'7x/PM would forever remain as the peak of "Match Game", but I agree with BFG......across the 2 main game show channels, they've just been a constant presence for years.
This is likely my answer. Tonight, I decided to test Mike's theory by picking out a Ross Shafer episode from YouTube, and had to skip the first two I found. The first, because Fred Travalena was in seat one AND Rip Taylor was subbing for Charles (why mess with the chemistry for my test purposes?)...the second, become Bruce Baum was on the panel (woof). I ended up settling for Fred anyway, as the next show in the queue had him joined by Vicki & Marcia Wallace. The episode was very, very good.
But my memory of watching the show day after day, when GSN last had it on, was that the star chemistry was very uneven. Had they settled on some genuine regulars, the show might have left an even better impression on me. I would have loved Vicki to join Charles, for one. Brad Garrett or Ronn Lucas were good in their own ways for me, as well.
-Jason