29Dec2006
New GSN Special Airs in Late January
“The Women Who Changed Game Shows,” a GSN documentary premiering January 28th at 8:00 PM EST, looks at the women who had an influence on any game show, including Arlene Francis, Anne Robinson, Vanna White, Betty White, and many others. From the pictures on GSN’s web page, I see Shandi Finnessey, Mel Peachy, Brett Somers, and Lacey Pemberton. Of course, that may not mean they’re in the show at all.
If you look hard enough, you can also see Phyllis Diller and half of Kennedy.
Mel? Like from Playmania? Awesome.
Hahaha… Kenedy. I’m one of the very few people who loved Friend or Foe.
What about Jenny McCarthy/Carmen Electra (Singled Out,) Anne Robinson (Weakest Link) and Brooke Burns (Dog Eat Dog?) I would think the
ONLY women to successfully helm game shows for any REAL length of time would make the show.
Some people that could possibly be featured include:
Sarah Purcell, who was the first permanent female game show host (co-emcee on ABC’s ‘The Better Sex’).
Betty White, who became the first female emcee to win a Daytime Emmy for best game show host (in 1983, for Just Men!). Meredith Vieira would duplicate the feat, by winning the same Emmy, nearly 20 years later!
Vicki Lawrence, who hosted Win, Lose or Draw from 1987-1989 on NBC.
I would think they would at least mention the original TPIR ladies like Janice & Holly. I would think a rather large part of the show is going to be about Betty White. (which it arguably should be.)
Interesting Fact: Arlene Francis is the first woman to have ever hosted a game show. she filled in for Bill Cullen sometime in the ’50s on The Price is Right.
Vicki Lawrence should definitely be getting some props… loved her on Win Lose or Draw. Didn’t she host another short-lived show (on CBS I think, one that involved word-search puzzles)?
Is it possible that Mel, Shandi, Brett, and Lacey are listed there because they may be interview subjects for the doc?