“Match Game” Revival Being Developed
If you’re a long time reader you might know that, truthfully, I’m not really a big fan of the oldies. However, there are four that I can always watch and they always entertain me: Password, Family Feud, Pyramid (Dick Clark version), and my favorite of the bunch: Match Game. That’s why it worries me a little bit when it has been reported that Fremantle is currently developing a Match Game revival.
They are currently in discussions with cable networks and should lock up a deal soon. GSN made a numerous amount of attempts at a revival under former CEO Rich Cronin’s watch, but never came to fruition. Maybe they finally made it work? I’d be a bit worried if GSN didn’t handle the I’ve Got A Secret revival so masterfully. If this is for GSN, please bring back Bil Dwyer, he’s made for this format.
I’m still under the mind frame that Match Game can’t be properly revived in today’s times, or at least it’ll be very very hard. You can’t really give naughty answers without being dirty now, and while I’m a big fan of dirty humor it just doesn’t work on Match Game. Most of the fun of the 70s version is just thinking “I can’t believe they’re saying that in the 70s.” If you watched Match Game for the game play, you are a bit off, you watched for the humor. If the new version can find a nice balance between dirty and fun, great. I’d just really rather not see a game that’s so dirty it makes my eyes bleed or that’s excessively watered down to appease the people who can’t take a dirty or naughty joke.
The one bit from MGHSH they should incorporate in this new version (if they can) is the multiplier cards in front of the panelists: the first part of Super Match was played for $1000, $500, and $250 (or $100 if the player didn’t match on any of the three lines). They would then pick a star for the one-on-one part, and they’d flip the card around to set the potential jackpot at 5x, 10x, or 25x the prize won in the first part. Either do what MGHSH did, or have a board that says MATCH on it (like the old WOF prize card holder) with two 5s, two 10s and a 25 under the letters.
Bil Dwyer could be a good host (he was perfect for Dirty Rotten Cheater (on PAX, by the by (?))), Jerry Springer might be OK, Keith Olbermann would be better on the panel, Meshach Taylor might do some justice in either role (!); syndication will probably win out as a M-F strip, tho once a week on Comedy Central might be a good outlet (remember Make Me Laugh in the 90′s, not to mention Win Ben Stein’s Money (ANOTHER potentially massive choice for panelist)), better than GSN and their $5000 fetish.
But for Godsakes KEEP THE ORIGINAL GAME THE SAME FROM THE CLASSIC 70s SHOWS!!!!!
I agree with MikeSant318 about one thing, for Match Game’s revival, increase the jackpot in the Super Audience Match round to $1000, $500 & $250, but I think in line with the times, just like the 70′s syndicated nighttime version, there should be two of those, so the winning contestant will have a shot at a possible $20,000 jackpot(winning contestants should stay on as long as 5 days). Forget the Star Wheel, having two Super Audience Matches with an increased jackpot will likely work. Sticking with the 70′s format of 6 panelists and with an increased jackpot will be in line with the times for Match Game. Now, for the talent, since no one can duplicate what Gene Rayburn, Charles Nelson Reilly and Brett Somers brought to Match Game in the 70′s and early 80′s, you don’t attempt to. You can’t ever replace talent like them, you can only follow in their footsteps and succeed them, that’s right, SUCCEED THEM, with the talent you have available. Look at Bruce Vilanch- his idols were ironically Charles Nelson Reilly and Paul Lynde. After seeing him on Hollywood Squares in the late 90′s, he would be good for Match Game. Kathy Griffin is outrageous enough(she and Bruce feed off each other) for MG, if she can knock off the anti-Jesus commentary and settle down. She’s not Brett Somers, but why should she be. Brett had her own personality and Kathy has hers- they’re entirely different, but somewhat similar. The rest of the panel should consist of talent like Sherri Shepherd, Wayne Brady, Colin Michrie, Tracy Morgan, Wanda Sykes, Kathleen Madigan and various current TV & music stars, fan favorites and legends. Now, for a host who acts as if he’s a member of the panel. I’m talking about Craig Shoemaker(he’s hosted VH1′s short-lived game show My Generation in ’98), who like Bruce and Kathy, also appeared on Hollywood Squares in the late 90′s. He can interract with the panel, go into his impressions when reading the questions and create his own characters. Shoe would host Match Game his way and not attempt to be Gene Rayburn, and the way Gene interracted with Charles and Brett, Craig Shoemaker would do the same with Bruce Vilanch and Kathy Griffin. Now, since Fremantle is still looking for someone to be executive producer of Match Game, they should just consult with Syd Vinnedge(Exec. Prod. of The Price is Right) about being MG’s E.P. and bring back Dick DeBartolo to be the head writer. Fremantle should first pitch Match Game to Comedy Central and then, other cable networks, but it’s bound to be picked up and perhaps broadcast networks and/or local stations might take notice as well, only time will tell. Match Game can work again, it’s just a matter of sticking with the same format of the 70′s show with some modifications and getting the right kind of talent to carry it. Something to think about.
Forgot all about My Generation – Shoe WOULD be good!
Wouldn’t the whose line guys be great on the show,
Let’s Meet The Stars
Wayne Brady, Tim Allen, Colin Mocharie,
Ryan Stiles, Bill Cosby, Betty White
And Now Your Host, Billllllllllll Dwyerrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
For MikeSant318,
Imagine this intro:
Rich Fields: Get ready to match the stars, Bruce Vilanch, Kathy Griffin, Phil LaMarr, Sherri Shepherd, Patton Oswalt and Amy Yasbeck, as we play the star-studded, big money Match Game. With the host and star of Match Game, the Lovemaster, himself, Craig Shoemaker!
Shoe would make his entrance after the sliding doors open up, then unhood his microphone from its stand(as long as Drew Carey’s on The Price is Right) and greet the panelists, the two contestants and the studio audience in his own special way.
Craig Shoemaker: All right, thank you, Rich, thank you, friends and welcome to Match Game…
In case you’ve seen Craig Shoemaker before, he sports a moustache and goatee. As host of Match Game, he should continue to sport his moustache and goatee, since there are hardly any game show hosts sporting moustaches, goatees and/or beards, nowadays, with Jeff Foxworthy being the latest and both Richard Karn and Alex Trebek being the most recent. At the same time, aside from his flamboyant comical routine and his interracting with the panel as well as the contestants and the studio audience(just like at the comedy clubs where he gives his stand-ups), Shoe’s hosting while sporting his facial hair might also draw up a female audience as well. BTW, I don’t know what anyone would think of Rich Fields possibly announcing on Match Game, but that’s still something to think about.
Correction on that last posting, I meant to say unhook the microphone.
Probably becuase Fields was the first host that cacme to mind; what about the other Goodson/Fremantle announcer, Burton Hillier (or whatever his last name is – he’s still doing Feud)?
Hey, how’s about they pull an 80′s H-Squares bit ala Shadoe Stevens, and have the announcer be one of the panelists? Fast-talker John Moschitta dad a few ronds on Tom Bergeron’s Squares near the end of its run, so why not? Example…
Get ready to match the stars…
Kathy Griffin…Bruce Vilanch…Wanda Sykes…
Adam Carolla…Brooke Burns (Dog Eat Dog)…and me, John Moschitta…
’cause it’s the return of the star-studded, big money MATCH GAME!!!
(I still like the 5-10-25 on the Super Match, even though MGHSH was 10-20-30…)
MikeSant318, the announcer you’re talking about is Burton Richardson, and I agree, he could probably announce on Match Game. I know Rich Fields can announce on Match Game, as can Shadoe Stevens. Let’s keep those possibilities coming.
Ok, so I know I am the one with the big idea about Keith Olbermann (an idea I still love! – even though I know it is way out there in terms of the realm of possibilities) – but I have another one. Think about it – who owns Match Game – Fremantle? And who owns American Idol – Fremantle? How about a host who seems to do everything, and definitely attracts viewers – Ryan Seacrest Hey, they’ve got Regis Philbin doing Password, why not Seacrest for Match Game And he already has the association with Fremantle. Intriguing thought….
Yeah, but would he do it for GSN?
Rich Fields announce on “Match Game” – come on now! I’m sure Johnny O would be turning in his grave knowing that one! The man may be a nice person, but he can NOT announce a game show – he is the ‘Patrick Wayne’ of game show announcers, as he gets overhyped over nothing. I think FremantleMedia should have given the job to Burton Richardson instead, as he is not as ‘manic’ in his announing style as Mr. Fields is – that’s why I stopped watching Drew Carey host the show after his first two weeks – not cause of Drew, but because of Rich!
Who said it would have to be GSN? I would hope that would spur a major network to pick it up. If CBS is picking up Password, why not Match Game? And Seacrest himself would attract an audience and top flight celebs…
Seacrest is WAY too overexposed now as it is! (“American Top 40″, “American Idol”, “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”, producer of “Keeping Up With The Kardashians”, ‘almost owner’ of the E! Network) One show with Seacrest is already WAY too many! However, I do like the Keith Olbermann suggestion, even though I don’t think a remake of “Match Game” needs to be made.
Forget about Ryan Seacrest- he’s not Match Game hosting material. I’m sticking with Craig Shoemaker. Burton Richardson and Rich Fields, that’s right, THAT RICH FIELDS, and I don’t care what anyone says about him, announcing on Match Game makes sense, because they’re right now, the best game show announcers in the industry, today. Having Craig Shoemaker hosting and both Bruce Vilanch and Kathy Griffin on the Match Game panel also makes sense, considering how well they interract with each other(all three also appeared on Hollywood Squares in the late 90′s). It depends on the level of talent available that would be suitable for the show. At the same time, I think Match Game should first be pitched to Comedy Central, then maybe Spike TV, TBS Superstation, among cable networks, before any broadcast network or local TV station even picks up on it.
Does anyone have specific information on when the pilot will be shot and how to apply to be a contestant ?I think it would be a great to be a contestant on Match Game.
TBS? Hmmm…
Hey Dosen’t Anybody think $50,000 or $100,000 Would Be Good For A Match Game ’08?
GUY, what do you think about this? It’s just like MikeSant318 pointed out early on, the jackpot in the Super Match round should be increased to $1000, $500 & $250, but my suggestion is to have two of those to increase the top jackpot of the day to over $20,000, and to add to that, winning contestants can stay on as long as 5 days. BTW, the winning contestant would pick up $500 for winning the game with the most matches after round 2, the money that contestant would pick up from the 2 Super Matches before the Head-to-Head match for 10x as much as they’ve initially won, if you know what I’m getting at. This bonus game format, along with MG’s standard format in which two contestants match each panelists, once per round, same as the 70′s program, would definitely be in line with the times. So a winning contestant, after five days, could walk away with total winnings up to $112,500. Does that make sense to you, especially in line with the times? Let me break it down for you:
Winning the initial game: $500
Two Super Audience Matches: Up to $2000
Head-to-Head Matches: Up to $20,000
One Day Total: Up to $22,500
Final Five Day Total: Up to $112,500
This is definitely something to think about.
Not bad, Michael; taking your suggestions, I have a tweaking to my earlier posts:
Five day limit for the champion, $500 for the game, only one round of Super Match with the 1000/500/250 setup, multipliers like on MGHSH (3 panelists have 5, 2 have 10, one has 25). If a champ makes the fifth win, DOUBLE the game to $1000 and the Super Match to 2000/1000/500, making the top jackpot for the fifth win day $50,000. (How’s that strike you, “GUY”?)
In summary: Game = $500, Max for Super Match = $1000, Max for head-to-head = $25,000. Max Total for day = $26,500. Four days max = $106,000.
Fifth win: Game = $1000, Super Match max = $2000, head-to-head max = $50,000.
(fifth day total = $53,000)
The extremely lucky player that can win and max out all 5 days leaves with $159,000.
As for another host possibility, how about Chris Rose from BDSSP? He sounds happy and lively enough, and could import John Salley or Amanda Beard to the panel…
Interesting thought, MikeSant318! Now, let’s talk about panelists we would like to see on Match Game 2008, aside from those I’ve already mentioned:
1. Rondell Sheridan 2. Caroline Rhea 3. Gilbert Gottfried 4. Charlie Sheen
5. Gabriel Iglesias 6. Leah Remini 7. Lynn Toler 8. Kermit the Frog
9. ALF 10. David Spade 11. Michael Winslow 12. Penn Jillette
Now, who else do you have in mind? Chime in.
2 Things
Panel Definatley Ryan Stiles or Drew Carey
And I like your Super Matches But What About This
2,500
1,000
500
And A Double Wheel and second match so $100,000 Can Be Won.
$1,000 For Winning A Game
$250 For Matches ($2,500 Possible)
But Both You Guys have Great Idea
So 5 Days Equal Possible $527,500
Or Shorten It To $50,000
So 5 Days Have Possible $287,500
No offense, but is ALF still relevant?
Maybe a better choice would be Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog, if he can replace his cigar for a marker so he can write…
I agree with Ben Stein (how about a WBSM/Man Show combine with Adam Carolla and Ben Stein on the panel, with Jimmy Kimmel hosting?), Richard Karn, and some of the others; Rosie O’Donnell is too toxic right now, and the entendre of the classic MG may be too adult for Elmo’s furry little head to take; get some people from Reno 911 ain there, too (I could see Carlos Alazraqui (Garcia) or Niecy Nash (Williams) fitting well).
Now that I think of it, change my multipliers to 10-15-25…
I’m sticking with the same format I posted. BTW, ALF also appeared on Hollywood Squares in both the late 80′s as well as around 2002-2004, so yes, it’s relevant to have ALF there.
I also need to point out that the $1000, $500 & $250 multipliers with 2 Super Matches before the Head-to-Head match with the champion staying on as long as 5 days is very reasonable, especially in the mainstream game show formats. At the same time, there’s really too many game shows that test the really high money limits(Power of 10, 1 vs. 100, Deal or No Deal, etc.), so we need to steer clear of that. Personally, as far as the Star Wheel for Match Game 2008 is concerned, I’m out of favor for that- it has passed it’s prime as far as I’m concerned. Time to go back to selecting one of the 6 panelists for the head-to-head match. To me, that’s more enjoyable and the contestant will once again have a choice. When the Star Wheel was on MG, only the wheel decided whom the panelist was for the contestant to match-there was really no choice, and that took the fun out of that particular bonus game. Stick to the format of the 70′s Match Game with a reasonably increased jackpot and 2 Super Matches(same as the 70′s nightime program)-I believe it will work, this way, especially in line with the times.