19Feb2009
Writer’s Guild Members Picket Against Fremantle…Again
A while back, when the abomination that was Temptation was still relevant, there was a story about writers and WGA West members picketing against Fremantle because of unfair conditions. I'm starting to get the feeling this is a reoccurring trend for the popular game show production company. Last night, WGA West members picketed against Fremantle Media outside of the American Idol stage because of unfair treatment during game and reality shows. "We've got men and women writing reality and game shows for a lot of very successful companies and not getting the basic protections -- pension, health insurance, credits and things -- that writers in this town routinely get," WGAW president Patric Verrone said. "We're hoping we can achieve that
Read MoreView Comments (4)18Feb2009
“Catch 21″ Officially Picked Up for Second Season, Airing in April
A while ago we posted how GSN's popular card/quiz show Catch 21 was renewed and looking for new contestants. GSN finally made it official late last night and announced the 65 episode order of the second season. This is 25 episodes more than what aired in season one which is a pretty good indicator for success. The show got those episodes taped quickly and will start airing April 6th at 6:30PM ET. This follows the premiere of the revival of The Newlywed Game. That's a really good hour of original programming from GSN right there. Alfonso Ribiero and Mikki Padilla returns as host in the show where contestants answer questions to earn cards and try to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. The winner of the game plays the bo
Read MoreView Comments (12)17Feb2009
“Wheel of Fortune” Celebrates 5,000 Episodes Next Friday
It's staggering to think that Wheel of Fortune has been around for five thousand episodes, but it has. The cast and crew plan on celebrating this incredibly monumental occasion next Friday, February 27st. Some facts and figures Sony has shared with us:Over the course of 5,000 episodes, Wheel of Fortune has welcomed more than 15,000 contestants, awarded nearly $200 million in cash and prizes and traveled and taped on location 56 times in front of live audiences totaling more than 350,000 fans. Though the show now boasts a $1,000,000 top prize as well as a state-of-the-art HD set, the basics of the show has never changed, and that's what keeps people coming back for over two decades. “Our goal is always to keep the shows as fresh and e
Read MoreView Comments (14)16Feb2009
“The Price is Right” Tapes Baby Show Couples Edition in March
The Valentine's Day couples edition of The Price is Right was a big success, so they are trying it again. A special "ultimate baby shower" edition will tape on March 25th. If you and your significant other are expecting a child, call 800-852-8909 for tickets. Things every parent should have, including cash and cars, will be given away so it's definitely the place to be for couples having a baby soon.
Read MoreView Comments (7)15Feb2009
GSN’s “Bingo America” Apparently Renewed for Third Season; Now Casting
GSN's Bingo America has made some sort of GSN/Game Show Network history. It's the second game show in the network's history to be renewed for more than a second season. Casting has now begun for the show's third season. The only requirements are that you can't have been on any GSN show in the past 3 years (sorry those who wasted your time on Freaking Million Dollar Cat Game Show) or any game show this past year. $100,000 up for grabs if you have the basic knowledge of a high schooler. Interestingly they are letting you nominate someone you think would be a good contestant as well, so go at it by clicking here. EDIT: We should note, like always, that nothing's 100% official until a press release comes out stating it. But usually the
Read MoreView Comments (9)15Feb2009
Weekend Replay: The Hicks Family on “Family Feud”
We posted this clip a while ago but it was broken for some reason. It should be fixed now. Here's a clip of the most entertaining family on Family Feud I've potentially ever seen. It's the Hicks family on the long-running syndicated game show. And since Fremantle decides to never do any PR for them, I'll do it. Don't forget to check out the show's Twitter page (and our Twitter page while we're at it) and the YouTube page. [stream flv=x:/www.flashgameshows.com/wordpress/videos/feudhicksfamily.flv width=630 height=343 bandwidth=med /]
Read MoreView Comments (1)14Feb2009
Weekend Replay: Funny “Family Feud” Moments
Before we show the clips of Family Feud courtesy of the fantastic staff of the show, we got a few comments about the Hicks family on the show. I just realized that clip was broken. I'll work on fixing it and getting it for you tomorrow. But for now, enjoy this compilation of some of the funniest moments of the past few years.
Read MoreView Comments (1)14Feb2009
What I Learned from “The Price is Right” Today
I'm usually really busy during the afternoons and doing other things in evenings, so I rarely get a chance to see The Price is Right. However, the enthusiastic fan base has been screaming bloody murder about it all season that I check it out when I can to see if they're really crazy and anal or justified. After watching today, I don't want to say they are completely crazy and anal, but they definitely are leaning that way. I'm still enjoying the show more than I have in eons. However, I do have one major complaint, and I'll get to that before the positives. I've watched maybe a dozen episodes tops this season, and I've read a lot about it from various places, but it seems like we're getting the same games over and over and over. I k
Read MoreView Comments (23)13Feb2009
Couples Edition of “The Price is Right” Today!
Today on The Price is Right is going to be an interesting experiment. For the first time they are letting couples play the game in a special Valentine's Day issue. I'm sick of traveling so I'm writing from home today; I'll actually be able to watch. I'll tell you my thoughts later, but I'm more interested in what you think. What did you think about the couples edition of The Price is Right? Did it work?
Read MoreView Comments (4)12Feb2009
Crappy Concept of the Week: New E! Plastic Surgery Guessing Game Show
I have a fairly high tolerance for crap. As much as I moaned and complained about Freaking Million Dollar Cat Game Show, I was able to sit through like an act and a half before having to give up. I think this is the first time I've given up on a show just based on the concept, and this belongs to E!. No title is set yet, but a new E! game show pilot. is casting contestants whose body looks "too good to be true" to go on national television and have a "celebrity" panel guess if you've had plastic surgery or not. Sounds riveting. The basic premise is that there are three contestants; one has had plastic surgery and the others haven't. Through storytelling, questions, and physical activities which odds are will include jumping on a tra
Read MoreView Comments (4)11Feb2009
On the set of Newlywed Game today
If you notice no updates today, it's because we're on the set of Newlywed Game again today. We'll have an indepth look at the show later this week.
Read MoreLeave a Comment11Feb2009
The British Are Better Than Us: Golden Balls
Do you remember a short-lived show called Dirty Rotten Cheater? Imagine it not resembling Family Feud, but instead Deal or No Deal, and you basically have Golden Balls in a nutshell. Four players are each randomly dealt four balls out of a pot of 12 balls with cash values inside and 4 "killer" balls. Two of each player's balls are then placed on their front rows, and two on the back. The two balls on the front are revealed, but the two on the back are only known to their respective players. The players then claim any two balls they wish to on the back row. Then they discuss who they think they should vote out of the game (and their balls are removed, also). The second round happens in the same way, except all the kept balls from the previous round carry over, along with two new cash values and one new killer, and now three balls go on the back row (still two on the front). One more player is voted off, and then the two remaining players alternate turns, each picking one ball to remove from the game and one ball to keep in the game. Cash balls add money to the jackpot, but the killer balls divide whatever they have so far by 10. Then whatever cash they have is given away Friend or Foe style (except here, it's "Split or Steal").
Read MoreView Comments (13)10Feb2009
A Marriage Proposal on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” February 17th
Apparently the trend right now in game shows is having a marriage proposal whenever you can. It sort of goes with the whole, "All the cool kids are doing it; why aren't we?" argument. However, Who Wants to be a Millionaire? is having a first. Next week, while guest-host Cat Deeley sits in for regular host Meredith Vieira, contestant Nick Santillo will propose to his girlfriend, Millie, on the set of the hit syndicated quiz show. Take a look at some pictures of it at the bottom of the story. Short story, but we do have a bit more info on Millionaire happenings. The show's website has been hyping up a contestant going for a lot of money in around three weeks. Check out the clip by clicking here. No idea what specifically happens but I'll just note in three weeks is sweeps for this year, because of the now-delayed digital television transition. Sweeps is when shows have all their big moments. They've already had a few $250,000 winners during the season. The show has traditionally held off on $500,000 winners (maybe higher?) until sweeps, so I'd be sure to check it out. Photos courtesy of Valleycrest Productions Ltd.
Read MoreView Comments (2)09Feb2009
This Week in Inappropriate “Family Feud” Answers
I almost wish I could make this a regular segment, but luckily Best Week Ever is on top of some of the funniest/most inappropriate answer given on Family Feud hosted by John O'Hurley. Here's a very funny clip from a week or two ago. ICYMI - The Family Feud Boner @ Yahoo! Video
Read MoreView Comments (11)09Feb2009
“Hole in the Wall” Weaseled its Way Onto FOX Last Night. And Bombed Again.
FOX is really having major issues with that Sunday 7:00PM ET time slot it seems. First Hole in the Wall bombs there. They bring in Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? which proceeded to bomb there as well. And now they replace Hole the Wall in that same slot to even worse ratings. It was at a series low 1.7 last night. Daytime Deal or No Deal does better. Family Feud nearly does better with a lot of stations having far worse time slots for it. That's just sad. Just to reiterate, my problem with Hole in the Wall isn't the show itself. I like the YouTube clips, but that's where it should stay. Or make it a part of a larger stunt type show, like Wipeout. They are stretching a show's concept more than I've ever seen and taking it far too seriously. It looks like a huge joke. The sad thing is that it's not supposed to be, though.
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