Buzzr Q1 2026

[Nick]

We established a few years ago that GSN and HGTV want shows that can air in the background at the doctors office on repeat.

How is this even profitable?  I mean, how are you even measuring ratings in such environments to show you have an audience?  People aren't considering, much less remembering, what they saw on the waiting room TV on mute filling out their Nielsen diaries, are they?

NGL - I kinda miss some of the attempts at making Price a variety show.

Like what?  Jack Wagner running out onstage interrupting the pricing game in progress (I'm not saying this is what makes a variety show, but this is the garbage Mike Richards was trying)?

I'll take that over the 'edited to within a breath of its life' version we have now.  Hell, I'm willing to drop a pricing game and do a 5-player SCSD where the two top spinners advance to get some unscripted mayhem back.

I agree that what makes the show unwatchable for me now is how it's edited to pieces and the flow so choppy as a result, but isn't the real solution to just hand back five minutes to the show because you want to make a good product?  Price needs 44 non-commercial minutes, 42 at minimum, to be done properly.

And I can't see how a two-winner Showcase Showdown can ever work, unless we're scrapping the wheel (which I wouldn't be opposed to if you replace it with something that actually involves pricing).

[parliboy]

Here's an idea I was toying with for a 4 or 5 person SCSD along these lines:

All 5 players each take their first spins either starting with the top money winner on down or going low- to-top winner.  Top 3 scores advance to their second spins. The top spinner(s) may elect to hold/freeze on their first spin total, if not $1.00 or a tie, or try to better their scores with a second spin as normal.  Top 2 scores advance to the Showcase.  Tie breaker spinoffs if needed.

Here's a simple thought: Who says that all of the contestants even needs to be in the showdown?

Do 5 games, send the top winner straight through to the showcase, and then let the other four do the showdown.

[SamJ93]

The problem with that is they'd potentially be rewarding the doofus who just happened to pick the right number on his only chance in Pass The Buck and punishing the smart contestant who played Clock Game perfectly.

[TLEberle]

That's true (it's also something I have put forward before) and sometimes a contestant wins a Corvette on Golden Road after 1 upping in contestants row. Life is like that sometimes.

/I have also advocated that if a contestant muffs both of the grocery questions in Pass the Buck that Drew reveals where the car is, taking it off the board.

[chrisholland03]

Here's an idea I was toying with for a 4 or 5 person SCSD along these lines:

All 5 players each take their first spins either starting with the top money winner on down or going low- to-top winner.  Top 3 scores advance to their second spins. The top spinner(s) may elect to hold/freeze on their first spin total, if not $1.00 or a tie, or try to better their scores with a second spin as normal.  Top 2 scores advance to the Showcase.  Tie breaker spinoffs if needed.

Here's a simple thought: Who says that all of the contestants even needs to be in the showdown?

Do 5 games, send the top winner straight through to the showcase, and then let the other four do the showdown.

Along those lines, who says they have to get 2 spins?

Contestants row is empty at the end of the show and you have 5 spinners.  You only need to keep track of 4 scores plus 1 at the wheel.  Give everyone 1 spin in order they appeared on stage.  Stack'em up in contestants row.  The top 2 spinners advance.  Bonus spins continue as is.  Ties are broken only if they determine the top 2.

[Nick]

and sometimes a contestant wins a Corvette on Golden Road after 1 upping in contestants row.

And this is a problem why?

If I'm fortunate enough to be the last bidder and I don't know the exact price of the item, why wouldn't I one-up the bidder I believe is closest without going over?  You play to win.

Considering how few contestants actually apply this much strategy in Contestants' Row, I don't understand why people are so bothered by those who do (and how many of them do it successfully?).

[parliboy]

The problem with that is they'd potentially be rewarding the doofus who just happened to pick the right number on his only chance in Pass The Buck and punishing the smart contestant who played Clock Game perfectly.

We already reward the theoretical doofus by letting them spin last and choosing whether or not to pass the first showcase if they get there.  So we're only quibbling about what the reward should be.

Consults tpirstats.com

So for the data they have, the last spinner wins about 36% of the time.  So moving straight to the showcase is admittedly a big upgrade. 

OTOH, being the top winner in the showcase is already a pretty big reward.  The top winner bids on the most expensive showcase 62% of the time and the most expensive showcase is won almost as often as the less expensive showcase.

[BillCullen1]

and sometimes a contestant wins a Corvette on Golden Road after 1 upping in contestants row.

And this is a problem why?

If I'm fortunate enough to be the last bidder and I don't know the exact price of the item, why wouldn't I one-up the bidder I believe is closest without going over?  You play to win.

Considering how few contestants actually apply this much strategy in Contestants' Row, I don't understand why people are so bothered by those who do (and how many of them do it successfully?).

I've seen contestants bid $1 higher on Cullen's version, but it didn't happen as often as today. I don't mind contestants who bid $1 higher without asking for the highest bid. That shows that they're paying attention, at least.

[BillCullen1]

Here's an idea I was toying with for a 4 or 5 person SCSD along these lines:

All 5 players each take their first spins either starting with the top money winner on down or going low- to-top winner.  Top 3 scores advance to their second spins. The top spinner(s) may elect to hold/freeze on their first spin total, if not $1.00 or a tie, or try to better their scores with a second spin as normal.  Top 2 scores advance to the Showcase.  Tie breaker spinoffs if needed.

Here's a simple thought: Who says that all of the contestants even needs to be in the showdown?

Do 5 games, send the top winner straight through to the showcase, and then let the other four do the showdown.

If time constraints are that bad, do like Doug Davidson's version. Call a contestant and have them just come up on stage. Eliminate the IUFB portion.

Another thing is that they have the audience applauding for everything now. When the show started, they applauded for cars, trips, the contestant coming on down, and winning their way on stage. I'm surprised they're not applauding the grocery items. Oh, let me not give them ideas.

[snowpeck]

I don't get the people who are upset by contestants who one-up. It's part of the game. It's sometimes good strategy.

[TLEberle]

and sometimes a contestant wins a Corvette on Golden Road after 1 upping in contestants row.

And this is a problem why?

This wasn't addressed to you--bring it back to second gear.

[SRIV94]

Getting this back to Buzzr--anybody have any notion when Buzzr will restore its schedule online?  It's been offline for well over a week.

[Matt Ottinger]

Getting this back to Buzzr--anybody have any notion when Buzzr will restore its schedule online?  It's been offline for well over a week.

I think they've just been waiting for us to settle this squabble about TPIR.

[Chelsea Thrasher]

I think they've just been waiting for us to settle this squabble about TPIR.

Given the way even squabbles from late 90s usenet occasionally get rehashed, that's a rock-solid confirmation that it'll never be back.

[chrisholland03]

I think they've just been waiting for us to settle this squabble about TPIR.

Given the way even squabbles from late 90s usenet occasionally get rehashed, that's a rock-solid confirmation that it'll never be back.

It's the game you've played all your life but never quite like this