A Game Show Resurgence and The Best Interview EVER~!
Well, the new Fall TV season for local (and cable) syndication started up this week, and with it comes a promising lineup of the old standby, the daytime game show. Family Feud, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, and Millionaire return to their respective affiliates for a new season. Plus, later on, Drew Carey takes over emcee duties for The Price Is Right on CBS - October 15th (More on Carey in a minute).
A brand new daytime game has also debuted, as of 9/9 - Merv Griffin's Crosswords, named aptly for the late TV icon who developed the concept, but sadly is no longer with us. The game, hosted by soap star Ty Treadway, starts off as two players each at a podium, competing to solve a giant crossword puzzle on a video wall, one clue at a time. It's easy to play along at home, but runs pretty straight forward up till the first commercial break. After that, a twist is thrown at the contestants.
Three extra contestants are introduced to the game, and assume podiums behind the main tier. These players are known as 'spoilers', and can buzz in to answer clues once a main player answers incorrectly, or doesn't buzz in at all. If a spoiler is correct, they take over the podium (as well as any cash/prizes) of the incorrect contestant. Or, they can choose who to shoo away if they were the lone correct guesser. This means any one of five players can win the game, and someone can 'steal' the lead contestant's earnings at the last minute.
Finally, the bonus round has the day's winner complete the remaining clues in the puzzle, in a race against the clock. If they succeed, they win an extra $2000 and a trip. If you find it on a station in your area at a decent time, check it out.
Along with many other interests, I've always been fascinated with game shows, even as a little kid. That's would I would watch primarily on sick days and holidays from school. When I had some hours to fill for my last semester in college, I actually opted to do an independant study paper on memorable TV game show moments. One show I absolutely cannot stand however, is Deal Or No Deal. The whole concept is 'Pick a case', lather, rinse, repeat. No real skill or basic intellegence required. Then as the first season wore on, they got saturated with gimmicky celebrity cameos, sweeps stunts, and irrelevant drama with the 'evil anonymous banker'. I enjoy games that involve guessing, trivia, or word puzzles, anything that makes you think or has any shred of educational value.
Honestly, if I had a dream of doing something I had not yet accomplished in life, I would want to be on a game show. Not for any greed towards money or prizes, but it would be fun to appear and participate as a part of something I've enjoyed for years, but have yet to experience. Aside from Crosswords, I wouldn't mind if that chance came on another new game show, CBS' Power of 10 with host Drew Carey. In four steps, one could earn a total of $10 Million. It's like Card Sharks without the deck, with a pinch of Family Feud thrown in. Basically, a contestant has to guess percentages of a survey poll question, within a shrinking margin, as the stakes get larger. It gives the viewer at home a flavor of suspense as they watch the rolling barrel try to match the range of the contestant's choice. Also, within a few weeks of air, Drew Carey seems relaxed in the host's position. With the game already renewed an additional six weeks, it'll be interesting to see Carey play double duty with Price tapings by day, and Ten at nights.
Finally, to cap off this entry today - I found this classic (but previously un-aired on TV) edition of Piper's Pit, where Roddy interviews a special guest - his favorite person in the world - himself! Now, if you're wondering why you haven't seen this edition back in the day...simply watch, listen carefully, and keep in mind that this was filmed in the mid-80s.
Enjoy!
A brand new daytime game has also debuted, as of 9/9 - Merv Griffin's Crosswords, named aptly for the late TV icon who developed the concept, but sadly is no longer with us. The game, hosted by soap star Ty Treadway, starts off as two players each at a podium, competing to solve a giant crossword puzzle on a video wall, one clue at a time. It's easy to play along at home, but runs pretty straight forward up till the first commercial break. After that, a twist is thrown at the contestants.
Three extra contestants are introduced to the game, and assume podiums behind the main tier. These players are known as 'spoilers', and can buzz in to answer clues once a main player answers incorrectly, or doesn't buzz in at all. If a spoiler is correct, they take over the podium (as well as any cash/prizes) of the incorrect contestant. Or, they can choose who to shoo away if they were the lone correct guesser. This means any one of five players can win the game, and someone can 'steal' the lead contestant's earnings at the last minute.
Finally, the bonus round has the day's winner complete the remaining clues in the puzzle, in a race against the clock. If they succeed, they win an extra $2000 and a trip. If you find it on a station in your area at a decent time, check it out.
Along with many other interests, I've always been fascinated with game shows, even as a little kid. That's would I would watch primarily on sick days and holidays from school. When I had some hours to fill for my last semester in college, I actually opted to do an independant study paper on memorable TV game show moments. One show I absolutely cannot stand however, is Deal Or No Deal. The whole concept is 'Pick a case', lather, rinse, repeat. No real skill or basic intellegence required. Then as the first season wore on, they got saturated with gimmicky celebrity cameos, sweeps stunts, and irrelevant drama with the 'evil anonymous banker'. I enjoy games that involve guessing, trivia, or word puzzles, anything that makes you think or has any shred of educational value.
Honestly, if I had a dream of doing something I had not yet accomplished in life, I would want to be on a game show. Not for any greed towards money or prizes, but it would be fun to appear and participate as a part of something I've enjoyed for years, but have yet to experience. Aside from Crosswords, I wouldn't mind if that chance came on another new game show, CBS' Power of 10 with host Drew Carey. In four steps, one could earn a total of $10 Million. It's like Card Sharks without the deck, with a pinch of Family Feud thrown in. Basically, a contestant has to guess percentages of a survey poll question, within a shrinking margin, as the stakes get larger. It gives the viewer at home a flavor of suspense as they watch the rolling barrel try to match the range of the contestant's choice. Also, within a few weeks of air, Drew Carey seems relaxed in the host's position. With the game already renewed an additional six weeks, it'll be interesting to see Carey play double duty with Price tapings by day, and Ten at nights.
Finally, to cap off this entry today - I found this classic (but previously un-aired on TV) edition of Piper's Pit, where Roddy interviews a special guest - his favorite person in the world - himself! Now, if you're wondering why you haven't seen this edition back in the day...simply watch, listen carefully, and keep in mind that this was filmed in the mid-80s.
Click to viewEnjoy!