08Oct2008
News Flashes for October 8th
Hey everyone. No real news today. It's sort of depressing since yesterday was rather exciting with the whole Millionaire going to GSN and Family Feud DVD game. So on these days, instead of having a lot of MiniBuzz posts about smaller items, we'll just post these all here so you can see. And so we can fill content more. I hate not having a major article of some kind every day. *I think many people saw this coming, but Japanese broadcaster TBS (not the comedy network) has filed a lawsuit against ABC, where they call the new summer hit Wipeout "a blatant copycat." It's true at least, but it's just a stunt show. There have been lots of stunt shows over the years. Can't wait to see how this one turns out, especially since I'm a really
Read MoreView Comments (20)18Oct2007
GSN Makes Statement About “Quiznation” Cancelation
GSN representatives just emailed us a statement they made about the cancelation of Quiznation. I thought this may interest those of you who enjoy it. Dear PlayManiacs, We have greatly appreciated your support of our PlayMania efforts over the last 19 months; it’s been an amazing experience and we’re glad to see that you’ve enjoyed playing along. It goes without saying that we’ve learned much from your feedback (so keep it coming) and while it’s true that quiznation’s last night will be October 31, we have even bigger and better participation opportunities in store for you all in the coming months. As soon as we’ve set all the details, you’ll be the first to know. We’d say more, but we don’t want to spoil the surprises. Sincerely,
Read MoreView Comments (16)13Oct2007
Playmania Cancelled
Following the October 31st edition of Playmania/Quiznation, the show will be no more as GSN has cancelled what used to be a really good show. The show really started to slip when they decided that doing pretty much 3 games a show was better than 10 games a show. This transition happened after the Goddess Mel Peachey left the show back in April. Replacing the two hour block is another two hour block of...you guessed it! Reruns! At 12am we get some fun Who Wants to Be a Millionaire which I'm sure everyone is excited for. But then the actual good news starts as for 5 days a week, 1am to 2am consists of Trivia Trap and Now You See It. This may be a good step in the right direction for GSN. But it's probably just some filler until they find
Read MoreView Comments (42)19Jun2007
“100 Winners” Not Canceled; On Hiatus
My email account was flooded with Playmaniacs who were either joyous or (for the vast majority of them) upset about 100 Winners, from GSN's Playmania, not being on the schedule anymore. We have an answer from GSN, so take a chill pill, everyone. The GSN vault is currently taking a bit of a hiatus. It's not canceled. To quote what we were told: "The show is taking a little break at the moment. In the meantime, we’re trying new things on “quiznation” that will keep the show fresh for the audience. They’ll notice new games and surprises all the time." So there you have it. Keep watching, as new things will be happening all the time.
Read MoreView Comments (7)17Apr2007
GSN Tweaks “Playmania” Entry Rules
Very quick post right now. The executive producers of Playmania sent this item out in a much longer email. That said, we are enacting a new rule that a player can only be brought on air to answer a question once per show regardless of whether their answer is right or wrong. We think this will benefit the show and our players as a whole.
Read MoreView Comments (5)01Apr2007
Mel Peachey Leaving GSN
Some pretty sad news for all Playmania fans. On the Saturday episode of Quiznation, host Mel Peachey announced she is leaving the show and moving back to England. GSN issued as statement. "It is true Mel is leaving. We are sorry it fell so close to April 1st. That was not our intention. She is leaving and it is no April Fools joke. We will let you know more soon. We will miss her as well but we wish her all the best she is trully an extremely nice and talented person." Some of the BuzzerBlog writers, including myself, are pretty big fans of Playmania, especially 100 Winners, so seeing Mel go is truly a shame. It won't be the same without her.
Read MoreView Comments (33)29Mar2007
Shandi Finnessey’s Dancing Partner to Appear on “Quiznation”
Be on the lookout all Dancing With the Stars fans: Surviving celebrity dancer Shandi Finnessey's dance partner, Brian Fortuna, will be making a special guest appearance on Quiznation on Friday, March 30th at 12AM ET. “Brian is master of the dance floor without a doubt and I love that he has expressed an interest in seeing what it is like to host a live game show,” said Finnessey. “I’m excited to have him come see my world and we have a lot of ‘Playmaniacs’ in Philadelphia, which is Brian’s home town, so it is sure to be a fun night.” Quiznation is part of the Playmania block, with 100 Winners airing Tuesday through Thursday and Quiznation airing Friday through Sunday at midnight ET on GSN. Remember to join Team Shandi and vote for Sha
Read MoreView Comments (3)26Mar2007
Chuck Woolery Appears on “Dancing With the Stars” Tonight!
All Lingo fans might want to check out ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" tonight, as Chuck Woolery, host of the hit GSN game show, will cheer and support his co-host, Shandi Finnessey, as she competes in a new week of celebrity dancing. Shandi really wanted Chuck to be there to see her new dance tonight, the mambo, and her wish came true. Be sure to check out ABC tonight at 8PM ET for Dancing With the Stars. Be sure to check out Shandi's blog to see how she's doing and her feelings at the moment. And also PLEASE be sure to vote for Shandi. She really needs your support, and I know she would appreciate it. She's doing extremely well right now.
Read MoreView Comments (3)09Mar2007
Call In And Lose: The UK Phone Scandal
Thanks to our friend David Howell from England for writing this article on the recent phone game scandal in England. If you'd like more news about it or to see him and others analyze Deal or No Deal daily, please go to the wonderful site Bother's Bar. I'd like to apologize to the people who use our LiveJournal feed, as this is a bit long, but it's extremely interesting and well worth the read. Please leave your comments if you care to and tell David what you think of this issue. The surge of phone-in 'participation TV' games in the US in the last year was perhaps entirely unsurprising, as the UK has seen a similar and stronger trend for at least the last two years. Indeed, at least a couple of the PlayMania clones claimed to be 'based on a British format', and of course PlayMania itself utilised a British host (Mel Peachey) from the start. (Ironically, she is now in charge of 100 Winners, which deviates greatly from most UK call-in games.) This UK trend, in turn, originated from elsewhere in Europe. Arguably, the UK arrival of the trend was with the Endemol format Brainteaser, which began in 2002 and had been used in various forms in several other countries. This involved a series of simple word games being played among two studio contestants, fused with a viewer phone-in (the revenue from which apparently funded all the show's production costs, including the studio top prize of £3,000/$5,800). (more...)
Read MoreView Comments (5)23Feb2007
“100 Winners” is a Winner to Me
I've gotten asked about my opinion on "100 Winners" in several comments and emails. I finally got to see an episode the other day, and I have to say, I love it. Here's what is bugging me about the so-called "Playmaniacs": they are bitching about the lack of sound effects, emails, and camera man interaction. People, this is not "Playmania". They are not trying to pretend it is. This is a brand new format. What you are wanting is "Playmania" but with one new "game" as an entire show; it's not going to happen and shouldn't. This show is a fast-paced, decent money, entertaining show. It's nice that we are seeing a serious, dark call-in show. Every single call-and-win show has been a "Playmania" clone, down to the feel of the show, and GSN should be commended for making something completely different and very entertaining. This show will get more viewers because of the larger amount of winners. I know if I was eligible I would be more likely to watch and play because I have a better shot of getting on than on "Quiznation", and a better chance of winning larger prizes. Very few times did the old show offer $1,000, so it is a very nice addition. People are complaining about the GSN gag prizes in there: it's part of the risk. It actually gives the game a sense of danger and amusement. Playmaniacs, if you're expecting a show very similar to "Playmania", you're dead wrong. They gave us a new and far improved way to play, since "Playmania" was really getting old. They aren't changing formats, because this one works and keeps people in. Don't
Read MoreView Comments (27)21Feb2007
“Lingo” and “Quiznation”‘s Shandi Finnessey Dances on ABC
Former Miss USA and current co-host of GSN's "Lingo" and "Ultimate Blackjack Tour" AND host of GSN's "Quiznation" Shandi Finnessey has something to make her schedule even crazier: Shandi will be appearing in the 4th season of ABC's hit competition show "Dancing With the Stars". She will be facing off against such people as Leeza Gibbons, Heather Mills, Laila Ali, Billy Ray Cyrus, and more. The new season will premiere March 19th on ABC.
Read MoreView Comments (2)14Feb2007
BREAKING NEWS: Playmania Becomes Block of Two New Shows
I like this development: According to a GSN website, the two-hour live interactive game show "Playmania" is becoming a block of two shows, "100 Winners" and "Quiznation". "100 Winners", hosted by Mel Peachey, sees contestants who are selected answer an in-show question. If they do, they get to pick one of the 100 safe deposit boxes containing a prize. Mel Peachey's goal for the show is to open up all 100 safes in the show's time. "Quiznation", hosted by Shandi Finnessey, is basically going to be what "Playmania" is now, so no big development there. Here's the site you can look at. It's looking like Jessica York was left out of the picture. Quite frankly, that's not surprising or a bad thing. I've seen her host, and she just isn't that good at it. She might be a very good television personality on other shows, but on "Playmania", she just wasn't that good, in my opinion. UPDATE: Scheduling information has been announced in a breaking press release. "100 Winners" will air Tuesdays through Thursdays, starting next week, from 12AM to 2AM ET. "quiznation" will air Fridays through Sundays from 12AM to 2AM ET. All three ways to play along (text, internet, and landline).
Read MoreView Comments (21)12Feb2007
Rumor Control: Two New “Playmania” Shows to GSN?
This is a rather big rumor. According to some emails from Playmaniacs, GSN has been running bumpers on the air for Playmania, showing some new title graphics and the words "New Ways to Play" and constantly advertising the date February 20th. That's news enough. However, we've also heard that some bumpers have said "Two New Shows" and then says "Quiznation" and "100 Winners". I know we have some Playmaniacs reading, can anyone supply a screencap of that graphic? So could we be seeing a rotating roster of text-and-win shows on GSN? Personally, I don't think it's a bad thing. I watched Playmania this weekend again, and it is truly fantastic in my eyes. Shandi is one of the best TV personalities currently as far as I could see. We've been told some announcements will be made on Wednesday describing what's been going on with those advertisements, so stay tuned to Buzzer on Wednesday/Thursday to get the low-down.
Read MoreView Comments (6)28Jan2007
Pocono Record Names “Playmania” in Top 10
The Pocono Record posted what they feel are the best TV shows of any genre, and to my surprise, GSN's "Playmania" made that list at number 6. They cite that the main attraction right now is host Mel Peachey, originally from England. To quote, they say she is "the best British import since Bass Ale. Jump on her bandwagon while it's still in the station." I have to agree. "Playmania" is one of the channel's best original shows they do, and Mel Peachey really stands out hosting. She's absolutely terrific and extremely beautiful as well. Hopefully she moves on to bigger and better things as time goes on.
Read MoreView Comments (5)04Jan2007
PlayMania Hits the CES
On January 10th, GSN's hit show "PlayMania" will invade the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Host Shandi Finnessey, who will being taping the next season of Lingo relatively soon, will be taking center stage at Sony's Backstage Theater, located in the Las Vegas Convention Center Booth #14200. People can visit the booth between 11:00AM and 11:30AM on January 10th to meet Ms. Finnessey and possibly win prizes. Rich Cronin, GSN CEO, stated “As the network for games and the industry’s interactive leader, we’re proud to have been the first channel in America to offer live participation TV. This format has proven to be very successful in Europe, and we see exponential expansion in United States television." GSN has seen a 270% growth in participation since "PlayMania" initially started. I'm glad to see the show is constantly growing, because it's a really nice show in my eyes. The hosts are enjoyable and fun, the games are fun, and the interactivity between show and viewers is amazing. It kicks the crap out of a lot of things GSN currently has on.
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