Morning Buzz for July 22nd, 2011
Good Friday morning. The past few days have consisted of practically nothing of any use, so apologies for the lack of updates. We managed to find a few remotely interesting things. As we approach the Fall 2011 season, we’ll have more interesting things to write about.
*There are a few notes of interest regarding The Price is Right today. We’ll start with the more interesting one. The Price is Right has been a success all around the world, not just in America. For instance, an Australian version has aired off and on from 1981 to 2005. The most recent host was Larry Emdur. The current version on CBS, hosted by Drew Carey, has invited Larry to appear on the show and guest host a segment. Larry said, “It totally blew me out of the water and the producers couldn’t believe it either when Drew suggested it. It was just like riding a bike – it all came flooding back to me.” No word on when the episode will air yet but we’ll let you know.
*Speaking of special editions of The Price is Right, a one time episode celebrating teachers will be taping soon. This special episode tapes on Tuesday, August 9th. Are you in, near, or plan on visiting Los Angeles and a teacher? Click here to get tickets to the show.
*Veteran game show set designer Ed Flesh recently died at the age of 79 due to congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Shows Ed did work for include Wheel of Fortune, The $25,000 Pyramid, Jeopardy!, Name That Tune, and many others. Click here for a longer article courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter.
*The British game show Pointless, now airing on BBC One, had a historic moment yesterday. Take a look below. Thanks to Rob H. for the link on our Facebook page.
Source : Herald Sun
Man, to look back at Ed Flesh’s body of work is like learning all the sets of (most of) your favorite game shows were created by one man. I knew for a while he was the set designer for Press Your Luck, but to also discover that he did so many other iconic sets (and set pieces) is nothing short of amazing. According to the article in question, he also designed sets for:
-Wheel of Fortune (and the iconic wheel)
-Jeopardy!
-The $25,000 Pyramid
-Name That Tune (not sure which version)
-The New Newlywed Game
-Second Chance (the PYL prototype)
… and a bunch of lesser-known ’70s game shows (like Celebrity Sweepstakes, To Say The Least and 50 Grand Slam). To quote Bob Eubanks, “He truly was a master of his craft.” I couldn’t agree more.
Even in this era, where traditional game shows as a genre are continuing to fade into irrelevance (the “Big Five” notwithstanding), it’s still sad to hear about the passing of a game show icon (especially one who designed such iconic sets). Rest peacefully, Ed Flesh- you and your boundless creativity will be greatly missed.
Larry Emdur hosted the Aussie version of “Price” from 1993 to 1998 and again from 2003 to 2005. By the way, he was in the audience during a 1995 episode.
That’s right. And he hosts a morning show down there now.
Sad to hear about Ed Flesh, and I won’t be surprised to see Marco Antonio Regil on Price soon. I hate that traditional game shows are fading into oblivion.
You’re right, James Greek. Game Shows are fading into oblivion, but I don’t think it is b/c we’re not watching them. IMO, and I’ve said this a lot, American executives are just too arrogant to put game shows with even the best formats on the air. If I was not one of those executives, and I worked for a daytime network, I’d include Pointless on the daytime schedule.
As for the Price is Right, I’d rather see Emdur (Australia) or even Regil (Mexico) host an entire show rather than just one segment. Am I the only one still thinking to date, that Drew Carey was a horrible idea from the get-go? I hope I’m not.
As for Ed Flesh, yes he did design great sets. Out of all those he designed, I find my favorite to be a tough choice. I really can’t say for sure.
Drew is just what was need for price to draw in a new Young crowd.
Arrogance? Hardly. Their job is to watch the bottom line, and they do that. The numbers for games are in a middle range, neither setting the world on fire, nor heading for complete extinction. There’s not a compelling enough reason at this point for the networks to jump in, if the market is met by the existing two network games and the syndicated fare.
CBS is keeping a balanced schedule–two dramas (for now), two games and a talker. That’s hardly arrogance. ABC looked at some competition shows from what the reports say, but felt the two shows selected have a better chance of delivering a better ROI. That’s not arrogance, it’s business. Like all business moves, they may or may not pan out, but that’s true no matter what they do.
And NBC has no need for a game now. They have all of one hour not devoted to Today (and those hours are not about to be touched…again, for good business reasons). Days probably is much closer to the end of the hourglass than the beginning, and we’ll have to see what they do when the time comes. No arrogance there–it’s simply going with what’s working to their satisfaction.
The syndication market goes with what looks like it will have the best odds of working. They’ve tried some games in recent years, and as it is we game fans have the two top daytime syndicated shows coming from our genre for a quarter century, and two other higher profile shows in syndication for nice long runs, and some second-tier shows too (the reruns of Cash Cab for example).
That’s far from oblivion, it’s simply a lesser amount than it once was. Now the soaps…that’s a different story.
Ok, I apologize if I was out of line, but I was thinking Pointless would do well here in the US like it’s doing in the UK.
And why is GSN ignoring this show?
It would be nice if Bob Barker were to come back to The Price is right for like the 40th season premiere. I would like to see him do once again Any Number (his first and last pricing game).
I would like to see him do the “inspiration putt” for Hole in One
Did Drew even put on a bow-tie yet in the tapings? I want to know.
I think it would be neat for Bob Barker to come in and do a show as a guest host for the 40th season. Also, I do think we need to bring back Match Game and some of the fun game shows.
ABC’s “Good Morning America” also did a news package on Ed Flesh, as well. Not sure where it is on there website, but go to abcnews.com and it may be there.
The fact that Drew suggested that other Price hosts from around the world come on as segment presenters proves that he “gets it”. The Price is Right is an American icon that has been embraced to some degree around the world. To allow hosts of other versions come on and do more than just lip service for the series allows the audience to witness other presenting styles and opens our eyes just a bit more to the world around us. There are other countries in this world, others whose citizens love game shows, perhaps some more than we do.
This gesture speaks volumes about how Drew views the world: with clear peripheral vision. Nothing unites the world better than a good game show. I love that Drew takes chances with the show and is willing to try new things. Drew’s risk taking keeps the show lively and fresh. And even if something flops, he’s right back on the horse trying to find different things he can do with the show while keeping the spirit of the game intact.
Hmm…I wonder if Joe Pasquale or even (GASP) Brucie will drop by.
You mean Bruce Forsyth from “Hot Streak”? Who’s even seen that show?
I have & it was verry funny. Do you know who actually hosted the pilot? would believe it was Gene Rayburn of Match Game fame. & the working title was Party Line.
Also there’s a made up episode of HS done by Michael Tiller who has done several shows as well.
“Hot Streak” lasted only a few months, remember, in 1986 and Double Dare’s own Marc Summers was behind the Mike. Right? I wasn’t even born yet. What’s the deal with the eggcrates disappearing and Check Game and Credit Card? Are they coming back?
Check Game and Credit Card are definitely not returning, as far as I’m concerned. No one said anything official about them over the last two years.
I want to see Brucie try his “Nice to see you, to see you NICE!” thing with the audience and have it fail hilariously.
Having adidas golf professionals (TaylorMade) in Hole in One makes sense, as his soccer team has an adidas kit and they can cross-promote. Doesn’t hurt either that adidas lets the player use a $400 putter to go for the car. But he also understands there are things that are risky but give the show a bit of risk.
Recreating the feel of a 1950′s game show, down to live music, taking the Barrett-Jackson way of vintage cars, and having the feel of “if you’re going to be at a taping, then let being there mean something” are unafraid. Who would have imagined Edwin Aldrin, Jr doing a Showcase. Reportedly Drew hosted a long audience Q&A with the second man on the moon. Getting one of 300 seats to the show is one thing, but to let the audience spend 30 minutes in conversation with a true American legend is what the audience will remember most, to be there with someone who was on the moon, and knows the truth.
The foreign host idea would be an interesting take to celebrate 40 years.