The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: WorldClassRob on October 29, 2003, 08:46:52 PM
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Since the internet was not really available to me at the time, I wanted to share with you a thought.
After Johnny Olson passed on in 1985, there was an array of announcers who auditioned to replace him -- and some good ones too.
Jay Stewart would have been a good choice... Charlie O'Donnell would have been excellent as TPIR announcer (he was in his final year as the voice of B&E game shows at the time Johnny died)... and others like Bob Hilton, Rod Roddy, Charlie Tuna, and Dean Goss were qualified to step into Johnny's shoes.
I actually chose Charlie O. over the bunch back then.
Today you have guys like Burton Richardson, Randy West, and maybe John Cramer who are good to take over the announcing chores of Price. Since Charlie O. is on WoF and in the twilight of a long and legendary announcing tenure, I am going to choose Randy West to be the next voice of TPIR.
I hope he gets the job.
:)
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It'll either be Burton or Randy, that's almost certain. I wonder if the guy from the Vegas show will get a shot? Maybe he's good too.
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[quote name=\'WorldClassRob\' date=\'Oct 29 2003, 08:46 PM\'] and others like Bob Hilton, Rod Roddy, Charlie Tuna, and Dean Goss were qualified to step into Johnny's shoes.
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People magazine did say that Tuna would be doing fill-ins at the time, but Tuna had conflicts with his Scrabble tapings. Hilton, Roddy, Wood, and Rich Jeffreys auditioned on air (I don't think Dean Goss auditioned, as he was in his All New LMAD stint at the time, and Goss did not audition on-air for TPIR)
If Randy does not get the gig, Bob Hilton would be my second choice as Rod's successor.
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Jay Stewart was doing Sale of the Century @ the time. Charlie Tuna handled Scrabble & Dean Goss wasn't doing any announcing until 1987 on both I'm Telling & High Rollers (Martindale).
Gene Wood also did TPIR for a week on both Barker & Kennedy versions.
My vote goes to Burton Richardson who's famous for ARSENIOOOOO HALL! In game shows, he did To Tell The Truth (NBC & 2000 syndicated version), Family Feud, Rodeo Drive, Shopping Spree & The (Doug Davidson) Price Is Right.
On his NBC stint of To Tell The Truth, there's a little history. Him & Lynn Swann (1990-91) became the first black host-announcer team!
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[quote name=\'GSWitch\' date=\'Oct 29 2003, 08:54 PM\'] Dean Goss wasn't doing any announcing until 1987 on both I'm Telling & High Rollers (Martindale).
Gene Wood also did TPIR for a week on both Barker & Kennedy versions.
My vote goes to Burton Richardson who's famous for ARSENIOOOOO HALL! In game shows, he did To Tell The Truth (NBC & 2000 syndicated version), Family Feud, Rodeo Drive, Shopping Spree & The (Doug Davidson) Price Is Right.
On his NBC stint of To Tell The Truth, there's a little history. Him & Lynn Swann (1990-91) became the first black host-announcer team! [/quote]
Dean Goss was in his All New LMAD stint at the time of Olson's death.
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[quote name=\'PeterMarshallFan\' date=\'Oct 29 2003, 08:49 PM\'] It'll either be Burton or Randy, that's almost certain. [/quote]
Well, if they continue to not receive tapes/CD's from announcers, yes
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I think John Harlan would be good too. He's been out of the national light way too long for such a good announcer.
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One recent memorial (I think it was on Randy's site) said Rod wasn't considered at first for the TPiR vacancy. His name came up when none of the on-air auditions panned out. It's possible CBS and/or Fremantle could choose someone fresh, but I agree that Burton has the inside track. Lest we forget, Burton has experience in calling people to "come on down".
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[quote name=\'GS Warehouse\' date=\'Oct 29 2003, 09:11 PM\'] One recent memorial (I think it was on Randy's site) said Rod wasn't considered at first for the TPiR vacancy. His name came up when none of the on-air auditions panned out. It's possible CBS and/or Fremantle could choose someone fresh, but I agree that Burton has the inside track. Lest we forget, Burton has experience in calling people to "come on down". [/quote]
Yeah, but who did they go with most recently to be the prime time voice of the upcoming TPiR specials?
I don't think you can tell who they're leaning towards by who has said "Come on down!" more often or first. I'm sure the subject of succession has been contemplated, but it's not a decision that needs to be made immediately.
So, I guess the thrust of this post is, "Who knows?"
But if you asked me, I, of course would pick TV's Randy West.
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I know it's under such sad circumstances that we even have to discuss this, and I hate to even think about it.
However... my vote is for Randy West. Great set of pipes... and like I've said before, you can hear inflections in his voice that remind you of the great Johnny Olsen (or maybe that's just me).
My question... and this is totally off topic... how does one get a start doing announcing for TV shows?? I've been in radio for a few years now, and everyone tells me I have a great voice. I would love to be able to announce on game shows someday.
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[quote name=\'bossjock967\' date=\'Oct 29 2003, 08:35 PM\']... my vote is for Randy West... [/quote]
A fine choice, I agree. Randy would make both Johnny O AND Rod
proud. Go gett'em Mr. West!
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Although I personally am pulling for Randy ... I don't believe that the producers are not going to name a successor this season.
I think we'll hear more Randy and Burton for the rest of this season, but I don't think we'll have a successor until the next season premiere in September '04.
I have a few more things I could add on this topic, but out of respect for all the principals involved, as well as Rod, I feel I shouldn't be continuing this conversation past what I've already said at least for a couple of weeks.
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Speculation on this issue is premature at best and disrespectful to Rod's memory and service to the show at worst.
"Price" is not even scheduled to tape again until November 6 (the next show to tape will be the Barker 80th Birthday show; regular Daytime Price goes back online on November 10), and I'm sure by then the show will have made its decision.
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[quote name=\'davemackey\' date=\'Oct 29 2003, 10:31 PM\'] Speculation on this issue is premature at best and disrespectful to Rod's memory and service to the show at worst.
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I couldn't disagree more. It is not disrespectful to his memory at all. It's natural and it's proper to wonder who will succeed Rod.
It was premature when he was ill. Now that he has sadly passed, the issue has come to the fore and it is proper to be discussed.
When John Ritter died last month, speculation immediately began and "Now what?" was the question of the day. I don't think it was improper then and I don't think it is now.
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personally unless John harvey (who knows a little about the on screen side of announcing as well as the off screen, could make a good pairing but i dont think hes intrested at all in crossing the coast) crawls out of the woodwork i would want anyone other than randy, all respect to Burton but I think he gets too excited over small prizes and isnt as conisistant as randy is, and I agree i think randy is a throwback to the Johnny O days. He would be my 1st pick, burton 2nd amoung the ppl tpir seem to have considered
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It's only natural to speculate so here is my list in no particular order. I say give them all a shot and see how they do.
Burton Richardson
Randy West
Bob Hilton
Charlie O'Donell
Gene Wood
Johnny Gilbert
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Burton Richardson is the only person I know of who can turn the word "and" into a three-syllable word.
With utmost respect to the memory of Rod Roddy, his passing wasn't exactly unexpected and his permanent replacement is an issue Barker, Fremantle, etc. are confronting as we speak (if the decision hasn't already been made). Therefore I do not consider it inappropriate to speculate on his replacement, though the options are limited to Burton and Randy. I happen to think Burton is very good but Randy is more in tune with the TPIR style.
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[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Oct 30 2003, 02:00 AM\'] the options are limited to Burton and Randy. I happen to think Burton is very good but Randy is more in tune with the TPIR style. [/quote]
I don't think there is any reason for the show to limit their options. Yes they have found two people who do an admirable job. Doesn't mean that there arn't others out there who could be better. I just read that Rod wasn't even among the first choices to replace Johnny. Rod basicly got the job because everyone else was to busy. So let's look at this as a moment of opportunity to audition a few new people and see what happens. We already see that Fremantle isn't rushing to find permenant Models. So do we really need to rush to find a permanent announcer? Let's take a couple months and see who people like best.
Do I actually think any of this will happen though??? My answer is NO. Even though I feel the show should audition a little more just to make sure they make the right choice, the simple fact that they haven't done that so far tells me one thing. They definately want either Randy or Burton. They have had many months to try out new talent, but they've basicly only tried three. Obviously Paul is out of the race. Looks like Randy is going to get it. I wish him Good Luck and for his sake I hope that he does. But I still wish I could hear a few more voices in the mix before a final decision is made.
John
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Whom are you going to audition who already has honed warmup skills and game show announcing experience, AND who is right for TPIR? Gene Wood, Rich Jeffries, Bob Hilton, John Harlan, etc. don't do game shows any more. Johnny Gilbert and Charlie O'Donnell are up in years. The field has narrowed considerably. So who's available?
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My two cents on the current candidates:
As for Burton, I thought he was good on PiR94, BUT I'm not sure he fits in on daytime Price. He has that booming voice, which is a plus, but, on the other hand he borders on stereotypical generic game show announcer voice, which could work for or against him.
Randy, on the other hand, is almost completely the opposite. Randy has the more friendly sounding voice (thus, more Rod-like), but at times can come off seeming a little bland, not that he's not enthusiastic, but he lacks that 'boom' that Burton brings to the table.
Fact is, I'm split, and it'll take a little getting used to either, I'm sure. Don't take my critiquing the wrong way, I feel both do a good job on the show, and either would make a good replacement. I used to do voiceovers and a live radio show, and even THAT isn't as easy as it seems, let alone what is probably the most coveted voice job around.
On a side note, good luck to you Randy, as I'm sure stepping to that podium Nov. 9 on a show to celebrate Bob's birthday, when your longtime friend is gone, will be somewhat difficult, but I'm sure all of us here support you to get through what I'm sure will be a difficult day.
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[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Oct 30 2003, 03:27 AM\'] Whom are you going to audition who already has honed warmup skills and game show announcing experience, AND who is right for TPIR? Gene Wood, Rich Jeffries, Bob Hilton, John Harlan, etc. don't do game shows any more. Johnny Gilbert and Charlie O'Donnell are up in years. The field has narrowed considerably. So who's available? [/quote]
Well everyone had to start somewhere. So why does the ultimate choice have to even be someone who has done game shows before? Rod's first Game Show was "Whew!" and in my opinion it was some of his best work ever! So don't think the final decision needs to be a quote "Game Show Guy". There are plenty of other announcers out there who could be awsome for the job. Let Fremantle sort through some tapes and see if anyone stands out. Like it or not, they are about to be bombarded with tapes from around the country from people looking to get Rod's job.
John
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[quote name=\'Starkman\' date=\'Oct 29 2003, 11:03 PM\'] personally unless John harvey (who knows a little about the on screen side of announcing as well as the off screen, could make a good pairing but i dont think hes intrested at all in crossing the coast) crawls out of the woodwork i would want anyone other than randy, all respect to Burton but I think he gets too excited over small prizes and isnt as conisistant as randy is, and I agree i think randy is a throwback to the Johnny O days. He would be my 1st pick, burton 2nd amoung the ppl tpir seem to have considered [/quote]
John Harvey is busy these days being Supervising Producer of "Trading Spaces", so he's not a candidate. So happens I had a chat yesterday with a guy from Banyan Productions and the subject of Harvey came up, and we agreed that he's doing a great job in his new position - a promotion from location scout last season.
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[quote name=\'Skynet74\' date=\'Oct 30 2003, 04:13 AM\'] Like it or not, they are about to be bombarded with tapes from around the country from people looking to get Rod's job. [/quote]
This is very possible as they hardly got any tapes before, probably because people didn't realize how ill rod was.
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Has anyone thought of auditioning Todd Newton? He's got a great voice (good enough for drive-time radio in New YorK City) and seems to be a real crowd pleaser in live situations. Maybe try him out for the show.
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[quote name=\'Skynet74\' date=\'Oct 30 2003, 02:13 AM\'] There are plenty of other announcers out there who could be awsome for the job. Let Fremantle sort through some tapes and see if anyone stands out. Like it or not, they are about to be bombarded with tapes from around the country from people looking to get Rod's job. [/quote]
Are you sending one, John?
(I wouldn't blame you if you did. But you seem awfully defensive of the concept of an open cattle call.)
As for Newton, I can't help but think he's being groomed for something bigger than the announcing gig. (Not that the announcing gig isn't significant...hell, I'd take it :))
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Randy or Burton are my picks, but Randy just slightly moreso over Burton. Burton has been doing a helluva lot better on the "BOB BARKER" call lately IMHO.
I didn't read this thread word for word as it was pretty lengthy, but what about Gary Kroger? I didn't see his name anywhere in here, he deserves at least a 1 show tryout to see what he has just for the helluva of it anyhow.
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[quote name=\'HSquares2003\' date=\'Oct 30 2003, 12:38 PM\'] I didn't read this thread word for word as it was pretty lengthy, but what about Gary Kroger? I didn't see his name anywhere in here, he deserves at least a 1 show tryout to see what he has just for the helluva of it anyhow. [/quote]
There's another possibilty considering Whammy! and Beat the Clock are both out of production and in limbo. But per Brad Francini's site, he's a restaurant owner by day. Is he still?
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Oct 30 2003, 12:09 PM\']
Are you sending one, John?
(I wouldn't blame you if you did. But you seem awfully defensive of the concept of an open cattle call.)
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No I'm not sending one. I don't think I would be the right person for Price. I could do a typical game show where it's basicly the opening, a couple prizes and some fee plugs. Something along the lines of Family Feud or Jeopardy would be good for me, but I don't feel confident enough in my abilities to do a show like Price. It takes a certain kind of talent for that show and I admit that I'm not that person.
John
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Randy West or Burton Richardson would both be good.
I'm learning towards Burton mainly as I've seen more episodes of Burton announcing due to a crazy work schedule that happens to coincide with airings of Burton episodes.
However, would Burton be able to permanently take Johnny and Rod's podium and also continue announcng Family Feud?
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However, would Burton be able to permanently take Johnny and Rod's podium and also continue announcing Family Feud?
No reason why not. Johnny Olson announced on The Price Is Right and Match Game simultaneously for many years without trouble. Gene Wood had about four or five VO jobs going at once for quite a while as I recall.
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[quote name=\'Don Howard\' date=\'Oct 30 2003, 05:47 PM\']
However, would Burton be able to permanently take Johnny and Rod's podium and also continue announcing Family Feud?
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I'm sure that Burton would more than welcome the work. He's a great sounding guy who does an awsome job on Price. You would almost have to be crazy to turn down such a good job. Burton isn't the strongest there is on warm ups.... but it's always been my theory that A good Warm Up guy is very distant in importance anyway. If you've got 300 people in a room who are already very excited to be there in the first place..... do you really need to put on a show for them before the actual show? It's what get taped that really matters. People don't rush to the show from all over the country to see the warm up guy. So I feel that having a great warm up person really isn't necessary. Just get someone who sounds good on the air. Just my opinion.
John
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Gene Wood also did TPIR for a week on both Barker & Kennedy versions.
Gene did Kennedy's version longer than a wk, IIRC...wasn't he the interim announcer for 2 mos or so until Rod took over permanently?
Chuck Donegan (The Illustrious "Chuckie Baby")
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Well everyone had to start somewhere. So why does the ultimate choice have to even be someone who has done game shows before?
TPIR is not the show for someone who is starting out or who has no game show experience. Doesn't matter what we all think; if you asked Barker you'd probably get a response along those lines and his is the opinion that counts. Randy and Burton have done enough air shows by now that they are both known quantities -- why hold a cattle call for people who are relatively unknown quantities on the unlikely chance you might (or might not) find someone better?
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It's only natural to speculate so here is my list in no particular order. I say give them all a shot and see how they do.
Bob Hilton
Last I heard, he was doing an on-camera gig in San Francisco. Considering TPIR is shot over 4 day/wk stretch, commuting is out of the question.
Charlie O'Donell
Johnny Gilbert
I think both are happy in their respective "this will be my last gig before I retire" positions. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Charlie O's last game show announcing gig outside of wheel was Monopoly in 1990? I couldn't even tell you what Johnny's last game show gig outside of Jeopardy! was.
As far as Gene Wood is concerned, I though I had heard that he is retired and living on the East Coast.
It's kind of a shame that the stable of game show announcers has never been kept up to even an early/mid 1980s par. Sort of the blame has to be placed on the more recent shows that don't/didn't rely on bona-fide announcers.
Pretty much the only ones left in the stables with a willingness to do future game show gigs are Randy West, Burton Richardson, and John Cramer.
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Didn't Bob Hilton die in 1992 because of a complication with cancer?
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[quote name=\'Strikerz04\' date=\'Oct 30 2003, 07:33 PM\'] Didn't Bob Hilton die in 1992 because of a complication with cancer? [/quote]
Hilton is still alive and well.
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[quote name=\'TimK2003\' date=\'Oct 30 2003, 07:31 PM\']
I think both are happy in their respective "this will be my last gig before I retire" positions. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Charlie O's last game show announcing gig outside of wheel was Monopoly in 1990? I couldn't even tell you what Johnny's last game show gig outside of Jeopardy! was.
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Charlie O'Donnell did Let's Go Back on Nostalgia Television in 1991-92, and Johnny did the Lifetime run of Supermarket Sweep from 1990-94 and the 2000-01 season of the PAX revival, Randy West has announced the last two seasons of Sweep(show is currently on hiatus)
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[quote name=\'Strikerz04\' date=\'Oct 30 2003, 07:33 PM\'] Didn't Bob Hilton die in 1992 because of a complication with cancer? [/quote]
He didn't die unless his Garlic And Ginger-Crusted Salmon killed him. :-)
http://www.kovr13.com/deweyrecipes/dr072299.htm (http://\"http://www.kovr13.com/deweyrecipes/dr072299.htm\")
John
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Take a look at the listing of the KOVR News Team. Do you see Bob Hilton's name there? Doesn't mean he's dead, it just calls into question whether he is still with KOVR.
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[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Oct 31 2003, 05:02 AM\'] Take a look at the listing of the KOVR News Team. Do you see Bob Hilton's name there? Doesn't mean he's dead, it just calls into question whether he is still with KOVR. [/quote]
Bob wrote a book on parenting (http://\"http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/0761563628/ref%3Dbr_lf_b_0/701-7289889-0424313\") about a year ago. I remember posting an article about the book to the previous incarnation of this board, but the thread went nowhere, and I can't find the article any more.
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[quote name=\'Don Howard\' date=\'Oct 30 2003, 05:47 PM\']
However, would Burton be able to permanently take Johnny and Rod's podium and also continue announcing Family Feud?
No reason why not. Johnny Olson announced on The Price Is Right and Match Game simultaneously for many years without trouble. Gene Wood had about four or five VO jobs going at once for quite a while as I recall.[/quote]
And "Feud" tapes on the weekends for only a few months a year, which would leave Burton time to work Mondays through Thursdays at Studio 33.
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And "Feud" tapes on the weekends for only a few months a year, which would leave Burton time to work Mondays through Thursdays at Studio 33.
That's because Feud currently tapes at the KTLA/Tribune lot. I'm sure he'll handle the commute; if not, give the announcing duties to Randy.
Jonathan Allen
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[quote name=\'johnnya2k3\' date=\'Oct 31 2003, 06:07 PM\'] That's because Feud currently tapes at the KTLA/Tribune lot. I'm sure he'll handle the commute; if not, give the announcing duties to Randy.
Jonathan Allen [/quote]
Yeah.... I just went to Mapquest and measured the distance between the two studios. Geeez I didn't realize.........but it could be a bit of a hardship on poor Burton. Hopefully he'll be able to figure something out.
Total Distance: 3.98 miles
Total Estimated Time: 11 minutes
John
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[quote name=\'Skynet74\' date=\'Oct 31 2003, 04:31 PM\'] Total Distance: 3.98 miles
Total Estimated Time: 11 minutes
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Yeah, but in LA rush, that could take HOURS!!
(We've had windstorms up here in Seattle. Day before yesterday, a single (but fairly critical) stoplight wasn't working as normal, it was flashing red instead. As a result, my nine-mile, usually 25-minute ride home from work took SEVENTY-FIVE minutes.)
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[quote name=\'GSWitch\' date=\'Oct 29 2003, 08:54 PM\'] Dean Goss wasn't doing any announcing until 1987 on both I'm Telling & High Rollers (Martindale).
Gene Wood also did TPIR for a week on both Barker & Kennedy versions.
My vote goes to Burton Richardson who's famous for ARSENIOOOOO HALL! In game shows, he did To Tell The Truth (NBC & 2000 syndicated version), Family Feud, Rodeo Drive, Shopping Spree & The (Doug Davidson) Price Is Right.
On his NBC stint of To Tell The Truth, there's a little history. Him & Lynn Swann (1990-91) became the first black host-announcer team!
Dean Goss was in his All New LMAD stint at the time of Olson's death.
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Believe it or not, Mark Goodson actually asked Dean to succeed Johnny but he declined because Monty was grooming him for host of LMAD.
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You realize that you bumped a 15-year-old thread to respond to someone who is banned from this forum, right?
/Of all the people who I don’t need to be reminded of’s existence
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You realize that you bumped a 15-year-old thread to respond to someone who is banned from this forum, right?
/Of all the people who I don’t need to be reminded of’s existence
Several, in fact.
Is this a record bump?