Rumor Control: Soaps Leaving ABC; Talk and Games Moving In?
We’re always following television news. We, of course, heard about the rumors that ABC was canceling one of their soap operas. I don’t like them, so works for me, but the word was it was being replaced by a talk show possibly so no reason to report it. However, there is now. Yesterday, TV Guide reported that ABC may be canceling both of their soap operas. What will be replacing it this coming Fall? They are saying a talk show and a “reality show”.
It should be noted that by reality show, they mean game show. For reasons I can’t quite comprehend other than people figure the phrase “game show” just brings in Depends and Senca instantly, you don’t hear these referred to as game shows much anymore. It’s either reality or competition shows, so it’s not a big deal. It’s going to be a game show. What could it be? Who knows. To reiterate, before we continue, this is a rumor from TV Guide so we’re just passing along the information and following up with further news from CBS’s daytime changes last year and more that we know.
Last year two high profile game shows, Pyramid and Press Your Luck were up for the daytime slot. Press Your Luck didn’t get out of the gate but Pyramid for the second year running was inches away before being stomped by Julie Chen. Can they go for a third year? Pyramid was still active as of late last year, being pitched to certain cable networks for new versions. There is still a calling for it. A game, from Ludia, based on the show was released this year.
Press Your Luck is getting some extra exposure, though, with a new Las Vegas game so it’s getting its brand out there again. It’s also had new video games released very recently so you never know. Other games CBS tossed around last year included Password, Catch Phrase (from Hasbro), Dirty Rotten Cheater, and Money Maze. I don’t imagine any of those going anywhere, especially Catch Phrase given that Hasbro has its own network now, so you never know.
And I do want to note and remind people that this is a rumor from TV Guide that we’re bringing up. This isn’t anything our insiders told us and we know nothing more than what TV Guide says. All I’ll note is that for the past few years, whenever rumors of a soap opera being canceled have come around, it’s ended up being true. This may be the exception and they are just tossing around the idea without actually going through with it, but we’ll see what happens. We’ll keep you posted.
Source : TV Guide
Would ABC get Pyramid instead of CBS?
If it does, it could be deja vu for CBS as ABC did pick up the $10,000 Pyramid after CBS cancelled it.
ABC cancelling BOTH soap operas? Don’t they have 3 soaps on the network?
Yes, ABC currently has three Soaps, two have been officially canceled (All My Children and One Live to Live. General Hospital will be the only Soap Opera remaining on the ABC schedule.
The Walt Disney company had already announced back in May 2010 that they were canceling their cable channel “SOAPnet” and replacing it with a “Disney Junior” channel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SOAPnet
Alas, the news today says that the replacement shows will not be game shows, but who knows, the “live” show, “The Chew” might offer some prizes, but for eating things, not answering questions (aka trivia) or similar type formats.
Nope, “The Chew” will be helmed by Mario Batali of Food Network “fame” along with others to go over “absolutely everything” foodie.
The Revelution (working title – their words, not mine) is the View, hour #2 lol
“Morning Wipeout”?
Maybe “Daily Wipeout” would work… =\
Press Your Luck would be my favorite returning game. But I wish ABC would just get another primetime game show like “Duel” or “Greed” or maybe if GSN cancels it, take over “1 VS 100″. I’m not too big of a fan of daytime game shows…it just seems to lack the tension and excitement of primetime shows.
Quick correction, Alex. ABC has three soaps currently on its schedule. “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” are reportedly on the cancellation block. “General Hospital” appears to be safe.
A lot of the speculation revolves around the demise of SOAPNet in 2012 in favor of “Disney Junior,” a channel aimed at preschoolers (similar to Nick Jr.). SOAPNet was the home for ABC to promote its low-rated soaps via another outlet, but it had very little original programming in its later years, and it seemed to air the same five ads over and over. It even took a page out of GSN and introduced “reality” fare that had nothing to do with the genre. It failed miserably.
With SOAPNet gone, ABC has no reason to keep some of its soaps going, hence the demise of AMC and OLTL.
As for what’s replacing the soaps (if they’re gone), ABC helmed talk pilots with Aisha Tyler in 2008 and Tori Spelling in 2009, so they’re probably in the mix. One name to also consider is Katie Couric, who’s rumored to be leaving CBS as early as June. She’s looking at doing a talk show (perhaps in addition to news fare), and I could see ABC grabbing her to host a show as well as assisting with, say, election coverage next year.
As for a possible game show, who knows? There’s a lot of formats, both classic and new, on the table. If I were someone like Michael Davies, it wouldn’t hurt to try pitching Pyramid or another game to the Alphabet.
ABC has three soaps on their line-up, not two. All My Children, One Life to Live and General Hospital One Life to Live has been rumored to be on the chopping block for a while now so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see it go off the air. I honestly can’t see ABC getting rid of both AMC and GH right now. If anything, OLTL will be cancelled first and then ABC will wait a year and decide if they still want to get rid of AMC or GH.
I wonder if the network had considered creating a special type of talk show that would feature a group of women, perhaps 3 or 4 of them, mostly celebrities, or those who think they are celebrities, talking current events and celebrity gossip. They could sit around a table for a while, on couches for a while, and throw hissy fits when a guest says something they disagree with.
There is potential there.
Having been one of the people working on the PYL Kiosk at Planet Hollywood in Vegas (with other casino stops upcoming), I think it’s safe to say that PYL is only in a promotional stage at the moment – not a ‘sneak peek’ that things are gearing up for a bigger entity.
Not trying to kill hopes and dreams that it could come back, but moreso setting in some reality that this was not meant as a precursor of bigger things to come or to gauge it’s popularity — cause lord knows that using Las Vegas as a gauge for something’s popularity isn’t quite accurate. :)
What is this PYL Kiosk? I’m assuming we’re not just talking about a bank of slot machines here….
I saw it while it was being set up but never got the chance to play. (Here’s a picture I took: http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a211/ten96lt/IMG_0110.jpg) It’s basically a large display with a plasma and a red button in front of you. They have the PYL board on the plasma and you get two spins to play the game for casino freeplay, coupons for free drinks at restaurants etc for Total Rewards members. After the first spin if you hit a prize, you get the chance to go one more time or walk away. If you hit the whammy, you lose everything and the game is over. Looked like it would be fun, but they were still setting up as I was checking out of PH so never got a chance to play.
I wouldn’t mind Dirty Rotten Cheater coming back. It had a pretty good format, and it they got the execution better than the Brits (I never saw the original, so I can’t compare), it could be pretty good.
I would personally hope for a better revival of Card Sharks than the one in 01 and Press Your Luck. That would be an hour of daytime TV I’d definity watch. For Press Your Luck i think they should have the first round have the top amounts as $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000. For the second round the board would be $10,000 and a spin, $7,500 and a spin and $5,000 and a spin. As for the second gameshow I really feel that Card Sharks needs a revival unlike the 01 one which stunk. It should be most the same as the Eubanks/ Raffety version with prize cards, sometime 10 people in the audience. Each game won is worth $500 a piece. Money cards you start with $500 and three cards, then the next line adds $1,000 and three cards. Then the top line is the big bet where you’d have to bet at least half the money. IF you went double double all the way up it would be $80,000. i could even live with a revival of Pyramid. Where the first time you go to the winner circle and play for $25,000 and the second time is $50,000. The dollar amounts are like this first three in the row are $500, second three are $1,000 and the top is $2,500.
One word for ABC… Pyramid! I go for Pyramid, all the way!
Would love to see Pyramid (3rd time’s a charm, right?), but honestly think it should be pitched for syndication, but as far from the Donny Osmond version as possible.
And honestly, using “reality” or “competition” to describe a game show is the most asinine thing I have heard in my life. No one’s going to think any lesser of them, and most likely will still call them game shows.
Donny wasn’t *that* bad. The things I think did that version of “Pyramid” in…
\ The 6 in 20 seconds as opposed to the 7 in 30 we all grew up with in the main game. Made for funny moments — but was just way too fast.
\ The persnickety judge. For example, let’s say a bonus subject were “what Bugs Bunny might say”. The celebrity gives these clues: “Eh, what’s up doc? I eat lots of carrots and dodge bullets fired by Elmer Fudd and Yosemite Sam.” If the contestant responds, “what Bugs Bunny might *do*”, the judge doesn’t sound the bell — needlessly costing the team time.
\ The director who, in the second season, called for more shots of the winner’s circle and less of the pyramid in the bonus round. Last time I checked, the show was called “Pyramid” — not “Winner’s Circle”.
As for certain ABC soaps, I’d read rumors of their demise. Normally, I’d wait for the rumors to become fact. But if this rumor’s coming from TV Guide, I think those rumors are a little closer to becoming fact.
If two soaps do leave the air, I, naturally, would love to see game shows take their places. Just a preference: Let’s make ‘em four half-hour long games.
Could not agree with you more, Doug!
I just had a similar convo to MrGameShow’s point in comparison to the ties to Kentucky winning the NCAA National Championship and the Yankees winning the World Series. Just because one thing happens, doesn’t mean something else is. Just because it’s currently at casinos does not mean something bigger COULD be in the cards. Haven’t done truth tables in a whle….today may make me do that!
is it just me or is this just like the reported buyout of the New York Mets by Lady Gaga?
I still game shows as “game shows.” I still watch them and I’m only 23 and not wearing Depends.
Even if a soap opera was about to be cancelled, it’s HIGHLY likely that a talk show will be in place. Nowadays, talk shows are getting popular (not enjoyable btw) because of The View and Dr. Oz.
Even if there would be a new game show, it will be about money and not fun, and I miss the fun/comedy with today’s games.
There likely will be a talk show in the mix (rumored already to be Katie Couric if she leaves CBS as expected), but especially since many ABC stations also have to replace Oprah this fall, I doubt you’d see more than one hour of such. Game shows could very well fill a second hour.
Either “Press Your Luck” (a sort of full-circle seeing as how ABC had “Second Chance”) or “Pyramid”, so long as it isn’t screwed with.
-”A game, from Ludia, based on [Pyramid] was released this year.”
No, that was a piece of crap based on *Donnymid* masquerading as something good. It sucks in every conceivable way, and should be held up as the best reason THQ should have a monopoly on game show licenses.
Then again, if Davies is continuing to go with his needlessly-changed “Pyramid”, designed to “bring the show to its feet” and “into the 21st Century” (the latter of which he had ALREADY DONE the first time {2009}), I doubt anything good will come of it.
I guess the people just not interested in Soap anymore. Anyway, I can look forward for a replacement shows, but I not sure about the talk show. They already have the show “The View”, so why they need an another?
Like the Today show, the Alphabet network orders the View into hours 2 and 3 :(
I doubt you’d see a greatly expanded version of “The View.” While a moneymaker for NBC, the Hoda-Kathie Lee (fourth hour) of TODAY I believe doesn’t even air on all NBC stations, and there are those that delay that hour until Noon or later.
If the Pyramid were to come back:
My main choices for a host all come from Horse Racing, in this case track announcers who I think would successfully make the transition and would have respect for the show, which dates back to the original $10,000 version with Dick Clark in 1973, that was such on CBS from 1973-’74 before moving to ABC shortly after being cancelled by CBS, launching a $25,000 nighttime version in weekly syndication with the late Bill Cullen as host (the only version during the ’70s and ’80s Dick Clark did not host himself) and going to $20,000 in the daytime in 1976.
First up would be Tom Durkin, who since 1990 has been the voice of the New York Racing Association tracks and was the voice of The Breeders’ Cup from its 1984 inaugural through 2005 (when it moved from NBC to ESPN/ABC) and has been the announcer on TV for every Triple Crown race since 2001. Durkin is a great storyteller who I suspect would have fun with this.
Next would be Vic Stauffer, the track announcer at Hollywood Park who is probably among the most underrated in his craft.
Finally, among those I would be looking at is Trevor Denman, who has been the track announcer at Santa Anita and Del Mar since I believe at least 1984 and has been the voice of the Breeders’ Cup since ESPN/ABC took it over in 2006. I would think he’d also respect the format.
I would also do it (using the format used in the ’80′s $100,000 version) where a daytime version had a top prize of $250,000 (regular winners circle rounds worth $35,000 and $75,000) and a prime time version had a top prize of $1,000,000 (regular winners circle worth $75,000 and $150,000).
yeah i cannot see ABC getting rid of either General Hospital or All My Children, I can see OLTL going but yeah I hope if they get rid of just one show its OLTL & replace it with either pyramid or something more like a multi round show with different rules in each round (like Miljoenenjacht which has the different rounds of quizzing each with a different set of rules with the exception of the last round which is basically deal or no deal). all i can say is that i want general hospital to stay, & maybe move it up to noon central time so that the other shows flow more together. also i just don’t want another talk show because they are like condos; too excessive yet still desired, also if there is a show with anything based on decisions make it not set number of games per show (like 1/2 hour deal or no deal which i hate, but full hour i like & miljoenenjacht i love (even through it is all in one episode it still works because the episode doesn’t end with the in studio game it ends with a home viewer winning the same prize as the studio player).
Here are some of the game shows that were on ABC that could use another chance or not.
Family Feud (Dawson version)
Triva Tarp
All Star-Biltz
The Big Showdown
Second Chance(before PYL)
Double Talk
Bruce Forsyth’s Hot Streak
The Better Sex
Break The Bank (Kennedy version)
Blankety Blanks
The $20,000 Pyramid
That’s all I know. If anyone else know what other game shows that ran on ABC, leave a comment. I don’t know if any these will come back.
Matt, here are more game shows that ran on ABC daytime, just off the top of my head: Dating Game, Newlywed Game, Let’s Make a Deal, Password (1971-1975), Showoffs, Moneymaze, You Don’t Say (1975), Hot Seat (Ugh!), Match Game (1990-1991; in Noon ET death slot), and going back to the early 60′s the Price is Right (after cancellation by NBC). I’ll probably remember more after I hit “submit.’
Thanks Brian in CT. Who knows if some or any those game shows will get revived again.
Let’s hope they leave “Match Game” alone anyway – the 70′s version was the cream of the crop, and the chemistry that was there with Gene Rayburn & the others CAN’T be duplicated!
Would love to see The Big Showdown come back – been a while since we had a good-paced Q&A format to rival (or supplement) Jeopardy; maybe cull some former NBC or CBS shows, like Whew!, High Rollers, Card Sharks (Eubanks/Raftery days), Blockbusters (Raftery’s 1-on-1 version), Joker’s Wild, etc…
OMELMFG: SPLIT SECOND!!! How could I forget THAT one?
I, for one, would love to see The Big Showdown come back. I just saw the big “falldown” episode on YouTube and I thought the show was perfect (which miffs me why this show has never been revived), from the maingame to the end game. The Money Maze would be great as well, and seeing as it was too expensive a game show in 1975, it would be inexpensive in 2011.
Local ABC stations are now carrying syndies or (as is the case in Buffalo) Paid Programming in the 12:30 ET slot, so why not three 30-minute shows if All My Children gets the axe? The Big Showdown, MoneyMaze, and Split Second would fit well, just have to figure out the order.
Here’s what I would do if I was the Daytime chief at ABC: Give affiliates (at least in the Central and Mountain time zones) the option to take the 11 or the Noon hour, almost similar to what CBS give to their affiliates in those time zones.
I don’t think ABC would cancel two soaps at the same time. Probably one this year and one next, like CBS did. Man, it’s got to suck to be a soaps fan right now.
OH NO! when i told and showed my mom this story she said “NOOOO! I’VE AWAYS HAD SOAPS” I said “Now you know how I fell about my game shows” (oh the irony)
anyway if ABC Does go though and replaces it with good like: Pryamid PYL or The Money Maze
I’ll watch
If it’s somthing Bad like:
The Talk, Winter or Summer Wipeout or, Hole in the Wall (Witch just proves Craptoon Network
has a Hole in the Head) I will Boycott ABC and Disney (I WAS going Boycott Disney in Jan. anyway when that slut Anne Sweeny Assassinates SOAPnet)
it’s things like the removeal of GSN from my cable, The Assassination of SOAPnet,
makes me watch Youtube more then TV
How about a revival of Daytime Wheel of Fortune with no contestants playing for cash, but with contestants playing for a chance to shop for prizes using the money they already won?, hopefully NBC did it, so please ABC give it a go!
No.
NO
It’s Official:
Soaps AMC & OLTL are being cancelled. Not stated in the article is when, but rumor has it – its off by the end of this year.
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=13376075
Four gameshows in a two hour span would be great. Here is a list of the four gameshows that would be great to see in two hours.
Press Your Luck- higher stakes first round top amounts $5,000, $3,500 and $2,000, second round, $10,000 and a spin, $7,500 and a spin and $5,000 and a spin.
Card Sharks- played like the Eubanks, Raffety but with Jim Perry’s opening music.
$1,000,000 Pyramid- First round played for $25,000, 2nd round if you get back $50,000, champs play for seven days or could be like Jeopardy until they lose.
Extreme Password- it’s bascially Super Password upgraded.
other ideas would be
Joker’s Wild played like the Jack Barry Bill Cullen Version but higher money.
Tic Tac Dough – like the Wink Martindale version but with higher stakes, $500 per square and $1,000 for center square. IF there is a tie the loser get $500 per tied game.
Name That Tune
What about your Name That Tune? Think you cut yourself off…
The MSN article I just read said that they are replacing them with two shows: one about food and the other a lifestyle transformation show. So, prepare to be disappointed.
Meaning ABC can finally use their stockpile of “Extreme Makeover” episodes, more than likely…
I just read it on tvguide.com that they’re officially gone and will be replaced by (incoherent sigh) 2 talk shows (as if there’s not enough of those on TV).
this is now confirmed that both soaps are ending in Sept and Jan … in come the game shows!
Apparently not…..
http://theclicker.today.com/_news/2011/04/14/6471767-abc-cancels-one-life-to-live-and-all-my-children
Alas, no game shows, here are some brief descriptions of the two new shows….
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20110414/D9MJMI301.html
>>”The Chew,” a live one-hour show where “viewers get the dish on anything and everything related to the world of food,” <>”The Revolution,” made by the producers behind “The Biggest Loser,” and will be a health and lifestyle show featuring fashion expert Tim Gunn. <<
Too bad, no way I am going to watch either of those. (I might check out the "Chew" to see how bad it is.)
Lot of research on the name though – what can we name a food show, and have it rhyme with “The View”?
Well the rumors were true even though ABC denied them. I wont be watching abc except for the soaps. When the soaps are gone I will be gone too
I won’t watch anything on ABC for the Soaps are the only intersting show besides Jamie PLiver REvoluation Food,and Extreme Home Makeovers.Keep The Soaps ON.I am like you.Won’t be turning ABC on.I will go to CBS or NBC.
When’s the last time that ABC had a good game show other than Millionaire?
They cancelled that one too!
Let me tell you something, the talk show may be cheaper than a game show to produce, BUT if both The Chew and The Revolution tank badly, what’s ABC to do?
Maybe remake Double Dare, or get some family-friendly talk or game show to put into their line-up. Seriously, there are not enough women for ABC to aim their shows at. Most are working now. What I want from them is more stay-at-home moms and the older demographics. What’s so bad about that? What have the sponsors got against aiming it at the new demographic?
Why is Disney cance3lling the soaps.All My Children,One Life To Live,and now General Hospital.Then what is going to happen to Daytime Emmy awards.We don’t need any more talk shows for alot of them are boring.Game shows WHY?These three soaps have brought in money,even cuts,and awards for the network.You want to get rid of them .WHY??I watch them and I am for sure others do too for there wouldn’t be all those comments.If we happened to miss a day.We go to Soapnet or watch on computer but pick it up on the regular channels.Don’t understand three great,teriffic performances,award winning,and makes my day.I can’t go a day with out them .Please reconsider what you are doing plus to so many fans.Keep them on the AIR!We have way too many talk shows who wants to see one more celebrity or bad news on television.Game shows sorry too many of them to even Reality.Leave the Soaps on.Their rates aren’t that bad unless they miss someone.Keep these Soaps on.You are making a terrible mistake for even considerto get rid of them.Look at the numbers again!