I don't think the MG 98 theme was supposed to have ANY relation to the 70s version, with exception of the "wank guitar" at the start. On that basis, I think the MG 98 theme was fine, but do I like it better than the original theme, no.
One of the many problems with MG 98 was the lack of variety in terms of the nature of the questions. I swear every other show had a question about Bill Clinton or the male anatomy. It got old! Just the same, the new version shouldn't obsess on questions solely on Britney Spears or President Bush.
Instead of starting the show with 4 regulars, do what MG 7x did and start with maybe one or two regulars. Richard Dawson was the only sole regular when the show started. Brett and Charles weren't regulars until almost a year later! The list of regulars on MG 98 seemed to be "names drawn out of a hat". We have Vicki, the veteran game show panelist. We have Judy Tenuta- the uh... loud mouth stage stealing comedienne, we have Nell Carter, former sit-com star whose only sole existence was to write "pee pee" as an answer to almost all questions, and comment "good answer" (Nell this is NOT Family Feud!) and finally George Hamilton, the classy, aging gentleman.
Dawson was right when he said that stand up comics generally don't work for MG, because they often go for the joke instead of playing the game. MG 98 had Judy Tenuta, Richard Jeni, George Wallace, Kevin James, and others I am sure I am missing.
It would also help if they NEVER book soap stars. Most of the soap stars booked on MG 98 obviously didn't want to be there and were just there for the paycheck. Kin Shriner brought back shades of Richard Dawson MG 78. I saw two eps. of "soap star week" of MG/HS week and that week was both dull and disasterous. Imagine a week of 9 celebs that are squirming in their seats waiting for it to be over. Deidre Hall looked like she was ready to get up and leave at any moment.
