I’m about to give you a lot of opinions which conflict what I’ve written over and over in other articles during this post. First off, let’s get the facts straight. Bingo America, GSN’s hit interactive game show, is coming back. People are reading way too much into its removal from the schedule. GSN still gives away money to home viewers during the reruns. No reason to continue doing this. It’s why the show needs a larger episode order than 40, but I digress. We know one change for sure, and that’s host Patrick Duffy is gone from the show. Replacing him is, get ready, former Family Feud host Richard Karn.
And here comes the confusion. I can actually see this working. Let me get this out of the way and if Mr. Karn somehow reads this, I apologize but it’s just my opinion. Richard was not a very good Feud host. He was way too repetitive, not good with being funny off the top of his head, and was so cheery it gave viewers diabetes. He’s moving to a show where he has no choice but to be repetitive, he has no time for improv, and he needs to be really excited and energetic. I really think this is going to work well. I liked former host Patrick Duffy and if he wants to host a more subdued game show, I’d love to see it. But he was just too mellow and dull for the circus of the show.
27 Responses
I liked Karn as Feud host, and I’m glad he’s getting another chance at hosting something.
Posted on August 22nd, 2008 at 4:21 pm
I have nothing against either person — from what I’ve heard, both are said to be great with fans and approachable. Best of luck to Karn on the new hosting gig, and hopefully will see Duffy on TV with a new project.
I’m curious if the move was made by GSN or Duffy himself. I could see GSN pulling the trigger, as Duffy seemed robotic and forced at times (although it didn’t help that he was forced to repeat the repetitive lines about checking your cards), while Karn showed enthusiasm on FF — perhaps Karn could do the same with the banal material he’s receiving.
On the other hand, Duffy may have decided that game show hosting is not his forte. Another thing to note — this year is the 30th anniversary of the premiere of “Dallas”. Duffy will be a headliner at anniversary festivities at Southfork this fall, and he’ll likely be invited to attend similar events. He could make a great deal of money doing this — more than he would ever making hosting a bingo show. If the money’s good, I don’t blame him for bailing.
Posted on August 22nd, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I liked Karn on Feud (not as good as O’Hurley but I do enjoy his version) and I am glad he’s going to be on something else!
Posted on August 22nd, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Good move. I think he’ll be a better host than Duffy…until he doubles the squares, of course.
Posted on August 22nd, 2008 at 6:30 pm
I liked Richard as Feud host. I felt he was a good host and brought a sense of fun to Feud. I’ll take him over Louie Anderson anyday. Most of the time I forget Bingo America is even on. I thought Patrick was robotic most of the time. I think Richard will do a good job.
Posted on August 22nd, 2008 at 6:38 pm
I liked Richard Karn on Family Feud, and in my opinion he should have not been taken off of the show in the first place. I also think he would be a great host for Bingo America. Although, I didn’t think that Patrick Duffy did a terrible job either.
Posted on August 22nd, 2008 at 7:10 pm
(Waves at Bingo America from a Whammy Cruise Boat)…Hasta Luego….Arrivederci….Bon Voyage…that means Good Byeee-yeeeee…heh heh heh heh heeeeeeeehhhhh…..
Posted on August 22nd, 2008 at 7:31 pm
I was hoping this was a joke I like Patrick Duffy, But Patrick always look like he was bored with the show imo
Richard will look for something to double.
Posted on August 22nd, 2008 at 7:49 pm
patrick duffy did an ok good as host of bingo america but it’s great that karn is getting another chance at hosting a show
Posted on August 22nd, 2008 at 8:31 pm
If they needed what you describe, why not just get Todd Newton? He killed shows with meat, but he was the only thing that made Powerball watchable.
Posted on August 23rd, 2008 at 12:13 am
I agree 100% with you, Alex. I always thought that Karn was a mismatch for Feud, but that he’d fare better on a show like this. And call me crazy, but I figured it was only a matter of time before he got another hosting gig. At the very least, he couldn’t be worse than Patrick “Scuzzlebutt’s Leg” Duffy, who just seemed to go through the motions.
I do wonder what brought this about, though. Did Duffy leave the show on his own? Or did GSN figure that since Karn’s Feud apparently gets high ratings, that he would boost BA’s ratings?
Posted on August 23rd, 2008 at 12:24 am
Oh no not richard karn i think GSN is just trying to improve some or something his family feud got tired.
Posted on August 23rd, 2008 at 11:02 am
Well…I NEVER thought Richard Karn would get another shot at a game show. He was the worst Family Feud host, and his “I’M DOUBLING THE POINTS!!!!” and “FIRST BLOOD!!!” got really repetitive. I hated his Feud, and was very happy when he was replaced.
Now…GSN has given him a shot at Bingo America…Wow…just WOW! I agree that Patrick Duffy was not right for this show as he seemed a bit bored and too subdued for the format. But, Richard Karn? I can envision it now…”You get this question right, you’ll have bingo and catch FIRST BLOOD!” He might be the worst game show host I have ever seen, with exception to Patrick (YOU WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN) Wayne and Penn (IS………….THAT……………YOUR……………IDENTITY?) Gilette.
Well, I don’t watch the show anyways because the format sucks, and it’s full of forced excitement. Andrew Glassman should be shot for bringing this format back in this form.
Posted on August 23rd, 2008 at 2:52 pm
I am very interested in seeing how Richard Karn hosts “Bingo america”. I thought he was a very good host on Family Feud. And to be honest, when he said” I’m doubling the points”, that didn’t bother me at all.
Posted on August 23rd, 2008 at 11:26 pm
The thing about Karn on Feud is that at least he was having fun, and “wanted” to be there, unlike Louie Anderson. Karn was an upgrade from Louie (which is not saying much), but I think he will do fine on Bingo America. Say what you want about his hosting, but he’s a good guy on TV, and I’m pulling for him!
Posted on August 24th, 2008 at 12:14 am
Obvious last chance for the show. After getting its exposure cut in half, seeing the number of home winners reduced to near zero, disappearing altogether for almost two months, and getting its host changed…well, it’s clear that the show tanked in the ratings. Which is no surprise. The show was boring as hell on a bad day.
Either the bingo show gets better ratings with Karn and the new format, or it gets axed for good. Karn got the best numbers that syndie Feud enjoyed during its current 1999-to-present run – 2.7 in the 2003-04 season. So GSN dumped Duffy and brought Karn in to fix the ratings problem. Don’t know if that’s possible, even with the format tweaks. Bingo has never worked as a game show.
Frankly, the report on Hollywood Junket doesn’t sound real encouraging. We’ll see if anybody or anything can save this show.
Posted on August 24th, 2008 at 1:20 am
Bingo has never worked as a game show? I think it’s worked out pretty well for GSN for going on 6 years.
Posted on August 24th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Richard Karn is/was an amazing host on Family Feud and can’t wait to see him on Bingo America. He’s just so full of energy and is happy constantly which really draws me to watch him. Of course with a new host, that usually translates to new set, new rules, new graphics, etc. just like the transition from Karn to O’ Hurley on Feud. We’ll see I guess.
Posted on August 24th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
“Bingo has never worked as a game show? I think it’s worked out pretty well for GSN for going on 6 years.”
If you’re referring to Lingo, the connection with Bingo is so tenuous as to be almost nonexistent. Lingo is a word game, not bingo.
Posted on August 24th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Almost nonexistant? You have to be kidding me. Half the game is words, half the game is bingo.
Posted on August 24th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
I agree with Mike…the connection to bingo is certainly there. In case you didn’t notice, after you get the five-letter word, you draw two numbered balls to fill in numbers on a 5×5 numerical grid.
That’s also known as Bingo. B-I-N-G-O. Also, even though “Lingo” is slang for vocabulary, it’s also a clever play on words, in terms of the bingo element.
Posted on August 25th, 2008 at 8:15 am
Patrick wasn’t bad. Decent debut and I’m sure he would’ve gotten better over time had he been given the chance.
As for Richard, OY!
Posted on August 25th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Karn wasn’t let go from Family Feud; he declined a contract extension.
I thought Duffy was flat and robotic; it was painful to watch. I like Duffy but a gameshow host, he’s not.
I liked Karn on Feud and he’ll bring new life to Bingo.
Posted on September 20th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Richard Karn was magnificent on Family Feud: pleasant, witty, friendly, sincere, intelligent. Anyone who says otherwise is NUTS!
Posted on September 27th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
No, he wasn’t magnificent. I’m not nuts. Sorry to prove your statement incorrect.
Quod erat demonstrandum.
Posted on September 27th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
I think Richard Karn is a great host for Bingo. unfotunatly he will probably get blamed for the demise of the show. GSN is cheaping out by cutting the number of viewer prizes in half, making the bonus numbers worthless, and making the big prize nearly impossable to win. most all sucsessful game shows keep increasing the prize money year after year but not GSN they chose to chop it in half and kill a wonderfull show
Posted on October 21st, 2008 at 10:51 am
Karn was by far the worst host FF has ever had. Unfunny, annoying, and made the show completely unwatchable. Heck, at least Louie had some wit.
Posted on December 16th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
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