I think it was the timing (as Alex noted) and maybe just Sal's association with the X Games putting off some of the more straight-laced Nielsen families. If the latter is true, it really isn't fair, because I thought he was one of the best hosts of the year.
I know I've tuned into various portions of the X Games (and wish they would bring back the downhill lay-on-your-back skateboard racing), but the first time I heard the name Sal Masekela was on BallBreakers.
It was an interesting show, that didn't really seem broken to me, which alone is enough to vault far up my listings.
1) Russian Roulette: Two words: Maria Lay. Well, that plus Walberg jumping in the hole at the end of the models' show.
2) Hollywood Showdown: ...was this Todd Newton's first game show?
3) Extreme Dodgeball: I put this up here almost exclusively on the strength(read: amusement) of the announce team. Plus it's fun to watch. Prefer the first format.
4) Lingo: Maybe it's just me, but I think this show moves like molasses. I usually filter out everything but the bonus round.
5) WSoBJ: +5 Insightful into the strategy of blackjack.
6) Celebrity Blackjack: The little twists they threw in made it interesting regardless of who was playing.
7) Ballbreakers: Lots of things going on, and the lively side betting was a plus.
Inquizition: ...is there any other game show in the last decade that's asked nearly as many questions as Jeopardy per show? [INQUIZITOR FOR DOND BANKER 2006-2007]
9) Whammy!: Pales in comparison to the source material, but there were a few exciting games.
10) Anything to Win: I was surprised to find myself drawn to pretty much every story they talked about.
Honorable mention to GSN's IGAS. I'm one of those "lucky" folks on Time Warner who lost GSN (and I haven't got it back) before this show premiered, but every clip I've seen of it has been a riot.