This 13-week series has understandably been overlooked when discussing CBS's return to game shows in 1972, but "Amateur's Guide" nevertheless was a milestone of sorts. It was the network's first game since TTTT in 1968 and the first new daytime program added under Bud Grant's tenure which began in January of that year.
AGTL had been kicking around CBS for a while; it was mentioned in the New York Times article “Next Season’s TV Line-Up Starting to Take Form” (2-10-71) as one of the pilots CBS had viewed for a potential slot on the primetime fall schedule. That didn't happen, but the pilot did air as part of the "Comedy Playhouse" series on the evening of August 8, 1971. It was hosted by Joe Flynn and, according to the NYT listing, featured Rose Marie, Michael Landon, Dick Martin and Peter Marshall as panelists.
As CBS's reruns and serials got stale, its daytime ratings began to look more uncertain and Bud Grant was brought over from NBC to help the situation. Another NYT article, “C.B.S. Slipping From Long Daytime TV Lead" (1-21-72) mentioned that AGTL would be premiering on March 27, replacing "Gomer Pyle". It didn't last beyond the initial 13 weeks, probably because of the "Love, American Style" repeats on ABC (which the aforementioned article noted were quite popular). The various "guess-how-this-clip-ends" game shows over the years have seldom lasted longer than a year or so and AGTL didn't buck the trend.
Does anyone remember the show, particularly how the set looked? I've only ever seen the little photo in EOTVGS, 2nd edition, and wouldn't mind hearing more about it.
