Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour Question

[Bob Zager]

I'd seen at least one episode with George Gobel, and another episode w/Bill Cullen, each not participating in the walk-in segment; however, one other celebrity didn't participate in the walk-in portion--David L. Lander (Squiggy, from Laverne & Shirley).  Years after his appearance, he mentioned in an interview that he was experiencing an odd feeling (like dizziness), and thus just took his place on the set.  Shortly afterwards, he went to see a doctor, and was diagnosed to have Multiple Sclerosis. 

[Eric Paddon]

Vincent Price I believe was on one week.

[JasonA1]

Vincent Price I believe was on one week.

Not seeing him in either year in this episode guide (1983 or 1984).

-Jason

[SuperSweeper]

The celebrity mix was quite odd...it's interesting to see folks who seemingly made their only game show appearance on this, of all shows (Hi, Helen Reddy!) as well the unexpected semi-regulars (Wow, Nedra Volz did eight weeks?).

There were also a lot of familiar faces that popped up - it seemed like just about everyone who did Pyramid or Super Password in the mid-'80s made at least one appearance.

[Eric Paddon]

You're right he's not in those guides.     I'm prepared to acknowledge my memory is wrong (it's based on my remembering him playing a MG round and I know it wasn't syndie MG)

[The Pyramids]

Wasn't Arlene Francis's last game show appearance this show? I think both she and Chuck Woolery were in the 'HS' half once.

[BillCullen1]

There is a You Tube ep on Arlene on this extravaganza. AFAIK, this was her last game show appearance.

[Scrabbleship]

There is a You Tube ep on Arlene on this extravaganza. AFAIK, this was her last game show appearance.

In that one episode she didn't get picked at all, was the subject of a question, and had the 30 multiplier in Super Match.

[calliaume]

There is a You Tube ep on Arlene on this extravaganza. AFAIK, this was her last game show appearance.

She was still doing her radio show in New York at that point, so going to California without taking a chunk of time off was probably a challenge.

I hate to say it, but by that point it's likely one of the celebrity bookers on the show was being kind.  WML had been off the air for over eight years, and she probably didn't have very much recognition outside of New York.

[tvwxman]

I hate to say it, but by that point it's likely one of the celebrity bookers on the show was being kind.  WML had been off the air for over eight years, and she probably didn't have very much recognition outside of New York.

Probably correct. I was the one who taped that episode off-air (35 years ago!!!!) , and it was at the end of the run. It seemed like , at that point, they would take anyone they could get their hands on. NBC pushed soap opera stars, and occasionally they'd get a MG veteran, but most were....just an odd mix.

[The Pyramids]

There is a You Tube ep on Arlene on this extravaganza. AFAIK, this was her last game show appearance.

She was still doing her radio show in New York at that point, so going to California without taking a chunk of time off was probably a challenge.

I hate to say it, but by that point it's likely one of the celebrity bookers on the show was being kind.  WML had been off the air for over eight years, and she probably didn't have very much recognition outside of New York.

Maybe Gene was happy to see her again and vice versa.

[whewfan]

Another consideration is that HS is a timed game. It always has been. Jon Bauman had some issues keeping the game moving, so to some viewers, HS might be a bit too slow. Also, the question writing and zingers would've been better than giving everyone multiple choice with no chance for a zinger reply. Gallagher had the best zinger for a question that went something like "Gallagher... you're a handsome male horse, and you want to mate with a gorgeous female cow... if you tried really hard, could you make a baby? Or is that physically impossible?" Gallagher: Well, no, it's not physically impossible, it's just REALLY slow at the races."

I think in a typical single episode, they can fit in maybe 12-13 questions... on the original, Peter and the gang tried for TWICE that many. (At least, on the syndicated version... it wasn't as important for the daytime version since the game straddled.)

[Neumms]

Another consideration is that HS is a timed game. It always has been... it wasn't as important for the daytime version since the game straddled.

Match Game was funnier when it went off the rails, Hollywood Squares the opposite. Trouble is, without snappy one-liners, the only way these Squares were funny is for the stars to jump on each other.

Does anyone know if Goodson proposed "The Match Game Hour" sans Squares, presumably with some new element to break things up?

[TLEberle]

Why would he, if he loathed it so?

[Adam Nedeff]

Another consideration is that HS is a timed game. It always has been... it wasn't as important for the daytime version since the game straddled.

Match Game was funnier when it went off the rails, Hollywood Squares the opposite. Trouble is, without snappy one-liners, the only way these Squares were funny is for the stars to jump on each other.

Does anyone know if Goodson proposed "The Match Game Hour" sans Squares, presumably with some new element to break things up?

BUY MY BOOK!

Seriously though...in the earliest, earliest stage of development, it was going to be "The Match Game Hour," and then NBC had other ideas.