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funny money
Timsterino:
I really dislike this show. I agree that this show will not be around very long. It makes you wonder what goes on during that screening period when they are showing the show to groups of people.
Tim :-)
cmjb13:
Thought yo umight find this interesting. Straight from GSN's site.
National Lampoon’s Funny Money really began when writers/performers Marc Price, Scott Rubin, and Steve Ochs sat down to create a game show involving their first love, standup comedy.
After years of experimenting with various rounds, and deconstructing standup into its most basic components to enhance game play; they began to run the show live at the Hollywood Improv, where it became a fan favorite.
Years passed and Marc (Skippy on “Family Ties”) went on to form Budd Friedman Digital (BFD) with legendary Improv founder Budd Freidman. Steve Ochs became a highly sought-after animation writer contributing to shows like Disney’s Recess and the multiple-Emmy Award winning series Rugrats and Scott Rubin, would land the coveted Editor in Chief slot at National Lampoon.
Although all three were riding high on successful entertainment careers, their stand up game show idea languished in a drawer for years. It wasn’t until veteran TV Programmer Jane Sparango, who had once optioned the idea, convinced Price that the project should be resurrected. Price agreed.
Price, now an accomplished comedy producer, reunited the original partners, however this time he would include his TV production partner, seasoned standup impresario Budd Friedman.
cmjb13:
I had to cut this into 2 parts as there is a character limit.
After several “backyard” run throughs, complete with home video tape, Sparango saw the fit between the concept and Bob Boden’s Game Show Network. The project was pitched and Bob Boden immediately smelled a winner.
But Boden knew that something was still missing if he was to bring the show’s full potential to the viewers of the Game Show Network.
He suggested that Marc, Budd, Scott & Steve marry their talents with those of game show pro Pat Finn and his company In-Finn-Ity Productions. For years Pat has been a game show fixture as the host of The Big Spin and Shop Till You Drop. He’d also produced a wide range of programming including a comedy show starring the famous Groundlings troupe. It seemed a good fit, so all parties met and the chemistry was great from the first handshake.
In the meantime, National Lampoon was in the midst of a corporate takeover. Dan Laikin, the new COO of National Lampoon, delivered a new corporate edict: “develop original television shows utilizing comedians.” When Laikin became aware of “Funny Money,” he wanted in. After all this was a National Lampoon partly created show -- since the Editor in Chief of National Lampoon co-created it. It was the perfect fit and a great way to introduce the new National Lampoon strategy.
GSN was ecstatic to have National Lampoon officially involved creatively and of course lend their brand name to the title.
With funding from the Game Show Network, the group began to develop the project into a workable television series. It was an exciting but demanding process encompassing highly-charged group brainstorming sessions, tens of dozens of experimental run-throughs, and a wide-ranging search for the show’s linchpin—the perfect host. They whittled the scores of highly-qualified potential front men down to one comic who combined a host’s skill set with a razor-sharp comedic mind, Jimmy Pardo.
After months of hard work, working very closely with Rich Cronin, Bob Boden, Kevin Belinkoff and other key Game Show Network executives, the group was ready to present a formal run through at Budd’s Hollywood Improv club. Tension was high that night. Although the group knew they’d done their homework and crafted some terrific television, new shows can take unpredictable turns, and as all stand-ups know, even great comedy can die on stage if it doesn’t connect just right with a particular audience.
But the game play was exciting and stimulating, the comedy was hilarious and host Jimmy Pardo conducted the show with a masters touch. Rich Cronin and Bob Boden didn’t have a hard time deciding to order a pilot.
Several more months of experimenting and fine-tuning later, the Hollywood Improv was buzzing with the excitement of the pilot shoot. Again the show seemed to go very well, meeting or exceeding all expectations. But one huge question loomed. How would it rate when Game Show Network screened it for test audiences? Sure, comedy insiders and game show pros loved it, but would everyday people get it at all? That question was answered with a huge affirmative when the show garnered exceptional test audience scores. The Game Show Network ordered enough episodes to air seven nights a week, and National Lampoon’s Funny Money, the most hilarious game show in television history, was born.
--- Quote ---After several “backyard” run throughs, complete with home video tape, Sparango saw the fit between the concept and Bob Boden’s Game Show Network. The project was pitched and Bob Boden immediately smelled a winner
--- End quote ---
Boden doesn't have very good tatse..
--- Quote ---How would it rate when Game Show Network screened it for test audiences? Sure, comedy insiders and game show pros loved it, but would everyday people get it at all? That question was answered with a huge affirmative when the show garnered exceptional test audience scores
--- End quote ---
Test audience=GSN Monkeys?
clemon79:
[quote name=\'cmjb13\' date=\'Jun 21 2003, 01:22 PM\'] After years of experimenting with various rounds, and deconstructing standup into its most basic components to enhance game play... [/quote]
It took them YEARS to come up with that crap?
Brandon Brooks:
--- Quote ---It took them YEARS to come up with that crap?
--- End quote ---
I've only recently watched it, and it's at best moderately bad. I would take Wintuition anytime over this junk. However, I wish I would've seen the episode with George Gray.
Brandon Brooks
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