36 years ago today.....

[Winkfan]

This introduction was spoken over the ABC network for the first time:

"These three players will compete in a classic battle of knowledge and strategy.....and one of them will have a chance to win a top prize of $10,000--today on The Big Showdown!"

And so began a show that would become a cult fave of the mid-1970s and turn a former college dean by the name of Jim Peck into a daytime TV heartthrob.

Also being launched that same day, by that same network was another show called The Money Maze. Its' host came from a show biz family. His name was Nick Clooney; brother of Rosemary, and, of course, father of George.

Cordially,
Tammy

[Neumms]

[quote name=\'Winkfan\' post=\'253178\' date=\'Dec 23 2010, 05:21 PM\']Also being launched that same day, by that same network was another show called The Money Maze. Its' host came from a show biz family. His name was Nick Clooney; brother of Rosemary, and later father of George.[/quote]

I have a hunch George would have popped out over 36 years ago.

[chris319]

George was around at the time. He was a production assistant on The Money Maze.

[BrandonFG]

Two underrated shows that deserved longer runs, and could've been classics.

After finally watching an episode of Showdown a few years ago, I must say that is one of the most well-crafted, well-produced game shows ever.

The format and strategy were absolutely brilliant IMO, and I had no problem with the pure luck bonus round. I've said this before, but after all the Q&A and trying to figure out a strategy of shutting out your opponents, I thought rolling dice for :30 seconds was a nice mental reward.

[calliaume]

[quote name=\'chris319\' post=\'253186\' date=\'Dec 23 2010, 07:38 PM\']George was around at the time. He was a production assistant on The Money Maze.[/quote]
I don't know how much assisting he did, given he was 13 years old at the time.

I also suspect, given Nick Clooney was commuting in from Cincinnati to tape the show, that George traveled with Dad and stayed in school the rest of the time.

[tvwxman]

[quote name=\'calliaume\' post=\'253243\' date=\'Dec 24 2010, 06:52 AM\'][quote name=\'chris319\' post=\'253186\' date=\'Dec 23 2010, 07:38 PM\']George was around at the time. He was a production assistant on The Money Maze.[/quote]
I don't know how much assisting he did, given he was 13 years old at the time.

I also suspect, given Nick Clooney was commuting in from Cincinnati to tape the show, that George traveled with Dad and stayed in school the rest of the time.
[/quote]
Alan Kalter, who is one of 'the nice guys' in the business, told me recently, that amongst his duties as announcer on MM was to look after George ....told me that he would have him sit in the booth with him....

[dale_grass]

[quote name=\'tvwxman\' post=\'253249\' date=\'Dec 24 2010, 10:40 AM\']Alan Kalter, who is one of 'the nice guys' in the business, told me recently, that amongst his duties as announcer on MM was to look after George ....told me that he would have him sit in the booth with him....[/quote]

Lo and behold, years later they met up again.