GSN’s started its summer season off with a bang with the new campaign to “Catch a Game”. During the summer the network will be showing off its cool beach like image while getting the word out about their new show: Catch 21. We’ve covered the show quite a bit so far, and if you’ve followed us you know the basic information. Catch 21, hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro, sees contestants answer questions to gain control of cards to make their own hand of the classic card game 21. After elimination rounds, the champion plays the end game hoping to catch three hands of 21 to win the top prize of $25,000. The show will debut July 21st at 7:30PM ET, following Bingo America, on GSN.
Catch 21 has a long history in game shows. It originally was under the name Gambit in 70s and 80s with an attempted pilot in the 90s. Early in the 2000s, GSN (then Game Show Network) shot a pilot for the show called Casino, but was not picked up. Catch 21 is being produced by the original creator of Gambit Merrill Heatter and Scott Sterberg, who has done shows like Rock and Roll Jeopardy! and That’s The Question.
Before the debut be sure to check out The Making of a Game Show: Catch 21, a 30 minute behind the scenes special showing the creation of the show, on July 19th at 4:00PM ET and July 20th at 2PM ET as well as 10:00PM ET. Catch 21 will be promoted with many online games as well. You can find a cash contest and free version at GSN.com, and coming soon will be a mobile edition.
5 Responses
Wow! If it’s being produced by Merrill Heatter and Scott Sterberg that’s a good sign. While “That’s The Question” isn’t a perfect show by any stretch of the means it is a solid format and fun to watch. I will surely be tuning in to see Catch-21 July 21 and I’m going to hope for the best.
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
I just finished playing the mini-game on GSN.com. I’m assuming the theme heard in the game will be the theme of “Catch 21″. Unintentional pun I promise you — but it’s a catchy jazz tune.
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
The sad news about all of this is it is replacing Russian Roulette at 10:00pm. That comes from the GSN Boards moderator and other sources including Multichannel.
I guess it is not doing as good as we thought it was.
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Merrill Heatter…y’gotta love his credentials: (the original) HOLLYWOOD SQUARES; GAMBIT/LAS VEGAS GAMBIT; HIGH ROLLERS; PDQ/BAFFLE; THE MAGNIFICENT MARBLE MACHINE; VIDEO VILLAGE; DOUBLE EXPOSURE; PEOPLE WILL TALK/THE CELEBRITY GAME; FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK; TEMPTATION (no! a DIFFERENT one); TO SAY THE LEAST. to name a few…
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Merrill Heater is a true man of the business! He knows what game show fans want, and he can evolve and adapt with the times. I have high hopes for Catch-21!
Posted on July 7th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
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