30Apr2007
“Let’s Play Crosswords” Name Change
Merv Griffin and Program Partners, your work is great, but please for the sake of all that is good and holy change your name. Let's Play Crosswords has changed its name to Let's Do Crosswords. Yeah, this one isn't really any better. I know we did this before, but any suggestions? Someone said CrossFire before, and I really enjoyed that one.
Read MoreView Comments (11)30Apr2007
Ty Treadway Becomes “Let’s Play Crosswords” Host
Program Partners has today announced that Ty Treadway, formerly of One Life to Live and currently on SoapNet's Soap Talk has been named the host of Merv Griffin's new game show Let's Play Crosswords. In endorsing his choice for host, Griffin stated: “Ty exudes the kind of energy that will keep audiences engaged and excited. We are looking towards a long and successful association.” Raymond J. Brune and Andrew Yani, co-heads of TV for MGE, will oversee the half-hour syndicated strip with Merv. Brennan Huntington will be the show runner and Robert W. Rang will design the set. Emmy Award-winner Tony Garofalo is consulting producer. Josh Raphaelson of Program Partners has said: “True to form, Merv has assembled an incredibly talented team be
Read MoreView Comments (11)27Apr2007
Syndication Debut Dates
A good majority of the syndication debut dates for the new and returning game shows were released today, thanks to Mark Berman. Here are the shows debuting on Monday, September 10th: Let's Play Crosswords Temptation Wheel of Fortune Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Noticeably missing are Jeopardy! and Family Feud. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune generally debut on the same day, so I'd expect September 10th for that as well. However, for Feud, your guess is as good as mine. To my best knowledge there has been no 100% confirmation of renewal, although we are receiving rumors that they are looking at new places to tape next season, so don't be completely surprised for a renewal there. We still don't know
Read MoreView Comments (11)19Mar2007
“Let’s Play Crosswords” Cleared in 30 of Top 40 Markets
Program Partners, Merv Griffin Entertainment, and the William Morris Agency today announced major markets and group clearances for Merv Griffin's new "Let's Play Crosswords" in 30 of the top 40 markets. This new deal gives "Crosswords" the 65% it needs to establish it a firm go for the 2007-2008 season, the first syndicated game show firm go since "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?". “What you’re seeing here is a flight to quality,” said Ritch Colbert of Program Partners. “The response of top shelf stations to Let’s Play Crosswords has been overwhelming and a statement of the high regard they have for Merv Griffin, his incredible track record and this exciting new show.” Also, Merv Griffin stated, “My challenge was to translate this satisfying pursuit into an entertaining television game. I couldn’t ask for a better endorsement than these early commitments from so many major stations.” "Let's Play Crosswords" debuts Fall 2007 in High Definition (HD) where available and is a presentation of Merv Griffin, Program Partners, and the William Morris Agency. BuzzerBlog has obtained a list of the stations "Let's Play Crosswords" will air in as of now. Please go under the break for the list.
Read MoreView Comments (28)21Feb2007
One More Thing About “Crosswords”
One press release about Let's Play Crosswords states that the show will tape in high definition, making it the third game show and third syndicated show to do so. I'm getting my hopes up already.
Read MoreView Comments (1)21Feb2007
“Let’s Play Crosswords” Clears Major Cities
Cynopsis announced that Merv Griffin's new game show venture, "Let's Play Crosswords" has cleared by NBC O&O's (owned and operated stations) in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Dallas as part of a new deal with the show. The new deal involves NBCU Domestic Television Distribution to represent national barter advertising sales and the entities to jointly create a broadband component for the NBC stations' web sites. As of now, it's looking like it'll tape in WMAQ in Chicago, but plans are still up in the air. Check back to BuzzerBlog often as we'll have exclusive reports about "Let's Play Crosswords" in the future that you can't get anywhere else but here.
Read MoreView Comments (2)01Feb2007
“Let’s Play Crosswords” May Tape in Chicago
First we have Jerry Springer. Then we have his bodyguard Steve Wilkos. Now, Merv Griffin may be taping his new game show "Let's Play Crosswords!" in the NBC Tower in Chicago. Larry Wert, president and general manager of Channel 5 in Chicago stated "We're exploring the possibility and looking at all options. The three shows would make WMAQ a major syndication production hub." Still no word on anything else involving "Crosswords!"
Read MoreView Comments (4)31Jan2007
“Let’s Play Crosswords!” to Clear NBC O&Os
According to Cynopsis, a lot more people might be seeing "Let's Play Crosswords!" on their screen come fall. The new Merv Griffin quizzer, along with Program Partners, is in talks with NBC O&Os (Owned and Operated stations) in New York, Chicago, and LA to clear for the fall 2007 season. With this deal, "Crosswords!" will be inching closer to the 70% mark desired for national clearance, which is needed to sell barter time and give the show a firm go. Still no word on any details about the show.
Read MoreView Comments (3)25Jan2007
Program Partner’s “Let’s Play Crosswords” Trailer
Program Partners apparently has a site up for Merv Griffin's new game, "Let's Play Crosswords", which is currently looking at a fall 2007 syndication release. On the site you can read a few tidbits about the show plus see a trailer for it. I have to say the computer animation makes me laugh, but the game looks interesting. The question is will an audience who is currently enthralled with luck games like "Deal or No Deal" embrace a straight old fashioned trivia game? What do you readers think? Before "1 VS 100" came out, I would have said no. I think now, though, that it could be a hit. Also, is it just me, or could this show really use a new name? For some reason this title is grating to me.
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