What Are Your Favorite Moments of the Decade?
I’m not a huge fan of those lists that are sweeping generalizations with little insight other than, “Look how many YouTube hits it has! It has to be the best!” Having said that I will probably start making some just in case some are needed. But the main thing is everyone lists are different and you are sure to piss off dozens of people saying, “These are the best lists and if you don’t like it, tough.” It’s why I’m really interested in what you have to say. The decade of game shows is over. Just about everything is in reruns until 2010 now basically and nothing else major is going to happen. So what are your favorite moments of the decade? There’s a YouTube feature in comments so if you find a video feel free to post it. I’m going to post mine obviously because you can’t shut me up, but I’m more curious about what your favorite moments or events of the decade were. Mine’s a personal list and I can’t wait to see what your personal lists are. I’m just going with five:
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE MOMENTS OR EVENTS OF THE DECADE OF GAME SHOWS?
*The Daytime Game Show Revitalization: I really never thought we would see a shakeup or a giant debacle in the terms of daytime game shows. First comes Bob Barker retiring from The Price is Right, which I never thought would happen as well. Drew Carey comes in and made the show his own fantastically. It had a small rough patch but I still get a giant smile on my face when I see Drew walk through the doors. He and Rich Fields and the new crew have really turned that show around to be something special again, and they cannot be thanked enough. But the biggest shock came from the inclusion of Let’s Make A Deal which has been fantastic. Then comes the news that it’s doing well, another soap opera is on its way out, and there’s a chance we may be getting a third game in daytime. It’s all been really sudden and very welcomed. This decade really showed that game shows are important to networks and not these time fillers. They are popular, economically sound, and enjoyable for everyone. It’s been the biggest genre thrill for me.
*Maria Lay wins $100,000 on GSN’s Russian Roulette: The old GSN original Russian Roulette is the show that made me want to work in the genre. Before then all shows were pretty similar and you stood behind a podium and answered questions. That wasn’t great inspiration for me. Then, suddenly, a show comes along where people can drop through a hole in the floor. I was sold right there. The show had all the tension, nerves, luck, quiz elements, and excitement in a show that I want to see in my shows. The epitome of this was Maria Lay’s top prize win from season two. I think this show had more of an effect on the genre than it’s given credit for.
*Raul loses $263,000 on 1 VS 100: Sadly NBC’s 1 VS 100 was shortlived but I firmly believed it proved that hard quiz shows could still work. That was followed by NBC deciding to pansy up the game in season two. We wouldn’t have seen a lot of the quizzes on TV now without it. Without a doubt the most exciting moment from the show was Raul’s $263,000 gamble. The reaction of the audience to the question is something I won’t forget.
*Ogi Ogas Wins $500,000 on Who Wants to be a Millionaire: It’s not big secret that I think Millionaire is the best game show out there. There are bigger moments that people remember, like John Carpenter being the first to win. You may have others. However, no moment comes remotely to Ogi Ogas’s historic run up the board. His agony over the $500,000 and anguish of the $1,000,000 question is what the game is all about, and it’s what I dislike about the clock. We won’t have moments like this ever. For what it’s worth I think Ogi Ogas had the best moment in the history of the show.
*GSN’s Grand Slam: It wasn’t that popular or well known, but GSN’s Grand Slam was the stuff game show fans dream of. There hasn’t been, and I doubt there will be, a competition quite like it. Even beyond having all those game show champions face off it was just a fantastic tense format that was a ton of fun to play. It goes back to the great mind of Michael Davies and his company Embassy Row who brought it over from England. I don’t think another company would have brought it over. It’s hard to single out a specific moment, because the entire series was just so special.
*Honorable Mention: I had to include something from Deal or No Deal. It took us so long to get the show right, but this is the moment where I think it finally clicked in the minds of the producers of how to make the show exciting. You can’t just throw around cash and get people. You have to create tension by having tough offers that you want to turn down so badly but can’t, creating intense moments. There hasn’t been a larger-shout-at-the-TV moment in the history of the show than this.
Our fourth annual Top XX countdown begins tomorrow. It’s the Top 09 of 2009! Don’t miss it.
It's a long shot, Ken Jennings 75 Day run on Jeopardy!
It's a long shot, Ken Jennings 75 Day run on Jeopardy!
My top moment would have to be Ken Basin getting the million dollar question wrong on the 10th anniversary primetime revival of "Millionaire." I'll never forget that, ever.
My top moment would have to be Ken Basin getting the million dollar question wrong on the 10th anniversary primetime revival of "Millionaire." I'll never forget that, ever.
That would be my pick for the decade. That, & maybe Nancy Chrisie becomong the fitst female Millionaire winner
For me, there are lots of moments, so I’ll break it down to the Top 10:
#10. Bob Barker’s retirement. I never thought it would happen in this lifetime.
#9. Jamie Sadler’s million dollar win on Power of 10′s first episode.
#8. Willy Gipson’s 3 year, 2 tournament run on 2 Minute Drill
#7. David Legler winning $1.765 million on Twenty One.
#6. Tery Kniess’ perfect Showcase bid on The Price Is Right.
#5. Jessica Robinson became the first $1 million winner on Deal or No Deal.
#4. Michelle Loewenstein’s $1 million win on Wheel of Fortune.
#3. John Carpenter becoming the first $1 million winner on Millionaire.
#2. Ken Jennings’ 75 game winning streak on Jeopardy!, breaking Thom Mckee’s record set 26 years earlier.
#1. The return of Let’s Make a Deal.
Honorable mentions:
Jason Luna winning $1 million on 1 vs. 100.
Brad Rutter defeating Ken Jennings in the finals of the Jeopardy! Ultimate Tournament of Champions.
Ken Jennings defeating Ogi Ogas in the finals of Grand Slam.
Richie Bell, Deal or No Deal.
I remember watching this episode and screaming my lungs out. He played a cheat game with three $1 millions. He was left with $5 and two $1 millions. His offer was well over $600,000 and he turned it down. Of course, his next case was the million, and it went down to just under $500,000. May I remind you, he's living in his parents' basement with his four other obese siblings and sleeping on the floor. He says no deal, and his case holds $5.
FUN FACT – The next day, America set the world record for most people who lost their voices at one time.
Richie Bell, Deal or No Deal.
I remember watching this episode and screaming my lungs out. He played a cheat game with three $1 millions. He was left with $5 and two $1 millions. His offer was well over $600,000 and he turned it down. Of course, his next case was the million, and it went down to just under $500,000. May I remind you, he's living in his parents' basement with his four other obese siblings and sleeping on the floor. He says no deal, and his case holds $5.
FUN FACT – The next day, America set the world record for most people who lost their voices at one time.
John Carpenter winning the million on Millionaire was pretty cool (that was after '99, right?). Ken Jennings' run, the UToC, and Grand Slam were all awesome. Oh, and Michelle Loewenstein beating the most impossible odds to win $1,000,000 on Wheel.
John Carpenter winning the million on Millionaire was pretty cool (that was after '99, right?). Ken Jennings' run, the UToC, and Grand Slam were all awesome. Oh, and Michelle Loewenstein beating the most impossible odds to win $1,000,000 on Wheel.
I basically agree with DeVares but I would switch #1 with #2.
While this is in no way, shape or form a definitive list, I'm simply going to point out the stuff that I liked that no one has mentioned yet:
1) Winning Lines (and Catherine Rahm's almost-complete run of the board) (January 2000)
2) Peter Tomarken's return to television (on Paranoia in 2000 and on an episode of Whammy in early 2003).
3) John O'Hurley selected as the new host of "Family Feud". (September 2006)
4) Wayne Brady selected as the host of the new "Let's Make A Deal". (I called it!) (Summer 2009)
5) GSN Live interviews Bill Rafferty. (May 2008)
6) Alex Rose and Michael White win big on "The Price Is Right Million-Dollar Spectacular". (March 2008)
7) Marc Summers, Mark L. Walberg and Todd Newton all show up for an April Fool's episode of "Lingo" (forget Kennedy and Graham whats-his-face; Todd Newton stole the show, and he was just the announcer). (April 2003)
8) John Henson returns to TV on "Wipeout". (June 2008)
9) "Hollywood Squares Game Show Week" parts I and II (seeing Peter Marshall host the show again was a real treat).
(December 2002 & October 2003)
10) Re-discovering Game Show Network at college after a five-year absence.
Least-Favorite Moments Of The Decade:
1- Peter Tomarken dies. (March 13th, 2006)
2- Ricki Lake hosts/butchers/defaces "Game Show Marathon". (June/July 2006)
3- GSN (everything that's happened to it since the dawn of 2008, minus GSN Live's game show host interviews).
4- "Temptation USA", hosted by Rossi Morreale. (September 2007)
5- "Card Sharks 2001" (September 2001)
6- CBS cancels "Winning Lines" (or why game shows fail on Saturday nights) (February 2000)
7- "Clerks: The Animated Series" canceled after two episodes in favor of more "Millionaire" (the only time I blame a game show for canceling an animated series that deserved better). (June 2000)
8- Jack Narz dies. (October 2008)
9- Dick Clark has a life-altering stroke. (late 2004)
10- Rod Roddy dies (October 2003)
Yeah, my list is mostly negative, but it's been a mostly-negative decade (especially for game shows in the last three and a half years).
While this is in no way, shape or form a definitive list, I'm simply going to point out the stuff that I liked that no one has mentioned yet:
1) Winning Lines (and Catherine Rahm's almost-complete run of the board) (January 2000)
2) Peter Tomarken's return to television (on Paranoia in 2000 and on an episode of Whammy in early 2003).
3) John O'Hurley selected as the new host of "Family Feud". (September 2006)
4) Wayne Brady selected as the host of the new "Let's Make A Deal". (I called it!) (Summer 2009)
5) GSN Live interviews Bill Rafferty. (May 2008)
6) Alex Rose and Michael White win big on "The Price Is Right Million-Dollar Spectacular". (March 2008)
7) Marc Summers, Mark L. Walberg and Todd Newton all show up for an April Fool's episode of "Lingo" (forget Kennedy and Graham whats-his-face; Todd Newton stole the show, and he was just the announcer). (April 2003)
8) John Henson returns to TV on "Wipeout". (June 2008)
9) "Hollywood Squares Game Show Week" parts I and II (seeing Peter Marshall host the show again was a real treat).
(December 2002 & October 2003)
10) Re-discovering Game Show Network at college after a five-year absence.
Least-Favorite Moments Of The Decade:
1- Peter Tomarken dies. (March 13th, 2006)
2- Ricki Lake hosts/butchers/defaces "Game Show Marathon". (June/July 2006)
3- GSN (everything that's happened to it since the dawn of 2008, minus GSN Live's game show host interviews).
4- "Temptation USA", hosted by Rossi Morreale. (September 2007)
5- "Card Sharks 2001" (September 2001)
6- CBS cancels "Winning Lines" (or why game shows fail on Saturday nights) (February 2000)
7- "Clerks: The Animated Series" canceled after two episodes in favor of more "Millionaire" (the only time I blame a game show for canceling an animated series that deserved better). (June 2000)
8- Jack Narz dies. (October 2008)
9- Dick Clark has a life-altering stroke. (late 2004)
10- Rod Roddy dies (October 2003)
Yeah, my list is mostly negative, but it's been a mostly-negative decade (especially for game shows in the last three and a half years).
I have a lot of famous moments in this decade. For me, my most famous moment has to be when Terry Kniess had bid his Showcase exactly right. Then, Ken Jennings winning 74 games in a row, plus being the biggest money winner in game show history with over $3 million. Michelle Loewenstein's $1 million win was extremely exciting. Jessica Robinson and Tomorrow Rodriguez winning $1 million on Deal or No Deal. Mostly what DeVares is saying has been exciting for me too. I hope the next 10 years will be great in game shows.
I have a lot of famous moments in this decade. For me, my most famous moment has to be when Terry Kniess had bid his Showcase exactly right. Then, Ken Jennings winning 74 games in a row, plus being the biggest money winner in game show history with over $3 million. Michelle Loewenstein's $1 million win was extremely exciting. Jessica Robinson and Tomorrow Rodriguez winning $1 million on Deal or No Deal. Mostly what DeVares is saying has been exciting for me too. I hope the next 10 years will be great in game shows.
in no particular order …
John Carpenter's WWTBAM win
Ken Jennings' 75-game run on Jeopardy!
the three-way tie on J!
J!'s Ultimate Tournament of Champions
Dick Clark plays Pyramid again.
the perfect showcase bid on TPIR
Grand Slam
Pyramid Thursdays
Newlywed Game has its first same-sex couple.
seeing three online acquaintances and the son of a co-worker on game shows
Honorable Mention to finally having GSN on my cable system!
You have to give it up for Deal or No Deal. Love it or hate it, this international success arrived in the States, and it took the nation by storm. It brought back the primetime game show sensation after Millionaire's departure in primetime.
One other moment that stands out for me, that I don't think anybody mentioned was…
[youtube wG65S9nUfXk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG65S9nUfXk youtube]
First millionaire on the show, on its first episode. First millionaire on a CBS game show. Youngest millionaire to date. Yes, Power of 10 left us WAY to early. It had to potential to grow, maybe if it wasn't put up against Deal or No Deal and American Idol. By far, my favorite game show and my favorite moment.
You have to give it up for Deal or No Deal. Love it or hate it, this international success arrived in the States, and it took the nation by storm. It brought back the primetime game show sensation after Millionaire's departure in primetime.
One other moment that stands out for me, that I don't think anybody mentioned was…
[youtube wG65S9nUfXk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG65S9nUfXk youtube]
First millionaire on the show, on its first episode. First millionaire on a CBS game show. Youngest millionaire to date. Yes, Power of 10 left us WAY to early. It had to potential to grow, maybe if it wasn't put up against Deal or No Deal and American Idol. By far, my favorite game show and my favorite moment.
You have to give it up for Deal or No Deal. Love it or hate it, this international success arrived in the States, and it took the nation by storm. It brought back the primetime game show sensation after Millionaire's departure in primetime.
One other moment that stands out for me, that I don't think anybody mentioned was…
[youtube wG65S9nUfXk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG65S9nUfXk youtube]
First millionaire on the show, on its first episode. First millionaire on a CBS game show. Youngest millionaire to date. Yes, Power of 10 left us WAY to early. It had to potential to grow, maybe if it wasn't put up against Deal or No Deal and American Idol. By far, my favorite game show and my favorite moment.
You have to give it up for Deal or No Deal. Love it or hate it, this international success arrived in the States, and it took the nation by storm. It brought back the primetime game show sensation after Millionaire's departure in primetime.
One other moment that stands out for me, that I don't think anybody mentioned was…
[youtube wG65S9nUfXk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG65S9nUfXk youtube]
First millionaire on the show, on its first episode. First millionaire on a CBS game show. Youngest millionaire to date. Yes, Power of 10 left us WAY to early. It had to potential to grow, maybe if it wasn't put up against Deal or No Deal and American Idol. By far, my favorite game show and my favorite moment.
1. The premiere of History IQ. (2000)
2. Bob Boden's return to GSN, and GSN's acquisition of LMAD, PYL, Classic, HS (2002)
3. The revival of PYL Whammy! in 2002
4. Peter Tomarken's return to TV
My least-favorite are Tomarken's death and him losing the spot to host Whammy! full time. I mean, nothing against Todd Newton. Peter hosting would have not only marked his return to PYL but also his return to GSN.
1. The premiere of History IQ. (2000)
2. Bob Boden's return to GSN, and GSN's acquisition of LMAD, PYL, Classic, HS (2002)
3. The revival of PYL Whammy! in 2002
4. Peter Tomarken's return to TV
My least-favorite are Tomarken's death and him losing the spot to host Whammy! full time. I mean, nothing against Todd Newton. Peter hosting would have not only marked his return to PYL but also his return to GSN.
"Grand Slam" is another thing I never thought I'd see and it was a real treat for any game show fan.
The biggest thing I NEVER thought I'd see was Ken Jennings' run on "Jeopardy!" It's hands down one of the biggest pop culture moments of the decade. When the decade started, I never thought I'd see a time period without "Jeopardy!" having the 5-day limit when the decade started in 2000, let alone a contestant go for 75 days. The fact that it happened towards the end of one season and the summer reruns were in between his run made it that much more exciting. It was the closest thing game shows have ever had to "Dallas" and it was fascinating!!! He's still banking off of that now and that's how much effect that moment had.
It's been a fun decade and I'm SOOO ready for the next one to come! :)
Something nobody mentioned yet is "Duel". And I mean the first season with the tournament. I watched every night of it, and it was so great every episode. The second season, however, I didn't really seem to enjoy it as much. =(
Something nobody mentioned yet is "Duel". And I mean the first season with the tournament. I watched every night of it, and it was so great every episode. The second season, however, I didn't really seem to enjoy it as much. =(
I want to say Whoopi's last day and Peter Marshall's return on the Hollywood Squares. And maybe Game Show Marathon's Match Game.
I want to say Whoopi's last day and Peter Marshall's return on the Hollywood Squares. And maybe Game Show Marathon's Match Game.
I want to say Whoopi's last day and Peter Marshall's return on the Hollywood Squares. And maybe Game Show Marathon's Match Game.
"Duel" probably would've made my list if… it wasn't… so spaced… out… during the… first season.
"Duel" probably would've made my list if… it wasn't… so spaced… out… during the… first season.