The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: normb on February 03, 2011, 08:21:53 PM
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Do you remember the show??? I produced the original, not the one with Alex Trebeck. Love to hear drom u>
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[quote name=\'normb\' post=\'256310\' date=\'Feb 3 2011, 08:21 PM\']Do you remember the show??? I produced the original, not the one with Alex Trebeck. Love to hear drom u>[/quote]
A bit before my time, but we have plenty of people who grew up with the original Concentration.
Personally, I'd like to know: Just how far did your involvement go on the show, besides creating the puzzles? Did you ever watch the Jack Narz revival, the 1985 pilot with Orson Bean or Classic Concentration? If so, what did you think of them?
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Personally, it was before my time (I was born 6 months after it went off the air). However, Trebek's version did pique my interest in the original version when I was a junior in high school, though it would be another 10 years before I would see an original Concentration ep. I was not disappointed when I did.
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Hi Norm -
Some of us grew up watching Concentration going back to the Hugh Downs days. Were you with the show from the very beginning, with Mr. Barry and Mr. Enright?
We have a thread in our archive devoted to that marvel of game show technology, the Concentration board. Corey Cooper describes how the electronic game board worked. You may remember Corey's dad, Ted Cooper. If there is anything you would like to add about the board or the puzzles or anything else, please post it here and it will be enshrined in the archive.
Concentration board (http://\"http://gameshow.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=7\")
BTW, I never knew Milton Kaye was a renowned and in-demand musician apart from Concentration.
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Mr. Blumenthal , thank you for joining our group. Several of us had the opportunity to hear you speak at the Game Show Congress a few years ago, and others may have heard your interview on Stu Shostak's radio program. We're happy to have you here.
You've already answered some of the questions I had about how the home versions were developed. I guess one of the things I'd like to know is whether you're aware of any surviving episodes of your classic version that we might not know about. Most collectors know of eight classic episodes thay survive in black and white, one very early episode and a few Challenge of Champions and Christmas shows. Some collectors have the very last network episode, and I've seen one episode at the Paley Center in New York. Are you aware of others? Got a few tapes stashed in a closet somewhere, for instance?
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Hi Mr. Blumenthal, and welcome here!
I recently bought and read your newest book. As a near-lifelong broadcaster myself, I especially love the behind-the-scenes stories.
I am hungry for anything and everything about Concentration, which made its debut only 19 months after I did. By the time I was three, I was a huge fan -- and was already pretty good at matching prizes, and figuring out the solutions to the rebuses. (Seriously!)
I really wish NBC would let go of some of the old tapes. I'd pay to see whatever they have in the vaults!
I'd also love to see a picture of the board from the back side, if any such photos exist. The description of its operation (found elsewhere in this forum) just intrigues the heck out of me.
My best to you, sir.
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Welcome to our group, Norm! I created, and still maintain, the first fan Web site for Concentration.
I wasn't born until 1967, so I remember Bob Clayton but not Hugh Downs. I was, however, very good at the Concentration home games when I was a preschooler in a suburb of Minneapolis. I've also played the Classic Concentration computer games, and I have a copy of Steve Ryan's book. I'm planning to buy a copy of your book in the near future.
Probably more than anyone else, I consider it a shame that NBC won't do anything with the Concentration format, especially since the recent Comcast buyout.
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[quote name=\'JamesVipond\' post=\'256360\' date=\'Feb 4 2011, 09:33 AM\']especially since the recent Comcast buyout.[/quote]
You know, the Comcast buyout has been blamed for a great many things, but I doubt that there was a meeting where they all got together and said "now that we own NBC, we need to make sure we don't do anything with the format to Concentration."
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[quote name=\'normb\' post=\'256310\' date=\'Feb 3 2011, 08:21 PM\']Do you remember the show??? I produced the original, not the one with Alex Trebeck. Love to hear drom u>[/quote]
I think I speak for all when I say, pleased to make your acquaintance. Yes, I remember the original Concentration very well.
We were all pleasantly shocked to be told by a board contributor, Two Inch Quad, that contrary to standard practice at the time, NBC actually saved all the episodes, and that while some have been deposited with the Library of Congress, most are locked away in the network vaults. Think any of those will see the light of day? (A former co-worker of mine appeared on the show in 1965.)
I remember a story Hugh Downs once told in an interview about the time a contestant left him at a loss for words. Downs said that for legal reasons, he had to get every contestant to confirm on the air that he or she knew the rules of the game before they started playing. So on one occasion, they brought out the next contestant, whom Downs described as the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. So as not to keep staring at her, he quickly started reading off her personal information card. Downs said, "It says here, Mrs. So-and-So, that you've been married for 8 years, but that you have a 9-year-old son. Surely there's been a mistake ..." And the woman, horribly embarrassed, said, "No - well - you see - I HAD to get married." And Downs could only say, "Well, Mrs. So-and-So, I'm sure you know how our game is played ..."
I wonder if that moment made it onto the air.
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Mr. Blumenthal, welcome to the forum, and yes, I grew up watching Concentration on NBC, and was hooked on watching the show during summer vacation from school, as well as days when I was home, sick from school. When I was very young, I'd be good at matching prizes, and as I got older, I got good at solving your rebus puzzles!
I've been a long time collector of home game versions of game shows, and have many copies of Concentration among them. Would you happen to know why Milton Bradley didn't release a 13th edition (they just jumped from 12th to 14th).
I, too, would love to know if any other episodes still exist. Particulary the 10th, 11th, and 13th anniversary shows. I remember:
The 10th anniversary show featured you hosting a game played by Hugh Downs and Bob Clayton.
The 11th anniversary show had announcer Bob Clayton hosting a game played by then-host Ed McMahon and Johnny Carson.
[quote name=\'geno57\' post=\'256353\' date=\'Feb 4 2011, 02:06 AM\']I'd also love to see a picture of the board from the back side, if any such photos exist. The description of its operation (found elsewhere in this forum) just intrigues the heck out of me.[/quote]
The 13th anniversary show had host Bob Clayton give a guided behind-the-board tour. He was greeted behind the board by former host Hugh Downs.
I'd gotten your book "The TV Game Shows," for Christmas the year it was published, and I'm awaiting receiving your new book, which I'm sure I'll enjoy reading!
Again, welcome to the forum, and "Thank you, for" producing, "Concentration!"
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'256363\' date=\'Feb 4 2011, 09:45 AM\'][quote name=\'JamesVipond\' post=\'256360\' date=\'Feb 4 2011, 09:33 AM\']especially since the recent Comcast buyout.[/quote]
You know, the Comcast buyout has been blamed for a great many things, but I doubt that there was a meeting where they all got together and said "now that we own NBC, we need to make sure we don't do anything with the format to Concentration."
[/quote]
Hell, I was scanning NBC's formats page and they have Concentration listed there, right beside Twenty-One and Minute to Win It, for sale. So there's someone there that likes it still.
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[quote name=\'Bob Zager\' post=\'256370\' date=\'Feb 4 2011, 11:23 AM\']I've been a long time collector of home game versions of game shows, and have many copies of Concentration among them. Would you happen to know why Milton Bradley didn't release a 13th edition (they just jumped from 12th to 14th).[/quote]
Did other MB home games do this as well? (Granted, not many home games lasted as long as CONCENTRATION did.)
If so, probably to avoid the "13" stigma (like why most buildings didn't call the 13th floor the 13th floor). If not (and there were actual 13th editions floating around), your guess is as good as mine, but maybe Norm does have the answer.
/And welcome Norm! Got to meet you during the Game Show Congress in 2005 (I think).
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Welcome to the boards, Norm. Just finished reading your book and enjoyed it.
A lot of people here have fond memories of the original "Concentration" as evidenced by the replies
to your initial posts. I watched it fairly regularly as a child from 1967-1973.
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[quote name=\'SRIV94\' post=\'256372\' date=\'Feb 4 2011, 12:37 PM\']Did other MB home games do this as well? (Granted, not many home games lasted as long as CONCENTRATION did.)[/quote]
Yes, Jeopardy and Password both skipped unlucky #13.
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The 10th anniversary show featured you hosting a game played by Hugh Downs and Bob Clayton.
I once read that Downs was confronted with an entire board of Forfeit One Gift and a blank puzzle on an anniversary show. If so, it'd make sense to happen the day the guy who made the puzzles was hosting.
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Welcome Mr. Blumenthal! I, too, have fond memories of watching the original series. In fact, I learned to read while watching it. Your puzzles were very clever. I look forward to someone releasing the original series on DVD eventually.
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[quote name=\'normb\' post=\'256310\' date=\'Feb 3 2011, 08:21 PM\']Do you remember the show??? I produced the original, not the one with Alex Trebeck. Love to hear drom u>[/quote]
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[quote name=\'normb\' post=\'256413\' date=\'Feb 4 2011, 10:07 PM\'][quote name=\'normb\' post=\'256310\' date=\'Feb 3 2011, 08:21 PM\']Do you remember the show??? I produced the original, not the one with Alex Trebeck. Love to hear drom u>[/quote]
[/quote]
Hello, Norm. Concentration (the Clayton era) is probably the first Game Show I remembered watching faithfully as a child , and Concentration was one of the first home games (if not THE first) I remember getting as a kid -- I think I wound up owning 3 or 4 versions of the home game overall.
It's a shame that most game shows of today don't have that right mix of simplicity (for young'uns to play along) complexity (to make games challenging for adults) and pacing (to keep games moving at a good clip) anymore. Concentration, especially the original NBC version, didn't need chaser lights, money-ladders, or long, drawn out reveals to make it successful. It was a simple game with a simple premise -- a show that invited you to take a half-hour to kick back and play along.
Most of today's game shows think they have to overdose on dark sets, laser light shows, over-caffeinated contestants, and long, drawn-out reveals to command ratings. Back in the 60's and 70s, it was just the opposite and many of those shows had long lives on TV. And it probably didn't hurt that NBC owned & operated the show themselves either.
I know you weren't too keen on the changes that were made to the Narz & Trebek versions, but I don't think they went overboard on the changes either, like how many game show remakes of the last 2 decades have done.
I am sure I am not the only one around here who would like to say thank you for making Concentration what it was in it's original format. Your efforts will never be forgotten in these parts.
One question that keeps crossing my mind... How much did it initially cost to create that puzzle-board and all of the associated controls used to make it work, and how much did NBC have to pour into that machine each year to keep it running as smooth as possible?
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[quote name=\'TimK2003\' post=\'256414\' date=\'Feb 5 2011, 12:58 AM\']One question that keeps crossing my mind... How much did it initially cost to create that puzzle-board and all of the associated controls used to make it work, and how much did NBC have to pour into that machine each year to keep it running as smooth as possible?[/quote]
Machine? I thought all those trilons (or whatever they were called) were manually manipulated by stagehands behind the board. (I seem to recall spotting someone's hand accidentally stick out once.)
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[quote name=\'Twentington\' post=\'256320\' date=\'Feb 3 2011, 09:54 PM\'][quote name=\'normb\' post=\'256310\' date=\'Feb 3 2011, 08:21 PM\']Do you remember the show??? I produced the original, not the one with Alex Trebeck. Love to hear drom u>[/quote]
A bit before my time, but we have plenty of people who grew up with the original Concentration.
Personally, I'd like to know: Just how far did your involvement go on the show, besides creating the puzzles? Did you ever watch the Jack Narz revival, the 1985 pilot with Orson Bean or Classic Concentration? If so, what did you think of them?
[/quote]
Unlike Hollywood, where the producer puts up the money. I was in the studio in complete charge of every aspect of every show --the set, the camera shots, the lighting, what the talent said and did, when and where each commercial would be shown, the format, the budget,
Never saw the Orson Bean pilot. Jack Narz was a very talented performer, and a good friend. However I was disappointed with the changes the new producers made. If something is not broken, why fix it? I received a great deal of e-mail complaints from viewers. It wasn't my fault.
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[quote name=\'JamesVipond\' post=\'256360\' date=\'Feb 4 2011, 09:33 AM\']Welcome to our group, Norm! I created, and still maintain, the first fan Web site for Concentration.
I wasn't born until 1967, so I remember Bob Clayton but not Hugh Downs. I was, however, very good at the Concentration home games when I was a preschooler in a suburb of Minneapolis. I've also played the Classic Concentration computer games, and I have a copy of Steve Ryan's book. I'm planning to buy a copy of your book in the near future.
Probably more than anyone else, I consider it a shame that NBC won't do anything with the Concentration format, especially since the recent Comcast buyout.[/quote]
Thanks for the welcome and kind words. TV programmers (like NBC) have decreed that game shows need less game playing time and more time to promote the millions that are rarely, if ever won.
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Welcome to our humble group Mr. Blumenthal.
I was born in 1982, well after the original show went off the air. However, Classic Concentration was one of my favorites as a child, and I had no idea that, despite the title, there was a prior version. The only older episodes I've seen were the Jack Narz version from the mid-70s.
I found the show very clever, but very miffed that it may never return to TV because execs are scared it may require too much thinking for the average 2011 viewer (sigh).
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[quote name=\'Dan88\' post=\'256389\' date=\'Feb 4 2011, 04:15 PM\'][quote name=\'Bob Zager\' post=\'256370\' date=\'Feb 4 2011, 12:23 PM\']The 10th anniversary show featured you hosting a game played by Hugh Downs and Bob Clayton.[/quote]
I once read that Downs was confronted with an entire board of Forfeit One Gift and a blank puzzle on an anniversary show. If so, it would make sense to happen the day the guy who made the puzzles was hosting.
[/quote]
Hugh was one of the cleverest practical jokers I ever met. When we did "live" shows (before video tape) he played several on me. Without my knowledge, or the ability to edit anything out, he "invited" all Concentration viewers to my home for a birthday party. We're talking about millions of listeners! Before I could close down his mike, he gave them my home address and phone number. I changed my number immedately. After the next commercial, I threatened to retaliate unless he admitted the hoax.
I was the guy who hosted our anniversay show and stayed away from jokes like you mentioned. Those were used sparingly, when he hosted, after playing the above "party" at my house jokes.
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[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'256429\' date=\'Feb 5 2011, 11:40 AM\']Welcome to our humble group Mr. Blumenthal.
I was born in 1982, well after the original show went off the air. However, Classic Concentration was one of my favorites as a child, and I had no idea that, despite the title, there was a prior version. The only older episodes I've seen were the Jack Narz version from the mid-70s.
I found the show very clever, but very miffed that it may never return to TV because execs are scared it may require too much thinking for the average 2011 viewer (sigh).[/quote]
Thanks for the compliment. I've always been proud to have been associated with a show like Concentration. You are very astute -- with your comment regarding the programmers' erroneous evaluations of today's audiences.
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[quote name=\'normb\' post=\'256425\' date=\'Feb 5 2011, 11:05 AM\']However I was disappointed with the changes the new producers made. If something is not broken, why fix it? I received a great deal of e-mail complaints from viewers.[/quote]
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[quote name=\'TimK2003\' post=\'256414\' date=\'Feb 5 2011, 12:58 AM\'][quote name=\'normb\' post=\'256413\' date=\'Feb 4 2011, 10:07 PM\'][quote name=\'normb\' post=\'256310\' date=\'Feb 3 2011, 08:21 PM\']Do you remember the show??? I produced the original, not the one with Alex Trebeck. Love to hear drom u>[/quote]
[/quote]
Hello, Norm. Concentration (the Clayton era) is probably the first Game Show I remembered watching faithfully as a child , and Concentration was one of the first home games (if not THE first) I remember getting as a kid -- I think I wound up owning 3 or 4 versions of the home game overall.
It's a shame that most game shows of today don't have that right mix of simplicity (for young'uns to play along) complexity (to make games challenging for adults) and pacing (to keep games moving at a good clip) anymore. Concentration, especially the original NBC version, didn't need chaser lights, money-ladders, or long, drawn out reveals to make it successful. It was a simple game with a simple premise -- a show that invited you to take a half-hour to kick back and play along.
Most of today's game shows think they have to overdose on dark sets, laser light shows, over-caffeinated contestants, and long, drawn-out reveals to command ratings. Back in the 60's and 70s, it was just the opposite and many of those shows had long lives on TV. And it probably didn't hurt that NBC owned & operated the show themselves either.
I know you weren't too keen on the changes that were made to the Narz & Trebek versions, but I don't think they went overboard on the changes either, like how many game show remakes of the last 2 decades have done.
I am sure I am not the only one around here who would like to say thank you for making Concentration what it was in it's original format. Your efforts will never be forgotten in these parts.
One question that keeps crossing my mind... How much did it initially cost to create that puzzle-board and all of the associated controls used to make it work, and how much did NBC have to pour into that machine each year to keep it running as smooth as possible?
[/quote]
First, thanks for the kind words -- as well as your obvious "on target" analysis of what makes a good TV game show. I probably would have responded in the same way. In the short period of a few days (2 to be exact) the correspondence and welcome I've received by member of this website has been friendly, knowledgable, respectful and intelligent. Like you, they are MY kind of people. Thanks.
Your question regarding the cost of the game board -- it cost $10,000 -- roughly half the cost of the entire set. Remember that was a long time ago -- in no way, can any game get an entire new set for less than five times that amount. Maintenance was not that expensive, aside from replacement motors and lube jobs we had few performace failures. If you read my book, you recall when it caught fire while we were on the air. Tape was a blessing -- when we were several weeks ahead, a periodic overhaul was made. Thanks again for being a loyal friend.
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[quote name=\'chris319\' post=\'256333\' date=\'Feb 3 2011, 10:49 PM\']Hi Norm -
Some of us grew up watching Concentration going back to the Hugh Downs days. Were you with the show from the very beginning, with Mr. Barry and Mr. Enright?
We have a thread in our archive devoted to that marvel of game show technology, the Concentration board. Corey Cooper describes how the electronic game board worked. You may remember Corey's dad, Ted Cooper. If there is anything you would like to add about the board or the puzzles or anything else, please post it here and it will be enshrined in the archive.
Concentration board (http://\"http://gameshow.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=7\")
BTW, I never knew Milton Kaye was a renowned and in-demand musician apart from Concentration.[/quote]
Indeed I was. As an art school graduate and Asst Art Director for Esquire magazine, I wanted to expand my career. TV seemed like a fertile business for me. I got a job with Barry & Enright on a kid's show on CBS -- "Winky Dink & You." Clever concept that belongs on the air today. When the show left the air, I was retained as the firm's art director and assisted in developing new game shows. When we decided to pursue a show featuring rebus puzzles, everyone knew it was made for me. Guess they were right.
Ted Cooper was one of my favorite scenic designers. Aside from his sensational artistic imagination and talent, his technical expertise fascinated me. We worked together on several projects, until he became the number one choice for Goodson & Todman. They had a bigger budget than I did, so I lost out.
Milton Kaye was an extremely talented man -- who never felt he was injuring his reputation by performing regularly on a culturally "lowly" game show. It was a steady income, and we became good friends.
Gotta run -- I promise to respond soon. With regard to your "archives," please send me another note expanding on that.
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Is there any change at all that other producers made that you wish you had thought of?
FTR, I liked revealing where the natural match is during a Wild Card match and revealing three frames was clever.
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[quote name=\'alfonzos\' post=\'256541\' date=\'Feb 6 2011, 08:56 PM\']Is there any change at all that other producers made that you wish you had thought of?
FTR, I liked revealing where the natural match is during a Wild Card match and revealing three frames was clever.[/quote]
Well, that was a matter of mathematics, since there were going to be three potentially unmatched squares.
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[quote name=\'davemackey\' post=\'256542\' date=\'Feb 6 2011, 08:58 PM\'][quote name=\'alfonzos\' post=\'256541\' date=\'Feb 6 2011, 08:56 PM\']Is there any change at all that other producers made that you wish you had thought of?
FTR, I liked revealing where the natural match is during a Wild Card match and revealing three frames was clever.[/quote]
Well, that was a matter of mathematics, since there were going to be three potentially unmatched squares.
[/quote]
Not really. In the almost 15 years of maintaining high ratings, I added new elements and replaced them with others. If we had remained on longer, I would have done the same with other new gimmicks. This could dangerous. As with many shows over the years (including today), when game play time is reduced by countless promotional features, the show suffers. NBC wanted more stress on prizes, I refused. We already had "Price is Right" and "Let's Make A Deal." Those shows, as great as they were, and they WERE, required the prizes to play the game. On shows like mine. Jeopardy! and others, game time dared not be reduced. The audience tuned in to play along and try to beat the on-air contestants. Later versions of Concentration revamped the show with tricky mini-games, which reduced the rebus puzzle solving time. If I used the ones I saw, I'd be producing a different type of show, by taking away the very reason people tuned in.
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[quote name=\'normb\' post=\'256557\' date=\'Feb 6 2011, 08:01 PM\']Later versions of Concentration revamped the show with tricky mini-games, which reduced the rebus puzzle solving time.[/quote]You mean like a bonus round? Matching against a clock? The Double Play round? Those aren't tricky, those are end games.
I love the Concentration format, but I also grew up with the Classic version. Having seen an episode of the original format, with just rebus solving and a revolving door of contestantry, I found myself appreciating the "down time" of allowing a game's winner the chance at a grand prize before going back into the fray.
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Hi Norm -
We are glad to have you here and thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.
If you click on the link below, it will take you to our archive page with all kinds of neat stuff:
http://gameshow.ipbhost.com/index.php?showforum=8 (http://\"http://gameshow.ipbhost.com/index.php?showforum=8\")
If you click on this link, it will take you to descriptions of both the mechanical board and the computerized board for Classic Concentration. The latter's software was written by Ted's son Corey who wrote the software for the computerized board which ran on computers which are quite primitive and slow by today's standards:
http://gameshow.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=7 (http://\"http://gameshow.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=7\")
Corey says that in the '80s G-T received a bid for a new mechanical board of $150,000, a far cry from the original $10,000 cost you quoted.
Here are two questions for you:
1. What can you tell us about how Concentration was developed before it went on the air? The common wisdom is that it was a collaboration between Buddy Piper and Bob Noah.
2. How did the quiz scandal affect Concentration? I read in your first book that security measures were greatly tightened regarding the material, but how was the Barry & Enright organization affected after NBC bought the formats from them?
Geno: there used to exist a picture of the rear of the board outside Ira Skutch's office. It's not really that interesting. You see the unturned trilons with disjointed puzzle pieces. Each trilon swivels on one of five vertical shafts about 2" in diameter. That's it. Far more fascinating was watching Steve Ryan himself and two stagehands loading and unloading the prize slips (the board between the contestants) from behind as each number is called, and revealed when there is a match. When you think about it, they had to be FAST if a forfeit or take was matched, as they had to load the selected prize as soon as the contestant announced his decision and reveal it.
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[quote name=\'chris319\' post=\'256593\' date=\'Feb 7 2011, 08:19 AM\']Geno: there used to exist a picture of the rear of the board outside Ira Skutch's office. It's not really that interesting. You see the unturned trilons with disjointed puzzle pieces. Each trilon swivels on one of five vertical shafts about 2" in diameter. That's it. Far more fascinating was watching Steve Ryan himself and two stagehands loading and unloading the prize slips (the board between the contestants) from behind as each number is called, and revealed when there is a match. When you think about it, they had to be FAST if a forfeit or take was matched, as they had to load the selected prize as soon as the contestant announced his decision and reveal it.[/quote]
As a kid, I thought the prize boards were magic, especially how fast the stagehands put the correct prizes in the proper slot!
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[quote name=\'chris319\' post=\'256593\' date=\'Feb 7 2011, 08:19 AM\']Hi Norm -
We are glad to have you here and thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.
If you click on the link below, it will take you to our archive page with all kinds of neat stuff:
http://gameshow.ipbhost.com/index.php?showforum=8 (http://\"http://gameshow.ipbhost.com/index.php?showforum=8\")
If you click on this link, it will take you to descriptions of both the mechanical board and the computerized board for Classic Concentration. The latter's software was written by Ted's son Corey who wrote the software for the computerized board which ran on computers which are quite primitive and slow by today's standards:
http://gameshow.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=7 (http://\"http://gameshow.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=7\")
Corey says that in the '80s G-T received a bid for a new mechanical board of $150,000, a far cry from the original $10,000 cost you quoted.
Here are two questions for you:
1. What can you tell us about how Concentration was developed before it went on the air? The common wisdom is that it was a collaboration between Buddy Piper and Bob Noah.
2. How did the quiz scandal affect Concentration? I read in your first book that security measures were greatly tightened regarding the material, but how was the Barry & Enright organization affected after NBC bought the formats from them?
Geno: there used to exist a picture of the rear of the board outside Ira Skutch's office. It's not really that interesting. You see the unturned trilons with disjointed puzzle pieces. Each trilon swivels on one of five vertical shafts about 2" in diameter. That's it. Far more fascinating was watching Steve Ryan himself and two stagehands loading and unloading the prize slips (the board between the contestants) from behind as each number is called, and revealed when there is a match. When you think about it, they had to be FAST if a forfeit or take was matched, as they had to load the selected prize as soon as the contestant announced his decision and reveal it.[/quote]
Way back then, most production outfits tried to adapt familiar kid's games to TV game shows. We were no different -- the card game, Concentration, was around a long time. The matching of 2 cards was and has been popular in teaching exercises that made learning fun. With the very talented Bob Noah at the helm, countless variations were tested. We knew we had a good game, but the game needed a goal. Something that was unique and entertaining. That goal was provided by Buddy Piper. It was the rebus. That's when I entered the picture. The end result was good enough to be accepted by NBC and put on the air without a pilot.
Unfortunately, the debut of Concentration coincided with the quiz scandal. NBC took the production responsibilities away from Barry & Enright,and assigned a temporary network executive producer to insure the honesty of my creativity. From that point on, it became my responsibility to keep it the hot property it remained for so many years. Fortunately for me, I was not involved in the rigging of the shows. This was a very sad time for all of us. Reputations and careers were shattered, and my mentors, the upcoming leader in game show production, Barry & Enright was dissolved.
I'll never forget the day Mark Goodson dropped by Studio 6A and watched me producing an episode of Concentration. When we paused for a commercial, he shook my hand and said, "How did this show get away from me?" Weird, many years later, G&T did get involved with the show.
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Mr. Blumenthal, let me add my thanks, for both the wonderfully clever entertainment you gave us and the kick of your participating here. After the fourth or fifth home game to which I, as a lad, lost too many pieces, my dear mother finally had to say "no."
If you have another moment to respond, I wonder about the end of the NBC run. The game shows on CBS at that point ("Joker's Wild," "New Price Is Right") had a decidedly new, flashier, call it hipper look and feel. Was there thought of updating the presentation of Concentration to try extending the network run? Doing essentially what Goodson did for syndication--a more stylish set and (apologies to the organist) recorded modern music, hopefully not changing the game too much?
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Mr Blumenthal, please allow me to add my thanks for the many wonderful hours of entertainment and memories from Concentration, both playing along and watching. My mom credits Concentration (and Password) for helping teach me reading skills at a very early age. In fact my parents gave me a Concentration home game for Christmas in 1967 (it was the New Ninth Edition) Since then I have aquired all but two editions in my collection, along with the first two puzzle books and your 1975 book on game shows.
Many of my fellow board members have asked most of the good questions, and I do appreciate the answers. I do have a couple more:
1. Did NBC sort of "force" you to have Ed McMahon host the show for the few months in '69, or was he really considered for a long term run as Hugh Downs' replacement?
2. Was there ever a consideration from NBC to move Concentration to a different time slot, after CBS's game show juggernaut trio debuted in '72? Or was it "Sink or swim gang, you're on your own"?
3. Once a year there was a "Concentration Contest" where the number of matches in regular play were tallied on a scoreboard over the big board. I was wondering if you could elaborate, was it part of the Tournament of Champions or another event altogether?
4. Lastly, when you devised the puzzles, did you use a grid similar to the puzzle board so certain "puzzle parts" appeared on the board in specific spots; or was it just "luck of the draw" (no pun intended) Also did prize placement on the board play a part in layout of the puzzle?
Once again sir, thank you for all your contributions to game shows, and welcome to the board!
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[quote name=\'Neumms\' post=\'256607\' date=\'Feb 7 2011, 12:03 PM\']Mr. Blumenthal, let me add my thanks, for both the wonderfully clever entertainment you gave us and the kick of your participating here. After the fourth or fifth home game to which I, as a lad, lost too many pieces, my dear mother finally had to say "no."
If you have another moment to respond, I wonder about the end of the NBC run. The game shows on CBS at that point ("Joker's Wild," "New Price Is Right") had a decidedly new, flashier, call it hipper look and feel. Was there thought of updating the presentation of Concentration to try extending the network run? Doing essentially what Goodson did for syndication--a more stylish set and (apologies to the organist) recorded modern music, hopefully not changing the game too much?[/quote]
As we all know, all good things must eventually come to an end. Fifteen years is quite a long run. Not many producers can brag about that. Guess it was time for a change. Not just in the scenery or the music. Thanks to viewers like you, it was fun while it lasted. Thanks for the memory.
As I said in my book, we generally learned our show was to be cancelled when we heard the stagehands talking about it. Where they got their info, we never knew. When we finished our first week of Concentration shows, the stagehands offered their usual longevity prediction for this new show. They unanimously agreed that it was good enough to last at least 26 weeks. This was great to hear, rarely were they wrong. They were that time, we stayed on the air for over 750 weeks.
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Hi Norm! I greatly enjoyed the original "Concentration." It was one of the shows that piqued my interest in game shows. I also have your 1975 book. Glad you are here!
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[quote name=\'joker316\' post=\'256630\' date=\'Feb 7 2011, 08:54 PM\']Mr Blumenthal, please allow me to add my thanks for the many wonderful hours of entertainment and memories from Concentration, both playing along and watching. My mom credits Concentration (and Password) for helping teach me reading skills at a very early age. In fact my parents gave me a Concentration home game for Christmas in 1967 (it was the New Ninth Edition) Since then I have aquired all but two editions in my collection, along with the first two puzzle books and your 1975 book on game shows.
Many of my fellow board members have asked most of the good questions, and I do appreciate the answers. I do have a couple more:
1. Did NBC sort of "force" you to have Ed McMahon host the show for the few months in '69, or was he really considered for a long term run as Hugh Downs' replacement?
2. Was there ever a consideration from NBC to move Concentration to a different time slot, after CBS's game show juggernaut trio debuted in '72? Or was it "Sink or swim gang, you're on your own"?
3. Once a year there was a "Concentration Contest" where the number of matches in regular play were tallied on a scoreboard over the big board. I was wondering if you could elaborate, was it part of the Tournament of Champions or another event altogether?
4. Lastly, when you devised the puzzles, did you use a grid similar to the puzzle board so certain "puzzle parts" appeared on the board in specific spots; or was it just "luck of the draw" (no pun intended) Also did prize placement on the board play a part in layout of the puzzle?
Once again sir, thank you for all your contributions to game shows, and welcome to the board![/quote]
Thank you for the kind words from you and all of your fellow members that have contacted me.
Before I answer your questions, here are a few of my own.
Who created this web site? It's a good one. Glad to help out. Have any of you met me (some say at the Game Show Congress a few years ago). Are you a part of that group, or the governing body of this one? Are there officers or others I could contact with queries I might have? Example: Quite a number of your people have asked the same type of question. I don't mind answering them. Fan mail of years ago, when we were still on the air, asked the same questions: The mysteries of the game board; the listing of prizes behind each contestant; the Ed MacMahon saga; etc. I'd like to be able to respond to all who ask the same question, at the same time. It would be easier for me. Sort of an information bulletin board. Even though most of the answers to these queries are in my latest book, I don't mind expanding on specifics. Same thing with all those who bought my book. I'm pleased to hear they enjoy the "inside" or "backstage" stories I tried to tell, while some may not even know it exists. I'd appreciate it if you'd let them know.
Answers to your questions will follow, I promise.
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Norm, I have a list of frequently asked questions about Concentration. I can add the questions you mentioned.
Concentration FAQ (http://\"http://wat.midco.net/jvipond/gameshow/conc-faq.html\")
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[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'256668\' date=\'Feb 8 2011, 07:16 AM\']Hi Norm! I greatly enjoyed the original "Concentration." It was one of the shows that piqued my interest in game shows. I also have your 1975 book. Glad you are here![/quote]
Jimmy:
You've obviously got good taste. Thanks for those nice words.
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Mr. Blumenthal, allow me to answer some of your questions here, and others in an e-mail that will be coming your way shortly.
This site is a gathering place for game show fans young and old. The two of us that run it are myself and Chris Clementson (Chris319 in his messages here). The two of us are fans just like everyone else here, this isn't a commercial venture. This particular site has been around since 2002, but a lot of us have been communicating with each other on the internet long before then. We don't have an official connection to the Game Show Congress, but many of us have attended those events over the years and yes, several of us (myself included) had the chance to meet you at the one you attended with Ruth Horowitz and others.
Some of our members work on game shows today at varying levels, and some have worked on shows in the past, but we rarely get someone of your stature, much less someone so willing to answer questions, and about a show that so many of us remember so fondly. My apologies if the volley of questions seems a bit overwhelming, but again, this doesn't happen often for us.
I'll send you a personal note in just a moment. In the meantime, if you have any specific questions about our little operation here, you can contact me directly at the e-mail address ottinger@acd.net
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Hi Norm -
Thank you for the kind words about our site. As Matt said, we have been around since 2002. We have no connection to the Game Show Congress in which you participated, though many of our members have attended it. We take pride in the mature level of discourse here, and we have no one to thank for that but our members.
Matt is being too modest. He is the emcee of an award-winning College Bowl-style quiz called Quizbusters on WKAR, the PBS station in Lansing, Michigan. Here is a link to the show's site:
http://wkar.org/quizbusters/ (http://\"http://wkar.org/quizbusters/\")
I was hired by Howard Felsher in 1978 to be the researcher on one of Mr. Goodson's versions of Password. It was there that I worked with Ted Cooper, whom I adored, and (the late) Ira Skutch who was no stranger to NBC New York. I was involved in the development of the ill-fated Mindreaders, Blockbusters and a pilot called Puzzlers. I continue to dabble in game show development off and on.
We can set up a special area for you on the board where you can post anything and everything you would like about Concentration. It can either be interactive, where members can ask you questions as they do here, or we can make it like a blog where only you can post. Let us know how you would like to go.
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[quote name=\'joker316\' post=\'256630\' date=\'Feb 7 2011, 08:54 PM\']Mr Blumenthal, please allow me to add my thanks for the many wonderful hours of entertainment and memories from Concentration, both playing along and watching. My mom credits Concentration (and Password) for helping teach me reading skills at a very early age. In fact my parents gave me a Concentration home game for Christmas in 1967 (it was the New Ninth Edition) Since then I have aquired all but two editions in my collection, along with the first two puzzle books and your 1975 book on game shows.
Many of my fellow board members have asked most of the good questions, and I do appreciate the answers. I do have a couple more:
1. Did NBC sort of "force" you to have Ed McMahon host the show for the few months in '69, or was he really considered for a long term run as Hugh Downs' replacement?
2. Was there ever a consideration from NBC to move Concentration to a different time slot, after CBS's game show juggernaut trio debuted in '72? Or was it "Sink or swim gang, you're on your own"?
3. Once a year there was a "Concentration Contest" where the number of matches in regular play were tallied on a scoreboard over the big board. I was wondering if you could elaborate, was it part of the Tournament of Champions or another event altogether?
4. Lastly, when you devised the puzzles, did you use a grid similar to the puzzle board so certain "puzzle parts" appeared on the board in specific spots; or was it just "luck of the draw" (no pun intended) Also did prize placement on the board play a part in layout of the puzzle?
Once again sir, thank you for all your contributions to game shows, and welcome to the board![/quote]
Hi Joker -- As I promised, hrere are my responses to your questions:
1. When Hugh Downs left the show, I chose Bob Clayton to take over. As in the past, the ratings remained strong whenever he did the show. As good as they were, network brass insisted I put Ed McMahon in the starring role . As they put it, "For MARQUEE value! We argued, but they won. --- (All this is explained in greater detail my new book)--- After a while, as I expected, when the ratings sunk, I was called on the carpet. I was too respectful, to say, "I told you so.." We were taped far ahead, so I stopped additional taping and took an extended vacation -- you could say, I actually quit. About a week later, I received a long distance call from NBC, saying, "All is forgiven, come back home, reinstate Clayton and remove Ed.
2. Throughout our time on NBC, we appeared in every half hour morning slot, and prime time spots as well. This too is explained in the book. We persistently beat anything CBS put against us -- even "The Price is Right," and even reruns of "I Love Lucy." No one had done that before. But, the time you mention was different, we were beaten out by a low-rated sitcom from the previous season, Switching time periods wasn't working any more -- but new network programmers were, and they tried to beat the oposition with programming they could brag about as being their shows -- we left and after a while, so did "their" shows. CBS shows were just better.
3. Sorry, we never had a contest like that, We did similar things. Example, for our 5th birthday show, we tried to find all the kids in America who shared that brithday. Census Bureau give us a rough estimate. We were as shocked as they were, we heard from about 74% -- almost an impossible audience response. From a gigantic metal-bound box (almost the size of a small freight train car-- we selected 30 winners and presented those youngsters with the prize hidden in one of the game board squares. By, the way, as strong as we built that giant container, the floor of that box caved in, and cars and letters flew all over the studio floor.
4. I printed up a grid lined "plot sheet" for each puzzle. When I drew in the puzzle, I was very carefull with the placement of each element. Best example would be the number 16. In box 1, at the very bottom and right edge I put the numeral 1. With out next numbers revealed, it could be an L, a D, etc. in box 2, the top half of the 6, could be the top of a C. etc, Same thing with parts of picures. By revealing parts of them they could look like other things. This was all carefully planned. Same thing with the placement of prizes. Expensive prizes, forfeits and wild cards, that came up early in each game, revealed very little in the way of clues, etc. I had to do things like that to sustain a longer contest and more playing time to rack up prizes. Whew! That was a lot of explanation. I'm exhausted, and I refrained from going further with the answers to your questions. That's why I wrote the book.
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Thanks for some fascinating information, Norm.
And for those of you who haven't bought his book yet, what are you waiting for?
http://www.amazon.com/When-Shows-Ruled-Day...k/dp/B004E10WBS (http://\"http://www.amazon.com/When-Shows-Ruled-Daytime-ebook/dp/B004E10WBS\")
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'256831\' date=\'Feb 10 2011, 06:31 AM\']Thanks for some fascinating information, Norm.
And for those of you who haven't bought his book yet, what are you waiting for?
http://www.amazon.com/When-Shows-Ruled-Day...k/dp/B004E10WBS (http://\"http://www.amazon.com/When-Shows-Ruled-Daytime-ebook/dp/B004E10WBS\")[/quote]
I'd like to commend either Mr. Blumenthal or his publisher for being reasonable about the Kindle pricing. I still haven't pulled the trigger on Prisoner of Trebekistan because the pricing perturbs me.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'256844\' date=\'Feb 10 2011, 11:17 AM\']I still haven't pulled the trigger on Prisoner of Trebekistan because the pricing perturbs me.[/quote]
Understandable, though it is a steal at twice the price. Any price.
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[quote name=\'Steve McClellan\' post=\'256851\' date=\'Feb 10 2011, 11:29 AM\']Understandable, though it is a steal at twice the price. Any price.[/quote]
I'm sure it's outstanding.
I also have a major major problem with the reasons behind why Amazon is selling ebooks at prices over $9.99, and choose not to support that with my wallet.
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[quote name=\'normb\' post=\'256490\' date=\'Feb 6 2011, 07:20 AM\']...
I got a job with Barry & Enright on a kid's show on CBS -- "Winky Dink & You." Clever concept that belongs on the air today.
...
Ted Cooper was one of my favorite scenic designers. Aside from his sensational artistic imagination and talent, his technical expertise fascinated me. We worked together on several projects, until he became the number one choice for Goodson & Todman. They had a bigger budget than I did, so I lost out.[/quote]
"Winky Dink, and you,
Winky Dink, and me,
Oh we'll have a lot of fun together!"
One of those childhood memory's that has stuck with me, I still remember the tune, and can almost hear the theme song. I must have seen it in reruns, since I just looked at it went off the air only a year or so after I was born.
Thanks for remembering my dad, he passed away in December of '99, but I love to hear other people's memories of him, especially from the '50's!
Corey Cooper
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Thanks for some fascinating information, Norm.
And for those of you who haven't bought his book yet, what are you waiting for?
http://www.amazon.com/When-Shows-Ruled-Day...k/dp/B004E10WBS (http://"http://www.amazon.com/When-Shows-Ruled-Daytime-ebook/dp/B004E10WBS")
I'm all ready to buy the book, but judging from the sample in the Kindle store (for my iPad), there are no pictures and some textual anomalies. Can anybody with a hard copy clarify whether or not there are pictures in the book (and why those pictures aren't present in the Kindle version)?
Additionally, does Mr. Blumenthal receive royalties from sales of the Kindle version?
Regards, Chris
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Do you have an opinion about The Rebus Game?
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Hello Norm--glad you are here with us!
I too am interested in whatever you had to say about "The Rebus Game" since I found a 16mm film of a promo for the show and put it on YouTube. Also, you made an interesting case for "Concentration" remaining in black-and-white for as long as it did, but something appears to challenge this: the fact that there was once a nighttime version of the show in 1961 that was actually colorcast five years before the daytime show was. A picture from that version appears on my own page devoted to the show ("Concentration: Through The Decades") and the board shows white pictures on a brown background. If you could do it in 1961, why wasn't it done in daytime around 1964 or 1965?
--David P. Johnson
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Can anybody with a hard copy clarify whether or not there are pictures in the book (and why those pictures aren't present in the Kindle version)?
Yes, there are a few pages of black & white pictures.
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Can anybody with a hard copy clarify whether or not there are pictures in the book (and why those pictures aren't present in the Kindle version)?
Yes, there are a few pages of black & white pictures.
Judging by the cover photo of Norm Blumenthal, the design of the wall in the background leads me to think that it is on the set of the nighttime version Concentration. Are any of the pictures in the book from that version?
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Hello Norm--glad you are here with us!
I too am interested in whatever you had to say about "The Rebus Game" since I found a 16mm film of a promo for the show and put it on YouTube. Also, you made an interesting case for "Concentration" remaining in black-and-white for as long as it did, but something appears to challenge this: the fact that there was once a nighttime version of the show in 1961 that was actually colorcast five years before the daytime show was. A picture from that version appears on my own page devoted to the show ("Concentration: Through The Decades") and the board shows white pictures on a brown background. If you could do it in 1961, why wasn't it done in daytime around 1964 or 1965?
--David P. Johnson
When ABC put on THE REBUS GAME show, of course we were annoyed. It was a blatant steal, and we could do nothing about it. Our show was not unique. Think about how many variations of a similar theme have been used on so many shows over the years. Even when the Hollywood producers of THE WIZARD OF OZ tried to force Alex Trebek's WIZARD OF ODDS to change its name, they failed. There was no copyright on the rebus puzzle -- that goes way back to Ben Franklin's "Poor Richard'e Almanac," Before I started working in TV and before my show was on, I was a free-lance graphic artist, and did weekly rebus puzzle for a kid's version of "TV Guide." called "TV, JR." Like THE REBUS GAME,it wasn't good enough to last 6 months.
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Hello Norm--glad you are here with us!
I too am interested in whatever you had to say about "The Rebus Game" since I found a 16mm film of a promo for the show and put it on YouTube. Also, you made an interesting case for "Concentration" remaining in black-and-white for as long as it did, but something appears to challenge this: the fact that there was once a nighttime version of the show in 1961 that was actually colorcast five years before the daytime show was. A picture from that version appears on my own page devoted to the show ("Concentration: Through The Decades") and the board shows white pictures on a brown background. If you could do it in 1961, why wasn't it done in daytime around 1964 or 1965?
--David P. Johnson
For all of you who are confused by my refusal to do my shows in color for such a long time. As you righfully said, on the earlier night time show we did do a few in color. If you recall, the NBC network was trying to sell RCA (its owner) sets. So, they forced shows like mind for "color nights" -- they didn't have the equipment to produce enough color shows, so they bunched the few they had and came up with those color nights. I only agreed wih my compromise -- every in color, except the puzzle. As I've said so many times before -- if a drawing of a round object was in white or another monotone, it could be anything -- but if only a small portion of it was red, as in APPLE -- the player might know it was H+APPLE+E after. When I finally agreed to color -- I maintained my rule and made all parts of the puzzle in pinkagainst a maroon background.
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Mr. B., I've been hungry for all things Concentration since 1960 or '61. (I was born in '57.) Pictures, stories, video, etc. etc. etc. I'm lovin' this! Wish I could have made it to NYC to actually watch a taping, back in the day.
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I'm lovin' this! Wish I could have made it to NYC to actually watch a taping, back in the day.
Me too. The closest I ever came was meeting Bob Clayton after a taping of Pyramid. But yeah, these stories are absolutely fascinating.
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Norm, do you remember how the contest pictured here worked: http://home.earthlink.net/~crussmason/studio.gif
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Norm, do you remember how the contest pictured here worked: http://home.earthlink.net/~crussmason/studio.gif
Thank you,, that was the contest I referred to earlier in the thread!
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Can anybody with a hard copy clarify whether or not there are pictures in the book (and why those pictures aren't present in the Kindle version)?
Yes, there are a few pages of black & white pictures.
Judging by the cover photo of Norm Blumenthal, the design of the wall in the background leads me to think that it is on the set of the nighttime version Concentration. Are any of the pictures in the book from that version?
I'm not too familiar with the show's set, and the captions don't specify, so it's hard for me to say. I can say none of the other pics have that wooden tile pattern behind Norm's head.
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Here's a little something to stir Mr. Blumenthal's memory... I had some free time one evening, and came up with this tribute to his design of the original primetime color board design:
http://www.kinescopes.com/Concentration_50s.jpg
Thanks for your endless work, Mr. Blumenthal-- I started watching during the black & white Hugh Downs daytime era (about 1965), and your show was one that I never missed, if I could help it!
- Kevin Segura
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Here's a little something to stir Mr. Blumenthal's memory... I had some free time one evening, and came up with this tribute to his design of the original primetime color board design:
http://www.kinescopes.com/Concentration_50s.jpg
Thanks for your endless work, Mr. Blumenthal-- I started watching during the black & white Hugh Downs daytime era (about 1965), and your show was one that I never missed, if I could help it!
- Kevin Segura
Thanks Kevin:
You throw me a curve -- can't figure out where that board shot came from. It is dated, "The 50's" -- way before color. The 30 squares are perfectly lined up -- as in a graphic rendering. They were not-- In order for the squares to turn, there were irregular spaces on all 4 sides of each. The fact that there were 30 --shows it was during the original show's run -- as you know, it was reduced to 25 on revival versions. Finally, the typeface is not familiar.
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Thanks Kevin:
You throw me a curve -- can't figure out where that board shot came from. It is dated, "The 50's" -- way before color. The 30 squares are perfectly lined up -- as in a graphic rendering. They were not-- In order for the squares to turn, there were irregular spaces on all 4 sides of each. The fact that there were 30 --shows it was during the original show's run -- as you know, it was reduced to 25 on revival versions. Finally, the typeface is not familiar.
Well, it is a bit of a cheat-- it was a computer graphic that I created which was based on **this** picture from the old color version:
http://www.kinescopes.com/concentration_61.jpg
...which was originally published in "TV Guide", I think.
And now that we have you here on the forum, I guess I should ask-- what **are** the proper typefaces to use for the trilons? (Are there different fonts for the square numbers and prize cards?)
And again, thanks very much for your years of work, and for agreeing to stop by here and answer a few questions...!
- Kevin
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There was no specific typeface. If the prize was a gag, I'd try using humorous letters. For all other prizes, I chose not to use anything but a gothic typeface (no serifs -- like a Roman typeface -- that reduced the size and readability). With limited space on each card and often long words that could not be abbreviated, like AIR CONDITIONER -- I had to use a condensed face. In order for the studio audience to see it, aside from on one of the monitors -- I never used a letter that was smaller than 3 inches high. At first, I tried to be true to the medium by used drawings instead of words -- prizes like a set of tires, a TV set, a diamond ring, etc. This didn't work -- how do you draw a trip, wall to wall carpeting, a micro-wave oven, etc. Also, these renderings took much too long, and unlike the old expression: "Pictures speak louder than words" -- the words were easier to read. Now, you've acquired a little more trivia.
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At first, I tried to be true to the medium by used drawings instead of words -- prizes like a set of tires, a TV set, a diamond ring, etc. This didn't work -- how do you draw a trip, wall to wall carpeting, a micro-wave oven, etc. Also, these renderings took much too long, and unlike the old expression: "Pictures speak louder than words" -- the words were easier to read. Now, you've acquired a little more trivia.
I'm guessing that at least partially explains why the home game prizes were drawings of the items.
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At first, I tried to be true to the medium by used drawings instead of words -- prizes like a set of tires, a TV set, a diamond ring, etc. This didn't work -- how do you draw a trip, wall to wall carpeting, a micro-wave oven, etc. Also, these renderings took much too long, and unlike the old expression: "Pictures speak louder than words" -- the words were easier to read. Now, you've acquired a little more trivia.
I'm guessing that at least partially explains why the home game prizes were drawings of the items.
true -- as you probably know -- I created and drew all the rebus puzzles for all the original shows' home games.
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true -- as you probably know -- I created and drew all the rebus puzzles for all the original shows' home games.
Yes, you've been kind enough to share that fact with us. As long as we're on that subject, did you deliberately make the home game puzzles easier than those on the TV show, knowing that the home game would be more popular with children? It seems as far as the home versions go, you saved the really challenging stuff for the three paperback books from the early seventies
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true -- as you probably know -- I created and drew all the rebus puzzles for all the original shows' home games.
Yes, you've been kind enough to share that fact with us. As long as we're on that subject, did you deliberately make the home game puzzles easier than those on the TV show, knowing that the home game would be more popular with children? It seems as far as the home versions go, you saved the really challenging stuff for the three paperback books from the early seventies
Most definitely -- the Milton Bradley home game puzzles were easier. Just like the on the air puzzle #3 on each day's show.
These were the most fifficult for me to make up. Surprised? I'll explain. If we had enough time to start another puzzle, I purposely used the simplest one I could find. Chances of it being solved in less time was more realistic. Believe it or not, I used titles of fairy tales, the most popular singing groups, etc. By the way, if that one was solved too quickly. I always had a fourth game ready. In 15 years, we never started that fourth puzzle. As I said earlier -- never once did one of my Concentration shows get edited because, earlier in the show, I timed it incorrectly. Yes. it is the producer's responsibility. I timed each one to get in as much game playing in as possible and thereby eliminate "end of show" stretches that are so unprofessional. Who cares if the emcee or his assitant got a haircut that day? Long, crummy stretches like that show how untalented the producer is. Even after tape was introduced, I timed each show very carefully and prodced it as if it wss live.
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The Internet Movie Database says that Audrey Meadows would stop production of The Honeymooners to watch Concentration. Can you verify this? Do you know of any celebrity fans of the show?
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The Internet Movie Database says that Audrey Meadows would stop production of The Honeymooners to watch Concentration. Can you verify this? Do you know of any celebrity fans of the show?
I don't know about that, but I do recall reading a story that Abby Dalton, who co-starred on The Joey Bishop Show at the time, requested such production breaks to watch Concentration! Supposedly, Joey Bishop himself got hooked on watching the show!
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The Internet Movie Database says that Audrey Meadows would stop production of The Honeymooners to watch Concentration. Can you verify this? Do you know of any celebrity fans of the show?
I knew there were several famous people who were regular viewers. Too many to list. In many cases, they sent us fan mail. Here are a few of our most loyal. Abby Dalton, co-star of "The Joey Bishop Show," demanded a TV set in her dressing room. Patty, the first wife of Jerry Lewis was a daily viewer. Lucille Ball, even though her daily show competed in the same time slot on CBS-TV. Our nation's First Lady, wife of President Lyndon Baines Johnson, Ladybird.
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Mr. B, just wanted to say thanks for all the years of Concentration. Growing up, I never missed an episode when I was home from school. I have two questions: What were the actual dimensions of the gameboard trilons? Also, I remember a time when there was a prize wheel that swooped down from behind the prize doors, but I don't recall the premise. Could you refresh my failing memory? Thanks!
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Norm -
What were the dimensions of each card for the "trilons"? Was there more than one board which was being loaded while the other was being played?
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The Internet Movie Database says that Audrey Meadows would stop production of The Honeymooners to watch Concentration. Can you verify this? Do you know of any celebrity fans of the show?
The only way this would be possible if IMDB is alluding to the 1966-70 colorized Honeymooners sketches that were part of the Jackie Gleason Show; the classic B&W Honeymooners went off the air before Concentration aired.
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The only way this would be possible if IMDB is alluding to the 1966-70 colorized Honeymooners sketches that were part of the Jackie Gleason Show; the classic B&W Honeymooners went off the air before Concentration aired.
Oops. True. Dumb question. I should have checked before posting.
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Mr. B, just wanted to say thanks for all the years of Concentration. Growing up, I never missed an episode when I was home from school. I have two questions: What were the actual dimensions of the gameboard trilons? Also, I remember a time when there was a prize wheel that swooped down from behind the prize doors, but I don't recall the premise. Could you refresh my failing memory? Thanks!
Each side of the 30 trilons was 9" (high) x 12" (wide). One for a number from 1 to 30; 1 for a prize description and the last for a portion of the rebus puzzle.
To add variety to our prizes, we scheduled an expensive weekly bonus giveaway. THE WHEEL was one of them, alternating with THE ENVELOPE, SALUTES TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES, etc. Hidden from daily view, the wheel remained in a horizontal position just above the back of the contestant entrance doors. When won, those doors opened and it was released to a vertical position. Winner got one free spin and kept the amount of money the pointer revealed.
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Norm -
What were the dimensions of each card for the "trilons"? Was there more than one board which was being loaded while the other was being played?
Look at the dimensions I gave. The numbered part of each trilon remained permanently in place. Behind each was a track to slide the other two sides of the trilon. These were preloaded before each game with puzzle parts and prize descriptions. Backstage, there were 2 huge bins to store 4 puzzles (2 in each)needed for each show. When unlocked, each of the inside compartments contained enough shelves for all the puzzle/prize sliders. Prior to air time, the board was loaded and ready for play. After that game was over, the board was emptied and the used sliders were placed back on to the empty shelves. The next puzzle was then loaded onto the game board.
To prevent improper loading, each space on those shelves had a giant number. Remember,the stagehands were working backwards, so the puzzle would be seen forward by the players.
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Here's something I've wondered about, and I hope it isn't too esoteric. Naturally, the puzzle pieces had to very carefully be placed in the right slots, or else the rebus is ruined. The prize cards, on the other hand, could go anywhere as long as you had all fifteen pairs on the board. Did you specifically decide in each game where the prize cards would go, did you leave that to someone else, or was it completely random? And whatever the answer, what was the thought process behind it?
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I have been checking this thread daily and enjoy reading about one of the best game shows ever: "Concentration".
Thank you so much, Mr. Blumenthal. I was raised on that show and enjoyed both revivals. I know I stand with many on this board in wishing it would someday return.
I don't have any questions now, but wanted to say "thanks!" ... though I am curious about the "Concentration Contest" in a poster's picture link...I don't know if that question (asked by another poster) was answered. (I couldn't find an explanation.)
I also wanted to say that I am enjoying your new book VERY MUCH! In 1975, I fully enjoyed your "TV Game Show" book published back then...
I think I read it cover to cover then back again MANY times over the years! I'm sure it moved twice with me and is still somewhere in my home!
It served me well in many research papers in my high school/ college years.
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The prize cards, on the other hand, could go anywhere as long as you had all fifteen pairs on the board. Did you specifically decide in each game where the prize cards would go, did you leave that to someone else, or was it completely random? And whatever the answer, what was the thought process behind it?
Very good question Matt. I'd like to know more about that too.
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The prize cards, on the other hand, could go anywhere as long as you had all fifteen pairs on the board. Did you specifically decide in each game where the prize cards would go, did you leave that to someone else, or was it completely random? And whatever the answer, what was the thought process behind it?
Very good question Matt. I'd like to know more about that too.
Norm covered this in a post on February 9th.
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Norm covered this in a post on February 9th.
Indeed he did. I don't know why I didn't catch it the first time. Emphasis added:
I printed up a grid lined "plot sheet" for each puzzle. When I drew in the puzzle, I was very carefull with the placement of each element. Best example would be the number 16. In box 1, at the very bottom and right edge I put the numeral 1. With out next numbers revealed, it could be an L, a D, etc. in box 2, the top half of the 6, could be the top of a C. etc, Same thing with parts of picures. By revealing parts of them they could look like other things. This was all carefully planned. Same thing with the placement of prizes. Expensive prizes, forfeits and wild cards, that came up early in each game, revealed very little in the way of clues, etc. I had to do things like that to sustain a longer contest and more playing time to rack up prizes.
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Here's something I've wondered about, and I hope it isn't too esoteric. Naturally, the puzzle pieces had to very carefully be placed in the right slots, or else the rebus is ruined. The prize cards, on the other hand, could go anywhere as long as you had all fifteen pairs on the board. Did you specifically decide in each game where the prize cards would go, did you leave that to someone else, or was it completely random? And whatever the answer, what was the thought process behind it?
For each program, I selected all the puzzles to be used. I printed up lined 30 box grid sheets, which I called plot sheets. One was for a drawing of each puzzle with all parts in exactly the same position as they were on the big game board. Using that as a guide, I used a blank plot sheet for the position of all prizes. In this way, I prevented two important clues from coming up in one match. Experience had shown me knew which numbers would be called first, therfore easier to remember, just like what was in the four corners. More often than not, I used the blanks for the forfiet one gift cards -- there were six of them.
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Norm, was the closing theme music (which I assume was done live on an organ or earlier on a xylophone)
ever recorded? The TV Production Music Museum has the scores from the later versions of Concentration
but not the original.
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All music on the show was live and very often ad lib (like drum rolls, mysterious crescendos, etc.) We had 2 musicians -- Milton Kaye (an extremely well-known classical pianist -- look him up) -- he played on a truly ancient organ -- that saw constant time on old radio soap operas I got sick of that and, when they virst became popular -- Yamaha multi-sound organ. We now how the versatility of many instruments -- maybe that's why you think we had an exylophone, Moe Goldenberg was our tympanist -- kettle drums, cymbals, chimes, etc. I was most pleased with our middle break, audience pan music, "Puppet on a String". I loved the mixture of all kinds of sound effects and the cutsie tune.
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Milton Kaye also had a celesta at his disposal which was used to play the opening that had turning trilons that spelled out "Concentration".
Wasn't Paul Taubman the original musical director?
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Because Norm brought it up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrs8CgpH980
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Oh, that's great. It's another one of those "Wow, that had lyrics!" moments that I love so much.
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Oh, that's great. It's another one of those "Wow, that had lyrics!" moments that I love so much.
I wonder if one day that, you'll say that, you care
If you say you love me madly, I'll gladly, be there
Like a puppet on a string
Love is just like a merry-go-round
With all the fun in the air
One day I'm feeling down on the ground
Then I'm up in the air
Are you leading me on?
Tomorrow will you be gone?
I wonder if one day that, you'll say that, you care
If you love me madly, I'll gladly, be there
Like a puppet on a string
I may win on the roundabout
Then I'll lose on the swings
In or out, there is never a doubt
Just who's pulling the strings
I'm all tied up in you
But where's it leading me to?
I wonder if one day that, you'll say that, you care
If you say you love me madly, I'll gladly, be there
Like a puppet on a string
I wonder if one day that, you'll say that, you care
If you say you love me madly, I'll gladly, be there
Like a puppet on a string
Like a puppet on a..... string
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... I used a blank plot sheet for the position of all prizes. In this way, I prevented two important clues from coming up in one match. Experience had shown me knew which numbers would be called first, therfore easier to remember, just like what was in the four corners. More often than not, I used the blanks for the forfiet one gift cards -- there were six of them.
Brilliant! ;-)
Randy
tvrandywest.com
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...I was most pleased with our middle break, audience pan music, "Puppet on a String". I loved the mixture of all kinds of sound effects and the cutsie tune.
Any board members who grew up in Detroit, watching "Oopsy the Clown," every weekend, may recall an orchestral version of the song was used during a weekly segment, called their visit to the "Daisyville Art Gallery." Daisyville was the fictional town setting, and the "Art Gallery," was a large display of drawings/sketches sent to the local station by children watching the show.
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Mr. Norm, I assume you created the opening sequence, and the design of the classic logo. Did you also handle the animation of it?
And ... At the end of a game, when the racks were full of prizes, how did the stagehands close all of the slides at once?
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This has been touched-on in other posts, but I'd just like to emphasize the point.
Mr. Blumenthal has offered great detail on how he tried to extend the game-- or at least challenge the contestants and the viewers-- by designing the prize lay-out in such a way as to not give too much away, too quickly.
But it should also be pointed out how Mr. Blumenthal used his grid to give away parts of the puzzle ever-so-slowly.
Take, for example, the last puzzle on the NBC run, "You've been more than kind".
http://concentrationphotos.shutterfly.com/pictures/9
There's no pay-off at all for turning the numbers 1, 3, 4, 11, 14 (a killer), 17 (another killer), 26, 27, 29 and 30
As for the other trilons:
#2: Head of the bowilng pin. By itself: Could be anything
#5: Oar? Hoe? Wand?
#6: YU. (You won't get "You've" without #7
#7, #8: Part of the pin. Again-- could by anything
#9: The "M":Key reveal
#10: Another piece of a handle. No giveaways
#12: What a tease. a white triangle? Almost mean!
#13: Body of the pin. Alone-- not sure what you'd make of that. You might get the pin with 7, 8, and 13, But I bet most needed #2 as well.
#15: The paddle of the oar: Another key reveal
#16: the top of the "Th+" In lower case, just to confuse, I suspect. Is it a cross and a stick? Without 21, you're lost.
#17: "hen's" head. If you know the game-- you know what this is. Key reveal
#18: Top of the weird "k"- four parallel lines. No help by itself
#20: An apostrophe and the top of the lower-case 'd". Floating lines. No help
#21: "in" without #16... maybe the biggest red herring on the board
#22: Hen's body. Without the head, you might guess another bird, but that may be Mr. Blumenthal's make-up gift for #21
#23: You get the "+", but by itself-- B? R?
#24: The eye. Love the eye. Key reveal
#25: Good chunk there two. nd is pretty clear.
Okay-- forgive me for the over-analysis. The point is, it is clear Mr. Blumenthal put that kind of thought into EVERY puzzle he designed. That's the genius of it all. And all great fun.
Here are some links to the Concentration set model I built, in tribute to Mr. Blumenthal's work and vision.
http://concentrationphotos.shutterfly.com/pictures/9#10
http://concentrationphotos.shutterfly.com/pictures/9#11
http://concentrationphotos.shutterfly.com/pictures/9#12
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...I was most pleased with our middle break, audience pan music, "Puppet on a String". I loved the mixture of all kinds of sound effects and the cutsie tune.
Any board members who grew up in Detroit, watching "Oopsy the Clown," every weekend, may recall an orchestral version of the song was used during a weekly segment, called their visit to the "Daisyville Art Gallery." Daisyville was the fictional town setting, and the "Art Gallery," was a large display of drawings/sketches sent to the local station by children watching the show.
Being a New Yorker, I never saw that show. Did I misunderstand your explanation of the song used on the Detroit show? Was the background music the same one we used at mid-show: "Puppet On A String."?
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"Oopsy" aired here in Atlantic Canada (on ASN IIRC). Loved that show as a kid.
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...I was most pleased with our middle break, audience pan music, "Puppet on a String". I loved the mixture of all kinds of sound effects and the cutsie tune.
Any board members who grew up in Detroit, watching "Oopsy the Clown," every weekend, may recall an orchestral version of the song was used during a weekly segment, called their visit to the "Daisyville Art Gallery." Daisyville was the fictional town setting, and the "Art Gallery," was a large display of drawings/sketches sent to the local station by children watching the show.
Being a New Yorker, I never saw that show. Did I misunderstand your explanation of the song used on the Detroit show? Was the background music the same one we used at mid-show: "Puppet On A String."?
Yes! An instrumental version of "Puppet on a String," recorded by some orchestra, was used on the local kids show I was talking about.
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This has been touched-on in other posts, but I'd just like to emphasize the point.
Mr. Blumenthal has offered great detail on how he tried to extend the game-- or at least challenge the contestants and the viewers-- by designing the prize lay-out in such a way as to not give too much away, too quickly.
But it should also be pointed out how Mr. Blumenthal used his grid to give away parts of the puzzle ever-so-slowly.
Take, for example, the last puzzle on the NBC run, "You've been more than kind".
http://concentrationphotos.shutterfly.com/pictures/9
There's no pay-off at all for turning the numbers 1, 3, 4, 11, 14 (a killer), 17 (another killer), 26, 27, 29 and 30
As for the other trilons:
#2: Head of the bowilng pin. By itself: Could be anything
#5: Oar? Hoe? Wand?
#6: YU. (You won't get "You've" without #7
#7, #8: Part of the pin. Again-- could by anything
#9: The "M":Key reveal
#10: Another piece of a handle. No giveaways
#12: What a tease. a white triangle? Almost mean!
#13: Body of the pin. Alone-- not sure what you'd make of that. You might get the pin with 7, 8, and 13, But I bet most needed #2 as well.
#15: The paddle of the oar: Another key reveal
#16: the top of the "Th+" In lower case, just to confuse, I suspect. Is it a cross and a stick? Without 21, you're lost.
#17: "hen's" head. If you know the game-- you know what this is. Key reveal
#18: Top of the weird "k"- four parallel lines. No help by itself
#20: An apostrophe and the top of the lower-case 'd". Floating lines. No help
#21: "in" without #16... maybe the biggest red herring on the board
#22: Hen's body. Without the head, you might guess another bird, but that may be Mr. Blumenthal's make-up gift for #21
#23: You get the "+", but by itself-- B? R?
#24: The eye. Love the eye. Key reveal
#25: Good chunk there two. nd is pretty clear.
Okay-- forgive me for the over-analysis. The point is, it is clear Mr. Blumenthal put that kind of thought into EVERY puzzle he designed. That's the genius of it all. And all great fun.
Here are some links to the Concentration set model I built, in tribute to Mr. Blumenthal's work and vision.
http://concentrationphotos.shutterfly.com/pictures/9#10
http://concentrationphotos.shutterfly.com/pictures/9#11
http://concentrationphotos.shutterfly.com/pictures/9#12
Wow!!!! That must have been a difficult job -- You hit the nail on the head. Now that the show is no longer on the air, I don't mind you're revealing my trickery. I'm not annoyed, I'm grateful to you.I printed it to save for future explanation. Thanks. As always, the results of endeavors like these and that FANTASTIC model of our old set are sheer perfection. You have my sincere gratification and admiration.
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Mr. Norm, I assume you created the opening sequence, and the design of the classic logo. Did you also handle the animation of it?
And ... At the end of a game, when the racks were full of prizes, how did the stagehands close all of the slides at once?
The idea for that concept was mine. I laid it out in storyboard fashion, and then got an oufit that specializes in this form of animation. I couldn't do it. They did a great job.
Closing the sliders simultaneously, is hard to put into words. So forgive me if I confuse you.
Backstage, there was a small drawer pull screwed into the end of each slat (that covered a prize)
When a match was made by a player, a stagehand used the drawer pull to slide that slat to the left or right players' scoreboard. At the end of the game, with slats open, on cue, backstage, the stagehand slid what appeared to be the two verical sides of a picture frame, toward the middle (where the doors opened). As these two parts of the frame hit each drawer pull. it dragged it along with all the others. From the front, the audience saw all sliders close in unison. Hope you understand. Jokingly, like I always say, when you figure it out, exlain it to me.
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Norm -
While we're on the subject of the slats, how were the prize names held in place so that the prize name would stay in place while the slider moved?
I once saw the back of the slider board on the set of Classic Concentration. The prize names were printed on a card which was attached to what amounted to a block which had cabinet magnets on either side. The block was held in place magnetically while the slider moved. I didn't get a chance to study it well enough to determine how the blocks were held in alignment so that the lettering would appear correctly within the opening.
Did your version have something along these lines? Do you recall the dimensions of the slat openings?
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Norm -
While we're on the subject of the slats, how were the prize names held in place so that the prize name would stay in place while the slider moved?
I once saw the back of the slider board on the set of Classic Concentration. The prize names were printed on a card which was attached to what amounted to a block which had cabinet magnets on either side. The block was held in place magnetically while the slider moved. I didn't get a chance to study it well enough to determine how the blocks were held in alignment so that the lettering would appear correctly within the opening.
Did your version have something along these lines? Do you recall the dimensions of the slat openings?
No -- cannot recall dimensions. That was very long time ago.
There were no magnets. Try to visualize the following:
1. Outward plane (in closed position -- on each players' side of the doors they just entered through): One cut-out rectangular opening for each prize reveal.
2. Behind that a track for each prize COVER slat. (this covered the prize -- which was slid into place behind that COVER slat -- not yet revealed to viewers). People wondered how we could get it revealed so fast. If a player called the first number, and it was a boat, backstage we slid a card with that word on it (without opening the COVER slat). If the player did NOT make a match, the prize card was removed from behind the COVER slat. If player made a match, the COVER slat was slid away to reveal the prize name. It looked like magic -- but we had that first card in position on the first call to cue us into which card to "load" behind the COVER slat. Even more fascinating -- If a player's first call was a FORFEIT ONE GIFT ---- we loaded the opponent's board with a duplicate card (in this case BOAT) which remained unrevealed. If the player matched the FORFEIT -- simultaneously,we closed their COVER slat as we opened opened their opponent's COVER slat. Again, it looked like a magic trick.
This could not be done if the first card called was a WILD card, or a FORFEIT or TAKE 1 PRIZE.if the p[layer had several prize cards racked up. We simply had to work as quickly as possible to switch them from player to player.
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I just want to say: Best thread ever.
The idea that we have a veteran producer willing to tell us the tiniest details about the show that so many of us remember so fondly? Cool.
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I just want to say: Best thread ever.
Absolutely!
Hard to believe that the original Concentration has been off the air for nearly 40 years. But for those of us who loved everything about the show, having Mr. B. here is re-living some of the magic. It's a real privilege.
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... We simply had to work as quickly as possible to switch them from player to player.
Y'all clearly had the fastest crew ever. That's pretty amazing. Thanks for sharing the details of something I've wondered about for years.
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I'm surprised the stage hands behind the prize board were able to work so quietly. Or perhaps they weren't, and the noise just didn't get picked up by the microphones.
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Matt's inquiry on the dimensions of the prize door got me curious and to thinking. So, using Mr. B.'s 9x12 board trilon dimensions and Hugh Downs as a constant, I took screen caps from kinoscopes and made some size grids. I know these aren't exact, but I think I came up with numbers that are pretty close. Using this method, each prize door comes out to 17 1/2" wide. The margin along the edge from where the two doors meet in the middle is about 2" wide, the prize and name slats are 12" wide and the door margin closest to the wall is 3" wide. The name slats appear to be 4" tall while the prize slats are 3" tall. That would make sense since Mr. B. said he never used a font smaller than 3" and the lettering pretty much fills the full height of the slat. The spacers between the name/prize slats and the wall margin as well as those between prize slats appear to be about 1/2". Again, just a fun way of making an educated guess. I, too, would like to add that, for those of us into the minutia of game shows and their set-ups, this has been a facinating thread!! And..admit it! How many of us who grew up with the show had a pair of wooden louvred doors in our house that we..at least one time...tried to turn into Concentration prize doors? (c'mon...get em up!!!)
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Has it ever been posted somewhere what the puzzle parts and revolving prize/wild/forfeit/take cards were made of? Paper, card stock or thin wood? I've wondered if the empty trilons were panes of non-reflective glass or Plexiglas, and if the 30 cards or sheets were slipped in between two sheets of glass or Plexiglas vertically or horizontally, or if they were hinged on one side and opened and shut with a small lock or latch securing each one?
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Has it ever been posted somewhere what the puzzle parts and revolving prize/wild/forfeit/take cards were made of?
As it happens, in this very thread (http://"http://gameshow.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=21303&view=findpost&p=258055").
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the prize and name slats are 12" wide and the door margin closest to the wall is 3" wide
What you refer to as "the door margin closest to the wall" is actually another slat where a check mark would appear if a contestant won two of a given prize with wild cards. Note that those 3" x 3" squares are present in the N.Y. version and the Narz version (which used the N.Y. set) but are not present in Classic Concentration:
http://home.earthlink.net/~crussmason/trio.gif
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBDumKT0lpM
http://timvp.com/classicco2.jpg
Thinking back on the view from the rear of the Classic Concentration set, imagine the prize board as a series of pigeonholes viewed endwise. By your estimate the pigeonholes were constructed of 1/2" plywood. One end of each pigeonhole faced camera and had a slider in front of it. The rear of the pigeonhole faced the backstage crew. Now visualize an object the size of a cereal box. Along the side of the cereal box was printed the prize description. As Norm described, when a number was called the corresponding "cereal box" was retrieved and slid sideways (from a cereal box perspective) into the pigeon hole with the printed description facing the slider, which was opened when a match was made. The magnets I remember seeing restricted the forward travel of the "cereal box". I'll have to run all this by Steve Ryan who had the task in the studio of being the guy who supervised this operation during each game and matching the numbers to the prize names and making sure the stagehands picked the right cereal box.
I can hear the sound of woodworking equipment now as replicas of this edifice are being built.
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And..admit it! How many of us who grew up with the show had a pair of wooden louvred doors in our house that we..at least one time...tried to turn into Concentration prize doors? (c'mon...get em up!!!)
Guilty!
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Holy cow, Chris! I had forgotten all about the checkmarks, but now that you mention it, I do remember seeing them two or three times. Tx!
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Holy cow, Chris! I had forgotten all about the checkmarks, but now that you mention it, I do remember seeing them two or three times. Tx!
I remember the checkmark! Even one time somebody was credited with TWO spins of the show's "Cash Wheel," which I seem to recall had values from as low as $5 to a max of $3,000!
Speaking of the "Cash Wheel," a friend of mine and I devised a miniature one, for use when playing the MB home game version. In each home game, for some unexplained reason, there were two additional prize cards, saying "Extra Card--Do Not Use." We'd taken those cards, and wrote on the back "Cash Wheel," and used them in place of one prize's matching pair. Usually a third person served as host, so only he/she would know where they were.
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Ted Cooper had the drawings for the Narz Concentration set in his office in Hollywood. I don't know what he might have received from NBC New York when the set was shipped to California in 1973. Mark Bowerman tells me that Fremantle indiscriminately discarded G-T assets such as those, so whether Ted's or NBC's drawings exist any more is anybody's guess.
And Stan Blits discarded music reels from old shows :-(
Now the question is, how did the checkmarks work without interfering with the main prize sliders? The main prize slider would have to run behind the checkmarks yet be clear of the checkmarks in case they were needed.
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If you took a hard wood milled to 1/2" thickness (not plywood), you could cut a groove in it with a router which would be 1/16" from the edge (the front of the "pigeonhole") and 1/8" in depth and width. You would then build a series of 11 shelves like this arranged vertically. The grooves would create a channel for a 3 1/4" slat to slide in. That's how you would have done it in the '50s. In 2011 you might build the shelves out of Plexiglass.
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In 2011 you might build the shelves out of Plexiglass.
Or you'd just design computer graphics and display them on a flat screen mounted sideways. :)
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Ted Cooper had the drawings for the Narz Concentration set in his office in Hollywood. I don't know what he might have received from NBC New York when the set was shipped to California in 1973. Mark Bowerman tells me that Fremantle indiscriminately discarded G-T assets such as those, so whether Ted's or NBC's drawings exist any more is anybody's guess.
And Stan Blits discarded music reels from old shows :-(
Now the question is, how did the checkmarks work without interfering with the main prize sliders? The main prize slider would have to run behind the checkmarks yet be clear of the checkmarks in case they were needed.
What "check marks)????? Think you are confusing shows and have forgotten I produced the original show and came up with the original necessary elements. Yep, as I've said earlier, with the artistic aid of one of my favorite scenic designers, Ted Cooper. I am completely ignorant of any variations made after my tenure on the original series.
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In 2011 you might build the shelves out of Plexiglass.
Or you'd just design computer graphics and display them on a flat screen mounted sideways. :)
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If you took a hard wood milled to 1/2" thickness (not plywood), you could cut a groove in it with a router which would be 1/16" from the edge (the front of the "pigeonhole") and 1/8" in depth and width. You would then build a series of 11 shelves like this arranged vertically. The grooves would create a channel for a 3 1/4" slat to slide in. That's how you would have done it in the '50s. In 2011 you might build the shelves out of Plexiglass.
Where were you when I needed you?
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Matt's inquiry on the dimensions of the prize door got me curious and to thinking. So, using Mr. B.'s 9x12 board trilon dimensions and Hugh Downs as a constant, I took screen caps from kinoscopes and made some size grids. I know these aren't exact, but I think I came up with numbers that are pretty close. Using this method, each prize door comes out to 17 1/2" wide. The margin along the edge from where the two doors meet in the middle is about 2" wide, the prize and name slats are 12" wide and the door margin closest to the wall is 3" wide. The name slats appear to be 4" tall while the prize slats are 3" tall. That would make sense since Mr. B. said he never used a font smaller than 3" and the lettering pretty much fills the full height of the slat. The spacers between the name/prize slats and the wall margin as well as those between prize slats appear to be about 1/2". Again, just a fun way of making an educated guess. I, too, would like to add that, for those of us into the minutia of game shows and their set-ups, this has been a facinating thread!! And..admit it! How many of us who grew up with the show had a pair of wooden louvred doors in our house that we..at least one time...tried to turn into Concentration prize doors? (c'mon...get em up!!!)
Cute description of our contestant prize display "louver board." I admire your imagination. Never thought of possible home use. Guess you could slide in or out if the powder room is busy, etc.
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Ted Cooper had the drawings for the Narz Concentration set in his office in Hollywood. I don't know what he might have received from NBC New York when the set was shipped to California in 1973. Mark Bowerman tells me that Fremantle indiscriminately discarded G-T assets such as those, so whether Ted's or NBC's drawings exist any more is anybody's guess.
And Stan Blits discarded music reels from old shows :-(
Now the question is, how did the checkmarks work without interfering with the main prize sliders? The main prize slider would have to run behind the checkmarks yet be clear of the checkmarks in case they were needed.
What "check marks)????? Think you are confusing shows and have forgotten I produced the original show and came up with the original necessary elements. Yep, as I've said earlier, with the artistic aid of one of my favorite scenic designers, Ted Cooper. I am completely ignorant of any variations made after my tenure on the original series.
Oops -- sorry I spoke to soon about the check marks -- indeed they came from the show I did. Regarding all your wonderful suggestions of how we could use other methods -- what we used, worked fine for 15 years. What followed, were merely updated changes. Look at that ugly shot of me, High and Bob Clayton in Russ Mason's photograph. Did we wear ties as out-dated as they were. Yep, and so just like all the other elements of our set. I thought we were making small talk about our memories and what made the show click. I'm enjoying answering what I can.
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Has it ever been posted somewhere what the puzzle parts and revolving prize/wild/forfeit/take cards were made of? Paper, card stock or thin wood? I've wondered if the empty trilons were panes of non-reflective glass or Plexiglas, and if the 30 cards or sheets were slipped in between two sheets of glass or Plexiglas vertically or horizontally, or if they were hinged on one side and opened and shut with a small lock or latch securing each one?
Each of the trylons were made of stainless steel. The 2-sided "V" contained tracks on top and bottoms. The cards, made of 3-ply illustration board, were slid forward on those tracks, until they ended at the "poin"-ending of that "v", which when slid forward onto the 5 vertical rods, to formed a perfect trylon, which were turned via small motors mounted "hollow" inside the space created by each trylon..
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In 2011 you might build the shelves out of Plexiglass.
Or you'd just design computer graphics and display them on a flat screen mounted sideways. :)
That takes all the fun out of it :-(
You're right, that's how you would do it today if you were building a set for a TV show. I was talking about building a replica of the 1950s board.
It occurs to me that the prize sliders may have had a limited travel, just enough to reveal the prize without revealing the checkmark. There may have been a peg or something which could be removed to allow the prize slider to slide further and reveal the checkmark, without interfering with the effect of all the slats closing in unison.
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How did the checkmarks work without interfering with the main prize sliders? The main prize slider would have to run behind the checkmarks yet be clear of the checkmarks in case they were needed.
Ahh, minutiae!
I wonder if the checkmarks might have been revealed by the very same slider as the prize in any given slot? When said slider was pulled to its normal limit, it revealed the prize. In the fairly rare event that the player won two of the same prize, the slip could be pulled a few inches past its normal traverse, to reveal the checkmark. Just my mind rattling on.
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I wonder if the checkmarks might have been revealed by the very same slider as the prize in any given slot? When said slider was pulled to its normal limit, it revealed the prize. In the fairly rare event that the player won two of the same prize, the slip could be pulled a few inches past its normal traverse, to reveal the checkmark. Just my mind rattling on.
I think you're right (see above).
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One question I'd have for Norm is about Hugh Downs. During the run of "Concentration", Mr. Downs was doing the "Tonight" show and later the "Today" Show. How involved did he have to be in run-throughs, pre-show briefings and the like? I would assume he would go from one studio to another on a daily basis with a minimum of down (Downs :) time. When did Concentration go from live to tape?
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One question I'd have for Norm is about Hugh Downs. During the run of "Concentration", Mr. Downs was doing the "Tonight" show and later the "Today" Show. How involved did he have to be in run-throughs, pre-show briefings and the like? I would assume he would go from one studio to another on a daily basis with a minimum of down (Downs :) time. When did Concentration go from live to tape?
Hugh's routine permitted several hours between TODAY or TONIGHT and CONCENTRATION. After a couple of years of basically the same format on CONCENTRATION, all I needed to brief him before each show was about 15 minutes. He generally arrived a half hour early, and took a quick nap in his dressing room, before my briefing took place. I had a cot set up for him, and I can't recall even the tiniest on-air yawn from Mr. Downs.
Video tape arrived at the networks in the late 1950's. Most game shows started multiple tapings shortly thereafter. They quickly started taping 5 shows in one day. I could not, because of Hugh's daily schedule of either production meetings or pre-taped bits for his other shows, TODAY or TONIGHT
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... We simply had to work as quickly as possible to switch them from player to player.
Y'all clearly had the fastest crew ever.
Norm:
First off, thank you for the time you're taking out to talk to us; it's been awesome to hear what had to be done back then to compare what we take for granted through CG now.
To build on Clay's question -- NBC had a "behind the scenes" special of SNL recently and I remember seeing how quick their stagehands were. How big was the production crew at Concentration?
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... We simply had to work as quickly as possible to switch them from player to player.
Y'all clearly had the fastest crew ever.
Norm:
First off, thank you for the time you're taking out to talk to us; it's been awesome to hear what had to be done back then to compare what we take for granted through CG now.
To build on Clay's question -- NBC had a "behind the scenes" special of SNL recently and I remember seeing how quick their stagehands were. How big was the production crew at Concentration?
I was always astounded when I watched the credits of other game shows. Especially at the Emmy awards -- each seemed to have a small army of people filling the stage. You will be astounded at how few production people it took to put on Concentration -- remember NBC owned the show, most others were owned by Goodson-Todman, Monty Hall, Merv Griffin, etc. Their "outside vendor" budgets often tripled ours. My crew total was 12 production people, 2 musicians, an announcer and the emcee. Take a look at the closing credits on any other show and you'll be astounded. Please understand, I am not including my studio crew -- director, stage managers,technical directors and their staff, stagehands, electricians, set designers, etc. In all we had about sixty people involved in the production of Concentration.
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Norm -
What can you tell us about the costs of producing Concentration over the years?
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Mr. B. ... I've heard conflicting reports, over the years, as to the existence of tapes and/or kines of Concentration episodes. I've seen a half-dozen shows recently, which have been on the trading circuit for some time. Most folks figure that the tapes were erased, reused, or dumped. But rumor has it that NBC has quite a stash somewhere.
What can you tell us about this? Some of us are hungry for anything we can see of your show.
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Norm -
What can you tell us about the costs of producing Concentration over the years?
Sorry, that's too complicated to explain in detail. Mainly because we were owned by NBC and had to use their facilities, studios, tech and management personnel. All I can say is that outside packagers paid more than we did. On our first shows, back in 1958, our weekly budget (5 shows) was about $25,000. After a very short time, with all cost rising, our emcee made more than that for just 1 show.
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I have two questions:
1) We know the show was originally produced by Barry-Enright, but quickly sold to NBC. Do you remember how many weeks into the run it was? From watching the October 15, 1958 show (#38, viewable here (http://"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tupHyV6aW-8")), there are no mentions of B&E.
2) Do you have any memories of the 1958 nighttime version hosted by Jack Barry?
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Mr. B. ... I've heard conflicting reports, over the years, as to the existence of tapes and/or kines of Concentration episodes. I've seen a half-dozen shows recently, which have been on the trading circuit for some time. Most folks figure that the tapes were erased, reused, or dumped. But rumor has it that NBC has quite a stash somewhere.
What can you tell us about this? Some of us are hungry for anything we can see of your show.
I was there while this cruel act (and lack of foresight) was perpetrated by NBC. True, the gigantic tape reels (about 20" round and 3"wide) were hard to store and extremely expensive.
The network set up a pattern, the shows would remain on the tapes for 60 to 90 days (for legal reasons -- in case a contestant wanted to sue us, or a sponsor complained about being short-changed). At the end of this short life, the tape was erased and a new show taped over it. We were angry, but they ruled the roost. Perhaps a few are still being stored, I've heard that rumor too, but I doubt it. In all fairness, gameshows were considered insignificant, by comparison to most prime time shows, they were cheap to produce and expensive to store. No one expected them to become as popular as they have remained. As I have said so many times: "The large amount of money made on game shows, has always paid for the junk they serve us on prime time."
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On our first shows, back in 1958, our weekly budget (5 shows) was about $25,000. After a very short time, with all cost rising, our emcee made more than that for just 1 show.
Really? I know what Allen Ludden made to do Password Plus in 1979 and 1980 (I saw his check). In 1979 he made $4,000 per week or $800 per show, and in 1980 he made $4,500 per week or $900 per show. Dick Martin made less than that to do Mindreaders, and Bob Barker and Richard Dawson made more for The Price Is Right and Family Feud. Please forgive my skepticism, but $25,000 for one show sounds awfully high.
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Did you have anything to do with the Australian version? Did you ever see it? If so, do you have an opinion?
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Did you have anything to do with the Australian version? Did you ever see it? If so, do you have an opinion?
Nope -- never even saw the Australian version. Did, see the British version. My entire staff watched together and agreed it was extremely slow moving and sort of boring. Aside from the fact that the puzzle solutions were expressions and names of bands or singers and expressions unheard of to all of us, it didn't work for us. After a while, we figured out why. There were no commercial breaks! Like them or not, we in this country are so used to pauses or breaks - we (my staff at least) deprived us of the complete package we were used to.
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Norm, I have a few questions about Paola Diva, the original Concentration prize model. Did she work in any other TV shows, or movies? Is she still alive?
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Norm, I have a few questions about Paola Diva, the original Concentration prize model. Did she work in any other TV shows, or movies? Is she still alive?
Here's Paola's 2007 obit:
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2007-12-30/news/0712300028_1_earl/8
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Concentration was Paola's only affiliation with TV. As you can see from the 2007 obit, she is no longer with us. Of all the models I've worked with,she was not only beautiful, but intelligent, artistically talented, as well as musically, and a caring human being. We were dear friends.
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Got another one for you, Mr. B. ...
When putting together a new puzzle, was each one painted from scratch, or were elements from previous puzzles re-used? For instance, did you and the artists paint a brand-new single-frame eyeball every time, or might an old eyeball card be slipped into a new rebus?
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When I was operations manager on the original version of TIC TAC DOUGH, I designed a huge cabinet with countless shelves to store all the category cards to load into the game board. With that in mind, I thought I could do the same with CONCENTRATION. At first, I really did consider storing the often used symbols, such as drawings of oars, eyes, bees, capital letters, etc and etc. I quickly gave up on that, there were too many variations of size ---like a drawing in 1, 2 or 3 squares, with or without plus signs, and the multitude of different clues. It was cheaper, faster and more realistic to make each puzzle an original work of art.
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It was cheaper, faster and more realistic to make each puzzle an original work of art.
I guess the next question, at least from me, is are any of these still around? I'm almost certain people would be happy to pay for an original piece if they are.
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It was cheaper, faster and more realistic to make each puzzle an original work of art.
I guess the next question, at least from me, is are any of these still around? I'm almost certain people would be happy to pay for an original piece if they are.
As I said, storage space at Rockefeller Center was very sparse. Lots of material was shipped to a New Jersey warehouse, but not those puzzles. Actually there was no reason to save them. They would never be used again -- In all the years we were on, I promised to NEVER repeat a puzzle, and I didn't. Packed in boxes about 9"x12"x3" -- when put together the 30 pieces of each puzzle measured 4'x6'-- multiply that by over 7,000 and that's too much valuable space to waste. Who knew, so many decades later, that they might be money-making antiques.
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... Actually there was no reason to save them. They would never be used again -- In all the years we were on, I promised to NEVER repeat a puzzle, and I didn't. Packed in boxes about 9"x12"x3" -- when put together the 30 pieces of each puzzle measured 4'x6'-- multiply that by over 7,000 and that's too much valuable space to waste. Who knew, so many decades later, that they might be money-making antiques.
That would be a lot of space used, compared to the much smaller sized rebus designs that "Classic Concentration," used from 1987-1992.
Those "CC" puzzles were not divided into smaller rectangular pieces, and were revealed through the magic of "Chromakey." Some puzzles on "CC," were repeated as part of the intro by announcer Gene Wood.
BTW, Norm, some of the puzzles on both of the Goodson produced shows were painted by Bernie Schmittke from your orignal series staff.
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Hi Norm,
Sorry if I don't have any questions to ask of you, but as someone who was born well after the original Concentration was cancelled (and therefore, never even saw it, nor have I even seen the first Goodson-Todman run), I still find this thread fascinating. I would just like to add my thanks to you for providing some insight into the production of what may be termed as TV's first true game show and how it compares/contrasts with game show production in later years.
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Hi Norm,
Sorry if I don't have any questions to ask of you, but as someone who was born well after the original Concentration was cancelled (and therefore, never even saw it, nor have I even seen the first Goodson-Todman run), I still find this thread fascinating. I would just like to add my thanks to you for providing some insight into the production of what may be termed as TV's first true game show and how it compares/contrasts with game show production in later years.
Thank you so very much for your kind words. It has been my pleasure to share my memories with your fellow forum friends. Especially when I know this is such a wonderful group of intelligent, charming and gracious people. All of the respect and gratefulness shown to me makes me appreciate our relationship. Thanks again.
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Especially when I know this is such a wonderful group of intelligent, charming and gracious people.
Yes, you're definitely new here. ;)
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Especially when I know this is such a wonderful group of intelligent, charming and gracious people.
Yes, you're definitely new welcome here. ;)
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I never got to see a single episode the original was gone before I was born. I don't know if the Trebek version appeared in St. Louis on KSDK they may have been running it in an odd timeslot like early morning or overnight.
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Mr. B, another question if I may. Although a great many of us were facinated and charmed by the Concentration electro-mechanical game board, I was wondering why indeed it was mechanical instead of manual. In light of the cost and the spector of failure during a live broadcast (and the eventual smoke and problems that later developed), what was the reasoning behind making the board electronic instead of simply letting the stage hands behind the board turn the trilons? Personally, I'm glad you went with mechanical, because the sounds of those motors engaging and stopping were like a sweet musical riff that greatly added to the personality of the show. The sounds still ring in my ears to this day! Again, thanks for your insight to this interesting and entertaining thread!
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Mr. B, another question if I may. Although a great many of us were facinated and charmed by the Concentration electro-mechanical game board, I was wondering why indeed it was mechanical instead of manual. In light of the cost and the spector of failure during a live broadcast (and the eventual smoke and problems that later developed), what was the reasoning behind making the board electronic instead of simply letting the stage hands behind the board turn the trilons? Personally, I'm glad you went with mechanical, because the sounds of those motors engaging and stopping were like a sweet musical riff that greatly added to the personality of the show. The sounds still ring in my ears to this day! Again, thanks for your insight to this interesting and entertaining thread!
Wonderful question. As I mentioned, while doing the original run-thrus, I made a small wooden game board, which was small enough to sit on a table in a conference room. One person could turn those trilons around by hand. Time didn't matter to reveal the entire puzzle or to load and reload each new puzzle.
When we designed the giant game board, we needed two stagehands. Time was vital. Two guys would cut the loading and reloading time in half. Not only that but if it was manual, and a contestant called number 26, and number 10, stagehand one would have to bend way down to the right, and his arms could never reach way up to the left. Also, after a win, and other clues were still covered, the rest of the entire puzzle had to be revealed. Turning each of those thirty trilons would take a long time. The way we did it, we flicked a switch all thirty boxes flipped simultaneously. Same thing when returning all boxes to the box number side of the trilon -- which shielded the backstage unloading and loading the next puzzle.
Actually, there were two extra people behind the board we used. One was a stage manager, who relayed my cues from the control room -- that was a Union rule. The last was one of my production members (non-union) who made sure the proper puzzles and prize positions were loaded in their proper places. Remember all these people were working backwards - like reading from right to left.
You are so right -- as annoying as we thought the mechanical sound was, most people loved it.
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I never got to see a single episode the original was gone before I was born. I don't know if the Trebek version appeared in St. Louis on KSDK they may have been running it in an odd timeslot like early morning or overnight.
I don't think the Trebek version was ever on here in St. Louis. I worked at an old fashioned 5&10 store in high school were we had a copy of the Pressman home game. None of our customers had seen the show.
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You are so right -- as annoying as we thought the mechanical sound was, most people loved it.
Count me in that number. That sound -- and even the occasional misbehaving trilon -- were a good part of the show's charm. On the Trebek version, I immediately hated the man-made electronic sound effects.
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[Count me in that number. That sound -- and even the occasional misbehaving trilon -- were a good part of the show's charm. On the Trebek version, I immediately hated the man-made electronic sound effects.
I hated the second-rate (even for the time) computer graphics and thought the flat art looked flat, dark and horrendous behind the video graphics. It also begged for a video wall, with the notion of parts comprising the whole puzzle. Also, if they were modernizing, there should have been a more modern solution for the player prize columns, at least more modern typography. It either needed to be way more modern, or the wonderful traditional way, it being Classic Concentration, after all.
But the SFX didn't bother me.
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How come KSDK didn't carry the Trebek version? Aren't network affilates required to carry all network programming?
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How come KSDK didn't carry the Trebek version? Aren't network affilates required to carry all network programming?
OHO...AHAHAHAHA! If all network affiliates had been required to carry all network programming all along, I'd have been able to watch It Takes Two without leaving Kansas City and just about all the 9 AM CBS game shows from 1972-1990(?) without leaving Des Moines!
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How come KSDK didn't carry the Trebek version? Aren't network affilates required to carry all network programming?
This is far too complicated to explain in this limited forum. First of all, I know nothing about the Trebeck version of my show or the tastes of the St. Louis affiliate's programming executives. Ever since TV began, there has been conflict as to how much power the networks have. Networks and local channels can't exist without each other. Excluding the O&O's, locals must be permitted to run their own business. More often than not the FCC has to act as arbitrator. A good example of unfair "control" is when a newspaper 'giant' forbids drivers to deliver their publication unless the local newstand dealer AGREES to accept and sell scandal sheets or pornographic magazines. No fair to the little guy. Same with networks -- the little guy must have to make his own choices. In this case, perhaps, he didn't like the Trebek show, or he wanted to show something he liked better. This is when the FCC goes into action.
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They carried the daytime version of wheel and super password at the time. After wheel went to CBS and Super Password was cancelled they didn't carry anymore daytime game shows.
I have only seen a few episodes on youtube.
Did Classic Concentration every air on USA network?
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Did Classic Concentration every air on USA network?
No. I don't think USA ever had rights to any Goodson-Todman shows.
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I am probably the only person who has never seen a first run episode of any version of concentration. KSDK didn't carry other game shows as well. No wordplay or family secrets. We saw ads for them but no episodes ever ran here. Worse NBC won't GSN run any old episodes of Concentration so I am never going see any on TV and if NBC decides to bring it back I doubt we would see it in St. Louis.
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I am probably the only person who has never seen a first run episode of any version of concentration.
How about you try "over the age of 23 or so," since, by definition (and per Wiki), anyone born after September 20, 1991 hasn't, either.
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I am probably the only person who has never seen a first run episode of any version of concentration.
How about you try "over the age of 23 or so," since, by definition (and per Wiki), anyone born after September 20, 1991 hasn't, either.
Beyond that rational bit of fact, it's also pretty presumptuous and arrogant to assume that you're particularly special, much less unique, in that regard. Plenty of people don't like game shows, or don't own a TV or, for that matter, also lived in the same area you did where the show wasn't seen.
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god apparently doesn't what me to see concentration other then in those youtube peepholes. I don't have anything to tape trade for it.
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No books, no board games, not a single luxury?
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god apparently doesn't what me to see concentration
Well, at this point in the game, I can't say I blame Him.
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god apparently doesn't what me to see concentration
Well, at this point in the game, I can't say I blame Him.
I had a similar experience in the 90s. Every time I tried to watch Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman there would be a great swarm of locusts o'er the land and I'd lose reception. But who was I to argue with His divine plan?
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Bradhig,
For what it's worth, I didn't see Classic Concentration in first run either, only the reruns in the summer of 1993, (probably the only time Huntsville's WAFF carried the show). So right there you see an example of someone else who has never seen the Concentration format in first run, and yet is much more well adjusted than you seem to be.
Everyone else, carry on ;)
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Bradhig,
For what it's worth, I didn't see Classic Concentration in first run either, only the reruns in the summer of 1993, (probably the only time Huntsville's WAFF carried the show). So right there you see an example of someone else who has never seen the Concentration format in first run, and yet is much more well adjusted than you seem to be.
Everyone else, carry on ;)
So I am not alone. I am just angry I didn't get to see it. I have several version of the home game three milton bradley versions and the pressman Classic Concentration version. I pefer the roll-a-matic versions and hope to collect all versions someday. I also have the nes version of Classic Concentration.
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I also have the nes version of Classic Concentration.
I'm sorry to hear that.
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I also have the nes version of Classic Concentration.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Aw, come on -- I like my copy of NES Classic Concentration. Maybe it's because I got it from the used video game store for about five bucks, and yes, the lack of variety in rebus icons knocks off points, but I've played and enjoyed that game many a time. You can't play one-player Concentration with the board games.
I love what they did with all of the music, too.
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I also have the nes version of Classic Concentration.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Aw, come on -- I like my copy of NES Classic Concentration.
I'm not a big fan of the format they used--the 2-of-3 version the show used. The games simply drag on and on...
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Mr. B.: Over the years, were there any ideas that you tried on the show, that you wished you hadn't? How about vice-versa?
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Mr. B.: Over the years, were there any ideas that you tried on the show, that you wished you hadn't? How about vice-versa?
May sound untruthful, but I can't recall any that didn't work. My primary rule was never stray from our unique format. We were not a quiz show, a stunt show, a musical id or talent search. Most of all, I was persistently at odds with the network, who wanted more stress and valuable game playing time devoted to "live" and glitzy prizes. I fought and WON by refusing to include most of their ideas. Here's one stupid one that never got on the air. They wanted me to open my show with 13 can-can dancers, bending over backward and one by one, flipping up their skirts, thereby spelling out all the letters in the title, CONCENTRATION on their rear ends. Our ratings remained high because we kept our format from becoming a sad imitation of our competition. I never tried adding gimmicks like a ridiculous million dollar giveaway that could never be awarded.
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Back on the subject of surviving Concentration episodes ... Four years ago, a woman made a series of posts here, outlining her successful attempt at locating her dad's 1958 appearance. She found one of his episodes via the Library of Congress, and had to pay NBC for the "personal use" rights to a DVD copy.
You'll find these posts if you search for Britgirl57.
Since NBC has dumped most (or all) of their tapes, I wonder how many episodes the LoC might have?
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Back on the subject of surviving Concentration episodes ... Four years ago, a woman made a series of posts here, outlining her successful attempt at locating her dad's 1958 appearance. She found one of his episodes via the Library of Congress, and had to pay NBC for the "personal use" rights to a DVD copy.
You'll find these posts if you search for Britgirl57.
Since NBC has dumped most (or all) of their tapes, I wonder how many episodes the LoC might have?
Sorry, I have no idea of if and where old copies of Concentration reside. I find that woman's story about finding a specific one almost impossible. We went on in August of 1958, which was way before video tape. Kinescopes were available, but requiired special equipment unavaliable to the public. After three months we, the owners and producers could not find a single one. As I've said, when we started using tape, the "brains" at NBC (and elsewhere) kept them for three months, then retaped new shows over them. Unlike sit-coms, our shows were never rerun. They were inexpensive to produce and we tried to keep timely. At that time no one dreamed they could be replayed in syndication. Occasionally, if we had a valid reason, we could order copies of certain shows prior to producing them. But, we couldn't do this too often -- this was costly, no place to store them and no practical use for them. Some of those still exist. Personally, I think most have been found. Yes, Library of Congress has some, how many of which ones, I have no idea.
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I wouldn't say with certainty that LoC keeps everything. A few years back there were some bundles of magazines being auctioned on ebay. By the address label you could see they were former LoC holdings.
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I wouldn't say with certainty that LoC keeps everything. A few years back there were some bundles of magazines being auctioned on ebay. By the address label you could see they were former LoC holdings.
Interesting. Thanks for that info -- I always assumed all that stuff was part of Americana, just like the Smithonian. They retain things like Archie Bunker's chair, parts of my (and other game shows) sets, etc. for posterity. Again, thanks for that info.
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Mr. Blumenthal--
I've enjoyed your book--it brought back a lot of memories.
You've mentioned some of the silly things the network wanted you to do to Concentration. During or after Concentration's run were you ever asked by the networks or another producer to create a new show borrowing concepts from Concentration?
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No books, no board games, not a single luxury?
Was that from the episode where they almost get off the island?
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Norm,
Here's a question that came to me over the weekend. Were there any changes in the studio's colors when you officially went from Black & White to Color telecasts? I know that some TV shows used some odd colors in their sets, because they would show up better in B&W.
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Norm,
Here's a question that came to me over the weekend. Were there any changes in the studio's colors when you officially went from Black & White to Color telecasts? I know that some TV shows used some odd colors in their sets, because they would show up better in B&W.
The color that predominated most newly=colorized programs was light blue. Actually, this was the most popular during the black and white period as well. Men were asked to wear blue shirts and stay away from white shirts. It burned into the image orthicon tube -- and left a ghost image in subsequent shots. Red was the most difficult to shoot -- it would bleed into the picture, causing irregular edges to all objects. Medium green was perfect for chroma key shots (like weather men and women on one camera and superimposed against shots of snow covered streets and maps on another camera). Our biggest transitional problem was sponsor's products. Color experts provided alternative colors to make a product look the way it was supposed to look. Example: The red on a Campbell soup can (shot as is) looked like a different color and as I said, bled and had an irregalar shape. In most cases products had to be color corrected to look legitimate. Of course, that was in the early stages, it improved with age.
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Example: The red on a Campbell soup can (shot as is) looked like a different color and as I said, bled and had an irregalar shape. In most cases products had to be color corrected to look legitimate. Of course, that was in the early stages, it improved with age.
Wait, I think this is fascinating. So you're saying that a sponsor would provide an alternately-colored product package specifically for being shot on television? I'll be damned.
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I've read through all 26 pages of these posts. This was beyond being a real treat!
I have very vague memories of Concentration from the early 1970s, as I was born in 1966. My parents were fans of game shows, and I used to have all the home versions of various games, especially "Concentration". On nights when I could not sleep, or was up sick, my mother would endure hours of me "hosting" my Concentration board game. I felt today was most appropriate to add to this post as today would have been her 75th birthday.
I miss the coziness and the allure of the simpler games, the simpler sets. Everything is so sanitized now, and much too glitzy. There's a certain charm to the 1958-73 Concentration, as well as the Narz syndicated version, but nothing beats the original.
Thank you Mr. B. for sharing so much of what went on "behind the scenes". It's quite fascinating to a game show nerd such as myself!
Kindest regards,
Bill
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I've read through all 26 pages of these posts. This was beyond being a real treat!
I have very vague memories of Concentration from the early 1970s, as I was born in 1966. My parents were fans of game shows, and I used to have all the home versions of various games, especially "Concentration". On nights when I could not sleep, or was up sick, my mother would endure hours of me "hosting" my Concentration board game. I felt today was most appropriate to add to this post as today would have been her 75th birthday.
I miss the coziness and the allure of the simpler games, the simpler sets. Everything is so sanitized now, and much too glitzy. There's a certain charm to the 1958-73 Concentration, as well as the Narz syndicated version, but nothing beats the original.
Thank you Mr. B. for sharing so much of what went on "behind the scenes". It's quite fascinating to a game show nerd such as myself!
Kindest regards,
Bill
Thank you, Bill, for the very kind words. Even though many years have past, it still makes someone like me, feel it was something to be proud of. Especially when the sincerity seems real, which I'm sure it is, and is inherited from a mother like you obviously had. Keep remembering her and thanking her for making you the man you are.
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I have a question for Mr. Blumenthal. I watched an interview with Bob Barker recently where he mentions that when he broke into the TV business, the term "game show" wasn't in common usage; they were referred to as "audience participation shows." He goes onto say that the first time he ever heard anybody use the term "game show," it was YOU referring to "Concentration." Dare I ask, did you coin the term "game show" or was it in use already?
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Barker is full of it. They were generally called quiz shows. Have you ever heard of the "Audience Participation Scandal" of the '50s? No, I didn't think you did.
Occasionally some shows were referred to as panel shows.
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I have a question for Mr. Blumenthal. I watched an interview with Bob Barker recently where he mentions that when he broke into the TV business, the term "game show" wasn't in common usage; they were referred to as "audience participation shows." He goes onto say that the first time he ever heard anybody use the term "game show," it was YOU referring to "Concentration." Dare I ask, did you coin the term "game show" or was it in use already?
Nope, I did not coin that term. The most common descriptive category for all types of "giveaway shows" of that era (another old moniker for those shows) dates way back to radio. Whether it involved answering questions, identifying songs or any other test of knowledge. it was categorized as a "quiz." Shows like "Candid Microphone," "The Amateur Hour," etc. were called "audience participation shows." In general, game shows required video. When the transistion was made to TV, "quiz show" was automatically used to ID these shows. When the quiz show scandal exploded, that word became associated with dishonesty. None of us, included Bob Barker wanted our shows associated with crime. During his interviews, it was logical to use my show, "Concentration" and other non-quizes as examples of "game shows." I go into deeper detail in my book about how all of us, including honest quiz shows, like "Jeopardy!" preferred to be called, "game shows."
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Barker is full of it. They were generally called quiz shows. Have you ever heard of the "Audience Participation Scandal" of the '50s? No, I didn't think you did.
Occasionally some shows were referred to as panel shows.
Chris -- don't come down so hard on Bob Barker. He, along with the rest of us "innocent bystanders," were merely trying to prevent guilt by association. Our careers were on the line. His "Truth or Consequences" hit the daytime schedule in 1956, mine, "Concentration" in 1958 -- a very scary time to be associated with giveaway shows. We worked hard at changing our classification from that evil word, "quiz".
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"Audience participation" as a descriptive term really doesn't make a lot of sense for the vast majority of game shows in which the audience doesn't participate. However, Barker's career is based on two programs for which that description is perfectly apt. In his mind, that's what these shows are because that's what HIS shows were.
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Of course "Audience participation" could also refer to the home audience participating and playing along, one reason why shows like "Family Feud", "Wheel of Fortune", "The Price is Right" and "Jeopardy!" have had such successful runs.
I remember listening to a Bob Stewart interview on youtube recently, and he said one of the key components for a successful game show is to get the home audience talking or yelling at the TV set.
Incidentally, Mr. Blumenthal, thank you for the very kind reply and words. I was most humbled by them! I was curious if you ever met or interacted in any way with other game show producers such as Bob Stewart, Stefan Hatos & Monty Hall, Merrill Heatter & Bob Quigley, or Merv Griffin, and if so, in what capacity did you interact with them, and what was your general opinion about them?
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I thought I'd post a link here for all loyal fans of Concentration (as well as you, Norm), to an illustration of a rare add-on set of rebus puzzle "refills," Milton Bradley released for use with the home game:
http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgameexpansion/14357/concentration-game-refills
What amazes me is that they were printed in booklets, not on scrolls!
BTW, you'll also notice it was posted at that site by fellow board member Alfonzo Smith. I apologize if this had already been discussed previously.
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Of course "Audience participation" could also refer to the home audience participating and playing along, one reason why shows like "Family Feud", "Wheel of Fortune", "The Price is Right" and "Jeopardy!" have had such successful runs.
I remember listening to a Bob Stewart interview on youtube recently, and he said one of the key components for a successful game show is to get the home audience talking or yelling at the TV set.
Incidentally, Mr. Blumenthal, thank you for the very kind reply and words. I was most humbled by them! I was curious if you ever met or interacted in any way with other game show producers such as Bob Stewart, Stefan Hatos & Monty Hall, Merrill Heatter & Bob Quigley, or Merv Griffin, and if so, in what capacity did you interact with them, and what was your general opinion about them?
Your comments about audience participation are right on target. Couldn't agree with Bob Stewart more -- that's what we strove for. Whenever asked what I considered a good show, I said things like that and meant it. Involvement is vital, even if its just trying to beat the on-air players. Otherwise, its like watching a sporting event and merely cheering on the home team. Most of us knew each other and often cross-plugged each other's shows. Of the group you mentioned, They were all charming, nice and very talented people, the one I liked best was Monty Hall.
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I thought I'd post a link here for all loyal fans of Concentration (as well as you, Norm), to an illustration of a rare add-on set of rebus puzzle "refills," Milton Bradley released for use with the home game:
http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgameexpansion/14357/concentration-game-refills
What amazes me is that they were printed in booklets, not on scrolls!
BTW, you'll also notice it was posted at that site by fellow board member Alfonzo Smith. I apologize if this had already been discussed previously.
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I thought I'd post a link here for all loyal fans of Concentration (as well as you, Norm), to an illustration of a rare add-on set of rebus puzzle "refills," Milton Bradley released for use with the home game:
http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgameexpansion/14357/concentration-game-refills
What amazes me is that they were printed in booklets, not on scrolls!
BTW, you'll also notice it was posted at that site by fellow board member Alfonzo Smith. I apologize if this had already been discussed previously.
Verrrrrry Interesting. Looked it up and it was released in 1964 -- the middle of my reign on Concentration -- and I never saw it or plugged it on the air. It did say, those puzzle refills were were from prior editions of the home games, plus a few new ones. I did all the puzzles for the home game for the first 15 yrs and got paid for them all. If they reran 120 of them I should have been paid residuals. Never did. Doubt if they'd pay me now -- that was almost 50 years ago.
Please don't take me seriously -- I never expected to be paid twice.
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Verrrrrry Interesting. Looked it up and it was released in 1964 -- the middle of my reign on Concentration -- and I never saw it or plugged it on the air.
Actually, I do remember Hugh plugging the Refills on the show, at least three or four times. Never did get any for myself, although I did put them on my birthday wish list. If I remember correctly, neither my mom nor my grandmother could find them at any of the neighborhood stores.
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Of course "Audience participation" could also refer to the home audience participating and playing along, one reason why shows like "Family Feud", "Wheel of Fortune", "The Price is Right" and "Jeopardy!" have had such successful runs.
I remember listening to a Bob Stewart interview on youtube recently, and he said one of the key components for a successful game show is to get the home audience talking or yelling at the TV set.
Incidentally, Mr. Blumenthal, thank you for the very kind reply and words. I was most humbled by them! I was curious if you ever met or interacted in any way with other game show producers such as Bob Stewart, Stefan Hatos & Monty Hall, Merrill Heatter & Bob Quigley, or Merv Griffin, and if so, in what capacity did you interact with them, and what was your general opinion about them?
Your comments about audience participation are right on target. Couldn't agree with Bob Stewart more -- that's what we strove for. Whenever asked what I considered a good show, I said things like that and meant it. Involvement is vital, even if its just trying to beat the on-air players. Otherwise, its like watching a sporting event and merely cheering on the home team. Most of us knew each other and often cross-plugged each other's shows. Of the group you mentioned, They were all charming, nice and very talented people, the one I liked best was Monty Hall.
That's neat! Sounds like quite a fraternity back then. How I wish I could have been a part of it. My dream job is to host/produce game shows, but sadly in this day and age, that doesn't seem likely. Monty Hall seems like a very classy guy, especially when listening to his story on youtube.
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Verrrrrry Interesting. Looked it up and it was released in 1964 -- the middle of my reign on Concentration -- and I never saw it or plugged it on the air.
Actually, I do remember Hugh plugging the Refills on the show, at least three or four times. Never did get any for myself, although I did put them on my birthday wish list. If I remember correctly, neither my mom nor my grandmother could find them at any of the neighborhood stores.
Doubtful. I gave the plug cues to Hugh and don't recall ever seeing that product. As I said, I would have been contacted by Milton Bradley for permission and possible royalty.
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Verrrrrry Interesting. Looked it up and it was released in 1964 -- the middle of my reign on Concentration -- and I never saw it or plugged it on the air.
Actually, I do remember Hugh plugging the Refills on the show, at least three or four times. Never did get any for myself, although I did put them on my birthday wish list. If I remember correctly, neither my mom nor my grandmother could find them at any of the neighborhood stores.
Doubtful. I gave the plug cues to Hugh and don't recall ever seeing that product. As I said, I would have been contacted by Milton Bradley for permission and possible royalty.
Seriously, I remember it well. Hugh held up the box of refills, along with the home game.
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Verrrrrry Interesting. Looked it up and it was released in 1964 -- the middle of my reign on Concentration -- and I never saw it or plugged it on the air.
Actually, I do remember Hugh plugging the Refills on the show, at least three or four times. Never did get any for myself, although I did put them on my birthday wish list. If I remember correctly, neither my mom nor my grandmother could find them at any of the neighborhood stores.
Doubtful. I gave the plug cues to Hugh and don't recall ever seeing that product. As I said, I would have been contacted by Milton Bradley for permission and possible royalty.
I remember seeing them as well on the show, and we had trouble as well trying to find them in stores. I suspected they were only available in selected stores on the east coast. I finally got mine off eBay.
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Verrrrrry Interesting. Looked it up and it was released in 1964 -- the middle of my reign on Concentration -- and I never saw it or plugged it on the air.
Actually, I do remember Hugh plugging the Refills on the show, at least three or four times. Never did get any for myself, although I did put them on my birthday wish list. If I remember correctly, neither my mom nor my grandmother could find them at any of the neighborhood stores.
Doubtful. I gave the plug cues to Hugh and don't recall ever seeing that product. As I said, I would have been contacted by Milton Bradley for permission and possible royalty.
Seriously, I remember it well. Hugh held up the box of refills, along with the home game.
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I give up. Obviously, when two of you insist you saw Hugh holding up the refills on the show, you must be correct. One more comment, then we'll stop this discussion. The copy I prepared for Hugh to kiss-off a losing contestant was, "You're not going away empty-handed, we're giving you a set of Samsonite luggage (or a Bulova watch) and a home Concentration game." (he held up the game and handed it to the losing player). In no way, would I permit him to water the plug down by adding a small box of refills -- it would have been too chintzy. It would be like giving away the watch and an extra watchband.
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I think the term "audience participation" means that members of the viewing audience or studio audience, i.e. "civilians", participate in the show, usually as game players (they could also appear without playing games as on Queen For a Day). They are not hired actors or performers but are classified as amateurs. BTW the phrase "audience participation" is contained in the title of Roger Dobkowitz' master's thesis which documents the quiz scandal.
The then-commonly-used term "quiz show" gave way to "game show" for the reasons Norm gave, and as games not based on factual questions and answers came into vogue such as Concentration, Password, Video Village, The Match Game, etc.
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Well said, Chris.
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Well said, Chris.
Thanks!
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OK, Norm, I've got a a question out of left field for you. Despite the question, it IS game show related.
There was a novelty song in 1958 from a lady named Betty Johnson called "The Little Blue Man". The voice of the title character was rumoured to be Hugh Downs. Researching the internet, I've seen just as many claims stating it was indeed him as there are claims that it wasn't Mr. Downs.
Would you perhaps know for sure if it was him or not?
As a reference, here is the song: [media] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MIt96aYFuM[/media]
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Sorry, I never heard of her, nor her song, "the Little Blue Man." Couln't have been that big a hit. The few words spoken by the boy in the video, are definitely his own. To my knowledge, Hugh knew and worked with the woman. This blurb appeared in the media in 1957,".... SHE WAS THEN HIRED BY JACK PAAR FOR HIS TV SHOW, "TONIGHT." THIS LED TO A RECORD CONTRACT WITH ATLANTIC RECORDS IN 1958,FOR WHICH SHE HAD HER NEXT BIG HIT, "LITTLE BLUE MAN." Hugh, was a regular on Paar's show at that time -- perhaps that's why the association. But, Hugh was never a singer,and I could hear no other voice other than Ms. Johnson and the blue boy.
Also, at that time, Hugh and he was busy getting ready for his new show, CONCENTRATION.
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I've got one for you: How did you mark the rebus cards on the flip side, to assure that they'd be kept in the correct order? (This is a re-post, since I think it got lost in the shuffle a week or so ago.)
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I've got one for you: How did you mark the rebus cards on the flip side, to assure that they'd be kept in the correct order? (This is a re-post, since I think it got lost in the shuffle a week or so ago.)
Not very dramatically, I'm afraid, just very cautiously. When the entire 30 puzzles squares were packed in a cardboard carton, along with an 8x10 drawing of the entire puzzle, a large red grease crayon was used to number their reverse sides. Each of those cards, in numerical order cards were slid into the proper side of the trylon. My associaite producer, checked the numbers (from right to left -- had to be that way from the back of the game board to appear correct on the front). While on the air, when the next puzzle had to be loaded, once again, Associate producer had to make sure numbers were in the proper sequence. In 15 years on the air, only one time did the board get loaded improperly. None of us knew it until the clues started coming up making no sense. I stopped the game, and to avoid embarrassment to the show, I presented each player with a $200 check -- and as usual, I cued the applause sign. My associate producer was so upset, he quit the show. That's the truth. I would not accept his letter of resignation, and he stayed on, but finally left -- he could not take the ridicule from the stage crew.
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What were the actual dimensions of the gameboard trilons?
Each side of the 30 trilons was 9" (high) x 12" (wide).
Last week, via eBay, I purchased a 1969 publicity photo featuring Hugh Downs and Bob Clayton, shaking hands in front of the board. In non-specific units, the trilons measure four by 2-1/2. So if -- as Mr. B. has stated -- they were 12 inches wide, then the height of each trilon would have been 7-1/2 inches.
(It's a great picture, by the way ... Thanks to the poster who gave us the heads-up on its availability!)
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Last week, via eBay, I purchased a 1969 publicity photo featuring Hugh Downs and Bob Clayton, shaking hands in front of the board. In non-specific units, the trilons measure four by 2-1/2. So if -- as Mr. B. has stated -- they were 12 inches wide, then the height of each trilon would have been 7-1/2 inches.
(It's a great picture, by the way ... Thanks to the poster who gave us the heads-up on its availability!)
That poster was me (no big deal), and BTW, congrats on getting the photo!
I just found more publicity photos of Bob Clayton and of Hugh Downs on eBay. (Note: There's lots of photos of Hugh Downs, but I'm only posting some from Concentration):
http://cgi.ebay.com/1971-Bob-Clayton-Game-Show-Host-Press-Photo-/250820744077?pt=Art_Photo_Images&hash=item3a6614d38d
http://cgi.ebay.com/1964-Orig-Photo-Bob-Clayton-Make-Face-/280587991179?pt=Art_Photo_Images&hash=item415458f88b (from Make A Face)
http://cgi.ebay.com/1972-Bob-Clayton-Host-Model-Paola-Diva-Press-Photo-/250820744434?pt=Art_Photo_Images&hash=item3a6614d4f2 (Bob and the beautiful Paola Diva)
http://cgi.ebay.com/NBC-TV-promotional-photo-Hugh-Downs-Concentration-/110583174946?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19bf455722 (A different podium than what we're used to)
http://cgi.ebay.com/Hugh-Downs-Concentration-Game-Show-Host-Original-Photo-/230572666759?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35af33af87 (shown with the "Connie," award)
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Sorry, I never heard of her, nor her song, "the Little Blue Man." Couln't have been that big a hit. The few words spoken by the boy in the video, are definitely his own. To my knowledge, Hugh knew and worked with the woman. This blurb appeared in the media in 1957,".... SHE WAS THEN HIRED BY JACK PAAR FOR HIS TV SHOW, "TONIGHT." THIS LED TO A RECORD CONTRACT WITH ATLANTIC RECORDS IN 1958,FOR WHICH SHE HAD HER NEXT BIG HIT, "LITTLE BLUE MAN." Hugh, was a regular on Paar's show at that time -- perhaps that's why the association. But, Hugh was never a singer,and I could hear no other voice other than Ms. Johnson and the blue boy.
Also, at that time, Hugh and he was busy getting ready for his new show, CONCENTRATION.
Here's a link to the record "An Evening with Hugh Downs," up for sale on eBay right now:
http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-HUGH-DOWNS-AND-EVENING-WITH-PROMO-LP-/150451115109?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item230795d465
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Hugh was an extremely versatile guy and probably still is. Last the public heard of him, is his writings, lectures, etc. on senior citizen health problems and how to combat them. He never sits idly by, and never did, you've got to admire him. During the years I worked with him, he learned to pilot a jumbo commercial airliner, and even tried to break the sound barrier in a military jet plane, sailed ALONE in a small boat, with little or no communication gear, all the way to Tahiti,took chances with all sorts of death-defying adventures, wrote several books, made history on a TV game show, was a trustworthy TV newscaster, and made a record album. Nothing was too tough for him. It never made the top-10, it was just something a lot of celebs did. Not so much for the financial gain, but for the fun of it. We never even plugged it on the air. With all that Hugh could do, the public considered him a brilliant man. He once told me they were wrong, he isn't anywhere near as smart as they think he is, he merely reads a lot. That is an honest and very humble responnse.
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How did CARE become associated with the Christmas episode? How much control did CARE exercise over the show's content? Was Mimi Hines the only female Secret Santa?
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How did CARE become associated with the Christmas episode? How much control did CARE exercise over the show's content? Was Mimi Hines the only female Secret Santa?
CARE was one of my personal favorite charities, so I selected it as the benefactor of our annual Christmas show. Nope, CARE never interfered with anything regarding the production. In addition to Mimi Hines, comedienne Phylis Diller was the only other female to play Secret Santa. Among the others were Mimi's comic duo husband, Phil Ford, Danish comic pianist, Victor Borge, Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon, Joe Garagiola, Bill Cullen, Art Fleming and others. Bit of trivia: Canadian born singer, actress, comic Mimi Hines took over for Barbara Streisand on Broadway in the musical, "Funny Girl." She was sensational enough to star in that role for 18 months. Because she was known as part of the husband and wife comic team, with hubby, Phil Ford, they gave Phil the part of Eddy in the hit show. He was good enough to remain in the cast. One last bit of trivia about them. Of all the celebs to play Secret Santa, these two were the only ones who came prepared with bags of candy and small gifts to give to the 30 native-costumed children from United Nations' countries serviced by CARE,who appeared on the show.
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Here is another promotional photo for the show, this time it's for Concentration's fifth anniversary program, showing Hugh Downs with five, 5-year-old kids! The press release included with the photo mentions that the broadcast featured Mitch Miller and Merv Griffin playing the game!
http://cgi.ebay.com/1963-Hugh-Downs-Concentration-LQQK-/350337708123?pt=Art_Photo_Images&hash=item5191c1305b
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I was wondering how Hugh Downs ended up with the job of hosting in the first place. Was he somebody that NBC wanted you to use? Was he somebody that you wanted? Did he have to audition?
Also, I've just finished reading your book, and since you mention the "Muppet Pipes" at NBC and not knowing their fate, I thought you'd be delighted to know that not only is the display still intact, it's now a prominent part of the NBC Studio Tour.
"The NBC Pipes" (http://"http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/NBC_Pipes")
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Among the others were Mimi's comic duo husband, Phil Ford, Danish comic pianist, Victor Borge, Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon, Joe Garagiola, Bill Cullen, Art Fleming and others.
Norm, I may be putting you on the spot, but I'd love to pick your brain about memories of working with Bill Cullen. You may not know, but I've put together a web site about Cullen's career, including a lengthy list of of his guest appearances on game shows. I have record of him playing Concentration on December 24, 1965 against Betty White. Might that have been a Secret Santa game? I also have a note of him appearing on the show in 1971 to plug his Three on a Match series. What do you remember about working with him?
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I was wondering how Hugh Downs ended up with the job of hosting in the first place. Was he somebody that NBC wanted you to use? Was he somebody that you wanted? Did he have to audition?
Also, I've just finished reading your book, and since you mention the "Muppet Pipes" at NBC and not knowing their fate, I thought you'd be delighted to know that not only is the display still intact, it's now a prominent part of the NBC Studio Tour.
"The NBC Pipes" (http://"http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/NBC_Pipes")
Initially, my ex-boss, Jack Barry was to emcee the show -- which he did. However, the quiz show scandal exploded at that time, and "Twenty One" with Jack was exposed as guilty. Barry & Enright Productions (my employers) immediately searched for a replacement. Hugh, who was a regular on the "Home" show, with Arlene Francis, seemed to possess the best credentials. NBC did not own the show at that time, and had no say in who we picked. But, they did have to approve our choice. His humor was dry -- no wise guy or slapstick comic, he was bright and gave the impression of a studious person (we wanted that -- as opposed to a stand-up comic. He did audition and won the part. Obviously he was a good choice, he proved he was a very special type ( unlike the average game show emcee). His career on the "Today" show, the "Tonight Show", the "20 20" show and other network biggies showed he was a sincere, extremely honest and well-respected performer. He never did another game show after Concentration." He had made his mark, on a non-frivolous game show, and decided to utilize his reputation on more serious TV.
Thank you so much, for that info on the Jim Henson (Muppets) pipe art. Glad it remains a protected piece of art that is still being shown to the public.
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Remember the Mink Wheel? Was it retired because it didn't have the same pizzazz as the Cash Wheel?
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Remember the Mink Wheel? Was it retired because it didn't have the same pizzazz as the Cash Wheel?
I think you got me on that one. I can't recall that wheel. If you can, please explain. You may be right, a mink wheel might have been dull --- the cash wheel proved a good gimmick and excited the players and the viewers, so I used it often. As I said, if you recall any details, let me know. Thanks.
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The Mink Wheel: I can remember it being played twice. It was played exactly as the Cash Wheel was played except the prize varied from "Stole" to a full-length coat.
Production note: I used to enjoy how the doors would part and the wheel would pivot in from above. The wheel would be positioned so the contestant didn't have to stand up to spin.
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The Mink Wheel: I can remember it being played twice. It was played exactly as the Cash Wheel was played except the prize varied from "Stole" to a full-length coat.
Production note: I used to enjoy how the doors would part and the wheel would pivot in from above. The wheel would be positioned so the contestant didn't have to stand up to spin.
You are really something. What a memory!!!! I was very proud of that wheel coming into view as it did. Actually the back of it was attached to a pipe that went back about a foot, then bent upward about 3 feet, and attached to a revolving horizontal bar. A side lever slowly moved the whole contraption counter-clockwise and clicked into poition (without shaking -- especially when it was spun). I spent a lot of time at the shop, spinning the wheel hundreds of times to make sure of the proper balance to keep it from landing on the same pie slice area too often. Careful mesurements were necessary to keep the pipes and gears out of sight,behind the set and when not in use, the wheel was locked in position in a horizontal position above the entering contestants.
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The Mink Wheel: I can remember it being played twice. It was played exactly as the Cash Wheel was played except the prize varied from "Stole" to a full-length coat.
Production note: I used to enjoy how the doors would part and the wheel would pivot in from above. The wheel would be positioned so the contestant didn't have to stand up to spin.
You are really something. What a memory!!!! I was very proud of that wheel coming into view as it did. Actually the back of it was attached to a pipe that went back about a foot, then bent upward about 3 feet, and attached to a revolving horizontal bar. A side lever slowly moved the whole contraption counter-clockwise and clicked into poition (without shaking -- especially when it was spun). I spent a lot of time at the shop, spinning the wheel hundreds of times to make sure of the proper balance to keep it from landing on the same pie slice area too often. Careful mesurements were necessary to keep the pipes and gears out of sight,behind the set and when not in use, the wheel was locked in position in a horizontal position above the entering contestants.
of COURSE he has a great memory Norm! A LOT of us do, thanks in part to the great training our young minds received while watching CONCENTRATION!!!!!! I bet you never dreamed back in the 1950s that in 2011, you'd be talking with many game show fans about the show, let alone doing so via computers!
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The Mink Wheel: I can remember it being played twice. It was played exactly as the Cash Wheel was played except the prize varied from "Stole" to a full-length coat.
Production note: I used to enjoy how the doors would part and the wheel would pivot in from above. The wheel would be positioned so the contestant didn't have to stand up to spin.
You are really something. What a memory!!!! I was very proud of that wheel coming into view as it did. Actually the back of it was attached to a pipe that went back about a foot, then bent upward about 3 feet, and attached to a revolving horizontal bar. A side lever slowly moved the whole contraption counter-clockwise and clicked into poition (without shaking -- especially when it was spun). I spent a lot of time at the shop, spinning the wheel hundreds of times to make sure of the proper balance to keep it from landing on the same pie slice area too often. Careful mesurements were necessary to keep the pipes and gears out of sight,behind the set and when not in use, the wheel was locked in position in a horizontal position above the entering contestants.
of COURSE he has a great memory Norm! A LOT of us do, thanks in part to the great training our young minds received while watching CONCENTRATION!!!!!! I bet you never dreamed back in the 1950s that in 2011, you'd be talking with many game show fans about the show, let alone doing so via computers!
Think of a picture of a pair of shoes, with an arrow pointing to the right one add the letter "R" -- That's my response to your note in rebus form. How many of you get that message (puzze)? If you can or not -- I agree, there's a lot of extremely bright people in your group.
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The Mink Wheel: I can remember it being played twice. It was played exactly as the Cash Wheel was played except the prize varied from "Stole" to a full-length coat.
Production note: I used to enjoy how the doors would part and the wheel would pivot in from above. The wheel would be positioned so the contestant didn't have to stand up to spin.
You are really something. What a memory!!!! I was very proud of that wheel coming into view as it did. Actually the back of it was attached to a pipe that went back about a foot, then bent upward about 3 feet, and attached to a revolving horizontal bar. A side lever slowly moved the whole contraption counter-clockwise and clicked into poition (without shaking -- especially when it was spun). I spent a lot of time at the shop, spinning the wheel hundreds of times to make sure of the proper balance to keep it from landing on the same pie slice area too often. Careful mesurements were necessary to keep the pipes and gears out of sight,behind the set and when not in use, the wheel was locked in position in a horizontal position above the entering contestants.
of COURSE he has a great memory Norm! A LOT of us do, thanks in part to the great training our young minds received while watching CONCENTRATION!!!!!! I bet you never dreamed back in the 1950s that in 2011, you'd be talking with many game show fans about the show, let alone doing so via computers!
Think of a picture of a pair of shoes, with an arrow pointing to the right one add the letter "R" -- That's my response to your note in rebus form. How many of you get that message (puzze)? If you can or not -- I agree, there's a lot of extremely bright people in your group.
To quote Geoff Edwards' famous catch phrase... "Right you are!" (Right shoe R)...
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The Mink Wheel: I can remember it being played twice. It was played exactly as the Cash Wheel was played except the prize varied from "Stole" to a full-length coat.
Production note: I used to enjoy how the doors would part and the wheel would pivot in from above. The wheel would be positioned so the contestant didn't have to stand up to spin.
You are really something. What a memory!!!! I was very proud of that wheel coming into view as it did. Actually the back of it was attached to a pipe that went back about a foot, then bent upward about 3 feet, and attached to a revolving horizontal bar. A side lever slowly moved the whole contraption counter-clockwise and clicked into poition (without shaking -- especially when it was spun). I spent a lot of time at the shop, spinning the wheel hundreds of times to make sure of the proper balance to keep it from landing on the same pie slice area too often. Careful mesurements were necessary to keep the pipes and gears out of sight,behind the set and when not in use, the wheel was locked in position in a horizontal position above the entering contestants.
of COURSE he has a great memory Norm! A LOT of us do, thanks in part to the great training our young minds received while watching CONCENTRATION!!!!!! I bet you never dreamed back in the 1950s that in 2011, you'd be talking with many game show fans about the show, let alone doing so via computers!
Think of a picture of a pair of shoes, with an arrow pointing to the right one add the letter "R" -- That's my response to your note in rebus form. How many of you get that message (puzze)? If you can or not -- I agree, there's a lot of extremely bright people in your group.
To quote Geoff Edwards' famous catch phrase... "Right you are!" (Right shoe R)...
Good for you -- You R right. But ---- can you tell me who was famous for, "That's right, you're wrong."????
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Kay Kyser, if memory serves.
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On his "College of Musical Knowledge!"
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Kay Kyser, if memory serves.
Your memory serves you well. It was the ole professor Kay Kyser.
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On his "College of Musical Knowledge!"
Korrect -- except the spelling -- it was the Kollege of Musical Knowledge. But, I'll accept it - not like the judges on Jeopardy!
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Kay Kyser, if memory serves.
Your memory serves you well. It was the ole professor Kay Kyser.
There was a fictional movie that starred Kay Kyser made by RKO back in the 40's by the title "That's Right, You're Wrong" which jogged my memory. The movie pops up on TCM from time to time.
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First, I'd like to let you know, Norm, that I just bought your book, and have enjoyed all I've read so far!
Now a Question:
In your book, you mention how a black "chowder" board, with white letters to go into the grooves, was used for listing the prize companies at end of show. I was wondering if a similar "chowder" was used to display the contestant names in the top slots on the prize board.
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First, I'd like to let you know, Norm, that I just bought your book, and have enjoyed all I've read so far!
Now a Question:
In your book, you mention how a black "chowder" board, with white letters to go into the grooves, was used for listing the prize companies at end of show. I was wondering if a similar "chowder" was used to display the contestant names in the top slots on the prize board.
I think "chowder boards" might sometimes be called "menu boards". Those were good for "instant graphics" in those pre-character generator days.
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I think "chowder boards" might sometimes be called "menu boards". Those were good for "instant graphics" in those pre-character generator days.
Was that what Let's Make a Deal used to list its sponsors/prize providers in the early '70s episodes GSN used to run?
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Was that what Let's Make a Deal used to list its sponsors/prize providers in the early '70s episodes GSN used to run?
Yep. As I recall, they did a pretty bad job of centering the text.
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First, I'd like to let you know, Norm, that I just bought your book, and have enjoyed all I've read so far!
Now a Question:
In your book, you mention how a black "chowder" board, with white letters to go into the grooves, was used for listing the prize companies at end of show. I was wondering if a similar "chowder" was used to display the contestant names in the top slots on the prize board.
Yes, we had several name plates ready for each show and it was easy to prepare just snap in the plastic letters to the black grooved "chowder board and slide merely slide them into place. Most game shows used this "greasy spoon" menu board for players' names and for the key insertion of white letters to list prize suppliers at the end of their shows. Some still do. shows. Glad you like the book -- thanks for the kind words.
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I think "chowder boards" might sometimes be called "menu boards". Those were good for "instant graphics" in those pre-character generator days.
Was that what Let's Make a Deal used to list its sponsors/prize providers in the early '70s episodes GSN used to run?
Yes -- as I mentioned a while back, we weren't blessed with chyron at that time. It was around, but not in our budget. This was easy, fast and cheap. By FCC regulation, all games had to make disclaimers as to who paid fees, etc. to get their products plugged on air (as prizes). We all used this method.
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Think of a picture of a pair of shoes, with an arrow pointing to the right one add the letter "R" -- That's my response to your note in rebus form. How many of you get that message (puzze)? If you can or not -- I agree, there's a lot of extremely bright people in your group.
That was in one of your books! Right shoe+"R". Although you only showed the right shoe. That was probably the toughest rebus in the show's history... do you remember any other ones that had that "gotcha" factor?
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do you remember any other ones that had that "gotcha" factor?
I have to say that one of my all-time favorites is one that survives in a Tournament of Champions episodes: A large diamond, a necktie, a coffie mug and a chicken sitting on her eggs. There are also some wonderfully crafty ones in Mr. Blumenthal's three Concentration puzzle books, puzzles much, MUCH more challenging and satisfying than anything that turned up in the board games.
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I have to say that one of my all-time favorites is one that survives in a Tournament of Champions episodes: A large diamond, a necktie, a coffie mug and a chicken sitting on her eggs.
I pronounce it "di-uh-mond" and not "di-mund" so I never would have solved the puzzle.
One of my favorite puzzles revolved around a short-lived James Garner series. The puzzle consisted of one element: a pile of nickles. About half the puzzle was revealed before the winner guessed, "Nichols."
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do you remember any other ones that had that "gotcha" factor?
I have to say that one of my all-time favorites is one that survives in a Tournament of Champions episodes: A large diamond, a necktie, a coffie mug and a chicken sitting on her eggs. There are also some wonderfully crafty ones in Mr. Blumenthal's three Concentration puzzle books, puzzles much, MUCH more challenging and satisfying than anything that turned up in the board games.
Thanks for the kind reaction. In case someone is reading your example, and can't figure it out -- here's the answer: DIAMOND NECKTIE COFFEE MUG HEN. ---- "Time and time again". Say the first words fast and it eventually will make sense. After the thousands I created I tried to find new drawings -- like SEAHORSE and camr up with "You can see yourself coming and going." (seehorse+elf)--there were many more. Here's one I've never publicly mentioned before. Certainly not on the air. Old song title, "Your an old smoothie" -- key drawing (never used ---- URINAL + 'd (you're an old ...) I wouldn't dare use it, and did not. To keep my job exciting and keep one step ahead of our viewers, I had to keep coming up with new stuff. By the way, I set the rule -- I never repeated any puzzle.
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Among the others were Mimi's comic duo husband, Phil Ford, Danish comic pianist, Victor Borge, Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon, Joe Garagiola, Bill Cullen, Art Fleming and others.
Norm, I may be putting you on the spot, but I'd love to pick your brain about memories of working with Bill Cullen. You may not know, but I've put together a web site about Cullen's career, including a lengthy list of of his guest appearances on game shows. I have record of him playing Concentration on December 24, 1965 against Betty White. Might that have been a Secret Santa game? I also have a note of him appearing on the show in 1971 to plug his Three on a Match series. What do you remember about working with him?
Indeed he was a Secret Santa on that year's Christmas show. The only other apearance he made on my show was to plug his new show, "Three on a Match" He was a delight to work with. A regular guy, a man's man and a very humble person, Guess that's why he was never without a job. Everyone liked him. Are you including a pilot my son, Howard, (produced, "Where In the World is Carmen San Diego," etc.)did with him as the potential host? It was called, "How Do You Want Your Eggs?"
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Indeed he was a Secret Santa on that year's Christmas show. The only other apearance he made on my show was to plug his new show, "Three on a Match" He was a delight to work with. A regular guy, a man's man and a very humble person, Guess that's why he was never without a job. Everyone liked him. Are you including a pilot my son, Howard, (produced, "Where In the World is Carmen San Diego," etc.)did with him as the potential host? It was called, "How Do You Want Your Eggs?"
Thank you for this. And yes, around here we're quite familiar with Bill's "Eggs" project. All four of those old pilot episodes have turned up, a marvelous little treat.
Here's one I've never publicly mentioned before. Certainly not on the air. Old song title, "Your an old smoothie" -- key drawing (never used ---- URINAL + 'd (you're an old ...) I wouldn't dare use it, and did not.
Thank you very much for this. It made my day! These days, you'd have no problem using it on TV, but the contestants they get to play the games today would never be smart enough to figure it out!
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I was delighted by another great puzzle of yours available for viewing at the Paley Center in Beverly Hills.
mannequin+st k+rym+'m "Man Against Crime"
We've discussed the Concentration game board a lot but it can't be understated what a marvelous device it was. The "click-click whrrrr CLICK" noise it made was most iconic and satisfying. It was fun to watch the board reveal the entire puzzle after the solution had been given. It is too bad that it because so unrealiable with age.
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I guess one of the things I liked about the show was that mom took a break from her housework to watch it with me. (I was born in 1960, so it was on continuously for my first 12 years) When the Q&A's (which I also loved) came on, she went back to the dishes, laundry etc. It's a show you had to watch to get the full effect. Perfect coffee break programming!
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I have to say that one of my all-time favorites is one that survives in a Tournament of Champions episodes: A large diamond, a necktie, a coffie mug and a chicken sitting on her eggs.
I pronounce it "di-uh-mond" and not "di-mund" so I never would have solved the puzzle.
One of my favorite puzzles revolved around a short-lived James Garner series. The puzzle consisted of one element: a pile of nickles. About half the puzzle was revealed before the winner guessed, "Nichols."
This is a game -- the idea is put the pieces together and solve it. At first viewers had difficulty decoding the liberties I took with the English language. When they figured it out, I had to keep ahead of them, by making the clues more tricky (or else they'd change channels). Best example is a bottle of ink, for the suffix, "ing". According to viewer reaction, the wilder I got, the more they enjoyed it. With all the different dialects and accents throughout the country, it was a challenge for me. So whether you say TOE+MAY+TOE or TWO+(baby saying, "MA"+DOUGH, it's all in fun.
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This is a game -- the idea is put the pieces together and solve it.
Making matches, remembering locations, accumulating prizes, that was all part of it, but as you had Mr. Downs so succinctly put it day after day, "The object of the game is to solve the puzzle."
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Being from the Detroit area, it was pretty interesting to read a few things about my hometown in your book, Norm!
I'd known for years that original Concentration announcer, Art James was originally from Dearborn, which is just a few short minutes away from my home.
I didn't know about your appearance on the Lou Gordon Program, but I'm NOT surprised that it wasn't a pleasant one! Lou Gordon's show originated from WKBD channel 50 in Detroit, and was seen on stations owned by Kaiser Broadcasting throughout the country. He was tough with some of his guests, and there were occassions where a guest walked out on Gordon, or sometimes were told to leave the studio. I'm sorry it didn't go well for you, but again, I'm not surprised.
Some videos of interviews Lou Gordon did, can be found on youtube, including former Philadelphia mayor, Frank Rizzo, who walked out!
Less than a year after having open-heart surgery, Lou Gordon died in the spring of 1977. A special tribute program aired locally, hosted by the late NBC newsman Tom Snyder.
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Hi Mr. Blumenthal. I used to watch the Bob Clayton version of Concentration a lot as a child.
When I used to play Concentration with my sister (using playing cards), I would vocally emulate the clicking sound of the rotating trilons when turning a card. I would also add an occasional "ding-ding-ding-ding-ding..." used in "The Envelope" specials.
Was always impressed with how the prizes would appear on the prize board, especially when they transferred with what seemed like lightning speed in a Take or Forfeit. The board always reminded me of a bedroom closet door, with louvers.
Enjoyed your puzzles, and believe it or not, I really liked the mid-show plug for the Chevy Nova. It seemed, to this tyke, there was something downright poetic about Clayton's lead-in shpeil, "When you call that double Wild Card, whether you win the game or not"
Finally, a story from first-grade Hebrew school. One day in class, my teacher said to me that I needed to work on my concentration. I replied that Concentration was a great TV show! To which the teacher slyly replied that the show did not air on Sundays, and since this was Sunday School...
It's great to have you in the group.
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Hi Mr. Blumenthal. I used to watch the Bob Clayton version of Concentration a lot as a child.
When I used to play Concentration with my sister (using playing cards), I would vocally emulate the clicking sound of the rotating trilons when turning a card. I would also add an occasional "ding-ding-ding-ding-ding..." used in "The Envelope" specials.
Was always impressed with how the prizes would appear on the prize board, especially when they transferred with what seemed like lightning speed in a Take or Forfeit. The board always reminded me of a bedroom closet door, with louvers.
Enjoyed your puzzles, and believe it or not, I really liked the mid-show plug for the Chevy Nova. It seemed, to this tyke, there was something downright poetic about Clayton's lead-in shpeil, "When you call that double Wild Card, whether you win the game or not"
Finally, a story from first-grade Hebrew school. One day in class, my teacher said to me that I needed to work on my concentration. I replied that Concentration was a great TV show! To which the teacher slyly replied that the show did not air on Sundays, and since this was Sunday School...
It's great to have you in the group.
You've got a great memory -- indeed those were memorable elements that the home audience seemed to like. Hebrew school ? I've come up with several puzzles in that genre, but never used any of them on air. Not fair to the entire home audience. Try this on family or friends, after you figure it out. You know the holiday, TISHABOV?
In my weirdo puzzle form, I think of a line from Shakedspeare, Can you? Write back with answer. If no can do -- I'll give you solution. Here's one more --- think of a mathematical illustration: a division illustration with an 8 inside the symbol and an S on the outside -- same as a simple one like a 10 on outside and a 100 on the inside -- answer: 10. Try to get the Yiddish answer by having the S and the 8. Good luck. Anyone else who reads this, and knows the lingo, send me the solution phrase. Sorry, my budget is depleted -- no prizes, just a bit of a challenge.
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Being from the Detroit area, it was pretty interesting to read a few things about my hometown in your book, Norm!
I'd known for years that original Concentration announcer, Art James was originally from Dearborn, which is just a few short minutes away from my home.
I didn't know about your appearance on the Lou Gordon Program, but I'm NOT surprised that it wasn't a pleasant one! Lou Gordon's show originated from WKBD channel 50 in Detroit, and was seen on stations owned by Kaiser Broadcasting throughout the country. He was tough with some of his guests, and there were occassions where a guest walked out on Gordon, or sometimes were told to leave the studio. I'm sorry it didn't go well for you, but again, I'm not surprised.
Some videos of interviews Lou Gordon did, can be found on youtube, including former Philadelphia mayor, Frank Rizzo, who walked out!
Less than a year after having open-heart surgery, Lou Gordon died in the spring of 1977. A special tribute program aired locally, hosted by the late NBC newsman Tom Snyder.
Aside from Lou Gordon -- I really liked Detroit and all the people I met there.
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Aside from Lou Gordon -- I really liked Detroit and all the people I met there.
Glad to hear that, Norm!
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Mr. Norm, and all Concentration fans: I want to make sure you see the new post in the Video and Audio Clips section. It's the finale of the 1967 Challenge of Champions. (The previous day's episode, featuring the puzzle "Time and Time Again", has been available for years. This is the day after that.)
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Here's a goofy question which just crossed my mind:
How do feel knowing your game is regularly referred to on "The Late Show with David Letterman" when every so often Dave will say, "No match, the board goes back". Have you ever demanded royalties??? ;D
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Mr. Norm, and all Concentration fans: I want to make sure you see the new post in the Video and Audio Clips section. It's the finale of the 1967 Challenge of Champions. (The previous day's episode, featuring the puzzle "Time and Time Again", has been available for years. This is the day after that.)
Thanks for the info. Sincerely grateful that people like you remember guys like me favorably.
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Here's a goofy question which just crossed my mind:
How do feel knowing your game is regularly referred to on "The Late Show with David Letterman" when every so often Dave will say, "No match, the board goes back". Have you ever demanded royalties??? ;D
Not surprised. This has been happening for years. Nice to know people still quote me and the expression has become a part of our vernacular -- like, "Come on down.." on PRICE, etc.. I always felt that if your name (or show's name) is one of the clues in a newspaper crossword puzzle, you've really MADE it. Just like my new book, WHEN GAME SHOWS RULED DAYTIME TV, friends keep showing me they see new articles and hear even audio mentions of the words "games ruled daytime..." that's great. It's not really plagerism, if anything, it's a compliment. Thanks for mentioning it.
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I thought of a couple more questions for Norm. 1. Were you involved with the 1985 Concentration pilot hosted by Orson Bean? 2. During your days in New York, did you occupy the same studio or building as Art Fleming's "Jeopardy!" and if so, did you ever have the pleasure of meeting him?
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I thought of a couple more questions for Norm. 1. Were you involved with the 1985 Concentration pilot hosted by Orson Bean? 2. During your days in New York, did you occupy the same studio or building as Art Fleming's "Jeopardy!" and if so, did you ever have the pleasure of meeting him?
Here are my responses: Question 1 -- Nope. I finished producing the show in 1975. Never met that Mr. Bean (Orson). The other one, from England, is one of my favorite comedians. Question 2 -- We used the same technical and stage crew, and the same studio: 6A, then 6B (also in the evenings, the home of the Tonight Show. We alternated, first week, Concentration taped, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Jeopardy! taped on Thursday and Friday. The following week, Jeopardy got three days and we got two days. You could say we were sister (or bother) shows. Question 3 -- Pleasure it was!!!! One of the nicest guys in the business. We were close friends. Sorry, Mr. Trebek, but I liked Art Fleming a lot better.
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I finished producing the show in 1975.
...So you worked on the Jack Narz era as well? A few questions rise from that -- how did things progress to greenlight the syndicated run? Did you have any say in choosing Jack Narz? Did you commute to Hollywood?
I should note that from what I've read (mostly Wikipedia; I know, take with salt), the show apparently began going through some big changes in late 1975 (i.e. the improved mechanical board, Bonus Number, Free Look, the removal of Forfeit One Gift, the Double Play prize board, and shorter/easier puzzles).
(EDIT: Mr. Blumenthal put in the wrong number, hence my confusion.)
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I finished producing the show in 1975.
...So you worked on the Jack Narz era as well? A few questions rise from that -- how did things progress to greenlight the syndicated run? Did you have any say in choosing Jack Narz? Did you commute to Hollywood?
I should note that from what I've read (mostly Wikipedia; I know, take with salt), the show apparently began going through some big changes in late 1975 (i.e. the improved mechanical board, Bonus Number, Free Look, the removal of Forfeit One Gift, the Double Play prize board, and shorter/easier puzzles).
Sorry Dan, but you've got your dates mixed. As I said, I produced the original Concentration from 1958 until 1973. Jack Narz was not on my show. He came later.
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Well, since the syndicated Concentration was brought up, I would like to ask this...at any point would you have considered adding some sort of bonus game to your series? Or had it been considered?
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I wanna jump in here with some questions in regards to the Wild Card:
1. Was a bonus for a Double Wild Card there from the start?
2. I know the bonus for a Double Wild Card went from $500 to a car. Was that your idea?
3. If you matched a WC to a prize, then matched the other WC to the other half of that pair, what happened?
Thanks
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Well, since the syndicated Concentration was brought up, I would like to ask this...at any point would you have considered adding some sort of bonus game to your series? Or had it been considered?
Of course we considered all sorts of elements to enhance the tension, but realized immediately that more game was by far the most popular choice during audience testing preferences. If you read my book, I go into great detail as to why bonus or "end" games are vital to many shows. On Concentration, the prizes were important, but secondary to making matches, solving the puzzles, and just playing the game. Several other shows had vitually no game, and had to rely solely upon prize values. I'm not saying they were better or worse than mine. We both had viewer appeal. Viewer remembrance of Concentration, as evidenced by this Game Show Forum, centers around the puzzles.
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I wanna jump in here with some questions in regards to the Wild Card:
1. Was a bonus for a Double Wild Card there from the start?
2. I know the bonus for a Double Wild Card went from $500 to a car. Was that your idea?
3. If you matched a WC to a prize, then matched the other WC to the other half of that pair, what happened?
Thanks
Yes, the double wild was a feature from the first telecast. Yes, I felt a more exciting payoff was necessary, so upped the value. It did create an unexpected result -- fortunately our budget was able to maintain the expense. If a match of two wild cards were made in one turn, the contestant selected one box number for each. If first was a new car, and the second was the same, the player got three cars. One for the original match and one for each of the next two calls. In 15 years, this never happened, but the double-wild match did (one car) -- a few hundred times.
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So you're saying if someone matched both WC's to the same pair of prizes, they would win two of that prize. Interesting.
I read about an April Fools episode in which you hosted, Hugh Downs & Bob Clayton played, and there was one "puzzle" that was nothing but Forfeits & blank spaces. I wanna get your thoughts.
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So you're saying if someone matched both WC's to the same pair of prizes, they would win two of that prize. Interesting.
And, IIRC, the prize board had a check mark come up next to the prize card (it filled in the little square on the side)
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What happened if someone won the game with nothing but joke prizes in the rack?
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So you're saying if someone matched both WC's to the same pair of prizes, they would win two of that prize. Interesting.
I read about an April Fools episode in which you hosted, Hugh Downs & Bob Clayton played, and there was one "puzzle" that was nothing but Forfeits & blank spaces. I wanna get your thoughts.
Sorry, that April Fool's gag never happened. If you bought my book, on pages 212 and 213, you'll see my emceeing the 10th anniversary show. That was the only time I did it. Notice the prize board behind Hugh and Bob, prizes are listed and the pic of the game board shows part of the puzzle revealed. That could never happen with only forfeits. As far as practical jokes on April 1st -- Hugh was a master at that art. The worse he pulled on me was during our "live" period. He told the millions at home that they were all invited to my house for a party and gave my home phone number. It was "live" so I couldn't stop him. I immediately changed my phone number. I got even with him on many occasions. Best I thought was substituting gin in his water glass. During a show, as he usually did, he took a swig, and almost lost his voice.
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What happened if someone won the game with nothing but joke prizes in the rack?
Same if they won nothing: $100.
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What happened if someone won the game with nothing but joke prizes in the rack?
Same if they won nothing: $100.
Also, I think the joke prizes had a face value of $1.
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What happened if someone won the game with nothing but joke prizes in the rack?
Just like most other shows, there is a minimum for each win. Ours was $100. Remember in the mid-fifties that was a week's pay for most people. As the years went by, we raised it to $500. The gag prizes were paid off with a dollar for each.
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What happened if someone won the game with nothing but joke prizes in the rack?
Just like most other shows, there is a minimum for each win. Ours was $100. Remember in the mid-fifties that was a week's pay for most people. As the years went by, we raised it to $500. The gag prizes were paid off with a dollar for each.
And was that, along with the Cash Wheel, and the $1000 for winning the Challenge of Champions, the only cash prizes awarded to players on the show?
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What happened if someone won the game with nothing but joke prizes in the rack?
Just like most other shows, there is a minimum for each win. Ours was $100. Remember in the mid-fifties that was a week's pay for most people. As the years went by, we raised it to $500. The gag prizes were paid off with a dollar for each.
And was that, along with the Cash Wheel, and the $1000 for winning the Challenge of Champions, the only cash prizes awarded to players on the show?
No, we had several, like a game that gave away 100,000 pennies, 50,000 nickles, 2500 dimes, etc.; another that had denominations of sixes and nines, like: $696.69; $969.66; $666.66, etc, (really testing the memory), we also sprinkled in cash value stocks and bonds, foreign currency, people's weight in coins, and anything else we could think of to keep the game from becoming boring. 15 years of daily shows needs to have constant new gimmicks to keep the audience interested.
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What happened if someone won the game with nothing but joke prizes in the rack?
Just like most other shows, there is a minimum for each win. Ours was $100. Remember in the mid-fifties that was a week's pay for most people. As the years went by, we raised it to $500. The gag prizes were paid off with a dollar for each.
And was that, along with the Cash Wheel, and the $1000 for winning the Challenge of Champions, the only cash prizes awarded to players on the show?
No, we had several, like a game that gave away 100,000 pennies, 50,000 nickles, 2500 dimes, etc.; another that had denominations of sixes and nines, like: $696.69; $969.66; $666.66, etc, (really testing the memory), we also sprinkled in cash value stocks and bonds, foreign currency, people's weight in coins, and anything else we could think of to keep the game from becoming boring. 15 years of daily shows needs to have constant new gimmicks to keep the audience interested.
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another that had denominations of sixes and nines, like: $696.69; $969.66; $666.66, etc, (really testing the memory)
The 1968 Christmas program...play starts around 4:30. One of my favorite Concentration programs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOKelYk7dD8&feature=player_detailpage#t=265s
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So you're saying if someone matched both WC's to the same pair of prizes, they would win two of that prize. Interesting.
And, IIRC, the prize board had a check mark come up next to the prize card (it filled in the little square on the side)
You do recall correctly - a white check on a black backgroud, IIRC. (On the syndicated Narz version, I can't remember if the second column was there on the prize boards, but it was never used; the one time I remember somebody having two of the same prize by matching both cards to Wild Cards, they put the prize up on the board twice.)
I remember one show where one game had two cars on the board, and the host commented that, with the car bonus for matching the Wild Cards to each other (and, BTW, unlike with the $500 Wild Card bonus in the Trebek version, this bonus was kept win-or-lose and could not change hands with a Take or Forfeit), it was possible for someone to win three cars; I realized that it was possible to win four cars - match the two Wild Cards to each other, then, with the two free picks, pick both cards of one of the other two cards (and get a separate car for each one), then match the other car still on the board.
And was that, along with the Cash Wheel, and the $1000 for winning the Challenge of Champions, the only cash prizes awarded to players on the show?
No, we had several, like a game that gave away 100,000 pennies, 50,000 nickles, 2500 dimes, etc.; another that had denominations of sixes and nines, like: $696.69; $969.66; $666.66, etc, (really testing the memory), we also sprinkled in cash value stocks and bonds, foreign currency, people's weight in coins, and anything else we could think of to keep the game from becoming boring. 15 years of daily shows needs to have constant new gimmicks to keep the audience interested.
I also remember some occasions where a prize was, or included, some time in the "cash booth" (something similar to The Diamond Head Game's end game).
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So you're saying if someone matched both WC's to the same pair of prizes, they would win two of that prize. Interesting.
And, IIRC, the prize board had a check mark come up next to the prize card (it filled in the little square on the side)
You do recall correctly - a white check on a black backgroud, IIRC. (On the syndicated Narz version, I can't remember if the second column was there on the prize boards, but it was never used; the one time I remember somebody having two of the same prize by matching both cards to Wild Cards, they put the prize up on the board twice.)
So with the possibility of having two of the same prize for a single contestant, did a Forfeit or Take transfer only one of the two prizes, or would both prizes change hands?
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So with the possibility of having two of the same prize for a single contestant, did a Forfeit or Take transfer only one of the two prizes, or would both prizes change hands?
Just one. I can vividly remember thinking how unusual it was to see the check mark disappear from one side and the prize appear on the other.
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So you're saying if someone matched both WC's to the same pair of prizes, they would win two of that prize. Interesting.
And, IIRC, the prize board had a check mark come up next to the prize card (it filled in the little square on the side)
You do recall correctly - a white check on a black backgroud, IIRC. (On the syndicated Narz version, I can't remember if the second column was there on the prize boards, but it was never used; the one time I remember somebody having two of the same prize by matching both cards to Wild Cards, they put the prize up on the board twice.)
I remember one show where one game had two cars on the board, and the host commented that, with the car bonus for matching the Wild Cards to each other (and, BTW, unlike with the $500 Wild Card bonus in the Trebek version, this bonus was kept win-or-lose and could not change hands with a Take or Forfeit), it was possible for someone to win three cars; I realized that it was possible to win four cars - match the two Wild Cards to each other, then, with the two free picks, pick both cards of one of the other two cards (and get a separate car for each one), then match the other car still on the board.
And was that, along with the Cash Wheel, and the $1000 for winning the Challenge of Champions, the only cash prizes awarded to players on the show?
No, we had several, like a game that gave away 100,000 pennies, 50,000 nickles, 2500 dimes, etc.; another that had denominations of sixes and nines, like: $696.69; $969.66; $666.66, etc, (really testing the memory), we also sprinkled in cash value stocks and bonds, foreign currency, people's weight in coins, and anything else we could think of to keep the game from becoming boring. 15 years of daily shows needs to have constant new gimmicks to keep the audience interested. .
I also remember some occasions where a prize was, or included, some time in the "cash booth" (something similar to The Diamond Head Game's end game).
So many of you are coming up with your own answers, I'll sit back and rely on your memory. Some are correct and others involve the Narz version (not mine). For now -- I'll answer "the cash booth" -- we did use an annual plexigles booth and poured $100,000 in various denominations of US paper money all over the lucky contestant. Within a given time period, they had to shovel as many of those the through a 6" hole in the booth. The total of all the money was their prize to keep. It was called, "The Shower of Money." The booth, the armed guards and the money were supplied by the Sahara Hotel of Las Vegas. That is described in greater detail in my new book.
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Were there any winnings limits on the NBC series? I thought I read somewhere there was a 20-match limit, but not sure... Or any cash-value limit?
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Were there any winnings limits on the NBC series? I thought I read somewhere there was a 20-match limit, but not sure... Or any cash-value limit?
There was no game limit until Ruth Horowitz (our all-time most game winner) approached the 20 game level. As charming as she was, I thought the home viewers would tire of her. Although they never did with Jeopardy's Ken Jennings -- and she was much prettier. I came up with an offer -- 5 more games (to 25) which included increasingly higher money bonuses, with a really large bonus if could reach the 25 game limit. The NBC legal department rejected the plan -- because it was never in the original game rules. I was frustrated, and finally came up with the Challenge of Champions. This would pit her against major league pitcher, Ralph Branca. During his pro career, he was never a 20 game winner. I played that up in the press, but he was defeated after 17 wins on our show. Ruth won and retired from the show. The Challenge scored such high ratings for Concentration, that the NBC programming dept ordered ALL daytime shows to include it in their shows. The other producers were angry, I was even angrier -- it was MY idea. Since then, JEOPARDY!, the only show still on from that era, still has their annual championship series, which started with that NBC edict. We gave our champ a golden THINKER (by Rodin)statue, we called, "The Connie." JEOPARDY! copied that too -- theirs was called, "The GRIFFIN" for show originator, Merv Griffin. In case you don't know, a griffin is a mythical animal (part eagle, part lion). In the remaining years, no Concentration contestant ever got close to that 20 game limit.
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When did Concentration change from live to taped shows? And how many shows were taped in one day?
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When did Concentration change from live to taped shows? And how many shows were taped in one day?
I cannot be specific, but we started taping in the early 60's. We were one of the last to go on tape. The reason was a production problem. In order to get as much game-playing time as possible, I had the players continue until we had no time left -- and if the puzzle was not solved, I revealed the puzzle to the viewers and created a brand new puzzle with the same amount and position of boxes revealed for the following day's show. This took about 2 hours, which would be too long to keep the studio audience waiting, With this problem, we could not tape back to back. To alleviate that problem, I came up with an interesting idea that increased our ratings. Instead of stopping the game and revealing the puzzle, I rang the alarm, and told the viewers we would continue playing the game in the studio (even though we were off the air) and show the results at the beginning of tomorrow's show. It became a sort of cliff-hanger. This idea could be used for other shows -- who give us long, unentertaining host ad-libs or stretches when they don't have enough time for more games. Wheel does that on just about all of its shows. Just like all game shows we taped 5 a day.
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When did Concentration change from live to taped shows? And how many shows were taped in one day?
I cannot be specific, but we started taping in the early 60's. We were one of the last to go on tape. The reason was a production problem. In order to get as much game-playing time as possible, I had the players continue until we had no time left -- and if the puzzle was not solved, I revealed the puzzle to the viewers and created a brand new puzzle with the same amount and position of boxes revealed for the following day's show. This took about 2 hours, which would be too long to keep the studio audience waiting, With this problem, we could not tape back to back. To alleviate that problem, I came up with an interesting idea that increased our ratings. Instead of stopping the game and revealing the puzzle, I rang the alarm, and told the viewers we would continue playing the game in the studio (even though we were off the air) and show the results at the beginning of tomorrow's show. It became a sort of cliff-hanger. This idea could be used for other shows -- who give us long, unentertaining host ad-libs or stretches when they don't have enough time for more games. Wheel does that on just about all of its shows. Just like all game shows we taped 5 a day.
So in essence, Concentration went from being a self-contained episode to episodes that theoretically could "straddle" from time to time, if I am interpreting this correctly.
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When did Concentration change from live to taped shows? And how many shows were taped in one day?
I cannot be specific, but we started taping in the early 60's. We were one of the last to go on tape. The reason was a production problem. In order to get as much game-playing time as possible, I had the players continue until we had no time left -- and if the puzzle was not solved, I revealed the puzzle to the viewers and created a brand new puzzle with the same amount and position of boxes revealed for the following day's show. This took about 2 hours, which would be too long to keep the studio audience waiting, With this problem, we could not tape back to back. To alleviate that problem, I came up with an interesting idea that increased our ratings. Instead of stopping the game and revealing the puzzle, I rang the alarm, and told the viewers we would continue playing the game in the studio (even though we were off the air) and show the results at the beginning of tomorrow's show. It became a sort of cliff-hanger. This idea could be used for other shows -- who give us long, unentertaining host ad-libs or stretches when they don't have enough time for more games. Wheel does that on just about all of its shows. Just like all game shows we taped 5 a day.
So in essence, Concentration went from being a self-contained episode to episodes that theoretically could "straddle" from time to time, if I am interpreting this correctly.
As a sequential problem, that would be true, IF NBC retained all taped game shows. However, by keeping these shows for only 90 days, there was little danger of playing them out of order. True, if we were preempted, and the tape was played the next day, the host could say, "Have a nice weekend." on a Monday show. Think about it -- right now (the summer of 2011) a few nights (June 27,2011) ago, Pat and Vanna just took down the Xmas decorations from last year (a show originally aired in Dec, 20,2010. Of course, today's tapes are saved for multiple reruns.
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However, by keeping these shows for only 90 days, there was little danger of playing them out of order. True, if we were preempted, and the tape was played the next day, the host could say, "Have a nice weekend." on a Monday show.
When I was growing up, it seemed that most times when a show was pre-empted, it just never aired (especially on ABC and NBC). The host would talk about what happened "yesterday" and introduce the champion, when on the show before the pre-emption they weren't even there.
In the early '70s, CBS began just "holding" the tape until the next day, especially during the Watergate hearings. This is one reason why sometimes on celebrity game shows, you'd get a new group appearing on a Wednesday instead of a Monday.
For "Concentration", were there many unscheduled pre-emtions that you recall, and did NBC usually hold the tape until the next day, or just discard it to keep on schedule?
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They could have just done like ABC did with Dark Shadows and double-numbered pre-empted shows, so that an episode numbered 5 or 0 always landed on Friday...
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Not exactly a question, but it's about Concentration, so I'll post it here.
According to comedienne Sarah Silverman's book The Bedwetter, her mother Beth Ann Silverman was a contestant on the show in May of 1964. She won 6 games over 3 days and qualified for the "Challenge of Champions" in the fall. She does not mention how her mother ultimately fared, but she does recount an impressive list of prizes. (Perhaps Mr. Blumenthal remembers her and how she did in the CoC?)
The (brief) story can be found on pages 9-10 of her book. You can read it through the preview at amazon.com (http://"http://www.amazon.com/Bedwetter-Stories-Courage-Redemption-Pee/dp/0061856452/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1309370631&sr=8-1") , if you want. Click "Search inside this book, then search for the word "Concentration".
-M
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Not exactly a question, but it's about Concentration, so I'll post it here.
According to comedienne Sarah Silverman's book The Bedwetter, her mother Beth Ann Silverman was a contestant on the show in May of 1964. She won 6 games over 3 days and qualified for the "Challenge of Champions" in the fall. She does not mention how her mother ultimately fared, but she does recount an impressive list of prizes. (Perhaps Mr. Blumenthal remembers her and how she did in the CoC?)
The (brief) story can be found on pages 9-10 of her book. You can read it through the preview at amazon.com (http://"http://www.amazon.com/Bedwetter-Stories-Courage-Redemption-Pee/dp/0061856452/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1309370631&sr=8-1") , if you want. Click "Search inside this book, then search for the word "Concentration".
-M
Sorry, I don't recall Beth Ann Silverman -- that was a long time ago. She must have been very good at our game. Only the top 4 players a year got into the Challenge of Champions. Thanks for letting me know.
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Greetings once again Mr. B. A non-Concentration question if I may. Do you watch any game shows now, such as "Price is Right" or "Let's Make A Deal" during the day on CBS, or "Wheel of Fortune", "Jeopardy!" or "Family Feud" in syndication? I was just curious if you still watch others game shows and enjoy the genre. I miss when the major networks had many more game shows/quiz shows during the early hours. Seems since daytime game shows are so rare, and there seems to be more focus on court shows, news programs and "reality" TV that the nation as a whole has become a lot more depressed. I think back to the mid 1970s when shows like Concentration were on, along with "Split Second", "Match Game", "Pyramid" just to name a few, and times seemed happier. Maybe I'm being silly as I was just a child then but it seemed there was a better balance in the past. Game shows were a way to "accentuate the positive" while not necessarily "eliminating the negative" as game shows were countered in the early afternoons by daytime dramas. I realize a key demographic "housewives" has really dwindled down since the 1970s, which explains the erosion slowly of daytime major network game shows airing. Sorry I didn't mean to go off on such a long winded tangent. I was curious however if you still watch any of the current shows, or if you watch the few retro shows offered by GSN?
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Greetings once again Mr. B. A non-Concentration question if I may. Do you watch any game shows now, such as "Price is Right" or "Let's Make A Deal" during the day on CBS, or "Wheel of Fortune", "Jeopardy!" or "Family Feud" in syndication? I was just curious if you still watch others game shows and enjoy the genre. I miss when the major networks had many more game shows/quiz shows during the early hours. Seems since daytime game shows are so rare, and there seems to be more focus on court shows, news programs and "reality" TV that the nation as a whole has become a lot more depressed. I think back to the mid 1970s when shows like Concentration were on, along with "Split Second", "Match Game", "Pyramid" just to name a few, and times seemed happier. Maybe I'm being silly as I was just a child then but it seemed there was a better balance in the past. Game shows were a way to "accentuate the positive" while not necessarily "eliminating the negative" as game shows were countered in the early afternoons by daytime dramas. I realize a key demographic "housewives" has really dwindled down since the 1970s, which explains the erosion slowly of daytime major network game shows airing. Sorry I didn't mean to go off on such a long winded tangent. I was curious however if you still watch any of the current shows, or if you watch the few retro shows offered by GSN?
This is a different era -- the "game" has lost out to the payoff. I find that most of today's games are geared toward either "reality" or million dollar prizes. I'm not lured by the challenge of beating the on-air players, and certainly don't stand a chance of winning anything. To me, they are not entertaining enough to waste any time on -- the drama and excitement are missing. In the past, it was evident people at home, regardless of their looks or age, dreamed of the day they could compete on the shows they did so well at home with. Now -- look at the players on the reality games -- young, beautiful, shapely (even sexy)and very athletic. When I did my shows, we stressed the All-American types -- the guy or gal next door -- even the nerds. In that way EVERYONE was eligible and dreamed their impossible dream and millions fulfilled it. Today, I enjoy watching JEOPARDY! and WHEEL OF FORTUNE. I'm in the competition, and am eager to play along and beat their contestants. I couldn't care less what they won -- I just have fun. Of the new stuff, oddly enough (even though every player is gorgeous, young and athletic) I occasionally watch "WIN IT IN A MINUTE." I do admit to giving each new game a look-see. Most I will not give a second chance. Let's hope a few talented people can get us back on track.
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As always thank you for the quick, courteous and very complete response! It is frustrating to somebody like me and I'm certain many others on this board, who have genuinely good and workable ideas or concepts for game shows, but have no idea how to advance it to the next level. Furthermore, it seems most people "in charge" of networks now prefer the not so sublime to the almost completely ridiculous.
I too tried to watch "Minute To Win It". It was a glorified version of "Beat the Clock", and it didn't really do anything for me. Even shows like "Million Dollar Password" were too fast paced and frenetic to me, and veered off too much from the original premise and spirit of the game itself.
There are many talented people out there who have great ideas and concepts for ideas, but no connections or no way to get their proverbial foot in the door. It continues to amaze and astound me the lack of quality programming that is aired. I mean, somebody in charge has to "okay" these shows still, do they not?
Just yesterday I watched a 3 minute segment of "1 vs. 100". The question dealt with the inventor of the ballpoint pen. The solo player wasn't sure if the answer was "The Write Brothers". Clearly that was a very bad play on words, and I instantly knew to eliminate that answer. One person in the mob thought that was the correct answer however. This person is a school teacher. That just really frightened me as well as disheartened me.
There are talented people out there, sadly, the powers that be seem to be unable, unwilling and/or unavailable to ever listen to any ideas, and those who are in said position to provide new ideas, seem to be providing ideas that are very fleeting and unentertaining, or have the limiting belief that in order for it to succeed, it has to have a massive payoff dollar amount associated with it.
Thank you again Norm for gracing our board with your presence. Some of these people I began to communicate with indirectly via message boards like this back in 1995, and it's a real pleasure to still have a medium such as this one in which to share ideas and to gain valuable insights from experienced and talented individuals such as yourself.
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I also remember some occasions where a prize was, or included, some time in the "cash booth" (something similar to The Diamond Head Game's end game).
So many of you are coming up with your own answers, I'll sit back and rely on your memory. Some are correct and others involve the Narz version (not mine). For now -- I'll answer "the cash booth" -- we did use an annual plexigles booth and poured $100,000 in various denominations of US paper money all over the lucky contestant. Within a given time period, they had to shovel as many of those the through a 6" hole in the booth. The total of all the money was their prize to keep. It was called, "The Shower of Money." The booth, the armed guards and the money were supplied by the Sahara Hotel of Las Vegas. That is described in greater detail in my new book.
Going through some stuff, I found this picture (http://"http://userdata.acd.net/ottinger/ConShower.jpg") of the Shower of Money that I though you'd all find interesting. Ten points for the first person to identify the guy in the second picture who's actually pouring the money.
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Going through some stuff, I found this picture (http://"http://userdata.acd.net/ottinger/ConShower.jpg") of the Shower of Money that I though you'd all find interesting. Ten points for the first person to identify the guy in the second picture who's actually pouring the money.
According to Steve Ryan's Classic Concentration book, that's Wayne Howell, then the show's announcer, dumping the cash onto the contestant.
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According to Steve Ryan's Classic Concentration book, that's Wayne Howell, then the show's announcer, dumping the cash onto the contestant.
Well shoot, I didn't realize that picture had been published. I forgot that Steve had a lot of early Concentration pictures in his book.
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Sorry, I never did get to see Steve's book, or the picture you refer to. I don't understand the question. If you explain, I'll try to answer
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Mr. B., I wanted to call your attention to the following post, elsewhere in the forum. You'll find your very last show, almost in its entirety. (The solution to the first puzzle is missing, and I sure can't figger it out.)
http://gameshow.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=22126
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Couple of more questions:
1. Were the Cash Wheel & Shower of Money played after each game, or where they "prizes" on the board?
2. I know a Double Wild Card earned a car. What happened if that same player repeated that feat in the following (or subsequent) game(s)?
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Mr. B., I wanted to call your attention to the following post, elsewhere in the forum. You'll find your very last show, almost in its entirety. (The solution to the first puzzle is missing, and I sure can't figger it out.)
http://gameshow.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=22126
Wonder if any other member of the Game Show Forum can guess it -- with the few clues showing. Dunno if this will work -- but I'll give you all a little more time to solve it. After that I will send the answer.
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Couple of more questions:
1. Were the Cash Wheel & Shower of Money played after each game, or where they "prizes" on the board?
2. I know a Double Wild Card earned a car. What happened if that same player repeated that feat in the following (or subsequent) game(s)?
To add a bit of additional spice, I added 3 "special" (once a week) games each month. The first included the CASH WHEEL (once every 3 weeks); THE ENVELOPE (surprise prize that had the winner read aloud the copy for the big prize won -- it always sounded like a cheap prize, but wasn't. Example: "With the cost of gas today, you've won a full gallon (audience moaned) -- along with a brand new car!!!(audience screamed)" This is just an example, most were cuter and more clever. The last of these special games was the CONCENTRATION SALUTES ... (a foreign country). All of the prizes were related to a specific country -- a trip there, a car made there, crafts. food, etc. Contestants wore hats from that country and our model, Paola delivered them while clad in a native costume.
The SHOWER OF MONEY happened only once a year -- generally to help increase our ratings each new fall season.
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Mr. B., I wanted to call your attention to the following post, elsewhere in the forum. You'll find your very last show, almost in its entirety. (The solution to the first puzzle is missing, and I sure can't figger it out.)
http://gameshow.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=22126
Wonder if any other member of the Game Show Forum can guess it -- with the few clues showing. Dunno if this will work -- but I'll give you all a little more time to solve it. After that I will send the answer.
Is it "YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT"?
While here, I thought I'd ask you Norm, did the Challenge of Champions participants get to keep the blazers they wore?
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Mr. B., I wanted to call your attention to the following post, elsewhere in the forum. You'll find your very last show, almost in its entirety. (The solution to the first puzzle is missing, and I sure can't figger it out.)
http://gameshow.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=22126
Wonder if any other member of the Game Show Forum can guess it -- with the few clues showing. Dunno if this will work -- but I'll give you all a little more time to solve it. After that I will send the answer.
Is it "YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT"?
While here, I thought I'd ask you Norm, did the Challenge of Champions participants get to keep the blazers they wore?
Good solve!!! You are correct. Without seeing the face of the watch, it was difficult (but you got it). For anyone else who sees this and is still confused, it was: U R WATCH + SHOE + WHEAT (You are what you eat).
Yes, the players got to keep their blazers -- just like the golf champions and other big-time national competitions do. Unless, they donated them to the Smithsonian ---- only kidding, but -- who knows?
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I fondly remember the original Concentration. My reminiscence here is in the form of a letter of thanks. Mr. Blumenthal is, among others, indirectly responsible for an event that led me to my first television audition, ever.
My love of game shows is lifelong. in my childhood, I always thought that being a panelist on What's My Line was the best job anyone could have. In the spring of 1972, I wrote a letter to Don Durgin, then the President of NBC. I told of my affection for Concentration, Jeopardy and other games on the NBC schedule. I mentioned how adept I had become at these games after years of watching. I asked why didn't they make provisions for kids to compete. I mentioned I would have welcomed the opportunity to be on any one of those shows. I mailed the letter "return receipt requested"", a big deal for a thirteen year old and left it at that. I don't recall an expectation of anyone actually reading it. Well, someone did.
Fast forward to July when I am at sleep-away camp in Pennsylvania. An announcement came over the loud speaker for me to report to the camp director's office immediately. There was a flurry of activity surrounding this. One of my counselors had already begun to pack my things. Apparently, i was going home. I had no idea why. I got to the director's office to find my mother on the phone, in a frantic state. "You have an audition at NBC on Friday. Someone read your letter and they want to talk to you about this new kid's show. Your father is on his way to pick you up."
NBC was casting for a new Saturday morning show entitled, Talking With A Giant. I'll never forget the day of my audition. I had been in the halls of 30 Rock on many occasions as a member of the audience. But to be in that building, in those studios as someone who might be working there. It was a dream come true. I did one run-through of the show in a studio. I did not get the job, but I had one of the most moving experiences of my life.
A few years later, I found a mentor in the personage of Don Lipp, the producer of The Big Showdown and The Money Maze. He taught me so much about the game show business and I am forever grateful to him.
Eventually, I did get to work at NBC for nine years during the 1980's. I have many memories of my time at 30 Rock. The results of that letter in 1972 formed my first memories of the place.
So, dear Norm, thank you. If you had not done your job, I might not have had the opportunity to do mine.
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What a cool recollection, GSFan! Thanks for sharing.
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I fondly remember the original Concentration. My reminiscence here is in the form of a letter of thanks. Mr. Blumenthal is, among others, indirectly responsible for an event that led me to my first television audition, ever.
My love of game shows is lifelong. in my childhood, I always thought that being a panelist on What's My Line was the best job anyone could have. In the spring of 1972, I wrote a letter to Don Durgin, then the President of NBC. I told of my affection for Concentration, Jeopardy and other games on the NBC schedule. I mentioned how adept I had become at these games after years of watching. I asked why didn't they make provisions for kids to compete. I mentioned I would have welcomed the opportunity to be on any one of those shows. I mailed the letter "return receipt requested"", a big deal for a thirteen year old and left it at that. I don't recall an expectation of anyone actually reading it. Well, someone did.
Fast forward to July when I am at sleep-away camp in Pennsylvania. An announcement came over the loud speaker for me to report to the camp director's office immediately. There was a flurry of activity surrounding this. One of my counselors had already begun to pack my things. Apparently, i was going home. I had no idea why. I got to the director's office to find my mother on the phone, in a frantic state. "You have an audition at NBC on Friday. Someone read your letter and they want to talk to you about this new kid's show. Your father is on his way to pick you up."
NBC was casting for a new Saturday morning show entitled, Talking With A Giant. I'll never forget the day of my audition. I had been in the halls of 30 Rock on many occasions as a member of the audience. But to be in that building, in those studios as someone who might be working there. It was a dream come true. I did one run-through of the show in a studio. I did not get the job, but I had one of the most moving experiences of my life.
A few years later, I found a mentor in the personage of Don Lipp, the producer of The Big Showdown and The Money Maze. He taught me so much about the game show business and I am forever grateful to him.
Eventually, I did get to work at NBC for nine years during the 1980's. I have many memories of my time at 30 Rock. The results of that letter in 1972 formed my first memories of the place.
So, dear Norm, thank you. If you had not done your job, I might not have had the opportunity to do mine.
According to Emily Post's book on etiquette, one should not respond to a thank you with another thank you. But I know of no other way to express my emotions for your wonderful note. While producing CONCENTRATION, I often wondered what I was contributing to mankind. As the years went by, letters like yours made it all a lot more than worthwhile. Most of us never take the time to search out and pen the proper words to express our gratitude to those who played a role, no matter how small, in our lives. To you and the many others that did, I feel thewords, "You're welcome," although very true, is not enough. "THANK YOU!" is far more meaningful and sincere.
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Sorry for repeating a question sir, but I was wondering what happened if someone called a Double Wild Card twice in the same show?
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Sorry for repeating a question sir, but I was wondering what happened if someone called a Double Wild Card twice in the same show?
We always knew that was a possibility that existed on every show. But, in over 7,000 games, several players hit the double wild and won the cars, but no player ever accomplished that in two successive games. In the most extreme IMprobability, that would have netted the player a total of six new cars. First, for matching the two wild cards, second for matching the first wild with the first "car" card, and matching the second "car" card -- that's a total of 3 cars in one game. If that exact sequence happened in the following game, the player would have won 3 more, or a total of 6 new cars. That wasn't the only budget-buster that existed in our rules. There were several others (very expensive prizes), always containing that pair of wild cards. Fortunately, they were never hit, and the show never went bankrupt. By the way, because of the no game limit per contestant, it was possible for a player who won many games to hit the 6 car possibility in every game.
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By the way, because of the no game limit per contestant, it was possible for a player who won many games to hit the 6 car possibility in every game.
Correct me if I'm wrong, sir, but I had thought for years that the limit was 20 games (it's been stated many times that Ruth Horowitz retired undefeated, and I've read that Terri Lee Coffin managed to do the same just before the show's cancellation).
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Sorry for repeating a question sir, but I was wondering what happened if someone called a Double Wild Card twice in the same show?
We always knew that was a possibility that existed on every show. But, in over 7,000 games, several players hit the double wild and won the cars, but no player ever accomplished that in two successive games. In the most extreme IMprobability, that would have netted the player a total of six new cars. First, for matching the two wild cards, second for matching the first wild with the first "car" card, and matching the second "car" card -- that's a total of 3 cars in one game. If that exact sequence happened in the following game, the player would have won 3 more, or a total of 6 new cars. That wasn't the only budget-buster that existed in our rules. There were several others (very expensive prizes), always containing that pair of wild cards. Fortunately, they were never hit, and the show never went bankrupt. By the way, because of the no game limit per contestant, it was possible for a player who won many games to hit the 6 car possibility in every game.
Fair Enough. And if it was the same person who called the Double Wild Card twice in one show?
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Sorry for repeating a question sir, but I was wondering what happened if someone called a Double Wild Card twice in the same show?
We always knew that was a possibility that existed on every show. But, in over 7,000 games, several players hit the double wild and won the cars, but no player ever accomplished that in two successive games. In the most extreme IMprobability, that would have netted the player a total of six new cars. First, for matching the two wild cards, second for matching the first wild with the first "car" card, and matching the second "car" card -- that's a total of 3 cars in one game. If that exact sequence happened in the following game, the player would have won 3 more, or a total of 6 new cars. That wasn't the only budget-buster that existed in our rules. There were several others (very expensive prizes), always containing that pair of wild cards. Fortunately, they were never hit, and the show never went bankrupt. By the way, because of the no game limit per contestant, it was possible for a player who won many games to hit the 6 car possibility in every game.
Fair Enough. And if it was the same person who called the Double Wild Card twice in one show?
Not sure of your question. This might be what you mean ----- regardless of who called the double wild card, the ultimate winner or loser of that particular KEPT the car that was earned by calling the double wild match. However, if that lucky person lost the game, they received no other prizes, including the remote chance of winning an additional one or two extra cars in that game. All they got (and were happy about it) was the double wild new car.
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Not sure of your question.
He's asking how many cars would somebody win if they managed to call double Wild twice in an episode. Which it sounds like the answer would be "two."
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Okay, here's what I mean: According to the "always reliable" Wikipedia, if a person called the double wild for a car, then did it again in the same show, the second time was worth $500. Since Wiki tends to be somewhat false, I figured I'd find out straight from the producer's mouth.
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Okay, here's what I mean: According to the "always reliable" Wikipedia, if a person called the double wild for a car, then did it again in the same show, the second time was worth $500. Since Wiki tends to be somewhat false, I figured I'd find out straight from the producer's mouth.
Yes. Wiki is wong -- oops, wrong. Whoever fed them that info was confused or only watched our first few years. In those first few years of Concentration, we DID award $500 for matching two wild cards in the same contestant turn. As the years went by, we changed it from $500 to a new car. Even though we knew we were taking a chance on getting hit for two cars, or as I said, as many as 6 in some games already containing a car as one of the regaular prizes. It never did happen. No one ever matched two wild cards in two successive games on one day.
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Just rewatched the last episode, and more questions come to mind:
1. One of the prize in the final game was a "Birthday Present". Was that another way of saying $1,400 cash?
2. We hear what I assume were your dulcet tones declaring that the money would be split. Was that a backup plan in case the time ran out?
3. This is apropos of nothing, but to the best of your memory, do you recall anyone hitting the top prize on the cash wheel?
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Just rewatched the last episode, and more questions come to mind:
1. One of the prize in the final game was a "Birthday Present". Was that another way of saying $1,400 cash?
Bob confirms that yes, it was $1,400.
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Just rewatched the last episode, and more questions come to mind:
1. One of the prize in the final game was a "Birthday Present". Was that another way of saying $1,400 cash?
2. We hear what I assume were your dulcet tones declaring that the money would be split. Was that a backup plan in case the time ran out?
3. This is apropos of nothing, but to the best of your memory, do you recall anyone hitting the top prize on the cash wheel?
As so often was the case, I had to make decisions on the spot for unusual situations. When the control room clock showed me we were running out of time, and this being the last show, I had to leave no loose ends. I decided to split the earnings between those last two players. By announcing it myself, rather than have the host, Bob Clayton do it, would be far more dramatic. Over the years, I use that gimmick to impress the audience. Got a lot of favorable mail about it. Sort reminded people of some heavenly authority announcing a blessing to the contestants. Some people never believed it was me -- but someone far more holy or sacred.
As I recall the top money on our wheel was hit a few times, not more than 3 0r 4.
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Hi Mr. Blumenthal,
I knew someone who was on Concentration back in 1970-71 during "Teen Week" (and of course I'd do anything to see this episode).
Tell us -- how did the episodes of Teen Week differ from normal episodes? Was it only done once, or was it an annual event for the show? Any particular highlights that you remember?
Would love to know!
M
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Hi Mr. Blumenthal,
I knew someone who was on Concentration back in 1970-71 during "Teen Week" (and of course I'd do anything to see this episode).
Tell us -- how did the episodes of Teen Week differ from normal episodes? Was it only done once, or was it an annual event for the show? Any particular highlights that you remember?
Would love to know!
M
We did a couple of children's weeks annually. Unlike shows like Jeopardy!, this was not an elimination contest to crown the ultimate champion. Just like the adults, kids played and winners continued until defeated. Consolation prizes were generous. The puzzles we used on these special weeks were selected on the basis of the yougsters' ages. Same with the prizes. Being too young to drive, car prizes were substituted by Disneyland trips. Jewelry and fur coats were changed to school scholarships, computers, sporting goods and of course cold, hard cash. We also had a Boy Scout Show and a Girl Scout show on the anniversary of these organizations each year. Scouts and their leaders played the games.
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Mr. B.
I remember the thrill of watching Concentration tape back in New York... I believe you were in studio 8G. Is that where you spent most of the years?
Secondly, I recall being fascinated by the control panel for the board. As I remember there were 30 rotary switches laid-out to match the 30 trilons, and several other switches and levers. While it was far from your focus of attention, I think some of the fans of the show would appreciate any recollections you have about how the board was operated.
Thanks!
Randy
tvrandywest.com
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Mr. B.
I remember the thrill of watching Concentration tape back in New York... I believe you were in studio 8G. Is that where you spent most of the years?
Secondly, I recall being fascinated by the control panel for the board. As I remember there were 30 rotary switches laid-out to match the 30 trilons, and several other switches and levers. While it was far from your focus of attention, I think some of the fans of the show would appreciate any recollections you have about how the board was operated.
Thanks!
Randy
tvrandywest.com
I think you are right -- we spent most of our years in 8G. Our neighbor in studio 8H was "SALE OF THE CENTURY." Host, Joe Garagiola and I became great friends during that period. Everyone liked this guy, he is a fantastically great story teller. Mostly about baseball and his lifelong friend, Yogi Berra. Way back, when we premiered we were in 3A -- just down the corridor from "THE HOWDY DOODY SHOW," and across the corridor from 3B which was the home of the soap operas. Interesting bit of trivia -- just outside our studio was a gathering place for unempoyed actors waiting for work on one of the soaps. On the wall, NBC graciously hung a battery of free phones for these hoprfuls. Later, we moved upstairs to studio 6A and then across the corridor to 6B (Johnny Carson's studio). We also moved into studio 8H, where Arturo Toscanini led his symphony orchestra and SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE now lives. Our nighttime stint (for 2 successive summers) was in a huge studio on 67th St. and Columbus Ave. NYC. NBC later sold it to ABC.
The game board control box contained 30 toggle switches -- each capable of right (box on game board turns clockwise to show a prize)and a left (counter-clockwise, to show a part of the rebus, if a match was made). If no match, the right was switched back to upright. Additionally, there was a swich to turn all 30 boxes at the same time, counter-clockwise, to reveal the entire puzzle after it was solved. Another switch simultaneously spun all 30 boxes back to their original numbers position. Every old fan of Concentration will never forget the clunkety-clunk that accompanied each spin of those 30 boxes. Or, the naughty squares that decided to spin around on their own. That's why we had to say those memorable words to the two players, "You both saw that, didn't you?"
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I think you are right -- we spent most of our years in 8G. Our neighbor in studio 8H was "SALE OF THE CENTURY." Host, Joe Garagiola and I became great friends during that period. Everyone liked this guy, he is a fantastically great story teller. Mostly about baseball and his lifelong friend, Yogi Berra. Way back, when we premiered we were in 3A -- just down the corridor from "THE HOWDY DOODY SHOW," and across the corridor from 3B which was the home of the soap operas. Interesting bit of trivia -- just outside our studio was a gathering place for unempoyed actors waiting for work on one of the soaps. On the wall, NBC graciously hung a battery of free phones for these hoprfuls. Later, we moved upstairs to studio 6A and then across the corridor to 6B (Johnny Carson's studio). We also moved into studio 8H, where Arturo Toscanini led his symphony orchestra and SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE now lives. Our nighttime stint (for 2 successive summers) was in a huge studio on 67th St. and Columbus Ave. NYC. NBC later sold it to ABC.
The game board control box contained 30 toggle switches -- each capable of right (box on game board turns clockwise to show a prize)and a left (counter-clockwise, to show a part of the rebus, if a match was made). If no match, the right was switched back to upright. Additionally, there was a swich to turn all 30 boxes at the same time, counter-clockwise, to reveal the entire puzzle after it was solved. Another switch simultaneously spun all 30 boxes back to their original numbers position. Every old fan of Concentration will never forget the clunkety-clunk that accompanied each spin of those 30 boxes. Or, the naughty squares that decided to spin around on their own. That's why we had to say those memorable words to the two players, "You both saw that, didn't you?"
Thanks for validating my memories of the control box. That's much as I remembered seeing it as a kid so many years ago, mesmerized by its magic. And yes, the clunkety-clunk was loud, but I think it added something. When Goodson went to the electronic board in subsequent productions, I actually missed the sound - but I'm sure nobody missed the stray, exhibitionist naughty square that insisted on revealing itself.
Thanks also for the recollections of Joe and 30 Rock. Over the years you worked in almost every studio. As you mentioned "Sale of the Century," I wonder if you became friendly with the wonderful Al Howard? I worked with Al on "Supermarket Sweep," and just saw him a few months ago at Ronnie Greenberg's 80th birthday. In addition to his career in advertising on Madison Avenue, Al was a Julliard-trained musician who had the unique distinction of both performing and producing at different times in studio 8H.
Perhaps you have a story or two about Gene Rayburn or the other hosts and producers who were active in those years. I appreciate any other recollections of Concentration and NBC. It was a wonderful time and place! Thanks again for sharing your experiences with this devoted fan base.
Randy
tvrandywest.com
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Actually sir, I was curious about Ed McMahon's brief tenure. Do you have any stories about that?
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I think you are right -- we spent most of our years in 8G. Our neighbor in studio 8H was "SALE OF THE CENTURY." Host, Joe Garagiola and I became great friends during that period. Everyone liked this guy, he is a fantastically great story teller. Mostly about baseball and his lifelong friend, Yogi Berra. Way back, when we premiered we were in 3A -- just down the corridor from "THE HOWDY DOODY SHOW," and across the corridor from 3B which was the home of the soap operas. Interesting bit of trivia -- just outside our studio was a gathering place for unempoyed actors waiting for work on one of the soaps. On the wall, NBC graciously hung a battery of free phones for these hoprfuls. Later, we moved upstairs to studio 6A and then across the corridor to 6B (Johnny Carson's studio). We also moved into studio 8H, where Arturo Toscanini led his symphony orchestra and SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE now lives. Our nighttime stint (for 2 successive summers) was in a huge studio on 67th St. and Columbus Ave. NYC. NBC later sold it to ABC.
The game board control box contained 30 toggle switches -- each capable of right (box on game board turns clockwise to show a prize)and a left (counter-clockwise, to show a part of the rebus, if a match was made). If no match, the right was switched back to upright. Additionally, there was a swich to turn all 30 boxes at the same time, counter-clockwise, to reveal the entire puzzle after it was solved. Another switch simultaneously spun all 30 boxes back to their original numbers position. Every old fan of Concentration will never forget the clunkety-clunk that accompanied each spin of those 30 boxes. Or, the naughty squares that decided to spin around on their own. That's why we had to say those memorable words to the two players, "You both saw that, didn't you?"
Thanks for validating my memories of the control box. That's much as I remembered seeing it as a kid so many years ago, mesmerized by its magic. And yes, the clunkety-clunk was loud, but I think it added something. When Goodson went to the electronic board in subsequent productions, I actually missed the sound - but I'm sure nobody missed the stray, exhibitionist naughty square that insisted on revealing itself.
Thanks also for the recollections of Joe and 30 Rock. Over the years you worked in almost every studio. As you mentioned "Sale of the Century," I wonder if you became friendly with the wonderful Al Howard? I worked with Al on "Supermarket Sweep," and just saw him a few months ago at Ronnie Greenberg's 80th birthday. In addition to his career in advertising on Madison Avenue, Al was a Julliard-trained musician who had the unique distinction of both performing and producing at different times in studio 8H.
Perhaps you have a story or two about Gene Rayburn or the other hosts and producers who were active in those years. I appreciate any other recollections of Concentration and NBC. It was a wonderful time and place! Thanks again for sharing your experiences with this devoted fan base.
Randy
tvrandywest.com
I don't recall crossing paths with Al Howard. With regard to Ronnie Greenberg's party -- I had to turn down his invitation -- it's a long way across the country. Ronnie asked me to send a beforeand after picture of myself and a rebus puzzle for showing at the party. I sent the stuff to him, and never heard how and if they were used. If you were there, perhaps you can give a mini description of the shindig,
Gene and I worked on DOUGH RE MI together -- it was one of my first shows. By the way, that's when I met Ronnie, he graduated from NBC page to PA on that show. I had enjoyed Gene on radio (RAYBURN & FINCH) and was too young to establish anything other than a working relationship. When I produced AMERICAN MOVIE CLASSICS, the owner, Rainbow Productions asked me to use my game show experience to act as consultant. Gene was the host in the pilot and it featured the old panel of Kitty Carlisle, etc. As rough as it was for me, I had to be honest, too many years had gone by, and newer blood was needed. Wasn't that good a game show anyway, just a tired update (and not a good one) of the old movie ID panel shows.
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Actually sir, I was curious about Ed McMahon's brief tenure. Do you have any stories about that?
Please forgive me, I've answered that one several times for this forum. Please look it up, or better still, you'll find it in my book, WHEN GAME SHOWS RULED DAYTIME TV. Any other questions I'd be happy to try to answer.
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When I produced AMERICAN MOVIE CLASSICS, the owner, Rainbow Productions asked me to use my game show experience to act as consultant. Gene [Rayburn] was the host in the pilot and it featured the old panel of Kitty Carlisle, etc. As rough as it was for me, I had to be honest, too many years had gone by, and newer blood was needed. Wasn't that good a game show anyway, just a tired update (and not a good one) of the old movie ID panel shows.
Ah, yes, The Movie Masters. I don't know if you've seen it, Mr. Blumenthal, but here's an opening which was posted to YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR4Ww_Lz78A
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When I produced AMERICAN MOVIE CLASSICS, the owner, Rainbow Productions asked me to use my game show experience to act as consultant. Gene [Rayburn] was the host in the pilot and it featured the old panel of Kitty Carlisle, etc. As rough as it was for me, I had to be honest, too many years had gone by, and newer blood was needed. Wasn't that good a game show anyway, just a tired update (and not a good one) of the old movie ID panel shows.
Ah, yes, The Movie Masters. I don't know if you've seen it, Mr. Blumenthal, but here's an opening which was posted to YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR4Ww_Lz78A
Thank you for sending the clip. Indeed. as consultant, I had to view it several times, as well as watch it being taped. Unfortunately, it wasn't air-worthy.
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That clip was hard to watch.
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That clip was hard to watch.
Well, you can't say Norm didn't warn you!
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My thanks to Norm for being available to answer questions from this forum, particularly about the original Concentration, which I grew up watching--at least when I had time off from school. I thought I'd ask a few questions of my own regarding that show:
1. Prior to Lynwood King, one of Concentration's directors was Ted Nathanson, who, if I'm right, went on to an award-winning career directing AFL/NFL games, and a number of Super Bowls, for NBC Sports. Joe Garagiola once wrote that game shows are sort of like sporting events. Norm, what did you think of Ted's work on Concentration and how it prepared him for his football work?
2. Though the 1961 primetime Concentration came prior to my birth, I thought I'd ask if it had a full orchestra instead of an organist and percussionist; and whether Art James, Jim Lucas, Bill McCord, or someone else, was the announcer?
3. When Bob Clayton would plug the Chevrolet that was available for a "double wild card" in the show's later years, organist Milton Kaye would play that classic jingle "See the USA in Your Chevrolet", which has been sung by everyone from Dinah Shore in the '50s to the cast of the TV show "Glee" earlier this year. But did the Chevy people consult with you regarding whether that jingle got played, or did Milton spontaneously come up with it?
4. On a side-note regarding Bob Clayton, a couple of times on TV, I saw that 1960 Jerry Lewis movie The Bellboy, which also featured Bob, well before he joined Concentration, playing the exasperated bell captain. I was wondering if you ever saw that movie.
Great job, Norm, and I look forward to your answers.
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My thanks to Norm for being available to answer questions from this forum, particularly about the original Concentration, which I grew up watching--at least when I had time off from school. I thought I'd ask a few questions of my own regarding that show:
1. Prior to Lynwood King, one of Concentration's directors was Ted Nathanson, who, if I'm right, went on to an award-winning career directing AFL/NFL games, and a number of Super Bowls, for NBC Sports. Joe Garagiola once wrote that game shows are sort of like sporting events. Norm, what did you think of Ted's work on Concentration and how it prepared him for his football work?
2. Though the 1961 primetime Concentration came prior to my birth, I thought I'd ask if it had a full orchestra instead of an organist and percussionist; and whether Art James, Jim Lucas, Bill McCord, or someone else, was the announcer?
3. When Bob Clayton would plug the Chevrolet that was available for a "double wild card" in the show's later years, organist Milton Kaye would play that classic jingle "See the USA in Your Chevrolet", which has been sung by everyone from Dinah Shore in the '50s to the cast of the TV show "Glee" earlier this year. But did the Chevy people consult with you regarding whether that jingle got played, or did Milton spontaneously come up with it?
4. On a side-note regarding Bob Clayton, a couple of times on TV, I saw that 1960 Jerry Lewis movie The Bellboy, which also featured Bob, well before he joined Concentration, playing the exasperated bell captain. I was wondering if you ever saw that movie.
Great job, Norm, and I look forward to your answers.
Answers: 1. Ted Nathanson's departure from Concentration was a great one for him, and a sad one for me. We discussed the move, and Ted was sincerely sorry about leaving the show. I couldn't stand in his way, and knew it was quite a step forward. Ted was a great director, and a wonderful man to work with (even though his kookie practical jokes drove us nuts).
2. When we went nighttime, we had to add ritzy elements to the daytime format -- after all the sponsors had to pay much more for the prime time version. So, we spruced up the set, gave more expensive prizes, hired more models (but our mainstay, Paola Diva was still number one), and hired a full orchestra -- but the show was basically the same -- except for Hugh Downs' tuxedo (and Jack Barry's in the first summer series). Art James was first night series announcer, Jim Lucas was the second series announcer.
3. As you probably know, all shows, games especially, have segments of the show "sponsored" by a product. Best of today's examples, is WHEEL OF FORTUNE. Just about every part of the show mentions the generous sponsor, like Masxwell House Coffee for the jackpot wheel spin, etc., etc. etc. With regard to your query about Chevrolet's theme song -- they asked if we could play it every time we plugged their car and they paid accordingly.
4. Yes, I saw the Jerry Lewis/Bob Clayton film. Interesting trivia -- when Jerry once substituted for Johnny Carson
in studio 6B, across from where we were taping, I went in to see him. Because of Bob's one film career, I wanted to play a joke on Bob. I asked Jerry (with back to audience) to pretend he was an autograph seeker trying to get Bob's signature. When he would turn around, I would cue the Applause button. Jerry refused. I thought it was such a cute idea. I had to admit the gag to Bob and asked him to try to get Jerry to do it. Jerry finally agreed, and said, "For him, I'll do it, but not for you." (ME!). That hurt, even though I told him that his ex-wife was a big fan of our show -- I had several letters from her telling us she never missed the show. He couldn't have cared less.
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when Jerry once substituted for Johnny Carson in studio 6B, across from where we were taping, I went in to see him. Because of Bob's one film career, I wanted to play a joke on Bob ... I had to admit the gag to Bob and asked him to try to get Jerry to do it. Jerry finally agreed, and said, "For him, I'll do it, but not for you." (ME!). That hurt, even though I told him that his ex-wife was a big fan of [Concentration] -- I had several letters from her telling us she never missed the show. He couldn't have cared less.
Considering the woman was Jerry's ex-wife, I can kind of see his viewpoint.
Ted [Nathanson] was a great director, and a wonderful man to work with (even though his kookie practical jokes drove us nuts).
Do you, perchance, recall any of these pranks? Hopefully it wasn't the caliber of Hugh Downs giving out your phone number on-air.
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when Jerry once substituted for Johnny Carson in studio 6B, across from where we were taping, I went in to see him. Because of Bob's one film career, I wanted to play a joke on Bob ... I had to admit the gag to Bob and asked him to try to get Jerry to do it. Jerry finally agreed, and said, "For him, I'll do it, but not for you." (ME!). That hurt, even though I told him that his ex-wife was a big fan of [Concentration] -- I had several letters from her telling us she never missed the show. He couldn't have cared less.
Considering the woman was Jerry's ex-wife, I can kind of see his viewpoint.
I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that she and Jerry were still married at the time.
I just did a quick read of Jerry's bio...turns out they didn't divorce until well after Concentration went off the air.
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when Jerry once substituted for Johnny Carson in studio 6B, across from where we were taping, I went in to see him. Because of Bob's one film career, I wanted to play a joke on Bob ... I had to admit the gag to Bob and asked him to try to get Jerry to do it. Jerry finally agreed, and said, "For him, I'll do it, but not for you." (ME!). That hurt, even though I told him that his ex-wife was a big fan of [Concentration] -- I had several letters from her telling us she never missed the show. He couldn't have cared less.
Considering the woman was Jerry's ex-wife, I can kind of see his viewpoint.
Ted [Nathanson] was a great director, and a wonderful man to work with (even though his kookie practical jokes drove us nuts).
Do you, perchance, recall any of these pranks? Hopefully it wasn't the caliber of Hugh Downs giving out your phone number on-air.
Not really, except for his shooting around the cameras, on a dolly, almost running over anyone who didn't run out of the madman's way. Actually he was before his time -- skateboards ere stillyears away. I do remember one of his funny routines to amuse the crew, when he decided to toss pennies in the air while trying to make "baskets" in my Associate Producer, Jeanne O'Meara's v-neck blouse. Everyone thought it was funny, except Jeannr. She whacked him pretty hard across the face. He never did that again. No, he wasn't even a close second to Hugh, who was more inventive and brilliant and demonic.
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when Jerry once substituted for Johnny Carson in studio 6B, across from where we were taping, I went in to see him. Because of Bob's one film career, I wanted to play a joke on Bob ... I had to admit the gag to Bob and asked him to try to get Jerry to do it. Jerry finally agreed, and said, "For him, I'll do it, but not for you." (ME!). That hurt, even though I told him that his ex-wife was a big fan of [Concentration] -- I had several letters from her telling us she never missed the show. He couldn't have cared less.
Considering the woman was Jerry's ex-wife, I can kind of see his viewpoint.
I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that she and Jerry were still married at the time.
I just did a quick read of Jerry's bio...turns out they didn't divorce until well after Concentration went off the air.
Right you are. Jerry's wife, Patty, was still his better half at that time.
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Norm, before the quiz scandal and before they sold the show to NBC, how much did Mr. Barry and Mr. Enright make their presence felt on Concentration? We know that Jack emceed the show early on and Dan had decided that Concentration would not be rigged. Anything you care to add?
And thank you for being so generous with us in sharing your experience on Concentration.
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Norm, before the quiz scandal and before they sold the show to NBC, how much did Mr. Barry and Mr. Enright make their presence felt on Concentration? We know that Jack emceed the show early on and Dan had decided that Concentration would not be rigged. Anything you care to add?
And thank you for being so generous with us in sharing your experience on Concentration.
Jack and Dan were 100% involved in the development and the first month of Concentration. Check the dates: Concentration premiered August 25, 1958 and their other property, Twenty-One, left the air (because of the quiz show scandal) October 16,1958. A few weeks earlier, my bosses, Barry & Enright Productions were forced out of business and NBC took over. From then on, along with my entire staff, I became an NBC employee.
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Hi, Mr. Blumenthal! A late arrival here, but no questions that haven't already been answered. Just a note that I was about to turn 2 when Concentration first premiered and first became aware of it around age 4. I was a devotee in those salad days, and it was an early learning tool for me. I still recall it fondly, I watch the few videos I have of the show thinking back to when I'd tune in regularly (when I wasn't at school) and always loved your use of the clues in the puzzles. Personal favorite: "You Have A Right To Your Opinion" (U / half / a / rye + 't / 2 / Europe + onion). Classic.
Many thanks for giving us this classic show.
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Hi, Mr. Blumenthal! A late arrival here, but no questions that haven't already been answered. Just a note that I was about to turn 2 when Concentration first premiered and first became aware of it around age 4. I was a devotee in those salad days, and it was an early learning tool for me. I still recall it fondly, I watch the few videos I have of the show thinking back to when I'd tune in regularly (when I wasn't at school) and always loved your use of the clues in the puzzles. Personal favorite: "You Have A Right To Your Opinion" (U / half / a / rye + 't / 2 / Europe + onion). Classic.
Many thanks for giving us this classic show.
Thanks for the kind words. I always had fun twisting the English language and turning it into kookie langugage of my own. I got a lot of satisfaction out of coming up with liberties such as the one you mentioned. How far could (and did) I go? First of all, every puzzle I made up, had to be solved by my associate producer, before they were used on the air. If my staff couldn't decypher them, they were junked. My watchword was always, "The clues I created, worked as long as people could eventually figure them out and mentally slap my wrist (in humor), as opposed to wanting to hit me in the mouth (in anger) for not playing fair." Thanks again.
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Here's another question for you, Norm. Who came up with the name of the show?
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Here's another question for you, Norm. Who came up with the name of the show?
The show concept of concentrating on the position of prizes (or making a match) was an adaptation of an old children's card game, called, "Concentration." In that game all 52 cards are laid out face down, and pairs (or matches) are earned by the players. I hated the name, because of the association with the horrors of the WW 2 concentration camps. Regardless, I was overruled. By the way, we never received even one objection to that name, from our home audience.
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Hi Norm,
What demographics/characteristics were you (or your staff) looking for in a person who wanted to be a contestant on Concentration? Did the "stereotypical" contestant on Concentration change much between the late 50s and the early 70s? I want to say that out of the handful of shows I have seen on tape and on the internet, it seems that you were going for the mellower, over-30 crowd who is pretty much what most of today's game shows DON"T want on their shows.
And on average, do you recall how many people per week would call or send in a post card wanting to become a contestant, and how did your number of requests compare to some of the other NBC game shows at the time (like Jeopardy, or The Match Game, for example)?
Thanks again, Norm. Again, it's an honor and a privilege to have you take time to share your stories and answers on the forum. I wish we had others who would do even half as much as you have done, but sadly many of them have gone onto the great bonus game in the sky, so to speak.
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Hi Norm,
What demographics/characteristics were you (or your staff) looking for in a person who wanted to be a contestant on Concentration? Did the "stereotypical" contestant on Concentration change much between the late 50s and the early 70s? I want to say that out of the handful of shows I have seen on tape and on the internet, it seems that you were going for the mellower, over-30 crowd who is pretty much what most of today's game shows DON"T want on their shows.
And on average, do you recall how many people per week would call or send in a post card wanting to become a contestant, and how did your number of requests compare to some of the other NBC game shows at the time (like Jeopardy, or The Match Game, for example)?
Thanks again, Norm. Again, it's an honor and a privilege to have you take time to share your stories and answers on the forum. I wish we had others who would do even half as much as you have done, but sadly many of them have gone onto the great bonus game in the sky, so to speak.
Contrary to the fact that sponsors prefered the buying public of younger people, we strove for a cross-section of all age groups. Of course, statistics have since debated the theory that only young people buy soap, soda and automobiles. However, just for the fun of it -- look at today's commls for Jeopardy! and Wheel -- all those medical products are not for the under 30 crowd. The daytime audience we played to, were predominantly housewives and retired, or unfortunately home-bound seniors. The success of soap operas is further proof that there were a lot of housewives watching. History has proven that millions of younger people (like those who grew up to be members of your Game Show Forum)and students and people with night jobs, etc. were daily viewers. To insure the variables in the contestant area, older people stood a better chance of being selected as did men. We got very far fewer applicants in those categories. Basically, most game shows used the same criteria. The viewer requests to become contestants is hard to estimate -- but, the number of applicants who took the tests and interviews was about 1 accept out of about 30 or more rejects.
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Hi Norm,
What demographics/characteristics were you (or your staff) looking for in a person who wanted to be a contestant on Concentration? Did the "stereotypical" contestant on Concentration change much between the late 50s and the early 70s? I want to say that out of the handful of shows I have seen on tape and on the internet, it seems that you were going for the mellower, over-30 crowd who is pretty much what most of today's game shows DON"T want on their shows.
And on average, do you recall how many people per week would call or send in a post card wanting to become a contestant, and how did your number of requests compare to some of the other NBC game shows at the time (like Jeopardy, or The Match Game, for example)?
Thanks again, Norm. Again, it's an honor and a privilege to have you take time to share your stories and answers on the forum. I wish we had others who would do even half as much as you have done, but sadly many of them have gone onto the great bonus game in the sky, so to speak.
Contrary to the fact that sponsors prefered the buying public of younger people, we strove for a cross-section of all age groups. Of course, statistics have since debated the theory that only young people buy soap, soda and automobiles. However, just for the fun of it -- look at today's commls for Jeopardy! and Wheel -- all those medical products are not for the under 30 crowd. The daytime audience we played to, were predominantly housewives and retired, or unfortunately home-bound seniors. The success of soap operas is further proof that there were a lot of housewives watching. History has proven that millions of younger people (like those who grew up to be members of your Game Show Forum)and students and people with night jobs, etc. were daily viewers. To insure the variables in the contestant area, older people stood a better chance of being selected as did men. We got very far fewer applicants in those categories. Basically, most game shows used the same criteria. The viewer requests to become contestants is hard to estimate -- but, the number of applicants who took the tests and interviews was about 1 accept out of about 30 or more rejects.
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Of course, statistics have since debated the theory that only young people buy soap, soda and automobiles. However, just for the fun of it -- look at today's commls for Jeopardy! and Wheel -- all those medical products are not for the under 30 crowd.
The theory isn't that older people don't buy the products ... but that as we age, we're far less likely to change our loyalty to our long-established favorite brands, at the mere suggestion of advertising.
I'm in my mid-50s. I use a certain soap and only one brand of toothpaste. I already know which shirts and pants and cars I like. I'm not going to change, unless they stop making what I use. It probably won't be too much longer, though, before I'll have to start paying more attention to spots aimed at "men of a certain age".
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Were there any puzzles where you thought of the sound-alike and then came up with a phrase that incorporated it?
"'Tear a ...' Say, 'pteradactyl' starts with those sounds ..."
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Of course, statistics have since debated the theory that only young people buy soap, soda and automobiles. However, just for the fun of it -- look at today's commls for Jeopardy! and Wheel -- all those medical products are not for the under 30 crowd.
The theory isn't that older people don't buy the products ... but that as we age, we're far less likely to change our loyalty to our long-established favorite brands, at the mere suggestion of advertising.
I'm in my mid-50s. I use a certain soap and only one brand of toothpaste. I already know which shirts and pants and cars I like. I'm not going to change, unless they stop making what I use. It probably won't be too much longer, though, before I'll have to start paying more attention to spots aimed at "men of a certain age".
What you say is only partially true. The psychology of advertising goes way back and is categorized by too many factors to discuss here. Cigarette advertising (now banned) showed movie celebrities and other teenage "idols" as well as sports figures, doctors, etc. Beer and soft drink sponsors show bathing beautys, macho guys and others having a wild time. The gimmick was and still is, get the young uns to smoke their brand, drink their beer, drive their car, etc., etc. etc. and you too will be a member of the beautiful "in" crowd. As you said, you've already picked your favorite brands and are sharp enough to ignore the pitchmen with their magic potion that will turn any nerd into a god or goddess. Advertisers know that, and will not waste their ad budget with fifty year olds. So, they go by demographics. As I said, there's a time slot for every age group. As I said, Jeopardy! and Wheel have proven that oldsters (over 30) have a lot of buying power.
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Were there any puzzles where you thought of the sound-alike and then came up with a phrase that incorporated it?
"'Tear a ...' Say, 'pteradactyl' starts with those sounds ..."
That has always been a challenge for me. Examples like a pic of a sea horse intrigued me. After a lot of fruitless struggling, I finally came up with, "U CAN SEA HORSE+ELF COMB+INK & GO+WING" I always felt I had accomplished something special when things like that occured.
By the way, just for the record, I never included pictures I considered "the act of doing someting" in any of my puzzles, The best example is the word "Pull" -- associates suggested I show guys on a tug-o-war team pulling a rope -- to me that was a no-no, that would decode as "men", "tug=o-war," etc. So, I would never use "Tear a" (an act of doing something) or even a pteradactyl -- that would translate as a dinasaur (and undoubtedly be an unknown to folks not as smart as you). Solving my whacky puzzles waa tough enough, without confusing contestants even more. Thanks for the query.
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Here's one I've often wondered, but forgot about until now: Did you ever consider using minus signs in the rebuses? I always thought it might be a nifty idea to use them in a sort of "Super Puzzler" game, with a bigger-than-usual payoff. Or, perhaps, only use them in the T of C competitions.
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Here's one I've often wondered, but forgot about until now: Did you ever consider using minus signs in the rebuses? I always thought it might be a nifty idea to use them in a sort of "Super Puzzler" game, with a bigger-than-usual payoff. Or, perhaps, only use them in the T of C competitions.
Yes, but quickly threw out the idea. With key portions of a puzzle revealed early, players occasionally took wild guesses and were correct. That created variety, which we wanted. Just like on "Wheel of Fortune." That would have been completely eliminated with minus signs. The entire puzzle would have to be shown, showing which parts were to be eliminated and which were to be kept. Our feelings were that there would be no reason to have a game of making matches, taking wild guesses and competition. Just flash the entire plus/minus puzzle and see who gets it first.
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The only time I ever recall a clue used in the act of doing something was a golfer putting a golf ball for either "put" or "putting." Beyond that, I never recalled the original show exercising that usage. Steve Ryan tended to use it a lot on Classic Concentration.
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The only time I ever recall a clue used in the act of doing something was a golfer putting a golf ball for either "put" or "putting." Beyond that, I never recalled the original show exercising that usage. Steve Ryan tended to use it a lot on Classic Concentration.
Interesting. I didn't know Steve used that type of clue. How did the players answer? Using your example, which would be the correct solve: a) "PUTTING ON THE RITZ" or b) "PUT ON THE RITZ" Sounds unfair to me. I made sure there would only be one solution, not two. Thanks for sharing that info with me.
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Interesting. I didn't know Steve used that type of clue. How did the players answer? Using your example, which would be the correct solve: a) "PUTTING ON THE RITZ" or b) "PUT ON THE RITZ" Sounds unfair to me. I made sure there would only be one solution, not two. Thanks for sharing that info with me.
Oh, on the original, they'd say "Putting On The Ritz" since it sounded more familiar. Steve would use somebody rowing a boat for a syllable sounding like "row" or any such variant or a person on a scale weighing themselves for "way" or such rhyming syllable.
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Oh, on the original, they'd say "Putting On The Ritz" since it sounded more familiar. Steve would use somebody rowing a boat for a syllable sounding like "row" or any such variant or a person on a scale weighing themselves for "way" or such rhyming syllable.
I don't see any variant of "row" or "way" in "Putting on the Ritz." Confusing.
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In general, Steve would use those clues. I wasn't using "Putting On The Ritz" as an example of it.
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Oh, on the original, they'd say "Putting On The Ritz" since it sounded more familiar. Steve would use somebody rowing a boat for a syllable sounding like "row" or any such variant or a person on a scale weighing themselves for "way" or such rhyming syllable.
I don't see any variant of "row" or "way" in "Putting on the Ritz." Confusing.
Sorry I might have confused you. I'll try to explain this personal rule I employed when I created all the puzzles used on the original Concentration (NOT Classic Concentration). Let's say the puzzle is "STRIKING A HARD BARGAIN." To convey the word. "STRIKE", I would never use a baseball player missing a pitch or a group of picketing people on strike. Those acts of doing something could mean several things other than "STRIKING" or even "STRIKE". Same with the example "PUTTING" -- that could be PUTT or PUTTING, GOLFER, GOLF, etc. So, for my puzzle, it would be: "ST+RYE+KING A HEART BAR+GUN" (that would be a whiskey bottle, with word, RYE on it), Here again, I would never use a rye bread, that could be called "BREAD", "LOAF" or who knows what. I could also use a picture of a bowling ball knocking all ten pins in the air (STRIKE) plus a picture of a KING. None of those objects from the HEART to the GUN, could be anything else but what it is. Hope I haven't confused you even more.
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None of those objects from the HEART to the GUN, could be anything else but what it is. Hope I haven't confused you even more.
Nope, I understand completely.
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Very interesting points about making the clues unambiguous.
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Norm, you brought up earlier that the show got fan letters from the then-Mrs. Jerry Lewis and it got me thinking. Now I apologize if this has been asked before, but I was curious. How often did you get negative feedback from viewers, and what might've been the favorite letter you ever got (good or bad, or both), if you can remember?
And I also will extend my thanks to you for coming aboard here and sharing your experiences. It's always a fun read.
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Norm, you brought up earlier that the show got fan letters from the then-Mrs. Jerry Lewis and it got me thinking. Now I apologize if this has been asked before, but I was curious. How often did you get negative feedback from viewers, and what might've been the favorite letter you ever got (good or bad, or both), if you can remember?
And I also will extend my thanks to you for coming aboard here and sharing your experiences. It's always a fun read.
Received tons of angry letters -- and as crazy as some were, every one of them was answered. One of my all time favorites accused us of fraud. In one of our commercials there was a sailor in a little boat happily sailing around inside a toilet bowl. When a viewer bought the toilet cleanser there was nothing but suds. They threatened to sue us -- we sent their complaint to the sponsor. Lots of mail complained about everything from contestants with short skirts to our emcee showing favorites or using foul language. Many viewers the asked for the addresses of the big money winners or beautiful contestants. Wonder why? Remember TV was still in its infancy during the years that Concentration was on, and most people didn't know how it worked. Letters from many viewers asked for advice or sent in checks for the rent or electric bill to us. We had to return them. Some folks might have sounded like sickos (and many were) but some were confused or merely frightened. Here's a letter I've never destroyed: "STOP WATCHING ME! No matter what I do, no matter where I go, you keep staring at me. I turn off the television set, but it does no good. You keep watching me, I go into the other room and I can feel your eyes on my back. Before I go to sleep at night, I have to pull out the plug on my set but it does no good. I demand that you stop being a peeping Tom, you are all sick." Sad, but true. Possibly that person's logic: If you could make a phone call, you could both send and receive conversations. So, why not the same with a new-fangled TV hook up? Luckily, good and bad, sane or insane, the mail kept coming and that kept us on the air.
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So, for my puzzle, it would be: "ST+RYE+KING A HEART BAR+GUN" (that would be a whiskey bottle, with word, RYE on it), Here again, I would never use a rye bread, that could be called "BREAD", "LOAF" or who knows what.
This may be a dumb question but, why not?
If the contestant has essentially figured out something-KING A HARD BARGAIN then Loafking or Breadking doesn't make sense. 1 vs 100 used this plenty of times in questions like "Who was the first US President? A: The one born in Pennsylvania, B: The one born in Delaware, C: The one born in Virginia."
Do you consider this (added) level of complexity considered unnecessary?
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So, for my puzzle, it would be: "ST+RYE+KING A HEART BAR+GUN" (that would be a whiskey bottle, with word, RYE on it), Here again, I would never use a rye bread, that could be called "BREAD", "LOAF" or who knows what.
This may be a dumb question but, why not?
If the contestant has essentially figured out something-KING A HARD BARGAIN then Loafking or Breadking doesn't make sense. 1 vs 100 used this plenty of times in questions like "Who was the first US President? A: The one born in Pennsylvania, B: The one born in Delaware, C: The one born in Virginia."
Do you consider this (added) level of complexity considered unnecessary?
I cannot understand the relevance of your question. Please explain.
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Norm, what are your memories of working with Art James? He's one of my favorite hosts of that era.
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Do you consider this (added) level of complexity unnecessary?
I cannot understand the relevance of your question. Please explain.
Sorry, sir.
If you use a loaf of rye bread to represent RYE (in the puzzle ST+RYE+KING A HEART BAR+GUN), you're asking the contestant to go the extra step of coming up with RYE rather than BREAD or LOAF (as ST+LOAF+KING or ST+BREAD+KING makes no sense).
Do/did you think asking a contestant to work out 2 bits of information (in my 1 vs 100 example) to get the correct answer is/was unnecessarily complex?
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Norm, what are your memories of working with Art James? He's one of my favorite hosts of that era.
One of the nicest guys I worked with in this business. We were working together on game shows that we hoped would be the start of our own production company. But, being busy with other projects made this impossible. After a while we both adapted our expertise in the game show field and started doing industrial shows (not on the air). We created "learning by playing" games sessions for corporate giants like General Motors, Budweiser Beer, etc. He not only conceived the training programs, but emceed them as well. I did the same, but hired other emcees. Most people don't know of this other aspect or off-shoot of tv game shows, but it is big business. I won the Advertising Age Promotion of the Year for a nationwide treasure hunt for Chrysler Ram trucks. Art and I were also close personal friends. I've missed him an awful lot since he passed away, at much too young an age.
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Do you consider this (added) level of complexity unnecessary?
I cannot understand the relevance of your question. Please explain.
Sorry, sir.
If you use a loaf of rye bread to represent RYE (in the puzzle ST+RYE+KING A HEART BAR+GUN), you're asking the contestant to go the extra step of coming up with RYE rather than BREAD or LOAF (as ST+LOAF+KING or ST+BREAD+KING makes no sense).
Do/did you think asking a contestant to work out 2 bits of information (in my 1 vs 100 example) to get the correct answer is/was unnecessarily complex?
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Do you consider this (added) level of complexity unnecessary?
I cannot understand the relevance of your question. Please explain.
Sorry, sir.
If you use a loaf of rye bread to represent RYE (in the puzzle ST+RYE+KING A HEART BAR+GUN), you're asking the contestant to go the extra step of coming up with RYE rather than BREAD or LOAF (as ST+LOAF+KING or ST+BREAD+KING makes no sense).
Do/did you think asking a contestant to work out 2 bits of information (in my 1 vs 100 example) to get the correct answer is/was unnecessarily complex?
Please go to #361 (Sept 3, 2011 and reread it. I never said I would use a pic of a bread and expect the player to read my mind and call it a rye bread. That wouldn't be fair -- or next to impossible. For my example of only using identifiable objects as opposed to words of actions, like "PULLING," etc. for "PULL." In my explanation, I did use a pic of a bottle of liquor labeled, "RYE" and used that (so it wouldn't be thought of as a bottle). Same thing with the bread, if I wanted it to be thought of as a rye bread, I would have drawn it in a package labeled "RYE BREAD." If I wanted them to say the word BREAD as in "S+BREAD THE NOOSE" I would have just drawn a bread, which meant only what it was, a BREAD -- not a loaf, a rye or anything else. Hope this clears this up. By the way, in my rebus language, "clears" would be "CL+EARS." --- NOT C+LEERS (the action of a face leering). With regard to 1 vs 100 -- I cannot answer that one -- I rarely watched that show.
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Norm,
What were some of the most memorable prizes offered on the board, either on the legitimate prize or gag prize side?
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Norm,
What were some of the most memorable prizes offered on the board, either on the legitimate prize or gag prize side?
That's a difficult one to recall. Most of our fellow game shows and my own used the same sources of prize material, so none were that unique. We all tried to add our own extras like "his and her cars," "tix to every show on Broadway," "1,000 Gallons of Gas," etc. The one that I remember best are the trips around the world we awarded as the grand prize on our annual Challenge of Champions, and the "$100,000 Shower of Money" (also a once a year extra).
On the negative side, certain prizes offended the public and I quickly removed them. Exotic pets like pure-bred very rare and expensive dogs or giant tanks of tropical fish (worth a small fortune), or even thoroughbred horses got a lot of threatening audience reaction. They were correct, giving live creatures to certain people who might treat them poorly,was tantamount, to criminal practices. Same with luxurious fur coats -- animals had to be killed to make m'lady glamourous. Soooooo, we immediately ceased and desisted. One more memorable "dead giveaway" from the early days of game shows, was the most prevalent of all prizes on all shows -- cartons of cigarettes.
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I can't remember if this has been answered in the 25 pages in this thread (tried doing a general forum search and it didn't turn it up), but the thread about color conversion dates got me thinking: I remember reading that Concentration was the last daytime game show to switch to color - sometime in mid'67 if I recall - Norm, can you give us any details on that?
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I can't remember if this has been answered in the 25 pages in this thread (tried doing a general forum search and it didn't turn it up), but the thread about color conversion dates got me thinking: I remember reading that Concentration was the last daytime game show to switch to color - sometime in mid'67 if I recall - Norm, can you give us any details on that?
Dear Ian: I know I've answered that several times -- here at the Forum, in my latest book, "When Game Shows Ruled Daytime TV" and several other places. Before I answer it again, I'd like to find out how many of your fellow members read about it in my book. If enough of them respond, I promise to divulge a little known trivia gem about the original Concentration game board. A fascinating tale that few people know and is not included in your game board archives by Corey Cooper or anyone else. I recall it, because I created it and lived it. It isn't necessary to repeat the story of "why I was the last black & white game show to convert to color" -- I already know it.
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I remember reading that Concentration was the last daytime game show to switch to color - sometime in mid'67 if I recall - Norm, can you give us any details on that?
Dear Ian: I know I've answered that several times ... Before I answer it again, I'd like to find out how many of your fellow members read about it in my book. If enough of them respond, I promise to divulge a little known trivia gem about the original Concentration game board.
I read it in your book, Norm! (I had already heard the story, anyway ... but the book's great.)
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I can't remember if this has been answered in the 25 pages in this thread (tried doing a general forum search and it didn't turn it up), but the thread about color conversion dates got me thinking: I remember reading that Concentration was the last daytime game show to switch to color - sometime in mid'67 if I recall - Norm, can you give us any details on that?
Dear Ian: I know I've answered that several times -- here at the Forum, in my latest book, "When Game Shows Ruled Daytime TV" and several other places. Before I answer it again, I'd like to find out how many of your fellow members read about it in my book. If enough of them respond, I promise to divulge a little known trivia gem about the original Concentration game board. A fascinating tale that few people know and is not included in your game board archives by Corey Cooper or anyone else. I recall it, because I created it and lived it. It isn't necessary to repeat the story of "why I was the last black & white game show to convert to color" -- I already know it.
One vote for having read about it in your book! But wasn't the color conversion date sometime in late 1966?
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I can't remember if this has been answered in the 25 pages in this thread (tried doing a general forum search and it didn't turn it up), but the thread about color conversion dates got me thinking: I remember reading that Concentration was the last daytime game show to switch to color - sometime in mid'67 if I recall - Norm, can you give us any details on that?
Dear Ian: I know I've answered that several times -- here at the Forum, in my latest book, "When Game Shows Ruled Daytime TV" and several other places. Before I answer it again, I'd like to find out how many of your fellow members read about it in my book. If enough of them respond, I promise to divulge a little known trivia gem about the original Concentration game board. A fascinating tale that few people know and is not included in your game board archives by Corey Cooper or anyone else. I recall it, because I created it and lived it. It isn't necessary to repeat the story of "why I was the last black & white game show to convert to color" -- I already know it.
I read it in your book, too, Norm!
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Norm, I also read in your book about why you were reluctant to convert your show to full color.
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So have I.
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Didn't read the book, but I have heard the reason why---wasn't it mentioned on Stu Shostak's show?
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I think you are right -- we spent most of our years in 8G. Our neighbor in studio 8H was "SALE OF THE CENTURY." Host, Joe Garagiola and I became great friends during that period. Everyone liked this guy, he is a fantastically great story teller. Mostly about baseball and his lifelong friend, Yogi Berra. Way back, when we premiered we were in 3A -- just down the corridor from "THE HOWDY DOODY SHOW," and across the corridor from 3B which was the home of the soap operas. Interesting bit of trivia -- just outside our studio was a gathering place for unempoyed actors waiting for work on one of the soaps. On the wall, NBC graciously hung a battery of free phones for these hoprfuls. Later, we moved upstairs to studio 6A and then across the corridor to 6B (Johnny Carson's studio). We also moved into studio 8H, where Arturo Toscanini led his symphony orchestra and SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE now lives. Our nighttime stint (for 2 successive summers) was in a huge studio on 67th St. and Columbus Ave. NYC. NBC later sold it to ABC.
The game board control box contained 30 toggle switches -- each capable of right (box on game board turns clockwise to show a prize)and a left (counter-clockwise, to show a part of the rebus, if a match was made). If no match, the right was switched back to upright. Additionally, there was a swich to turn all 30 boxes at the same time, counter-clockwise, to reveal the entire puzzle after it was solved. Another switch simultaneously spun all 30 boxes back to their original numbers position. Every old fan of Concentration will never forget the clunkety-clunk that accompanied each spin of those 30 boxes. Or, the naughty squares that decided to spin around on their own. That's why we had to say those memorable words to the two players, "You both saw that, didn't you?"
Thanks for validating my memories of the control box. That's much as I remembered seeing it as a kid so many years ago, mesmerized by its magic. And yes, the clunkety-clunk was loud, but I think it added something. When Goodson went to the electronic board in subsequent productions, I actually missed the sound - but I'm sure nobody missed the stray, exhibitionist naughty square that insisted on revealing itself.
Thanks also for the recollections of Joe and 30 Rock. Over the years you worked in almost every studio. As you mentioned "Sale of the Century," I wonder if you became friendly with the wonderful Al Howard? I worked with Al on "Supermarket Sweep," and just saw him a few months ago at Ronnie Greenberg's 80th birthday. In addition to his career in advertising on Madison Avenue, Al was a Julliard-trained musician who had the unique distinction of both performing and producing at different times in studio 8H.
Perhaps you have a story or two about Gene Rayburn or the other hosts and producers who were active in those years. I appreciate any other recollections of Concentration and NBC. It was a wonderful time and place! Thanks again for sharing your experiences with this devoted fan base.
Randy
tvrandywest.com
I don't recall crossing paths with Al Howard. With regard to Ronnie Greenberg's party -- I had to turn down his invitation -- it's a long way across the country. Ronnie asked me to send a beforeand after picture of myself and a rebus puzzle for showing at the party. I sent the stuff to him, and never heard how and if they were used. If you were there, perhaps you can give a mini description of the shindig,
Gene and I worked on DOUGH RE MI together -- it was one of my first shows. By the way, that's when I met Ronnie, he graduated from NBC page to PA on that show. I had enjoyed Gene on radio (RAYBURN & FINCH) and was too young to establish anything other than a working relationship. When I produced AMERICAN MOVIE CLASSICS, the owner, Rainbow Productions asked me to use my game show experience to act as consultant. Gene was the host in the pilot and it featured the old panel of Kitty Carlisle, etc. As rough as it was for me, I had to be honest, too many years had gone by, and newer blood was needed. Wasn't that good a game show anyway, just a tired update (and not a good one) of the old movie ID panel shows.
Randy ----- Never did receive your report on Ronnie Greenberg's 80th birthday party. Probably you sent it, and I goofed. For reference, we touched base on Aug. 19 (#323). Did anyone have trouble solving my puzzle at the affair?
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Norm, a question about the home versions:
Was there some kind of stipulation(s) in the licensing agreement with Milton Bradley that allowed them to continue producing subsequent copies after the show left the airwaves?
Let me emphasize that several more editions were released after the syndicated show was cancelled, ending with the 25th "Silver Anniversary," edition!
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Norm, a question about the home versions:
Was there some kind of stipulation(s) in the licensing agreement with Milton Bradley that allowed them to continue producing subsequent copies after the show left the airwaves?
Let me emphasize that several more editions were released after the syndicated show was cancelled, ending with the 25th "Silver Anniversary," edition!
As part of the original agreement,the Milton Bradley Co. was to continue to make new editions available (annually) until the show went off the air. To them it was a gamble. This was the network program that I produced. No one expected it to last as long as it did. After the first edition, which I did not create, Milton Bradley felt they were bamboozled. They were mistaken. According to agreement, they had no right to release the game without my approval. When I saw the junk they called puzzles, I had our legal department insist they cease immediately. After I agreed to permitting them to getting rid of those 2,500 pieces of garbage, they asked me to redo the home game with material similar to those I used on air. Fortunately, the new stuff sold extremely well. The first 2,500, if any still exist, are probably collectors' items. From that point on,(I created all the puzzles and did the artwork for each edition released during our almost fifteen year network run. Once we were canceled, Bradley could no longer count on any on-air mentions, so they ceased production. They started up again, when the syndicated version gave them the invaluable exposure. I was not involved with those shows.
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Is it fair to assume that your puzzles begin with the Milton Bradley games designated as "Second Edition"?
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I think, Norm, that I know what you mean about the First Edition puzzles being "junk", as I have one of them; as a kid in 1960, I wasn't aware of a Concentration home game until the Second Edition came out (red box cover, green game board frame...loved that one). You should read what some here have said about the question book for the original MB High Rollers game, also, in the first Jeopardy! edition, a board answer was "Schroder" and the "correct" question in the book was "Name a character in Peanuts?"
Rick Polizzi, who works on "The Simpsons" these days, wrote a book and short-lived magazine about old board games called Spin Again, and one issue had an article on TV game show home games. When writing about Concentration, he said that Parker Brothers had the original license on it but couldn't come up with a version they liked so they let MB try it, and they originally had a prototype with the puzzles on large cards and an elaborate gameboard which was rejected as being too costly to produce. Did you ever get a look at that one or know if it still exists? Rick also said that the idea for the puzzle roll came from an employee noticing a roll of toilet paper in a novelty shop with drawings on it, and he contracted with the man who created it to do the puzzle rolls. What do you know about that?
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Is it fair to assume that your puzzles begin with the Milton Bradley games designated as "Second Edition"?
Probably. Bradley, in their eagerness to get the game out, hired an artist who had never seen the show. What he or she came up with was no where like a rebus we used. The puzzles they created were ridiculous and the rules of play were outlandish. With my permission, they lowered the price and unloaded them on liquidation stores.
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I think, Norm, that I know what you mean about the First Edition puzzles being "junk", as I have one of them; as a kid in 1960, I wasn't aware of a Concentration home game until the Second Edition came out (red box cover, green game board frame...loved that one). You should read what some here have said about the question book for the original MB High Rollers game, also, in the first Jeopardy! edition, a board answer was "Schroder" and the "correct" question in the book was "Name a character in Peanuts?"
Rick Polizzi, who works on "The Simpsons" these days, wrote a book and short-lived magazine about old board games called Spin Again, and one issue had an article on TV game show home games. When writing about Concentration, he said that Parker Brothers had the original license on it but couldn't come up with a version they liked so they let MB try it, and they originally had a prototype with the puzzles on large cards and an elaborate gameboard which was rejected as being too costly to produce. Did you ever get a look at that one or know if it still exists? Rick also said that the idea for the puzzle roll came from an employee noticing a roll of toilet paper in a novelty shop with drawings on it, and he contracted with the man who created it to do the puzzle rolls. What do you know about that?
Fascinating. Makes you wonder how a company as successful as they were, could have remained the king of board games since the mid 1800s. But, in this case they saw the error of their ways and corrected it early enough to succeed.
As art director of Barry & Enright Productions (the original owners of the show -- before the scandal), I was present during design stage and the contract negotiations, so I know the facts. Milton Bradley wanted Concentration desperately. They tried to correct an earlier business mistake, while dealing with me and my bosses, B&E. They initially turned down making a home version of another show I worked on, called "Winky Dink & You" This mid-1950s kid show's home game made a fortune for Standard Toycraft and Milton Bradley swore they would not make the same mistake twice. Indeed Parkere Bros, was interested, but Bradley offered a far better offer. Sorry, it sounds cute, but the toilet paper roll story is nonsense. Bradley already had a few other games that used that gimmick. At first I wondered how they would create a "game" board for Concentration. That plastic case with the removable squares and the hand-turning knob to move the roll of puzzles was ingenuous. Whoever came up with that method (it wasn't me), proved why they were number one in the home game field.
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Randy ----- Never did receive your report on Ronnie Greenberg's 80th birthday party. Probably you sent it, and I goofed. For reference, we touched base on Aug. 19 (#323). Did anyone have trouble solving my puzzle at the affair?
Norm, I responded to you privately via the e-mail address you used to register with this discussion board. Please let me know if you have not received it. Best regards,
Randy
tvrandywest.com
randy@tvrandywest.com
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Randy
As I said, never received the Ronnie G. party report. I just sent you an e-mail. Hope you receive it.
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Norm,
I joined this group just so i could extend my thanks for all your recollections about my favorite game show. I was fortunate enough to see only one episode in color just after you switched, and was amazed at all the bright colors. I was always fascinated by the game board, and wondered if any color photographs of it existed (the version after the switch to color). I have seen the YouTube clip of the final episode from 1973, and unfortunately the method used to transfer the kinescope to videotape leaves something to be desired (assuming the kinescope was high quality to begin with). Thanks again for producing "Concentration!"
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Mr. Blumenthal, if you're still looking in on this thread, I found something that I don't think we've covered yet. I'm writing a book of my own about game shows and stumbled upon something in Google's newspaper archives from April 12, 1960. It's a gossip columnist reporting that NBC wanted "Concentration" to do a special week of episodes on location from England. Is this more than just gossip? Do you remember anything about this idea, if it was indeed suggested?
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Randy
As I said, never received the Ronnie G. party report. I just sent you an e-mail. Hope you receive it.
Responded privately by e-mail.
Randy
tvrandywest.com
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Hi Norm! Happy New Year!
After watching the final episode numerous times, I wondered if you and/or NBC reps tried to get Hugh Downs to appear on the last show, or even sometime during the final week of broadcasts?
I remember seeing Hugh appear on the show's Thirteenth anniversary telecast, assisting Bob Clayton in demonstrating how the board worked!
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Is Norm doing OK? We've not heard form him in months, hope all is well.
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Well, most of the questions have been answered.
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Norm, if you're still checking in, I would love to know anything you can remember about one of your other shows: You're On Your Own.
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Norm is having a little difficulty accessing the board. I'm working with him on it, and we expect to have him back soon.
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Norm,
I joined this group just so i could extend my thanks for all your recollections about my favorite game show. I was fortunate enough to see only one episode in color just after you switched, and was amazed at all the bright colors. I was always fascinated by the game board, and wondered if any color photographs of it existed (the version after the switch to color). I have seen the YouTube clip of the final episode from 1973, and unfortunately the method used to transfer the kinescope to videotape leaves something to be desired (assuming the kinescope was high quality to begin with). Thanks again for producing "Concentration!"
Thank you for the kind words -- they are indeed appreciated. Trouble with my PC and lack of knowledge as to how to fix it, kept me from responding sooner. As far as color pix of game board -- sorry, I don't have any, but I'm certain your fellow Forum buddys might have some.
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Welcome back, Norm! You will probably want to check out the following thread, where people are commenting about a recently discovered episode of Concentration with Art James hosting:
http://gameshow.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=22780
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Norm is having a little difficulty accessing the board. I'm working with him on it, and we expect to have him back soon.
Thanks for the assist -- hopefully, I can overcome my ineptness. -- By the way, if any of your members are still interested, they can resend their questions, and I'll try to respond.
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Here's one I've often wondered, but forgot about until now: Did you ever consider using minus signs in the rebuses? I always thought it might be a nifty idea to use them in a sort of "Super Puzzler" game, with a bigger-than-usual payoff. Or, perhaps, only use them in the T of C competitions.
Intially, we tried it with minus signs -- it was boring. Unlike the way we did it, where a contestant could solve it at any time (even after a couple of clues), the minus signs dragged the game out and ALL of the puzzle had to be seen. Might as well have eliminated the game and just show the entire puzzle. Thanks for comment.
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Hi, Mr. Blumenthal! A late arrival here, but no questions that haven't already been answered. Just a note that I was about to turn 2 when Concentration first premiered and first became aware of it around age 4. I was a devotee in those salad days, and it was an early learning tool for me. I still recall it fondly, I watch the few videos I have of the show thinking back to when I'd tune in regularly (when I wasn't at school) and always loved your use of the clues in the puzzles. Personal favorite: "You Have A Right To Your Opinion" (U / half / a / rye + 't / 2 / Europe + onion). Classic.
Many thanks for giving us this classic show.
Your welcome. Hope my butchering of the English language didn't adversely effect your pronunciation. I'm from Brooklyn, so people aren't too shocked.
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HAT + BEE TWOS + "E" "U" BACK H + EAR
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Glad to have you back, Mr. B.
Norm, what did you think of Art James as emcee of Concentration?
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And to add to Chris' question, how did E. Roger Muir get involved with the show and how well did he fit in overall? He must have had some appreciation for the format, seeing how he used elements of Concentration in his later game Pay Cards. Welcome back as well.
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And to add to Chris' question, how did E. Roger Muir get involved with the show and how well did he fit in overall? He must have had some appreciation for the format, seeing how he used elements of Concentration in his later game Pay Cards. Welcome back as well.
After the infamous Quiz Scandal -- NBC eliminated my former employer, Barry & Enright Productions and now owned all of its shows: TicTacDough, DoughReMe and Concentration. We, the production staffs of these shows, all became NBC employees. One NBC staff producer was assigned to supervise and keep the shows honest. Roger became my watchdog for a few months and then, when the top brass felt we no longer needed supervision, he left to do other shows. He never functioned as a creative exec, and even apologized for hanging around our studio and offices. Roger and I remained friends for many years.
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Thank you, Norm. After your story of working together, I looked and found Roger's own take on the event. Gracious gentleman that he was, I can see how you two would remain friends. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4glOSoYM58&feature=related.
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In the above clip he starts talking about Concentration at 24:12. Nothing terribly interesting, though.
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In the above clip he starts talking about Concentration at 24:12. Nothing terribly interesting, though.
True. But you must remember, his affiliation with Concentration was merely as a watchdog making sure we stayed honest. He had nothing to do with the production. I liked him because he knew his place, and never tried to "butt" in. As I said, we remained friends who respcted each other for years. His claim to fame -- was Howdy Doody. This was truly something to be proud of -- it belongs in a TV Hall of Fame -- if there ever is one.
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Glad to have you back, Mr. B.
Norm, what did you think of Art James as emcee of Concentration?
I wouldn't have given him the job if I didn't like him. He was extremely young and inexperienced in that show that you fellas found. He matured well enough to do over 15 long lasting network game shows -- he did enough to have been in the top 5 or 6 (like Bill Cullen, etc.) who achieved that. He also did countless industrial training game shows for major corporations. They never aired, but were produced at national corporate conventions. I did that too -- and have always said, "Learning is a lot easier when it is fun."
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Roger Muir didn't elaborate much on the cancellation of Twenty One, either.
I have seen the pilot for Say When!! To my experienced eye, it looks like something went wrong backstage and rather than stop tape, Art was asked to stretch. He ad libbed for quite a while, talking about various aspects of the game in no particular context, until the problem was solved. He was absolutely masterful, just as smooth as could be.
I wish SOMEBODY would post the Say When!! pilot on line.
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In the above clip he starts talking about Concentration at 24:12. Nothing terribly interesting, though.
True. But you must remember, his affiliation with Concentration was merely as a watchdog making sure we stayed honest. He had nothing to do with the production. I liked him because he knew his place, and never tried to "butt" in. As I said, we remained friends who respcted each other for years. His claim to fame -- was Howdy Doody. This was truly something to be proud of -- it belongs in a TV Hall of Fame -- if there ever is one.
And one of Muir's one-time cast members on "Howdy Doody" later became his business partner - Nick Nicholson. Apart from Howdy Doody, they produced a number of modestly successful game shows such as "Pay Cards" and "Super Pay Cards" and some utter bombs like "Spin-Off", and creating the "Newlywed Game" for Barris.
Late to the party, I know, but I just read your book. Some great stories in there. I might even still have your "TV Game Shows" book from the 70's somewhere.
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In the above clip he starts talking about Concentration at 24:12. Nothing terribly interesting, though.
True. But you must remember, his affiliation with Concentration was merely as a watchdog making sure we stayed honest. He had nothing to do with the production. I liked him because he knew his place, and never tried to "butt" in. As I said, we remained friends who respcted each other for years. His claim to fame -- was Howdy Doody. This was truly something to be proud of -- it belongs in a TV Hall of Fame -- if there ever is one.
And one of Muir's one-time cast members on "Howdy Doody" later became his business partner - Nick Nicholson. Apart from Howdy Doody, they produced a number of modestly successful game shows such as "Pay Cards" and "Super Pay Cards" and some utter bombs like "Spin-Off", and creating the "Newlywed Game" for Barris.
Late to the party, I know, but I just read your book. Some great stories in there. I might even still have your "TV Game Shows" book from the 70's somewhere.
Thanks for kind words about my book. You obviously have good taste.
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Norm, a couple of us have an old British home version of Concentration, probably from the late fifties. The game features prizes, Takes, Forfeits and Wild Cards...but no rebuses. You just make matches, and the player with the biggest prize value when all the matches are made is the winner. There's also a note saying that "every effort has been made to keep as closely as possible to the actual programme."
Do you know anything about the international versions of the show back in the early days? We've heard stories that back then, overseas productions would rip off American versions of shows without licensing the formats. Would that have been something you guys would have heard about while working on the show over here, did they actually license a non-rebus version of the show, or did the British show play exactly like the American and it's the home version that has this glaring omission?
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Norm, a couple of us have an old British home version of Concentration, probably from the late fifties. The game features prizes, Takes, Forfeits and Wild Cards...but no rebuses. You just make matches, and the player with the biggest prize value when all the matches are made is the winner. There's also a note saying that "every effort has been made to keep as closely as possible to the actual programme."
Do you know anything about the international versions of the show back in the early days? We've heard stories that back then, overseas productions would rip off American versions of shows without licensing the formats. Would that have been something you guys would have heard about while working on the show over here, did they actually license a non-rebus version of the show, or did the British show play exactly like the American and it's the home version that has this glaring omission?
Very strange. I never saw, nor even heard of that version. Was it called, Concentration? I do recall seeing a British version of Concentration. There was a rebus, as I recall the puzzle was the name of a British orchestra, none of us had ever heard of. My staff all watched together and were asked to give our opinions. None of us enjoyed the show. Believe it or not, we all gave the same reason. Their show had NO commercial breaks, and we were bored. Sounds ridiculous, but we were so used to the periodic breaks offered by commercials, the excitement (or call it annoyance at having our game interrupted) was missing.
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Very strange. I never saw, nor even heard of that version. Was it called, Concentration? I do recall seeing a British version of Concentration. There was a rebus, as I recall the puzzle was the name of a British orchestra, none of us had ever heard of. My staff all watched together and were asked to give our opinions. None of us enjoyed the show. Believe it or not, we all gave the same reason. Their show had NO commercial breaks, and we were bored. Sounds ridiculous, but we were so used to the periodic breaks offered by commercials, the excitement (or call it annoyance at having our game interrupted) was missing.
Definitely called Concentration, and I've recently learned that it's the board game that's screwy. I don't know why it didn't occur to me to do this before, but checking the page at UK Game Shows (http://"http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Concentration"), there are images from that 1959-1960 version that clearly show that the TV game did use rebuses. So even though the board game says "every effort has been made to keep as closely as possible to the actual programme," they actually leave out one of the most important parts of the game.
Interesting take on the need for there to be those commercial breaks to break up the game. I bet there are a lot of British adaptations that would feel that way to us.
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Very strange. I never saw, nor even heard of that version. Was it called, Concentration? I do recall seeing a British version of Concentration. There was a rebus, as I recall the puzzle was the name of a British orchestra, none of us had ever heard of. My staff all watched together and were asked to give our opinions. None of us enjoyed the show. Believe it or not, we all gave the same reason. Their show had NO commercial breaks, and we were bored. Sounds ridiculous, but we were so used to the periodic breaks offered by commercials, the excitement (or call it annoyance at having our game interrupted) was missing.
Definitely called Concentration, and I've recently learned that it's the board game that's screwy. I don't know why it didn't occur to me to do this before, but checking the page at UK Game Shows (http://"http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Concentration"), there are images from that 1959-1960 version that clearly show that the TV game did use rebuses. So even though the board game says "every effort has been made to keep as closely as possible to the actual programme," they actually leave out one of the most important parts of the game.
Interesting take on the need for there to be those commercial breaks to break up the game. I bet there are a lot of British adaptations that would feel that way to us.
Obviously you have access to international game show sources I am not familiar with. Here's a challenge. Many, many years ago, when we were still on NBC, I received several small color photographs of TV sets showing people playing Concentration on Japanese TV. In no way could we get any further info. The pictures showed a child and adult playing together, and another puzzlement -- a stuffed animal was on their podium -- sort of like, it represented whoever's turn it was. Anyone know anything more about this mystery?
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It looks like the Brits made a nearly-exact replica of the U.S. mechanical contraption game board.
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I'm surprised at the short runs that Concentration had in England. Would love to see an episode!
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It looks like the Brits made a nearly-exact replica of the U.S. mechanical contraption game board.
I met with the producers from the United Kingdom when they visited us at 30 Rock. I supplied sample puzzles, instructions, set designs, board plans and circuitry rquirements and supplied as much info as I could. Most of what they built for their own versiion was based on those meetings.
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Norm, who designed and built the U.S. game board?
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Norm, who designed and built the U.S. game board?
Going way back to the development of Concentration, we needed a game board to demonstrate our concept to the networks. It had to be relatively small and portable enough to be used in conference rooms. Being Barry & Enright's art director, I had to design and build the presentation model. It was about 3' x 4' and made of wood, paper and cardboard. The cardboard trylons were glued in place on large dowel sticks and could be turned easily by hand from the rear. There were no electrical or mechanical parts. When we sold the show, we hired one of our favorite set designers, Ted Cooper to design the giant game board (based upon my mock-up board) and the rest of the set. The NBC scenic shop could not build a mechanical board as complicated as this, so we hired Messmore & Damon (a large New York builder of carnival rides and floats for the Macy's annual Thanksgiving parades). I spent every day of the next few months at their shop supervising the construction. We solved most of our problems, but could not eliminate the clank-clunk of the tiny motors. Weird, that sound is what most Concentration fans love to recall.
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We have had discussions about the various "Concentration" game boards since back in the USENET days of the 1990's. This page (http://"http://gameshow.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=7") summarizes the information gleaned from Goodson-Todman employee Mark Bowerman as to what happened to the mechanical game boards once they left New York, and Ted Cooper's son Corey on the design of the electronic game screens for "Classic Concentration". I didn't realize he had to do a lot of that work from scratch!
I do remember one show of Jack Narz's version where the puzzle board malfunctioned during the Double Play cross and the trilons went every which way except back to their numbered positions.
Even though the prizes and board numbers were electronic, at least the puzzles were still individually painted with at least two of the old "Concentration" artists still involved, Bernie Schmittke and Vern Jorgensen. (Schmittke worked on every version of the show from beginning to end.) There was a game show in the 80's ("Catch Phrase" which was a bigger hit in the UK than it was here) that used computerized rebuses and they looked primitive. The same guy was involved in making up the rebuses for that show who did "Classic Concentration"'s rebuses, Steve Ryan.
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Cool information about Messmore and Damon, Norm, thanks for sharing that!
Messmore and Damon:
http://www.popcultmag.com/oddglimpses/ephemera/messmore/mess00.html
Unfortunately there is no mention on that site of the Concentration board with its clunk-clunk sound.
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I will apologize if this has been asked before, Norm, but when you deal with 28 pages' worth of questions it kind of becomes hard to keep track (I guess I should be lucky that I have asked you a couple questions that weren't asked before, lol).
When the show was being put together initally, was there any consideration given to anything else being part of the operations of the game board- as in, instead of having the mechanical trilons that you eventually used could there have been other options to use like pull cards? Or would that not have been feasible?
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No reason to create another topic for this small tidbit, and it's not really even a question for Norm, unless he'd like to use it as a springboard to talk about his special celebrity shows. In the latest Today Show retrospective book (http://"http://www.amazon.com/Yesterday-TODAY-Decades-Americas-Favorite/dp/0762444622/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330371779&sr=1-1"), in the section spotlighting Hugh Downs, there is, somewhat surprisingly, a Concentration picture. Hugh is at the contestant area with celebrity players Merv Griffin and Mitch Miller. For those of us who were childhood fans of the show, it's always nice to see another glimpse of it, even in print.
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In the latest Today Show retrospective book (http://"http://www.amazon.com/Yesterday-TODAY-Decades-Americas-Favorite/dp/0762444622/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330371779&sr=1-1"), in the section spotlighting Hugh Downs, there is, somewhat surprisingly, a Concentration picture.
Nice pic. It's the show's second set, so it would be circa 1961 or '62.
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I will apologize if this has been asked before, Norm, but when you deal with 28 pages' worth of questions it kind of becomes hard to keep track (I guess I should be lucky that I have asked you a couple questions that weren't asked before, lol).
When the show was being put together initally, was there any consideration given to anything else being part of the operations of the game board- as in, instead of having the mechanical trilons that you eventually used could there have been other options to use like pull cards? Or would that not have been feasible?
Nope, We automatically felt very satisfied with the three sided decision. We needed the three sides: 1. the box number, 2. the prize description and 3. a portion of the puzzle. The trilons and their ability to go clockwise and counter-clockwise was perfect for our needs. Also, it made us unique -- what other show is remembered by the clunkety-clunk of their game board? The pull tabs were already reserved for the contestant prize lists.
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In the latest Today Show retrospective book (http://"http://www.amazon.com/Yesterday-TODAY-Decades-Americas-Favorite/dp/0762444622/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330371779&sr=1-1"), in the section spotlighting Hugh Downs, there is, somewhat surprisingly, a Concentration picture.
Nice pic. It's the show's second set, so it would be circa 1961 or '62.
As host of that era's TODAY show, he was proud to be the emcee of CONCENTRATION, and mentioned it often. At first he was concerned that his public image as an ultra serious and extremely intelligent TV personality would be harmed. A few other TV news men had tried it. Most viewers felt the show was educational -- I didn't -- it was just entertaining -- just good, clean fun. In actuality we were far from slapstick, or silly, so Hugh liked the opportunity to be associated with this type of show and took every advantage to brag about it. Photo ops were only one way, like the one you saw involving him on the TODAY show and CONCENTRATION. He did the same thing when he did the TONIGHT show and CONCENTRATION.
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Not on the subject of Concentration, but it would be interesting to see how the Today Show book treats the subject of Charles Van Doren. Unfortunately there is no video of his Today Show appearances on YouTube.
(MOMENTS LATER)
But there is this 26-second gem on the NBC News archive (not a big deal):
http://www.nbcuniversalarchives.com/nbcuni/clip/5112571329_006.do
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Not on the subject of Concentration, but it would be interesting to see how the Today Show book treats the subject of Charles Van Doren. Unfortunately there is no video of his Today Show appearances on YouTube.
I can't speak to the newer book, but I have a copy of the last big hardback history the show did (2003) and they not only mention Van Doren and the scandal, they kinda make a big deal about it. In keeping with their mission of patting themselves on the back whenever possible, the focus is on the "extraordinary personal moment" when Dave Garroway addressed the camera to talk about Van Doren's absence. The Garroway speech is quoted at length, maybe in its entirety. I know I've seen the clip before, probably on one of the history specials.
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I am reading a book about the NBC Monitor radio program. Garroway was a major player on Monitor, yet I haven't come across any mention of Van Doren doing It. Seems just about everyone at 30 Rock, and some from outside 30 Rock, did Monitor: Bill Cullen, Gene Rayburn, Joe Garagiola, Henry Morgan, Arlene Francis, Monty Hall, Hugh Downs and others too numerous to mention.
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Not on the subject of Concentration, but it would be interesting to see how the Today Show book treats the subject of Charles Van Doren. Unfortunately there is no video of his Today Show appearances on YouTube.
I can't speak to the newer book, but I have a copy of the last big hardback history the show did (2003) and they not only mention Van Doren and the scandal, they kinda make a big deal about it. In keeping with their mission of patting themselves on the back whenever possible, the focus is on the "extraordinary personal moment" when Dave Garroway addressed the camera to talk about Van Doren's absence. The Garroway speech is quoted at length, maybe in its entirety. I know I've seen the clip before, probably on one of the history specials.
The old MSNBC series (from the days before it became a network of certified flakes) "Time And Again" once had a program on the quiz show scandals that had one clip of Van Doren from Today as well as Garroway's speech. It also showed an interview with Van Doren from 1987 when he appeared on Today in connection with the show's anniversary week and there was only one oblique question about the scandal at the end of the interview (about moving on from the experience) which I'm sure was a precondition to his appearing.
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I just stumbled across this photo up for bids on eBay, showing Bob Clayton standing in front of the game board, with a fully revealed rebus puzzle (pretty easy to solve, IMO).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1972-TV-Game-Show-Concentration-Host-Bob-Clayton-Wire-Photo-/300672746853?pt=Art_Photo_Images&hash=item46017e0565
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That puzzle makes little sense unless #20 is revealed.
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That puzzle makes little sense unless #20 is revealed.
Yeah, maybe in 2012 but in 1972, solving "THE JIMMY STEWART -----", TV viewers probably wouldn't have had that much difficulty in realizing that "SHOW" was that last word in the solution.
JakeT
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That puzzle makes little sense unless #20 is revealed.
I'da went with a guy going 'shh' and a garden hoe.
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The problem I see there is that then you have to do something else for the word "art."
Given what Mr. Blumenthal has said here, "art" by itself might be hard because of all the different possible words that could be guessed given the rest of the picture - "painting", "Museum", "gallery", "exhibition", etc. If I read Mr. Blumenthal's comments correctly, he was trying to go for clues that were generally unambiguous.
Of course, all of this comes with the disclaimer that Concentration was off the air well before I was born, so my observations could be way off.
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The problem I see there is that then you have to do something else for the word "art."
Given what Mr. Blumenthal has said here, "art" by itself might be hard because of all the different possible words that could be guessed given the rest of the picture - "painting", "Museum", "gallery", "exhibition", etc. If I read Mr. Blumenthal's comments correctly, he was trying to go for clues that were generally unambiguous.
Of course, all of this comes with the disclaimer that Concentration was off the air well before I was born, so my observations could be way off.
Nope -- you are right on target. As I've said, it would be misleading to show two groups of men in a tug of war and use it to convey the word, "pull." That drawing (or clue) could be a number of different things. I have always replied to this question, the clues must be the item itself, NOT the "act of." If I drew an eye -- that's all it was -- not "seeing," "cornea," or anything else. As is the case with the "Jimmy Stewart Show" I did things like that very often -- making complicated and, if you will, pretty pictures. What makes a puzzle easy or difficult? Depends upon when the key clue is revealed. Like all of my puzzles, if a player turned up "Art Show" early, they could take a wild guess. If it remained hidden, the game took longer to play (which I liked). Whoever, in your group who suggested the use of someone saying, "Shh" plus a hoe (for the word, show) -- be realistic -- that's not really that creative or even humorous. When I had no alternative, I had to draw simple things like that. The more unusual clues I could use, gave the puzzles lots more variety and made life a lot more challenging for me and the mail from our viewers showed they liked it as well.
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Not on the subject of Concentration, but it would be interesting to see how the Today Show book treats the subject of Charles Van Doren. Unfortunately there is no video of his Today Show appearances on YouTube.
I can't speak to the newer book, but I have a copy of the last big hardback history the show did (2003) and they not only mention Van Doren and the scandal, they kinda make a big deal about it. In keeping with their mission of patting themselves on the back whenever possible, the focus is on the "extraordinary personal moment" when Dave Garroway addressed the camera to talk about Van Doren's absence. The Garroway speech is quoted at length, maybe in its entirety. I know I've seen the clip before, probably on one of the history specials.
Bit of an off-topic update, as I got a chance to see the current book yesterday, and it turns out they dedicate an entire page to Van Doren, treating him the same way they treated all of the regular contributors. In fact, his listing is even longer than Frank Blair's, the news reader who was with the show for more than two decades. So they don't shy away from Van Doren's contribution even today.
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Whoever, in your group who suggested the use of someone saying, "Shh" plus a hoe (for the word, show) -- be realistic -- that's not really that creative or even humorous.
Oh, snap! :)
JakeT
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Whoever, in your group who suggested the use of someone saying, "Shh" plus a hoe (for the word, show) -- be realistic -- that's not really that creative or even humorous.
Oh, snap! :)
JakeT
That tears it. I'll just stick with Harvey Feud from now on.
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Whoever, in your group who suggested the use of someone saying, "Shh" plus a hoe (for the word, show) -- be realistic -- that's not really that creative or even humorous.
Oh, snap! :)
JakeT
That tears it. I'll just stick with Harvey Feud from now on.
Oh, c'mon...just let me give ya a little tickle and you can give me a little giggle...:)
JakeT