Matches -n- Mates Photograph-1967-WJW Cleveland

[Tim L]

Here is a 1967 photograph of Art James on the set of "Matches n Mates"..A Syndicated game show produced at WJW-TV 8 Cleveland..

http://neohiotvmemories.files.wordpress.co...-mates-1967.jpg

This comes from "Northeast Ohio TV Memories" a new blog by Neil Zurcher, famous for his "One Tank Trips" reports on Fox 8 news and before that, NewsCenter 8, when WJW was a CBS affiliate..Loads of pictures from Cleveland area TV over the years..Updated just about daily..



http://neohiotvmemories.wordpress.com/

[Tim L]

On the above mentioned blog, someone asked about the History of Matches N Mates..While there isnt a lot about the show on the web, The question about the show's history led me to look around..While the show originated in Cleveland, it moved to Storer's WAGA-5 in Atlanta later in it's run..An announcer there, Dave Michaels, served as Matches N Mates announcer for host Art James..I emailed him this morning and here are two emails he sent me in return..(reproduced with Mr. Michaels'  permission)


Hi Tim!
Thanks for your message about Matches N Mates. That was a great deal
of fun while I was working at Storer's WAGA-TV in Atlanta. I had
worked around Roger Muir and Bobby Nicholson when I was an NBC Page
back in 1954. They were both deeply involved with Howdy Doody. Roger
was the Producer and Nick played Clarabell for a short time after
Roger fired Bob Keeshan.
So doing Matches was like old home week for me.
It was syndicated and allowed my family on Long Island to hear my
voice while the show ran on WABC-TV. I believe we did a little over a
hundred tapings at TV-5 Atlanta.
That's a great picture of Art you sent.
I have another one with me prior to a taping session. It's on my web
site at:
http://michaelsd.tripod.com/Acting.htm
I worked for Nick & Roger on a couple of Pilots later - one in Canada
and another we taped in Atlanta. They were good friends.
I used to run across Art in LA from time to time while I was anchoring
Eyewitness News at KABC-TV and hosting AM Los Angeles. We would be
auditioning for the same project. He was a good guy and fun to work
with.
I haven't got anything on the history of the show - just my part. I
announced the show, did audience warm-up and helped pre-interview
contestants thru a mock game show set-up.
I hope this helps a bit.
Thanks for asking.
DaveM


The second email, in which he tells of a meeting with comedian Tim Conway..

 Tim...
Your welcome to use anything you want.
Here's a funny little story involving Tim Conway who you probably know
was a Director at the Storer Station in Cleveland.
He was a guest on AM Los Angeles at KABC-TV when I was hosting the
show.
While setting up for the live interview I said to Tim, "We have
something in common. We both worked for Storer Broadcasting - you in
Cleveland and me in Atlanta."
Without taking a beat Tim said, "Generous weren't they?"
It really made me laugh.
Best regards,
DaveM

Just something I thought might be of interest..

[aaron sica]

[quote name=\'Tim L\' post=\'213118\' date=\'Apr 14 2009, 01:49 PM\']

While setting up for the live interview I said to Tim, "We have
something in common. We both worked for Storer Broadcasting - you in
Cleveland and me in Atlanta."
Without taking a beat Tim said, "Generous weren't they?"
It really made me laugh.
Best regards,
DaveM

Just something I thought might be of interest..
[/quote]

Tim Conway is a living legend. The blooper from "The Carol Burnett Show" where he tells his story about the siamese elephants is one for the ages.

/ObGameShow: We'd have had "Password '79" if not for Carol