Decade of Games: Game Show Network Originals
Continuing our little series about some of the most memorable things of the decade in the genre. I don’t think Game Show Network’s originals get enough credit in the grand scheme of things. Sure, to us they were great. I think a few of them would have had even larger appeal elsewhere. It was around this 2002 time period that the Game Show Network crew brought up some popular shows like Whammy!, Lingo, Russian Roulette, Friend or Foe?, and a few others. Seemingly everything they touched for around a year got some decent ratings. Whammy! was almost canceled for what GSN’s top rated show’s number is right now. That says something.
Pound for pound I think Lingo and Russian Roulette are two of the decade’s best game shows bar none. At that time Game Show Network/GSN wasn’t afraid to be a bit edgy or different or show some things no one else would. I mean who seriously would have thought a Dutch word game and a show where people drop through holes in the floor would get double the numbers of GSN’s current highest rated game Catch 21? Take a look at some of the best and highest rated from the network. Some of these really deserve a second chance.
Of course you know I'd love to see RR make a comeback. To me, it is still GSN's best original. (Grand Slam came close, but not quite.)
Lingo started off alright; but it became rather tedious. I'm probably one of the few people, if not the only one, who preferred Stacey's co-hosting to Shandi's. The latter's presence was very irritating to me. She was better off on her own.
Friend or Foe's one saving grace was Kennedy. I wish she'd gotten another game show.
As for Whammy, I enjoyed that, too. I wouldn't mind seeing that come back, either.
Of course you know I'd love to see RR make a comeback. To me, it is still GSN's best original. (Grand Slam came close, but not quite.)
Lingo started off alright; but it became rather tedious. I'm probably one of the few people, if not the only one, who preferred Stacey's co-hosting to Shandi's. The latter's presence was very irritating to me. She was better off on her own.
Friend or Foe's one saving grace was Kennedy. I wish she'd gotten another game show.
As for Whammy, I enjoyed that, too. I wouldn't mind seeing that come back, either.
Of course you know I'd love to see RR make a comeback. To me, it is still GSN's best original. (Grand Slam came close, but not quite.)
Lingo started off alright; but it became rather tedious. I'm probably one of the few people, if not the only one, who preferred Stacey's co-hosting to Shandi's. The latter's presence was very irritating to me. She was better off on her own.
Friend or Foe's one saving grace was Kennedy. I wish she'd gotten another game show.
As for Whammy, I enjoyed that, too. I wouldn't mind seeing that come back, either.
Oh trust me I have something specifically for Grand Slam coming later, haha.
Technically, "Lingo" wasn't a Dutch word game. They only held the rights to it and modified the game a bit. It originally debuted in syndication in 1987, produced in Vancouver by Ralph Andrews and Bernstein-Hovis, and hosted by Michael Reagan (yes, son of the late former president). Because of Canadian content rules, they needed a hostess, so they had Dusty Martell (who?). For the last few weeks, it was hosted by Ralph Andrews and Margeaux McKenzie. It only lasted a year. There was a little controversy with this version because there were rumours that some contestants never received their cash and/or prizes. Just a little clarification as to whose game it is.
Technically, "Lingo" wasn't a Dutch word game. They only held the rights to it and modified the game a bit. It originally debuted in syndication in 1987, produced in Vancouver by Ralph Andrews and Bernstein-Hovis, and hosted by Michael Reagan (yes, son of the late former president). Because of Canadian content rules, they needed a hostess, so they had Dusty Martell (who?). For the last few weeks, it was hosted by Ralph Andrews and Margeaux McKenzie. It only lasted a year. There was a little controversy with this version because there were rumours that some contestants never received their cash and/or prizes. Just a little clarification as to whose game it is.
Oh how I miss Russian Roulette and Friend or Foe…
As far as the ratings then vs. now, keep in mind that Millionaire was at or near its peak at the time, so just about anything game show related got a boost.
Oh what a year to be a GSN original. 2002 was, without a doubt, GSN’s best year as far as originals go. 5 hit shows (Whammy, Russian Roulette, Friend or Foe?, Cram, and, of course, the most successful of all of them….Lingo)? But behind every success, there were also failures (Remember National Lampoon’s Funny Money?)
@ Mr. Quiz: You’re right about the original Lingo. It was, along with Jackpot, only in a small amount of markets, particually on low rated UHF independent stations (remember, this was before UPN, the WB, and their successor, the CW).
The original "Lingo" wasn't widely syndicated, whci could also explain why it didn't last very long…
There are a few episodes of the 87 version of Lingo on YouTube.
Hi…
I like to play the games on my pc my console and on my cell phone..
this article was related to games & also related to technology and i had also hobby to search gadget and latest gadgets and many more so this article was really great in my opinion.
IIRC Pitfall was filmed in vancouver, and Alex Trebek didn't have a co-hostess.
The Original Donald
then again Alex didn't get a paycheck either~!
IIRC Pitfall was filmed in vancouver, and Alex Trebek didn't have a co-hostess.
The Original Donald
then again Alex didn't get a paycheck either~!
IIRC Pitfall was filmed in vancouver, and Alex Trebek didn't have a co-hostess.
The Original Donald
then again Alex didn't get a paycheck either~!
actually RR and FOF aired during 2003-2004, after Millionaire hit syndie airways. So if anything, Game Shows probably went down at that point.