The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: Don Howard on September 03, 2007, 01:57:18 PM
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How time flies. 17 years ago today, Don Morrow told us that it was Monday September 3rd 1990
and that Doak Fairey was on his way to an Ultimate Challenge worth $55000.
Man, that is a show that I miss.
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[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'162600\' date=\'Sep 3 2007, 12:57 PM\']
How time flies. 17 years ago today, Don Morrow told us that it was Monday September 3rd 1990
and that Doak Fairey was on his way to an Ultimate Challenge worth $55000.
Man, that is a show that I miss.
[/quote]
I agree.
Gotta love Dick Clark, too.
Ron Greenberg sure knows how to improve on an already seemingly-perfect game.
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[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'162600\' date=\'Sep 3 2007, 01:57 PM\']
How time flies. 17 years ago today, Don Morrow told us that it was Monday September 3rd 1990
and that Doak Fairey was on his way to an Ultimate Challenge worth $55000.
Man, that is a show that I miss.
[/quote]
Most underrated show ever? That show deserved to last a lot longer than one season, and I told Ronnie Greenberg as much at Con 4 in '05. My VCR got a workout catching The Challengers during my junior year in high school.
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[quote name=\'MikeK\' date=\'Sep 3 2007, 11:05 AM\']
Most underrated show ever?.[/quote]
There, fixed that for you.
That show deserved to last a lot longer than one season
QFFT.
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[quote name=\'Steve McClellan\' post=\'162603\' date=\'Sep 3 2007, 02:43 PM\']
That show deserved to last a lot longer than one season
QFFT.
[/quote]
I wonder how the show would've fared either five years earlier or ten years later. In both eras, game shows were popular, esp. trivia-based games. I think "Challengers's " problem was it premiered when talk shows began their run throughout the 90s.
And now, with the genre popular again, and people more obsessed with news and current events, I think the show could do quite well today.
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Love to see this thread. The show's format made for exciting game play, and the writing on The Challengers was great. It really was a well constructed and produced show. I know I've commented on my doing warm-up on this show before, but it was a very meaningful gig for me - a good career step at a time when I was was working to gain experience, build relationships and assemble credits.
Ronnie was a PRINCE in my every dealing with him, from my hiring through every tape day that I worked. It was the start of a great relationship with Don Morrow, a really sweet and generous guy. And it was my first experience working with Dick Clark.
Later in the run Dick wanted to bring in a young assistant at his office who showed promise as a performer to gain warm-up experience. Only years later working with Mark Walburg did I learn that he was my replacement. Cool stuff.
Randy
tvrandywest.com
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I wonder how the show would've fared either five years earlier or ten years later. In both eras, game shows were popular, esp. trivia-based games. I think "Challengers's " problem was it premiered when talk shows began their run throughout the 90s.
I wonder if part of the problem is that in many cities (according to old TVGuides I have) this show was up against either Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy. Maybe if it wasn't scheduled directly opposite those powerhouses it might have had a better chance.
Also, I wonder if Dick had been able to host the revival of $100,000 Pyramid later that season instead of John Davidson, do you think that would have lasted longer?
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[quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' post=\'162618\' date=\'Sep 3 2007, 05:00 PM\']
I wonder if part of the problem is that in many cities (according to old TVGuides I have) this show was up against either Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy. Maybe if it wasn't scheduled directly opposite those powerhouses it might have had a better chance.
[/quote]
And as someone who lived in one of those markets, I can say that it might have had a little to do with it...The Challengers aired on WNBC at 7:30 opposite Wheel during its run (replacing, I believe, the syndie Combs Feud in the slot which I remember airing on Channel 4 when it first started).
Then again, WNBC moved The Challengers to a morning slot about halfway through its run...
Nonetheless, it was a great show despite its short run. Always something I made sure I watched when I had the chance.
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Ah, The Challengers.
A vastly underrated game show that I rushed home from elementary school to watch on my TV. Everything about the game worked, and I wished it lasted longer. I do have an episode thanks to my recent run of tape trading.
As for that show competeing against Wheel and/or Jeopardy, in the Chicagoland area, The Challengers actually complemented Jeopardy...that is, it served as the 3:00 PM lead-in to Jeopardy, so you had two quizzers back to back.
I also agree with Foster that the show came in on a not-so-good time; game shows as a whole were running flat and the demand just wasn't there. Now, with proper backing, it could work.
The Inquisitive One (Look, I finally reached 300!)
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Was it a close remake of 'The Who, What or Where Game'? I saw the 'Challangers' but not the other.
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I remember when this show was promoted as a current events quiz. The pilot, which was shot at the ABC-TV studios on Prospect Avenue in Hollywood, had questions based on events of the previous week. I watched them taped the pilot but I wasn't thrilled with the game. When it went to series, I was never a fan. I thought The Who, What or Where Game was better although I admired The Challengers because the betting phase was simpler than the older game.
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[quote name=\'PaulD\' post=\'162630\' date=\'Sep 3 2007, 07:51 PM\']
Was it a close remake of 'The Who, What or Where Game'? I saw the 'Challengers' but not the other.
[/quote]
Reasonably close. If you'd seen them both, you'd have no problem recognizing that the later one was based on the earlier one.
/Because the other way around would just be silly.
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[quote name=\'alfonzos\' post=\'162633\' date=\'Sep 3 2007, 06:39 PM\']I remember when this show was promoted as a current events quiz. The pilot, which was shot at the ABC-TV studios on Prospect Avenue in Hollywood, had questions based on events of the previous week. I watched them taped the pilot but I wasn't thrilled with the game. When it went to series, I was never a fan. [/quote]What about it? I admit that I'm a fan of both Dick Clark and simultaneous secret-selection games, so I'm about 99/100ths of the way home, but what was so bad? Or even mediocre? They managed to put in both a Speed Round and a Wager of Death in the game. What other show has done that, and pulled it off as seamlessly?
I thought The Who, What or Where Game was better although I admired The Challengers because the betting phase was simpler than the older game.
I think there's differences enough between the two that you can consider them separately, but again, what made 3 W's better? I thought each had its own strengths.
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[quote name=\'TLEberle\' date=\'Sep 3 2007, 06:53 PM\']but what was so bad? Or even mediocre?[/quote]
They cut the dollar values in the middle of the run! They had Teh Cheap!
/got nothin'
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[quote name=\'TLEberle\' post=\'162636\' date=\'Sep 3 2007, 09:53 PM\']I think there's differences enough between the two that you can consider them separately, but again, what made 3 W's better? I thought each had its own strengths.[/quote]
One of the things I always liked about The 3 W's is such a little thing in the grand scheme. The way the show was structured, no one ever had to buzz in to answer a question. It's not that I mind buzzers -- Jeopardy and SOTC are still two faves. It's just that the game was designed so cleverly that even though it looked like all the other three-contestant quizzers, it had an originality all its own. To me, a small part of that was lost when they went to the buzz-ins on Challengers when two people picked the same category.
When we voted on our Top 50 a while back, I remember we had a pretty serious debate about whether the two shows should count together or as two distinct programs. In the end, I put them together. It wasn't an effort to slight either one. On the contrary, by putting them together, it raised the profile of both. Still, even combined, it only reached 37th on our list. It/they deserve better, but at least we remember them.
As many of you know, Ronnie Greenberg is a member here and reads the forum from time to time. Ronnie, if you're seeing this, thanks for both wonderful shows!
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If they hadn't changed it around so much, the show might have lasted a lot longer.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'162639\' date=\'Sep 3 2007, 09:23 PM\']
One of the things I always liked about The 3 W's is such a little thing in the grand scheme. The way the show was structured, no one ever had to buzz in to answer a question. It's not that I mind buzzers -- Jeopardy and SOTC are still two faves.
[/quote]
I also liked that it was trivia without buzzing in. Where the 3 W's was unique--in a way, it was Jeopardy with more jeopardy, or at least more wagering--the changes made for The Challengers only seemed to make it more conventional. Adding a bonus round was a promising idea, but they scrapped it early on, didn't they?
It seems simple enough for GSN to resurrect it--as long as the keep the betting action of Who What or Where. Mr. Greenburg, call 'em up, would ya?
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Great format, but Dick Clark ruined it for me - he kept on making too many mistakes, like giving an answer after a wrong response when the question was still open for responses by the other players.
I'm sure Mr. Fairey is celebrating this anniversary quietly at the Federal Penitentiary in Jesup, GA.
[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'162600\' date=\'Sep 3 2007, 12:57 PM\']
How time flies. 17 years ago today, Don Morrow told us that it was Monday September 3rd 1990
and that Doak Fairey was on his way to an Ultimate Challenge worth $55000.
Man, that is a show that I miss.
[/quote]
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[quote name=\'leszekp\' post=\'162647\' date=\'Sep 3 2007, 11:55 PM\']
I'm sure Mr. Fairey is celebrating this anniversary quietly at the Federal Penitentiary in Jesup, GA.
[/quote]
Okay...what did I miss?
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[quote name=\'PYLdude\' post=\'162648\' date=\'Sep 4 2007, 12:11 AM\']
[quote name=\'leszekp\' post=\'162647\' date=\'Sep 3 2007, 11:55 PM\']
I'm sure Mr. Fairey is celebrating this anniversary quietly at the Federal Penitentiary in Jesup, GA.
[/quote]
Okay...what did I miss?
[/quote]
This (http://\"http://www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Criminals/backgrounders.htm\") and this (http://\"http://www.judicial.state.sc.us/opinions/advSheets/no152007.pdf\") (second link is a PDF). I didn't know about it either until Leszek mentioned it.
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[quote name=\'dzinkin\' post=\'162650\' date=\'Sep 4 2007, 12:20 AM\']
[quote name=\'PYLdude\' post=\'162648\' date=\'Sep 4 2007, 12:11 AM\']
[quote name=\'leszekp\' post=\'162647\' date=\'Sep 3 2007, 11:55 PM\']
I'm sure Mr. Fairey is celebrating this anniversary quietly at the Federal Penitentiary in Jesup, GA.
[/quote]
Okay...what did I miss?
[/quote]
This (http://\"http://www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Criminals/backgrounders.htm\") and this (http://\"http://www.judicial.state.sc.us/opinions/advSheets/no152007.pdf\") (second link is a PDF). I didn't know about it either until Leszek mentioned it.
[/quote]
I have to shake my head on reading said pieces of information...considering the crap he pulled, I gotta agree with The Perf and say that he got off pretty easy.
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[quote name=\'leszekp\' post=\'162647\' date=\'Sep 3 2007, 11:55 PM\']
Great format, but Dick Clark ruined it for me - he kept on making too many mistakes, like giving an answer after a wrong response when the question was still open for responses by the other players.
[/quote]
I guess there's an unwritten rule that the truly good game show host knows the game so well, you could swear he was the one who'd invented it.
Yes, I remember Dick Clark stumbled a bit on "The Challengers." That, I assume, is why they brought "The Judge" on camera as a kind of co-host.
And my sincerest regrets about how you were taken in by that con artist.
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You gotta love the law enforcement agencies our tax dollars pay for.
/if you're gonna run a scam about a website, pick one that doesn't suck
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[quote name=\'bandit_bobby\' post=\'162640\' date=\'Sep 3 2007, 09:58 PM\']
If they hadn't changed it around so much, the show might have lasted a lot longer.
[/quote]
I doubt this had much to do with it.
Anyhow...
The Challengers is how I learned about syndication. In our market, I seem to recall it airing on WOI at 4:30. On a family trip to Colorado that year, we got to the hotel (in Fort Morgan) late, and turned on the TV. There was the Challengers on TV at about 11:00 PM.
Great show...IIRC, it aired against Jeopardy! in our home market--I would always watch The Challengers over J!
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[quote name=\'MrBuddwing\' post=\'162652\' date=\'Sep 3 2007, 11:53 PM\']
Yes, I remember Dick Clark stumbled a bit on "The Challengers." That, I assume, is why they brought "The Judge" on camera as a kind of co-host.
[/quote]
Dick didn't do much to bring out the contestants, either. He seemed better on "Winning Lines," having just watched that again the other day. I wonder if there was a ton of editing on that. Dick's still at his best with Vicki Lawrence, Dick Cavett or a bunch of dancing teenagers around.
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[quote name=\'TheInquisitiveOne\' post=\'162624\' date=\'Sep 3 2007, 06:52 PM\']
in the Chicagoland area, The Challengers actually complemented Jeopardy...that is, it served as the 3:00 PM lead-in to Jeopardy, so you had two quizzers back to back.
[/quote]
IIRC, Jeopardy and The 3 W's also aired back-to-back on NBC in the 60s and 70s.
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For the longest time, I thought that The Challengers was an NBC daytime show because our local NBC affiliate, WGAL, aired the show. (Although I don't recall at what time...could have been 12:30?)
I'm not sure why I thought this, because WTXF in Philly (Fox affiliate) aired the show.
I loved the show as well, as much of it as I was able to see as I was around 10 at the time. I learned a lot about current events from watching the show, and it was very well done.
EDIT: WGAL aired the show at 10:30am, right before TTTT at 11am. Other interesting shows on air at the time from the Feb 91 ratings book:
TJW 90, WLYH, 9:30am
Feud, WLYH (then CBS), 10:30am, and WHP, 12 noon (both half hours)
TTD 90, WHP 5pm (I don't remember this whatsoever, and WHP followed it with Hard Copy of all shows.)
$100K Pyramid, WLYH 7pm (against Wheel on WHP)
Feud, 7:30pm WHTM (nighttime run against J! on WHP, WHTM ran Feud here for a number of years)
This would have been around the time that WHTM was shuffling Trump Card and MG90 in and out of their noon slot as well, but this ratings book shows them running Wapner at noon.
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[quote name=\'mitchgroff\' post=\'162671\' date=\'Sep 4 2007, 11:59 AM\']
This would have been around the time that WHTM was shuffling Trump Card and MG90 in and out of their noon slot as well, but this ratings book shows them running Wapner at noon.
[/quote]
And that would be right....WHTM aired MG90 from its premiere up until Trump Card premiered, whenever that might have been (I'm thinking September 10 or 17). When TC tanked at midseason, the logical thing to do would have been to put MG90 back, but instead, People's Court aired instead. It aired up until mid-June, when they showed the ABC noon offering until it was discontinued (which was MG90 for another month or so, then "Home" when it expanded to 90 minutes).
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Didn't I read that Ed Toutant was a Challengers contestant?
Here in LA I think it was on Channel 9 at noon.
I was fascinated by "The Judge." On the last show he revealed his name.
Laura Chambers, like so many "in the biz," is a Type-A personality, and developed painful muscle tensions and happened to go to my wife, a massage therapist at the time. Through Laura I was invited to participate in a Nova 25th Anniversary Special development effort. When I entered the room—there was "The Judge"! "Oh," I said to him, "you were the judge on The Challengers. Uh—Gary Nelson?" (Trying to remember his brief mention of his name on the show.) "Gary Johnson," he corrected.
There are so many other directions I could go on to at this point, but I'll save them for other threads!
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[quote name=\'clanky06\' post=\'162673\' date=\'Sep 4 2007, 09:50 AM\']
... "Oh," I said to him, "you were the judge on The Challengers. Uh—Gary Nelson?" (Trying to remember his brief mention of his name on the show.) "Gary Johnson," he corrected.
[/quote]
Gary is THE BEST writer/editor in the biz, and has earned his Producer Emmys at Jeopardy! After Challengers he and I worked together again at Trivial Pursuit. His lovely wife is in the biz as well.
Randy
tvrandywest.com
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On one hand, I would state what I've often stated that there were just too many new Q&A shows that year (along with "Challengers," we had "Quiz Kids Challenge," "Trump Card" and the "TJW" and "TTD" revivals), which made it hard for *any* of them to make an impression.
On the other hand, if so, the fact that "Ruckus" wasn't a Q&A show should've propelled it out of test market, so that there was a true downturn in game shows that year.
But on the *third* hand, "Ruckus" was such a bad show it had no chance even if there were no other game shows in syndication *at all.*
So maybe it was a combination of Q&A glut *and* a downturn in game show fortunes. Works for me.
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Don,
Many thanks for remembering The Challengers and causing all the nice comments about the show. I am most appreciative.
The show was the 2nd coming of the Who What or Where Game. Believe it or not I'm working on the next version. Keep your fingers crossed.
All the best to you and all those who sent their notes.
Wamest regards,
Ronnie Greenberg
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[quote name=\'whoww\' post=\'163669\' date=\'Sep 13 2007, 10:36 AM\']
Don,
Many thanks for remembering The Challengers and causing all the nice comments about the show. I am most appreciative.
[/quote]
Rest assured, Mr. Greenberg, a LOT of us remember The Challengers and miss it a great deal.
The show was the 2nd coming of the Who What or Where Game. Believe it or not I'm working on the next version. Keep your fingers crossed.
That...is exciting news.... :)
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'163677\' date=\'Sep 13 2007, 02:39 PM\']
[quote name=\'whoww\' post=\'163669\' date=\'Sep 13 2007, 10:36 AM\']
Don,
Many thanks for remembering The Challengers and causing all the nice comments about the show. I am most appreciative.
[/quote]
Rest assured, Mr. Greenberg, a LOT of us remember The Challengers and miss it a great deal.
The show was the 2nd coming of the Who What or Where Game. Believe it or not I'm working on the next version. Keep your fingers crossed.
That...is exciting news.... :)
[/quote]
Seconded. I was only 8 when the show aired, but I loved watching it as a child.
And just so I can be a follower, it aired in Norfolk at 5 pm on WVEC, against at least one other newscast (on WTKR; can't remember if WAVY still aired M*A*S*H reruns at 5 in 1990), and I believe 'TKR ruled the news back then, so you know how that goes. :-P They switched to mornings toward the last months of the run (10:30 IIRC).
As I said earlier, with the country more obsessed with current events, I think the show would do very well, esp. given the more welcoming climate of the genre.
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As someone who was 2 when the show premiered, I'm just thankful for the fact we have do have tape trading and video clip sites. THAT was a good game. Having Dick Clark at the helm probably helped too. :)
[quote name=\'whoww\' post=\'163669\' date=\'Sep 13 2007, 01:36 PM\']The show was the 2nd coming of the Who What or Where Game. Believe it or not I'm working on the next version. Keep your fingers crossed.
[/quote]Excellent news!
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[quote name=\'whoww\' post=\'163669\' date=\'Sep 13 2007, 12:36 PM\']
The show was the 2nd coming of the Who What or Where Game. Believe it or not I'm working on the next version. Keep your fingers crossed.
[/quote]
Some of us in the Dinosaur Lounge can even remember the first incarnation of the 3W's. Great show indeed!
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[quote name=\'clanky06\' post=\'162673\' date=\'Sep 4 2007, 12:50 PM\']
Didn't I read that Ed Toutant was a Challengers contestant?
[/quote]
Well, it's on Wikipedia, Clanky (probably where you saw it...that's where I saw it, too)...would help if we could get some confirmation from the man himself.
Paging Mr. Toutant to the white courtesy phone, please.
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I remember that Ed mentioned he was a contestant on The Challengers during an episode of J. Keith van Straaten's Game Show Radio Game Show.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'163677\' date=\'Sep 13 2007, 02:39 PM\']
[quote name=\'whoww\' post=\'163669\' date=\'Sep 13 2007, 10:36 AM\']
Don,
Many thanks for remembering The Challengers and causing all the nice comments about the show. I am most appreciative.
[/quote]
Rest assured, Mr. Greenberg, a LOT of us remember The Challengers and miss it a great deal.
The show was the 2nd coming of the Who What or Where Game. Believe it or not I'm working on the next version. Keep your fingers crossed.
That...is exciting news.... :)
[/quote]
Join me in the mix as far as hoping for good times ahead with your venture, Ron!!!
And if, for some reason, the interested syndicators and/or networks insist on having it paired up with another show, maybe doing a companion show involving 'dice' could work... ;-)
/If Jim Peck can ask you for a job, then I'd like to inquire about employment as well.
//Though not in a host capacity.
///Call me!
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I used to watch The Challengers after school when I was in fifth grade. I particularly remember one episode from later in the season, when there was a single-question Ultimate Challenge at the end of each show for $10,000. A female contestant stated that she had no idea what the answer was, and Dick Clark told her to take a guess. She guessed "Smith." She chuckled, and then Dick Clark stated, "That's right!" She appeared to be quite shocked. I do not remember the question, but I am pretty sure the answer was Smith.
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[quote name=\'jbatch2\' post=\'191306\' date=\'Jul 18 2008, 09:52 PM\']I used to watch The Challengers after school when I was in fifth grade. I particularly remember one episode from later in the season, when there was a single-question Ultimate Challenge at the end of each show for $10,000. A female contestant stated that she had no idea what the answer was, and Dick Clark told her to take a guess. She guessed "Smith." She chuckled, and then Dick Clark stated, "That's right!" She appeared to be quite shocked. I do not remember the question, but I am pretty sure the answer was Smith.[/quote]A moment second only to the Ultimate Understatement. I think the answer to the question you can't remember is This Guy (http://\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Smith#Retirement\").
/For those scoring at home, I remembered the answer to a single question on a game show from eighteen years ago, but don't remember where I put my keys...
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They say that one of the benefits of Alzheimers is that you need to have only one book! I was merrily reading all the pages of this thread when I came across a post with my name as author! Then I looked at the date—September of last year! Oh, yeah, now I remember writing that! Geriatric dementia also lets me enjoy WoF reruns, too!
Well, I'll add a bit of trivia—Harry Friedman and Gary Johnson went to the same high school in Omaha, one year apart.
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[quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' post=\'162618\' date=\'Sep 3 2007, 02:00 PM\']
I wonder if part of the problem is that in many cities (according to old TVGuides I have) this show was up against either Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy. Maybe if it wasn't scheduled directly opposite those powerhouses it might have had a better chance.[/quote]
In San Francisco, it aired sometime between 4 PM and 5 PM. (I think Jeopardy aired in that block at one time as well - keep in mind this is the station that, when Jeopardy first returned, aired it once a week, and on Saturday nights at that.)
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'162639\' date=\'Sep 3 2007, 07:23 PM\']
One of the things I always liked about The 3 W's is such a little thing in the grand scheme. The way the show was structured, no one ever had to buzz in to answer a question.[/quote]
Near the end of its run, 3W added a buzz-in segment (it replaced one of the normal rounds); I seem to recall it was +/- $10 per question. (One thing I remember is watching the flip-style digits have to roll around to change, say, a 6 to a 5 when someone got one wrong.)
One thing stands out for me when thinking about 3W; its "grand prize" system - every 13 weeks, whoever had won the most money among five-time winners in that time period won a car.
-- Don
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While I was too young to remember the 3Ws, I vividly remember The Challengers, it aired on WCHM Channel 4 here in Columbus. I was in my senior year of high school, and I remember watching this show while doing my homework. I loved the 3 day Ultimate Challenge championship round--when they started doing it every day it kinda killed my desire to watch the show. Even though they moved it back to a 3 day thing, my local affiliate moved it from its original 7 p.m. time slot to a 2 a.m. time slot. And that year I was very consumed with school activities, I wasn't about to stay up (or get up) at 2 to catch the show.
I did write a letter to Dick Clark though for my English class, saying how much I liked him as host of Pyramid and the Challengers, but didn't like when my affiliate moved the show's time slot. I asked for an autographed photo of him, and about 15 months later, I actually got one.
Anyway, along with a series of other events, watching The Challengers was one of the highlights of my high school senior year.
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I remember when Dick Clark joked that the show would need to get a new podium for Stan Newman after his winnings exceeded $100,000. Since the display on each contestant's podium only had five digits, they had to flash his total winnings on the screen. The Challengers is one of my all time favorite shows.
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I must admit that the Challengers - Stan Newman connection was news to me. Click (http://\"http://www.creators.com/puzzles-trivia/newsday-crossword-stan-newman-about.html\")
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I watched The WWW Game regularly when I was a little kid (I think I've said before, we always had NBC on during daytime), and it was one of my favorites.
I also remember the numbers spinning around to lower the score.
I loved The Challengers. My mom and I watched it together whenever I visited her, and let me tell you, there was precious little on TV that we both enjoyed.
Thank you, Mr. Greenberg.
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I think they had some kind of call-in sweepstakes similar to "Phone Jeopardy!" where Dick Clark read the first question on the air.
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[quote name=\'jbatch2\' post=\'192247\' date=\'Jul 27 2008, 02:45 PM\']
I think they had some kind of call-in sweepstakes similar to "Phone Jeopardy!" where Dick Clark read the first question on the air.
[/quote]
I remember that as well. I believe it was either mid-way through or towards the end of the run when they trotted that out. (It was after it moved to mornings in NYC, I know that much for sure.)
Perhaps I'm asking too much here...but does anybody remember how it was conducted?
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[quote name=\'PYLdude\' post=\'163761\' date=\'Sep 13 2007, 10:29 PM\']
[quote name=\'clanky06\' post=\'162673\' date=\'Sep 4 2007, 12:50 PM\']
Didn't I read that Ed Toutant was a Challengers contestant?
[/quote]
Well, it's on Wikipedia, Clanky (probably where you saw it...that's where I saw it, too)...would help if we could get some confirmation from the man himself.
Paging Mr. Toutant to the white courtesy phone, please.
[/quote]
I just happened to notice this thread. I don't visit here as often as I should. Yes, I was on The Challengers in January 1991. I think I made a big impression at the audition when I was the only person who could identify a photo of Buster Douglas. But on the actual show I did poorly, and won no money. Very few people ever saw it because it aired on the day the U.S. started bombing Baghdad in Gulf War I, and most TV stations were covering that story around the clock. It aired in Austin, and I still have a copy somewhere.
I've since had the honor of meeting Ronnie Greenberg, who is not only one of the game show greats, but also a very nice guy.
Ed Toutant
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[quote name=\'TheConfessor\' post=\'192345\' date=\'Jul 27 2008, 11:44 PM\']
[quote name=\'PYLdude\' post=\'163761\' date=\'Sep 13 2007, 10:29 PM\']
[quote name=\'clanky06\' post=\'162673\' date=\'Sep 4 2007, 12:50 PM\']
Didn't I read that Ed Toutant was a Challengers contestant?
[/quote]
Well, it's on Wikipedia, Clanky (probably where you saw it...that's where I saw it, too)...would help if we could get some confirmation from the man himself.
Paging Mr. Toutant to the white courtesy phone, please.
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I just happened to notice this thread. I don't visit here as often as I should. Yes, I was on The Challengers in January 1991. I think I made a big impression at the audition when I was the only person who could identify a photo of Buster Douglas. But on the actual show I did poorly, and won no money. Very few people ever saw it because it aired on the day the U.S. started bombing Baghdad in Gulf War I, and most TV stations were covering that story around the clock. It aired in Austin, and I still have a copy somewhere.
I've since had the honor of meeting Ronnie Greenberg, who is not only one of the game show greats, but also a very nice guy.
Ed Toutant
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Thanks for the information, Ed. Much appreciated.
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This was one of those shows that just sort of fell through the cracks. I'd love to see it come back again.
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[quote name=\'TheConfessor\' post=\'192345\' date=\'Jul 28 2008, 12:44 AM\']
I've since had the honor of meeting Ronnie Greenberg, who is not only one of the game show greats, but also a very nice guy.
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I've never met Ronnie (only through messages on this here board) but I've always enjoyed all his work, through his own production company (including "The Big Showdown", a co-production with Don Lipp), and as showrunner for Jack Barry all those years.
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[quote name=\'davemackey\' post=\'193760\' date=\'Aug 10 2008, 04:51 PM\']I've never met Ronnie (only through messages on this here board) but I've always enjoyed all his work, through his own production company (including "The Big Showdown", a co-production with Don Lipp), and as showrunner for Jack Barry all those years.[/quote]
Several of us have had the chance to meet Ronnie through the GSC, which he enthusiastically embraced. The GSC is, in fact, a key factor in him coming here. Not only meeting but corresponding with one of my idols has naturally been a thrill, and finding out he's as nice a person as you could possibly ask is just a bonus treat.
Ronnie also gave me one of my favorite bits of home-game trivia. The three players pictured on the box for the two editions of The Who What or Where Game are named Amy, Dan and Janet - the names of Ronnie's three children!
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Bumping this baby in honor of the 20th anniversary of the premiere of The Challengers.
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The Challengers had such a killer theme song. I never get tired of rocking out to it.
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[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'246762\' date=\'Sep 3 2010, 01:06 AM\']Bumping this baby in honor of the 20th anniversary of the premiere of The Challengers.[/quote]
An underrated classic. I've said this once or twice before, but it seemed to be the victim of a crowded market when talk shows were becoming popular. If only it had debuted 5 years earlier while daytime games were still big or 10 years later during the big money trivia era...
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[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'246765\' date=\'Sep 3 2010, 12:17 AM\']it seemed to be the victim of a crowded market when talk shows were becoming popular. If only it had debuted 5 years earlier while daytime games were still big or 10 years later during the big money trivia era...[/quote]
There was quite the glut of new games in 1990, wasn't there?
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[quote name=\'J.R.\' post=\'246768\' date=\'Sep 3 2010, 01:31 AM\'][quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'246765\' date=\'Sep 3 2010, 12:17 AM\']it seemed to be the victim of a crowded market when talk shows were becoming popular. If only it had debuted 5 years earlier while daytime games were still big or 10 years later during the big money trivia era...[/quote]
There was quite the glut of new games in 1990, wasn't there?
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That's what I meant...I think there were 5 or 6 new shows in fall 1990, and none of them made it past the first season. Come to think of it, the network games that premiered in 1990 were canceled by 1991 as well.
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[quote name=\'J.R.\' post=\'246768\' date=\'Sep 2 2010, 10:31 PM\']There was quite the glut of new games in 1990, wasn't there?[/quote]
It was the nineties, and there was time for it.
/and Klax
//woo PAX Prime Day One tomorrow!
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'246772\' date=\'Sep 2 2010, 10:50 PM\'][quote name=\'J.R.\' post=\'246768\' date=\'Sep 2 2010, 10:31 PM\']There was quite the glut of new games in 1990, wasn't there?[/quote]
It was the nineties, and there was time for it.
/and Klax
//woo PAX Prime Day One tomorrow!
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Couldn't resist the Klax joke, could ya? :P
The Challengers was such an awesome show, top to bottom. Smart, exciting, and classy, too. And, of course, Dick Clark. So sad it only lasted one year.
/I think I know where I wanna go on vacation next year.
//Do you guys think a Game Show Tournament - or its equivalent - would go over well at PAX Prime?
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Don't remember if I posted way earlier in this old thread, but don't want to miss the opportunity to again sing Ronnie G's praises!
Great show, wonderfully executed. Stage 9 at Hollywood Center Studios on Las Palmas. An important early gig for me, doing warm-up while Don Morrow announced. Appreciation to Ron for the opportunity, and for coming to my support when a change in warm-up people was pending.
Wonderful memories. Thanks again, Ron!
Randy
tvrandywest.com
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[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'246762\' date=\'Sep 3 2010, 01:06 AM\']Bumping this baby in honor of the 20th anniversary of the premiere of The Challengers.[/quote]
Oh, my, yes. I watched the premiere while unpacking in my first apartment as a newlywed. Lovely game.
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I vividly remembered watching this show; I was a senior in high school, and I thought it was a well-executed show; for me it was required watching before dinner (and homework). Unfortunately, when my local affiliate (WCMH 4, Cols. OH) moved the time slot to 2 a.m. and the producers making The Ultimate Challege a daily part of the show's format halfway through the run, it killed me from watching the show.
I always thought this show was better than Jeopardy! in that the strategy was more in the wagering than in the actual knowledge of the questions themselves. Or, as I explain to others: Jeopardy! is to spades (card game) what The Challengers (even moreso its predecessor the 3Ws) is to bid whist.
I actually wrote a letter to Dick Clark giving him acolades for his great hosting of "The Challengers" and asked for (and got) an autographed photo of him, albeit about 18 months later. I think I still have a copy of my letter to him somewhere. If you're interested in reading it, let me know and I'll scan and post it (as soon as I find it).
Thanks to Ron for creating this great show. I definately loved it and it is as much a part of my HS senior memories as my in-school experiences were itself.
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The Challengers aired at midnight Monday-Friday on WXYZ-TV (ABC affiliate in Detroit). However, twenty years ago today, a "Sneak Preview," edition aired that afternoon, in place of one of the local newscasts. That episode, featured Doak Fairey winning the game, and going on to play a special "Ultimate Challenge," round for $50,000.
From how that played, Doak picked one of two categories shown on the video wall, and had to answer three sub-category questions to win the $50,000. Each correct answer awarded Doak $1,000, and he only answered two of them correctly. Because he didn't win the jackpot, $5,000 was added to it. After a couple of weeks or so, with nobody winning three days in a row, and advancing to the "UC," round, they started adding $1,000 each day to the jackpot, until won!
The very first winner of the "UC," was Lawrence (or Larry at that time) Kaplan, who won $60,000! In 1999, he and Doak Fairey each appeared on WWTBAM, but Doak didn't make through the "Fastest Finger," round.
More thanks to you for a decent show, Ron Greenburg!
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I'd like to add to the praises and memories, but just like almost everyone else in the Huntsville, AL market, I had no idea this show even existed until the internet came along.
Come to think of it, the few syndicated game shows of the 1985-1991 period cleared in Huntsville (other than Wheel and Jeopardy!, of course) were, IIRC, Headline Chases, Davidson Squares (only one season tho, also IIRC), syndie Double Dare, syndie Combs Feud, Jackpot '89, and Sweethearts.
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[quote name=\'Game Show Man\' post=\'246777\' date=\'Sep 3 2010, 02:29 AM\']//Do you guys think a Game Show Tournament - or its equivalent - would go over well at PAX Prime?[/quote]
No.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'246812\' date=\'Sep 3 2010, 08:48 PM\'][quote name=\'Game Show Man\' post=\'246777\' date=\'Sep 3 2010, 02:29 AM\']//Do you guys think a Game Show Tournament - or its equivalent - would go over well at PAX Prime?[/quote]
No.
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I don't know about that. At last years PAX, I had presentation games for Jeopardy, Wheel!, and Family Feud - and easily got about a dozen players.
Yes, it wouldn't go off very huge, but there's clear interest for people who want to play.
//This was done to break the chain of Agricola-Power Grid-Settlers-Ticket To Ride-Agricola
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[quote name=\'Hastin\' post=\'246825\' date=\'Sep 4 2010, 01:17 AM\']Yes, it wouldn't go off very huge, but there's clear interest for people who want to play.[/quote]
I think Joe is expecting big-audience-his-own-conference-room-etc., though. And you and I both know that isn't gonna happen.
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Well, if the Game Show Tournament was only one game show, and that game show was Starcade . . .
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[quote name=\'Joe Mello\' post=\'246885\' date=\'Sep 5 2010, 11:47 AM\']Well, if the Game Show Tournament was only one game show, and that game show was Starcade . . .[/quote]
...it would be Round Four of the Omegathon from last night, where the opening act to the concerts was two teams of four playing Foreigner's "Cold as Ice" from Rock Band 3.
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"The Challengers" was the first place I ever heard of Stanley Newman. Stan is now a very good acquaintance, thanks to the Crossword Tournament.