Alternate timeline: Mark Goodson

[cmjb13]

Say Mark Goodson is alive in 2007 and still owns the show.

Barker decides to retire

CBS tells Goodson he must hire Drew Carey

What does Goodson do?

[JasonA1]

I think that question alone begs a lot of other questions. What did the company do, having Mark there from 1992 on? If we suppose all the other revivals happened as they did - Match Game with Michael, Feud with Louie, etc. - I have to imagine a 90+ Goodson with whatever influence he chooses to have at that stage in life would know to let his company take the money and run and just hire Drew. Even if Goodson thinks that would kill the show, the risk is minimal.

-Jason

[BrandonFG]

I honestly wonder would CBS even pull rank if Mark were still running things and TPiR remains a Top-3 daytime show.

[RMF]

I think that question alone begs a lot of other questions. What did the company do, having Mark there from 1992 on?

For that matter, a question of some importance:

When Mark Goodson was still alive, there were plans for his production company to have an ownership stake in the Game Show Network.

In a world where he is still alive to 2007, and assuming they had and kept that stake to that time:

1) What difference does having this ownership stake make for his production company?

2) What difference does it make for the Game Show Network?

[clemon79]

In a world where he is still alive to 2007, and assuming they had and kept that stake to that time:

1) What difference does having this ownership stake make for his production company?

2) What difference does it make for the Game Show Network?

I imagine it would depend on whether he could escape from the coffin.

[BillCullen1]

If Goodson is alive in 1994, Dawson does NOT return to host Family Feud.

[ChrisLambert!]

If Goodson is alive in 1994, Dawson does NOT return to host Family Feud.

Oh, for sure. So what happens: do they close up shop, struggle through another year with Ray, or pick someone new? Maybe Gary Kroeger, maybe the just-available Sinbad, maybe Doug Davidson (with somebody else getting New Price - maybe Marc Summers?)

[BillCullen1]

Any of the hosts mentioned are good for FF. Maybe even Bill Rafferty, who worked for Goodson before.

[Jeremy Nelson]

Say Mark Goodson is alive in 2007 and still owns the show.

Barker decides to retire

CBS tells Goodson he must hire Drew Carey

What does Goodson do?

Goodson pulls rank, saying he gets final say. He fought for Barker in the 70s, and it’s made money for CBS hand over fist for 35 years. It doesn’t take much convincing. Assuming Price Live still happens under this timeline, Goodson has made Price Live his pet project since Barker announced his retirement, and constant sightings of him at live shows have piqued the public’s interest as to who would be Bob’s successor.

Of course, I could also see Goodson playing the long game, using those late ‘90s early 2000s revivals to start searching for a viable Price replacement when the time comes.

That being said, in 2007, Goodson is 92 and is likely President Emeritus at best. By this point, either Jonathan is in charge or Goodson has been grooming a successor from his staff to be the head of the company- possibly Roger Dobkowitz.

[Stackertosh]

Mark would use rank and audition hosts I think he would pick someone with a gs background. I still think Todd Newton would get the job. Drew was just a shocking choice to host TPIR Imo.

I think Ray would of got a proper send off and they would close up shop with Feud. Then they would try again in a few years. I think Mark would pick another comedian.


Match Game 98 and CS 01 wouldn't of existed if they did they would be proper formats.

[chris319]

Say Mark Goodson is alive in 2007 and still owns the show.

Barker decides to retire

CBS tells Goodson he must hire Drew Carey

What does Goodson do?

Shop the show to another network or syndication.

If that fails and CBS doesn't relent, take the show dark.

[Neumms]

Goodson pulls rank, saying he gets final say. He fought for Barker in the 70s, and it’s made money for CBS hand over fist for 35 years.

CBS wanted Barker. I don't think Goodson fought it, but it wasn't his idea.

Has CBS always made money hand over fist on it? I realize they're not running a loss, but in the 80s, wasn't TPIR so expensive to produce, Goodson wrangled the preceding time slot (for Card Sharks) to make up for it?

[Jeremy Nelson]

Goodson pulls rank, saying he gets final say. He fought for Barker in the 70s, and it’s made money for CBS hand over fist for 35 years.

CBS wanted Barker. I don't think Goodson fought it, but it wasn't his idea.

Has CBS always made money hand over fist on it? I realize they're not running a loss, but in the 80s, wasn't TPIR so expensive to produce, Goodson wrangled the preceding time slot (for Card Sharks) to make up for it?

My mistake. Goodson wanted James, while CBS wanted Barker. At 92, he's still President Emeritus IMO, and someone else is ultimately going back and forth with CBS on this.

[PYLdude]

I think even Mark Goodson would know when the time would be right to send Barker out to pasture.

The question also assumes Barker doesn't get in hot water like he did.

I figure the whole point is moot then because Mark would have to fire Bob due to all the bad press he's bringing to MGP.

[Jeremy Nelson]

I think even Mark Goodson would know when the time would be right to send Barker out to pasture.

The question also assumes Barker doesn't get in hot water like he did.

I figure the whole point is moot then because Mark would have to fire Bob due to all the bad press he's bringing to MGP.

I'm not sure Goodson would have been so apt to fire Barker over the lawsuits. It's 1994, so all he's got on TV at this point are Price and a floundering Feud- possibly still the lottery shows if those still come into fruition. It's not like he has other properties making him money, and at this point, the fraternity of hosts is too old to pull from to get a reliable name in there quickly. Also, people aren't getting fired over scandals like this as quickly as they do in 2019.

Maybe Goodson transitions from Barker a few years earlier than 2007, but Barker and the show are riding a wave of newfound popularity by 1996-7 because of Happy Gilmore. I'm thinking maybe you could get rid of him at the 30 yearmark for a clean break, but it's not happening much earlier than that.