Syndicated game shows that got an early start....

[aaron sica]

So the thread about the Ohio State eps of WoF got me thinking a bit.

This happened in Scranton in '86, and I wonder if it happened anywhere else and with any other shows.

Sometime in either late July or August, "Crosswits" premiered at 7:30 on WNEP-16 (the ABC station). The previous occupant of the time slot was Wheel, which in September was moving to WYOU-22 (the CBS station). For this brief time, Wheel did not air in this market! I'm thinking that the reason it left so abruptly was because its time ran out? It premiered on the station at the same time frame (late July/early August) in 1984, so it must have been a 2 year thing.

WNEP actually also premiered a game show a year LATE - "Split Second" and "High Rollers" aired in the 9am-10am hour for the '87-'88 season..Those two shows had the dubious distinction of replacing long-running kids show "Hatchy Milatchy" on the weekday schedule (it moved to Saturdays and pre-empted some cartoons).

[Ian Wallis]

The syndicated Joker's Wild started on WIVB Buffalo the last week of August, 1977.  Prior to that they had been airing reruns of CBS episodes.  Wheel of Fortune actually started Aug 22, 1983 on WKBW.

As for other shows, in the days of the "checkboard" format, some shows premiered in our area before such books as the Encyclopedia stated as the debut date - such as Break the Bank, $25,000 Pyramid, Name That Tune to name a few.

[Jimmy Owen]

This might not quite qualify, but several shows started locally before being launched in syndication.  "Oh My Word" and "Anniversary Game" are two examples off the top of my head.

[Jamey Greek]

On WFTV J! Premiered a week early on September 10th back to back with $100k Name That Tune.

[snowpeck]

On WFTV J! Premiered a week early on September 10th back to back with $100k Name That Tune.

September 10, 1984 was the national debut date.

[Jamey Greek]

On WFTV J! Premiered a week early on September 10th back to back with $100k Name That Tune.

September 10, 1984 was the national debut date.

Well Greg, EOTVGS lists the premiere date as September 17, 1984

[Vahan_Nisanian]

On WFTV J! Premiered a week early on September 10th back to back with $100k Name That Tune.

September 10, 1984 was the national debut date.

Well Greg, EOTVGS lists the premiere date as September 17, 1984

As a proud owner of the EOTVGS myself (I own the 3rd edition from 1999), they are not the be all, end all, of game show trivia. For example, there is not one mention of Michael Larson in the book's entry on Press Your Luck.

[BrandonFG]

As a proud owner of the EOTVGS myself (I own the 3rd edition from 1999), they are not the be all, end all, of game show trivia. For example, there is not one mention of Michael Larson in the book's entry on Press Your Luck.

In 1999, that story wasn't really as commonly known as it is today, and was probably more of an urban legend than anything. Not really the best example.

And yes, I know it was covered by TV Guide in the mid-90s. Doesn't mean the EOTVGS had to mention it, or that they got it wrong because they excluded it.

As for Jeopardy's premiere date, it's been established a million times that J! and Wheel premiered on different dates depending on the city. Some markets debuted Trebek on the 10th, others the 17th. It's really as simple as that.

[TLEberle]

In 1999, that story wasn't really as commonly known as it is today, and was probably more of an urban legend than anything. Not really the best example.

And yes, I know it was covered by TV Guide in the mid-90s. Doesn't mean the EOTVGS had to mention it, or that they got it wrong because they excluded it.

But that's why you have a yearbook editor, isn't it? To choose what's included and to catch errors of fact and typography. They cover the scandals, Thom McKee, some of the big winners on Jeopardy, I think Michael Larson can get some ink too. They certainly went well into the weeds on some articles to the detriment of others.

[BrandonFG]

That's a good point. It's been awhile since I've picked up a copy, but I guess I only took that stance because, even with the TV Guide article, his episodes hadn't seen the light of day.

Didn't realize they mentioned big Jeopardy winners. Might need to trek to my local library. :-P