GSN expands its programming

[PeterMarshallFan]

Just when we thought that the "all kinds of gaming programming" thing might not happen after all.....

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031110/lam083_1.html

Can't they leave this to ESPN? I guess it's better than the video game block, but still.....

[Speedy G]

Well...

I must say, it's one thing to try and change your network's brand identity.  It's another matter entirely to put on programming that's unique and watchable (I won't badmouth SpikeTV anymore purely because of Most Extreme Elimination Challenge), as opposed to programming that's just following every other trend that's prominent.

Good lord.  BLACKJACK?!  Poker's interesting to watch because you get to get into the player's heads.  We all know that the players you see on these shows all know the odds down to minute details.  I can't see how a Blackjack tourney isn't going to be A) masses of interchangeable players following the standard tables of when to hit and when to stand, or B) card counters upon card counters.  Poker's at least a game of psychology at the top echelon.  What makes experts playing Blackjack watchable?

[clemon79]

[quote name=\'Speedy G\' date=\'Nov 10 2003, 01:08 PM\'] Poker's at least a game of psychology at the top echelon.  What makes experts playing Blackjack watchable? [/quote]
 Perhaps, but without good announcers it's still painfully boring TV. Maybe the blackjack announcers will find a way to explain why it's interesting.

As is my usual policy, I'll reserve my criticism until I've seen it.

[Jimmy Owen]

Maybe if they had Wink M. ask questions before the players can get the cards and they got Elaine Stewart to deal.....

[DrBear]

Having played some tournament blackjack at the local casinos (I made the final table exactly once and won $250) let me tell you, I'm not optimistic.

About the only difference between that and regular casino blackjack is that you'll see some plays that aren't in the regular "basic strategy" (splitting 10's, etc.) to get more money on a short-term basis.  And there aren't that many good card counters to really be experts. Blackjack is much more of a "luck" game than poker, of course; even card counters can have bad runs of cards (their success comes in knowing when to leave).

The luck element may be about the same as on "Gambit," even more if they're using multiple decks (the release didn't say). And really, even in tournament play, what your opponent does is of little relevance to what you do with your own cards.

Then again, it could work. Besides, it's better than if they did a show based on that big wheel in the casino...what's that called again? Wheel of...something...

[Pyramid80]

Oh boy, that sounds fun.  Is there anyway that we can have Cronin impeached?

[uncamark]

[quote name=\'Pyramid80\' date=\'Nov 10 2003, 05:51 PM\']Oh boy, that sounds fun.  Is there anyway that we can have Cronin impeached?[/quote]
Would you rather have the previous management's "Burt Luddin's Love Buffet," "DJ Games" or "Hell Yes I'm a Redneck!" instead?

I thought so.

[PeterMarshallFan]

[quote name=\'uncamark\' date=\'Nov 10 2003, 07:50 PM\'] [quote name=\'Pyramid80\' date=\'Nov 10 2003, 05:51 PM\']Oh boy, that sounds fun.  Is there anyway that we can have Cronin impeached?[/quote]
Would you rather have the previous management's "Burt Luddin's Love Buffet," "DJ Games" or "Hell Yes I'm a Redneck!" instead?

I thought so. [/quote]
 At least those were game shows, albeit bad ones......

[Chelsea Thrasher]

That, then, boils us down (at 350degree heat for 30 minutes) to the $64,000 Question.

Would you (meaning the reader of this question) rather watch a really bad game show, or a Above-Meh Blackjack show,

[PeterMarshallFan]

[quote name=\'Seth Thrasher\' date=\'Nov 10 2003, 09:50 PM\'] That, then, boils us down (at 350degree heat for 30 minutes) to the $64,000 Question.

Would you (meaning the reader of this question) rather watch a really bad game show, or a Above-Meh Blackjack show, [/quote]
 I'll have a reserved seat in the TTD90 room for the slot in which this airs. Patrick Wayne is funi. :-P

[whampyl03]

Didn't I call that somthing like this would happen a few weeks ago?  My worst nightmares are coming true.

[Dbacksfan12]

[quote name=\'whampyl03\' date=\'Nov 10 2003, 09:54 PM\'] Didn't I call that somthing like this would happen a few weeks ago?  My worst nightmares are coming true. [/quote]
 Your worst nightmare involves a tv station?
I hope you are using the phrase figuratively and not objectively.

[MikeK]

This gives GSN more exposure plus they're following a trend in which several networks have or are trying to capitalize.  ESPN/ESPN2 reruns The World Series of Poker ad nauseum (and I watch every time because, as someone said earlier, it's a great mental game).  The Travel Channel has The World Poker Tour, which I was every time for the same reason.  Bravo will have a Celebrity Poker Tournament of some sort, which will start airing in the next month or two.

GSN's just jumping on the bandwagon, even though the game of choice is very bland compared to No Limit Texas Hold 'Em, IMHO.

[whampyl03]

QUOTE (whampyl03 @ Nov 10 2003, 09:54 PM)
Didn't I call that somthing like this would happen a few weeks ago? My worst nightmares are coming true. 


Your worst nightmare involves a tv station?
I hope you are using the phrase figuratively and not objectively.

I don't get out much, so that statement is more slanted toward objectively rather than figuratively.

Switching back on topic...

Have we entered game-related Hell yet?

[Ian Wallis]

To think ... last week we were all applauding GSN for adding more classics to the schedule, especially after the November 17th changes.  I guess we all have to accept the fact that GSN will never be purely just game shows anymore.