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The Game Show Forum => Game Show Channels & Networks => Topic started by: GrandGame1440 on August 15, 2008, 09:14:45 AM

Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: GrandGame1440 on August 15, 2008, 09:14:45 AM
Does anyone know when the begining of his run will start airing on GSN?  I'd like to set my DVR accordingly, any help would be much appreciated.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: SRIV94 on August 15, 2008, 11:09:14 AM
[quote name=\'GrandGame1440\' post=\'194165\' date=\'Aug 15 2008, 08:14 AM\']
Does anyone know when the begining of his run will start airing on GSN?  I'd like to set my DVR accordingly, any help would be much appreciated.
[/quote]
Supposedly one week from today, which would be 8/22/08, according to the PDFs posted at Buzzerblog.  To be on the safe side, it wouldn't hurt to record the couple of episodes before.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: Chelsea Thrasher on August 15, 2008, 11:19:47 AM
The episodes that have been airing the last couple of weeks beforehand are quite good in their own right.  The show's had two champions in a row who've made liberal use of the pot-doubling Secret Category, getting the pot into 5-digit territory on several occasions. Factor in several ties per match due to an interesting playing strategy (a game in yesterday's episode ended with every box BUT the center filled) and you've had two champs in a row (Mark Leinwand, John Welsh) accrue VERY large sums of money.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: tvmitch on August 15, 2008, 04:57:58 PM
FWIW, I think Thom's strategy of always starting in the middle block is superior to Mark Leinwand's, who always started in a corner, forcing the opponent to go for the center on their first try.

Mark's strategy caused him to be on the defensive at least twice every game, and eventually caused his downfall, IIRC. However, Mark was always very careful on what categories he chose, which is a notable skill in its own right.

More than a few times when Mark had the opportunity to win, he chose another category on the board that would leave two squares to block, adding to the pot and guaranteeing another shot at an open win. In fact, I think he covered all four corners at one point, and that actually almost led to a loss.

Not sure why I went into that much detail, I just found Mark's strategy particularly interesting and different than the strategy of most other champions on the show.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: irismason42 on August 15, 2008, 05:16:52 PM
But As I recall, some episodes of McKee's run appeared in the Tic Tac Thom Marathon in 1998 to celebrate the 4th of July which included Thom's first episode in that marathon, there were some pictures of that episode at loogslair.com but the website itself is now defunct sadly.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: PYLdude on August 17, 2008, 02:13:40 AM
[quote name=\'irismason42\' post=\'194216\' date=\'Aug 15 2008, 04:16 PM\']
But As I recall, some episodes of McKee's run appeared in the Tic Tac Thom Marathon in 1998 to celebrate the 4th of July which included Thom's first episode in that marathon, there were some pictures of that episode at loogslair.com but the website itself is now defunct sadly.
[/quote]

I'm sure he has it up at the Rules Wiki...unfortunately that particular site's been busted for a while.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: rwalker on August 29, 2008, 12:37:22 PM
They got it on Youtube. Whoever it was didn't tag their shows right, it's under the search of Wink Martindale.

I'll post it over in A/V shortly.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: CarShark on August 31, 2008, 12:05:32 AM
[quote name=\'Seth Thrasher\' post=\'194174\' date=\'Aug 15 2008, 11:19 AM\']
The episodes that have been airing the last couple of weeks beforehand are quite good in their own right.  The show's had two champions in a row who've made liberal use of the pot-doubling Secret Category, getting the pot into 5-digit territory on several occasions. Factor in several ties per match due to an interesting playing strategy (a game in yesterday's episode ended with every box BUT the center filled) and you've had two champs in a row (Mark Leinwand, John Welsh) accrue VERY large sums of money.
[/quote]All of these big money matches really make the bonus game look really cheap by comparison. Makes me wonder why they had one at times.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: Jay Temple on August 31, 2008, 11:47:37 AM
[quote name=\'CarShark\' post=\'195587\' date=\'Aug 30 2008, 11:05 PM\']All of these big money matches really make the bonus game look really cheap by comparison. Makes me wonder why they had one at times.
[/quote]
Agreed. Ironically, the other show that gave me that feeling was the revival of 21.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: Don Howard on August 31, 2008, 07:51:27 PM
[quote name=\'CarShark\' post=\'195587\' date=\'Aug 31 2008, 12:05 AM\']
All of these big money matches really make the bonus game look really cheap by comparison. Makes me wonder why they had one at times.
[/quote]
I wonder how well the program would have done had it played in the style of the 1950s version of the show (sans rigging). Dump the dragon bonus and have champions risk their earnings to continue playing with no save havens. The value of the pot would be deducted from the champ's sum were he/she to lose:
"Mike Hunt, you have $57,000. Do you want to risk that by competing with Richard Cranium?"
With the Secret Category popping up, Master Hunt could lose a good chunk of his monies to the challenger should he be bested in a series of ties.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: BrandonFG on August 31, 2008, 09:55:31 PM
[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'195650\' date=\'Aug 31 2008, 07:51 PM\']
"Mike Hunt, you have $57,000.
[/quote]
Win.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: rwalker on September 01, 2008, 04:32:13 PM
Problem: Thom's game were split over two seasons, correct?

If GSN hasn't changed their policy of "leasing one season at a time", we can forget seeing all of his shows. The question is, at what point was his last show of the season before the summer break?
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: Jay Temple on September 02, 2008, 12:30:54 AM
I forget where I found the information, but I believe he was on the last 35 shows of the season. (In case you're wondering, Ken Jennings' appearances were split 38-37.)
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: Don Howard on September 02, 2008, 09:45:50 AM
[quote name=\'rwalker\' post=\'195729\' date=\'Sep 1 2008, 04:32 PM\']
If GSN hasn't changed their policy of "leasing one season at a time", we can forget seeing all of his shows. [/quote]
I considered that, as well. We'll know they've acquired season three if we hear the voice of Art James announcing. But, yes, if the day after Wink gives his "choice shows" spiel, we hear Jay Stewart proclaim "it's the start of the second season" then I'll be disappointed, but not surprised. However, it has been such a treat seeing these shows for the first time in nearly thirty years.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: Vahan_Nisanian on September 02, 2008, 10:02:09 AM
[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'195812\' date=\'Sep 2 2008, 08:45 AM\']
[quote name=\'rwalker\' post=\'195729\' date=\'Sep 1 2008, 04:32 PM\']
If GSN hasn't changed their policy of "leasing one season at a time", we can forget seeing all of his shows. [/quote]
I considered that, as well. We'll know they've acquired season three if we hear the voice of Art James announcing. But, yes, if the day after Wink gives his "choice shows" spiel, we hear Jay Stewart proclaim "it's the start of the second season" then I'll be disappointed, but not surprised. However, it has been such a treat seeing these shows for the first time in nearly thirty years.
[/quote]

Well, even if they do get to season 3, and air Mckee's last episode, anything can happen after that episode has been shown. Remember how it was the case for Dick Clark's $100K Pyramid from 2005-2007? All GSN would air was nothing but weeks #39-#74 of it, skipping over the first 4 weeks of season 2, and airing all the way up until the first 3 weeks of season 3. They must have gone through that rotation like 6 or 7 times. But if the recent WOF marathon from August 2007 was any indication, then more likely than not, GSN has gotten over their phobia of leasing for multiple episodes/seasons of Sony shows.

/Sorry if I sounded like irismason or Zachhoran.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: bandit_bobby on September 02, 2008, 11:06:36 AM
After watching several of his early episodes, I'm surprised that Thom missed quite a few questions as he did considering he won over $300K.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: Neumms on September 02, 2008, 12:45:46 PM
[quote name=\'mitchgroff\' post=\'194215\' date=\'Aug 15 2008, 03:57 PM\']
FWIW, I think Thom's strategy of always starting in the middle block is superior to Mark Leinwand's, who always started in a corner, forcing the opponent to go for the center on their first try.
[/quote]

Granted, it's 30 years, but I recall Thom always picking a corner and his opponent usually going middle.

But who would have thought "Tic Tac Dough" had strategic nuances still discussed decades later.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: rwalker on September 02, 2008, 02:38:48 PM
I thought these were ran in the late 90s? At least on Youtube, Thom's shows appear to have the old "Game Show" bug in the corner.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: Don Howard on September 02, 2008, 02:38:49 PM
[quote name=\'Neumms\' post=\'195837\' date=\'Sep 2 2008, 12:45 PM\']
who would have thought "Tic Tac Dough" had strategic nuances still discussed decades later.
[/quote]
That's STR'T'GIC NUANC'S.
Great thing about this game, though. Aside from The Winker's wardrobe, even now the game holds up.
Was this one of the shows that was hinted at for a revival at millennium's beginning before everything but WWTBAM got canned and Survivor and its ilk took over?
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: clemon79 on September 02, 2008, 02:58:54 PM
[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'195858\' date=\'Sep 2 2008, 11:38 AM\']
That's STR'T'GIC NUANC'S.[/quote]
I lol'd.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: Don Howard on September 02, 2008, 03:06:32 PM
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'195867\' date=\'Sep 2 2008, 02:58 PM\']
[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'195858\' date=\'Sep 2 2008, 11:38 AM\']
That's STR'T'GIC NUANC'S.[/quote]
I lol'd.
[/quote]
I made you LOL?
While miracles are happening, I'd better get myself a ticket for tonight's $12,000,000 lottery.
Returning to TTD chat, if the game of strategy, knowledge and fun were brought back, who should host? Wink? Jim? Thom? Todd? Don't even jest Patrick Wayne as we all know the ghost of Jay Jackson could do a better job.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: clemon79 on September 02, 2008, 03:38:06 PM
[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'195873\' date=\'Sep 2 2008, 12:06 PM\']
I made you LOL?[/quote]
It's not like it's an entirely uncommon occurrence. :)
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: Jay Temple on September 02, 2008, 09:30:15 PM
If I'm producing and Wink wants the job, it's his. Otherwise, it depends on the difficulty of the material. On any show with J!-level difficulty, I'd want Mark Walberg. If it's the same level as Wink's show, Todd Newton would be a good choice.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: tpirfan28 on September 03, 2008, 08:47:04 AM
[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'195873\' date=\'Sep 2 2008, 03:06 PM\']
Returning to TTD chat, if the game of strategy, knowledge and fun were brought back, who should host? Wink? Jim? Thom? Todd? Don't even jest Patrick Wayne as we all know the ghost of Jay Jackson could do a better job.
[/quote]
Pat Kiernan.  Tape it in NY.

(Where the hell is World Series of Pop Culture, anyway?)
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: Neumms on September 04, 2008, 03:44:31 PM
[quote name=\'tpirfan28\' post=\'195959\' date=\'Sep 3 2008, 07:47 AM\']
Pat Kiernan.  Tape it in NY.

(Where the hell is World Series of Pop Culture, anyway?)
[/quote]

Ooh, Kiernan would be good. I'd just love to hear him invite the champion over to slay the dragon. I suspect Pat would simply turn the corner and keep walking out of the studio.

Question for the panel: If someone brought TTD back. . . should the jump-in categories stay or go? I think they bunged up the game. If the show had witty writers to do the categories and questions they wouldn't need them.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: Don Howard on September 04, 2008, 07:06:24 PM
[quote name=\'Neumms\' post=\'196048\' date=\'Sep 4 2008, 03:44 PM\']
If someone brought TTD back. . . should the jump-in categories stay or go?[/quote]
Hated 'em along with the dreaded red boxes that came with them.
They cut way down on tie games, which I always found exciting watching that pot grow, grow, grow
like Raymond Burr's waistline during the latter years of Perry Mason.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: J.R. on September 06, 2008, 01:56:54 PM
If this isn't the right place to ask this, kindly let me know and I'll remove this post:

Does anyone have a copy of yesterday's GSN rerun of TTD? (Thom had a grand total of $93,250 and was being challenged by Smitty Smith at the end of Thursday's episode) Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: TLEberle on September 06, 2008, 03:11:29 PM
[quote name=\'Neumms\' post=\'196048\' date=\'Sep 4 2008, 12:44 PM\']Question for the panel: If someone brought TTD back. . . should the jump-in categories stay or go? I think they bunged up the game. If the show had witty writers to do the categories and questions they wouldn't need them.[/quote]I envisioned the center box always being a jump-in, because it's so integral to the game. Besides that, have two roving Jump-in tags that would attach to whatever category was in that particular box.

It's not a surprise to have as many long-running champions as that, when the X player has that much of an advantage. And that advantage reverts to the champ at the start of each new tie game, too.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: rjaguar3 on September 06, 2008, 03:35:40 PM
[quote name=\'TLEberle\' post=\'196277\' date=\'Sep 6 2008, 02:11 PM\']
[quote name=\'Neumms\' post=\'196048\' date=\'Sep 4 2008, 12:44 PM\']Question for the panel: If someone brought TTD back. . . should the jump-in categories stay or go? I think they bunged up the game. If the show had witty writers to do the categories and questions they wouldn't need them.[/quote]I envisioned the center box always being a jump-in, because it's so integral to the game. Besides that, have two roving Jump-in tags that would attach to whatever category was in that particular box.

It's not a surprise to have as many long-running champions as that, when the X player has that much of an advantage. And that advantage reverts to the champ at the start of each new tie game, too.
[/quote]

I think B&E structured TTD and several others of their games (Bullseye, Strike It Rich) with significant champion advantages so they could get long champions they wanted without rigging the show.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: Robert Hutchinson on September 06, 2008, 03:57:16 PM
I disliked any of the categories that allowed a contestant with perfect knowledge to still lose, whether it was a jump-in category, Double Or Nothing, or what have you. (I can't remember who gets to bid first in Auction, so that one may not apply.) I guess it wasn't a true B&E game show without some level of dumb luck thrown in.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: rwalker on September 14, 2008, 11:59:06 AM
I noticed at least once, in the past few shows, Thom's opponent(can't remember her name) wasn't looking at the board, and lost because of a bad pick. She knew she was done and caught it too late. Ooops.
Title: McKee's run on TTD
Post by: xavier45 on September 15, 2008, 06:51:03 PM
[quote name=\'rwalker\' post=\'195729\' date=\'Sep 1 2008, 04:32 PM\']
Problem: Thom's game were split over two seasons, correct?

If GSN hasn't changed their policy of "leasing one season at a time", we can forget seeing all of his shows. The question is, at what point was his last show of the season before the summer break?
[/quote]
The PDF Schedules have been updated, and it looks like GSN will continue airing his episodes into Season 3.

The PDF's go up to the first week of November. On October 27th, GSN will air Mckee's last episode. The day after, they will go back to the start of Season 2.