GSN Turns 15 Years Old
Awww, GSN’s becoming a nice young (wo)man. The channel devoted to game shows turned 15 years old yesterday. That’s quite a milestone for a network that, to be perfectly honest, doesn’t exactly have the greatest ratings on the planet. We’re really happy to still see it around and still showing some good shows. I know there have been a lot of programming decisions we aren’t fond of recently, but we could really have nothing and we’d be worse off. We’ve gotten some incredible classic programming, and fantastic modern stuff like 1 VS 100 and Millionaire which we may not have seen ever again had it not been for them. Not to mention the fantastic originals like Lingo, Russian Roulette, and Catch 21 among others. Congratulations to them, we hope they’re around for a lot longer, and hopefully we can see some really good new fan favorites in the near future.
Here’s a look at GSN’s original look, including the original opening montage and a look at their first originals. One of them features the incredibly talented and great Marianne Curan.
"Watching a relative start to die" was the only metaphor I could think of. Other options would've been:
-"Seeing your favorite store have a fire sale, knowing they'll soon be out of business."
-"Having a local coffee shop turned into a Starbucks."
-"Witnessing your favorite sports team fall from playoff potential to perennial loser in less than a season."
-"Cutting open a cake, only to find a dead skunk inside."
Regardless, I stand behind what I said earlier. The GSN I'm seeing now is a far (and increasingly distant) cry from the Game Show Network I used to love. I pretty much stopped watching the network five or six months ago, and now that they're grooming Carnie Wilson as the face of GSN (and star of her own reality show on GSN), it'll be awhile before I go back (if ever).
Every time a network uses the old "target demographic(s)" excuse, a good idea dies while a bad one takes its place (see the recent article on the fall of "The Cube" and the rise of "Perfect 10"). Given that GSN has dumped pretty much every single GT show not named "Family Feud", and haven't dug into their Sony library recently (with the lone exception of The "$25000/$100000 Pyramid"; rumor has it "Hollywood Squares" may be getting pulled soon), not to mention the fact that they're focusing all their efforts on new, original material that's sure to fail (having learned nothing from the last 13 months), and the new "Discovery/Hasbro" network can't come soon enough (unless of course it turns out to be nothing but educational kids shows).
Yeah, I can live without GSN, but the memories of the good times (from 2000-2008), coupled with the constant failures and mismanagement of the current suits in charge (let's just call them the Fools-Goldhill administration), fuel the fire that compels me to post here every time something goes astray at GSN. Now, I'm not saying I'd be any good at running the network, but surely someone out there can do a better job than Goldhill and stooges. (And where's the GSN Radio announcement celebrating the network's 15th birthday? Oh wait, it's been canceled. Never mind.)
Oh, how I miss Cram, Russian Roulette, Whammy, and Friend or Foe… Whatever happened to the days of GOOD GSN originals?
In video 2, I just saw "Faux Pause" and nearly stopped breathing. That was the one show I wish to forget on GSN
Is it just me, or is that animated open for Jep! really, REALLY creepy?! The sound that machine makes is haunting! I honestly think I'm gonna have nightmares tonight!
Is it just me, or is that animated open for Jep! really, REALLY creepy?! The sound that machine makes is haunting! I honestly think I'm gonna have nightmares tonight!
-"Witnessing your favorite sports team fall from playoff potential to perennial loser in less than a season."
Hey! I resent rhat quite, That's exactly what's happening to my 76ers right now. And I'm not sure if even bbringing Allen Iverseon back can solve anything.
Anyways, yeah, GSN is basically a shell of its former self now even with stuff like Catch-21 doing well. The point is, many of us here had just about had it with GSN & are moving on. Actually, I'm glad GSN didn't even acknowledge the fact that it's 15. "sigh" I guess I'll wait & see what Discovery/Hasbro does.
-"Witnessing your favorite sports team fall from playoff potential to perennial loser in less than a season."
Hey! I resent rhat quite, That's exactly what's happening to my 76ers right now. And I'm not sure if even bbringing Allen Iverseon back can solve anything.
Anyways, yeah, GSN is basically a shell of its former self now even with stuff like Catch-21 doing well. The point is, many of us here had just about had it with GSN & are moving on. Actually, I'm glad GSN didn't even acknowledge the fact that it's 15. "sigh" I guess I'll wait & see what Discovery/Hasbro does.
-"Witnessing your favorite sports team fall from playoff potential to perennial loser in less than a season."
Hey! I resent rhat quite, That's exactly what's happening to my 76ers right now. And I'm not sure if even bbringing Allen Iverseon back can solve anything.
Anyways, yeah, GSN is basically a shell of its former self now even with stuff like Catch-21 doing well. The point is, many of us here had just about had it with GSN & are moving on. Actually, I'm glad GSN didn't even acknowledge the fact that it's 15. "sigh" I guess I'll wait & see what Discovery/Hasbro does.
They've been gone ever since the new regime took over two years ago. They chased out anyone who knew anything about game shows, but even worse they just don't care. I'd be surprised if the network even knew it was 15 years old.
They've been gone ever since the new regime took over two years ago. They chased out anyone who knew anything about game shows, but even worse they just don't care. I'd be surprised if the network even knew it was 15 years old.
-”Witnessing your favorite sports team fall from playoff potential to perennial loser in less than a season.”
Well, in the Saints case, that’s in reverse. They went from not even close to making it to the playoff to 11-0. And this metahpor could say the same with GSN (that is if I had my way). Here’s what I would do if I was a GSN executive:
1. Get rid of shows that has absolutely nothing to do with game shows (e.g. That proposed Carnie Wilson reality show).
2. Create more originals, even if they were revivals.
3. Stop airing Deal or No Deal, Match Game, and Family Feud 4x a day. Sure people love those shows, but it’s like shoving food down their mouths.
4. (And this is important) Get in good with Fremantle, NBC, and all those other companies, because I know some of you want to see Concentration, Scrabble, and The Price Is Right.
All in all, GSN, here’s to 15(?) more years.
"Who Dat think they gonna beat dem Saints?"
Go Saints!
That same thing's pretty much happened to my Seahawks the last two years, although we do have a new coach this year and as of about an hour from when I type this, their GM will be gone as well, so who really knows at this point.
That same thing's pretty much happened to my Seahawks the last two years, although we do have a new coach this year and as of about an hour from when I type this, their GM will be gone as well, so who really knows at this point.
I'm with you on this one, Alex. At least they have classics on, now. True, it's mostly during daytime hours. But, so what? You're right…the reality shows are off…and that's for the better.
I'm with you on this one, Alex. At least they have classics on, now. True, it's mostly during daytime hours. But, so what? You're right…the reality shows are off…and that's for the better.
Wait until January when Carnie Wilson's Reality show debuts.
You do know, that being a Marlins fan I suffered through that more than once, in 10 years…
But, Catch 21, Newlywed Game, DOND, and 1 Vs. 100 tell me that GSN is headed back in the right direction
From A Marlins Perspective
They Fire-Saled and it led to that next World Championship (1997, 2003, and 2010, I hope)
Yeah, & it'll add new meaning to the phrase "Reality Bites".
Wait until January when Carnie Wilson's Reality show debuts.
Wait until January when Carnie Wilson's Reality show debuts.
Personally, it wouldn't really hurt me for GSN to fail, as with what few classics the channel is still showing, it is inferior, as "Match Game', and the daytime version of Richard Dawson's "Family Feud" are sped up so fast that I can't stand to hear them, and soon by the time "Pyramid" is on in the early morning, the shows will be reran endlessly again, just as "The $100,000 Pyramid's" 1986-87 was for so many months a few years ago! They lost out on the majority of the Goodson/'Todman games, they lost other shows to Fremantle, and to top that off, they wasted their money on reality shows like "Star Search" and "The Amazing Race", when that money could have been used to keep the Goodson library, as well as maybe obtaining shows like "Scrabble" and "$ale Of The Century" from the Australian vaults! I used to LOVE GSN when I first starting watching it in 1998, but once the early 2000's arrived (specifically around mid 2002 when the departing contestant tags were interrupted, which led to the credits being cut off, which led to more 'self-promoting and annoying as hell' GSN promos), that really turned me off on this channel, and then when they let a moron like Bob Barker be honored on its GSN Game Show Awards, and then snub 'the queen of game shows' Betty White because of it, that really shows me what integrity this network really has for the genre! I'd rather watch quality clips from YouTube when the shows were aired correctly on the USA Network and the early GSN MUCH more than watch what is on the channel today! I give it a year or so, and then we'll be writing "RIP GSN" (and good riddance!)
Personally, it wouldn't really hurt me for GSN to fail, as with what few classics the channel is still showing, it is inferior, as "Match Game', and the daytime version of Richard Dawson's "Family Feud" are sped up so fast that I can't stand to hear them, and soon by the time "Pyramid" is on in the early morning, the shows will be reran endlessly again, just as "The $100,000 Pyramid's" 1986-87 was for so many months a few years ago! They lost out on the majority of the Goodson/'Todman games, they lost other shows to Fremantle, and to top that off, they wasted their money on reality shows like "Star Search" and "The Amazing Race", when that money could have been used to keep the Goodson library, as well as maybe obtaining shows like "Scrabble" and "$ale Of The Century" from the Australian vaults! I used to LOVE GSN when I first starting watching it in 1998, but once the early 2000's arrived (specifically around mid 2002 when the departing contestant tags were interrupted, which led to the credits being cut off, which led to more 'self-promoting and annoying as hell' GSN promos), that really turned me off on this channel, and then when they let a moron like Bob Barker be honored on its GSN Game Show Awards, and then snub 'the queen of game shows' Betty White because of it, that really shows me what integrity this network really has for the genre! I'd rather watch quality clips from YouTube when the shows were aired correctly on the USA Network and the early GSN MUCH more than watch what is on the channel today! I give it a year or so, and then we'll be writing "RIP GSN" (and good riddance!)
Yeah, & it'll add new meaning to the phrase "Reality Bites".
Yeah, & it'll add new meaning to the phrase "Reality Bites".
Well played!
And speaking of NBC, Comcast just took 51% ownership of NBC Universal, whuch means there's hope(as small as it is). Even so, Discovery/Hasbro may be our 2nd GSN if they tinker with it just right.
Well played!
And speaking of NBC, Comcast just took 51% ownership of NBC Universal, whuch means there's hope(as small as it is). Even so, Discovery/Hasbro may be our 2nd GSN if they tinker with it just right.
I think a happy medium of classics and modern day GAME SHOWS should be featured.
Wouldn't you love a schedule that brought people to all ends of the spectrum?
50's classics
09:00am: I've Got a Secret
09:30am: What's my line?
60's classics
10:00am: Password
10:30am: Price is Right
70's classics
11:00am: Match Game
11:30am: Match Game PM
12:00pm: Family Feud (Dawson)
12:30pm: Now You See It / Double Dare
80's classics
01:00pm: Jeopardy! (80's only)
01:30pm: Wheel of Fortune (80's only)
02:00pm: The $25,000 Pyramid
02:30pm: The $100,000 Pyramid
90's classics
03:00pm: To Tell The Truth
03:30pm: Hollywood Squares
04:00pm: Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?
Current Classics:
05:00pm: Family Feud (Karn)
05:30pm: Family Feud (O'Hurley)
06:00pm: Lingo
06:30pm: Who Wants To Be a Millionaire (Vierra)
07:00pm: Deal or No Deal
GSN PRIME TIME:
08:00pm: The Newlywed Game
08:30pm: Catch 21
09:00pm: 1 vs. 100
10:00pm: Deal or No Deal
11:00pm: The Newlywed Game (encore)
11:30pm: Catch 21 (encore)
Rarities:
12:00am: Greed
01:00am: Twenty-One
02:00am: Love Connection
02:30am: The Newlywed Game (Eubanks)
03:00am: The Dating Game
03:30am: Beat The Clock
I'd sit through a schedule like that. But the suits probably wouldn't. =P
Oh well.
It would be nice if 70's classics like Let's Make a Deal and 80's classics like Scrabble was also on that list.
Let's Make a Deal especially with the updated version currently airing on CBS. You'd think that would bring out the interest for people wanting to watch the classic. The schedule was devised with only a few properties to reacquire.
I think a happy medium of classics and modern day GAME SHOWS should be featured.
Wouldn't you love a schedule that brought people to all ends of the spectrum?
50's classics
09:00am: I've Got a Secret
09:30am: What's my line?
60's classics
10:00am: Password
10:30am: Price is Right
70's classics
11:00am: Match Game
11:30am: Match Game PM
12:00pm: Family Feud (Dawson)
12:30pm: Now You See It / Double Dare
80's classics
01:00pm: Jeopardy! (80's only)
01:30pm: Wheel of Fortune (80's only)
02:00pm: The $25,000 Pyramid
02:30pm: The $100,000 Pyramid
90's classics
03:00pm: To Tell The Truth
03:30pm: Hollywood Squares
04:00pm: Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?
Current Classics:
05:00pm: Family Feud (Karn)
05:30pm: Family Feud (O'Hurley)
06:00pm: Lingo
06:30pm: Who Wants To Be a Millionaire (Vierra)
07:00pm: Deal or No Deal
GSN PRIME TIME:
08:00pm: The Newlywed Game
08:30pm: Catch 21
09:00pm: 1 vs. 100
10:00pm: Deal or No Deal
11:00pm: The Newlywed Game (encore)
11:30pm: Catch 21 (encore)
Rarities:
12:00am: Greed
01:00am: Twenty-One
02:00am: Love Connection
02:30am: The Newlywed Game (Eubanks)
03:00am: The Dating Game
03:30am: Beat The Clock
I'd sit through a schedule like that. But the suits probably wouldn't. =P
Oh well.
It would be nice if 70's classics like Let's Make a Deal and 80's classics like Scrabble was also on that list.
Let's Make a Deal especially with the updated version currently airing on CBS. You'd think that would bring out the interest for people wanting to watch the classic. The schedule was devised with only a few properties to reacquire.
Got one thing to say insaneben…seconded. I mean, I've said it before and I'll say it again because it still holds true. If you're going to make a channel devoted to airing classic game SHOWS (emphasis on the shows…cough cough FF cough cough) or any other particular type of show, then stick to airing that type of show! Oh, people watchin your network want to watch something completely different? Let em change the bloody channel, you're not the only one on Dish/DirectTV, that's the very reason they got hundreds of different channels in the first place!!
*coughs* Sorry…rant over. But yeah, I really don't see how it could be much worse than it is now.
Got one thing to say insaneben…seconded. I mean, I've said it before and I'll say it again because it still holds true. If you're going to make a channel devoted to airing classic game SHOWS (emphasis on the shows…cough cough FF cough cough) or any other particular type of show, then stick to airing that type of show! Oh, people watchin your network want to watch something completely different? Let em change the bloody channel, you're not the only one on Dish/DirectTV, that's the very reason they got hundreds of different channels in the first place!!
*coughs* Sorry…rant over. But yeah, I really don't see how it could be much worse than it is now.