This season has been a season of very short runs for shows that aren’t doing that well. ABC’s wish fulfillment show, The Great American Dream Vote has been canceled after two episodes. It was so close to being tied with a show that didn’t deserve to be canceled, The Rich List, which lasted one episode. Of course ABC is saying it can come back, but we’ll believe it when we see it. Hey, Name That Tune fans: it clears Donny Osmond up for that show again at least. Donny Osmond, host of Dream Vote, is also hosting Pyramid in England, where they seem to have fixed many things, like allowing returning contestants (If you climb the Pyramid twice in one show) plus 7 in 30, and we’ve heard the show is quite good period. Now why couldn’t we get a decent revival of the perfect game show?
Monty Hall Returns to “Let’s Make A Deal” Today on CBS
Just a small reminder that Monty Hall will return to his original home, Let’s Make A Deal, starting today on CBS. Check your local listings since air times vary across the country.
My Only Comment on “Instant Recall”
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“Wipeout” Season Premiere June 22
Fans of Wipeout will be happy to know that the popular summer series will be returning to ABC on Tuesday, June 22nd. The show is still hosted by John Henson, John Anderson, and Jill Wagner. Special themed episodes this season…
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21 Responses
Because Freemantle and Sony are all on crack.
Get some of these British execs over here…..PLEASE!!!!
I beg you!
Posted on March 29th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Will you STOP!
Anyway, I don’t think there is any reason why Pyramid couldn’t be revived in it’s classic incarnation. Now by that I mean, have returning champions, 7 in 30, Mystery 7, etc. I personally don’t mind using the flat panel monitor boards as long as the classic format is place. And besides, there were some people that liked the 2002 revival, then again LaJuan is yet another example of a reactionary game show blogger who chooses not to be objective.
Posted on March 29th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
I think LaJuan’s on crack. To me, I think Fremantlemedia & Sony both have an every day bad day. And I sure can’t wait for Name That Tune to come to CBS again especially seeing that there offering $1,000,000.
Posted on March 29th, 2007 at 11:17 pm
The US Pyramid revival was the only thing Harry Friedman ever did that was a disgrace to the genre. Usually he tweaks classics to make them better (Jeopardy, Wheel, etc.). Maybe BBC America (or GSN, though owned by Sony) can get reruns of the Osmond UK version…how sweet would that be…
Posted on March 30th, 2007 at 8:36 am
I think it would be very cool if GSN could get rights to several international game shows…especially foreign versions of American Classics like Pyramid and Family Feud.
Posted on March 30th, 2007 at 9:04 am
I think thats a great idea, UK’s FAMILY FORTUNES really was great.
Posted on March 30th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
I actually liked The Great American Dream Vote. Some of the dreams might have been a bit strange but I thought the idea was great. I like a show that helps someone win there dreams.
Posted on March 30th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Scott,
“disgrace to the genre” might be a bit harsh…if you take out the 20 second rule, the crappy theme noise (i won’t dignify it by calling it a song), the tournament that wasn’t a tournament, the generic metallic pyramid-shaped structure, the lack of a cuckoo or “here is your first subject”, the easy categories and the F-List celebrities…it still pales to the original!
Posted on March 30th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Maybe Pyramid would’ve had the 1980’s set. Too bad for “Dream Vote” anyway.
Posted on March 30th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
ABC always do this which is announce a new show then just cancel it out the blue without giving it a change like The Rich List…
Posted on March 30th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
As time has gone on, a couple of things about Donnymid that I originally snarked on have grown on me. Most critically, the 6 in 20 rule. Realizing that ad times will not be cut on TV shows in the near future, that seems like not such a horrible idea, now that I think about (plus, it more matches the winner’s circle, which has 6 subjects, not 7).
If I were Friedman (or whoever), I might make it 6 in 25 though, so it’s a little more doable, but not easier than the original. I didn’t mind the set as much, but take away some of the darkness from it, so it doesn’t look like it’s being taped in the middle of outer space. Add in a couple of background pyramids from the 80’s, and maybe take some cues from WOF and J!’s current set. Everyone likes neon (or at least, I do)!! ;)
A REMIX (don’t use the exact same song) of the 80’s version would be appropriate, but that’ll be a stretch. Reverting to the $100k tourney format, adding in a redone cuckoo, and the original clock sound (which WOULD still work today), I think would be much more feasible, and much more realistic expectations.
Either way, Pyramid needs to find its way back here soon…
Posted on March 30th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
I’m just saying that all the changes that they make to revivals ruin the whole thing. I was one of the few people who had no problem with most of the Donnymid (I love that term, Wheelloon). If they would have sticked to the original format, I would have been a more faithful viewer. The biggest problem with the show is the kind of problem you will get for any game show that needs “celebrities”, you’re lucky to get a B-lister nowadays. So I never faulted them for that.
Ever since the Card Sharks travesty, I personally thought that everyone soured on Freemantle. I guess I was wrong, but you don’t have to pull all this s&$t about being “reactionary game show blogger”. I’ve recently started coming to this F%*^(NG site a couple weeks ago. I doubt I’ll be coming back now.
It’s people like Intelligentfan777 that makes people not want to “talk” or express opinions. All you had to say mate was, “Why say that without going into detail?” or “Explain, Kid!” Stuff I do on other forums which strangely now seem more respectful (and there’s a weekly death threat that has to be handled there).
Posted on March 30th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
Williams comment on the other hand was cool. He turned my words, but he put what I said and his thoughts to realize the big picture. The other guy just followed my assumption with one of his/her own and that didn’t tell me a damn thing.
All these game show “revivals” have disappointed me yet Pyramid didn’t do it as much. I’m glad UK Pyramid is doing well and like someone else here said it would be quality if BBC America picked up reruns.
Posted on March 30th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
British Pyramid is doing the classic rules? What the WTF?!?!?
Now it’s clear that it was the producers at SONY that ruined it. They need to bring it back and with a $1,000,000 tournament this time.
Posted on March 30th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
Ok LaJuan, I get it. But here’s my counter argument…you say recent game show revivals disappointed you…
1. What about Hollywood Squares? The 1998-2004 version was flat out AWESOME! Updated for the 21st Century…yes. But it had everything: original format, great host, great celebs, an exciting Tournament, and just all around game show goodness. I do however agree with you on some points. Like Card Sharks ‘01, Blech! Joker’s Wild ‘90…Eh, it was Ok. TTD ‘90…..If you remember, Jim Lange was actually quoted as saying Wayne would be a great game show host! LOL Oh Jim, if you only knew…. ROFL, so okay I see your point, but some revivals over the course of history have been very good, if not better that some originals.
2. You thought William’s comment was “cool?” He said YOU were on Crack. At least I never said you were on any illegal drug! ROFL
Posted on March 30th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
Intell….(mind if i don’t type the whole thing? I’m lazy)
I liked Hollywood Squares so much. However, the only time I got to see H2 was on GSN as the channel here in Cleveland didn’t pick it up after I think 2 maybe 3 seasons. That was an excellent show when I saw it. I give you that. I didn’t see the original Joker’s Wild until 5 years ago. Until then I thought JW90 was AMAZING. I may be the only person who likes this idea but I would love to see “Double Dare” revived (the Trebek adult show).
TTD90 with Patrick “YOOOOOOOOU WIIIIIIIIIN” Wayne….that was a shame that was hideous. I didn’t know about Lange’s ringing endorsement. That’s bloody brilliant.
After thinking about what I had posted I figured somebody was going to do that b/c I occasionally do that. My actual new years resolution is not to get mad at people for something I would do myself (i.e., saying somebody is on crack and not wanting someone to say that I was). That’s the only reason I said it was “cool”. Probably poor word choice (I have had a few instances recently in the real world with that, so I’m not shocked it happened online twice in the last two days at two different forums).
Posted on March 30th, 2007 at 11:23 pm
I think Pyramid in the US was pulled after two seasons, was probably because the majority of the celebrities were asking for too much money for their time on the show and believe me, these stars do not work for free.
I also think that the tournament format was too confusing and the SUPER SIX didn’t have a car up for grabs in the $100,000 tournament rounds. Also some tournaments didn’t use the fastest to the top format and there wasn’t many $25,000 winners to play the tournament round.
Posted on March 31st, 2007 at 8:34 am
Here’s the uncontestable proof, believe me, Jim actually does say it…….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh8Xy0UWn-s
Posted on March 31st, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Although I feel that game shows are in a bad state (honestly, it’s more primetime than anything), I do agree with if777 that there have been some good revivals. Feud is finally looking solid, and HSq was one of the best revivals in the last 20 year, other than maybe Combs Feud and some others I’m forgetting.
Pyramid had potential, but it needed some work. The set and theme song made it look like a rave was going on, and I didn’t like how they focused on the celebrities so much. Let the contestant be the star. Also, the tournament tried too hard to give away the big money, which made it fit in with all the other big money shows of the last eight years. Winning both Winner’s Circles was a great idea, but abbreviating the tourney in case it didn’t happen was just lame.
Posted on March 31st, 2007 at 2:08 pm
Couldn’t disagree with you more Brandon.
I truly believe the best is yet to come for game shows as a whole in every category. And here’s why…..
Just look at the shows we have now, I don’t need to remind you of them. Now take a look at what’s coming down the pipe very soon…
1. Let’s Play Crosswords, based on what we’ve heard and seen, could be one of the best new games to come along in syndication in a while, at least since Millionaire, anyway.
2. How long did we clamor for Temptation to come to the states, well it finally has, and hey, if the format stays true to the Aussie version, or at least the original “Sale”, and Rossi can prove he can pull it off, so to speak, we’ve got another great hit on our hands.
3. Then there’s GSN. Yes, they are finally realizing that game shows is what makes that network good, and they never should have abandoned it in the first place. (Need I remind you of Kenny vs. Spenny…YICK)
Anyway, there are promising new shows coming, and still many more in development, including…wait for it……….GRAND SLAM!
4. And let’s be honest, Networks and execs are far from done with primetime. These days you can’t go a full week without hearing about a new show idea, or a new show concept that could be the next big thing, you never know, shows are being talked about all the time.
5. We have a great variety of games to choose from, and variety is a very good thing. Believe me, if every show followed the same premise, or same concept, it would get pretty boring. That’s why it’s nice to have such a variety of shows (Quiz-Based, Puzzle, Luck, etc.) we have a lot to choose from, and we watch what we feel is good to see. This is in regards to everyone, not just hardcore game show fans.
Finally, in this genre, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN! Who knows where the next truly great winning moment, or great moment in general will come from. There are a lot of these moments to come, I don’t care who you are, no one can deny that. I could go on about this, but you get the idea.
Posted on March 31st, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Whatever happened to “The Great American Dream Vote?” I am very unhappy with ABC’s just
cancelled reality series now that parent studio Disney/Touchstone sent an e-mail to Time Warner
chief executive Richard Parsons concerning the implosion of “TGADV” and why it shouldn’t come
back. Don’t expect Donny Osmond to return to small-screen electronic media any time soon.
Thus Mr. Osmond, whose resume includes the dueling “Donny and Marie Shows” on ABC and
in first-run broadcast syndication, has had a long career as a recording artist, beginning with such
chart-topping #1 singles as “Crazy Horses” and “One Bad Apple.” He began his career in the
1960s as a guest on classic TV’s “The Andy Williams Show.”
On Polydor/Interscope Geffen A&M, his recording credits include “Winning Combination” in
1977, the 1979 follow-up “Goin’ Coconuts” and “Donny & Marie – Featuring Songs from Their
Television Series,” for which he recorded alongside his sister Marie, who had a successful country music career in the 1970s with her classic adult standard “Paper Roses.”
Mr. Osmond is currently in the process of hosting “Donny’s Pyramid Game,” from Japanese-
owned Sony Pictures Television International. Taping begins later this month in the U.K. for the
program’s previsiously announced late May launch.
http://www.abc.com
http://www.telepicturestv.com
Posted on April 2nd, 2007 at 11:16 am
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