
-
[quote name=\'wheelloon\' post=\'130447\' date=\'Sep 5 2006, 10:43 PM\']
As for the 7 remaining Cullen shows?
[/quote]
I somehow doubt Hot Potato even made the top 75.
-
[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'130442\' date=\'Sep 5 2006, 11:07 PM\']
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130437\' date=\'Sep 5 2006, 09:33 PM\']
The first of eight in the Top-25 that were hosted at one time or another by Bill Cullen.
[/quote]
If Blockbuster is the first Cullen show in the top 25, is I've Got a Secret the second?
[/quote]
Yes he hosted the CBS summer 1976 prime time run. I remeber watching it.
-
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'129596\' date=\'Aug 29 2006, 10:20 AM\']
A sampling of hosts and the number of their shows included in the top 50:
Bill Cullen: 9
Wink Martindale: 2
[/quote]
Hmmm Gambit, the 1987-1988 run of High Rollers.
Did Matt forget Martindale hosted High Rollers or did we leave off Tic Tac Dough?
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[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'130456\' date=\'Sep 6 2006, 03:04 AM\']Did Matt forget Martindale hosted High Rollers or did we leave off Tic Tac Dough?
[/quote]
Nah, he listed it as
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'129596\' date=\'Aug 29 2006, 10:20 AM\']Patrick Wayne: 1
[/quote]
(I somehow doubt that version, ranked separately, would have even made the top 200.)
-
[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'130456\' date=\'Sep 6 2006, 03:04 AM\']Did Matt forget Martindale hosted High Rollers or did we leave off Tic Tac Dough?[/quote]
The former, but I claim extenuating circumstances. I wasn't doing those counts from memory, I used the Encyclopedia of TV Game Shows. Strangely, High Rollers isn't listed among Wink's credits in the Name Index (see for yourself, page 367). It's listed everywhere else, including the Game Show Personalities Index, and of course I know that he hosted the syndicated revivial, but in my haste I just assumed the EOTVGS index would be complete.
-
23 High Rollers (1974-76, 1978-80, 1987-88)
(1602 68/80)(TVG: 39)
Hardly anybody had this dice game in their top twenty, but so many people had it somewhere on their list that it almost made it to Top-20 status anyway. As some of you guessed, our highest-ranked show that didn't make the GSN list at all.
Count me among the few that had it in the top 20. Unless I've missed something somewhere along the way, that means Celebrity Sweepstakes didn't make it into our top 50. Since this show has never been repeated or revived, and there could be only two episodes that exist, I guess I can understand how this one missed. But it did have a three-year run in the mid '70s and seems to be fondly remembered by a lot of us. I always considered it an under-rated gem.
I also thought Battlestars and Bullseye might have outside shots of maybe the lower part of our list, but partly because of the great sets and effects maybe more than the game play. That always drew me in!
-
[quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' post=\'130463\' date=\'Sep 6 2006, 07:54 AM\']
Unless I've missed something somewhere along the way, that means Celebrity Sweepstakes didn't make it into our top 50. [/quote]
Darn.
I've only seen one or two episodes, but it seems like a neat game...much better then some of the other trash that has appeared on the list already.
-
[quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' post=\'130463\' date=\'Sep 6 2006, 07:54 AM\']
Count me among the few that had it in the top 20. [/quote]
Me too, I had High Rollers at #14. I knew when Matt mentioned one show on everyone's list (up to that point anyway) wouldn't make GSN's list that it was HR.
Unless I've missed something somewhere along the way, that means Celebrity Sweepstakes didn't make it into our top 50. Since this show has never been repeated or revived, and there could be only two episodes that exist, I guess I can understand how this one missed. But it did have a three-year run in the mid '70s and seems to be fondly remembered by a lot of us. I always considered it an under-rated gem.
Me too, I sure wish someone had collected "zingers" from the show while it was still on. It was every bit as "zinger" worthy as The Hollywood Squares and Break the Bank. Here's one I remember from the NBC run.
Jim McKrell: According to Billy Graham, what's the only place that's bigger than Hell?
while celebrities are writing their answers
Buddy Hackett: Totie Fields' (expletive deleted)!
Quite possibly one of daytime TV's longest laughs, McKrell had difficulty prompting the contestants to hold up their guesses.
-
[quote name=\'Modor\' post=\'130467\' date=\'Sep 6 2006, 09:31 AM\']
[quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' post=\'130463\' date=\'Sep 6 2006, 07:54 AM\']
Unless I've missed something somewhere along the way, that means Celebrity Sweepstakes didn't make it into our top 50. [/quote]
Darn.
I've only seen one or two episodes, but it seems like a neat game...much better then some of the other trash that has appeared on the list already.
[/quote]
Mark, Celebrity Sweepstakes was a neat show, and the set was cool. Carol Wayne who was also "The Tea Time Movie Lady" on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and did guest roles on shows like I Dream of Jeannie, as Bootsie Nightingale a movie star , and on Bewitched as a Playboy bunny that Uncle Arthur accidentally conjured up for Tabitha's birthday.
Wayne was married to Burt Sugarman (he's now Married to Mary Hart of Entertainment Tonight), who produced Celebrity Sweepstakes and later Whew! with Tom Kennedy. After her divorce and Carson shrunk his show to an hour,reducing her airtime, she appeared less often on TV except for a week on Battlestars, and later posed for Playboy in February 1984.
Sadly, her last years were nothing but a life of booze and cocaine, which wiped out her funds. Richard Pryor offered to help her out with a role in the then upcoming filem Brewster's Millions with him and John Candy,but unfortunately, she drowned in January 1985 off Manzanillo,Mexico at the age of 42.
-
So far from this list, I completely forgot "Gong Show," "You Bet Your Life," and "Remote Control" (not sure if they would've made my list anyway), never saw "College Bowl" or "Truth or Consequences" (though I don't feel it'd change my opinion of them too terribly much), and deliberately did not include "Weakest Link," "Deal or No Deal," "Dating Game" and the 50s big money quizzes.
I had "Sweepstakes" somewhere in the 40s, and it's a shame it didn't make it. Another show it seems we won't get is "Big Showdown" which falls into the same category as "Sweepstakes" as having very little exposure or surviving episodes to go on. Maybe not every show was as competitive and as fun a game as the existing show, but looking at that I saw it being a very entertaining and engaging fast quiz in the same vein as "Sale of the Century."
-Jason
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[quote name=\'JasonA1\' post=\'130472\' date=\'Sep 6 2006, 10:05 AM\']I had "Sweepstakes" somewhere in the 40s, and it's a shame it didn't make it. Another show it seems we won't get is "Big Showdown" which falls into the same category as "Sweepstakes" as having very little exposure or surviving episodes to go on. Maybe not every show was as competitive and as fun a game as the existing show, but looking at that I saw it being a very entertaining and engaging fast quiz in the same vein as "Sale of the Century."[/quote]
Without giving too terribly much away (though there really aren't surprises from this point on), you've really hit on what I said at the top about our age bias. Some very-good-but-not-classic shows from the 80s made our list (some quite high) while some very-good-but-not-classic shows from the seventies didn't. And certainly part of that is exposure, both in terms of age and in terms of what has survived to be seen. Of course, having said that, I'm one of the oldest ones here, I remember both shows vividly and neither one made my personal Top 50.
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[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'130469\' date=\'Sep 6 2006, 08:54 AM\']
Jim McKrell: According to Billy Graham, what's the only place that's bigger than Hell?
while celebrities are writing their answers
Buddy Hackett: Totie Fields' (expletive deleted)!
[/quote]
Thank you, thank you for the Totie Fields reference! I did have "Celebrity Sweepstakes" on my list, partly because I was running short of ideas, but it was a unique game, and it did have a distinctive panel, what with Alan Sues and Carol Wayne.
It came down to that and "High Rollers." I kind of thought "High Rollers" was flawed because they seldom (at least as I remember) risked rolling if there were any bad rolls. What good is a gambling game if they never gamble. I never liked the three columns because that didn't seem to help, and it seemed like it mucked up the game. It was aesthetically purer with a prize (or 1/2 car) for each digit.
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[quote name=\'Neumms\' post=\'130484\' date=\'Sep 6 2006, 11:10 AM\']
[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'130469\' date=\'Sep 6 2006, 08:54 AM\']
Jim McKrell: According to Billy Graham, what's the only place that's bigger than Hell?
while celebrities are writing their answers
Buddy Hackett: Totie Fields' (expletive deleted)!
[/quote]
Thank you, thank you for the Totie Fields reference! I did have "Celebrity Sweepstakes" on my list, partly because I was running short of ideas, but it was a unique game, and it did have a distinctive panel, what with Alan Sues and Carol Wayne.
It came down to that and "High Rollers." I kind of thought "High Rollers" was flawed because they seldom (at least as I remember) risked rolling if there were any bad rolls. What good is a gambling game if they never gamble. I never liked the three columns because that didn't seem to help, and it seemed like it mucked up the game. It was aesthetically purer with a prize (or 1/2 car) for each digit.
[/quote]
I always liked the columns, because it allowed for a different strategy than "knock off as many numbers as you can" in the front game--instead, you were trying to knock off the numbers to either clear a column or loosen up a column.
Of course, in the end it was still take the roll at the start, pass it when there's more than one bad number, but that's an inherent flaw that couldn't be corrected. Yeah, you could've had some big gamblers, but if you lucked into both halves of the big prize on the first version or clearing a column with a nice trip on the second version, I wouldn't want to be the big gambler and risk losing them.
-
With only the top 20 to go, I want to thank Matt for coming up with the idea and doing all the work in compiling the lists. Must have been a lot of work but worth it.
Any list that includes Jackpot, Now You See It, High Rollers, and Gambit (and Whew! even though in the end I could not find a spot for it) is worth it in my book.
I know he was somewhat disappointed by the response. But 80 is a good number, and as I pointed out using my own choices there were many places where every vote counted. (I only used my own because that is all I had)
In the end I had 41 out of 50 on my list. Celebrity Sweepstakes and Battlestars were on mine. I loved Battlestars especially. The one I wish had ecked in was Liar's Club, which I had at 20, even though I had it below TTTT and Line, it was my favorite of the panel shows. I loved the descriptions of the various objects, and somehow the lies were even fun when you knew what the item was.
BTW the Matt I don't think you are that much older than me, although since I watched your early cable show when was I in undergrad you are probably are older.
-
Unless I've missed something somewhere along the way, that means Celebrity Sweepstakes didn't make it into our top 50.
That's a major downer. Call me crazy, but CS was this 24 year old's #10 show. Ah well.
--Jamie
-
I don't expect people to vote on things they haven't seen, so I knew a lot of my '70's faves (CelebSwp, Big Showdown, Money Maze, etc.) wouldn't make the list. What might be fun would be to break down the list by demographics. Younger (under 40) voters vs. older. Males vs. females, etc.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130461\' date=\'Sep 6 2006, 08:07 AM\']
[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'130456\' date=\'Sep 6 2006, 03:04 AM\']Did Matt forget Martindale hosted High Rollers or did we leave off Tic Tac Dough?[/quote]
The former, but I claim extenuating circumstances. I wasn't doing those counts from memory, I used the Encyclopedia of TV Game Shows. Strangely, High Rollers isn't listed among Wink's credits in the Name Index (see for yourself, page 367). It's listed everywhere else, including the Game Show Personalities Index, and of course I know that he hosted the syndicated revivial, but in my haste I just assumed the EOTVGS index would be complete.
[/quote]
That's ok. I just noticed the error because over the weekend I was trying to use the list on page one to confirm my guesses for the remaining 25, including High Rollers. I then realized Martindale had two without Rollers. And if you counted when Trebek substituted for Chuck on Wheel of Fortune you could get Alex to five without Rollers. So I went back to the TV Guide list to see what else was there but not on GSN's list and saw the only other realisitic possibility was Liars' Club, which I had at 20, so got a little excited Liars made it anyway. But alas no.
I know I was overthinking the whole exercise.
-
I know the feeling - as I compare this to my list, most of the ones (especially lower) on my list that aren't on here are 70s ... or MUCH earlier.
It's hell to be old, as my mother used to say.
-
That's a major downer. Call me crazy, but CS was this 24 year old's #10 show. Ah well.
It was in my Top 10 too!
I know the feeling - as I compare this to my list, most of the ones (especially lower) on my list that aren't on here are 70s ... or MUCH earlier.
A lot of it comes down to exposure. I thought of another that apparantly isn't on our list: You Don't Say. I'll admit I didn't have that one either, but realized after I submitted my list that I probably should have put it there somewhere. I'm a tad too young to remember the original, and I only saw the '70s remake a few times when it was on. Since then, I've only seen the 7 or so episodes in the trade curcuit, so it didn't leave a big impression on me - although I quite enjoy the '70s episodes.
I think that must be the longest-running show not to make our list. Odd that it didn't make GSN's either. I'm thinking that was the Kennedy show that finished 51st.
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[quote name=\'BobbyLankford_83\' post=\'130470\' date=\'Sep 6 2006, 09:04 AM\']
Mark, Celebrity Sweepstakes was a neat show, and the set was cool. [/quote]
Yes, I know. That's why I ranked it 45th, though I now wish I had ranked it higher.
I only had four post-1990 shows on my list. I have a hunch that only one will make it.
Gee, I wonder which one.
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[quote name=\'uncamark\' post=\'130486\' date=\'Sep 6 2006, 11:19 AM\']
I always liked the columns, because it allowed for a different strategy than "knock off as many numbers as you can" in the front game--instead, you were trying to knock off the numbers to either clear a column or loosen up a column.
Of course, in the end it was still take the roll at the start, pass it when there's more than one bad number, but that's an inherent flaw that couldn't be corrected. Yeah, you could've had some big gamblers, but if you lucked into both halves of the big prize on the first version or clearing a column with a nice trip on the second version, I wouldn't want to be the big gambler and risk losing them.
[/quote]
I just dubbed an episode to DVD and it occurred to me that they could have given contestants more incentive to roll than pass if they spotted them an insurance marker to start each round. It's still a fun show to watch-I'd love to see a revival of it so long as they didn't screw it up and let people roll only 1 die or something... how about 3 dice? Oh the possibilities! Have four columns with 1 to 12?
To Mr. Ottinger: if respondents with the GSF included their age, you could make results based on age brackets... just to see if the Seniors ranked things different from the Juniors!
Matt
(who is old enough to think of Double Dare as the Trebek version unless otherwise noted!!)
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[quote name=\'mcsittel\' post=\'130519\' date=\'Sep 6 2006, 03:12 PM\']
It's still a fun show to watch-I'd love to see a revival of it so long as they didn't screw it up and let people roll only 1 die or something...
[/quote]
I am appalled. (http://\"http://gameshow.ipbhost.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=5287&view=findpost&p=54750\") :)
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[color=\"#009900\"]20 Scrabble (1984-90, 1993)[/color]
(2027 67/80)(GSN: 29)(TVG: 40)
A great, rare example of a show that was improved by its on-air tweaks (though the 'mosquito' blooper is still funny). Also the highest-rated show on our list to have had only one regular host.
[color=\"#009900\"]19 Name That Tune (1953-59, 1974-81, 1984-85)[/color]
(2053 74/80)(GSN: 17)(TVG: 26)
There have been other music identification games (I personally think the British Keynotes is the best) but this is the one that outlasted them all. "I can name that tune in X notes" doesn't get mentioned alongside the classic catch phrases, but everybody knows it.
[color=\"#009900\"]18 Tic Tac Dough (1956-59, 1978-86, 1990-91)[/color]
(2114 74/80)(GSN: 32)
The Joker's Wild was a nice comeback for Barry-Enright, but not nearly as impressive a feat as the successful relaunch of one of their actual rigged shows. Though not nearly the media sensation that Ken Jennings became, Thom McKee gave this show some juice at just the right time.
[color=\"#009900\"]
17 Let's Make A Deal (1963-77, 1980-81, 1984-86, 1990-91, 2003)[/color]
(2341 71/80)(GSN: 7)(TVG: 18)
At some point, after all the Billy Bushes and Ricki Lakes get through with it, we'll all realize that this show is Monty Hall, Monty Hall is this show, and no one should ever try to remake it ever again.
[color=\"#009900\"]16 Sale of the Century (1969-74, 1983-89)[/color]
(2359 70/80 including 2 First Place votes)(GSN: 34)(TVG: 41)
Another game we give more credit to than most, since behind all the flash and dazzle of the prizes was a pretty sharp fast-paced quiz. Jim Perry ruled.
-
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130566\' date=\'Sep 6 2006, 10:10 PM\']
[color=\"#009900\"]
17 Let's Make A Deal (1963-77, 1980-81, 1984-86, 1990-91, 2003)[/color]
(2341 71/80)(GSN: 7)(TVG: 18)
At some point, after all the Billy Bushes and Ricki Lakes get through with it,
we'll all realize that this show is Monty Hall, Monty Hall is this show, and no one should ever try to remake it ever again.
[/quote]
If you're going to throw Billy and Ricki under the bus, you might as well include Mark DeCarlo!
Yeah, "Big Deal" was quite a stretch from Monty's incarnations of a tried and true format, but Pat Finn's version of "Joker's Wild" wasn't quite the game we all knew & loved either (Definitions!??).
-
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130566\' date=\'Sep 6 2006, 11:10 PM\']
[color=\"#009900\"]16 Sale of the Century (1969-74, 1983-89)[/color]
(2359 70/80 including 2 First Place votes)(GSN: 34)(TVG: 41)
[/quote]
And I've got a feeling I know where at least one of those first place votes came from.
-
I'll make a motion that the DeCarlo LMAD be referred to as "Big Freakin' Deal."
-
I'm on vacation and am just now catching up with #s 25-16. The only question about the ones that are left is where they'll end up.
And, I'm somewhat surprised that we have yet to reach a show that appeared somewhere on all 80 ballots.
-
I am also surprsied we have not had a show with 80 votes yet, one show in particular.
You know with Matt's comments about the group weighing towards 80s shows I am somewhat surprised that Win, Lose or Draw appears almost certain to have not made the list. It had a decent run on both network and sydnicated and was somewhat popular at the time.
-
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130566\' date=\'Sep 6 2006, 10:10 PM\']
[color=\"#009900\"]20 Scrabble (1984-90, 1993)[/color]
(2027 67/80)(GSN: 29)(TVG: 40)
A great, rare example of a show that was improved by its on-air tweaks (though the 'mosquito' blooper is still funny). Also the highest-rated show on our list to have had only one regular host.
[/quote]
Didn't Steve Edwards host a syndicated version right after the first NBC run, or did that not make it past pilot?
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[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'130595\' date=\'Sep 7 2006, 10:11 AM\']
You know with Matt's comments about the group weighing towards 80s shows I am somewhat surprised that Win, Lose or Draw appears almost certain to have not made the list. It had a decent run on both network and sydnicated and was somewhat popular at the time.
[/quote]
This kind of surprises me, too. It was a great game with a totally original setting and feel. Also, I noted on my ballot that Vicki Lawrence was (at least as I recall) a very good host, and the longest running female host, at least until Meredith.
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[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'130595\' date=\'Sep 7 2006, 10:11 AM\']
I am also surprsied we have not had a show with 80 votes yet, one show in particular.
[/quote]
Me too, and I'm surprised it wasn't Let's Make a Deal.
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[quote name=\'Neumms\' post=\'130600\' date=\'Sep 7 2006, 10:53 AM\']
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130566\' date=\'Sep 6 2006, 10:10 PM\']
[color=\"#009900\"]20 Scrabble (1984-90, 1993)[/color]
(2027 67/80)(GSN: 29)(TVG: 40)
A great, rare example of a show that was improved by its on-air tweaks (though the 'mosquito' blooper is still funny). Also the highest-rated show on our list to have had only one regular host.
[/quote]
Didn't Steve Edwards host a syndicated version right after the first NBC run, or did that not make it past pilot?
[/quote]
It didn't make it past pilot.
-
[quote name=\'uncamark\' post=\'130605\' date=\'Sep 7 2006, 11:33 AM\']
[quote name=\'Neumms\' post=\'130600\' date=\'Sep 7 2006, 10:53 AM\']
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130566\' date=\'Sep 6 2006, 10:10 PM\']
[color=\"#009900\"]20 Scrabble (1984-90, 1993)[/color]
(2027 67/80)(GSN: 29)(TVG: 40)
A great, rare example of a show that was improved by its on-air tweaks (though the 'mosquito' blooper is still funny). Also the highest-rated show on our list to have had only one regular host.
[/quote]
Didn't Steve Edwards host a syndicated version right after the first NBC run, or did that not make it past pilot?
[/quote]
It didn't make it past pilot.
[/quote]
I recall seeing an ad in a trade publication for the show, but, yes, it never went forward.
-
I couldn't bring myself to vote for Tic Tac Dough. The questions are just too aggressively easy. I don't remember how I felt about it when it first aired and I was younger, but watching reruns today is almost physically painful. The "avoid the dragon" bonus game was both a blatant rip-off of The Joker's Wild "beat the devil" game and also lacked any tension whatsoever. It just doesn't add up to a game that holds up well.
I'd say the same for The Joker's Wild-- the quiz show with the easiest questions of all time-- but in the end I voted for it just on the strength of the slot machine gimmick. Slot machines = fun.
-
I ranked 'em 40th and 41st...solely because of longevity...not because of game quality.
-
I put TTD 49 solely because of it success as well.
The Joker's Wild is a different question. I loved it as a kid maybe because the question were not that dificult.
-
I think SOTC may be the top one on here that isn't on my list (unless Whistle or Lose It got a lot more votes than I expected).
Granted, I never saw the Jim Perry version; either our station didn't carry it or I was doing something else. But I never was that excited about the Jack Kelly version which is the only one I remember.
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[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'130637\' date=\'Sep 7 2006, 04:56 PM\']
I think SOTC may be the top one on here that isn't on my list (unless Whistle or Lose It got a lot more votes than I expected).
Granted, I never saw the Jim Perry version; either our station didn't carry it or I was doing something else. But I never was that excited about the Jack Kelly version which is the only one I remember.
[/quote]
I must say that I'm surprised Sale didn't make the top 10. Always was one of my favorites, and IMO (at least the Perry version, since I wasn't around for the original) was one of the better game shows on television (the final season and the WBMG not withstanding).
-
Wow. Peter Sarrett, we are of similar thought, sir. Only I found myself having to put TTD on my list, lest it be usurped by shows that really didn't have much to say as a "Greatest Game Show of All Time." Basically, I fall into the same camp as the others who responded to you in that TTD had to be on the list someplace because of its success.
TTD ranked as low as it could on my list, though - at least TJW had SOME thought provoking questions, as well as the values determined by the slots to vary it up.
-Jason
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[quote name=\'SteveRep\' post=\'130588\' date=\'Sep 7 2006, 09:04 AM\']And, I'm somewhat surprised that we have yet to reach a show that appeared somewhere on all 80 ballots.[/quote]
Prepare to be astonished, then. NO show appeared on all 80 ballots.
It's really not all that surprising, though. Out of the eighty, I'd say we probably had five that were just...weird. They were weird in different ways, though, and between them, every single show got skipped at one point or another. Also, some people may have accidentally forgotten a show, others may have left a famous one out to make a statement.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130649\' date=\'Sep 7 2006, 05:41 PM\']
Prepare to be astonished, then. NO show appeared on all 80 ballots.
[/quote]
Will it give too much away to tell us the largest number of ballots backing up one show, without giving away the show?
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[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'130650\' date=\'Sep 7 2006, 06:49 PM\']
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130649\' date=\'Sep 7 2006, 05:41 PM\']
Prepare to be astonished, then. NO show appeared on all 80 ballots.
[/quote]
Will it give too much away to tell us the largest number of ballots backing up one show, without giving away the show?[/quote]
I'm away from my stuff, but I'm pretty sure several shows had 79 and several more had 78. Like I said, just a few oddities.
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[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'130637\' date=\'Sep 7 2006, 03:56 PM\']
But I never was that excited about the Jack Kelly version which is the only one I remember.
[/quote]
EXACTLY the same reason it didn't make my list. Even as a kid, I remember thinking he was the Creepiest. Host. Ever.
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Another note about Tic Tac Dough's poor quality: in the Thom McKee episode shown during GSN's top 50 countdown, the answers to two back-to-back questions in the same category were the same (I think the answer was The Count of Monte Cristo). McKee's opponent seemed to get the second question wrong because he didn't think the same answer would appear twice, let alone twice in a row.
That's poor, unfair writing / editing.
-
I'd say the same for The Joker's Wild-- the quiz show with the easiest questions of all time-- but in the end I voted for it just on the strength of the slot machine gimmick. Slot machines = fun.
I always liked Joker's Wild much better than Tic Tac Dough. Joker was in my top 10, where TTD was in the 40s for me. I even had Bullseye between them!
It's true that the questions were pretty easy in the syndicated years, but it didn't start out that way. I'm slowly starting to convert my collection to DVD, and in watching some CBS episodes recently the questions were really quite difficult on those early episodes. I'd love to have seen more of the CBS run to see if they were noticably easier by the end of it.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130657\' date=\'Sep 7 2006, 07:00 PM\']
[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'130650\' date=\'Sep 7 2006, 06:49 PM\']
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130649\' date=\'Sep 7 2006, 05:41 PM\']
Prepare to be astonished, then. NO show appeared on all 80 ballots.
[/quote]
Will it give too much away to tell us the largest number of ballots backing up one show, without giving away the show?[/quote]
I'm away from my stuff, but I'm pretty sure several shows had 79 and several more had 78. Like I said, just a few oddities.
[/quote]
So that means AT LEAST one person didn't vote for TPiR. Incredible. But I kinda figured coming out of this group for some odd reason.
But reflecting on the list...as someone who did NOT submit an entry...
I'm impressed. Very good cross-section of games. Here's to Supermarket Sweep making the list. Loved the show...still do!
/still don't get why STYD made GSN's Top 50, and not Supermarket Sweep
//STYD "sucks" in comparison in my book
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[quote name=\'JasonA1\' post=\'130642\' date=\'Sep 7 2006, 05:38 PM\']
Wow. Peter Sarrett, we are of similar thought, sir. Only I found myself having to put TTD on my list, lest it be usurped by shows that really didn't have much to say as a "Greatest Game Show of All Time." Basically, I fall into the same camp as the others who responded to you in that TTD had to be on the list someplace because of its success.[/quote]
When I compiled my list, I put down about 15 shows, and then made a list of a bunch of other shows to get to more then 50, and then started ranking the rest. I found as I was trying to rank them, I kept moving a few of them down the list -- with TTD being one of those.
Not only were the questions easy; tic-tac-toe just isn't as exciting due to optimal game play leading to a tie every time, and (for TV) either the monotony of multiple tie games (no, I didn't feel the tension), or the artificiality of a five-square win in Hollywood Squares. Hex is rather more exciting, since the game has to have a winner, which is one of the things that led me to put Blockbusters much higher in my list.
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[quote name=\'tpirfan28\' post=\'130673\' date=\'Sep 7 2006, 08:38 PM\']
So that means AT LEAST one person didn't vote for TPiR. Incredible. But I kinda figured coming out of this group for some odd reason.
[/quote]
Well, I would've, but, you know, had to leave room for Freakin' Studs...
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[quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' post=\'130669\' date=\'Sep 7 2006, 09:01 PM\']
I'm slowly starting to convert my collection to DVD, and in watching some CBS episodes recently the questions were really quite difficult on those early episodes. I'd love to have seen more of the CBS run to see if they were noticably easier by the end of it.
[/quote]
For the record, I did have TJW in the high teens, and TTD (I think) in the top 20. I know the shows were laughably easy, but there was something that gave the shows an unusual charm, which was missed in the early-90s revivals. I think it might've been the faux drama that both Jack and Wink tried to build, that gave it this over-the-top charm. Someone brought up an interesting theory that by 1977 and '78, most of the game shows didn't involve trivia (lots of word games, tho), so it could explain why Joker and Tic Tac were so simple.
That being said, I agree with the CBS run being extremely difficult. When it was on GSN weekdays, I watched an early ep. with my grandfather, and someone got a weird World War II question. My grandfather's response: "Who in the Hell is gonna know that?" :-)
-
[color=\"#009900\"]15 The Joker's Wild (1972-75, 1977-86, 1990-91)[/color]
(2478 76/80)(GSN: 23)(TVG: 32)
September 4, 1972 was a good day to be a game show fan.
[color=\"#009900\"]14 What's My Line? (1950-67, 1968-75)[/color]
(2492 69/80 including one first place vote)(GSN: 14)(TVG: 5)
A pretty good showing for a show that hasn't been in production in over thirty years. What gave the original its classy rep? Part of it was that everybody, even the host, held down other jobs. The show made them household names, but without stigmatizing them as "game show celebrities".
[color=\"#009900\"]13 Card Sharks (1978-81, 1986-89, 2000)[/color]
(2511 75/80)(GSN: 30)(TVG: 37)
An engaging show which tied together all its elements seamlessly. Such a simple and effective format that nobody could possibly screw it up. Well, almost nobody.
[color=\"#009900\"]12 Press Your Luck/Whammy! (1983-86, 2002-04)[/color]
(2523 73/80 including three first place votes)(GSN: 13)
Most underrated part? Rod Roddy's open. It's the only time from Television City in Hollywood sounded exciting. Coolest trivia? The guy who made the Whammys went on to direct one of the best comedies of the eighties, Better Off Dead. I want my two dollars.
[color=\"#009900\"]11 Who Wants to Be A Millionaire (1999-present)[/color]
(2701 73/80 including one first place vote)(GSN: 5)(TVG: 7)
It's the one that changed television and caused the networks to rethink game shows, and still we don't put it as high as either of the other lists. Either we haven't forgiven ABC for the primetime flameout, or our collective jury is still out on the show's historical context.
-
Joker's Wild: good show. September 4th was a good day...except I've never seen Gambit.
What's My Line: Unfortunately (for me), I've always paired this show with To Tell The Truth, as my tapes from GSN always have those two together. But...this is the far superior in my mind.
Card Sharks: Deserving show, especially for it's ranking. Who would have thought that a game of questions and hi-lo would be such a good concept? And don't count out that bonus round...one of the best.
PYL: Agreed with Matt. One of the best introductions EVER.
Millionaire: Gotta go with the "historical context" here. Maybe in 20 some years we'll see that this show gave CPR to an almost dead genre and really revitalized game shows for years to come. Maybe.
-
15 The Joker's Wild (1972-75, 1977-86, 1990-91)
(2478 76/80)(GSN: 23)(TVG: 32)
Well, I'm glad to see that TJW got a nice, high showing; it's actually exactly where I had it on my list! It's certainly a favorite of mine, and I always looked forward to watching it on GSN, or, now, watching the episodes I taped over the years...:).
One thing I do have to say, though: I notice that a good number of you seem to kind of just brush off Tic Tac Dough as just a long-running show with not too much of a redeeming game. Perhaps I'm in the minority, but I had Tic Tac ranked higher than TJW at #12 on my list...granted, I definitely enjoy both shows tremendously, but, given a choice, I'd rather watch Tic Tac.
Say what you will about the "easy" questions (so, if I play along and miss half of them, am I all of a sudden an idiot?), but I thought that Tic Tac had a much better base game than TJW. After all, while both, at their hearts, were quiz shows, Tic Tac forced you to know your stuff to win, and you had to beat your opponent on the questions in order to win. With TJW, on the other hand, no matter how smart you were, you had to have the wheels working in your favor in order to win, which makes the show, especially if you're playing against an equally intelligent opponent, more dependent on luck than anything. On Tic Tac, equally challenged opponents led to tie games, and it was the person who cracked first, NOT the one who got the lucky spin, that ended up winning.
Not only that, but, even though the bonus games on both were entirely luck-based, at least you had something more to do on Tic Tac than just say "Go" or "Stop" and pull a lever like on TJW. Sitting at home, you could pick your own numbers and play along, which is kind of hard to do with the Face the Devil round.
Finally, for Tic Tac, the rules were extremely easy to pick up; after all, if you know how to play Tic Tac Toe, you've got most of the rules down! :)
I'm sure there are many who disagree with me, but that's my opinion, and I'm sticking by it...;)
Anthony
P.S. Notice I conveniently left out the '90s versions...take your definitions and rapping dragon and, uh, go away? Yeah; I got nothin'! ;)
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I ranked Millionaire a little higher, but then, I'm biased. =)
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130682\' date=\'Sep 7 2006, 09:53 PM\']
[color=\"#009900\"]12 Press Your Luck/Whammy! (1983-86, 2002-04)[/color]
(2523 73/80 including three first place votes)(GSN: 13)
[/quote]
What, no one said Second Chance? :P
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130682\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 03:53 AM\']
[color=\"#009900\"]11 Who Wants to Be A Millionaire (1999-present)[/color]
(2701 73/80 including one first place vote)(GSN: 5)(TVG: 7)
It's the one that changed television and caused the networks to rethink game shows, and still we don't put it as high as either of the other lists. Either we haven't forgiven ABC for the primetime flameout, or our collective jury is still out on the show's historical context.
[/quote]
Oh now that's quite interesting. It certainly is a hugely important show in terms of TV history (in my opinion, it's single-handedly responsible for British TV not being nearly as good as it used to be - not because of the quality of the show (which is high), but the because of what other shows have done to attempt to ape its success (but without the money) has rather bought the standard down I think).
Personally, I was getting cold feet about eleven episodes in of our original twelve episode daily run. I could never rate it as the (UK's, certainly) best gameshow, but there's no doubt in my mind that it's probably the most important.
-
I think the reason "Millionaire" trumped the other lists is because they looked at it as the culutural phenomenon it was, and we look at it as a game. And ranked purely on its qualities as a game show, there are definitely a number of others that beat it. Hosts are definitely a factor, and many here criticized Regis for phoning it in very early into his tenure.
-Jason
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11 Who Wants to Be A Millionaire (1999-present)
(2701 73/80 including one first place vote)(GSN: 5)(TVG: 7)
It's the one that changed television and caused the networks to rethink game shows, and still we don't put it as high as either of the other lists. Either we haven't forgiven ABC for the primetime flameout, or our collective jury is still out on the show's historical context.
This is one show I'm a tad disappointed to see miss the top 10. I thought it would rank a bit higher. For me, it was easily a top 5 show. I was hooked right from the first episode and made it a habit to watch it every time it was on. I did grow a bit tired of it by the third year when celebrity episodes were on too often, but I watch the Merideth Viera version every single night. It's a must-see for me - and I never get tired of playing along!
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130682\' date=\'Sep 7 2006, 10:53 PM\']
[color=\"#009900\"]15 The Joker's Wild (1972-75, 1977-86, 1990-91)[/color]
(2478 76/80)(GSN: 23)(TVG: 32)
September 4, 1972 was a good day to be a game show fan.
[[/quote]
Especially when you think about that before that day CBS had no daytime game shows. They launched 3 on our list that day and witin 18 months their schedule looked like.
10:00 The Joker's Wild
10:30 $10,000 Pyramid
11:00 Gambit
3:00 The Price is Right
3:30 Match Game
4:00 Tattletales
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[quote name=\'JasonA1\' post=\'130698\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 07:45 AM\']
I think the reason "Millionaire" trumped the other lists is because they looked at it as the culutural phenomenon it was, and we look at it as a game. And ranked purely on its qualities as a game show, there are definitely a number of others that beat it. Hosts are definitely a factor, and many here criticized Regis for phoning it in very early into his tenure.[/quote]
I ranked it in my top 5 (number 5, in fact). Just the fact that a quiz show was able to become a water cooler show was by itself enough to push it up the list for me. I heard people who didn't normally like game shows talking about it the next day in great detail, it was so obviously they hung on every word the night before. (I once covered a civil service hearing where the police chief was in trouble for something, and every other officer in the room, down to the man, was heavily discussing the last two questions from the previous night. "How far is the sun from the earth?" "Who was on the cover of the very first People magazine?") That's how you know a game show is really special, when people who don't normally like them are suddenly drawn to one like paper clips to a magnet.
But there were other factors, like the simple yet challenging format and the innovative atmosphere (the concert lighting, etc). I tried not to let ABC's heavy-handed tinkering with the show result in points being counted off, even though it did result in ratings points being counted off (they should never have lost that phone game and should've gone easy on the celebrity versions), but I think that may have counted against it in this poll.
-
Imagine for a second that WWTBAM never happened. Imagine a poster here puts up a proposal for the very same game, right down to the title. I bet dollars to donuts that we'd get snarky responses quoting the title going "Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Not me." We'd have replies where they quote the money tree as "[incredible long, ludicrous stream of values edited." We'd have people saying the poster has no concept of a prize budget, further stating that the $32,000 milestone guarantees too much payout and allows the player to take a wild stab at the next question, further resulting in more money being given away. They'd prolly balk at the option for players to see the next question and choices before deciding whether to walk or not. They'd call the lifelines gimmicky.
You can see where I'm going. I liked the show, and enjoy the syndie version a great deal too. But without the actual episodes to flesh out how good a show it was, with the atmosphere and Regis and what have you, I don't think it'd be as well loved. Hell, a lot of shows would've been laughed right out of here as just standstill proposals. Not much insight here, I apologize, but something to ponder.
-Jason
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[quote name=\'JasonA1\' post=\'130707\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 10:35 AM\']
Imagine for a second that WWTBAM never happened. Imagine a poster here puts up a proposal for the very same game, right down to the title. I bet dollars to donuts that we'd get snarky responses quoting the title going "Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Not me." [/quote]
I'm sure everyone had their own criteria for how they listed their shows. But I, for one, didn't strip away everything about the show except for what someone might pitch at a network meeting. I don't watch any game show, sitcom, crime drama or talk show for that reason, I watch it because it worked for me. And that's why I also listed the shows that I did.
If you ever see Jackie Gleason's half hour You're in the Picture apology, you'll hear him allude to some guy walking into a bank and asking for money to make a movie about "an ugly butcher from the Bronx who can't get a date," and speculates about the bank being sealed off until the guy can get carted off to Bellevue. Of course, he was talking about "Marty," which won the Oscar for Best Picture of 1955 and won an Oscar for Ernest Borgnine as the ugly butcher. Point is, you can't always judge a project by its stripped-down, bare-naked format unless it's something controversial on its face (like something that endorses racism). Your evaluation of Millionaire having such an unlikely premise (versus its ratings success and its status as a water cooler show) just basically makes my whole point...they pulled it off.
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[quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' post=\'130700\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 07:58 AM\']
This is one show I'm a tad disappointed to see miss the top 10. I thought it would rank a bit higher. [/quote]
It would've for me, if not for the one or two seconds that a certain Margate, NJ resident was actually on camera. . . :)
/as it was, I still ranked it 10--and no, I wasn't being serious.
Doug
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[quote name=\'JasonA1\' post=\'130642\' date=\'Sep 7 2006, 05:38 PM\']
Tt least TJW had SOME thought provoking questions, as well as the values determined by the slots to vary it up.
-Jason
[/quote]
Joker's question quality went down as the years went by, I think. Watching the episodes I have on DVD, the questions didn't become cringe-inducing until the 80s came along and they began giving you part of the correct answer at the end of each question. ("For $200, that Revolutionary hero was Ethan WHO?") I have the first edition home game from 1973 and actually find a number of questions ridiculously difficult (although part of me thinks it's just a matter of the same problem as the old Jeopardy games--the material may not be aging well).
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[quote name=\'Peter Sarrett\' post=\'130659\' date=\'Sep 7 2006, 07:14 PM\']
Another note about Tic Tac Dough's poor quality: in the Thom McKee episode shown during GSN's top 50 countdown, the answers to two back-to-back questions in the same category were the same (I think the answer was The Count of Monte Cristo). McKee's opponent seemed to get the second question wrong because he didn't think the same answer would appear twice, let alone twice in a row.
That's poor, unfair writing / editing.
[/quote]
I'm probably one of only a few people who liked that. I found it clever and I thought it was a good way to demonstrate "You can't always predict what we might do here." I can understand your complaint, but I'm just throwing my view out there. It keeps the players and the viewers on their toes.
-
What is so remarkable about WWTBAM is its simplicity. One might say it's just "$64,000 Question" with multiple choice, but who else thought of it? The lifelines were brilliant. Phoning a friend? Ingenious!
I, too, put "Tic Tac Dough" on the list out of obligation. How well did it work, though, that the defending champion had the advantage in every game. Champs piling up over $100,000 made the show a big deal, despite boring questions and dull bonus round.
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[quote name=\'Adam Nedeff\' post=\'130713\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 11:07 AM\']
I'm probably one of only a few people who liked that. I found it clever and I thought it was a good way to demonstrate "You can't always predict what we might do here." I can understand your complaint, but I'm just throwing my view out there. It keeps the players and the viewers on their toes.
[/quote]
Nope. Wrong. There are certain givens when you are gonna appear on a game show, and one of them is "we're not gonna regurgitate answers, especially in a single game, ESPECIALLY that close together." You're giving them WAY too much credit. It was lazy, pure and simple.
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Set phasers on "Flame," but I didn't have Card Sharks on my list at all. A good game in its first incarnation, but I was able to find 50 better ones IMHO, and the two lesser revivals (especially the last one) didn't raise it any in my view.
Of course, I may be the only guy to have a radio-only show on my list (and no, it's not "Whad'Ya Know?")
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And while I'm at it, some other comments:
14 What's My Line?
Despite my comments, I did not vote this first. It isn't even my top panel show. But it's probably my deep-down favorite these days.
12 Press Your Luck/Whammy! Most underrated part? Rod Roddy's open. It's the only time from Television City in Hollywood sounded exciting. Coolest trivia? The guy who made the Whammys went on to direct one of the best comedies of the eighties, Better Off Dead. I want my two dollars.
Not to mention "The New Adventures of Beans Baxter." And still the only show to introduce the host as both "your host" and "the star of our show" which is putting a lot of pressure on Tomarken.
11 Who Wants to Be A Millionaire Either we haven't forgiven ABC for the primetime flameout, or our collective
Quite true. If nothing else, it changed the look of the modern game show, for better or worse.
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[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'130721\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 03:01 PM\'] And still the only show to introduce the host as both "your host" and "the star of our show" which is putting a lot of pressure on Tomarken.[/quote]
Is that true? Seems as though I've heard that sort of double-billing intro on other game shows, but for the life of me I can't think of any.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130727\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 03:04 PM\']
[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'130721\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 03:01 PM\'] And still the only show to introduce the host as both "your host" and "the star of our show" which is putting a lot of pressure on Tomarken.[/quote]
Is that true? Seems as though I've heard that sort of double-billing intro on other game shows, but for the life of me I can't think of any.
[/quote]
Unless Ray's not thinking GONG is a game show--Chuckie was almost always introduced (by Sivi/Carol/Marlena/Markie/Johnny/Jack/insert guest here) as "[your/the] host and the star of our show."
There might very well be others as well.
Doug
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130727\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 04:04 PM\']
[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'130721\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 03:01 PM\'] And still the only show to introduce the host as both "your host" and "the star of our show" which is putting a lot of pressure on Tomarken.[/quote]
Is that true? Seems as though I've heard that sort of double-billing intro on other game shows, but for the life of me I can't think of any.
[/quote]
I recall the intro to Peck's 3's a Crowd introduced him as both (episode from GSN's 50 Greatest)
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I stand corrected.
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[quote name=\'cmjb13\' post=\'130731\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 04:13 PM\']
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130727\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 04:04 PM\']
Is that true? Seems as though I've heard that sort of double-billing intro on other game shows, but for the life of me I can't think of any.
[/quote]
I recall the intro to Peck's 3's a Crowd introduced him as both (episode from GSN's 50 Greatest)
[/quote]
I think virtually every Barris show did the same thing, which would explain why Carruthers added it in his show's intro. "And now, here's your host....... the star of the Newlywed Game, Bob Eubanks!" immediately comes to mind.
Tyshaun
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[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'130720\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 01:56 PM\']
Of course, I may be the only guy to have a radio-only show on my list (and no, it's not "Whad'Ya Know?")
[/quote]
We were allowed to do that? Doggone it, I would've ranked Information Please very high if I'd known that.
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51. You Don't Say (569 points)
52. Win, Lose or Draw (524)(GSN: 24)(TVG: 45)
53. Where in the World/Time is Carmen Sandiego? (484)(TVG: 47)
54. Russian Roulette (483)
55. Big Showdown (475)
56. Bullseye (473)
57. Celebrity Sweepstakes (471)
58. Body Language (460)
59. Greed (435)(GSN: 37)
60. Hot Potato (396)
61. Three on a Match (380)
62. Liar's Club (317)(TVG: 38)
63. Cross-Wits (308)
64. Eye Guess (282)
65. Survivor (280)(TVG: 12)
66. Wipeout (272)
67. Hit Man (222)
68. Double Dare (Trebek) (220)
69. Video Village (213)(TVG: 17)
70. Starcade (208)
71. Two Minute Drill (203)(TVG: 33)
71. American Gladiators (203)
73. Debt (199)
74. The Amazing Race (189, 1 first place vote)
75. Face the Music (187)
76. Fun House (183)
77. Battlestars (179)
78. Pantomime Quiz/Stump the Stars (171)(TVG: 35)
79. Pass the Buck (168)
80. Hollywood Showdown (167)(GSN: 46)
81. Hot Streak (154)
82. Child's Play (126)
83. Talk About (125)
84. Winning Lines (123)
84. History IQ (123)
86. Dream House (119)
87. Monopoly (118)
87. Caesar's Challenge (118)
89. Legends of the Hidden Temple (117)
90. Trivia Trap (115)
90. The Mole (115)
92. Money Maze (105)
93. Queen For A Day (104)(GSN: 42)(TVG: 13)
94. Name's the Same (101)
95. PDQ/Baffle (99)
96. Play the Percentages (87)
96. Street Smarts (87)
98. Make Me Laugh (85)
99. Pitfall (84)
100. The Magnificent Marble Machine (82)
100. Finders Keepers (82)
-
Well all my 50 made the top 100 somewhere.
Wow Gambit toped You Don't Say by only ten points!
Yes I am the one that voted for The Amazing Race(4 straight Emmys!) Let the flaming begin
-
[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'130735\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 03:56 PM\']
[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'130720\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 01:56 PM\']
Of course, I may be the only guy to have a radio-only show on my list (and no, it's not "Whad'Ya Know?")
[/quote]
We were allowed to do that? Doggone it, I would've ranked Information Please very high if I'd known that.
[/quote]
Ding!
(Although I wouldn't be surprised if they did try to do an early TV version of it; I don't have my EOTVGS at work to check)
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[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'130744\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 04:40 PM\']
[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'130735\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 03:56 PM\']
[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'130720\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 01:56 PM\']
Of course, I may be the only guy to have a radio-only show on my list (and no, it's not "Whad'Ya Know?")
[/quote]
We were allowed to do that? Doggone it, I would've ranked Information Please very high if I'd known that.
[/quote]
Ding!
(Although I wouldn't be surprised if they did try to do an early TV version of it; I don't have my EOTVGS at work to check)
[/quote]
Wouldn't have done me any good since I've never seen it if it does exist. But I've definitely heard recordings of the radio show. Favorite moment: none other than comedian Fred Allen beating the panel on a series of astronomy questions, and bragging about the Encyclopedia Britannica he's going to get out of it.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130739\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 04:16 PM\']
71. Two Minute Drill (203)(TVG: 33)
[/quote]
I'm dissapointed that a show that offered suspense, drama, and a great format ranked lower than many shows that are less worthy.
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[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'130744\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 05:40 PM\'](Although I wouldn't be surprised if they did try to do an early TV version of it; I don't have my EOTVGS at work to check)[/quote]
I'm a huge fan of Information, Please. There's an entire book on it, from a tiny publisher. Twice they attempted video versions: A 1952 summer series that ran 13 episodes, plus a series of thirteen filmed shorts that were seen in movie theaters in the early forties. At least one of those film shorts is in the hands of collectors.
-
It is kinda funny there are 6 shows on the GSN list that could not garner even 82 points to make out top 101!
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[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'130763\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 04:17 PM\']
It is kinda funny there are 6 shows on the GSN list that could not garner even 82 points to make out top 101!
[/quote]
"Funny" is not the word that comes to mind.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'130766\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 06:32 PM\']
[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'130763\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 04:17 PM\']
It is kinda funny there are 6 shows on the GSN list that could not garner even 82 points to make out top 101!
[/quote]
"Funny" is not the word that comes to mind.
[/quote]
The password is "freakin'"
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[quote name=\'Modor\' post=\'130753\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 06:19 PM\'] [quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130739\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 04:16 PM\']71. Two Minute Drill (203)(TVG: 33)[/quote]I'm dissapointed that a show that offered suspense, drama, and a great format ranked lower than many shows that are less worthy. [/quote]
Waiting for athletes to stumble over questions constitutes a great format?
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130739\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 05:16 PM\']
74. The Amazing Race (189, 1 first place vote)
[/quote]
What poor soul did that? Even if you were going to put a reality show at number one, you'd think Survivor would go before Race. It had more of a cultural impact and gave the whole reality craze a jump start.
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[quote name=\'chad1m\' post=\'130773\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 07:52 PM\'] [quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130739\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 05:16 PM\']
74. The Amazing Race (189, 1 first place vote)
[/quote]
What poor soul did that?[/quote]
138 minutes prior:
[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'130743\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 05:34 PM\'] Yes I am the one that voted for The Amazing Race(4 straight Emmys!) Let the flaming begin [/quote]
Reading is your friend.
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[quote name=\'chad1m\' post=\'130773\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 04:52 PM\']
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130739\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 05:16 PM\']
74. The Amazing Race (189, 1 first place vote)
[/quote]
What poor soul did that? Even if you were going to put a reality show at number one, you'd think Survivor would go before Race. It had more of a cultural impact and gave the whole reality craze a jump start.
[/quote]
In case you haven't noticed yet, we have some real ninnies around here. At least one of them apparently voted.
-
95. PDQ/Baffle (99)
Aww, boo. It's a shame that these shows just don't get much appreciation.
--Jamie
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[quote name=\'Steve McClellan\' post=\'130775\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 07:57 PM\']
Reading is your friend.
[/quote]
No need to be rude. I speedread through the posts and apparently missed that part.
-
WLoD didn't crack the top 50 after all? Wow, interesting indeed...
Mirrors the same thoughts I had when I saw Queen for a Day, Bullseye, and Carmen Sandiego didn't make it that high either (yes, all were in my top 50). At least they made the top 100. Glad to see American Gladiators got some other votes besides mine, as well. :)
-
*This* ninny would have voted TAR much higher than Survivor if I hadn't made the decision to leave out reality shows.
It's a more pure game - you're not eliminated because of the ever-popular "strategical" purposes, you're eliminated because your ass came in last place. Plus, there's non-stop action and the scenery and culture you pick up on is outstanding.
TAR was my favorite TV show, period - until Family Edition ruined everything.
-
[quote name=\'ChrisLambert!\' post=\'130784\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 09:14 PM\']*This* ninny would have voted TAR much higher than Survivor if I hadn't made the decision to leave out reality shows.
It's a more pure game - you're not eliminated because of the ever-popular "strategical" purposes, you're eliminated because your ass came in last place.[/quote]
I was about to post something similar. IF you're going to include the so-called "reality" shows (which very few of us did), I totally see ranking TAR ahead of Survivor from the standpoint of the game being better.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130739\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 05:16 PM\']
71. American Gladiators (203)
[/quote]
Number 27 on my list. I figured it wasn't going to make the top 50, but I'm surprised it placed as high as it did, given that many don't consider it a game show. (Then again, seeing Survivor and Race in the same area, I guess that spot's about right)
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130739\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 05:16 PM\']
87. Caesar's Challenge (118)
89. Legends of the Hidden Temple (117)
[/quote]
Two more I enjoyed enough to put in the 40's on my list, that I didn't think would even make the top 100. Casear's Challenge wasn't great, but I enjoyed it anyway (I have a strong preference towards word games). LotHT is more of a "cult classic", I guess, but I fall in that group.
So was I the only one to list Idiot Savants?
-
[quote name=\'Jimmy Fiono Coyne\' post=\'130777\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 07:02 PM\']
95. PDQ/Baffle (99)
Aww, boo. It's a shame that these shows just don't get much appreciation.
[/quote]
I don't think that's entirely fair. I think its more fair to say that not very many people have been exposed to them. Baffle last aired in 1973, right? I think you'd have to be at least five to remember it (if at all), giving you a birth date of 1968. That makes you 38. How many people here are that age or older?
Doesn't help that it has never been shown in reruns, TMK.
-
It seems that I picked four shows not in the Top 100. Feel free to laugh at my selections:
#44 Almost Anything Goes
A nicer stunt show than Dog Eat Dog, and one that would have a natural tie-in with the affiliates if it were remade
#48 All Star Blitz
OK: I liked the puzzle aspect. No, I didn't want anybody's bottom. :-)
#49 Blackout
I don't think the idea was that bad, and I enjoyed the bad puns. I recycled several of them for a revue we did in my senior year of high school
#50 Ultra Quiz
I wouldn't be surprised if I was the only person to vote for this one. But in today's TV world of progressive-elimination shows like Survivor and The Amazing Race, I'd think there's a place for such a show with a quiz aspect. And this also came about decades before Anne Robinson started being mean to losing contestants, something which producers would jump on today what with the "twists" in "reality" shows. And as I understand it, the Japanese versions were even worse. :-)
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[quote name=\'Jimmy Fiono Coyne\' post=\'130777\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 07:02 PM\']
95. PDQ/Baffle (99)
Aww, boo. It's a shame that these shows just don't get much appreciation.
--Jamie
[/quote]
I had it on my list and Matt told me at the time I was the first to mention that one. I remember Baffle fondly from my childhood and remember how much fun it was. (I was 9 when it premiered.) I wouldn't have put it on my list had I not run across the pilot to PDQ as an adult to jog my memory. I would be a very happy camper if a Baffle episode suddenly turned up but I'm not counting on it.
I knew Dick Enberg as a game show host before I knew him as a sportscaster. How many people can say that?
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[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'130803\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 11:17 PM\']
I knew Dick Enberg as a game show host before I knew him as a sportscaster. How many people can say that?
[/quote]
I can. When seeing the mid-1970s Disney motion picture Gus starring Gary Grimes and a mule, where Dick Enberg played a play-by-play announcer, I said, "That's the guy from 3 For The Money".
-
Wow... very surprised that again, PYL beat out Line. And no, I was NOT one of the three that voted it as #1. I stayed objective and took favortism out of this. It only ranked #14 on mine. Surprising, eh?
As for the whole thing... let me look here... OK, I found something of mine that didn't make this list.
#30 - Do You Trust Your Wife/Who Do You Trust? - The first rendition had a great format that offered big money potential for its time (without the fix), and the second helped the future King and Prince of Late Night become household names. But both had the same winning formula of strong quizzing and relaxing, comedic banter between the host and the married couples.
Any takers on this one?
(Oh, and Sutton, my friend Robert Brown will probably want to put you up on a pedastal for putting Race at #1. Get in touch with me.)
-
[quote name=\'Fedya\' post=\'130801\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 07:56 PM\']It seems that I picked four shows not in the Top 100. Feel free to laugh at my selections:[/quote]Couldn't have said it better myself. My set of four not in the 100:
#46 Beat the Geeks (and / or Stump the Schwab)*
Fun to get the occasional answer when a geek missed. (I've never outguessed the Schwab though; I'm better at entertainment trivia than sports trivia.)
#41 The Better Sex
"Whispering Bill" Anderson and pre-Real People Sarah Purcell co-hosting a bluff-or-no-bluff elimination contest. I especially liked the bonus round vs. audience members.
#39 Couch Potatoes
TV trivia bowl, with the challenging cast-photo-identification bonus round.
And #33 Say When!!
The first show I saw hosted by Art James, a variation on Cullen-era TPIR.
Esoteric Eric... * I got a little carried away with combining similar shows; My #43 rating of Jackpot included Hollywood Showdown, which seemed to me a pair as similar as The 3 W's and The Challengers, although Matt O listed them separately.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'130776\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 04:57 PM\']In case you haven't noticed yet, we have some real ninnies around here. At least one of them apparently voted.[/quote]And three more Philistines who think that Press Your Luck is the best game show of all.
That was the part that made me do the bug-eyed stare. Not so much that it outranked Card Sharks, but that three of the eighty voters ranked it best of all.
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[quote name=\'TLEberle\' post=\'130813\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 01:26 AM\']
That was the part that made me do the bug-eyed stare. Not so much that it outranked Card Sharks, but that three of the eighty voters ranked it best of all.
[/quote]
That doesn't surprise me in the least. However, voting TAR #1...that takes a special kind of person. And I mean "special" in that short-yellow-bus way.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'130815\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 03:48 AM\']
That doesn't surprise me in the least. However, voting TAR #1...that takes a special kind of person. And I mean "special" in that short-yellow-bus way.
[/quote]
Sometimes, you really make me sick.
Is having an opinion inherently wrong?
-Joe R.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'130815\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 04:48 AM\']
That doesn't surprise me in the least. However, voting TAR #1...that takes a special kind of person. And I mean "special" in that short-yellow-bus way.
[/quote]
Nice to know where I stand with you. Although I always assumed as much.
-
Thanks, Matt, for doing the list.
I am surprised 'Greed' was in the lower half. Really surprising are that 'Press Your Luck' and 'Millionaire' may be outranked by 'Newlywed' and 'Dating Game' unless I missed them earlier in the week.
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[quote name=\'PaulD\' post=\'130822\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 10:09 AM\']
Thanks, Matt, for doing the list.
I am surprised 'Greed' was in the lower half. Really surprising are that 'Press Your Luck' and 'Millionaire' may be outranked by 'Newlywed' and 'Dating Game' unless I missed them earlier in the week.
[/quote]
Dating was 47 and Newlywed 26.
It probably is getting difficult to find the old listings if you did not see them when posted
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'130815\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 04:48 AM\']That doesn't surprise me in the least. However, voting TAR #1...that takes a special kind of person. And I mean "special" in that short-yellow-bus way.[/quote]
That's monumentally uncalled for. We all know your personal and well-voiced opinion that 'reality' shows shouldn't count. We said they could, and if you judge them along with everything else, it's perfectly understandable why someone might look at a show that has four consecutive Emmys, a huge production budget, a global canvas and critical acclaim and call it the best ever.
-
[quote name=\'Fedya\' post=\'130801\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 09:56 PM\']
It seems that I picked four shows not in the Top 100. Feel free to laugh at my selections:
[/quote]
So far I haven't laughed at anyone's non-100 selections even with permission. I'm waiting for the poor soul who acts surprised The Bachelor didn't make the cut.
My five that didn't crack our top 100:
21. The Generation Gap
The "underrated classic" I mentioned in a previous post. A perfect show to bring back right now (say, people my age answering questions about Jessica Simpson and 50 Cent, my daughter's age being quizzed on Johnny Carson and the Eagles), one of the most critically acclaimed game shows during the short time it aired on ABC. The one I have in my collection features Brooklyn Bridge and Pinky Lee.
24. Doctor I. Q.
A very simple yet fast-paced premise where the audience gets all the questions. And how could we leave out the show that gave the world Art Fleming and Tom Kennedy?
29. Treasure Isle
This one really surprised me, since there are a few of these in the hands of collectors. I saw it as a toddler and when I recently acquired an old kinescope of it (I always saw it in color back in the day) I was very impressed. First of all a great opening (the host and contestants ride up in a boat as Tom Jones or a soundalike sings the theme), then an all-outdoors show that makes the most of its locale. Very innovative forerunner paving the way for everything from Almost Anything Goes and Way Out Games to Survivor and The Amazing Race. I think it would've survived for years and years had they devised and rotated extra games like the Barker Price is Right. And what's not to love about the blindfolded men driving the boats while their wives shout directions at them (a la The Money Maze)? Bonus: they actually get even more work out of Herb Alpert's music than The Dating Game ever did.
43. Couch Potatoes
Slightly less obnoxious version of Remote Control.
48. Rhyme & Reason
If nothing else, a show that gives Nipsey Russell a chance to be Nipsey Russell...and Jaye P. Morgan another chance to swear during a taping. (OK maybe that last one wasn't such a good idea.) The bizarre finale is the stuff of show biz legend.
-
I considered "Second Chance" and "Press Your Luck" to be the same show, but I would guess nobody else made that distinction since only PYL was listed. Jim Peck did a great job on that show and the set design was fantastic, obviously the Whammy improved the show, but SC was quite good and did have its fans.
During the time of SC, we had a great cable company in Bay City, MI called Gerity Cablevision that would grab network shows if the local affil didn't carry them. Thus, most uncleared shows would be seen in our area through distant signals like WXYZ in Detroit and placed on one of the access channels. After SC went off, the system had to run a crawl explaining that the show was not on anymore due to a network change. I guess they must have gotten phone calls.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130826\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 09:26 AM\']
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'130815\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 04:48 AM\']That doesn't surprise me in the least. However, voting TAR #1...that takes a special kind of person. And I mean "special" in that short-yellow-bus way.[/quote]
That's monumentally uncalled for. [/quote]
...and by the way, if you HAVE to insult someone, can you leave my autistic son and children like him out of it? That's just cold blooded and low class.
-
[quote name=\'Esoteric Eric\' post=\'130812\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 02:35 AM\']Esoteric Eric... * I got a little carried away with combining similar shows; My #43 rating of Jackpot included Hollywood Showdown, which seemed to me a pair as similar as The 3 W's and The Challengers, although Matt O listed them separately.[/quote]
A decent point. Just another example of why this sort of thing isn't perfect. I absolutely, totally see the analogy that Jackpot is to Hollywood Showdown as The Three W's is to Challengers. In my mind, the first set was different enough to be considered separately and the second set wasn't. Pure personal opinion.
[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'130828\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 10:41 AM\']
I considered "Second Chance" and "Press Your Luck" to be the same show, but I would guess nobody else made that distinction since only PYL was listed. [/quote]
True on both counts. Only one or two ballots specifically mentioned Whammy for that matter. I probably should have listed Second Chance on the same line for the sake of completeness.
By the way, I wanted to remind people that as soon as the Top Ten has been identified, I'll be happy to send anyone who wants it the entire database of all 80 entries in Excel. Names will be removed, of course. The only evidence anyone could possibly have about who picked what would be based on whatever people have already posted about their own lists, and presumably those people don't care.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130826\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 10:26 AM\']
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'130815\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 04:48 AM\']That doesn't surprise me in the least. However, voting TAR #1...that takes a special kind of person. And I mean "special" in that short-yellow-bus way.[/quote]
That's monumentally uncalled for. We all know your personal and well-voiced opinion that 'reality' shows shouldn't count. We said they could, and if you judge them along with everything else, it's perfectly understandable why someone might look at a show that has four consecutive Emmys, a huge production budget, a global canvas and critical acclaim and call it the best ever.
[/quote]
Thanks Matt. I have been ready to defend my choice since I made it. But so far no one has made a reasoned argument against just name calling so why bother.
-
I have been ready to defend my choice since I made it.
I normally stay out of these things, but I will say this. Why should ANYONE have to defend their choices for favorite game shows?
21. The Generation Gap
The "underrated classic" I mentioned in a previous post. A perfect show to bring back right now (say, people my age answering questions about Jessica Simpson and 50 Cent, my daughter's age being quizzed on Johnny Carson and the Eagles), one of the most critically acclaimed game shows during the short time it aired on ABC. The one I have in my collection features Brooklyn Bridge and Pinky Lee.
I agree with you 100% that this show is one of those obscure gems that, again, not many people have had the chance to appreciate.
This one came in #52 on my list, right behind Shoot For the Stars. At first I had a hard time putting it there, but eh, it's definitely in my Top 60.
I have been ready to defend my choice since I made it.
That's being worked on, so give that one time.
--Jamie
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Glad I'm not the only one who fondly remembers Couch Potatoes. Didn't cartoon voice genius Joe Alaskey have an announcer's role on that show?
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[quote name=\'ChrisLambert!\' post=\'130784\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 08:14 PM\']
*This* ninny would have voted TAR much higher than Survivor if I hadn't made the decision to leave out reality shows.
It's a more pure game - you're not eliminated because of the ever-popular "strategical" purposes, you're eliminated because your ass came in last place.
[/quote]
I included "Survivor" and didn't include "Amazing Race." I still enjoy the former, and one could make the argument that the latter is almost more sport than game. But really, it comes down to this: "Survivor," to me, provides more upliftment.
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[quote name=\'CountdownRound\' post=\'130835\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 11:57 AM\']
Glad I'm not the only one who fondly remembers Couch Potatoes. Didn't cartoon voice genius Joe Alaskey have an announcer's role on that show?
[/quote]
Joe Alaskey not only had the announcer's role on that show, but they also showed him in a separate living room like set at the show's opening and when they went to commercial breaks.
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Everything in my top 50 was in the top 101, but just barely. TMMM (tied for 100th) and MAKE ME LAUGH (98th) were the closest to not making the list. GONG and NYSI were the two shows I rated much higher than the overall; the two highest ranked shows on the list that I didn't have were DD (Summers) and SPLIT SECOND (which, in retrospect, I should've--along with a few others).
So now you'll know how to find my list, for those of you getting the Excel spreadsheet.
Doug
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'130776\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 07:57 PM\']
[quote name=\'chad1m\' post=\'130773\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 04:52 PM\']
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130739\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 05:16 PM\']
74. The Amazing Race (189, 1 first place vote)
[/quote]
What poor soul did that? Even if you were going to put a reality show at number one, you'd think Survivor would go before Race. It had more of a cultural impact and gave the whole reality craze a jump start.
[/quote]
In case you haven't noticed yet, we have some real ninnies around here. At least one of them apparently voted.
[/quote]
Of course this ninny voted for a show that just won another Emmy, so perhaps he knows more than he lets on.
What I'd be interested in seeing is the show(s) that got a total of one point in the voting.
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[quote name=\'Joe Mello\' post=\'130840\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 10:07 AM\']
Of course this ninny voted for a show that just won another Emmy, so perhaps he knows more than he lets on.
[/quote]
Alright. First and foremost, I apologize to those who took my comment more personally than it was intended.
That said, sorry, no. Even if you DO consider TAR to be a game show, by ranking it #1, you're saying that it's a better game show than Jeopardy. Than TPiR. Than Password. Than Pyramid. Than Wheel Of.....wait, that one I might spot you.
Including it on your list? Maybe, sure, especially if Matt specifically said that reality shows were to be included in his survey. (I don't remember that, but I don't want to go back and look for it and his word is good enough for me.) Ranking it NUMBER FRIGGIN' ONE in a genre than spans sixty years? Even if it HAS won however many Emmy's, that's just monumentally stupid.
I know that Our Benevolent Moderators are publically going to defend every voter's right to an individual opinion. But you know, deep down, I'm right here.
-
Here's what was on my top 50 which didn't make the top 100, as far as I know. (Given the size of this thread, I won't subject myself to searching for what made the 26-50. Maybe we should have a sticky with what's been on the list thus far, from both the top 50 and 51-100?)
35. Dirty Rotten Cheater--A fun gem of a show which had the unfortunate luck of being on PAX. After telling Bil Dwyer I was a big fan of the show after a WML? live show in July, he exclaimed (paraphrasing), "So YOU'RE the person who saw Dirty Rotten Cheater!" Bil concurred that it was a great show which got the kibosh because it was on PAX.
36. Sports Challenge--Possibly the longest running non-lottery game show to get little acclaim from the game show community. A straightforward Q&A sports show with a variety of athletes, ranging from nobodies to six legends on one stage, seven after you include the Bonus Biography subject. I regularly taped this when ESPN Classic reran it three or four years ago.
41. Seven Keys--Simple show, fun to watch, great host but it moved at a snail's pace. I'm surprised this didn't land in the top 100. Too bad there are very few episodes out there. If it was more available, surely it would've made the list.
44. Two for the Money--Another fun, simple show. Herb Shriner's down home, folksy humor isn't for everybody, but I enjoyed it.
48. The Name's the Same--When I had GSN, I recorded this show every airing. More 50s B&W fun.
(Edited 4 1/2 hours later to include #36)
-
Well, I guess I should bite the bullet and talk about my four that didn't make the top 100:
#39: Bumper Stumpers
Yes; the Canadian cheapness was astounding, but it was a fun play-along show, and, unlike most Barry-Enright "avoid the bad guy" bonus games, this one actually required you to know some stuff to win it...:). Not only that, but all of my roommates/friends who ended up having this show thrown upon them have ended up loving it and now refer to personalized license plates (as I do now!) as "Bumper Stumpers!" Plus, Al DuBois grew on me as a host.
#45: World Series of Pop Culture
The execution may not have gone the way we would have liked it to with the unfortunate predictable endings and spoilers, but the game that was there was really fun to me. It was simple, great to play along with, and wasn't afraid to be tough! The contestants had quirky personalities, yes, but were also great game players to the point where the quirkiness enhanced the presentation instead of taking away from it. Plus, I have to give props to Pat Kiernan for this; he did an excellent job as host, and I hope to see him in another hosting capacity in the future (hopefully with this show again!).
#47: Stump the Schwab
Well, I already explained why I like this show in a previous post about the show, so I'll refer you to that...:). But, basically, this show is my dinner companion on weeknights, and, again, it's a show with very smart contestants that isn't afraid to be tough!
#50: Illinois Instant Riches
I can probably make a safe bet that I'm the only one who put this on his/her list, but I did so for two reasons: First off, it was a really fun lottery show which wasn't just a boring version of "pick numbers, win money," and the rotating games every week made it even more fun to watch; never mind all of that big money up for grabs...:). Oh, and, secondly, I wanted to have some Chi-town representation on the list...;).
Anthony
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[quote name=\'Joe Mello\' post=\'130840\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 01:07 PM\']What I'd be interested in seeing is the show(s) that got a total of one point in the voting.[/quote]
Done! The following shows received a vote at #50 on a single ballot, and no votes from any of the 79 other entries.
One's a Cullen! And...um...one's an Ottinger!
Agriculture USA
Can You Top This?
It Takes Two
Let's Bowl
The Love Experts
QuizBusters
Ruckus
Spin-Off
Triple Threat
Ultra Quiz
Video Power
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130850\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 02:43 PM\']
Agriculture USA
[/quote]
Huh?
-
Making us wait until Monday for the order of the top 10?
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[quote name=\'beatlefreak84\' post=\'130849\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 04:02 PM\']
#50: Illinois Instant Riches
I can probably make a safe bet that I'm the only one who put this on his/her list, but I did so for two reasons: First off, it was a really fun lottery show which wasn't just a boring version of "pick numbers, win money," and the rotating games every week made it even more fun to watch; never mind all of that big money up for grabs...:). Oh, and, secondly, I wanted to have some Chi-town representation on the list...;).
Anthony
[/quote]
** You'd lose that bet! I had IIR *and* Flamingo Fortune on my list.
Maybe Matt can list all the shows only ONE person voted for when the countdown's done...
Matt
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[quote name=\'mcsittel\' post=\'130853\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 05:52 PM\']
Maybe Matt can list all the shows only ONE person voted for when the countdown's done...
[/quote]
I've got the wildest hunch that "The Krypton Factor" is going to be on THAT list.
-
I'm glad I wasn't the only one who voted for:
-Seven Keys
-World Series of Pop Culture.
I like to be wide-ranging.
-
All of my Not 100s were oldies:
37. Two For the Money
39. Play Your Hunch
44. Masquerade Party
45. Strike It Rich (Hull)
46. Who Do You Trust?
50. Winner Take All
All with significant prime time runs except for Trust, which had a six year daytime run and Hunch, which had a five year run. And all had at least double the episodes of Go.
--Mike
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130850\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 04:43 PM\']
It Takes Two
[/quote]
Guilty as charged!
21. The Generation Gap
A perfect show to bring back right now (say, people my age answering questions about Jessica Simpson and 50 Cent, my daughter's age being quizzed on Johnny Carson and the Eagles)
This person would have more luck answering the last two than the first two.
I'm 22.
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[quote name=\'Modor\' post=\'130860\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 06:54 PM\']
21. The Generation Gap
A perfect show to bring back right now (say, people my age answering questions about Jessica Simpson and 50 Cent, my daughter's age being quizzed on Johnny Carson and the Eagles)
This person would have more luck answering the last two than the first two.
I'm 22.
[/quote]
I'm the same as him, and I'm 21. I never really was big on pop culture.
Anyway, thanks Matt for showing us the worst of the best. I always ("always" being about 2 years now when I first heard of it, FYI) thought Ultra Quiz was Japanese. Did I just miss a failed American version?
/My impression of UQ was that it was the Amazing Race without the Race
//and probably a little less Amazing
-
[quote name=\'Modor\' post=\'130860\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 05:54 PM\']
This person would have more luck answering the last two than the first two.
I'm 22.
[/quote]
Good for you. My daughter is 16 (I'm in my 40s) and I saw to it she knew about Humphrey Bogart, Jimmy Stewart, Buddy Holly, Elvis, the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Johnny Carson, The Andy Griffith Show and a number of other non-current-generational icons. But every once in awhile I'll still have to explain, say, what American Bandstand was, or listen to her register surprise that Michael J. Fox was actually in another TV series before Spin City.
-
[quote name=\'Joe Mello\' post=\'130864\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 07:57 PM\']
Anyway, thanks Matt for showing us the worst of the best. I always ("always" being about 2 years now when I first heard of it, FYI) thought Ultra Quiz was Japanese. Did I just miss a failed American version?
[/quote]
IIRC, there was a one-shot version on NBC in 1981, hosted by Dan Rowan and Dick Martin.
Of course, back then almost everything that was on NBC failed.
Doug
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[quote name=\'Joe Mello\' post=\'130864\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 05:57 PM\']Anyway, thanks Matt for showing us the worst of the best. I always ("always" being about 2 years now when I first heard of it, FYI) thought Ultra Quiz was Japanese. Did I just miss a failed American version?[/quote]Sorta. The "Laugh-in" guys hosted a one-time special run of the show in the early 80s. Nearly a thousand contestants started, and the one final winner took home $100,000. Players who were able to correctly answer questions would move on to the next location, those who were eliminated had to find their own way to get back home. Almost chapter and verse like the Japanese version, but less "Ultra," maybe "Not Quite as Ultra Quiz" should have been the title.
-
[quote name=\'mmb5\' post=\'130859\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 05:41 PM\']
All of my Not 100s were oldies:
37. Two For the Money
39. Play Your Hunch
44. Masquerade Party
45. Strike It Rich (Hull)
46. Who Do You Trust?
50. Winner Take All [/quote]
You have excellent taste in TV my friend. (BTW I always thought the Dawson remake of MP was underrated.) I probably would've included Who Do You Trust? except I sent my list in weeks ago and never saw a complete episode until just this week. I had no idea the end game involved isolation booths, seeing Johnny in front of one of the booths was pretty cool.
-
My top 50 that are "not-100's," are an interesting mix...
Trivial Pursuit-I knew Wink as the host of Trivial Pursuit before I knew him as host of Tic Tac Dough (Go ahead, make fun of me). Whenever I was home from school, I flipped on the Family Channel and watched their run of game shows during the day, including TP. Looking back, I thought Wink hosted it all well, and the Interactive Game was an original, neat idea that had a setup future shows, like "Winning Lines," took hints from. Plus, the whole idea behind the Trivial Pursuit game I feel, itself, is excellent, and translated well into a game show.
Just Men It premiered on an important day in NBC game shows, the day when Hit Man and Sale of the Century also premiered. With that, and the main reason I put it in my top 50, was that it was the first game where a woman, Betty White, won the Emmy (and I believe the only one who has deserved to win one) for best game show host, and that's enough! However, it was a fun yet rather unique idea, IMHO, as well...
Masquerade Party-Three networks during its first run, and how many hosts? A good example of how the most basic games (or ideas for ones) can play out so well, and be so much fun. Plus, where else in game shows could you find just about everyone on stage in costume?
Truth or Consequences-Another example of how such a basic idea could be so much fun. Add to it, the show even had its own town named after it!! It had quite a run on both radio and TV, as well, and, possibly most importantly, launched the career of the most enduring game show host of them all...
-
[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'130865\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 08:59 PM\']
or listen to her register surprise that Michael J. Fox was actually in another TV series before Spin City.
[/quote]
Michael J. Fox was in another TV series before Boston Legal?!
Now the real post:
My lone top-50 show not to make the top-100 here was ESPN's Sports on Tap. I loved the relaxed atmosphere and the Your Numbers Up!-question format worked well here (sans Nipsey having car-induced conniption fits).
-
[quote name=\'ChrisLambert!\' post=\'130872\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 08:59 PM\']
[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'130865\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 08:59 PM\']
or listen to her register surprise that Michael J. Fox was actually in another TV series before Spin City.
[/quote]
Michael J. Fox was in another TV series before Boston Legal?!
[/quote]
Yeah, right. Next you'll tell me Paul McCartney was in a group before Wings.
Good one.
:-)
Doug
-
[quote name=\'TLEberle\' post=\'130867\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 09:03 PM\']
[quote name=\'Joe Mello\' post=\'130864\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 05:57 PM\']Anyway, thanks Matt for showing us the worst of the best. I always ("always" being about 2 years now when I first heard of it, FYI) thought Ultra Quiz was Japanese. Did I just miss a failed American version?[/quote]Sorta. The "Laugh-in" guys hosted a one-time special run of the show in the early 80s. Nearly a thousand contestants started, and the one final winner took home $100,000. Players who were able to correctly answer questions would move on to the next location, those who were eliminated had to find their own way to get back home. Almost chapter and verse like the Japanese version, but less "Ultra," maybe "Not Quite as Ultra Quiz" should have been the title.
[/quote]
That about sums it up. As I said, I think it would be good for a remake in today's TV climate. "Ultra Quiz", like "The Mole", deserved better than it got.
For what it's worth, there was also a British version that had about three series in the 1980s
-
[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'130868\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 09:07 PM\']
[quote name=\'mmb5\' post=\'130859\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 05:41 PM\']
All of my Not 100s were oldies:
37. Two For the Money
39. Play Your Hunch
44. Masquerade Party
45. Strike It Rich (Hull)
46. Who Do You Trust?
50. Winner Take All [/quote]
You have excellent taste in TV my friend. (BTW I always thought the Dawson remake of MP was underrated.) I probably would've included Who Do You Trust? except I sent my list in weeks ago and never saw a complete episode until just this week. I had no idea the end game involved isolation booths, seeing Johnny in front of one of the booths was pretty cool.
[/quote]
And now strangely I feel I did this different from practically everyone else. I did this as if I was an academic being asked to rank these shows for history, rather than for personal tastes. I've never seen an episode of Masquerade Party, only one of Who Do You Trust and Strike It Rich and whatever GSN has shown on the other 3. I only picked Winner Take All because it was the first to have a lockout device and Strike It Rich because it was on daytime TV for seven years. The latter is actually a very terrible show in my opinion based on the one episode I've seen (plus what I've read).
--Mike, who wants a do over.
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[color=\"#009900\"]10 To Tell The Truth (1956-68, 1969-78, 1980-81, 1990-91, 2000-02)[/color]
(2763 78/80)(3 first place votes)(GSN: 19)(TVG: 9)
There have been more hosts of TTTT (at least twenty, including Merv Griffin and Mark Goodson) than of any other game show.
[color=\"#009900\"]9 Concentration/Classic Concentration (1956-73, 1973-78, 1987-91)[/color]
(2859 76/80)(4 first place votes)(GSN: 20)(TVG: 20)
Still think there ought to be a good computer game of this. On a personal note, this is the show I have the earliest memories of seeing, and learning the history of it from Buddy Piper and Norm Blumenthal last summer at GSC was terribly special to me.
[color=\"#009900\"]8 Hollywood Squares (1966-81, 1986-89, 1998-2004)[/color]
(2930 78/80)(2 first place votes)(GSN: 11)(TVG: 19)
I'm still disappointed that the rumors of Planet Hollywood Squares never materialized. Still, we're bound to see this turn up again in a few years.
[color=\"#009900\"]7 Wheel of Fortune (1975-present)[/color]
(3086 77/80)(1 first place vote)(GSN: 6)(TVG: 25)
Aside from a couple of modern shows, the only one on the list that's never been out of production since its premiere. Woolery left, though.
[color=\"#009900\"]6 Family Feud (1976-85, 1988-95, 1999-present)[/color]
(3164 78/80)(3 first place votes)(GSN: 3)(TVG: 14)
A game show rule of thumb is that actors and comedians don't tend to be good hosts. For some reason, Feud has always been hosted by actors and comedians, every one of whom has had a long run. Good luck, John!
-
WOOLERY LEFT WHEEL???!?!?!!!!???!
(not that it's going to move on my list)
(oh, and I'm glad I'm not the only one who picked TTTT No. 1; I thought my personal preference might make it a loner.)
-
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130826\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 09:26 AM\']
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'130815\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 04:48 AM\']That doesn't surprise me in the least. However, voting TAR #1...that takes a special kind of person. And I mean "special" in that short-yellow-bus way.[/quote]
That's monumentally uncalled for. We all know your personal and well-voiced opinion that 'reality' shows shouldn't count. We said they could, and if you judge them along with everything else, it's perfectly understandable why someone might look at a show that has four consecutive Emmys, a huge production budget, a global canvas and critical acclaim and call it the best ever.
[/quote]
While he probably could have phrased it a LOT better...I kinda see his point...someone who votes The Amazing Race #1 is probably the same type of person who has "Starface" and "Chain Recation" on their list, while leaving something like To Tell the Truth off.
-
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130878\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 11:53 PM\']
[color=\"#009900\"]10 To Tell The Truth (1956-68, 1969-78, 1980-81, 1990-91, 2000-02)[/color]
(2763 78/80)(3 first place votes)(GSN: 19)(TVG: 9)
[color=\"#009900\"]9 Concentration/Classic Concentration (1956-73, 1973-78, 1987-91)[/color]
(2859 76/80)(4 first place votes)(GSN: 20)(TVG: 20)
[color=\"#009900\"]8 Hollywood Squares (1966-81, 1986-89, 1998-2004)[/color]
(2930 78/80)(2 first place votes)(GSN: 11)(TVG: 19)
[color=\"#009900\"]7 Wheel of Fortune (1975-present)[/color]
(3086 77/80)(1 first place vote)(GSN: 6)(TVG: 25)
[color=\"#009900\"]6 Family Feud (1976-85, 1988-95, 1999-present)[/color]
(3164 78/80)(3 first place votes)(GSN: 3)(TVG: 14)
[/quote]
Interesting first half of the top ten.
TTTT: I can tell you who one of the people was who left the show off his ballot...me. Stone me if you must, but I wasn't a fan of this show.
Concentration: Three spots below where I had it, but at least it made the top 10. 4 first place votes! Nice choice, ballotteers. Wouldn't have put it at the top, but solid choices.
Squares: Just missed the top 10 on my list. 8th is about where I expected it to fall (had it pinned somewhere between there and 12th).
Wheel: I do not like this show. So much so that it placed 30th on my list. And honestly, I'm surprised it's as high as it is. I figured it would barely have made the top ten.
Feud: 9th in my top 50, and would have been higher if not for the train wreck that was the Karn years.
-
When voting for 'great,' you sometimes have to leave out 'like.' Or at least minimize its impact.
-
To Tell the Truth was my #18 while What's My Line? was my #4. I really think that What's My Line? was just a better game throughout any of either show's runs.
Concentration, surprisingly enough, came in at #45 on my list. It could very well be due to my age and the fact that I haven't seen that much of the show, but it really didn't hold much appeal for me. *puts on flame-retardant suit*
Hollywood Squares came in at #11 on mine. Not a big difference. It's a good show, simple as that.
Wheel was my #3. It has longevity, good hosting and a great gameplay all around.
And, lastly, Family Feud came in at #6 on both the group and my list. Same as Wheel, it's lasted long and it's just a wonderful program. The list is looking really good and I'm excited to know where the Top 5 rank.
/Too lazy to italicize.
-
Any list that has The Hollywood Squares and Concentration in the top 10 is all right with me.
-
Sorry I've been late (too much going on), but I've been enjoying reading this list so far. Sucks that Survivor and the four-time Emmy-winning Amazing Race landed in the bottom 50 (where was Project Runway?) And I knew that Double Dare would rank way higher than Fun House/College Mad House. That and The Mole were the only two Stone and Company (formerly Stone Stanley) shows to make the complete list; no Shop 'Til You Drop or that AWFUL Quicksilver/Free-4-All hour on USA!
As for the top 10, I'm glad Wheel and Feud made it. But we're down to the final five; I'm hoping and praying that TPIR will be #1 with Jeopardy as #2.
Jonathan Allen
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'130851\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 02:50 PM\'][quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130850\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 02:43 PM\']Agriculture USA[/quote]Huh?[/quote]Well, since no one else has replied to Chris, The Esoteric One'll have a shot at it...
Also known as Ag - U.S.A. and Ag - Day (thanks, Total Television), this syndicated agricultural series ran mostly in early morning time slots, at least occasionally featuring an agriculturally-themed quiz bowl-type competition.
Esoteric Eric, who only saw part of one game, and is not the person who ranked it #50. (My Five-Oh is a game that had its most recent version announced by a certain member of the Forum, whom I'm hoping to meet next year in Las Vegas.) ((8=D))
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[quote name=\'SRIV94\' post=\'130873\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 07:08 PM\']
Yeah, right. Next you'll tell me Paul McCartney was in a group before Wings.
Good one.
:-)
Doug
[/quote]
"Paul McCartney was in a group?"
[Now doesn't **that** make you feel old?] :^)
-Kevin
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[quote name=\'Modor\' post=\'130881\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 12:16 AM\']While he probably could have phrased it a LOT better...I kinda see his point...someone who votes The Amazing Race #1 is probably the same type of person who has "Starface" and "Chain Recation" on their list, while leaving something like To Tell the Truth off.
[/quote]
And you would be wrong. Can't stand Starface. Chain Reaction is nowhere on my list. To Tell the Truth was no 7. I watched the original as a kid. I loved it. "Will the real please stand up" was a big catch phase when I was young. I even liked the last two remakes.
I watched Jackpot at lunch from school. I raced home to watch Match Game and Tattletales. I begged my mom to let me stay home to watch Hollywood Sqaures so I could what Rodddy McDowell really looked (I am not explaining the reference, if you don't know you have no right to question my love of game shows )
Matt said Sept 4 1972 was a great day to be a game show fan I was there.
I just happen to think a recent show that is exciting, thrilling, and well made, takes you to exotic locals, and somehow always getts you rooting for someone and against someone is the best ever.
BTW a show that nearly every year been listed by critics as one the ten best shows on television(not Jeopardy or The Price is Right) And 4 straight awards Emmys in a category created becuase the producers of Millionaire did not want to stuck in the daytime Emmys.
-
[quote name=\'TwoInchQuad\' post=\'130894\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 02:29 AM\']
[quote name=\'SRIV94\' post=\'130873\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 07:08 PM\']
Yeah, right. Next you'll tell me Paul McCartney was in a group before Wings.
Good one.
:-)
Doug
[/quote]
"Paul McCartney was in a group?"
[Now doesn't **that** make you feel old?] :^)
-Kevin
[/quote]
Yeah, I used to love listening to The Quarrymen? Whatever happened to them? One thing, they needed a better drummer...
(old and damn proud of it)
-
TTTT: I can tell you who one of the people was who left the show off his ballot...me. Stone me if you must, but I wasn't a fan of this show.
I'm sure Jason Wuthrich will be along any minute now to throw something at you. Better duck, Dave.
I personally ranked this show 3rd--right above WML. I've always enjoyed these two panel shows in particular.
Concentration: Three spots below where I had it, but at least it made the top 10. 4 first place votes! Nice choice, ballotteers. Wouldn't have put it at the top, but solid choices.
I was one who ranked it 1st. I always enjoyed getting up in my single-integer years to watch "that guy from Jeopardy!" host a different show. Wish I could see more of the original sometime.
Wheel: I do not like this show. So much so that it placed 30th on my list. And honestly, I'm surprised it's as high as it is. I figured it would barely have made the top ten.
I don't like it either...and now that I've thought about it, I never should have ranked it 14th.
Feud: 9th in my top 50, and would have been higher if not for the train wreck that was the Karn years.
Can't say I've ever made this appointment television. The families' antics are get old very fast (same with Card Sharks). Survey Says..........22nd (buzz!)
-
All of my 50 landed in GSF's top 96.
The highest GSF show that I didn't have at all was Split Second at #27.
The highest show I had that didn't make the GSF-50 was Russian Roulette at #28. (GSF = 54) I still think it's the most engaging concept GSN has presented in its originals.
Here are where my other top-50's landed in the collective GSF opinion:
30. Greed (GSF = 59)
Mainly because I paid little or no attention to it when it aired on Fox and I'm still catching new-to-me episodes on GSN. So it's fresh in my mind.
41. Hot Potato (GSF = 60)
Those were the three that I gave sincere thought to. These other three I considered "for-fun" inclusions and, oddly enough, it includes the highest GSF finisher.
46. Street Smarts (GSF = 96)
47. You Don't Say (GSF = 51)
48. 2 Minute Drill (GSF = 71)
Of the shows that were in both top 50's, the biggest gaps were on:
Gong Show (me = 19, GSF = 39)
Weakest Link (me = 26, GSF = 49)
and in the other direction,
I've Got a Secret (me = 45, GSF = 21)
And so, did anyone vote for Sex Wars?
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[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'130865\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 07:59 PM\']
[quote name=\'Modor\' post=\'130860\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 05:54 PM\']
This person would have more luck answering the last two than the first two.
I'm 22.
[/quote]
Good for you. My daughter is 16 (I'm in my 40s) and I saw to it she knew about Humphrey Bogart, Jimmy Stewart, Buddy Holly, Elvis, the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Johnny Carson, The Andy Griffith Show and a number of other non-current-generational icons.
[/quote]
Dixon...not looking down on solely you here at all...but it always annoys me when say, Jeopardy! airs their teen tournaments and it has many "current" pop culture categories on...solely because they expect kids like the mainstream.
Or was I wrong to be listening to 60s and 70s hits in high school?
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[quote name=\'Modor\' post=\'130904\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 10:12 AM\']
Or was I wrong to be listening to 60s and 70s hits in high school?
[/quote]
Nope...I rarely listened to the current music back then...it's a trend that stuck with me to this day.
-
[quote name=\'Modor\' post=\'130904\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 09:12 AM\']
Or was I wrong to be listening to 60s and 70s hits in high school?
[/quote]
You weren't wrong and you weren't alone. I did, and as recently as the mid 1990s I met one girl who was 16, very attractive and popular, and told me she and her friends loved the Beatles. Today, however, I detect some type of aversion from younger people to the past. It's not all of them but it's a lot of them.
I remember when I was in middle and high school (the 1970s), everyone seemed surprised and fascinated when we found out Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were once a comedy team (ditto Bob Hope and Bing Crosby) and laughed out loud at Abbott & Costello. And we listened to a lot of '60s music.
-
Seeing a list where the top 10 (thus far) include Wheel, Feud, Concentration, and Hollywood Squares (plus, a relatively good idea of what's still yet to come), this is the first list of its kind I've seen that I can actually say has a decent amount of "credibility..."
Though Concentration is my 2nd favorite GS of them all, I ranked it 8th (optimism: come on NBC, do the right thing and bring it back!), Feud 4th, HS 6th, and TTTT 11th. One of the reasons why I had Feud and HS higher than maybe a lot of others is that I also took into account what I felt each show's impact on pop culture, and "everyday life" have been. With FF and HS having more current, substantial runs in recent history, that is the main reason I placed them higher than Concentration and TTTT.
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130878\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 11:53 PM\']
[color=\"#009900\"]7 Wheel of Fortune (1975-present)[/color]
(3086 77/80)(1 first place vote)(GSN: 6)(TVG: 25)
Aside from a couple of modern shows, the only one on the list that's never been out of production since its premiere. Woolery left, though.
[/quote]
I like being an individual, hehehe!! ;)
Though, from an analytical standpoint, having only 1 first place vote, while making it to number 7, as compared to the rest of the top 10 so far, which have at least 2 first place ones, it looks like Wheel may have been averaging a higher place on a lot more lists than one might expect...
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[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'130895\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 05:36 AM\']
I just happen to think a recent show that is exciting, thrilling, and well made, takes you to exotic locals, and somehow always getts you rooting for someone and against someone is the best ever.
BTW a show that nearly every year been listed by critics as one the ten best shows on television(not Jeopardy or The Price is Right) And 4 straight awards Emmys in a category created becuase the producers of Millionaire did not want to stuck in the daytime Emmys.
[/quote]
Then, I am curious to know why you said this (http://\"http://gameshow.ipbhost.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=10856&view=findpost&p=127731\"). You know, the part about saying "there is no way it should replace one of the 13 left". Seems awfully contradictory to me.
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[quote name=\'SteveRep\' post=\'130883\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 12:49 AM\']
When voting for 'great,' you sometimes have to leave out 'like.' Or at least minimize its impact.
[/quote]
Eh, I tackled this from the exact opposite route, almost. I figured if had a huge impact on the genre, and I didn't like it, voting it at a low number wasn't going to lessen its overall placing while still keeping true to my own opinions.
Or something like that. I had Wheel and Feud in my second 25 (I think) with no misgivings. Similarly, I had no problem putting Rock Star as my #1 show.
-C
/yes, kidding
/you mean Tommy Lee was in a band before Supernova?
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[quote name=\'tpirfan28\' post=\'130673\' date=\'Sep 7 2006, 08:38 PM\']So that means AT LEAST one person didn't vote for TPiR. Incredible. But I kinda figured coming out of this group for some odd reason.[/quote]Not everyone that likes game shows like TPiR. I, for one, really can't stand the show. And no, I'm not kidding. However, I did have TPiR on my list for many of the same reasons as people had TTD on their list -- respect for the longevity and popularity of the show.
/"Actions are immoral. Opinions are not. And I won't apologize for mine."
//waits for the ninny comment
-
[quote name=\'rialtus\' post=\'130928\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 12:16 PM\']
//waits for the ninny comment
[/quote]
Yer a....no, wait, that was a completely logical, well-reasoned, and non-contradictory argument. You DO realize this is the Game Show Forum, right? :)
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[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'130827\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 10:37 AM\']
48. Rhyme & Reason
If nothing else, a show that gives Nipsey Russell a chance to be Nipsey Russell...and Jaye P. Morgan another chance to swear during a taping. (OK maybe that last one wasn't such a good idea.) The bizarre finale is the stuff of show biz legend.
[/quote]
I have vague memories of the last episode - I must have seen it because it aired during the summer. Although I didn't rank it in my top 50, I liked the show and I'm glad at least the pilot survives.
Similar thing with Baffle, which was mentioned a few posts up the thread. I remember watching it occasionally when it was on - but it would help if an episode of it was available to job the memory!
-
Why should ANYONE have to defend their choices for favorite game shows?
One thing about this is that opinions change. For me, shows have gone up and down my personal list many times over the years, and the list I submitted is how I feel about them now. I could rank half of them differently six months from now.
Still, this has been a really interesting thread and I'd like to thank Matt for his work on it. It got us talking about a lot of old favorites again!!
-
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130850\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 05:43 PM\']
[quote name=\'Joe Mello\' post=\'130840\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 01:07 PM\']What I'd be interested in seeing is the show(s) that got a total of one point in the voting.[/quote]
Done! The following shows received a vote at #50 on a single ballot, and no votes from any of the 79 other entries.
(list snipped, but the memory remains)
[/quote]
Someone other than me voted for What's Going On?
It's time to honor Lee!
-
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'130921\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 02:00 PM\']
Then, I am curious to know why you said this (http://\"http://gameshow.ipbhost.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=10856&view=findpost&p=127731\"). You know, the part about saying "there is no way it should replace one of the 13 left". Seems awfully contradictory to me.
[/quote]
Because I could put it at #1 and still list all of those 13, like I did. It did not replace a single one. It was easy; when you don't put Freakin' Studs on the list.
-
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130878\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 11:53 PM\']
[
[color=\"#009900\"]7 Wheel of Fortune (1975-present)[/color]
(3086 77/80)(1 first place vote)(GSN: 6)(TVG: 25)
Aside from a couple of modern shows, the only one on the list that's never been out of production since its premiere. Woolery left, though.
[/quote]
I will never forget the Greed with the question "which show did Chuck Woolery NOT host?" Both the contestant and captain said "I know for a fact he did not host Wheel of Fortune"
-
[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'130950\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 08:49 PM\']
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'130921\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 02:00 PM\']
Then, I am curious to know why you said this (http://\"http://gameshow.ipbhost.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=10856&view=findpost&p=127731\"). You know, the part about saying "there is no way it should replace one of the 13 left". Seems awfully contradictory to me.
[/quote]
Because I could put it at #1 and still list all of those 13, like I did. It did not replace a single one. It was easy; when you don't put Freakin' Studs on the list.
[/quote]
That makes no sense whatsoever.
/sick of seeing "Freakin' Studs" get overused.
-
Webster's new world dictionary
Replace: "to take of the place of"
It did not take the place of any of them they were all there.
-
[color=\"#009900\"]5 The Match Game (1962-69, 1973-82, 1990-91)[/color]
(3311 79/80)(6 first place votes)(GSN: 1)(TVG: 10)
[color=\"#009900\"]4 Password (1961-67, 1971-75, 1979-82, 1984-89)[/color]
(3431 78/80)(5 first place votes)(GSN: 15)(TVG: 4)
[color=\"#009900\"]3 The Pyramid (1973-80, 1981, 1982-88, 1991-92, 2002-04)[/color]
(3493 79/80)(11 first place votes)(GSN: 8)(TVG: 6)
[color=\"#009900\"]2 Jeopardy! (1964-75, 1978-79, 1984-present)[/color]
(3494 79/80)(13 first place votes)(GSN: 2)(TVG: 2)
[color=\"#009900\"]1 The Price Is Right (1956-65, 1972-present)[/color]
(3659 78/80)(22 first place votes)(GSN: 4)(TVG: 1)
-
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130956\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 09:15 PM\']
[color=\"#009900\"]3 The Pyramid (1973-80, 1981, 1982-88, 1991-92, 2002-04)[/color]
(3493 79/80)(11 first place votes)(GSN: 8)(TVG: 6)
[color=\"#009900\"]2 Jeopardy! (1964-75, 1978-79, 1984-present)[/color]
(3494 79/80)(13 first place votes)(GSN: 2)(TVG: 2)
[/quote]
My favorite game show of all time is third place because of ONE POINT?!
[font=\"Arial Black\"]NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!![/font][/size]
-
Egads, I didn't even look. It was getting close at the top. Not shocked that Price ran away with it though. I am shocked that Wheel didn't crack the top 5 and MG did.
-Jason
-
[quote name=\'Modor\' post=\'130952\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 06:59 PM\']
That makes no sense whatsoever.
[/quote]
Bears repeating.
[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'130955\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 07:11 PM\']
Webster's new world dictionary
Replace: "to take of the place of"
It did not take the place of any of them they were all there.
[/quote]
Ohhhhh, I seeee...wait, no, still makes no sense whatsoever.
-
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130956\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 10:15 PM\']
[color=\"#009900\"]5 The Match Game (1962-69, 1973-82, 1990-91)[/color]
(3311 79/80)(6 first place votes)(GSN: 1)(TVG: 10)
[/quote]
Matthew, my Matt, you forgot a version. (1998-99....Michael Burger! George Hamilton! Judy Tenuta!)
I do understand, though, why you'd block it out.
-
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'130959\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 10:41 PM\']Bears repeating.[/quote]We're only in Week 1, but based on what Chicago did to the Packers today, they're on their way. [ducking]
/vindication for Price fans!
//I didn't submit a list, since I'm not good at playing favorites
///I would have agreed with TPiR at #1, though, because of its longevity
////note to rialtus: Chuck Sutton's definition of "replace" is what we do here at the GSF
/////and that's to not make sense
//////is 6 levels of slashies a record? :-)
-
Matt, I hope this pointless sniping wasn't the cause of a lack of comments on the top 5. I've been appreciative of those, myself.
(And I don't want to hear about how anybody has a point. It's not the point of the thread, it's not accomplishing anything--let it die, please.)
Brandon, should I not mention that, had Matt convinced me to submit a list, I would have definitely ranked Pyramid above Jeopardy!?
-
[quote name=\'Brandon Brooks\' post=\'130957\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 09:34 PM\']
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130956\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 09:15 PM\']
[color=\"#009900\"]3 The Pyramid (1973-80, 1981, 1982-88, 1991-92, 2002-04)[/color]
(3493 79/80)(11 first place votes)(GSN: 8)(TVG: 6)
[color=\"#009900\"]2 Jeopardy! (1964-75, 1978-79, 1984-present)[/color]
(3494 79/80)(13 first place votes)(GSN: 2)(TVG: 2)
[/quote]
My favorite game show of all time is third place because of ONE POINT?!
[font=\"Arial Black\"]NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!![/font][/size]
[/quote]
Now I feel bad by ranking it 9th.
-
[quote name=\'GS Warehouse\' post=\'130963\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 07:56 PM\']
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'130959\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 10:41 PM\']Bears repeating.[/quote]We're only in Week 1, but based on what Chicago did to the Packers today, they're on their way. [ducking]
[/quote]
I never tire of that joke.
Had I submitted a list, Price still would have been #1, and Pyramid would have been #2.
(Of course, has someone else who didn't submit one do so, there's a good chance that Pyramid gets bumped again, because I can't see myself putting Jeopardy lower than #3.)
-
[quote name=\'Robert Hutchinson\' post=\'130964\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 09:59 PM\']
Brandon, should I not mention that, had Matt convinced me to submit a list, I would have definitely ranked Pyramid above Jeopardy!?
[/quote]
[font=\"Arial Black\"]NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!![/font][/size]
I put J! down at number 10, which in retrospect may have been too low. I love the game and didn't have the heart to put it out of the top ten. Price was right at number two for me.
-
[quote name=\'Brandon Brooks\' post=\'130974\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 08:22 PM\']
[font=\"Arial Black\"]NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!![/font][/size]
[/quote]
Do not want? :)
-
Then let me explain in terms even a "ninny" can understand
I was asked two different questions
1. What are the remaining 13 shows on a list of 50 from GSN?
I am stuck with what they all the shows they have already listed. The question is should the Newlywed Game the Dating Game be on a list of the 50 greatest games ever? Yes, they definitely should and they were on mine at 41 and 42.
Should they be on the list of the top 13? no, they should not. And I wish they were not. I wish they were where they belonged on the GSN list so one could put The Amazing Race on there and it would not have to "replace" them. Remember in this question I was asked; I did not have the option of moving Dating and Newlywed down.
So a better show had to be left off so that it would not "replace" two lesser deserving shows that have to be on a list of the 50 greatest somewhere.
Give me the entire list of 50. "Should" The Amazing Race "replace" The Newlywed Game on the list of 50? No, It should not, instead it should replace Dog Eat Dog and Newlywed Game should move down to that spot.(but I did not have that option in this question)
In this senerio, is opposite is also possible and true. The Newlywed Game "should" not "replace" The Amazing Race on a list of the 50 greatest game shows.
In either case, if someone gave me a list 50 shows and asked "should" you replace on this list The Newlywed Game with The Amazing Race? The correct answer is no. It "should" not "replace" it. And visa versa.
In either case, if someone had asked me the follow-up question; "What 'should' GSN have done to put the Amazing Race on the list if 50?", which no one did, I would have answered, "It should have taken Dog Eat Dog, Studs, Love Connection off the list moved Dating Game or Newlywed Game down and put The Amazing Race in the top 10"
Think about this way if someone put together a list of the 50 greatest shows without Password and then asked you "should" I "replace" Pyramid with Password? Of the correct answer is no. There are lots of ways to include both.
Don't blame me because you did not ask the right question.
2. I was asked what are the 50 greatest game shows ever? I gave that answer.
I was not asked either time what "should" be on list of the 13 greatest game shows? If I had been I would not have answered The Newlywed Game or The Dating Game.
The first piece of advice I give my clients, on the stand, answer the question you are asked and ONLY the question you are asked. I did that both times.
-
If I have read correctly, then that means there were 0 shows that appeared on all 80 ballots!
I'd certainly like to know why out of curiousty.
-
[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'130979\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 10:41 PM\']
Don't blame me because you did not ask the right question.
[/quote]
Are you related to an Adam Kliest, by chance? With all of this crap, I'm surprised Pass the Buck wasn't your #1 show.
I'd certainly like to know why out of curiousty.
Um, because someone didn't vote for them? Simple as that...there's a couple people around that simply don't like TPiR, J!, etc. for whatever reason.
Not that I was one of them.
-
Thanks, Matt, for the list. I actually find it interesting that most of the shows we picked were quite similar to GSN's list, save for a few throwaways, whom shall go unmentioned since I'm tried of reading the played out phrase every other post.
I'm one of the folks who voted Family Feud #1, simply for the fact that IMO, Feud has had 5 different hosts and 4 of them have lasted at least 3 years, which is a true testament to how perfect the game/show is put together.
Tyshaun
P.S. I had TPIR at #7 and Jeopardy! #5 (Sorry Brandon!)
-
I don't know how necessary it is or how many people need it, but here's the complete list, 101-1 of our picks. This might save some people some time and aggravation of looking through twenty-some pages of stuff. If you want it gone, just say so and I'll remove it.
100. The Magnificent Marble Machine
100. Finders Keepers
99. Pitfall
98. Make Me Laugh
96. Street Smarts
96. Play the Percentages
95. PDQ/Baffle
94. Name's the Same
93. Queen For A Day
92. Money Maze
90. Trivia Trap
90. The Mole
89. Legends of the Hidden Temple
87. Monopoly
87. Caesar's Challenge
86. Dream House
84. Winning Lines
84. History IQ
83. Talk About
82. Child's Play
81. Hot Streak
80. Hollywood Showdown
79. Pass the Buck
78. Pantomime Quiz/Stump the Stars
77. Battlestars
76. Fun House
75. Face the Music
74. The Amazing Race
73. Debt
71. Two Minute Drill
71. American Gladiators
70. Starcade
69. Video Village
68. Double Dare
67. Hit Man
66. Wipeout
65. Survivor
64. Eye Guess
63. Cross-Wits
62. Liar's Club
61. Three on a Match
60. Hot Potato
59. Greed
58. Body Language
57. Celebrity Sweepstakes
56. Bullseye
55. Big Showdown
54. Russian Roulette
53. Where in the World/Time is Carmen Sandiego?
52. Win, Lose or Draw
51. You Don't Say
50. Gambit/Las Vegas Gambit
49. The Weakest Link
47. The Dating Game
47. Remote Control
46. College Bowl
45. Treasure Hunt
44. Deal or No Deal
43. Now You See It
42. Break the Bank
41. Twenty One
40. Go
39. The Gong Show/Extreme Gong
38. Whew!
37. The Who What or Where Game/ The Challengers
36. You Bet Your Life
35. Lingo
34. Truth or Consequences
33. The $64,000/$128,000 Question
32. Chain Reaction
31. He Said, She Said/Tattletales
30. Jackpot
29. Win Ben Stein's Money
28. Supermarket Sweep
27. Split Second
26. The Newlywed Game
25. Double Dare (Nickelodeon)
24. Beat the Clock
23. High Rollers
22. Blockbusters
21. I've got a Secret
20. Scrabble
19. Name That Tune
18. Tic Tac Dough
17. Let's Make a Deal
16. Sale of the Century
15. The Joker's Wild
14. What's My Line?
13. Card Sharks
12. Press Your Luck/Whammy!
11. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
10. To Tell the Truth
9. (Classic) Concentration
8. Hollywood Squares
7. Wheel of Fortune
6. Family Feud
5. Match Game
4. Password
3. Pyramid
2. Jeopardy!
1. The Price is Right
-
[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'130979\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 08:41 PM\']
The first piece of advice I give my clients, on the stand, answer the question you are asked and ONLY the question you are asked. I did that both times.
[/quote]
Oh PLEASE tell me you're not claiming you're a lawyer.
-
[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'130979\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 10:41 PM\']
Then let me explain in terms even a "ninny" can understand
<snip> And visa versa.
[/quote]
I prefer MasterCard versa myself.
-
Here was the list I submitted to Matt. It has only 30 shows, but I think I now realize that I could of easily thought up 50 after reading the official list:
30: The Gong Show
29: Supermarket Sweep
28: The Weakest Link
27: Greed
26: Name That Tune
25: Blockbusters
24: What's My Line?
23: Let's Make a Deal
22: Russian Roulette
21: Password
20: Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
19: The Jokers Wild
18: Scrabble
17: Deal or No Deal?
16: Tic Tac Dough
15: Card Sharks
14: Lingo
13: To Tell The Truth
12: Double Dare (Nick)
11: Press Your Luck
10: Concentration
9: Match Game
8: Hollywood Squares
7: $ale of the Century
6: Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
5: Wheel of Fortune
4: Family Feud
3: The $______ Pyramid
2: The Price is Right
1: Jeopardy!
-Joe R.
-
[quote name=\'Joe Mello\' post=\'130980\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 11:47 PM\']
If I have read correctly, then that means there were 0 shows that appeared on all 80 ballots!
I'd certainly like to know why out of curiousty.[/quote]
We talked about this a few pages back, but as quickly as this thread has moved, it's understandable that you might have missed it.
There are essentially two ways a major, major show gets left off a ballot: accidentally and deliberately. My guess is that MOST of the major omissions were accidental, but that there might have been a person or two who just hated a show so much that they refused to include it.
Only thirteen ballots "missed" at least one of the top ten, and all but three of those had nine out of ten. So yes, three ballots had multiple omissions of top-ten shows, and that doesn't even count the one person who had four of the top-ten shows in the 40-50 range.
-
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'130987\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 11:26 PM\']
[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'130979\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 08:41 PM\']
The first piece of advice I give my clients, on the stand, answer the question you are asked and ONLY the question you are asked. I did that both times.
[/quote]
Oh PLEASE tell me you're not claiming you're a lawyer.
[/quote]
Nice catch, Chris.
He'll probably claim the fifth on this one.
-
Here's my list (Number in parentheses is group ranking)
1 To Tell The Truth. For longevity, play-along factor, Garry Moore's hosting, Mark Goodson saying it's the "golden" game show idea, and because it's my favorite, nyaah.(10)
2 Password Invented the celeb-civilian pairing, inspired dozens of other shows, good runs on all three original networks. (4)
3 The Price is Right. Version 1 was ahead of its time and a huge hit. Version 2...well, on it flows. (1)
4 What's My Line. The wittiest game show ever. And the most sophisticated.(14)
5 Concentration Wonderful play-along, simple to understand but mind-involving, just plain fun to watch.(9)
6 WWTBA Millionaire. Proved big-money Q&A shows can be honest and work. If you don't run them into the ground. (11)
7 Family Feud. The 1960s Match Game with the perfect additions: the family angle, Richard Dawson and a solid bonus game. (6)
8 Match Game. The first version was Family Feud in utero. The second was a party.(5)
9 Jeopardy. The last outpost of hard questions - yes, even now - and influential (how many other three-on-a-question games have we seen since then?) (2)
10 Name That Tune. An odd choice, but I'll stand by it - the best of several musical game shows. (19)
11 I've Got A Secret. Just a lot of fun. And yes, I have three panel shows in my top 11. Deal with it. (21)
12 Hollywood Squares. Easily the funniest show on the list, either intentionally or unintentionally.(8)
13 College Bowl. . Not only for inspiring every high school quiz in America, but for Allen Ludden's big break. (46)
14 (insert$here) Pyramid. Bob Stewart mixes tension and big money with Password and creates a classic. (3)
15 Let's Make a Deal. Strictly for Monty Hall. (17)
16 15 to 1. One shw on this list I've never seen, but one I'd love to - a hard British quiz.(NOT RANKED)
17 Wheel of Fortune. Like "Cats," Now and Forever. (7)
18 Split Second. Really fast-paced buzzer game. Great job by Tom Kennedy (27)
19 Who, What or Where Game. On at the same time as Split Second. Slower pace, harder questions. (37)
20 You Don't Say!. For the original version. (51)
21 Press Your Luck. The "crack" of game shows, but it stays with people. (12)
22 Information Please. A radio classic. (NOT RANKED)
23 $64,000 Question. Started the 50s big-money craze. (33)
24 The Newlywed Game. Yeah, a lot of us are sick of it, but very big in its time.(26)
25 You Bet Your Life. No, it's not for the Bill Cosby or buddy Hackett versions. (36)
26 Scrabble. Solid adaptation of a board game. (20)
27 Double Dare (Nick) Best children's game show ever.(25)
28 Video Village. One of Heatter-Quigley's first big hits. I still remember the big dice cage. (69)
29 Tic Tac Dough. Another long runner. (18)
30 Eye Guess. A perfect show for Bill Cullen. Just a joy with humor.(64)
31 Win Ben Stein's Money. Self-consciously funny, but likeable for the Mighty Mr. Stein. (29)
32 PDQ/Baffle. A pretty good word game.(95)
33 The Gong Show. Well it was a game, and no show had more STUFF! (clap) (39)
34 World Series of Pop Culture. The token new kid - but very addicting.(NOT RANKED)
35 Truth or Consequences. Bob Barker's fiefdom before TPIR, and Ralph Edwards' before that. (34)
36 Remote Control. The one good game in MTV's history. (47T)
37 Tattletales. The one all-celeb game show that worked. (31)
38 Lingo. An addictive game, probably GSN's best original. (35)
39 Weakest Link. I'm not a fan of vote-em-off shows, but two good hosts and a catchphrase made it memorable.(49)
40 Inquizition. The gimmick got old quickly, but at its heart was a good fast-paced quiz. (NOT RANKED)
41 The Magnificent Marble Machine. Just for actually executing an idea that nobody thought would work. It didn't. But they tried.(100)
42 The Joker's Wild. Never a favorite of mine - it seemed too easy to fix, and having Jack Barry at the helm didn't increase my confidence any. (15)
43 Hollywood Showdown. Another good GSN original. (80)
44 Twenty One. One wonders if NBC had taken the revival seriously how well it could have done. (41)
45 High Rollers. Best of the dice games. (23)
46 Seven Keys. One of the first shows I remember watching.(NOT RANKED)
47 Dream House. Here for one reaso - on the original show, they gave away a house called "The Barrington." (86)
48 Sports Challenge. Its use of legends puts this a bit ahead of "Two Minute Drill," whose good points (Kenny Mayne hosting) were overshadowed by illiterate jocks trying to read rapid-fire questions. (NOT RANKED)
49 I'll Bet. Just one that's stuck with me from childhood. I could have included Showdown, Window Shopping, Everybody's Talking, or a dozen others in this spot.(NOT RANKED)
50 Stump the Stars. This sort of fell here when I ran long. But charades shows have a long tradition, so why not one here.(78)
(NOTE: When I recounted, I realized I had actually listed 52, so hoorable mention to Whew!, (38) in honor of Randy Amasia, and Beat The Clock, (24) which is easily the longest-running game I never liked.)
NOT ON MY LIST:
50. Gambit. Just never enjoyed it.
47T The Dating Game The foundation of Chuck Barris' empire, but Newlywed was the bigger hit.
45. Treasure Hunt. Just personal dislike
44. Deal or No deal.It's eye catching, but there isn't a game there.
43. Now You See It. Word search puzzles on TV? It doesn't work. Great theme, though.
42. Break the Bank. Too much of a Squares ripoff.
40. Go. Never got into it.
32. Chain Reaction. Ditto.
30. Jackpot! Like the idea of 15 contestants for a week but not silly riddles.
28. Supermarket Sweep. Never saw the updated version (sorry, Randy!) but I didn't like the original because I never heard of any of the grocery chains at the time.
22. Blockbusters. Good game, but I leaned toward Eye Guess.
15. Sale of the Century. I never saw the second incarnation of the show - all I remember is the Jack Kelly version, and it wasn't a favorite.
13. Card Sharks. I thought it was OK but maybe top 75, not top 50. Especially with two sub-par revivals of an original I thought was just OK. OK? OK.
-
So did anyone else have It Pays to Be Ignorant on his list? I put it at number 49 on the strength of the radio version, which I find uproariously funny. According to the EoTVGS, there was a TV version featuring the radio cast which I can only assume was basically the same show and just as funny. I never saw the '70s Joe Flynn version either. (Hey, Jamie, if you can find a copy of either version, how 'bout a Page O' Clips posting?)
-
I take it no one else had it on their list, but does anyone else remember "Wonderama?" It was a kids' show highlighted by its game elements (sort of like "Ag USA," apparently) which included Snake Cans and Guess Your Best. It was TPIR before TPIR.
And on the topic of "It Pays to Be Ignorant," did Hatos-Hall mount the Joe Flynn version? There was a poster for it in their office, as seen in the LMAD documentary. I'd love to see it again, because Joe Flynn is a riot.
-
[quote name=\'Neumms\' post=\'131037\' date=\'Sep 11 2006, 10:08 AM\']
And on the topic of "It Pays to Be Ignorant," did Hatos-Hall mount the Joe Flynn version? There was a poster for it in their office, as seen in the LMAD documentary. I'd love to see it again, because Joe Flynn is a riot.
[/quote]
I do believe they did.
Doug
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[quote name=\'Neumms\' post=\'131037\' date=\'Sep 11 2006, 08:08 AM\']
I take it no one else had it on their list, but does anyone else remember "Wonderama?" It was a kids' show highlighted by its game elements (sort of like "Ag USA," apparently) which included Snake Cans and Guess Your Best. It was TPIR before TPIR.
[/quote]
"Wonderama" was largely an East Coast localish thing, I think. The rest of us (of age to) remember when it kinda-sorta morphed into "Kids Are People Too" on Sunday mornings on ABC. The thing that always stuck in my head about that show (when Bob McAllister was still the host) was that he kept a rubber ball (like, one of those pink ones used for stoopball...I think y'all back East call it a "Spaldeen"?) in a holster on his belt and would play catch with the audience during the closing credits.
-
[quote name=\'Modor\' post=\'131032\' date=\'Sep 11 2006, 10:10 AM\'][quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'130987\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 11:26 PM\']Oh PLEASE tell me you're not claiming you're a lawyer.
[/quote]Nice catch, Chris.
He'll probably claim the fifth on this one.[/quote]
Both of you stop now.
-
Say, I'm curious: Did you submit your own list, Mr. Matt Ottinger?
-Joe R.
-
[quote name=\'JRaygor\' post=\'131051\' date=\'Sep 11 2006, 12:06 PM\']
Say, I'm curious: Did you submit your own list, Mr. Matt Ottinger?[/quote]
Of course! I did mine first, before I even announced the idea, because I didn't want to be influenced by other voting. I had Jeopardy first and TPIR second. The only one I picked that fell outside the Top 100 was Sports Challenge (#110). The other low ones that were on my list were Pantomime Quiz and two Cullen pleasures, Three on a Match (which I put pretty high at #35) and Eye Guess, which was my #50 pick. The highest ranked show that wasn't on my list was Jackpot, and that was probably a mistake on my part.
-
[quote name=\'Modor\' post=\'131032\' date=\'Sep 11 2006, 10:10 AM\']
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'130987\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 11:26 PM\']
[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'130979\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 08:41 PM\']
The first piece of advice I give my clients, on the stand, answer the question you are asked and ONLY the question you are asked. I did that both times.
[/quote]
Oh PLEASE tell me you're not claiming you're a lawyer.
[/quote]
Nice catch, Chris.
He'll probably claim the fifth on this one.
[/quote]
BTW anyone in Michigan who is out of work and needs helps getting their unemployment benefits or other legal needs feel free to Google sutton grand rapids attorney.
Are you done now?
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[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'131057\' date=\'Sep 11 2006, 09:50 AM\']
BTW anyone in Michigan who is out of work and needs helps getting their unemployment benefits or other legal needs feel free to Google sutton grand rapids attorney.
Are you done now?
[/quote]
Oh, very much so.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'131054\' date=\'Sep 11 2006, 11:46 AM\']
[quote name=\'JRaygor\' post=\'131051\' date=\'Sep 11 2006, 12:06 PM\']
Say, I'm curious: Did you submit your own list, Mr. Matt Ottinger?[/quote]
Of course! I did mine first, before I even announced the idea, because I didn't want to be influenced by other voting. I had Jeopardy first and TPIR second.[/quote]
OK, you were on J!, and I believe you've attended a taping or two of TPiR (and probably other shows along the way). You also were on $otC--just curious where you ranked that one.
/not trying to imply anything from the question, even though it may sound it
//TPiR's the only one I've been to, and I still had MG7x ahead of it
///if anyone's curious, I'll post my list a bit later (just hold the tomatoes)
Doug
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[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'131057\' date=\'Sep 11 2006, 12:50 PM\']
[quote name=\'Modor\' post=\'131032\' date=\'Sep 11 2006, 10:10 AM\']
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'130987\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 11:26 PM\']
[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'130979\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 08:41 PM\']
The first piece of advice I give my clients, on the stand, answer the question you are asked and ONLY the question you are asked. I did that both times.
[/quote]
Oh PLEASE tell me you're not claiming you're a lawyer.
[/quote]
Nice catch, Chris.
He'll probably claim the fifth on this one.
[/quote]
BTW anyone in Michigan who is out of work and needs helps getting their unemployment benefits or other legal needs feel free to Google sutton grand rapids attorney.
Are you done now?
[/quote]
They are, and now you are too. The subject is now closed.
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[quote name=\'SRIV94\' post=\'131062\' date=\'Sep 11 2006, 01:04 PM\']OK, you were on J!, and I believe you've attended a taping or two of TPiR (and probably other shows along the way). You also were on $otC--just curious where you ranked that one.[/quote]
Way down at #27. As I've said in some of my editorializing, those of you who grew up in the eighties tend to have a much higher opinion of eighties shows like Sale, Scrabble and Press Your Luck than those of us who grew up in the seventies (or earlier) and remember different shows just as fondly.
I go back to Three on a Match as an example. Just about everybody old enough to remember it had it on their list somewhere, but most younger fans didn't, and I'm guessing part of that is because a lot of you have never seen it. In its day, though, it was every bit as popular as Press Your Luck was in the eighties.
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[quote name=\'dzinkin\' post=\'131063\' date=\'Sep 11 2006, 10:05 AM\']
They are, and now you are too. The subject is now closed.
[/quote]
Subject droped! :)
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[quote name=\'Esoteric Eric\' post=\'130893\' date=\'Sep 10 2006, 01:54 AM\']
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'130851\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 02:50 PM\'][quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'130850\' date=\'Sep 9 2006, 02:43 PM\']Agriculture USA[/quote]Huh?[/quote]Well, since no one else has replied to Chris, The Esoteric One'll have a shot at it...
Also known as Ag - U.S.A. and Ag - Day (thanks, Total Television), this syndicated agricultural series ran mostly in early morning time slots, at least occasionally featuring an agriculturally-themed quiz bowl-type competition.
[/quote]
I actually remember a bit of that show from 30+ years ago!
The only game element I remember seeing was that they spun a wheel (same type of wheel they use for the Money wheels in Vegas only smaller) with red, white & blue wedges with different pictures of livestock (cows, sheep, goats, hogs, etc...). I know nothing else about how or why they spun the wheel or why it was part of the game, but it was usually on right before the early morning kid shows prior to school.
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If ya'll promise not to shoot me, here's my top fifty:
50) Win Ben Stein’s Money
49) Hot Potato
48) Where in Time/the World is Carmen Sandiego?
47) Jackpot!
46) Dog Eat Dog (It wasn't the greatest show, and the payouts weren't superb, but it was a good show that made stunts for adults. )
45) (Classic) Concentration (This is low for me most likely because I cannot recall any episodes of it and I just didn't like the show as many of you familiar with it in the '50s and '70s did.)
44) Body Language
43) American Gladiators
42) High Rollers
41) Street Smarts (Comedy and good fun. Cheap? Yes. A good show? I think so.)
40) Go
39) Scrabble
38) Name That Tune
37) $ale of the Century
36) (The New) Treasure Hunt
35) Supermarket Sweep
34) Truth or Consequences
33) You Bet Your Life
32) Win, Lose or Draw
31) Twenty-One
30) G.E. College Bowl
29) Chain Reaction
28) Blockbusters
27) Beat the Clock
26) The Dating Game
25) Greed
24) Double Dare (Nick)
23) Deal or No Deal
22) Russian Roulette
21) The Newlywed Game
20) Tic Tac Dough
19) The Joker's Wild
18) To Tell the Truth
17) I've Got a Secret
16) Card Sharks
15) Survivor (It started the entire reality craze, so I definitely feel it deserves a spot on here. It's a television show where they're playing a thirty-nine day game. That has to constitue as some sort of a game show)
14) Weakest Link
13) Lingo
12) Let's Make a Deal
11) Hollywood Squares
10) Pyramid
9) Press Your Luck/Whammy!
8) Match Game
7) Who Wants to be a Millionaire
6) Family Feud
5) Password
4) What's My Line? (A classic format. Ever since I stumbled upon it a few years ago during the late night, I've been in love with it. If only the people and television were as simple as the '50s and '60s.)
3) Wheel of Fortune
2) The Price is Right
1) Jeopardy!
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[quote name=\'chad1m\' post=\'131095\' date=\'Sep 11 2006, 01:31 PM\']
If only the people and television were as simple as the '50s and '60s.
[/quote]
Oh, I would suggest that people today are ABSOLUTELY as simple as they were in the 50's and 60's. :)
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When I made my list, I knew that my top three were going to be Price, Pyramid, and Jeopardy! (the shows I placed below those three did not even compete, in my mind). But I had a dickens of a time trying to rank them as 1, 2, and 3 -- the subject matter of each is so completely different that even though they're definitely all game shows, it's like (to play with an old cliché) trying to compare an apple, an orange, and a banana. I wound up with Price first, Pyramid second, and Jeopardy! third, but I could easily see any of them landing anywhere in the top -- glad that they did make the top three.
Also glad to see that To Tell the Truth ranked above its cousins What's My Line and I've Got a Secret -- I think the increased play-along ability makes it a better game.
I tried to consider shows that I knew were great in their day, but I had never seen episodes or clips of -- turns out it's really hard to rank a show that you know nothing about other than the game structure (as a result, they tended to land in the 40's on my list). I didn't even think to consider Three on a Match because I know absolutely nothing of it.
Which resulted in some generational bias in my list, though I tried to keep personal bias out of it -- I love Press Your Luck, but I only ranked it at number 22, even though I would rather watch it over some of the shows that I ranked above it.
I'm pretty happy with how my list compares to the group list, though I wish Carmen Sandiego had cracked the top 50 -- I know it's a generational thing, but I have great respect for a show that made me much more interested in geography as a kid (moreso than I'm interested in it today).
[quote name=\'WilliamPorygon\' post=\'130791\' date=\'Sep 8 2006, 09:18 PM\']So was I the only one to list Idiot Savants?[/quote]
Nope, I had it at 49 on my list, in a "I know this won't impact the voting and I can't think of any more shows" kind of way. I liked that they had fun while remaining a real game show and also was amazed that they were willing to make the material way too challenging for an MTV audience.
--
Scott Robinson
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'131098\' date=\'Sep 11 2006, 04:33 PM\']
Oh, I would suggest that people today are ABSOLUTELY as simple as they were in the 50's and 60's. :)
[/quote]
Heh. Touché ;)
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[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'131033\' date=\'Sep 11 2006, 10:14 AM\']
15. Sale of the Century. I never saw the second incarnation of the show - all I remember is the Jack Kelly version, and it wasn't a favorite. [/quote]
That's twice this guy's been mentioned and I have no recollection of who in the Sam Hill this Jack Kelly guy is. Can't even Google a picture of the guy.
Now Joe Garagiola is a different question .... that one I do remember.
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[quote name=\'SteveRep\' post=\'131106\' date=\'Sep 11 2006, 04:51 PM\']
[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'131033\' date=\'Sep 11 2006, 10:14 AM\']
15. Sale of the Century. I never saw the second incarnation of the show - all I remember is the Jack Kelly version, and it wasn't a favorite. [/quote]
That's twice this guy's been mentioned and I have no recollection of who in the Sam Hill this Jack Kelly guy is. Can't even Google a picture of the guy.
Now Joe Garagiola is a different question .... that one I do remember.
[/quote]
Jack Kelly is probably best known for playing Bart, brother to James Garner's Bret, on Maverick. He did host the first season of the original Sale of the Century, after which Garagiola replaced him for the remainder of the run.
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So Matt where did you rank the 3 Chuck Barris shows you commented we ranked rather low.
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OK, I did promise to share my list, since no one tried to stop me. :)
I am foregoing the commentary, though. It's late. Here we go:
50 The Magnificent Marble Machine
49 Caesar’s Challenge
48 The Who, What Or Where Game
47 Make Me Laugh
46 Break The Bank (7x)
45 Treasure Hunt
44 Hit Man
43 Debt
42 Cross-Wits
41 Remote Control
40 Greed
39 Whew!
38 Three On A Match
37 Battlestars
36 Win Ben Stein’s Money
35 Supermarket Sweep
34 Beat The Clock
33 Eye Guess
32 The Dating Game
31 Go!
30 I’ve Got A Secret
29 Jackpot!
28 Name That Tune
27 Lingo
26 The Joker’s Wild
25 Deal Or No Deal
24 The Newlywed Game
23 High Rollers
22 What’s My Line
21 Blockbusters
20 Let’s Make A Deal
19 Now You See It
18 Press Your Luck
17 Tattletales
16 Tic Tac Dough
15 $ale Of The Century
14 To Tell The Truth
13 Scrabble
12 Pyramid
11 Concentration
10 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire
9 The Gong Show
8 Card Sharks
7 Wheel Of Fortune
6 Password (preferred Plus/Super to the original, but it all counts)
5 Hollywood Squares
4 Jeopardy!
3 Family Feud
2 The Price Is Right
1 Match Game 7x
Doug
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[quote name=\'Neumms\' post=\'131037\' date=\'Sep 11 2006, 08:08 AM\']
I take it no one else had it on their list, but does anyone else remember "Wonderama?" It was a kids' show highlighted by its game elements (sort of like "Ag USA," apparently) which included Snake Cans and Guess Your Best. It was TPIR before TPIR.
[/quote]
I not only remember it, I was on it. I would have KILLED to get picked for the snake cans.
I don't think I ever appeared on camera, but my sister was one of the three finalists in the weekly dance contest and took home a pair of roller skates as a result. Sadly, I no longer have my Lender's bagelette necklace.
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On the subject of the game of The Amazing Race being better than that of Survivor...
While allowing that what makes a "better" game is entirely subjective, I think what people really mean by this comparison is that in The Amazing Race, you're elminated solely based on your own performance and not by some seemingly arbitary vote. But that stance overlooks many things:
1. In TAR, players can-- and have-- been eliminated not because of their inferior performance, but because of their horrendously bad luck. I direct your attention to the infamous haybales challenge. Those kinds of (pardon the pun) needle-in-a-haystack challenges are, in my opinion, absolutely terrible. As a player, I can understand being eliminated because of bad luck outside the producer's control-- a flat tire, a washed-out road, a delayed flight. But for the producers to introduce additional such elements into the game makes little sense to me. They have no playalong factor and aren't fun to watch at all, and when players get screwed by them it's not satisfying to me as a viewer in any way.
2. TAR is actually a series of races where winning is irrelevant until the final leg. The game is simply about not being last. Blech. I realize that a closer competition makes for better television-- in season 1, before they became more aggressive about grouping teams at the start of each leg, they wound up with a final in which the third-place team was far, far behind the other two, and it wasn't nearly as interesting. In recent seasons they've added prizes for the winners of every leg (instead of just one or two legs), which has been a very positive addition.
3. Getting voted out in Survivor is not arbitrary. The challenges in Survivor are only part of the game. The real game is about forging alliances and diverting attention away from yourself. Being a strong competitor in challenges is not necessarily the best approach. If you look at Survivor that way-- that the game is one of politics, negotiation, psychology, and timing-- the depth of the game makes The Amazing Race pale in comparison.
Don't get me wrong, I like The Amazing Race. But I love Survivor. I can understand people preferring a game where backstabbing and politics aren't involved. And if that's what they mean when they say The Amazing Race is a better game, that's perfectly valid. But looking at the game designs themselves, I'd say that Survivor's game is far more interesting. And for me, that makes it better.
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[quote name=\'Peter Sarrett\' post=\'131202\' date=\'Sep 11 2006, 11:43 PM\']Don't get me wrong, I like The Amazing Race. But I love Survivor. I can understand people preferring a game where backstabbing and politics aren't involved. And if that's what they mean when they say The Amazing Race is a better game, that's perfectly valid. But looking at the game designs themselves, I'd say that Survivor's game is far more interesting. And for me, that makes it better.[/quote]
Excellent points all, including what I snipped. Still, simply put, Survivor results are based on subjective decisions. You have to convince other people that you deserve to win. In that sense, it's no different than The Gong Show, figure skating or the Miss America Pageant, all of which are fascinating in their own ways as well. The Amazing Race results are based on objective outcomes. If you accomplish your defined task faster than the other people do, then you win. Nobody votes.
I think it's that subjective vs objective argument that fans of TAR invoke, though you could certainly make the case (and perhaps that's what you were doing) that it's precisely the subjective element that makes Survivor so engaging!
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'131215\' date=\'Sep 11 2006, 09:20 PM\']
In that sense, it's no different than The Gong Show, figure skating or the Miss America Pageant[/quote]
It's quite different in that the people players need to convince aren't a panel of impartial judges, but rather their competitors.
I agree that it's the subjective/objective issue that TAR fans invoke. But even among objective shows, I thought The Mole was a much more interesting game than TAR. Not necessarily a better SHOW, mind you, but a more interesting game.
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Might as well share my list, with commentary when appropriate.
1. Concentration
2. Password
3. To Tell the Truth
My favorite of all the panel shows.
4. What's My Line?
5. The $64,000 Question
6. Newlywed Game
Probably a guilty pleasure...but this show also launched a new type of show.
7. The Price is Right
8. Sale of the Century
9. Jeopardy!
10. Pyramid (Thanks a lot, Donny)
Had I not factored Donny-mid into my rankings, this show would have been #1/
11. Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
12. Hollywood Squares
13. Scrabble
14. Wheel of Fortune
15. 2 Minute Drill
16. Match Game
17. Let's Make a Deal
18. Double Dare (Summers)
19. Go
Damn, I wish I had saved my tapes of this from when it was on during "the dark period".
20. Whew!
21. The Gong Show
22. Family Feud
23. Press Your Luck
24. Tattletales
25. Remote Control
26. Supermarket Sweep
27. Name That Tune
28. Truth or Consequences
29. Win Ben Stein's Money
30. High Rollers
31. I've Got a Secret
32. Split Second
33. Beat the Clock
34. Gambit
35. Russian Roulette
36. Fun House
37. Lingo
38. Jackpot!
39. Debt
40. Tic Tac Dough
41. The Jokers's Wild
42. Blockbusters
43. The Dating Game
44. Chain Reaction
45. Celebrity Sweepstakes
46. Break the Bank (Kennedy/Barry)
47. Card Sharks
48. The Challengers
49. Body Language
50. It Takes Two
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[quote name=\'Modor\' post=\'131301\' date=\'Sep 12 2006, 07:27 PM\']
10. Pyramid (Thanks a lot, Donny)
Had I not factored Donny-mid into my rankings, this show would have been #1/
[/quote]
Since pyramid finished 3rd by 1 pt!, Donny Osmond cost Pyramid a second place finish.
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[quote name=\'Peter Sarrett\' post=\'131237\' date=\'Sep 12 2006, 04:37 AM\']
But even among objective shows, I thought The Mole was a much more interesting game than TAR. Not necessarily a better SHOW, mind you, but a more interesting game.
[/quote]
The Mole was probably the best game. Elimination was base don you ability to figuare out who The Mole(or fool others in to thinking it was you) and your ability to remeber details about The Mole. The games within the game were varied and challenging.
The show's cancellation played like many game shows. After sagging ratings they try a "celebrity"version. As a gimmick it works and ratings go. So they overuse the celebrity version it is no longer special and kind of dull more than once and the show ends.
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I completely disregarded what I considered 'mistake' incarnations of shows -- Osmond's Pyramid, Wayne's TTD, Berger's MG, CS 2000, etc. To me, that would have been unfair to the established heritage of the ones that got it right.
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[quote name=\'Chuck Sutton\' post=\'131303\' date=\'Sep 12 2006, 07:49 PM\']The Mole was probably the best game. Elimination was base don you ability to figuare out who The Mole(or fool others in to thinking it was you) and your ability to remeber details about The Mole. [/quote]
But the thing about The Mole, to me anyway, was that the most important game they played each week was not done for the benefit of the audience. We never knew what the results were, and only got to see a small sampling of the questions. All we got was the outcome. I realize that's necessitated by the structure of the game ("Since Jeremy correctly identified Cheryl as the Mole, he's safe for another week." wouldn't really work) but c'mon. It's like playing Final Jeopardy off camera and returning just in time to show the scores.
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And here's mine...
1. Who Wants to Be a Moronionaire
2. Inquizinkin
3. Freakin' Studs
4. The Insider (starring the one and only Pat O'Brien)
5. Camouflage
6. Dumpster Hunt
7. What's That Smell?
8. Bowling for Gazpacho
9. Reform School Quizbusters
10. The $100,000 Pull My Finger
...whoops, wrong list. :-) Here goes:
1. Password
2. Pyramid
3. Whew!
4. Hollywood Squares
5. Jeopardy!
6. Wheel of Fortune
7. High Rollers
8. The Joker's Wild
9. Tic Tac Dough
10. Match Game
11. Chain Reaction
12. Blockbusters
13. Battlestars
14. Sale of the Century
15. Pitfall
16. The Cross-Wits
17. The Price is Right
18. What's My Line?
19. Concentration
20. Name That Tune
21. To Tell The Truth
22. Family Feud
23. Hit Man
24. I've Got a Secret
25. Let's Make a Deal
26. Tattletales
27. Child's Play
28. Card Sharks
29. Gambit
30. The Moneymaze
31. Now You See It
32. Scrabble
33. Supermarket Sweep
34. Treasure Hunt
35. Win, Lose or Draw
36. You Bet Your Life
37. The Challengers/Who, What or Where Game
38. The Gong Show
39. Dream House
40. Face the Music
41. Make Me Laugh
42. The Big Showdown
43. The Guinness game
44. Jackpot
45. To Say The Least
46. Liar's Club
47. Camouflage
48. Truth or Consequences
49. The Newlywed Game
50. The Dating Game
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My nifty 50...
1. Jeopardy!
2. The Price is Right
3. Wheel of Fortune
4. Match Game
5. Tic Tac Dough
6. Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
7. Hollywood Squares
8. Family Feud
9. What's My Line?
10. Pyramid
11. The Joker's Wild
12. Password/Super Pword/Pword +
13. Name That Tune
14. Blockbusters
15. Card Sharks
16. Concentration
17. Let's Make a Deal
18. $ale of the Century
19. To Tell the Truth
20. Now You See It
21. Beat the Clock
22. Split Second
23. I've Got a Secret
24. The Challengers
25. Hit Man
26. Whew!
27. The Cross-Wits
28. High Rollers
29. You Bet Your Life
30. Deal or No Deal
31. Supermarket Sweep
32. Break the Bank (ABC/syn)
33. You Don't Say!
34. Tattletales
35. Dirty Rotten Cheater
36. Sports Challenge
37. Jackpot!
38. Treasure Hunt
39. Lingo
40. Press Your Luck
41. Seven Keys
42. Celebrity Sweepstakes
43. Face the Music
44. Two for the Money
45. Double Dare (CBS)
46. The Who, What, or Where Game
47. Scrabble
48. The Name's the Same
49. Gambit
50. TalkAbout
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Since I will also cave in to peer pressure...
1. Jeopardy!
2. Price is Right, The
3. Wheel of Fortune
4. Family Feud
5. Pyramid
6. Match Game
7. Password
8. Hollywood Squares
9. Let's Make a Deal
10. To Tell the Truth
11. I've Got a Secret
12. What's My Line?
13. Concentration
14. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
15. Card Sharks
16. Split Second
17. Joker's Wild, The
18. Beat the Clock
19. Queen For a Day
20. Name That Tune
21. $64,000 Question, The
22. Truth or Consequences
23. Treasure Hunt
24. Newlywed Game
25. Dating Game
26. Press Your Luck
27. Tic Tac Dough
28. Eye Guess
29. Supermarket Sweep
30. College Bowl
31. Sale of the Century
32. Who What or Where Game
33. Gambit
34. Pantomime Quiz
35. Tattletales
36. You Don't Say!
37. Two For the Money
38. Win Ben Stein's Money
39. Play Your Hunch
40. Remote Control
41. High Rollers
42. Now You See It
43. Celebrity Sweepstakes
44. Masquerade Party
45. Strike It Rich (Hull)
46. Who Do You Trust?
47. Scrabble
48. Blockbusters
49. Deal or No Deal
50. Winner Take All
--Mike
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Where were all the votes for Whistle or Lose It?
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Anybody care to defend "Child's Play?" I never saw it, but for a show that lasted for such a short time to make several lists in pretty high position despite many accounts calling it "slow" and a few synonyms with dull...I'm perplexed.
-Jason
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Hey I am wishing I had remembered "Will it Float?"
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[quote name=\'dzinkin\' post=\'131319\' date=\'Sep 12 2006, 09:43 PM\']
And here's mine...
4. The Insider (starring the one and only Pat O'Brien)
[/quote]
Bless you, my David. On judgment day, you will have treasure in paradise.
As some of you may have gleaned, my Top Fifty will unravel throughout the coming weeks in the sig sector.
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As some of you may have gleaned, my Top Fifty will unravel throughout the coming weeks in the sig sector.
Ooh, it's like a collect-them-all Happy Meal promotion! I strive to have a complete set, whether I have to go to several Invision Board locations or not.
-Jason
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Here goes mine:
1. The Price is Right
2. Jeopardy!
3. Pyramid
4. Password
5. Match Game
6. Family Feud
7. Wheel of Fortune
8. Let's Made a Deal
9. Concentration
10. What's My Line?
11. Hollywood Squares
12. Press Your Luck
13. WWTBAM
14. Card Sharks
15. The Joker's Wild
16. To Tell the Truth
17. Tic Tac Dough
19. Sale of the Century
20. Name That Tune
21. The Newlywed Game
22. Blockbusters
23. Scrabble
24. $64,000 Question
25. You Bet Your Life
26. Weakest Link
27. Beat the Clock
28. Russian Roulette
29. Tattletales
30. Greed
31. Truth or Consequences
32. High Rollers
33. Double Dare (Summers)
34. Deal or No Deal
35. Win Ben Stein's Money
36. The Dating Game
37. Lingo
38. Remote Control
39. Treaure Hunt
40. Chain Reaction
41. Hot Potato
42. Now You See It
43. Go
44. Jackpot
45. I've Got a Secret
46. Street Smarts
47. You Don't Say
48. Two Minute Drill
49. Twenty-One
50. College Bowl
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I know this is heresy, but sometimes I will change the channel from "The Insider with Pat O'Brien" to "Inside Edition with Debbie Norville." Last night Debbie looked like a slightly younger Joyce "$64,000 Question" Brothers. Watch it tonight and see if you don't agree.
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Well since people are doing theirs, here was my top 50 with some comments....
1 The Price is Right (still great after all these years)
2 Wheel of Fortune (simple yet enduring)
3 Who Wants to Be A Millionaire (again very simple, but exciting game)
4 Jeopardy (probably the smartest of all the shows)
5 Match Game (the funniest of all the shows)
6 Password (the ep shown this weekend shows how it was done, and done well)
7 Family Feud (great format no matter who the host was)
8 The $xx,000 Pyramid
9 Tic Tac Dough
10 The Joker’s Wild
11 The Amazing Race (some may argue, but it's the purest game of any reality show)
12 Card Sharks (always liked this format, execpt the 2001 version)
13 Double Dare (Nickelodeon) (a staple of my youth...but a pretty solid game too)
14 Hollywood Squares
15 Press Your Luck (cult classic)
16 Survivor (again, some may argue, but it begat the genre)
17 Remote Control (if DD was a staple of my youth, this was a staple in the teen years)
18 Whew! (cult classic)
19 The Mole (good format I thought)
20 Supermarket Sweep (I liked this show...perfect way to just veg out for a half-hour)
21 The $64,000 Question (the first of the big money shows...historically signifigant)
22 Beat The Clock
23 Break the Bank
24 Deal or No Deal (good game, but questions of staying power)
25 To Tell The Truth (of the G/T panel shows, I think this one was the best)
26 Twenty One (more for its historical signifigance than anything)
27 Hit Man
28 Hot Streak (I'm a big fan of word games, and this was one of the best I thought)
29 What’s My Line
30 I’ve Got a Secret
31 Gambit
32 Win Ben Stein’s Money (showed a cable show could be smart and witty)
33 Lingo
34 The Big Showdown (known for a blooper, but still a good little quiz)
35 Name That Tune
36 ESPN’s Two Minute Drill
37 Wipeout (really underrated game)
38 Blockbusters
39 Go (it was a tossup between this and Chain Reaction for my list...I thought Go was better because you needed to think quickly)
40 Legends of the Hidden Temple (probably the best kids game show endgame ever done)
41 Greed
42 Concentration
43 Shopping Spree
44 Shop Til You Drop
45 Russian Roulette
46 Treasure Hunt
47 Body Language
48 High Rollers
49 Finders Keepers
50 Winning Lines (lousy front game, but one of the best endgames ever)
-
Okay, okay..here's the prehistoric guy's list. I told Matt it came with 3 caveats: 1, it was from memory. 2, some will only have been workable in their own era. 3, I chose based on historical impact to the medium and society, not my favorites. Many of my favorites did not make the list. I'll add a 4th...around 30, the impact disappears, so I picked some on taste, others on uniqueness.
1-.What's My Line? (first and most popular of the long-runners)
2- The Price Is Right (what can you say?)
3-The $64,000 Question (it created a national sensation - and copycats)
4-You Bet Your Life (best comedy game ever, and there's Groucho)
5- Concentration (part of the change in TV games..you had to WATCH)
6- Password (great game and free celebrity psychoanalsis)
7- Family Feud ( how in tune are we with fellow Americans)
8- I've Got A Secret (often beat Line in ratings - variety subjects, great panel, Moore)
9- Truth or Consequences (where anything can happen- for laughs or tears)
10- Jeopardy! (highbrow quiz where bragging rights mean as much as the money)
11-Wheel Of Fortune (rags to riches story because the King Brothers had faith in it)
12-The $ Pyramid (most exciting and emotional bonus game ever)
13- Beat The Clock (another early classic where we watched contestants move. Good for tv, right?)
14- Hollywood Squares (home of the best one-liners in gamedom
15- Video Village (the show that led the way from tv quizzes to games)
16- You Don't Say! (highly rated game of clever ad-libbing and creativity)
17- Down You Go (was on all four networks, clever, was hangman with a panel)
18- Let's Make A Deal (man in a penguin suit, what would you do for a Klondike bar?)
19 - The Joker's Wild (good game and the successful return of an outcast)
20 - Treasure Hunt (Murray, talky but straight. Edwards, more drama than game, both great)
21- Newlywed Game (Bedroom pillow talk arrives on national tv)
22- Stop The Music (maybe the first big interactive tv game? Parks' enthusiasm was priceless)
23- Tic Tac Dough (another big-money draw with building jackpots)
24- Name That Tune (best Musical game of the 50s)
25- The Match Game (from simple to suggestive, still the game of like minds)
26- To Tell The Truth (where the questions changed from "yes and no" to interrogation. Tests knowledge.)
27- Double Dare (helped build Nickelodeon to the heights it's in now)
28 - Dotto (a major hit..and a major disappointment)
29- Dating Game (America's meat market of the air)
30- Queen For a Day (Misery loves audiences. Your husband has brain cancer? Here's a blender!)
31- GE College Bowl (good to know the best and brightest are still out there)
32- Strike It Rich (a magnet for desperate people that clogged the New York welfare system)
33- Press Your Luck (bright, live video game-type action with the risks of Vegas)
34- Who Wants to Be a Millionare (the show that revived-and almost killed-the net game revival)
35- Sports Challenge (fun watching real sports heroes put their knowledge on the line)
36- Stump The Stars/Pantomine Quiz (the local-to-network emmy winner with celebs really competing.)
37- Masquerade Party (celebrity costume ball with clever clues)
38- Card Sharks (no great landmark, but a fun game)
39- Twenty-One (it proved some games are better when scripted...)
40- The Gong Show (the anti-Amateur Hour. We had to see who'd they'd let in next!)
41- Cross Wits (solid, durable game)
42- Tattletales (getting personal with celebs)
43- Will It Float? (it's a gag game, but an interesting playalong game)
44- Supermarket Sweep (groceries replace cash jackpots as shopping becomes a spectator sport)
45- Jackpot (riddle questions and the same 15 players all week. Something different.)
46 - Split Second (Jep at noon, SS at 12:30 - the college student's favorite lunchtime break)
47- Blockbusters (great game, but it's here more for it's huge foreign success)
48- Remote Control (MTV attitude toned slightly for the masses)
49- The Name's The Same (no groundbreaker, but enjoyable)
50- Agriculture USA (neat way to encourage kids to understand the true value of agriculture)
Looking at it now, there are several I'd swap around, but this is how I sent it. Comments (intelligent) welcome.
-
Awww, nobody voted for Everything Goes!...
It ran for eight years! Hey, if GSN can put Studs on their list, I might as well shove the envelope off the cliff.
-
Guess I'll post my non-top-100 offerings...
50. Couch Potatoes
48. All Star Blitz
47. Sábado Gigante
46. The $1,000,000 Chance Of A Lifetime
37. Everything Goes!
34. Fandango
I didn't really mean to rank Everything Goes that high... I spent a good deal of time futzing around with the bottom fifth of the list, and before I realized where it had ended up, I'd already submitted.
Interested in seeing the master list.
-
Matt,
Given the success of the Top 50 Game Shows list, and ensuing observations/arguments/reasonings, might there be a Top 25/50 Show Host list somewhere in the near future?
-
[quote name=\'TimK2003\' post=\'131386\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 01:49 PM\']Given the success of the Top 50 Game Shows list, and ensuing observations/arguments/reasonings, might there be a Top 25/50 Show Host list somewhere in the near future?[/quote]
Absolutely. I'm just waiting to free up some time, but that will be next on the docket.
-
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'131398\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 03:49 PM\']
[quote name=\'TimK2003\' post=\'131386\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 01:49 PM\']Given the success of the Top 50 Game Shows list, and ensuing observations/arguments/reasonings, might there be a Top 25/50 Show Host list somewhere in the near future?[/quote]
Absolutely. I'm just waiting to free up some time, but that will be next on the docket.
[/quote]
Wouldn't #1 already be a given?
-
Here's my fifty, I tried to rank by "greatness", then by "like-itude". And I was liberal in my definition of "game show", as you'll see.
50. Ultimate Fan League: One of my favorites, in fact, I made a page about it.
49. Dirty Rotten Cheater
48. Go
47. Chain Reaction: Love that alternating words bonus game.
46. Body Language: Entertaining, good puzzles.
45. Split Second: Great show, great format, but the bonuses...
44. Pass the Buck
43. Starcade
42. Lingo
41. Treasure Hunt
40. High Rollers
39. Blockbusters
38. Remote Control
37. Win, Lose, or Draw
36. Jackpot
35. The Joker's Wild
34. The Mole: One of my absolute favorite reality shows, and the most game show-y.
33. Supermarket Sweep: It's amazing it was on this long.
32. Big Brother
31. Scrabble
30. Card Sharks
29. American Gladiators: Of the shows on here, this is the one I'd like to see revived most.
28. Beat the Clock
27. I've Got a Secret
26. Double Dare (Nick)
25. Love Connection: In retrospect, should have been ranked lower.
24. Truth or Consequences
23. Amazing Race
22. Gong Show
21. Dating Game
20. Deal or No Deal
19. Match Game: Maybe a bit higher.
18. Tic Tac Dough
17. Sale
16. Name That Tune
15. Newlywed Game
14. Concentration
13. To Tell the Truth
12. Press Your Luck
11. Let's Make a Deal
10. Family Feud
9. Millionaire
8. Wheel of Fortune
7. Hollywood Squares
6. What's My Line
5. Survivor: Admit it... it was appointment TV for at least the first season. At least it was for me.
4. Pyramid
3. Password
2. Jeopardy!
1. The Price is Right
-
[quote name=\'cmjb13\' post=\'131399\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 02:52 PM\']
Wouldn't #1 already be a given?
[/quote]
Mark DeCarlo?
-Joe R.
-
45. Split Second: Great show, great format, but the bonuses...
I'm guessing you mean the bonuses they gave for being the first "singleton" right answer in each round?
That wasn't there for the whole run. They only added that in the last few months of the run.
-
Wouldn't #1 already be a given?
That's what I was thinking...but I guess the real race would be to see who ends up No. 2. I've already got my selection!
-
[quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' post=\'131403\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 04:09 PM\']
45. Split Second: Great show, great format, but the bonuses...
I'm guessing you mean the bonuses they gave for being the first "singleton" right answer in each round?
That wasn't there for the whole run. They only added that in the last few months of the run.
[/quote]
I meant the bonus games, sorry.
-
[quote name=\'The Ol' Guy\' post=\'131379\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 11:37 AM\']
43- Will It Float? (it's a gag game, but an interesting playalong game)
.
[/quote]
What no Stupid Pet/Human tricks?
Wait right "It's only an exhibtion, not a competition, please no wagering"
-
[quote name=\'JRaygor\' post=\'131402\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 04:09 PM\']
[quote name=\'cmjb13\' post=\'131399\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 02:52 PM\']
Wouldn't #1 already be a given?[/quote]
Mark DeCarlo?[/quote]
*rolls up the sports section from the local paper and hits Joe on the head*
Bad Joe! Bad! You know the right answer is Rolf Benirschke.
Said individual who is a "given" to be #1 wouldn't be in my top half dozen.
-
[quote name=\'MikeK\' post=\'131413\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 05:50 PM\']
[quote name=\'JRaygor\' post=\'131402\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 04:09 PM\']
[quote name=\'cmjb13\' post=\'131399\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 02:52 PM\']
Wouldn't #1 already be a given?[/quote]
Mark DeCarlo?[/quote]
*rolls up the sports section from the local paper and hits Joe on the head*
Bad Joe! Bad! You know the right answer is Rolf Benirschke.
Said individual who is a "given" to be #1 wouldn't be in my top half dozen.
[/quote]
You don't like Jeff Marder???
-
[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'131416\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 05:04 PM\']
[quote name=\'MikeK\' post=\'131413\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 05:50 PM\']
[quote name=\'JRaygor\' post=\'131402\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 04:09 PM\']
[quote name=\'cmjb13\' post=\'131399\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 02:52 PM\']
Wouldn't #1 already be a given?[/quote]
Mark DeCarlo?[/quote]
*rolls up the sports section from the local paper and hits Joe on the head*
Bad Joe! Bad! You know the right answer is Rolf Benirschke.
Said individual who is a "given" to be #1 wouldn't be in my top half dozen.
[/quote]
You don't like Jeff Marder???
[/quote]
Jeff Marder - one of the very few to have two consecutive game shows in the same time slot. Dan Miller would be another.....
-
[quote name=\'SteveRep\' post=\'131373\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 11:12 AM\']
...
17. Tic Tac Dough
19. Sale of the Century
...[/quote]
I notice a suspicious lack of a #18 on this list, Steve. ;-)
-
[quote name=\'cmjb13\' post=\'131399\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 02:52 PM\']
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'131398\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 03:49 PM\']
[quote name=\'TimK2003\' post=\'131386\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 01:49 PM\']Given the success of the Top 50 Game Shows list, and ensuing observations/arguments/reasonings, might there be a Top 25/50 Show Host list somewhere in the near future?[/quote]
Absolutely. I'm just waiting to free up some time, but that will be next on the docket.
[/quote]
Wouldn't #1 already be a given?
[/quote]
You would think, with an obvious candidate at the top of this page, but I can see 2 or 3 other true contenders vying for that #1 spot. Will that number 1 host be there for the number of different shows they've done, the longevity of the shows they hosted, or for simply the popularity of a certain show(s) they have done?
I think the listing of the Top 50 Hosts will be a little more unpredictable than the show list was, especially outside the Top 10.
Since I didn't have time for the game show list, I think I'll start working on this next list. :-)
-
[quote name=\'Steve Gavazzi\' post=\'131428\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 07:08 PM\']
[quote name=\'SteveRep\' post=\'131373\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 11:12 AM\']
...
17. Tic Tac Dough
19. Sale of the Century
...[/quote]
I notice a suspicious lack of a #18 on this list, Steve. ;-)
[/quote]
Ugh. There was one. I'll get to it tonight.
Don't hold your breath for Freakin' Studs or Sex Wars, though.
-
[quote name=\'SteveRep\' post=\'131434\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 08:51 PM\']
[quote name=\'Steve Gavazzi\' post=\'131428\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 07:08 PM\']
I notice a suspicious lack of a #18 on this list, Steve. ;-)
[/quote]
Ugh. There was one. I'll get to it tonight.
Don't hold your breath for Freakin' Studs or Sex Wars, though.
[/quote]
The Zooventure/Everything Goes Hour? :-D
-
[quote name=\'TimK2003\' post=\'131431\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 06:41 PM\']
You would think, with an obvious candidate at the top of this page, but I can see 2 or 3 other true contenders vying for that #1 spot. Will that number 1 host be there for the number of different shows they've done, the longevity of the shows they hosted, or for simply the popularity of a certain show(s) they have done?[/quote]
Well, we're talking about much, much different criteria here. I made the argument elsewhere in this forum The Price is Right doesn't necessarily deserve to be #1 on anyone's list solely because of its longevity. (Combine that with its pop cultural significance, entertainment value, consistent ratings, impact on other shows, its formula that keeps it fresh...okay then I could see it.) After all, are there that many people who really think The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet is 14 times better than The Honeymooners? Twice as good as The Mary Tyler Moore Show? Roughly half again as good as Seinfeld?
On the other hand, Bob Barker hosting the show for 35 years, still drawing in viewers at his age and with all those years under his belt, having broken a longevity record set by, uh, Bob Barker...now that is an accomplishment. It would seem to be a lock for he and Bill Cullen to be in the top two.
-
I posted mine on my site awhile back, but here it is with comments:
1. The Hollywood Squares (Where else would I put this one? There's a reason the "zingers" still get emailed)
2. Jeopardy! (smartest/fastest combo)
3. Password (greatest parlor game to come out of TV)
4. What's My Line? (Could they even do it now?)
5. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (The show that made game shows water cooler talk again)
6. Concentration (best use of TV for a game show ever)
7. You Bet Your Life (Groucho could've done anything, he chose a game show and gave us this gift)
8. Pyramid (perhaps the most Biblically symmetrical game show)
9. Win Ben Stein's Money (ranks with "we give you the answer you give us the question" as most obvious idea finally done and done well)
10. Match Game (biggest game show party)
11. The Price is Right (not just because it's long running but because it has a formula that keeps it young)
12. Wheel of Fortune (a show with all the right tweaks)
13. Video Village (revolutionized game shows on TV, as real games)
14. High Rollers (just a catchy little show)
15. Family Feud (invented the "You don't have to read an almanac or just be lucky" school of gaming)
16. Press Your Luck (game show reaches the video game age)
17. To Tell The Truth (perhaps the best idea for a game show ever)
18. Beat the Clock (TV was invented for shows like this one)
19. Let's Make a Deal (My favorite part of this show: its signature quirk, the costumes, was invented by the audience itself and the producers just went with it)
20. Card Sharks (its own card game)
21. The Generation Gap (an underrated classic of its time)
22. Tic Tac Dough
23. The Joker's Wild
24. Dr. I. Q.
25. PDQ/Baffle (same game, different titles) (the fact this one was fgtn is a cryg shm)
26. Split Second (a brilliant idea that would work beautifully in prime time now with fancy "Millionaire" lighting; on retrospect I should've had this one higher on my list)
27. Twenty-One (looked like as much suspense as a crime drama but was actually Greek tragedy)
28. Truth or Consequences (I'll bet Bob really loved doing this one)
29. Treasure Isle (revolutionized outdoor non sports competition, up to and including The Amazing Race)
30. Eye Guess
31. Celebrity Sweepstakes
32. The $64,000 Question (another water cooler classic)
33. Cross-Wits
34. I've Got a Secret
35. Treasure Hunt
36. Name That Tune
37. Greed
38. Mike Stokey's Pantomine Quiz
39. Break the Bank (1970s celeb version)
40. Hollywood Showdown
41. The GE College Bowl (yes, I was in the one at my school)
42. The Liar's Club
43. Couch Potatoes
44. The Newlywed Game
45. Win Lose or Draw
46. Sale of the Century
47. The Weakest Link
48. Rhyme & Reason
49. The Dating Game
50. Deal or No Deal
-
It would seem to be a lock for he and Bill Cullen to be in the top two.
I beg to differ. I couldn't see Barker handling "Jeopardy" well but I could absolutely see Bill behind the podium today. Same goes for Wheel, Feud, etc. Barker's good for "Price" and shows of that vain, but he's not as well rounded as some others.
-Jason
-
[quote name=\'JasonA1\' post=\'131446\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 06:55 PM\']
I beg to differ. I couldn't see Barker handling "Jeopardy" well but I could absolutely see Bill behind the podium today. Same goes for Wheel, Feud, etc. Barker's good for "Price" and shows of that vain, but he's not as well rounded as some others.
[/quote]
Plus, a host must be considered by his entire body of work, and while Cullen was a joy right up to the end of his career, Barker's been completely insufferable for at least the last five years.
There is _no way_ I would put Barker at the top of such a list. I can think of at least three names right now that I would put ahead of him.
-
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'131449\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 07:07 PM\']There is _no way_ I would put Barker at the top of such a list. I can think of at least three names right now that I would put ahead of him.[/quote]Good Lord man, only three? Are you feeling all right? (Maybe I should send up some of that black bean soup...)
When a host's recourse (or crutch, even) is to say "I'm going to give you the prize!" when something goes wrong: whether it's a game going kablooey, someone cheating/goofing up, or Bob not explaining the rules properly, that's not the mark of a good host. Bob Barker should not even get a sniff at the upper half of that list. Sure, I'm going based on the last few years of what I've seen of him, but he's captained a sinking ship for 35 years. There are many hosts who I would rank above him for many reasons.
/Bill Cullen was never named defendant in a sexual harassment lawsuit.
//That we know of.
///The man was so busy working that he probably didn't have time to...you know...
////Hey, this slash thing is quite fun. Everyone should try it once.
-
[quote name=\'TLEberle\' post=\'131459\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 08:26 PM\']
Good Lord man, only three? Are you feeling all right?
[/quote]
I said "right now". As in "at that moment, off the top of my head." Given time I probably could come up with a couple more...
(Maybe I should send up some of that black bean soup...)
...oooh, or not. Yes. Three. No more, no less.
/I'll get the cheese
//you still owe me a recipe
-
[quote name=\'TLEberle\' post=\'131459\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 10:26 PM\']
When a host's recourse (or crutch, even) is to say "I'm going to give you the prize!" when something goes wrong: whether it's a game going kablooey, someone cheating/goofing up, or Bob not explaining the rules properly, that's not the mark of a good host. Bob Barker should not even get a sniff at the upper half of that list. Sure, I'm going based on the last few years of what I've seen of him, but he's captained a sinking ship for 35 years. There are many hosts who I would rank above him for many reasons.
[/quote]
I strongly disagree. It's looks good to be the good guy. There's nothing wrong with giving the contestant the benefit of the doubt, because game shows' sole purpose is to give prizes away. I'm sure people could come up with many situations when Bill Cullen gave contestants prizes they probably didn't deserve because of a goof he made.
I'm not saying Barker is the best ever, cause he ain't. However, I will fervently defend him in that he is good at what he does. I think you're wrong when you say Price is a "sinking ship."
-
I agree with most of what you said, Brandon, except for this.
[quote name=\'Brandon Brooks\' post=\'131464\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 09:23 PM\']
...Game shows' sole purpose is to give prizes away.
[/quote]
Hardly. The sole purpose of a game show, a good one anyway, is to present a challenge to a contestant, and reward the contestant for besting the challenge. If the sole purpose is giving prizes away without a contestant earning it, you're venturing more in the direction of lottery games, in my opinion.
-
I would put Barker, while not at the top, near the top, simply because I think he is (still) very very good at audience and contestant interaction (often one and the same on TPIR, of course). I also would not put a tremendous amount of weight on versatility. It's worth something, sure, but if you stick to what you're good at, I hardly see how I can fault you for not being awful at something else every so often.
If a game show--any game show--has a "sole purpose", then that game show is doing something wrong.
-
[quote name=\'whoserman\' post=\'131467\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 11:31 PM\']
I agree with most of what you said, Brandon, except for this.
[quote name=\'Brandon Brooks\' post=\'131464\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 09:23 PM\']
...Game shows' sole purpose is to give prizes away.
[/quote]
Hardly. The sole purpose of a game show, a good one anyway, is to present a challenge to a contestant, and reward the contestant for besting the challenge. If the sole purpose is giving prizes away without a contestant earning it, you're venturing more in the direction of lottery games, in my opinion.
[/quote]
Agreed, and by the way I *hate* all lottery shows except Illinois Instant Riches. And I really don't care for DoND.
There has to be some sort of challenge. But I guess my point is that no one's perfect. The majority of the time on Price, you earn what you win. If someone happens to get lucky against the house of Barker, so be it. That alone doesn't make him a crappy host.
-
[quote name=\'whoserman\' post=\'131467\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 09:31 PM\']
I agree with most of what you said, Brandon, except for this.
[quote name=\'Brandon Brooks\' post=\'131464\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 09:23 PM\']
...Game shows' sole purpose is to give prizes away.
[/quote]
Hardly. The sole purpose of a game show, a good one anyway, is to present a challenge to a contestant, and reward the contestant for besting the challenge. If the sole purpose is giving prizes away without a contestant earning it, you're venturing more in the direction of lottery games, in my opinion.
[/quote]
And you could even take this farther: the true purpose of a game show, above all else, is to draw eyeballs. The fact that some of them manage to be good television, challenging for the players on stage and at home, and compelling to watch is all gravy.
-
I'll go ahead and add my list. Obviously, I've seen each show at least once. If there's a show that I've seen only once, my criteria for putting it on the list is whether or not the show was compelling enough to make me watch not only a second episode, but watch the show on a regular basis. Most of my final 10 are highly underrated shows that never got their due, and if they lasted awhile (more than two years), they never got a lot of credit. One exception is my #44.
1. Pyramids...great play-along factor and the finest bonus round action ever (save for Donnymid...it was eh)
2. Match Game...not much of a game, but was damned entertaining enough to make up for it
3. Jeopardy!...stands very well after 42 years, despite a lot of commercial gimmicks
4. The Price is Right...hasn't been that enjoyable since the late-90s IMO, but its history and older episodes makes up for it
5. Passwords...honestly, I should've switched this with #4, esp. after seeing the Klugman/Somers episode. I'd revive this as a lighthearted party-style game, kinda like Smush or Win Lose or Draw. Casual setting, where the viewers are on the outside looking in.
6. Wheel of Fortune...longevity and success...another show where its past enjoyability helps
7. Family Feud...good answer! About as simple as they come, but still fun
8. Hollywood Squares
9. $ale of the Century...childhood favorite, but a very fast-paced and suspenseful quiz game
10. The Joker's Wild...just an honest-to-goodness favorite, don't know why
11. Let's Make a Deal...look past the silly costumes and you can actually find some psychology.
12. The Gong Show
13. Tic Tac Dough
14. Press Your Luck...see #9 (not as much quiz though)
15. Scrabble
16. Card Sharks
17. To Tell the Truth
18. What's My Line?
19. Name that Tune
20. Who Wants to be a Millionaire...a "modern classic"
21. Blockbusters...deserved a longer run
22. (Classic) Concentration
23. Gambit*
24. Beat the Clock
25. I've Got a Secret
26. Win Ben Stein's Money...see #20
27. High Rollers
28. Split Second
29. Hollywood Showdown...an underrated original, something rare in the last 10 years
30. Chain Reaction...going more off the Cullen version, although the GSN revival has potential
31. GO...we've played this one at work, this would make an EXCELLENT game to play at a retreat or something for a teamwork exercise
32. Dating Game
33. Treasure Hunt...Deal or No Deal with the silly gimmicks, but doesn't take itself so damn seriously
34. Double Dare (Nickelodeon)...not the first kids game, but somehow is still considered the granddaddy of them all
35. Win, Lose, or Draw...see #5
36. Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?...very clever and well-written kids show...didn't pander to the audience. The bonus round maps were a pain in the rear sometimes
37. Newlywed Game
38. Russian Roulette...GSN's best, would still love to see this in syndication
39. Debt...forgotten clever little gem
40. Remote Control
41. Tattle Tales
42. Face the Music
43. Jackpot
44. You Bet Your Life
45. The Challengers
46. Supermarket Sweep
47. Money Maze*
48. Shopping Spree
49. Greed...damn you FOX!
50. Street Smarts...yeah it was on for five years, but in crappy timeslots. This show deserved more publicity, even if it was mostly Jay Leno's "Jaywalking" segment.
*Seen only one episode
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[quote name=\'Brandon Brooks\' post=\'131464\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 09:23 PM\']
I strongly disagree. It's looks good to be the good guy. There's nothing wrong with giving the contestant the benefit of the doubt, because game shows' sole purpose is to give prizes away. I'm sure people could come up with many situations when Bill Cullen gave contestants prizes they probably didn't deserve because of a goof he made.
I'm not saying Barker is the best ever, cause he ain't. However, I will fervently defend him in that he is good at what he does. I think you're wrong when you say Price is a "sinking ship."
[/quote]I would say that he was good at what he does. If TPIR were to have gone off the air in, say, 1994, I would rank the show much higher. I suppose my discontent is with the way the show is run, and Bob does have something to do with that, in his Executive Producer role. The fact that the show looks the same every single day (heaven forbid they stage a car reveal differently than straight on).
I think TPIR was best when it had some competition. People will watch it now because if you want a game show in the early morning, it's Price or nothin'. Back in the good ol' days, you had two other networks running game shows to pick from. Price has no reason to improve, because there's no competition. And as long as Price turns over another calendar year, with another Most Popular Show in Daytime award to feed Mr. Barker's ego, the show will be the same every day.
[quote name=\'Brandon Brooks\' post=\'131472\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 10:13 PM\']There has to be some sort of challenge. But I guess my point is that no one's perfect. The majority of the time on Price, you earn what you win. If someone happens to get lucky against the house of Barker, so be it. That alone doesn't make him a crappy host.[/quote]I don't think I'd call him 'crappy,' because he was really good in the role for about 20 years. But my point about that was that instead of enforcing the rules, or setting up the game again with a different prize, it's just easier for him to say "You win, hooray!" (cf: the "Flip Flop" cheater. If you say, Do Not Push the Big Red Button of Doom, you must manipulate the price, then if you do indeed push the big red button, you shouldn't win. I realize I'm harsher than most, and why I would be truly awful as TPIR host, but that's my view. I appreciate your view as well, I just don't happen to agree)
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I always thought the sole purpose of a game show was to make money for the producers.
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[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'131442\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 09:44 PM\']
8. Pyramid (perhaps the most Biblically symmetrical game show)
[/quote]
"Biblically symmetrical?" Que?
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[quote name=\'Clay Zambo\' post=\'131486\' date=\'Sep 14 2006, 07:02 AM\']
[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'131442\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 09:44 PM\']
8. Pyramid (perhaps the most Biblically symmetrical game show)
[/quote]
"Biblically symmetrical?" Que?
[/quote]
Read: Best EVER.
:-)
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On the other hand, Bob Barker hosting the show for 35 years, still drawing in viewers at his age and with all those years under his belt, having broken a longevity record set by, uh, Bob Barker...now that is an accomplishment. It would seem to be a lock for he and Bill Cullen to be in the top two.
That's why this list would be so interesting. I had someone else in mind for No. 2 - and no, it wasn't Patrick Wayne!! In fact, I wouldn't even consider Barker to be in the top 5.
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[quote name=\'Clay Zambo\' post=\'131486\' date=\'Sep 14 2006, 07:02 AM\']
[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'131442\' date=\'Sep 13 2006, 09:44 PM\']
8. Pyramid (perhaps the most Biblically symmetrical game show)
[/quote]
"Biblically symmetrical?" Que?
[/quote]
Just that it appears based on patterns (the number 7, for instance, and pyramid structure) that are heavily discussed in the Bible and in historical texts of the period. Don't know that they meant for most people to pick up on that to that extent but it did flow together very smoothly.
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[quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' post=\'131489\' date=\'Sep 14 2006, 09:08 AM\']That's why this list would be so interesting. I had someone else in mind for No. 2 - and no, it wasn't Patrick Wayne!! In fact, I wouldn't even consider Barker to be in the top 5.[/quote]
As hard a time as some people had figuring out the criteria for ranking shows, I think ranking hosts might be even trickier and more subjective. For one thing, I think there's much less difference between a bunch of them at the top. Secondly, how much credit do you give a host for a show's longevity? Barker's reputation as a host, after all, is based on exactly two series, and for most of you guys, even Truth or Consequences is ancient history. Among the famous ones, only Sajak has less of a resume. How do you compare them to a Eubanks, Martindale or even Trebek who've hosted multiple but less-successful shows? A bunch of us think Kevin O'Connell was great, but how do you put his single, short-lived effort into context when Patrick Wayne and Rolf Benirschke each lasted longer?
Could be fun...
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Wow, so much for my idea Bob Barker would be a "lock" for the top two. I didn't realize anti-Barker sentiment ran so high on the board (or is this a few just making a lot of noise?). In any event, he definitely makes my top two and the entire board falling on me (not that they did this time) couldn't change that.
I don't watch TPiR every day so I don't see the things that make him so "intolerable." But I have to believe if demo-enslaved CBS puts an 80-something year old man on TV for an hour every morning, he must be doing something other than drooling or scratching his butt. The ratings indicate people are watching, and the idea there are no other game shows that time of morning just doesn't hold up well in the era of GSN, the syndicated Family Feud and a hundreds-of-channels cable universe. If anything I think he's the man keeping the show alive and popular at a time the daytime network game show is a lost art. Remember this is the same network that edged Walter Cronkite out of the anchor chair and gave Captain Kangaroo his marching papers so if they want to get rid of a longtime beloved icon they'll do it in a heartbeat.
I do still like him in the shows I do see and my main complaint is that they don't let him cut up with the contestants as much anymore, perhaps to shave time for more commercials (like perhaps the real reason the final spin on Wheel of Fortune is so often choppily edited).
Whatever it is about him that is "not what it used to be" (and I'll admit he's not the same man he was when he was mischievously sending contestants off on another crazy stunt on Truth or Consequences), it still doesn't appear to me to be enough to bring him down a couple dozen notches (not on my list) and trash the place he built in television history. The Bill Cullen utility players one poster mentioned are actually few and far between in game show history and what Bob Barker has done, he has done very well. Going from "superb" to "just pretty good" in quality over the years isn't what I would call a collapse.
This host list ought to be interesting. I would love to see who gets #1 and where Cullen and Barker end up.
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For me anyway, it was your saying Barker had a lock on number two that got me to respond. If you had said top 10, you'd have no issue with me. But with Tom Kennedy, Dick Clark and hosts (har har) of others out there, saying he had number 2 was a bit of stretch IMO.
Matt brings up excellent points in ranking the emcees. There have been several posters over the years on our boards who have noted people like Art James and Jim Peck as good hosts despite never having any truly successful series, and I hope that kind of reasoning shapes our list rather than mere success. I'd want to see one of the few pilots Kevin O'Connell did, for example, before I really could judge where he belongs on my list.
-Jason
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[quote name=\'cweaver\' post=\'131493\' date=\'Sep 14 2006, 08:37 AM\']
I don't watch TPiR every day so I don't see the things that make him so "intolerable." But I have to believe if demo-enslaved CBS puts an 80-something year old man on TV for an hour every morning, he must be doing something other than drooling or scratching his butt.
[/quote]
I agree. (Ha!) The notion that we'd all be better off if the show had been cancelled back in '94 is poppycock. Granted, I've thought they needed a new set since about '82, and I admit I'd rather see Barker step down than see the show die with him, but it's still a terrific show.
Where I notice Bob's age is (a) hearing the contestants' bids and (b) now that the camera doesn't pan with him while he walks up the stairs to the turntable. Someone cheats at Flip-Flop? That's just one of the little surprises that keeps the show endearing. His mistakes are still very few over 6,000+ shows. And, yeah, he's crabbier, but then so are we all. (Heck, Rayburn started to get crabby around Match Game '79. And I love Rayburn.)
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[quote name=\'JasonA1\' post=\'131495\' date=\'Sep 14 2006, 09:38 AM\']
For me anyway, it was your saying Barker had a lock on number two that got me to respond. If you had said top 10, you'd have no issue with me. But with Tom Kennedy, Dick Clark and hosts (har har) of others out there, saying he had number 2 was a bit of stretch IMO.[/quote]
I never said he absolutely had a lock on #2, I said "it would seem" he and Cullen would have a lock on the top two. I always try to qualify my statements lest I be embarrassed when I'm proven wrong, like the poor fellow who said the number one GSN Top 50 show would be Jeopardy! and said "Take that to Vegas." I don't like to be one of those "swear on a stack of Bibles" types when I'm trying to predict what other people will say or do.
Matt brings up excellent points in ranking the emcees. There have been several posters over the years on our boards who have noted people like Art James and Jim Peck as good hosts despite never having any truly successful series, and I hope that kind of reasoning shapes our list rather than mere success.
Me too and I think Jim Peck is an excellent host who will rank fairly high on my list.
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Barker would probably rank in my top 10 - and personally, I have nothing against him. But I think there are some other hosts out there who have handled all different kinds of games and done them well that deserve a higher spot. Of course, some would say that because of all the different pricing games on PIR that Bob deserves a high ranking because he's handled all of them pretty well. That's why he'd be in my top 10!
There have been several posters over the years on our boards who have noted people like Art James and Jim Peck as good hosts despite never having any truly successful series, and I hope that kind of reasoning shapes our list rather than mere success.
I guess it depends on the definition of "successful". I think if a game show runs two or three years it's successful. Art James had one that I can think of - Who, What or Where Game. I don't have my EOTVGS in front of me, but didn't Say When! have a fairly long run too?
I agree on Peck though - good host, but he couldn't get a format that could last for a while.
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OK, Matt, you wanna start the host poll before we have it all hashed out in this thread?
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[quote name=\'Mike Tennant\' post=\'131520\' date=\'Sep 14 2006, 02:40 PM\']
OK, Matt, you wanna start the host poll before we have it all hashed out in this thread?
[/quote]
Fine.
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[quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' post=\'131504\' date=\'Sep 14 2006, 12:07 PM\']
didn't Say When! have a fairly long run too?
[/quote]
Say When!! ran from 1961 to 1965.
Art was #3 on my list. He really was a good host; he had a very personal quality about him.