The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: Bluejay on July 29, 2008, 06:49:58 PM
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On August 25, 1958, NBC debuted a game show that would be a long-running classic, Concentration. This show would be on in various formats from 1958-1973, then syndicated from 1973-1978, and most recently as Classic Concentration from 1987-1993.
This year will mark the 50th anniversary of Concentration, and NBC/Universal, who owns the rights to the game, has yet to do something to commemorate this event. I wish that NBC would get up off of their collective duffs and revive the format as a prime-time game like they do Deal or No Deal.
I plan to send NBC an e-mail about this, but I have a sick feeling this will be one of those "Wish in one hand..." moments.
We need to let NBC/Universal know about this. Maybe Fremantle (which now owns Goodson/Todman-Mark Goodson productions, who helped produce the syndciated version of the show as well as Classic Concentration) could help out.
NBC, you could make Concentration a hit just like you did Deal or No Deal.
If you have any ideas of how the new Concentration should be done (ex. 25 or 30 squares, type of bonus round, host), let me know.
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Certainly, you can try whatever you'd like and good luck to you.
But I doubt they'd care.
They being NBC, Universal, Fremantle and possibly an under 35 audience that wouldn't sit still for a dozen or more utterings of "Not a match; The board goes back" per game. Unless maybe you brought on those dancing girls that Norm Blumenthal talked to Stosh about in THE LAST! tvgameshows.net cover story interview.
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[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'192653\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 06:37 PM\']
Certainly, you can try whatever you'd like and good luck to you.
But I doubt they'd care.
They being NBC, Universal, Fremantle and possibly an under 35 audience that wouldn't sit still for a dozen or more utterings of "Not a match; The board goes back" per game. Unless maybe you brought on those dancing girls that Norm Blumenthal talked to Stosh about in THE LAST! tvgameshows.net cover story interview.
[/quote]
If that's the way NBC/Universal (run by Vivendi, a French congolmerate) and Fremantle (from the UK) and the attention-challenged under 35 deomgraphic feel about, to quote Eric Cartman:
"S---W YOU GUYS, I'M GOING HOME"! (I Couldn't do the complete spelling due to this being a family web site).
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Maybe NBC, Universal, Fremantle, and the attention-challenged under 35 demographic couldn't care less, but doggone it, I still do and always will care. Long live Concentration and to the devil with the corporate suits.
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[quote name=\'Bluejay\' post=\'192654\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 06:47 PM\']
"SCREW YOU GUYS, I'M GOING HOME"!
[/quote]
Fixed unnecessary sanitation.
I guess we can't say "nail," either, due to certain connotations?
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Oh boy.
All things equal, I'd rather they made "Concentration" a hit like "Concentration", and stay as far away from making it a hit like "Deal or No Deal" as possible.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'192657\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 07:57 PM\']All things equal, I'd rather they made "Concentration" a hit like "Concentration", and stay as far away from making it a hit like "Deal or No Deal" as possible.[/quote]
Considering what Concentration is, it already has a point in its favor in that you need at least half a brain to play it.
Also, to further the efforts to bring it back, I'll ask one of my Aussie friends to e-mail Today Tonight tomorrow.
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[quote name=\'PYLdude\' post=\'192656\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 06:56 PM\']
[quote name=\'Bluejay\' post=\'192654\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 06:47 PM\']
"SCREW YOU GUYS, I'M GOING HOME"!
[/quote]
Fixed unnecessary sanitation.
I guess we can't say "nail," either, due to certain connotations?
[/quote]
Thanks. If my mom (who helped buy this computer) found out I used this language, she'd really hit the roof.
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[quote name=\'PYLdude\' post=\'192656\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 06:56 PM\'] [quote name=\'Bluejay\' post=\'192654\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 06:47 PM\']"SCREW YOU GUYS, I'M GOING HOME"![/quote]
Fixed unnecessary sanitation.
I guess we can't say "nail," either, due to certain connotations? [/quote]
You should meet my high school vice principal, Mr. Woodcock.
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[quote name=\'Joe Mello\' post=\'192660\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 08:01 PM\']
I'll ask one of my Aussie friends to e-mail Today Tonight tomorrow.
[/quote]
I already did yesterday.
Unless there's a way to do Million Dollar Concentration, I simply don't see this working.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'192657\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 07:57 PM\']
Oh boy.
All things equal, I'd rather they made "Concentration" a hit like "Concentration", and stay as far away from making it a hit like "Deal or No Deal" as possible.
[/quote]
Amen to that!!!
Because the last thing we need is another show/remake with screaming meemies going "Hi I'm Jill and I'm a college student and I need a Wild Card so I can win a NEW SKI JET! WOOOOOO!!!!"
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Though I, too, would like to see a new series someday, I'm a little more surprised that Endless Games, at least for now, has no plans for a new box game, in honor of the half-century anniversary of a "classic," game!
Ten years ago, they did release a new box game, dubbed "40th anniversary edition."
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[quote name=\'Bluejay\' post=\'192654\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 07:47 PM\']the attention-challenged under 35 deomgraphic feel about, to quote Eric Cartman:
"S---W YOU GUYS, I'M GOING HOME"! (I Couldn't do the complete spelling due to this being a family web site).[/quote]
Apparently, you missed the following post earlier this morning by one of the Executive Producers:
[quote name=\'chris319\' post=\'192578\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 01:12 AM\']Piece of shit goddamn fucking worthless In-fucking-vision software won't let me put up ASCII art in a monospaced font, even as code. I will email you with it.[/quote]
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They could do away with the rebuses and just make it a matching game. You would compete against another player to match dollar amounts. You stay in control as long as you make matches. Whichever person matches the highest amount at the end tries for a million. Takes and Forfeits would still be in play to make it interesting.
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[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'192670\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 08:31 PM\']
They could do away with the rebuses and just make it a matching game. You would compete against another player to match dollar amounts. You stay in control as long as you make matches. Whichever person matches the highest amount at the end tries for a million. Takes and Forfeits would still be in play to make it interesting.
[/quote]
And to hold the impatient viewers' attention span, the board has been reduced. Not from 30 to 25, but to 9. And no more rebus, as that requires too much thinking for the average audience...or NBC game show contestant for that matter. We put an image of an NBC celebrity behind the squares. NBC Celebrity...that leaves Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, Mariska Hargitay, Howie Mandel, Triumph, and Tina Fey.
And the board clanging sound to turn the trilons? Gone.
The quirky sound effect also used three years earlier on "Trivia Trap"? Gone.
We use WHOOOSHes now, baby!
Let's see, out-of-work comedian irrelevant since 1992...what's Dave Coulier up to? Get him an open-collar suit, stat! We'll zoom through the first "O" in "Concentration", and have the audience cheer on every number pick...not to mention pregnant pauses as we reveal what's behind the square...after this!
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[quote name=\'Bluejay\' post=\'192654\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 06:47 PM\']"S---W YOU GUYS, I'M GOING HOME"! (I Couldn't do the complete spelling due to this being a family web site)[/quote]
Ernest Angley, is that you?
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[quote name=\'J.R.\' post=\'192674\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 08:45 PM\']
[quote name=\'Bluejay\' post=\'192654\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 06:47 PM\']"S---W YOU GUYS, I'M GOING HOME"! (I Couldn't do the complete spelling due to this being a family web site)[/quote]
Ernest Angley, is that you?
[/quote]
I sure hope so. I have a headache and could use a healing.
How many people the age of an average Million Dollar Password or Deal Or No Deal contestant could even solve a rebus?
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[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'192670\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 07:31 PM\']
They could do away with the rebuses and just make it a matching game. You would compete against another player to match dollar amounts. You stay in control as long as you make matches. Whichever person matches the highest amount at the end tries for a million. Takes and Forfeits would still be in play to make it interesting.
[/quote]
Even simpler, à la TPIR: Instead of two wild cards, have one wild card and one million-dollar square. Pick the MDS and the wild card in one turn and solve the puzzle, and the million is yours like any other prize.
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Number 14 and...er...I'd like to ask the audience...
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[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'192653\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 07:37 PM\']
Certainly, you can try whatever you'd like and good luck to you.
But I doubt they'd care.
They being NBC, Universal, Fremantle and possibly an under 35 audience that wouldn't sit still for a dozen or more utterings of "Not a match; The board goes back" per game. Unless maybe you brought on those dancing girls that Norm Blumenthal talked to Stosh about in THE LAST! tvgameshows.net cover story interview.
[/quote]
(at bolded) Would these be the dancing girls that would come on stage, bend over, and the word "Concentration" would be spelled on their collective "fannies", as Hugh Downs put it in his book?
//Reminds me of the "You Suck" cheerleader scene in the movie Bring It On.
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[quote name=\'tpirfan28\' post=\'192665\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 08:18 PM\']
[quote name=\'Joe Mello\' post=\'192660\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 08:01 PM\']
I'll ask one of my Aussie friends to e-mail Today Tonight tomorrow.
[/quote]
I already did yesterday.
Unless there's a way to do Million Dollar Concentration, I simply don't see this working.
[/quote]
That's Easy...
On a 30-square board, said player must make 15 consecutive matches in-a-row (aka "sweep the board") then correctly guess the puzzle.
Then during November Sweeps, add an additional Wild Card to the board after each game the sweep does not happen up to a maximum of 15 Wild Cards on the board.
Then in February Sweeps, still after nobody has won the million, you bring in a Plinko-esque board to determine how many consecutive matches the contestant must make to earn the million...
By May Sweeps, when you STILL have yet to give away the million, you rebrand the game "All Star Concentration" and invite the cast of "The Office" and "My Name Is Earl", to play "in character".
Then by Memorial Day, after hundreds of chances to give away the million have failed, Concentration is canceled, and NBC simulcasts The Weather Channel in it's place.
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[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'192670\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 05:31 PM\']They could do away with the rebuses and just make it a matching game. You would compete against another player to match dollar amounts. You stay in control as long as you make matches. Whichever person matches the highest amount at the end tries for a million. Takes and Forfeits would still be in play to make it interesting.[/quote]Golly gee whiz, Jimmy, why not take it further. Instead of keeping the game normal, why not have four boxes, each bearing the same prize.
Contestant: "Number 1, please."
Host: "Number 1 has a s---wdriver. Try to find another s---wdriver."
Contestant: "I'd love to find the match to that s---wdriver behind number....four!"
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Fremantle has nothing to do with Concentration, you know.
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[quote name=\'chris319\' post=\'192717\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 11:08 PM\']
Fremantle has nothing to do with Concentration, you know.
[/quote]
NBC still has the rights, am I not mistaken?
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[quote name=\'chris319\' post=\'192717\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 11:08 PM\']
Fremantle has nothing to do with Concentration, you know.[/quote]
Why do you have to ruin our fun by giving us factual data?
Then by Memorial Day, after hundreds of chances to give away the million have failed, Concentration is canceled, and NBC simulcasts The Weather Channel in it's place.
Close, Law & Order: Meteorology Squad
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[quote name=\'Steve Gavazzi\' post=\'192669\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 07:23 PM\']
Apparently, you missed the following post earlier this morning by one of the Executive Producers:
[quote name=\'chris319\' post=\'192578\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 01:12 AM\']Piece of shit goddamn fucking worthless In-fucking-vision software won't let me put up ASCII art in a monospaced font, even as code. I will email you with it.[/quote]
[/quote]
Yes, but he's an Executive Producer. He can get away with saying that sh. . .tuff.
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[quote name=\'TLEberle\' post=\'192700\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 09:19 PM\']
Contestant: "Number 1, please."
Host: "Number 1 has a s---wdriver. Try to find another s---wdriver."
Contestant: "I'd love to find the match to that s---wdriver behind number....four!"
[/quote]
Winner.
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I already came up with an idea on how to revive it, remember? (http://\"http://www.wtv-zone.com/dpjohnson/concentration/myversion.html\")
Still you have to wonder if a rebus these days would consist of, for example, a picture of a baseball bat, a plus sign and a drawing of a man, period.
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Still you have to wonder if a rebus these days would consist of, for example, a picture of a baseball bat, a plus sign and a drawing of a man, period.
Bat bloke! Bat guy! Bat dude!
Too difficult, I think.
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Piece of shit goddamn fucking worthless In-fucking-vision
You should have heard me after the quake.
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[quote name=\'DjohnsonCB\' post=\'192747\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 11:20 PM\']
I already came up with an idea on how to revive it, remember? (http://\"http://www.wtv-zone.com/dpjohnson/concentration/myversion.html\")[/quote]
Contrary to popular belief, we don't hang on your website's every word.
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[quote name=\'Bluejay\' post=\'192654\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 04:47 PM\']
"S---W YOU GUYS, I'M GOING HOME"! (I Couldn't do the complete spelling due to this being a family web site).
[/quote]
Which family? The Manson Family?
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'192657\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 07:57 PM\']
All things equal, I'd rather they made "Concentration" a hit like "Concentration", and stay as far away from making it a hit like "Deal or No Deal" as possible.
[/quote]
You mean you wouldn't like this:
Contestant: I would like number 13.
Host to model: Okay. Angela, can you show us what is behind number 13....<looking in camera> right after this!
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[quote name=\'Bluejay\' post=\'192662\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 08:11 PM\']
Thanks. If my mom (who helped buy this computer) found out I used this language, she'd really hit the roof.
[/quote]
We won't tell if you won't tell.
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[quote name=\'tpirfan28\' post=\'192665\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 08:18 PM\']
Unless there's a way to do Million Dollar Concentration, I simply don't see this working.
[/quote]
Truthfully, I think we have a better chance of having Days Of Our Lives finally get cancelled and having NBC dust off the tapes of Alex Trebek's run just long enough until NBC figures out how to sell all of their affiliates on a fifth hour of Today.
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[quote name=\'Jumpondees\' post=\'192774\' date=\'Jul 30 2008, 10:35 AM\']
Truthfully, I think we have a better chance of having Days Of Our Lives finally get cancelled and having NBC dust off the tapes of Alex Trebek's run just long enough until NBC figures out how to sell all of their affiliates on a fifth hour of Today.
[/quote]
I wouldn't be surprised if the first and third things happened within the next year or so.
Stefano's been resurrected way too many times and Crook & Chase could be getting wined and dined as we speak and type to host Today's fifth hour.
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how to sell all of their affiliates on a fifth hour of Today.
Promise an afternoon version and call it Todateline.
ANNOUNCER: Stay tuned for Dateline NBC right after that annoying interruption known as your local news and some entertainment tabloids, to be interrupted later by the Tonight show with Conan O'Brien.
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I vote for not reviving the series. I would settle for reruns of the original series.
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[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'192775\' date=\'Jul 30 2008, 10:39 AM\']
I wouldn't be surprised if the first and third things happened within the next year or so.
Stefano's been resurrected way too many times and Crook & Chase could be getting wined and dined as we speak and type to host Today's fifth hour.
[/quote]
I wonder, though, if that fifth hour of Today would become the hour-long "NBC Midday News" sheepishly on the Today set. I know my affiliate can't air five hours together, as they have Live with Regis and Kelly.
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Correction:
Vivendi has nothing to do with NBC Universal. I can see the mixup since they still own the Universal Music Group.
And NBCU is the sole owner of "Concentration." I can't find the page, but the format is in their active library for overseas format sales.
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It is depressing that tv has come to this. No more major network daytime gameshows, except Price is Right, and that's changing more and more all the time.
The 70s and 80s were great while they lasted. I foolishly thought those carefree days would last forever. It depresses me how the genre of game shows as a whole have gone.
Heavy sigh...
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[quote name=\'wdm1219inpenna\' post=\'193078\' date=\'Aug 1 2008, 07:00 PM\']
It is depressing that tv has come to this. No more major network daytime gameshows, except Price is Right, and that's changing more and more all the time.
[/quote]
Maybe so, but I feel the many major network primetime gameshows make up for it. :)
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It's more of a problem that the daytime audience has changed. A lot of women go to work outside the home now. Even in the halcyon days, game shows were designed to be on in the background while housework was being done. For the most part, the ladies didn't actually sit down and watch the shows, but were able to listen to them while folding laundry, doing dishes, etc.
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[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'193084\' date=\'Aug 1 2008, 04:32 PM\']
For the most part, the ladies didn't actually sit down and watch the shows, but were able to listen to them while folding laundry, doing dishes...
[/quote]
...making me a damn sammich... :)
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'193085\' date=\'Aug 1 2008, 07:34 PM\']
[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'193084\' date=\'Aug 1 2008, 04:32 PM\']
For the most part, the ladies didn't actually sit down and watch the shows, but were able to listen to them while folding laundry, doing dishes...
[/quote]
...making me a damn sammich... :)
[/quote]
I blame women getting the right to vote. Daytime game shows would still be around if they were housewives and nothing more.
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I hear ya. Another thing is that back in the day when there were only three channels, game shows were the closest thing to something kids could watch. Today grandparents taking care of their daughter's children or day care providers have the option of kid channels, GSN or Barney DVDs.
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Yup, the basic idea was that June Cleaver could vacuum in pearls and keep an eye on the games until about noon, when she'd have a slimming lunch, then relax with The Secret Storm until the Beaver and Wally came home.
In a way, I'm glad those days are gone...but it would be nice to have more than two or three game shows during the day for those days when I'm home.
/beginning a stay-cation week Wednesday
//Other than TPIR and Family Feud, not a thing locally until Millionaire at 4:30.
///Stay off my lawn and get me another bottle of Moxie
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[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'193138\' date=\'Aug 2 2008, 11:24 AM\']
... relax with The Secret Storm until the Beaver and Wally came home.
[/quote]
Coincidentally, the "plot" of Naughty Neighbors #23.
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[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'193138\' date=\'Aug 2 2008, 09:24 AM\']
///Stay off my lawn and get me another bottle of Moxie[/quote]
http://zone.msn.com/en/general/article/mox...p_CnE_headline2 (http://\"http://zone.msn.com/en/general/article/moxie072108.htm?intgid=hp_CnE_headline2\")
Approves
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'193146\' date=\'Aug 2 2008, 11:28 AM\']
[quote name=\'DrBear\' post=\'193138\' date=\'Aug 2 2008, 09:24 AM\']
///Stay off my lawn and get me another bottle of Moxie[/quote][/quote]The Splendid Splinter approves. (http://\"http://www.distantreplays.com/distant/product.asp?s%5Fid=0&pf%5Fid=10034985\")
/Mom loved Teddy Ballgame.
//And Concentration.
///And Scrabble, though she never saw it played "quite like this."
////And my Dad, or my post count would be much lower.
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It's more of a problem that the daytime audience has changed. A lot of women go to work outside the home now. Even in the halcyon days, game shows were designed to be on in the background while housework was being done. For the most part, the ladies didn't actually sit down and watch the shows, but were able to listen to them while folding laundry, doing dishes, etc.
I guess that's why on many of these shows during the '70s, the contestants were primarily women, because there weren't that many men at home to watch. Notice how that changed by the late '80s on shows like Card Sharks (more men contestants towards the end) and Price is Right.
/I think I'll go watch Bewitched now
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Just reviving this thread to wish "Concentration" a happy anniversary, 50 years to the day after its debut on NBC.
I remain fascinated by Two Inch Quad's report that NBC actually held onto its copies this show. Some episodes are at the Library of Congress, most apparently are at NBC, and I'm still wondering if they'll ever see the light of day again.
I'm sure we all remember BritGirl57's semi-successful effort to obtain her father's appearance on the show. At considerable expense, she did acquire a copy from the LoC, but it only contained the first part of her father's gameplay.
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[quote name=\'MrBuddwing\' post=\'195086\' date=\'Aug 25 2008, 06:29 AM\']
Just reviving this thread to wish "Concentration" a happy anniversary, 50 years to the day after its debut on NBC.
I remain fascinated by Two Inch Quad's report that NBC actually held onto its copies this show. Some episodes are at the Library of Congress, most apparently are at NBC, and I'm still wondering if they'll ever see the light of day again.
I'm sure we all remember BritGirl57's semi-successful effort to obtain her father's appearance on the show. At considerable expense, she did acquire a copy from the LoC, but it only contained the first part of her father's gameplay.
[/quote]
Unlike almost every other NBC game show, they actually owned the show. Why wouldn't they keep them? It's theirs. As far as wiping the other producers tapes, it's like borrowing a tape you didn't like from a friend who doesn't want it back. Do you keep it for them or reuse it?
We'll probably never see them again, but it's comforting to know they exist. What drives the desire to see the old show is the fact that they are currently unavailable. If they were on GSN every day the show would run the risk of being taken for granted.
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[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'195095\' date=\'Aug 25 2008, 08:33 AM\']
What drives the desire to see the old show is the fact that they are currently unavailable. If they were on GSN every day the show would run the risk of being taken for granted.
[/quote]
And this I wonder. As with some of the commentaries I read when Game Show Network began playing selected Peter Marshall-hosted episodes of The Hollywood Squares. There was anticipation a-plenty as April 15th 2002 neared. Then the shows began playing. While some among our number were grateful to add these telecasts to their/our tape collections, there were many who found the game too quiet, too slow, Peter Marshall not that good, etc.
Should a miracle happen and GSN lands their hands on Concentration, I can envision the Invision remarks. How dull, the game really drags, Hugh Downs is boring, Art James is terrible, and so on.
And it just might be that a power in a tower at NBC knows that.
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[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'195099\' date=\'Aug 25 2008, 08:17 AM\']
Should a miracle happen and GSN lands their hands on Concentration, I can envision the Invision remarks. How dull, the game really drags, Hugh Downs is boring, Art James is terrible, and so on.
And it just might be that a power in a tower at NBC knows that.
[/quote]
Still, they may as well get some return out of them, even if what GSN would pay would basically cover the coffee budget for "Football Night in America." What are they waiting for? The next rebranding of Bravo? A biopic of Ruth Horowitz's incredible 20-game run to create a Concentration frenzy?
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[quote name=\'Neumms\' post=\'195119\' date=\'Aug 25 2008, 12:48 PM\']Still, they may as well get some return out of them, even if what GSN would pay would basically cover the coffee budget for "Football Night in America." What are they waiting for? The next rebranding of Bravo? A biopic of Ruth Horowitz's incredible 20-game run to create a Concentration frenzy?[/quote]
This reminds me a lot of the excitement when they discovered a whole bunch of classic Hollywood Squares episodes. We were all SO thrilled that GSN was going to air them, and the ratings were so bad they were gone within months. And this was with big, big stars they could promote.
As a business enterprise, there is absolutely no reason for GSN to air episodes of the original Concentration. And this is coming from one of the show's biggest fans. If they could get the shows cheaply, maybe Classic Concentration.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'195125\' date=\'Aug 25 2008, 01:37 PM\']
This reminds me a lot of the excitement when they discovered a whole bunch of classic Hollywood Squares episodes. We were all SO thrilled that GSN was going to air them[/quote]
Wish I'd thought of that.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'195125\' date=\'Aug 25 2008, 12:37 PM\']
[quote name=\'Neumms\' post=\'195119\' date=\'Aug 25 2008, 12:48 PM\']Still, they may as well get some return out of them, even if what GSN would pay would basically cover the coffee budget for "Football Night in America." What are they waiting for? The next rebranding of Bravo? A biopic of Ruth Horowitz's incredible 20-game run to create a Concentration frenzy?[/quote]
This reminds me a lot of the excitement when they discovered a whole bunch of classic Hollywood Squares episodes. We were all SO thrilled that GSN was going to air them, and the ratings were so bad they were gone within months. And this was with big, big stars they could promote.
As a business enterprise, there is absolutely no reason for GSN to air episodes of the original Concentration. And this is coming from one of the show's biggest fans. If they could get the shows cheaply, maybe Classic Concentration.
[/quote]
I was referring to NBC selling it to them. You're right, though, that GSN probably has no place for a slow, cerebral '60s show with organ music. But why won't NBC let them or someone remount it? Lingo is pretty cerebral, too, yet successful. And Classic Concentration did a terrific job of quickening the game's pace.
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[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'195126\' date=\'Aug 25 2008, 01:46 PM\']
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'195125\' date=\'Aug 25 2008, 01:37 PM\']
This reminds me a lot of the excitement when they discovered a whole bunch of classic Hollywood Squares episodes. We were all SO thrilled that GSN was going to air them[/quote]
Wish I'd thought of that.[/quote]
Jeepers, sorry about that Don. I'm not exactly sure how I missed your comment, I'm usually pretty good about such things.
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On this 50th anniversary of "Concentration," I'd like to recall a story Hugh Downs told in a magazine interview. He recalled the time a contestant managed to leave him speechless.
Downs began the story by saying that, for legal reasons, all contestants on "Concentration" had to affirm on the air that they understood the rules.
On this occasion, the latest contestant stepped out. She was, Downs recalled, the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. Absolutely gorgeous. So as not to stare at her, Downs picked up her information card and began reading from it.
Downs said, "Well, Mrs. So-and-So, it says here that you've been married for eight years, but that you have a nine-year-old son. Surely there's been a mistake ..."
And the woman, horribly embarrassed, replied, "No ... well ... you see ... I HAD to get married."
And all Downs could say was, "Well, Mrs. So-and-So, I'm sure you know how our game is played ..."
I'd love to see the actual clip of that. Assuming the NBC censor didn't grab the tape and throw it into the furnace.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'195129\' date=\'Aug 25 2008, 01:51 PM\']
[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'195126\' date=\'Aug 25 2008, 01:46 PM\']
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'195125\' date=\'Aug 25 2008, 01:37 PM\']
This reminds me a lot of the excitement when they discovered a whole bunch of classic Hollywood Squares episodes. We were all SO thrilled that GSN was going to air them[/quote]
Wish I'd thought of that.[/quote]
Jeepers, sorry about that Don. I'm not exactly sure how I missed your comment, I'm usually pretty good about such things.
[/quote]
That's okay. Great minds think alike, yes?
I was just fearful that I was on your blocked poster list.
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As far as wiping the other producers tapes, it's like borrowing a tape you didn't like from a friend who doesn't want it back. Do you keep it for them or reuse it?
I'm Mark Goodson. I paid for the tape stock and I paid for the facilities to record and edit my show. I own the programming content on the tape. You, Mr. Network, got your one licensed run out of it which we contractually agreed to. I never authorized you to destroy the recording. So where's my tape?
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[quote name=\'chris319\' post=\'195191\' date=\'Aug 26 2008, 04:41 AM\']
As far as wiping the other producers tapes, it's like borrowing a tape you didn't like from a friend who doesn't want it back. Do you keep it for them or reuse it?
I'm Mark Goodson. I paid for the tape stock and I paid for the facilities to record and edit my show. I own the programming content on the tape. You, Mr. Network, got your one licensed run out of it which we contractually agreed to. I never authorized you to destroy the recording. So where's my tape?
[/quote]
In that case the producer should have the show. With the exception of "Mindreaders" (which I realize is a big exception, since you worked on that show), I thought the NBC Goodson shows of the 70's and beyond were intact. I'm referring to situations where the producer didn't want the shows.
What I'm saying is there shouldn't be surprise that NBC kept Concentration. They own it.
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[quote name=\'joker316\' post=\'192667\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 08:21 PM\']
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'192657\' date=\'Jul 29 2008, 07:57 PM\']
Oh boy.
All things equal, I'd rather they made "Concentration" a hit like "Concentration", and stay as far away from making it a hit like "Deal or No Deal" as possible.
[/quote]
Amen to that!!!
Because the last thing we need is another show/remake with screaming meemies going "Hi I'm Jill and I'm a college student and I need a Wild Card so I can win a NEW SKI JET! WOOOOOO!!!!"
[/quote]
Thank you Rich Fields! (and that would be the announcer, who would be the host? )
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Don't forget NBC has their claws gripped on Woolery Scrabble also. That has about much as much of a chance(slim to none) of coming to fruition as this coming back in originals or reruns.
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[quote name=\'rwalker\' post=\'196529\' date=\'Sep 8 2008, 03:01 PM\']
Don't forget NBC has their claws gripped on Woolery Scrabble also. That has about much as much of a chance(slim to none) of coming to fruition as this coming back in originals or reruns.
[/quote]
NBC has nothing to do with that. Fremantle owns the format and the backlog of episodes--and Hasbro owns the trademarks that would also keep the show off the air, either first-run or in repeats.
I still wonder if anyone at Fremantle has tried to revise the format so that it wouldn't need the Hasbro-owned Scrabble game board design.
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[quote name=\'uncamark\' post=\'196577\' date=\'Sep 8 2008, 06:39 PM\']I still wonder if anyone at Fremantle has tried to revise the format so that it wouldn't need the Hasbro-owned Scrabble game board design.[/quote]
Actually, sorta the opposite happened. GSN made at least two pilots of a Scrabble game show that would have been much more like the board game than the Reg Grundy show was.
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[quote name=\'uncamark\' post=\'196577\' date=\'Sep 8 2008, 05:39 PM\']I still wonder if anyone at Fremantle has tried to revise the format so that it wouldn't need the Hasbro-owned Scrabble game board design.[/quote]Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought that was one of the big selling points of the show--using a well-known name.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'195129\' date=\'Aug 25 2008, 01:51 PM\']
[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'195126\' date=\'Aug 25 2008, 01:46 PM\']
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'195125\' date=\'Aug 25 2008, 01:37 PM\']
This reminds me a lot of the excitement when they discovered a whole bunch of classic Hollywood Squares episodes. We were all SO thrilled that GSN was going to air them[/quote]
Wish I'd thought of that.[/quote]
Jeepers, sorry about that Don. I'm not exactly sure how I missed your comment, I'm usually pretty good about such things.
[/quote]
QFT: Matt Ottinger isn't perfect. :-p
Seriously, though, wouldn't the 50s/60s episodes fit right in on Black and White Overnight? (Or do GSN no longer do that? I don't pay enough attention to the GSN schedule.)
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[quote name=\'uncamark\' post=\'196577\' date=\'Sep 8 2008, 04:39 PM\']
NBC has nothing to do with that. Fremantle owns the format and the backlog of episodes--and Hasbro owns the trademarks that would also keep the show off the air, either first-run or in repeats.
I still wonder if anyone at Fremantle has tried to revise the format so that it wouldn't need the Hasbro-owned Scrabble game board design.
[/quote]
Since Scrabble had been on the air for 6 years in the 80's I think that you would have to completely revise the show, probably to just a nine letter board. I guess the only thought I have for the show's title would be "Alphabust" or something.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'196662\' date=\'Sep 8 2008, 11:09 PM\']
Actually, sorta the opposite happened. GSN made at least two pilots of a Scrabble game show that would have been much more like the board game than the Reg Grundy show was.
[/quote]
And as someone who can now at least play decent competitive Scrabble, I can tell you that watching contestants play 'FE', 'AA' or other obscure two letter hooks for rack enhancement would not make compelling television for a non Scrabble-phile.
--Mike
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[quote name=\'uncamark\' post=\'196577\' date=\'Sep 8 2008, 06:39 PM\']
[quote name=\'rwalker\' post=\'196529\' date=\'Sep 8 2008, 03:01 PM\']
Don't forget NBC has their claws gripped on Woolery Scrabble also. That has about much as much of a chance(slim to none) of coming to fruition as this coming back in originals or reruns.
[/quote]
NBC has nothing to do with that. Fremantle owns the format and the backlog of episodes--and Hasbro owns the trademarks that would also keep the show off the air, either first-run or in repeats.
I still wonder if anyone at Fremantle has tried to revise the format so that it wouldn't need the Hasbro-owned Scrabble game board design.
[/quote]
Misread the comment. Sorry. Mine was about "Concentration" not "Scrabble".
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[quote name=\'JackSpader\' post=\'196673\' date=\'Sep 8 2008, 11:02 PM\']
[quote name=\'uncamark\' post=\'196577\' date=\'Sep 8 2008, 04:39 PM\']
I still wonder if anyone at Fremantle has tried to revise the format so that it wouldn't need the Hasbro-owned Scrabble game board design.
[/quote]
Since Scrabble had been on the air for 6 years in the 80's I think that you would have to completely revise the show, probably to just a nine letter board. I guess the only thought I have for the show's title would be "Alphabust" or something.
[/quote]
It wouldn't be that hard to remove the Scrabble elements. After all, while it's the game we'd played all our lives, we'd never played it quite like this.
Call it "Moneywords" or "War of Words" or something. I'd love to see them play the Non-Scrabble Sprint with chess clocks (which would require different words for each opponent, which makes better TV anyway).
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[quote name=\'Neumms\' post=\'196713\' date=\'Sep 9 2008, 01:11 PM\']
Call it "Moneywords" or "War of Words" or something. I'd love to see them play the Non-Scrabble Sprint with chess clocks (which would require different words for each opponent, which makes better TV anyway).
[/quote]
Or "Scrabulous"....
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[quote name=\'Modor\' post=\'196670\' date=\'Sep 8 2008, 08:46 PM\']
[quote name=\'uncamark\' post=\'196577\' date=\'Sep 8 2008, 05:39 PM\']I still wonder if anyone at Fremantle has tried to revise the format so that it wouldn't need the Hasbro-owned Scrabble game board design.[/quote]Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought that was one of the big selling points of the show--using a well-known name.
[/quote]
It was a selling point to NBC and gave the show some name recognition, but TV Scrabble turned out to be one of four versions of Hangman on the air at the same time (the other three being WOF, $1 Million COAL, and Headline Chasers).
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[quote name=\'davemackey\' post=\'196753\' date=\'Sep 9 2008, 08:26 PM\']
[quote name=\'Neumms\' post=\'196713\' date=\'Sep 9 2008, 01:11 PM\']
Call it "Moneywords" or "War of Words" or something. I'd love to see them play the Non-Scrabble Sprint with chess clocks (which would require different words for each opponent, which makes better TV anyway).
[/quote]
Or "Scrabulous"....
[/quote]
"Merv Griffin's Crosswords"
/Oh wait