One thing I learned in my years of watching game show is that certain producers have a distinguishing feature in their shows that serve as their "trademark" if you will. So assuming a new game show came out, could you tell who produced it just by watching the game, or even listening to the theme music? For example, the distinguishing features of:
Mark Goodson & Bill Todman: I don't have a specific distinguishing feature per se, but I noticed that they have the uncanny knack to revamp an otherwise solid game format into something radically different and the revamp is usually more successful than the original format (Match Game, Price is Right, Password)
Jack Barry & Dan Enright: Bonus game always have an "avoid the [devil/dragon/lightning/Bust Card]" feature attached, plus the theme songs are typically composed by Hal Hidey
Merrill Heater & Bob Quigley: Celebrity and Vegas themed games
Merv Griffin Productions: Not really sure offhand, but I'm sure someone here knows or can describe it more eloquently than I can.
Bob Stewart Productions: There's some rather clever variation of "Pyramid" as it's own game (I saw the "Raise the Dead" marathon, and I wasn't surprised that a number of the unsold pilots that were presented were Bob Stewart shows, though I think a few of them should have sold).
Chuck Barris Productions: There's either an anti-something element (Gong Show is the anti-talent show, $1.98 Beauty Show is the anti-pageant show, Cheap Show is the anti-big prize show), or a social relationship element (Dating Game, Newlywed Game, 3s A Crowd)
Jay Wolpert Productions: Games has some variation of a "Blind Item" element (Double Dare, Whew, Rodeo Drive, Blackout).
There's more, but I think you get the picture.
Please folks, I know there will be shows that are exceptions for every producer, but I'm just looking for "the rule" (lest this thread get derailed by those wanting to qualify a distinguishing feature with a show that didn't fit the norm).
Most importantly, have fun!