22Mar2009
Weekend Replay: Countdown: March 5, 2009 (Part 2)
Here's part two of Countdown. The champion is definitely showing his skill the game, isn't he? [stream flv=x:/www.flashgameshows.com/wordpress/videos/CDs60e24b.flv width=630 height=343 img=image-preview.jpg bandwidth=med /]
Read MoreView Comments (2)21Mar2009
Weekend Replay: Countdown: March 5, 2009 (Part 1)
A while back, Alex posted up the beginning of Jeff Stelling's first episode of Countdown. It was great and all, but it didn't have much gameplay (and I think Jeff Stelling's the best host of the four). So, I'm feeling generous this weekend, and I'm giving you an entire episode. Mostly because this episode features a really smart champion (You'll agree by Monday morning). Here's part one of the episode that aired on March 5, 2009. [stream flv=x:/www.flashgameshows.com/wordpress/videos/CDs60e24a.flv width=630 height=343 img=image-preview.jpg bandwidth=med /]
Read MoreLeave a Comment20Mar2009
“The Whole 19 Yards” Goes to CBS
A while ago we announced that Endemol, maker of all things goo.... well maker of all things, was in the process of casting for a new show called The Whole 19 Yards. It was a combination of an obstacle course and a quiz show. It has been formally announced that CBS has picked up the show for a pilot and will be hosted by former MTV's Singled Out host Chris Hardwick. The show will feature contestants having to race through an obstacle course to reach a buzzer which will let them answer the question. It's Jeopardy! with a buzzer at the end of the Wipeout course. Of course it won't be nearly Jeopardy! level questions, but still. Endemol seems to be on an obstacle course kick recently. They're also the company that does Wipeout. It see
Read MoreView Comments (3)19Mar2009
Executive Producer Michael Davies Talks About “The Newlywed Game”
It's getting close to the debut of GSN's revival of The Newlywed Game and we want to make sure you all get a really nice reading and feel for the show before it debuts. Just some more perks of reading BuzzerBlog. We'll start by posting some interviews with cast and crew, followed by some show clips. First off here's an interview with executive producer Michael Davies from production company Embassy Row. Check it out. Sorry for the audio issues in the beginning. It wasn't my fault; it's how the video was when I got it. [stream flv=x:/www.flashgameshows.com/wordpress/videos/michaeldaviesnewlywedsinterview.flv width=630 height=343 bandwidth=med /]
Read MoreView Comments (8)19Mar2009
“GSN Live” Mall Tour Change in Sacramento Market
There's a small adjustment to the GSN Live Play Everyday Tour, sponsored by NESCAFE Taster's Choice, in the Sacramento market. That stop will occur on Saturday, April 4th. Open host search registration begins at 10:30AM. Events start at 11:30AM, the first round of host auditions starts at 11:30AM as well. Round two kicks off at 1:30PM. The final round is at 3:00PM and the event ends at 3:40PM. This event will take place at the Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights, CA. Click here to visit the mall's website and here to visit GSN's site for the tour.
Read MoreLeave a Comment19Mar2009
A Preview of “The Money List”, Sort Of
Lots of GSN videos coming in today. But I first want to promote The Money List partially because I don't firmly understand what the wait for the show is and partially because GSN fixed most of the major issues with the FOX version. It's nice to have a fast paced big money quiz show on GSN again. It's been way too long. Fred Roggin, from GSN Live, is the host of the show which taped in England in August. I've been a fan of Fred's for a long time so I can't wait to see how it goes here. I haven't talked to a single person who has a negative thing about this new version. Audience members and others that have seen the show in some way, whether employed by the show or not, have said it's a very good quiz show. Here's a look at what our version is going to be. It's the British version. Coming up a bit later today is a video interview with Michael Davies about GSN's revival of The Newlywed Game. (more...)
Read MoreView Comments (3)19Mar2009
“Jeopardy!” Contestant Gives Winnings to Chairty
I'm back from New York City and I've got a very nice feel-good story to share with you on this Thursday afternoon. Jeopardy! contestant and Tournament of Champions participant Donna Vogel, from Bethesda, MD, actually donated all her main season winnings to seventeen different charities, including global disaster funds and organizations which help the hungry and homeless. She sadly lost her semi-final game yesterday, but her main game winnings donation totaled to $85,299. In response as to why she did this, Vogel stated, “Being on Jeopardy! last year was so much fun, but I felt like I didn’t “earn” the money—I received it for playing a game,” explained Vogel. “Need is enormous now, and contributions are down all over. I have a pretty comfortable life and so many people need this more than I do.” Vogel works as a scientist from Johns Hopkins Medical Institute.
Read MoreView Comments (3)18Mar2009
“American Gladiators” Coming To DVD
More fun DVD news released today. The first season of American Gladiators with Mike Adamle, Joe Theismann, and Todd Christensen will be released on July 14th. The Original Series: The Battle Begins will contain all 26 episodes on 3 DVDs (which probably means this thing is on double-sided "Gemini" discs, folks). Even though you can officially view these episodes right now on YouTube, I'd still buy this so we have more of a chance of getting the rest of the series online or on DVD. So, when you're done watching Whose Line is it Anyway, go for the "Gold" that is American Gladiators.
Read MoreView Comments (1)17Mar2009
NBC Looks at Bringing UK’s “Have I Got News For You” to America
Interesting news coming from NBC which has really been avoiding game shows recently despite having practically nothing which people care about anymore. NBC is looking at bringing over the hit British panel/quiz show Have I Got News For You to our shores. According to people connected with NBC, the network is in advanced discussions with the producer of the long-running show to produce an American pilot. The show comes from Hat Trick Productions, who is the same company responsible for the hit show Whose Line is it Anyway?. So far it sounds good. But it gets scary with the next big of news from TVWeek. Supposedly the network may want to up the ante a bit and make it more in line with other big event primetime game shows. It sounds like a horribly stupid decision and I'm not exactly sure how you can do it with this show except with a few decent celebrities and a nice looking set, but that's it. This is all part of NBC wanting more unscripted shows with comedic elements.
Read MoreView Comments (15)16Mar2009
Rumor Control: GSN’s “The Money List” Debuts in June
Quick post but deserves to be in the major area. It's a rumor right now but I'd put money on this. It looks like 10 months after GSN taped their revival of The Rich List now titled The Money List, the show is ready to air. Finally. The show will debut in June and right now it looks like it'll be airing on Saturdays starting June 13th at 8:00PM ET. GSN Live host Fred Roggin is the host. No idea why it took so long to get out, but it's about time.
Read MoreView Comments (7)16Mar2009
Weekend Replay: UK “Deal or No Deal” Part Two
Sorry for the delay in this. We've had a hell of a time converting the video. But here's the second part of the last Thursday's Deal or No Deal from England that we wanted to share with you. By the way, we now have iPhone versions of videos coming out regularly soon, hopefully! This is the first one done for the iPhone/iPod/Moble Phone. Click the Phone button to get that version of it. However, above is the video. Below is some commentary, so watch the video first. First off, I want to still specify that UK Deal blows the NBC primetime version out of the water and will for all times. There's no debate there. I'm glad Alice won, I am. But did it seem a bit cheap and needless to anyone else? I want to specify that no, I don't think it was rigged. No one should. It's not rigged. It's horrifically illegal for them to rig it. That being said, I do think Endemol manufactured this win to a small degree. I think Endemol saw they had someone who chickened out and really regretted it. Alice came to the perfect scenario Endemol wanted, the 1p and £250,000. Endemol used their tactic which they've used recently which I really enjoy: the Banker's Gamble. [stream flv=x:/www.flashgameshows.com/wordpress/videos/ukdondwinpt2.flv width=630 height=343 bandwidth=med /] It feels like Endemol specifically used the Banker's Gamble there for the water cooler talk the next morning of a big depressing loss or the huge win. Alice deserves a lot of credit for screwing Endemol in their own game. I don't think a lot of people are feeling this because Channel 4 in England, their Deal staff, and everything in general up there isn't as gimmick dependent as NBC's Deal was so if they pull a stunt like this to gather ratings no one really cares. They deserve tons of credit for that, because it's the exact reason their product excels. But if they tried this sudden
Read MoreView Comments (8)16Mar2009
“Wheel of Fortune” Invites Viewers to Take Their Share of $100,000 with ValPak
Wheel of Fortune is teaming up with ValPak, a direct marketing service, to offer all you Wheel Watchers a chance to share in $100,000 as Sony kicks off the "Watch, Win, and Save" sweepstakes. Look out for the Blue Envelope from ValPak when the contest kicks off March 23rd. The envelope features hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White on the front. "This opportunity couldn’t come at a better time for our millions of viewers, said Harry Friedman, executive producer of Wheel of Fortune. “We’re delighted to offer this fun and easy new way to both save and win money.” The inside of the envelope will provide a special website where you can register and get a special Bonus Round Puzzle solution. If your solution matches any of the bonus round puzzles during the week of April 20th through the 24th, you have the chance of winning one of the 20 $5,000 prizes being offered. We'll just tell you now that the address is going to be WheelOfValpak.com.
Read MoreLeave a Comment16Mar2009
The Teague Family Wins $60,000 on “Family Feud” Tournament
Congratulations to the Teague family of Fresno, CA, who walked away with an impressive $60,000 last week. The Teague Family includes Bob, a sixth grade teacher; cousin John, a communications tech and coach; son Keith, a student; son Kevin, a student; and son Kyle, a student. Here's a few pictures of the family with their big $60,000 which, judging by today's economy, is just about as valuable as a real $60,000 check. Don't forget to check out this week, with Divorced Couples week. It's always extremely amusing, so don't miss it.
Read MoreView Comments (7)15Mar2009
Weekend Replay: UK “Deal or No Deal” Part One
Here's the first part of one of last week's Deal or No Deal from England. We'll have more commentary and the second half later tonight.
Read MoreView Comments (1)13Mar2009
It’s Been Quite a Week for “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”
I don't know if you watched Who Wants to be a Millionaire? at all this week, but it's been a very interesting, big money week which is raising some questions about the use of the clock. First off, if you've followed this site at all, you've heard about Carlos Giron. He walked out earlier this week with $250,000. He walked away after three lifelines for the half million dollar question; all but Double Dip. Both Ask the Expert and Ask the Audience pointed to one certain answer (though neither was a certainty). Phone A Friend didn't yield any help. Some commenters did post about a new Millionaire spoiler video on the site which we've become used to with contestant Jim Batts. He also walked away with $250,000 with no lifelines available for both the $100,000 and $250,000. So now we know, readers. If ABC posts a video on their site that shows someone winning $100,000; odds are they are going to win $250,000. They may want to mix it up next time. We've had an ungodly amount of quarter millionaires this season. It's leading to an interesting observation about the new game clock. I often get emails about the extreme difficulty of the show. I get them more this season than ever. I usually shrug them off, since the daily version of Millionaire can't be giving away huge money regularly. What the emails usually boils down to is after six or so years without a millionaire, it seems next to impossible to win. I have to tell you, I let you a huge sigh and thought, "It's never going to happen again, is it?" when Carlos Giron couldn't pull the trigger with all signs pointing to the right answer. I think it can be done but it's going to be difficult directly because the clock. Why will it be more difficult? I don't know if you've noticed but the clock has barely affected the game at all from the $100 to the $250,000 questions, and most likely going
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