Producing "variations"

[Dbacksfan12]

In the past, I've read about projects such as Mandel's "Survey Says!", an on-campus version of Family Feud.  My question is: If I was to do such a thing; do I need to leap through any legal hurdles to do so?  If I wanted to do a college version of Pyramid--do they usually mind, so long as it's not called "Pyramid"?

Thanks for any advice you may lend.

On a side note--Some of the game shows that have been cancelled as of late--wouldn't still have the scoring equipment around, would they?

[TheInquisitiveOne]

Speaking as someone who has done fifteen shows on my campus in a two-year span, perhaps I can be of some help...

I have not received any legal flak for doing college versions of television game shows (currently running or otherwise). I always title my shows based on what I am doing (eg. Family Feud, Password Plus, The $250 Pyramid), advertised it on flyers and our college newspaper, and have had no problem.

As long as the issue stays internal (that is, as long as the event stays on campus and is not spread to outsiders or not taped for the intention to be aired on television), you should be okay. Everything that I do concerning the shows are screened by higher-ups, and I have had no problem so far.

There is nothing wrong with playing it safe, but I do not think that Sony would be paranoid if you did a campus version of "Pyramid" and called it such.

The Inquisitive One

[Steve McClellan]

As of last week, What's My Line?: Live on Stage hadn't been shut down either, in case that means anything.