The eternal debate...

[JMFabiano]

This has probably been discussed ad infinitum, but since both '80s incarnations of Password have been reinstated on GSN's schedule, the matter of Password Plus vs. Super Password has taken up some of my thought as of late.  Especially since, watching both shows, I, despite being a PW+ supporter, have begun to come around as far as SP is concerned.  I don't know, in some ways I've enjoyed watching it a little more than PW+ as of late.  For instance, is it just me, or were the passwords used on SP a bit more challenging, even despite having to fit in the puzzles?  Certainly the Ca$hword added a bit of complexity, either way.  On the other hand, PW+ had the play/pass strategy and more challenge in clue giving.  So it remains as close a race as ever.

[Ian Wallis]

I'd have to give the slight nod to "Password Plus".  When "Super Password" came on, I couldn't really figure out why they called it "Super..." - sure, they added a few tweaks here and there, but there really wasn't much difference in game play between that and "...Plus".  Having said that, I think I grew a better appreciation for "Super..." from watching GSN reruns over the years.

[Jimmy Owen]

I liked SP's changing partners mid-stream and the Cashword, I would have preferred a set piece of some sort rather than just computer graphics for the SP bonus round.

[tyshaun1]

[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' date=\'May 11 2005, 09:35 AM\']I liked SP's changing partners mid-stream.

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Password + did the same thing.

As for both shows, I've found myself gravitating toward Super Password. SP seems to have more of a warmer attitude, and Bert Convy, despite his marginal at best hosting ability, seems to bring a friendlier atmosphere than Tom Kennedy (who's not exactly blowing the doors off on his hosting either). Plus the passwords seems a bit more challenging on SP.

Tyshaun

[Don Howard]

I liked all four hosts (including Bill Cullen's month as a substitute--never saw the episode where Jack Narz briefly took over), so I won't rate the emcee styles.
I do wish the 2nd team to play a password would've been allowed two clues if the first team gave no clue on Super Password. I can't prove it, of course, but I suspect some players allowed a word to "bounce" on purpose. I also would not have permitted the same clue to be allowed by either team for a password.
Going for the rhyme and sometimes singing the clue (which is how "supercalifragulisticexpialadocious" or however you spell it got nailed on Password Plus) I thought was rather clever.
I do prefer the rule where illegal clues put the word out of play on Super Password instead of just knocking off 20%. I did find it interesting how you could win more money if you didn't win The End Game on SP until your second visit than if you won it both times. Win both bonus rounds=$10000. Get eight words in your first bonus and nabbing all ten words in your second trip=$10800.

[14gameshows]

I too, am leaning towards SP.  The one thing that erks me about Password Plus is that "no opposites rule".  Granted if the word "HAPPY' came up, you had to think of a synonym for it rather than to say..., "sad" (with the stress level in your voice changing).  

Also something else on SP that I like is when you say a form of the password, they give you a second shot at saying it correctly.  A few weeks ago a woman gave the form of the word and got the (whoop-whoop) SFX, and unfortunatly got the form of the word wrong, still!
This rule doesn't apply in the Super Password round...the judges give you the word regardless if it is past, present, or future tense.

The Ca$hword feature is one of the best things about the show.  I mean, you can still lose at Super Password but if you won the $200 puzzle and won the Ca$hword, you still get (at least) $1200.  ($1000 starting off at CW and the $200 Puzzle.)  Also on last week, the Ca$hword climbed to $6000 but the SP was worth $5000.  Sometimes awkward, but cool none the less.  

And on Super Password, the words were more difficult however you could use the opposites rule!  Rule wise, I think SP was very light and lenient.

[DrBear]

Let's go through the tale of the tape, as Nick Bakay would say:

Host: PP, Ludden/Kennedy/Cullen. SP: Convy. Advantage PP. Three giants.
Set: PP: So many crosses, Dracula wouldn't have survived 5 seconds. SP: Minimalist, but nice placement of the board. Advantage: SP. Second only to the ABC-era set.
Celebs: PP: David Letterman. SP: Dick Martin. Advantage: PP.
Betty White factor: PP: With Allen. SP: Smashing the Ca$hword toaster. Advantage, in an upset: SP (although I'm sure Betty would differ).
Name for end game: PP: Alphabetics. SP: Super Password. Advantage: PP. (Would You Don't Say have called its Bonus Board You Don't Say!?)
Difficulty: PP: No opposites. SP: Tougher words. Advantage: Push. There are no winners here.
Theme: PP: Fanfare! SP: Chirpy! Advantage: PP.

There you have it. By a 4-2 vote, it's Plus over Super. And remember, the numbers never lie, even about a word game.

[Jimmy Owen]

How does one explain SP being the longest running Password revamp and its longevity in what was universally considered the toughest time slot in daytime TV?

[uncamark]

In my heart of hearts, I still love old school "Password" the most--but if I were to do a revival, it would be the "Plus/Super" format.  And of the two, I'd lean towards "Plus" because of the better hosts (yes, even Ludden) and a generally smoother pace.  (Convy's schmoozing style was better served on "TattleTales" and "WLOD.")

[calliaume]

[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' date=\'May 11 2005, 01:47 PM\']How does one explain SP being the longest running Password revamp and its longevity in what was universally considered the toughest time slot in daytime TV?

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After 23 different occupants of the 12 noon slot over 10 years (count 'em!), it probably occurred to someone they were overthinking the issue, and as long as they had a reasonably good show, with a time-tested format, from a reliable packager, that was just as good an option as any.

I just haven't warmed to Bert's style of hosting the show.  I don't think Kennedy was any great shakes either early on, but he had the excuse of a sudden entrance to the job.

Funny thing about Super Password; they went about 3/4 of the way with new technology (chyron graphics and those tiny monitors for the clue givers, but cardboard pieces for the puzzle).  Just seems odd.

[uncamark]

[quote name=\'calliaume\' date=\'May 11 2005, 02:37 PM\'][quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' date=\'May 11 2005, 01:47 PM\']How does one explain SP being the longest running Password revamp and its longevity in what was universally considered the toughest time slot in daytime TV?

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After 23 different occupants of the 12 noon slot over 10 years (count 'em!), it probably occurred to someone they were overthinking the issue, and as long as they had a reasonably good show, with a time-tested format, from a reliable packager, that was just as good an option as any.

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And all of this because Lin Bolen didn't think Art Fleming was a stud.  

[GS Warehouse]

[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' date=\'May 11 2005, 01:47 PM\']How does one explain SP being the longest running Password revamp and its longevity in what was universally considered the toughest time slot in daytime TV?

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Not every NBC affiliate ran it at noon.  WJKG channel 33 in Fort Wayne, IN (now WISE) ran it at 3pm.

I've been wanting to post this concept, so I figure this is a good place as any:

BUILD A BETTER PASSWORD
If (big if) Fremantle came to us to develop a new version of Password, which options would make the best game?
- Classic scoring or puzzles?
- Play/pass option?
- Change partners in midgame or after end game?
- Bonus: ABC version or Alphabetics?
- Include Cashword in midgame?

My idea is this: a classic Password round, then play puzzles until time runs out.  Play Cashword after the first puzzle, then change partners after that.  High score plays Alphabetics (P+ title, SP rules) for $5,000.  Of course, like I've said before, most of the passwords would have to be the TV-14 variety in order to get the attention of today's audiences.

[calliaume]

[quote name=\'GS Warehouse\' date=\'May 11 2005, 03:32 PM\']BUILD A BETTER PASSWORD
If (big if) Fremantle came to us to develop a new version of Password, which options would make the best game?
- Classic scoring or puzzles?
- Play/pass option?
- Change partners in midgame or after end game?
- Bonus: ABC version or Alphabetics?
- Include Cashword in midgame?

Of course, like I've said before, most of the passwords would have to be the TV-14 variety in order to get the attention of today's audiences.

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One celebrity giving clues to both contestants, man-on-the-street interviews, and the announcer whispering "The password is... fellatio."

Seriously, if Password only gets so-so ratings on GSN, I don't see there being much of an audience for a revival.

[sshuffield70]

[quote name=\'GS Warehouse\' date=\'May 11 2005, 03:32 PM\']I've been wanting to post this concept, so I figure this is a good place as any:

BUILD A BETTER PASSWORD
If (big if) Fremantle came to us to develop a new version of Password, which options would make the best game?
- Classic scoring or puzzles?
- Play/pass option?
- Change partners in midgame or after end game?
- Bonus: ABC version or Alphabetics?
- Include Cashword in midgame?

My idea is this: a classic Password round, then play puzzles until time runs out.  Play Cashword after the first puzzle, then change partners after that.  High score plays Alphabetics (P+ title, SP rules) for $5,000.  Of course, like I've said before, most of the passwords would have to be the TV-14 variety in order to get the attention of today's audiences.

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Been awhile since anyone has played "Password Challenge" in any form.

Using the time format that I think you alluded to, two teams playing the full game together (switching, to me, disrupts the flow) could earn money for guessing the password as well as the puzzles.  The words were $25 for the first two puzzles, $50 for the third, and $75 for the fourth and thereafter.  The scoring gets interesting for the puzzles since the more words played, the less its' worth ($500-$100 for the first two, $1000-$200 for the third, and $1500-$300 for the fourth and thereafter).  In addition, PC uses the "Ca$hword" element after the second puzzle, where the leading team gets to play (not necessarily who solved the puzzle).

So the winning team gets to play "Alphabetics" for $20,000.

[JMFabiano]

Roughly on the topic, my mind is a bit fuzzy on when Password was played on Ellen.  I know they pretty much did old school PW, but am I correct in recalling that Ellen doubled as host and panelist (with Betty White, of course).  

Also, speaking of OS Password, I haven't seen that in a while and wonder if proper names came up on the CBS and ABC incarnations as much as on PW+/SP.