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Author Topic: GSC  (Read 4105 times)

tvrandywest

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« on: July 16, 2007, 03:07:55 AM »
I've received several e-mails from folks who were unable to attend Game Show Congress 6, asking about the day. There was so many good folks, good talk, and good times, that I couldn't possibly provide all the details. But perhaps others who attended will want to add their thoughts, and by doing so, provide a more complete recap for those with perspiring minds.

The Ceramic Dalmatians played dead-on live game show themes

Keven Olmstead opened

I got some good laughs with the welcomes/acknowledgements/intro of the award recipients

Mark Maxwell Smith did a fun audience warm-up

Awesome tribute videos to Charles Nelson Reilly, Tom Poston, and Kitty Carlisle

A video of Wink's career and life with incredible clips, Elvis, all the game shows, et al

Speaking for Wink were TTD contestant Thom McKee and Charlie O

Wink was funny, elegant, touching and classy

A video of Bob Stewart's life and career with rare, wonderful clips

Speaking for Bob: Betty White (everyone wanted to hug her - so sweet); Sande Stewart (articulate and touching); Ann Cullen (a beautiful woman)

A special surprise award to Betty White

Bob then told a dozen of his incredible stories that should really be written down sometime - I've heard most of them previously and am still in awe of how it all worked in those days, and at Bob's motivations for shows. He closed with a very touching and personal tribute to a dear member of his professional family who passed away last year.

After the lunch Chris Clementson's Match Game revival was great fun despite the fact that I hosted it  ;-)
Our own Matt O. was killer on the panel in the lead-off seat.

Here's list of the "name" attendees I remember. But keep in mind that there were a ton of lesser known producers, writers, agents, contestant coordinators, prize coordinators, etc who have been part of our little game show family for decades. It really did feel like family.

Bob Stewart
Sande Stewart
Wink Martindale
Ann Cullen
Betsy Palmer
Barbara Feldon
Betty White
Geoff Edwards
Florence Henderson
Lois Nettleton
Teresa Ganzel
June Lockhart
Larry Anderson
Henry Polick II
Earl Holliman

And in my old little world of announcers, it was all-star:
Don Pardo
Charlie O'Donnell
Burton Richardson
Johnny Gilbert
Rich Fields and
that Randy West guy

There were so many awesome moments and stories. I hope others who were there will share. Wish everyone could have been there to take away their own magical memories. Maybe next year!


Randy
tvrandywest
« Last Edit: July 16, 2007, 04:03:37 AM by chris319 »
The story behind the voice you know and love... the voice of a generation of game shows: Johnny Olson!

Celebrate the centennial of the America's favorite announcer with "Johnny Olson: A Voice in Time."

Preview the book free: click "Johnny O Tribute" http://www.tvrandywest.com

Matt Ottinger

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« Reply #1 on: July 16, 2007, 03:53:13 AM »
Even though it was a smaller event than in past years, it seemed that everyone there had a good time.  Virtually all the celebrity attendees were happy to sign autographs and pose for pictures.  Also, in addition to the stuff Randy mentioned, a few dozen of us Congresspeople descended on the ACME theater for J. Keith van Straaten's live What's My Line? event (with mystery guest Peter Falk), and many on Saturday played a Jeopardy simulator and various other game show adaptations.  Great fun.
This has been another installment of Matt Ottinger's Masters of the Obvious.
Stay tuned for all the obsessive-compulsive fun of Words Have Meanings.

Adam Nedeff

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« Reply #2 on: July 16, 2007, 04:11:40 AM »
I arrived an hour early and met a few other fans, including SRIV94, or "SRIV" for short. We talked for a while until murmuring of a possible Don Pardo sighting caused us to migrate to the lobby, and there he was. His voice is shockingly different in person (soft-spoken and thick New Yawk accent). His hands shook a little bit but other than that, he was as lively and friendly as I'd like to be at that age. Matt Ottinger politely escorted Don to a reception area where Bob Stewart was waiting, and the two of them immediately began reminiscing while I acted as a fly on the wall. Matt emereged from the room and cracked me up with his boastful announcement: "You'll have to excuse me, everybody...I'm GETTING DON PARDO HIS COFFEE."

More milling around and watching the stars arrive. I met Randy West, Rich Fields, Fred Wostbrock, David Schwartz, Ron Greenberg, and Barbara Feldon. We watched Wink and Florence Henderson make their entrances as well. I got some photos taken with help from Matt O. (lesson for future reference: Matt becomes frightened if he doesn't immediately know how a camera works :-))

At noon the shindig started. I had the chicken. Chicken was good. Was everybody else happy?

I sat at the same table as J. Keith Van Stratten, who predictably had a great sense of humor. I asked him to autograph my Encyclopedia of TV Game Shows, and, looking shocked, he asked, "Don't you want to preserve the value of it?"

The speeches started. Mark Maxwell Smith was a shining example of what audience warm-up SHOULD be. There were some very well produced video tributes which Randy mentioned. Thom McKee (who, for some reason, really shocked me with how good he is at speeches) and Charlie O'Donnell both told great stories about the Winkster. Wink gave a funny and occasionally surprising speech (didn't expect Wink to quote a George Carlin joke about student-teacher sex, but, well, he did).

Next was Bob Stewart's tribute...or so we thought. Betty White did her tribute and then was asked to stay and got surprised with the 1st Arlene Francis Lifetime Panelist Achievement Award. It was a neat bonus for the day.

Then we got back to the Bob Stewart tribute, this time for real. Ann Cullen got in a funny "cheap" jab at him, Sande Stewart had some nice behind-the-scenes observations, and Bob himself had a book's worth of stories. (Side note: Strongly recommend the multi-part interview with Bob on Google Video.)

The ceremony ended and I began making beelines through the ball room with things for various folks to autograph. Tragically, going through all the stuff I brought back, I fear something got left behind...So, selfish aside here...If you found a photo from the "Gambit" pilot inscribed "To Adam, Wink Martindale," e-mail me immediately.

I also got to rub shoulders with Betsy Palmer (who was delighted by the TV Guide cover I had for her), Betty White (who was thrilled when I handed her a photo of Mr. & Mrs. Ludden from very shortly after the wedding), Bob Stewart, Barry Jenner, and Geoff Edwards (who actually noticed that I got my hair cut since I met him last year).

Mr. Clementson, I can't thank you enough for Match Game. You really seemed to have this "I hope it's good enough attitude" about it, but it was great stuff. The set, the audio, and even the little things (Randy's mike and the question cards) were sensational (I went rummaging through the pile afterward and nabbed two of the cards with questions I had written for souvenirs). And I second Randy's motion...Matt was the best panelist there (though all of you were in rare form).

After the Congress was officially done, it was off for a quick snack and then What's My Line? As I told J. Keith after the show, I came there expecting the show to be good...I never expected it to be THAT good. J. Keith is a great moderator, Adam Chester did some superb music (his warm-up included a phenomenal version of "Bohemian Rhapsody"), the panel had good chemistry (although Oscar Nunez seemed a little nervous), and all of the games were just FUNNY. Contestants were a maker of gourmet dog treats ("Would children enjoy this product?"), a retired meter maid who was on the show in 1964 (they followed the game with a clip!), Mr. X (who turned out to be MAD Magazine artist Sergio Aragones), and they absolutely went above and beyond in getting a Mystery Guest...PETER FALK. Wow! I kinda bullied my roommate (who's not really a game show fan) into coming with me, and he left the show confident that we were coming back for the next two shows and that we were getting our other roommate to come with us.

It was a thrill to meet all of you. The out-of-towners, I definitely will see you next year. Those of you in LA...I'm in Glendale and feel free to drop by or meet me somewhere for lunch. And those who didn't come...stash your pennies for next year, it's worth the journey.

byrd62

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« Reply #3 on: July 16, 2007, 11:02:45 AM »
I was listening to Stu Shostak's live online audio coverage of the GSC luncheon on his Shokus Internet Radio, and it flat-out rocked.  Stu and his cohorts, Ronnie Paul and Christopher Bay, helped "paint the picture" for the event.  Bob Stewart breaking down as he talked about his late colleague Anne Marie Schmitt had to be the big highlight.  And just because Teresa Ganzel just married--congratulations to her--didn't stop me from enjoying her being interviewed during the wrapup show by Stu and the gang.
« Last Edit: July 16, 2007, 11:03:27 AM by byrd62 »

chris319

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« Reply #4 on: July 16, 2007, 12:45:53 PM »
Quote
the wrapup show by Stu and the gang.
Yet another thing to compete with the Match Game presentation.

Chief-O

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« Reply #5 on: July 16, 2007, 01:44:08 PM »
I listened to a good part of Bob's speech [over Shokus], and I'm now listening to part 2 of the video interview.

Why hasn't he written a book yet??? He's got a ton of great stories.
There are three things I've learned never to discuss with people: Religion, politics, and the proper wrapping of microphone cables.

MikeK

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« Reply #6 on: July 16, 2007, 03:03:16 PM »
[quote name=\'Adam Nedeff\' post=\'157564\' date=\'Jul 16 2007, 04:11 AM\']Contestants were...Mr. X (who turned out to be MAD Magazine artist Sergio Aragones), and they absolutely went above and beyond in getting a Mystery Guest...PETER FALK.[/quote]
And my LA trip regrets continue.

I listened to part of Bob Stewart at the luncheon yesterday.  Wow, classic.

Hopefully #7 will happen this time next year...

clemon79

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« Reply #7 on: July 16, 2007, 03:25:37 PM »
[quote name=\'Adam Nedeff\' post=\'157564\' date=\'Jul 16 2007, 01:11 AM\']
and they absolutely went above and beyond in getting a Mystery Guest...PETER FALK.
[/quote]
I would have loved to have met him and then on my way out turned and given him the "...One more thing..." treatment. Because I'm sure nobody has ever done that to him before. :)
Chris Lemon, King Fool, Director of Suck Consolidation
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Jeremy Nelson

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« Reply #8 on: July 16, 2007, 04:15:40 PM »
Wow, every year this event seems great, and every year, I can't go. Sucks to be a poor college student.

Being in a band, I would have loved to hear the Ceramic Dalmatians. Does anybody have a snippet of any of their stuff?
« Last Edit: July 16, 2007, 04:15:54 PM by rollercoaster87 »
Fact To Make You Feel Old: Just about every contestant who appears in a Price is Right Teen Week episode from here on out has only known a world where Drew Carey has been the host.

BrandonFG

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« Reply #9 on: July 16, 2007, 07:34:47 PM »
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'157624\' date=\'Jul 16 2007, 03:25 PM\']
[quote name=\'Adam Nedeff\' post=\'157564\' date=\'Jul 16 2007, 01:11 AM\']
and they absolutely went above and beyond in getting a Mystery Guest...PETER FALK.
[/quote]
I would have loved to have met him and then on my way out turned and given him the "...One more thing..." treatment. Because I'm sure nobody has ever done that to him before. :)
[/quote]
You have to cup your hand over your eye when you do so. :-)

/yes, I know why Falk did that on the show.
"It wasn't like this on Tic Tac Dough...Wink never gave a damn!"

SRIV94

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« Reply #10 on: July 16, 2007, 10:26:32 PM »
[quote name=\'Adam Nedeff\' post=\'157564\' date=\'Jul 16 2007, 03:11 AM\']
I arrived an hour early and met a few other fans, including SRIV94, or "SRIV" for short. We talked for a while until murmuring of a possible Don Pardo sighting caused us to migrate to the lobby, and there he was. His voice is shockingly different in person (soft-spoken and thick New Yawk accent). His hands shook a little bit but other than that, he was as lively and friendly as I'd like to be at that age. Matt Ottinger politely escorted Don to a reception area where Bob Stewart was waiting, and the two of them immediately began reminiscing while I acted as a fly on the wall. Matt emereged from the room and cracked me up with his boastful announcement: "You'll have to excuse me, everybody...I'm GETTING DON PARDO HIS COFFEE."
[/quote]
Nice summation of the events of the day.  But that's MISTER SRIV94 to you, buster!  :)

I'm sorry I didn't join you for the fly-on-the-wall moments.
Doug
----------------------------------------
"When you see the crawl at the end of the show you will see a group of talented people who will all be moving over to other shows...the cameramen aren't are on that list, but they're not talented people."  John Davidson, TIME MACHINE (4/26/85)

SRIV94

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GSC
« Reply #11 on: July 16, 2007, 10:28:54 PM »
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'157624\' date=\'Jul 16 2007, 02:25 PM\']
[quote name=\'Adam Nedeff\' post=\'157564\' date=\'Jul 16 2007, 01:11 AM\']
and they absolutely went above and beyond in getting a Mystery Guest...PETER FALK.
[/quote]
I would have loved to have met him and then on my way out turned and given him the "...One more thing..." treatment. Because I'm sure nobody has ever done that to him before. :)
[/quote]
Makes two of us.  He ducked out before I could nab him, though.

/Isn't that a switch?  Usually he's the one nabbing the other guy.
Doug
----------------------------------------
"When you see the crawl at the end of the show you will see a group of talented people who will all be moving over to other shows...the cameramen aren't are on that list, but they're not talented people."  John Davidson, TIME MACHINE (4/26/85)

Matt Ottinger

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GSC
« Reply #12 on: July 17, 2007, 03:35:56 AM »
[quote name=\'Adam Nedeff\' post=\'157564\' date=\'Jul 16 2007, 04:11 AM\']
I got some photos taken with help from Matt O. (lesson for future reference: Matt becomes frightened if he doesn't immediately know how a camera works :-)) [/quote]
Your modern inventions frighten and confuse me.
This has been another installment of Matt Ottinger's Masters of the Obvious.
Stay tuned for all the obsessive-compulsive fun of Words Have Meanings.

Don Howard

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GSC
« Reply #13 on: July 17, 2007, 07:35:25 AM »
[quote name=\'SRIV94\' post=\'157660\' date=\'Jul 16 2007, 10:28 PM\']
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'157624\' date=\'Jul 16 2007, 02:25 PM\']
[quote name=\'Adam Nedeff\' post=\'157564\' date=\'Jul 16 2007, 01:11 AM\']
and they absolutely went above and beyond in getting a Mystery Guest...PETER FALK.
[/quote]
I would have loved to have met him and then on my way out turned and given him the "...One more thing..." treatment. Because I'm sure nobody has ever done that to him before. :)
[/quote]
Makes two of us.  He ducked out before I could nab him, though.
[/quote]
But at least last year you got to nab Marty Ingels.

SRIV94

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GSC
« Reply #14 on: July 17, 2007, 08:52:32 AM »
[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'157687\' date=\'Jul 17 2007, 06:35 AM\']
But at least last year you got to nab Marty Ingels.
[/quote]
Who's still talking.

/Probably with Bob Stewart.
Doug
----------------------------------------
"When you see the crawl at the end of the show you will see a group of talented people who will all be moving over to other shows...the cameramen aren't are on that list, but they're not talented people."  John Davidson, TIME MACHINE (4/26/85)