Best Game Show Finales – Your Picks?

[Neumms]

Bad answers from panelists were frequently and roundly mocked by Gene and the other panelists and they certainly got booed. Geez, how often did Brett win the “most pathetic answer” award? How often did Rayburn after a string of matches get to Patti or Joyce and tell the player something like, “your luck may be over?”

Once Mr. Nixon dragged the Mrs. in to sit there for the Checkers speech, I’d say she became in bounds, and their kids, at least Julie Nixon Eisenhower, were adult socialites. I doubt the jokes were all that personal.

I heartily agree with the title of the O’Reilly book, but not that he and Patti had anything in common. Wasn’t the Monty Hall answer part of a running or inside joke? I thought that came up here.

[thewhammy_2000]

The finale for paranoia got me. Peter was trying was trying to hold it, but you can tell he was trying to beg for feedback. Which felt like the opposite on the Hit Man and PYL finales, which also got me as well.
Eubanks' Card Sharks cracked me.
"Joker's Jive" always crack me emotionally. Using it in the 1975 TJW finale takes it all the way.
Dawson's Feud speech gets me.
Bert and Betty get me on Super Password.
There's more, and I would still play Nedeff's Game Show Finales video if it was still on YouTube.

[golden-road]

I'll say the end of the original LMaD, as there wasn't a single Zonk to be seen

[wdm1219inpenna]

Another one that comes to mind, wasn't the finale for the show but for the long time host.

During the first episode I believe of the 1977-78 syndicated season, Garry Moore came back as a guest host to announce his retirement due to health issues that he was going through.  Joe Garagiola was named the new host.  If it was due to this change or due to other reasons, this would prove to be the final season of this classic series on American television until 1990.

Bill Cullen served as host during the previous season during certain episodes when Garry Moore was ill.  The show decided that the panel's cast was lacking without having Bill as one of the panel, so the powers that be decided to name Joe permanent host.

I am grateful that Mr. Moore went on to live until almost the end of 1993, so he had 16 years of retirement to enjoy.  It was a cozy set and a cozy show to me, one of the very first game shows I remember my parents watching when I was so very young, circa 1970/71...I also remember What's My Line? and Pay Cards!  Those were my first memories of game shows and my obsession with playing cards began back then.  When Gambit came out I about melted into my socks seeing those giant cards, and did so again with the Perry, Eubanks & Rafferty versions of Card Sharks.