What the Happened with Match Game’s Revival?
One of the most frequently asked questions over the years has got to be, “What’s going on with the Match Game revival TBS was shooting?” Well it’s not on the air so that’s clearly not a good sign. The show wasn’t picked up and TBS decided to go elsewhere and stick with their more popular programming like the Tyler Perry sitcoms or George Lopez’s new talk show, both of which seem to be doing very well and were much better choices. The pilot they shot was probably one of the few pilots to essentially follow the classic format, down to the set, in a while. But even with that, and this is coming from a big Match Game fan, I just don’t want to see it come back. It’s an outdated format at this point.
As far as I can look back from various places, the main game went basically the same as the old version. I’m trying to find the write-up that someone did about the rules, but the only change was in the bonus round where the audience polling was gone and replaced with some quick matching round relatively like the front game, leading up to the Super Match where someone matches one celebrity head-to-head for ten times their money. Format was fine, but what was the issue? Overwhelmingly, from people in the audience or people working on the shows, the problem came from the celebrities.
I’m not a big fan of a lot of classics, but it’s clear to see why Match Game worked in the 70s and won’t work today. The innuendo of back then, which is what made the show popular, simply won’t work today. Saying the word “boob” back them was risque. You’ll get yawns from that today. Unless you start swinging the word “bitch” around, like many did on the pilot I’m told, you aren’t going to get a reaction. The format is just dated and won’t work today. They’d need to do some heavy reworking. A few years back Fox was working on a Match Game pilot called What the Blank? that didn’t get picked up, but I heard it was a bit different (I’d love to hear how).
I’ve got no issue with swearing. I like dirty humor. But the legacy of Match Game became centered around the innuendo, which is something we really don’t have any more. Rebuilding the old set for today means nothing to me. Match Game is hardly a game show. It’s a comedy show with a game thrown in, and that style of comedy is gone today and attempts to bring it back make it look like a joke, much like bringing back the classic set lightbulb for lightbulb. They haven’t got a single Match Game pilot right in an ungodly amount of years; probably since the 80s. Yet we keep seeing it pop up and it’s always crappy. I’d rather just let it sit as it is high in game show’s history than constantly coming back and being doomed to failure. So yes, TBS dropped Match Game and will not be picking it up, nor will anyone right now, and it really needs to stay that way.
I would argue that good writing would be more important than good celebrities with chemistry. They get some decent comedy writers who can come up with more than one punch line to a joke and they'd have something.
I would argue that good writing would be more important than good celebrities with chemistry. They get some decent comedy writers who can come up with more than one punch line to a joke and they'd have something.
I agree with Mr. Quiz here – had Bert Convy not fallen ill to his brain tumor, he would have been the best choice for the host of "Match Game '90", as he used to be a semi-regular panelist on the 70's version before "Tattletales" came along, and a year after it was canceled, but like Mr. Quiz said, Ross Shaffer did a good job with what he had dealt to him. I just LOVED the time Vicki Lawrence and him got into a spat all week just like she used to do with Dick Clark on "Pyramid!" It was also great with the three weeks that Brett was on the panel with Charles, as he got his 'Susan' back to pick on, and it was good to have some of the semi-regulars (i.e. Avery Schreiber, Vicki Lawrence, Dolly Martin, Judy Landers, Edie McClurg, Betty White, Jimmie Walker, etc.) from the 70's version back on that show, as well as the ode to Marc Breslow's ticket plugs during the opening credits, so it was the only true version of "Match Game" that TRIED to live up to the 70's original – the others have fallen flat on their (BLANKS!) All you have to say is Judy Tenuta, no A/B questions, and money levels back to 1973, along with numerous Bill Clinton questions that made "Match Game '98" a black eye on the whole "Match Game" franchise! Please leave this show the hell alone, and let Gene, Brett, Charles, Johnny O, and Mark Goodson rest in peace – I'm sure they would be rolling in their graves if another bad version of their show came up again!
As far as the "Game Show Marathon" went, I didn't think too much of it when Lance Bass said that "the newer celebrities were better than the ones on the old show", but leave it to Betty White to set him straight there! The chemistry between the 'weirdos' of the 70's was what made the show a #1 daytime hit for four straight years – no game show has had that high of ratings since!
Just enjoy the repeats on GSN (or wherever they may fall when the network does), or on YouTube – that's the REAL "Match Game!"
I agree with Mr. Quiz here – had Bert Convy not fallen ill to his brain tumor, he would have been the best choice for the host of "Match Game '90", as he used to be a semi-regular panelist on the 70's version before "Tattletales" came along, and a year after it was canceled, but like Mr. Quiz said, Ross Shaffer did a good job with what he had dealt to him. I just LOVED the time Vicki Lawrence and him got into a spat all week just like she used to do with Dick Clark on "Pyramid!" It was also great with the three weeks that Brett was on the panel with Charles, as he got his 'Susan' back to pick on, and it was good to have some of the semi-regulars (i.e. Avery Schreiber, Vicki Lawrence, Dolly Martin, Judy Landers, Edie McClurg, Betty White, Jimmie Walker, etc.) from the 70's version back on that show, as well as the ode to Marc Breslow's ticket plugs during the opening credits, so it was the only true version of "Match Game" that TRIED to live up to the 70's original – the others have fallen flat on their (BLANKS!) All you have to say is Judy Tenuta, no A/B questions, and money levels back to 1973, along with numerous Bill Clinton questions that made "Match Game '98" a black eye on the whole "Match Game" franchise! Please leave this show the hell alone, and let Gene, Brett, Charles, Johnny O, and Mark Goodson rest in peace – I'm sure they would be rolling in their graves if another bad version of their show came up again!
As far as the "Game Show Marathon" went, I didn't think too much of it when Lance Bass said that "the newer celebrities were better than the ones on the old show", but leave it to Betty White to set him straight there! The chemistry between the 'weirdos' of the 70's was what made the show a #1 daytime hit for four straight years – no game show has had that high of ratings since!
Just enjoy the repeats on GSN (or wherever they may fall when the network does), or on YouTube – that's the REAL "Match Game!"
Have you noticed how many times the people on "Best Week Ever" and like shows are edited? Not a good sign for "Match Game", as the 70's version was only edited THREE times in the almost six years it aired!
Have you noticed how many times the people on "Best Week Ever" and like shows are edited? Not a good sign for "Match Game", as the 70's version was only edited THREE times in the almost six years it aired!
True, Myke25 that good comedy writing is more important than chemestry between the host and celebrities, but in today’s world of television, the sitcom, for example, are endangered species because of poor comedy writing. So for anyone to say that Match Game would work today should look at the sitcoms on TV.
To Brian: I agree with you. Match Game ’90 was indeed doomed from the start. Look at all the shows that ended up at the noon death slot:
Password: At least it did last longer in the time slot.
Showoffs: Could’ve been a hit if it aired in another time slot.
Let’s Make A Deal: The move to noon really killed the show.
Hot Seat: Of course, this show would’ve failed in any time slot.
Second Chance: See Showoffs.
The Better Sex: From what I saw on YouTube, it wasn’t that bad of a show.
The $20,000 Pyramid: It became a victim of the expansions of both One Life to Live and General Hospital.
Family Feud: Didn’t make it although they try to make amends by moving it back to 11:30/10:30, but the damage have already been done.
And of course Ryan’s Hope and sitcom reruns occupied the slot prior to Match Game ’90′s premiere.
Craig: I, along with the network honchos, agrees with you. The 12pm slot should go to the affiliates to either air local news or reruns of, say, My Name is Earl or Two and a Half Men.
"The Better Sex" and "Showoffs" WERE genuinely bad shows. Period. I knew that from Day One.
Re Second Chance: It did succeed in another time slot –
and network –
and under another name: ever hear of Press Your Luck?
You know, FWIW, you need the right mix of celebrities with the right kind of humor tailored to the young "internet" crowd(Heck, I don't even know even 75% of the current crop of celebririea like my celerbrity-obsessed oldest niece of mine). Ubfortunately, MG will always be remembered for the chemistry of the 70's version so, let's enjoy what we got(if we still have it via GSN or whatever).
Brian: Indeed 12 PM should REALLY belong to the local affiliates anyways. I can understand why some smaller market stations wanted to air Match Game 90 because they didn't have a Noon newscast or some other alternative(maybe even some of the bigger markets like WABC-7 in New York back then).
You know, FWIW, you need the right mix of celebrities with the right kind of humor tailored to the young "internet" crowd(Heck, I don't even know even 75% of the current crop of celebririea like my celerbrity-obsessed oldest niece of mine). Ubfortunately, MG will always be remembered for the chemistry of the 70's version so, let's enjoy what we got(if we still have it via GSN or whatever).
Brian: Indeed 12 PM should REALLY belong to the local affiliates anyways. I can understand why some smaller market stations wanted to air Match Game 90 because they didn't have a Noon newscast or some other alternative(maybe even some of the bigger markets like WABC-7 in New York back then).
There was also an unsold pilot with Richard Dawson.
It's still a bit early to give LMAD a final grade.
As for improv comics, what does that have to do with it?
And shows like "Best week Ever" and especially the shit on "E!" are hardly a barometer. Why sure, Chris; you could slap all the celebs' you wanted to from those shows together, and what you'll wind up with is what helped to kill the '90 and '98 versions of MATCH GAME.
And, to be honest, I'm a little surprised H2 lasted as long as it did.
It's still a bit early to give LMAD a final grade.
As for improv comics, what does that have to do with it?
And shows like "Best week Ever" and especially the shit on "E!" are hardly a barometer. Why sure, Chris; you could slap all the celebs' you wanted to from those shows together, and what you'll wind up with is what helped to kill the '90 and '98 versions of MATCH GAME.
And, to be honest, I'm a little surprised H2 lasted as long as it did.
If Match Game 90 would have been on NBC, CBS, or syndication at that time, it would have had a better run. And many people would like Ross Shafer as host. Ross hasn't hosted another game show since it got cancelled in 1991.
As for the the 98 version, Michael Burger was awful as host, only 5 celebrities, and the Super Match was played just like the 70's version for $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000. That is considered chump change in the late 90's and now on game shows. And the winner of that show did not come back to the next show. What were they thinking in the 98 version? You have to have returning champions, have play up to a 5 show limit if they keep winning and the Super Match should have been play for $5,000, $10,000, or $25,000. If Match Game ever gets revived again(it won't) the Super Match should be played for $25,000.
@ Matt: After ABC cancelled MG ’90, CBS was expected to pick it up, which was why they cancelled Wheel of Fortune and moved Family Feud to its time slot, but it stalled for unexplained reasons. And Match Game ’98 was awful, but it wasn’t because of Michael Berger, it was because of the toliet humor, which was the main reason many stations aired it late at night.
@ MikeSant318: I know it succeeded as Press Your Luck, I was talking about at the time.
If Match Game 90 would have been on NBC, CBS, or syndication at that time, it would have had a better run. And many people would like Ross Shafer as host. Ross hasn't hosted another game show since it got cancelled in 1991.
As for the the 98 version, Michael Burger was awful as host, only 5 celebrities, and the Super Match was played just like the 70's version for $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000. That is considered chump change in the late 90's and now on game shows. And the winner of that show did not come back to the next show. What were they thinking in the 98 version? You have to have returning champions, have play up to a 5 show limit if they keep winning and the Super Match should have been play for $5,000, $10,000, or $25,000. If Match Game ever gets revived again(it won't) the Super Match should be played for $25,000.
If Match Game 90 would have been on NBC, CBS, or syndication at that time, it would have had a better run. And many people would like Ross Shafer as host. Ross hasn't hosted another game show since it got cancelled in 1991.
As for the the 98 version, Michael Burger was awful as host, only 5 celebrities, and the Super Match was played just like the 70's version for $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000. That is considered chump change in the late 90's and now on game shows. And the winner of that show did not come back to the next show. What were they thinking in the 98 version? You have to have returning champions, have play up to a 5 show limit if they keep winning and the Super Match should have been play for $5,000, $10,000, or $25,000. If Match Game ever gets revived again(it won't) the Super Match should be played for $25,000.
I have sometimes wondered if the creators of "1 vs. 100" were aware of the end game on "The Better Sex". Not a great show, but TBS did come up with an original concept for a bonus round.
I would like to see MG come back…but it is important to get good celebrities who can improvise, be risque (instead of raunchy), be smart, and be interesting.
As far as MG 98, I throw that in the "game show black hole"…should never be seen/heard from again. The show had no talent for the host or the panel. And it was cheaper than the 70s, 80s, and early 90s versions (some of which were syndicated previously).
For a current revival, I would say the Audience Match would be worth $250, $500, or $1,000
The Super Match would be for 10 times the amount, though I would bring back the star wheel for double the prize (for a top prize of $20,000)
The main game would be played for dollars (similar to the Shafer version):
$50 for each match in round 1, a $250 bonus given for matching all 5 celebrities (I did say 5 instead of 6 celebrities)
$100 for each match in round 2, a $500 bonus given for matching all 5 celebrities.
So a person could win $1500 in main game winnings (regardless of winning or losing the game).
A further note for my ideas for MG: The show would not air on TBS.
I would pitch this to either GSN or a network (like CBS for daytime)
Panel shows don't work anymore. All the celebrities try to trump one another. Furthermore, let Match Game rest in peace. The same goes for To Tell The Truth and I Got A Secret. It's not 1960 anymore! I will always enjoy the B&W episodes.
Panel shows don't work anymore. All the celebrities try to trump one another. Furthermore, let Match Game rest in peace. The same goes for To Tell The Truth and I Got A Secret. It's not 1960 anymore! I will always enjoy the B&W episodes.
Amen!!
If they were to pick up a show like this, it would a board game called "The Game of Things".
Basically the game centers around 5 people
1 Contestant
4 Members of the Panel (non-celeb)
A question is read like
"Things You Shouldn't Do on your honeymoon."
The 4 members of the panel answer, and the host reads the answer. An ideal answer would be "Text Your Mistress.", or "Get Divorced." An answer would be like "If the contestant matches the answer to the panelist they get $500. If they answer incorrectly, then at the end of the round the panelists read their answers, resulting in $250 for that panelist.
Bonus: One more question is asked, using a money tree format. If the contestant matches up 1 panelist, he gets $2,500. $5,000 for 2, $10,000 for 3, and $25,000 for all 4.
And that's the game, a simple, yet funny, 30 minutes of television.
Now, I had my insane family, particularity father and cousin do a pilot for this and it's on youtube, so click my name and see how it works, because I think this would work on cable tv.
If they were to pick up a show like this, it would a board game called "The Game of Things".
Basically the game centers around 5 people
1 Contestant
4 Members of the Panel (non-celeb)
A question is read like
"Things You Shouldn't Do on your honeymoon."
The 4 members of the panel answer, and the host reads the answer. An ideal answer would be "Text Your Mistress.", or "Get Divorced." An answer would be like "If the contestant matches the answer to the panelist they get $500. If they answer incorrectly, then at the end of the round the panelists read their answers, resulting in $250 for that panelist.
Bonus: One more question is asked, using a money tree format. If the contestant matches up 1 panelist, he gets $2,500. $5,000 for 2, $10,000 for 3, and $25,000 for all 4.
And that's the game, a simple, yet funny, 30 minutes of television.
Now, I had my insane family, particularity father and cousin do a pilot for this and it's on youtube, so click my name and see how it works, because I think this would work on cable tv.
If they were to pick up a show like this, it would a board game called "The Game of Things".
Basically the game centers around 5 people
1 Contestant
4 Members of the Panel (non-celeb)
A question is read like
"Things You Shouldn't Do on your honeymoon."
The 4 members of the panel answer, and the host reads the answer. An ideal answer would be "Text Your Mistress.", or "Get Divorced." An answer would be like "If the contestant matches the answer to the panelist they get $500. If they answer incorrectly, then at the end of the round the panelists read their answers, resulting in $250 for that panelist.
Bonus: One more question is asked, using a money tree format. If the contestant matches up 1 panelist, he gets $2,500. $5,000 for 2, $10,000 for 3, and $25,000 for all 4.
And that's the game, a simple, yet funny, 30 minutes of television.
Now, I had my insane family, particularity father and cousin do a pilot for this and it's on youtube, so click my name and see how it works, because I think this would work on cable tv.
If they were to pick up a show like this, it would a board game called "The Game of Things".
Basically the game centers around 5 people
1 Contestant
4 Members of the Panel (non-celeb)
A question is read like
"Things You Shouldn't Do on your honeymoon."
The 4 members of the panel answer, and the host reads the answer. An ideal answer would be "Text Your Mistress.", or "Get Divorced." An answer would be like "If the contestant matches the answer to the panelist they get $500. If they answer incorrectly, then at the end of the round the panelists read their answers, resulting in $250 for that panelist.
Bonus: One more question is asked, using a money tree format. If the contestant matches up 1 panelist, he gets $2,500. $5,000 for 2, $10,000 for 3, and $25,000 for all 4.
And that's the game, a simple, yet funny, 30 minutes of television.
Now, I had my insane family, particularity father and cousin do a pilot for this and it's on youtube, so click my name and see how it works, because I think this would work on cable tv.
Very true, Matt. We should let Match Game die and enjoy the reruns on GSN. The main reason H2 lasted as long as it did was because of Whoopi. When she left, the show went all downhill. You’re not going to have a successful predominately celebrity panel game show on TV today. Back in the ’60s, A-list celebrities would go on these shows and enjoy playing it. Now, in the days of Access Hollywood and TMZ, you will hardly ever see A-listers on these shows.
Don't forget E!, "Extra," "People" and "Us." And as much as I like Whoopi, H2 was more about her that the show itself; it deserved to die sooner.
Don't forget E!, "Extra," "People" and "Us." And as much as I like Whoopi, H2 was more about her that the show itself; it deserved to die sooner.
I'll decline comment on the execution of "The Better Sex," but I thought the game itself was very good.
I'll decline comment on the execution of "The Better Sex," but I thought the game itself was very good.
Maybe the Match Game revival could be a contender for CBS to replace one half of soom to vacate in Fall 2010 soap opera "As The World Turns".