Comments on: “Match Game” Revival Developed for TBS

By: Jordan

Jordan — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 04:33:16 +0000

I love the idea of a new Match Game.. but I doubt that any new version could live up to the sheer awesomeness of the ‘73-’78 ones. The chemistry of the Celebrities, and just the celebrities in general.. How could ANY person in the world live up to Brett, Charles, or Richard?! Modern celebrities just seem to be so boring compared to what they used to be.. :(

I’m not saying that a new Match Game will fail (I really would like to see a new one!), heck, I’m sure it could do awesome if it is done right, but I am almost positive it won’t be able to surpass the coolness of the old MG, though I am praying I am wrong.

By: B-W

B-W — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 19:34:44 +0000

I’m surprised to the see the Star Wheel hate. I’ve always LOVED the element of chance and suspense that the wheel provides. Far from being upset that the “choice” was taken out of the game, I find it boring to watch pre-Star Wheel episodes when you know they’re always going to pick Dawson.

By: john S.

john S. — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 05:50:51 +0000

I’ll favor the revival, but only if they keep the show less dirtier than 1998.

By: MikeSant318

MikeSant318 — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 22:59:29 +0000

NO F@^$&*ING STAR WHEEL!!! It taakes all the choice out of the game, and with more time being devoted these days to advertising, one really good spin wastes whatever time is left. Go to the MGHSH multiplier pattern in the post I made a few days ago (3 with 10, 2 with 20, 1 with 50) - it’ll work just on the speculation aspect…

By: DENo1MatchGameFan

DENo1MatchGameFan — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 01:46:02 +0000

I still don’t think that this new “MG” will work because of the good memories fans had of the Gene Rayburn version of the 70’s, and how Pearson Television/FremantleMedia f***ed up the 1998 version. Just remember that Pearson had a big enough budget to work with for the ‘98 remake - how come they used such has beens as George Hamilton, and annoying as hell ‘comedienne’ Judy Tenuta? The LEAST they could have done was to get new celebrities every week instead of just ONE per week. They also shouldn’t have tampered with the A/B question format, and gone back to 1973 with the payouts. Ross Shaffer’s version of the show in 1990 wasn’t really all that back, and even though I think Bert Convy would have been the better host of the show (had he not gotten ill), Ross still stood on his own, and he really wasn’t that bad. At least he didn’t seem like a smart-ass like Michael Burger (and the majority of the celebs on the ‘98 version - except for Vicki Lawrence and the late Nell Carter) were! The ‘90 version also stayed true to the Rayburn version by using the ’split screen’ intros at the beginning (like the Rayburn version did with the ticket plugs), plus they had a new version of the classic theme which made it work. The ‘Match-Up’ portion of the game was probably too much for the older celebrities to keep track of, as it seemed like Brett and Charles had a hard time keeping up with all of the answers.

As for “The Match Game/Hollywood Squares Hour”, I think had Peter Marshall not been hosting “Fantasy” with Leslie Uggams at that time, he probably would have JUMPED at the chance to host the show, as Peter was good friends with Gene Rayburn, and I’m sure Gene would have approved of it as well. I bet Peter could also have persuaded some of the “HS” vets from the original (Rose Marie, Sandy Duncan, Abby Dalton, Karen Valentine, etc.) to appear on the show as well.

The main factor with all of these shows is just what Mr. Quiz said - CHEMISTRY! The 70’s version was lucky that it had the perfect combination of celebrities to which the semi-regulars gelled with Brett, Charles, and Richard, and they also had fun ribbing ‘the new kids on the block’, and the show still worked. The last three versions of the show (especially the ‘98 version) just didn’t have the right kind of celebrity ‘chemistry’ that the 70’s version did.

I may take a gander at the TBS version of this show, but I would still bet money that this version also dies a quick death - look at the last three versions of the show since 1982 - one year each. Any questions?

By: Brandon

Brandon — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:44:07 +0000

Here’s the thing, when CBS aired “Game Show Marathon” in summer 06, they did a really competent job with the “Match Game” episode. Now, I don’t know if they tried to keep the “kitschiness” of the show, but it really worked for the mid-2000s. If they can stay faithful to that version, that is, risque but not completely gutter humor, I think it could work. Being a cable show, I don’t expect too much for the budget (maybe $10,000); I’m more concerned about Fremantle making a decent project. Take the GSM route and they have a good shot.

By: Ben Z.

Ben Z. — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:02:21 +0000

IMO,anyone who thinks that Jimmy Kimmel would be a good host did not see “Set For Life.” If I were to cast a host for MGTBS08, following the current trend of picking a “celebrity” host, I would pick a person who can handle it, having the experience of being a panelist of MG90, Brad Garrett. I think he could be a good host for MG. TBS has “The Bill Engvall Show,” so Bill is a possible panelist. In addition to Bill Engvall on the panel, I would pick Martin Mull. I think Jeff Dunham with Walter would be perfect (if you don’t know who Jeff Dunham is, onastick.com). As far as females, I agree that Nicole Sullivan would be good. Perhaps Sarah Silverman and Brett Butler. I don’t think any of these possibilities would make the show successful, but they would be steps in the right direction. Like I said, I want to be proven wrong on this. I want the show to be successful. I just don’t see it. We’ll see what happens if and when the show gets up and running.

Oh, and the Star Wheel needs to come back!

By: J.C.

J.C. — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:55:04 +0000

Ok, I wasn’t gonna get in on this til devares made a suggestion I can’t stand. I *refuse* to believe that people truly and honestly think Acrapican Idol is any good. There has to be some bribery, brainwashing, or both going on somewhere.

By: MikeSant318

MikeSant318 — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:07:48 +0000

What kind of talent will TBS be abe to draw for the panel? Will they pull something like ABC did for Celebrity Millionaire (ignoring anyone outside the Disney family of networks)? ‘Cause I think it may be tough to consistantly fill the rack with the casts of TP’s HOP and 10 Items or Less…

Super Match (revised again): 1000-500-250;
Multipliers as they had on MGHSH, but revised - 3 have 10, 2 have 20, one has 50…

Jordan: anything against funny women like Alex Borstein, Nicole Sullivan, or Debra Wilson (all alumnae from Mad TV, and Alex voices on Family Guy - would love to hear her do a question as Tricia Takanawa)? Curious, considering your all-male panel, whilst not accusing anything on your part…

Host: Chris Rose, Craig Shoemaker, Adam Carolla or Jimmy Kimmel (I STILL say Pat Finn and the old SOTC format are the only things that can save Temptation)…

Final Judgement: I’ll give it a chance if I’m able to watch it…

By: GUY

GUY — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 22:17:29 +0000

I think it’ll do well. I mean as long as it’s not a $5,000 Super Match. Or a terrible host (please get Bill Dwyer or Craig Shoemaker.) Or a bad panel, which I think Ben Stien and Jimmy Kimmel Would Be Great As Host (1 Of) or panel.

But it may be a stinker. Only Time Will Tell.

(And $10,000-$50,000 Super Match Is A Good Idea)

By: devares

devares — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 21:01:22 +0000

Ahhhhh,Sam. You took me back to the good ol’ days, back when daytime TV had something on other than soap operas and cheesy talk shows (at least they were back then). Press Your Luck was my favorite out of those 3.It makes me wonder why they didn’t make a Saturday Morning cartoon based on the Whammy? That could’ve been a hit. And Friar Simon, not every show that Fremantle makes sucks. There’s this certain show called American Idol that millions watch every week. And I think they’re doing a good job with Family Feud. As for Match Game, Sam, I think we’re on the same page. I’ll be watching it, and if it comes on late at night as advertise, I’ll TiVo it since I work at night.

By: Sam

Sam — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:21:52 +0000

devares,

I didn’t watch Starcade when it originally came out (because I was barely in the world and in Texas, where we didn’t get TBS, I’m sure), but I came across it later in life and Geoff Edwards definitely helped make it a bit more fun. :)

MG-HS has the same circumstances with me, but I figured out why it failed watching a complete episode that’s on YouTube. The way Phyllis Diller thought and thought and thought and thought about one question that was given her was just awful.

The game shows I do remember watching when I was very little are Super Password, Press Your Luck and Tic Tac Dough. I specifically remember an SP puzzle in which the answer was Pac-Man and it was re-run on GSN, which I thought was very cool.

Anyway, back on subject, I still think that Match Game will be fine. I’ll find out when it’s on and I’ll be watching.

By: GUY

GUY — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 19:58:37 +0000

Well I will watch 3 episodes, and if it sucks it sucks. But let’s give it a chance before we say MATCH GAME ‘08 Is WORSE than ‘98.

By: Friar Simon

Friar Simon — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 19:01:28 +0000

I think we’re all forgetting one important fact here.

Regardless of whether the show eventually airs on TBS, TNT, Comedy Central, ABC, NBC, Discovery, the Food Network, or the Home Shopping Channel….

It is a FREMANTLE production!!!!!!

It will suck.

/That is all.

By: Devon

Devon — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:12:51 +0000

I’d be amazed to see how TBS pulls this off. I don’t watch their network at all but if they can give me ONE reason to (a great Match Game revival) then it’s appointment TV.