The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: ITSBRY on July 02, 2003, 02:46:39 PM
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The Edd Byrnes WOF pilot discussion in another thread made me think that it might be fun to compile a \"Best of the Worst and Why\" list.
What are the worst: theme songs, hosts, format changes, end games, etc. and why?
My choices:
THEME SONG: \"Pyramid\". This theme, if you can even call it that, does not in any way shape or form fit a word game like \"Pyramid\".
HOST: Patrick (you wiiiiiinnnnn!) Wayne. Had Byrnes made it to actually host WOF, he might have the best of the worst in the hosts category, but since Wayne actually hosted a series, I'll let him keep the crown. Wayne is a classic example of how a good format could not survive a bad host. From what I remember, his question reading abilities were OK, but the man had the warmth and charisma of a lawn dart. His plastic enthusiasm was painful to watch.
FORMAT CHANGE: Again, TTD90 gets some recognition. The rappin' dragon was just so stupid. I'm not sure if this qualifies as a format change per say, but I didn't know how else to categorize it.
SHOW: Yahtzee...I don't remember much about this show other than thinking that it was really bad.
ITSBRY
itsbry@juno.com
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MUSIC: Pyramid '02
HOST: It sounds weird to pick a sub host, but Jm J Bullock really blew.
FORMAT CHANGE: The revolving door endgame on $otC.
SHOW: Big Deal!
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Host: Lew Schnider (Make The Grade) this guy couldn't even read the questions without major stumbles, most of the time extra time was added to the bonus game to make up for his stumbles.
Bonus Game: The first end-game of Think Fast, \"the time-bomb\" will go off, if it does we'll take 10 seconds off the time that your partner has to play....
Format Change: Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiago to Where In Time Is Carmen Sandiago
That's all I can think of right now...
-Joe Kavanagh
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Music: Osmond Pyramid. No question.
Host: To name a substitute is unfair, I think. The reason Jm was a substitute host was because he was not a REAL host. Rolf Benirshke, however, does not have that excuse.
(While we're on the subject: Jm J. Bullock and Keith Olbermann without the mustache: separated at birth?)
Format change: $otC switching from the Winner's Board to the Winner's Big Money Game. (Note that I didn't mind the Winner's Board, and further note that I'm not nominating the WBMG for Worst Endgame.)
Worst Endgame: Double Play, Narz Concentration. Two rebuses in 10 seconds. Yawn. Just very little excitement or buildup from start to finish. One of the few advantages of the computer-generated board on CC was the ability to make a matching endgame. That would have been awfully tough to do with the trilons.
Honorable Mention, Worst Endgame: History IQ Timeline, First Season: Again, not a bad idea for a game, but any game that can be played in complete silence by the player does not make for good TV. Summer's play-by-play couldn't even save this, and most of the time the contestant didn't even really have a grasp on how the game worked. The second season improved the game a little teeny bit to make it actually, you know, winnable, but still wasn't much to write home about.
(Now, why not the WBMG? Well, in and of itself it's not a bad endgame! It was just attached to the wrong show.)
And now the big one, Worst Show. And before I get to this, let me say that there ARE NO WINNERS here tonight, so get over yerselves, you were just lucky not to suck enough to lose. With that, the envelope, please...
Show: FREE-4-ALL. Name for me ONE REDEEMING QUALITY this show had. Name for me ONE NEW CONCEPT this program brought to the genre. Give me ONE REASON for ANYBODY at USA Networks to give this drivel the green light. There's NOTHING here, folks. NOTHING, NADA, ZERO. Nothing fresh, nothing original, nothing made it stand out. Walberg didn't blow as the host, but he didn't excel, either, simply because he had bupkus to work with. Utter crappe.
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Worst host: It has to be Mike Rielly. The man had the personally of a computer game. The man blabbed so much and so fast, I'd always wonder if the man needed a oxygen mask after taping Monopoly. (Thats why it should of been a hour-long game, but thats another thread)
Believe it or not, Rolf actually improved and was even a little funny by his last show but it was just too late*
Honorable Mention: Pat Finn. First Defintion... Last Definition... First Definition... Last Definition... you get the idea.
Worst End Game: Reagan's Lingo. Too long, too boring, and too difficult (That, and the contestants never got paid either)
Worst Format Change: The increadbly stupid board changes made on PYL. M1S to $1500 or $500. PAC: $1400, $500+, $1400...
Thats all that I can think of righ now.
-Joe R.
*- For those whose seen Rolf's last show... what in the heck did they do to his hair ?!
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Worst theme song: Monopoly. It's the only theme in my collection that I can't listen to from beginning to end. Pyramid's theme is truly inappropriate for a game show, but you can hear it with friends in the room and not be embarrassed to be a game show fan. Can't say that for Monopoly.
Worst host: Patrick Wayne, no doubt. Pat Finn is a good host who has been stuck with extraordinarily bad formats. If you're ever in California, watch him on lottery game The Big Spin to see him at his best. Wayne was incorrigable. Phil Moore from Nick Arcade gets a dishonorable mention, although it's kinda low to pick on the kiddie game emcees.
Worst end game: tie between Hot Potato and Split Second '86. Neither had any drama at all. Hot Potato's end game seemed thoughtless and tacked-on, having little to do with the front game. Split Second's bonus was the very definition of anti-climatic, especially when coming off of a really good Countdown Round. It was nothing but pick a number 1-5. That's it. Nothing else. Very blah.
Worst format change: The Joker's Wild, from the B&E finale in 1986 to the Kline & Friends comeback in 1990. \"As you all know, the Joker's Wild is a game of definitions.\" \"Wha? It's a what now? Did you know that? I didn't know that.\" Card Sharks 2K1 gets a dishonorable mention, but at least Fremantle kept the most basic tenet of the game (higher or lower?) intact.
- JAL
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Hmm... I'm only 16 years old, so I haven't seen many game shows, but I do know a few that just stick out.
Theme Song/Music: I'm not so sure about this one... I haven't really found a song I dont' like.
Host: Paul Reubens (You Don't Know Jack)
Comment: Eeeewww!!! I'm not even going into this.
Format Change: Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego > Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego
Comment: It went more from geography to history, and even though I was a little kid back then, I would prefer running around putting lighted sticks on a map than run around in 'time portal' things answering questions while freaky dancers point you in the right direction. And the host? C'mon, that guy was scary.
Show: You Don't Know Jack
Memorable moment: Contestant answering lingerie question has eyes covered points to and says \"The black one!\", referring to the guy in the black lingerie.
Comment: Geez... I loved the computer game, but hated the show, mostly for the host, as stated above.
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One thing about the YDKJ game show is:
Right show, wrong network! It would've been better off on Comedy Central or Fox instead of ABC. At least you can still play the 5th Dementia online.
But the Winner's Big Money Game was very time-consuming. Who knows on when GSN will get the Reg Grundy games ($OTC, Scrabble, Scattergories) since they also fall in the hands of Fremantle; I'm betting on 2005.
Speaking of Where in Time...did you notice that they covered up the Gateway logo (when it was Gateway 2000 before they adopted their current logo and became just Gateway) whenever they showed the computer system which was the endgame prize? I liked the \"free trip to anywhere in North America\" prize; they always seem to pick California!
Jonathan Allen
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Worst host: I agree with the Patrick Wayne sentiments.
Worst endgame: Again, agreeing with the sentiments of TTD90 bonus game with the rapping dragon and rapping dragon-slayer. And continuing with this theme...
Worse theme song: Pyramid's theme could be better; an updated version of \"Tuning Up\" by Ken Aldin (read: the original \"$10k/$20k/$25k* Pyramid\" theme) wouldn't hurt. Worst theme for my money is the theme to TTD90. Sounded too much like a kiddie show's theme. Sure, TTD is based on the children's game \"tic tac toe\" -- but come on! (And Henry Mancini composed this?!?!?)
Worst show: Not TTD90. At the EZboard, I noted Shopper's Casino is the worst ever. For those who missed that post, I'll summarize: cheap prizes, barren set, a show that appeared rushed to the air to capitalize on the home shopping craze of the '80s, it was a train wreck from start to midway.
I would say \"start to finish\" -- but I quit watching midway through one episode. At that point in time, there was a game involving a contestant playing from home. You'd think she'd be calling from home, right? She sounded like an unseen announcer over a PA system -- not over the phone.
BTW, back to TTD90. With a better host and if the nonsense were kept to a minimum, TTD90 might have had a longer run.
*The Cullen syndie version
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What are the worst: theme songs, hosts, format changes, end games, etc. and why?
Theme Song-Go--repetitive and annoying; Beat the Clock-the alarm clock-esque sound gives me headaches.
Host-Skip Lackey (Think Fast)--Total nerd...and very phony.
Format Changes-Family Feud's current rules infrastructure; Family Feud raising from 200; to 300; to 400 late in the run. Family Feud; Bullseye Round; Family Feud-Dawson comeback changes.
End Games-Hollywood Squares; Marshall & Early Bergeron--no game in it at all...; Jeopardy 78-needed to keep final j!
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[quote name=\'ITSBRY\' date=\'Jul 2 2003, 01:46 PM\'] The Edd Byrnes WOF pilot discussion in another thread made me think that it might be fun to compile a "Best of the Worst and Why" list.
What are the worst: theme songs, hosts, format changes, end games, etc. and why?
My choices:
THEME SONG: "Pyramid". This theme, if you can even call it that, does not in any way shape or form fit a word game like "Pyramid".
HOST: Patrick (you wiiiiiinnnnn!) Wayne. Had Byrnes made it to actually host WOF, he might have the best of the worst in the hosts category, but since Wayne actually hosted a series, I'll let him keep the crown. Wayne is a classic example of how a good format could not survive a bad host. From what I remember, his question reading abilities were OK, but the man had the warmth and charisma of a lawn dart. His plastic enthusiasm was painful to watch.
FORMAT CHANGE: Again, TTD90 gets some recognition. The rappin' dragon was just so stupid. I'm not sure if this qualifies as a format change per say, but I didn't know how else to categorize it.
SHOW: Yahtzee...I don't remember much about this show other than thinking that it was really bad.
ITSBRY
itsbry@juno.com [/quote]
Worst theme: Current Beat the Clock
Worst host: Louie Anderson
Worst format change: Card Sharks 01
Worst end game: Beat the Dragon, both TTD's...no skill
Dishonorable mention: Card Sharks '01, you mean you're gonna take MY hard-earned* $2100, then break it up into 3 levels, leaving me with a potential chance to walk out with ZILCH?! Oh hell naw.
*Some contestants won on dumb luck; their opponent losing on the final card...didn't earn a cent.
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Worst Theme: Weakest Link...sorry, I was NEVER a fan of that theme!
Worst Host: Patrick Wayne. At least Rolf had real personality. He had no business on that set and he knew it. Patrick on the other hand....
Worst Show: How Do You Like Your Eggs? Ick.
Worst End Game:Sale of The Century's Winner's Big Money Game-didn't fit with the show.
Worst Set: Let's Make a Deal 90' Too plain.
Worst Format Change: Card Sharks 01'-need I say more?
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Speaking of Where in Time...did you notice that they covered up the Gateway logo (when it was Gateway 2000 before they adopted their current logo and became just Gateway) whenever they showed the computer system which was the endgame prize?
Well, of course they did--it's PBS! You wouldn't hear \"It's a Gateway 2000 computer...\" unless Gateway was an underwriter of the show--and maybe not even then.
Perhaps a more ridiculous avoidment of product placement was on the UK \"SOTC\" in its early years before the regulatory authorities let them announce car makes and models on the show. When they offered a VW Beetle as the \"star prize,\" not only did they not say what it was (despite the fact that no other car looks like a Beetle), they had the VW logo on the car covered up with masking tape!
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I believe one North American game show, Pitfall, also never announced the make of the low-end $5K car they sometimes offered in the bonus round.
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[quote name=\'zachhoran\' date=\'Jul 3 2003, 09:12 AM\'] I believe one North American game show, Pitfall, also never announced the make of the low-end $5K car they sometimes offered in the bonus round. [/quote]
And for the bonus game in Pitfall, a $5K car was a MAJOR PRIZE. :)
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WORST HOST: Of course, the Duke's kid and Rolf were bad, but they only screwed up one show apiece, and Rolf's is still on. There were also the identical twin midgets on \"That @#$% Quiz Show.\" But I'll make the controversial choice and say Marc Summers. Insincere, terrible with contestants, looks embarassed to be there, just awful. Wrecks any show he's on (at least the adult ones).
WORST MUSIC: \"Super Password.\" Too chipper. Would be better as a theme for some local afternoon talk show.
WORST REARRANGEMENT OF A GREAT THEME: \"The Joker's Wild.\" The original \"The Savers\" was unique and really made the show cool. Between the whistling and the totally canned horns of the remake--ugh!
WORST FORMAT CHANGE: \"Celebrity Whew!\"
WORST SET: \"Chain Reaction\" Painted drywall with a couple of chaser lights--Bob Stewart Productions at its low point.
WORST ENDGAME: \"Hot Potato\" (but I hated the whole show, except for our man Bill and the smoke) or the current \"Squares\" endgame. The Squares bonus isn't amusing, is too complex, and takes too much time from the fun part of the show. Who cares about Martin Mull's past? Give me the Davidson \"Split Second\" ripoff anyday.
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What are the worst: theme songs, hosts, format changes, end games, etc. and why?
Worst Theme: I always hated the Tic-Tac-Doe (Martindale) theme. Bottom of the barrel stuff that sounded like it played on a Casio.
Host: John Bauman (MGHSH, and a music trivia show whose name escapes me.) His character of Bowser was lame enough, but he truly sucked trying to be straight game show host.
Format changes: The various bonus rounds added to different versions of Concentration. The Narz bonus game was weak, but the Trebek bonus game was just horrid. (See what happens when they try to force bonus games on shows that never really needed them?)
End games: See above. Plus, I give dishonorable mention to The Diamond Head Game (guess what bill I'm holding in my hand!)
Worst revival: Competition here is fierce, but I'll choose Match Game 98. Not a lot of effort put into this one. The three regulars had no chemistryand Michael Berger would be a good game show host, just not for Match Game. (MG90, by comparrison, was pretty decent.)
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[quote name=\'James Allen\' date=\'Jul 3 2003, 03:08 PM\']
What are the worst: theme songs, hosts, format changes, end games, etc. and why?
Host: John Bauman (MGHSH, and a music trivia show whose name escapes me.) His character of Bowser was lame enough, but he truly sucked trying to be straight game show host.
[/quote]
You're thinking of The Pop 'N Rocker Game.
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but the Trebek bonus game was just horrid.
I STRONGLY disagree. This was a fast paced bonus game, that involved matching (like the show's maingame) and was pretty exciting when a car was won. at least, that's how I see it.
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I STRONGLY disagree. This was a fast paced bonus game, that involved matching (like the show's maingame) and was pretty exciting when a car was won. at least, that's how I see it.
It didn't seem very creative or interesting to me. Just playing match-em up on a small board? No puzzle or anything? It was so generally simple that when someone did get it done it didn't seem like much of an accomplishment, to be honest.
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[quote name=\'PeterMarshallFan\' date=\'Jul 3 2003, 03:12 PM\'] [quote name=\'James Allen\' date=\'Jul 3 2003, 03:08 PM\']
What are the worst: theme songs, hosts, format changes, end games, etc. and why?
Host: John Bauman (MGHSH, and a music trivia show whose name escapes me.) His character of Bowser was lame enough, but he truly sucked trying to be straight game show host.
[/quote]
You're thinking of The Pop 'N Rocker Game. [/quote]
And why, pretell, would he not be thinking of the Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour?
Brandon Brooks
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And why, pretell, would he not be thinking of the Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour?
I was, and I mentioned it (abbreviated as MGHSH.)
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I'm just going to say that a lot of these choices are surprising me, because nothing would get this thread off-track faster than a bunch of argument about personal opinions.
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[quote name=\'Robert Hutchinson\' date=\'Jul 3 2003, 05:35 PM\'] I'm just going to say that a lot of these choices are surprising me, because nothing would get this thread off-track faster than a bunch of argument about personal opinions. [/quote]
That sentence doesn't make sense to me because this thread is all about personal opinions. And if you make an opinion, you should be able to defend it by saying more than \"it just sucked.\"
Now, I would personally say that the worst host I've seen would be Patrick Wayne for all said reasons. Worst current theme songs is a tie with Pyramid and WoF for me... of all time would be Battlestars for me. It sounds rather kiddish for a grown up game show. Format change? Card Sharks 2001. At least TTD90 was somewhat similar to the old game, even though the host was inept. Except for the bonus round, CS'01 really broke the mold in many terrible ways.
And as I always said, the worst show of all time is Camoflauge. A game based on finding hidden pictures is best reserved for a kids' show, namely Finders' Keepers.
Brandon Brooks
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WHEW! finally found a link back here after all my bookmarks got deleted so well im baaaaccckkk ;) but anyway onto the crap pile!
THEME SONG: Trivial Pursuit, What does chopsticks have to do with a serious quizzer based on a very intellectual board game.
Honorable Mention: Wintuition, way to repeititive.
Worst sound ever heard on a game show: The category reveal on Osmond Pyramid, sounds like Marie is scratching a blackboard, truly annoying and not needed.
Honorable Mention: The siren used to indicate a 10k or more win on TPIR in the 80s, theyve toned it down alot now but it used to make me think there was an air raid or something ;)
HOST: Kirk Fogg: Game show host rule #1: when you are so bad in the first few eps that the producers cut your lines to scripted robotic repetition and hand the hosting reins to a TALKING WALL PUPPET! its time to find a real job. and those critics who say maybe i should blame stone stanley or nick for the decision should watch one of the 1st 20 eps of LOHT when kirk had full control of the show and the puppet was more just there for the endgame. He had about as much motivation as chuck henry and as much personality as a real stone face and of course when they gave Olmec the hosting reins, i could see why he wasnt motivated
Honorable Mention: Phil Moore, Patrick Wayne, John Salley.
Most Uncomfortable celeb turned Host Ever: Amhad Rashad (i think he just wanted to cut out and hit the dice tables and forget about hosting Caesars Challenge)
Honorable Mention: Wesley Eure
Good Host most unsuited to the show they threw em on: Trebek on TTTT 80s
Honorable Mention: Bill Cullen on TJW
FORMAT CHANGE: Fremantle Feud's 4th round, stupid utterly stupid
Honorable Mention: Davidson Pyramid and it's cockamanie bonuses.
Classic Show Burned Most Beyond recognition by a revival attempt: TJW 90
Honorable Mention: CS01
Worst Set: Wait til YOU have kids 1st season: Wait i thought the whole idea of child rearing is so your kid DOESNT scribble all over the walls? Well i wouldnt trust the expert with a set thats been drawn all over ;)
Honorable Mention: MG98 Looks like it was made in HS stagecraft class.
SHOW: Peer Pressure! a convlouded format, (is this a game show of snakes and ladders, a wierd survey show or what?) An annoying setup and just bad gameplay, truly needed to be burned before some innocent child is scarred for life!
Honorable Mention: Trivial Pursuit: The Interactive Game, ok why have a qualifying round as a whole show, why base it on a phone game that has nothing to do with the actual show, and why do it all by keypad so basically its more like breathe deep and count backwards from 100, just a BAD idea.
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Phil Moore from Nick Arcade gets a dishonorable mention, although it's kinda low to pick on the kiddie game emcees.
But still, his constant singing to the music cues could get on your nerves real fast.
Chuck Donegan (The Illustrious \"Chuckie Baby\")
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[quote name=\'ChuckNet\' date=\'Jul 4 2003, 09:56 AM\']
Phil Moore from Nick Arcade gets a dishonorable mention, although it's kinda low to pick on the kiddie game emcees.
But still, his constant singing to the music cues could get on your nerves real fast.
Chuck Donegan (The Illustrious "Chuckie Baby") [/quote]
Hear Hear, i swear to god i was 10 and i still went to the puke pail whenever i heard \"do do do dum dum da dum dum we're gonna take a vi-dee-oh challl-ennnge, do do do dum dum dah yeah!\" what a jerk...wish they replaced him with a talking wall puppet as well. he was worse than skip lackey or patrick wayne
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I loved Sale of the Centruy when you had to RISK IT ALL and come back the next day and chance losing everything. When they allowed you to keep some of your winnings and return - it just lost it for me.
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[quote name=\'CliffColeclough\' date=\'Jul 4 2003, 03:34 PM\'] I loved Sale of the Centruy when you had to RISK IT ALL and come back the next day and chance losing everything. When they allowed you to keep some of your winnings and return - it just lost it for me. [/quote]
I actually kinda liked it when they made it so that whatever you picked-up in the main game was yours to keep no matter what. It gave contestants an incentive to buy Instant Bargains and attempt the \"Instant Ca$h\" and a incentive to continue playing, as they know they are leaving with stuff even if they blow it and only wind up with The lawnchairs, color TV and $500 instead of the Aston-Martin, Fur Coat, and $50,000 ; )
-Joe R.
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[quote name=\'Brandon Brooks\' date=\'Jul 3 2003, 06:19 PM\']That sentence doesn't make sense to me because this thread is all about personal opinions. And if you make an opinion, you should be able to defend it by saying more than \"it just sucked.\"[/quote]
Okay, then: (The New) TTD's theme doesn't suck. At all. Yes, it's fuzzy and synth-y, but it's obviously not because Hal Hidey only got a budget of $20 to write the theme--it's intentional. Furthermore, it probably has the best rhythm section of any GS theme ever.
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[quote name=\'JRaygor\' date=\'Jul 4 2003, 03:36 PM\'] I actually kinda liked it when they made it so that whatever you picked-up in the main game was yours to keep no matter what. [/quote]
Was there a time on the Perry $otC when this _wasn't_ the case? I always remember Perry commenting when someone bit on an Instant Bargain that the prize (and whatever attached bribe / Sale Surprise) was \"yours to keep no matter how you finish in the game\". Hell, that was the POINT of an Instant Bargain!
Maybe I'm wrong, but what I think Cliff is referring to is the shopping era where you either bought a prize and retired, or put your accumulated dollars on the line for a chance to win something bigger, as opposed to the Winner's Board where you kept whatever prize you matched with each win and didn't have to risk anything to come back the next day.
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Worst host: It has to be Mike Rielly. The man had the personally of a computer game. The man blabbed so much and so fast, I'd always wonder if the man needed a oxygen mask after taping Monopoly. (Thats why it should of been a hour-long game, but thats another thread)
I wonder, though, how much of that was his being a bad host. If there weren't so much talk squeezed in between every single question explaining the game, if he didn't have to talk two miles a minute almost nonstop through the entire show... I'm not trying to claim he was a good host, only that there's not enough to go on either way, especially with only 12 episodes.
Then again, I liked the new bonuses in the 1991 Pyramid, too:) Except Gamble for a prize.
Oh, my list: Well... worst show: Throut and Neck. Only good thing I've heard *anyone* say about it was that the host was pretty. I didn't particularly care for her though, and there are plenty of *good* TV shows that also feature beautiful women.
Worst format change: the more you love something, the more you hate to see it ruined. Bullseye was good on the CBS Feud when it expanded, because it gave the show enough variety not to get tiring over a whole hour. But it had no business on the half-hour version. Bankroll was even worse because of the slower pace, and though I didn't mind at first, the current scoring system grates more and more every time I watch.
I'll also throw in the judging/judging-related rules on the new Pyramid. I can't explain why, except that on previous versions the rules, though complicated when spelled out, felt natural. It just makes sense to be able to use part of the answer once your partner's said that part, for instance, and for the rules of what clues and answers are and are not acceptable in the Winner's Circle to be the same from start to finish.
It's late, I'll finish later.
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My nomination for the best of the worst is What's Going On?, an Allan Sherman creation which IIRC Mark Goodson himself mentioned was his worst show. It could be for either a clueless host or for the technical challenges in which primitive and bulky TV equipment were involved and the resulting technical problems because of the primitive early 1950s equipment.
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Bankroll was even worse because of the slower pace, and though I didn't mind at first, the current scoring system grates more and more every time I watch.
RD complained about the Bullseye part on E!THS, yet they went with the Bankroll thing which was almost the same thing (albeit only 3 questions instead of 5).
What the hell was he smoking?
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[quote name=\'catnap1972\' date=\'Jul 5 2003, 03:26 PM\'] What the hell was he smoking? [/quote]
What the hell makes you think he was responsible for it?
Brandon Brooks
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Time to throw my two cents into the subject.
Worst game show: Bargain Hunters (and I'm sure Peter Tomarken will agree with me on that one)
Worst game show theme: the current incarnation of Pyramid. No Tuning Up??? It's bad enough that the set is boring and the famous cuckoo and ticking sound in the Winner's Circle is not used.
Worst game show host: Patrick Wayne, all the way. Too phony, and his YOU WIN! shout turned everybody off very quickly. Wink Martindale he's not! Honorable mention: Rolfe Benischrke, Clark Race, and Jim Caldwell. I would have added Pat Finn to that list, but he does a helluva job with Big Spin here in California -- he's gone farther than I originally had thought.
Worst game show sound: the horrendous and scary horn on the original Hollywood Squares. Just ask Tony Randall.
Worst bonus/end game: The $ale of the Century's Winner Big Money Game was neat to watch, but it did not belong on THAT game show. Whoever came up with that idea pretty much killed $OTC in the process. The Joker's Wild's Jokers and Devils end game wasn't too good either -- spin three jokers and win a prize. No thanks, I'll take the money and devils end game.
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Worst game show sound: the horrendous and scary horn on the original Hollywood Squares. Just ask Tony Randall.
But such a wonderful device for funny reactions on a comedy show. That's why they had it (and remember, even Peter referred to it as \"The Tacky Buzzer\").
To me, the worst sound effects always were bells and buzzers recorded poorly or on miscued or worn-out tape cartridges. NBC Burbank was guilty of that a lot (nothing like the \"Wheel\" letter-in-puzzle bell sounding wobbly), but the champions in that line was the B&E buzzer with the reverb cut off instead of naturally dying away and the canned, wobbly tape end game bell on \"TTD.\" *That's* when I knew that \"TTD\" had left TV City for KCOP--when the live bells and buzzers were replaced by those canned monstrosities--and I never understood why they put those things on tape--to trigger them from the audio board rather than offstage?
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THEME SONG: Osmand's \"Pyramid\"
HOST: Pat Finn, a wedge of cheese has more personality
FORMAT CHANGE: Password All-Stars, all of it was horrid execpt Ludden, and the wonderful theme
SHOW: Inquization
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RD complained about the Bullseye part on E!THS, yet they went with the Bankroll thing which was almost the same thing (albeit only 3 questions instead of 5).
Also, the families each chose 1 person to play the entire round, as opposed to going down the line for the 5 Bullseye questions.
Chuck Donegan (The Illustrious \"Chuckie Baby\")
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[quote name=\'ChuckNet\' date=\'Aug 24 2003, 03:49 PM\']
RD complained about the Bullseye part on E!THS, yet they went with the Bankroll thing which was almost the same thing (albeit only 3 questions instead of 5).
Also, the families each chose 1 person to play the entire round, as opposed to going down the line for the 5 Bullseye questions.
Chuck Donegan (The Illustrious "Chuckie Baby") [/quote]
...Also, the questions were worth $1,000, $3,000, and $5,000, instead of $1,000, $2,000, $3,000, $4,000, and $5,000.
...Also, the entire game was played on a Chyroned graphic instead of using the projection TV.
...Also, the 1994 Dawson version of the show was distributed wholly by syndication instead of the mixed syndication / network model the Combs show enjoyed.
...Also, the show's theme is now heard as a TPiR cue.
...Also, people who nitpick crap like this REALLY piss me off.
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...Also, people who nitpick crap like this REALLY piss me off.
Nitpicking? I was merely pointing out what I feel was the other fundamental difference between the Bullseye and Bankroll rounds, which some people may not have known or just forgotten. How would that piss you off? It wasn't as if I made it totally irrelevant by citing every difference between Dawson's return season and the last 2 yrs of Combs, as you sarcastically did.
Chuck Donegan (The Illustrious \"Chuckie Baby\")
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Worst Show: Reel to Reel Picture Show. Man, this show was so bad that we used to make fun of it during our lunches at work. We'd watch and do the MST3k thing to it. What a train wreck.
Worst host: Peter Marshall for Reel to Reel. He's a legend no doubt, but here he was the worst. He'd fumble questions and look painfully uncomfortable. I like Pete, I really do, and I'm sure he wasn't given much to work with...but man...it's good it didn't come at the beginning of his career or that beginning would have been his end.
Worst endgame:Gotta agree with the \"History IQ\" mention. It was boring and hard to follow.
Worst format change: I don't really look at the change in Carmen Sandiego as a format change as much as a whole different show...so I'll go with Card Sharks '01 and the stupid video thing. Blah.
Worst theme: I must say that I liked the Monopoly theme. For worst, I go with WOF's 94 \"swing\" version. Double blah. Maybe it wouldn't have seemed so bad if it didn't replace such a memorble song.
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Split Second's bonus was the very definition of anti-climatic, especially when coming off of a really good Countdown Round. It was nothing but pick a number 1-5. That's it. Nothing else. Very blah.
For the '86 version, you had to pick a number between 1-5, but in reality that's all the original \"Split Second\" end game was - pick a car between 1 and 5 and hope it starts.
Having said that, I still think \"Split Second\" was a great show.
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Worst Format Change: The increadbly stupid board changes made on PYL. M1S to $1500 or $500. PAC: $1400, $500+, $1400...
They did change that board around quite a bit over the three-year run, didn't they. I think it was noted somewhere that at one point there were so many extra spin spaces on the board the producers had to start taking some off. By the time you get to summer 1986 shows, there are noticably fewer on the board. And Pick a Corner was gone by the last month of the run.
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Theme Song-Go--repetitive and annoying;
I agree. While I'm always on the lookout for more themes, I could have done without \"Go\"on the first CD. I never really cared for it...
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[quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' date=\'Aug 25 2003, 02:47 PM\']
Theme Song-Go--repetitive and annoying;
I agree. While I'm always on the lookout for more themes, I could have done without "Go"on the first CD. I never really cared for it... [/quote]
I liked that theme, personally. Thought it had some good piano riffs in it.
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[quote name=\'PeterMarshallFan\' date=\'Aug 25 2003, 01:47 PM\'] I liked that theme, personally. Thought it had some good piano riffs in it. [/quote]
There is nothing about \"Go!\" that I _didn't_ like. Great theme, great concept, great host, great game. Okay, maybe the scoring system could have been altered a little, but even then, rewarding a team for a Clean Sweep was an ingenious way to fill in the time.
And now a set question that has been bugging me for years:
Did the entire set piece rotate to set up for the Jackpot Round, or did they just dolly the cameras around to the back, or am I in fact completely off my twig when I suggest that the two sets were a) different and b) facing in that fashion?
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Regarding \"Go\" set question, didn't they just put the podium under the huge \"Go\" sign, up the stairs in the middle? It was a terrific set, especially considering the combination of Bob Stewart and NBC that produced it.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Aug 25 2003, 04:57 PM\'] [quote name=\'PeterMarshallFan\' date=\'Aug 25 2003, 01:47 PM\'] I liked that theme, personally. Thought it had some good piano riffs in it. [/quote]
There is nothing about "Go!" that I _didn't_ like. Great theme, great concept, great host, great game. Okay, maybe the scoring system could have been altered a little, but even then, rewarding a team for a Clean Sweep was an ingenious way to fill in the time.
And now a set question that has been bugging me for years:
Did the entire set piece rotate to set up for the Jackpot Round, or did they just dolly the cameras around to the back, or am I in fact completely off my twig when I suggest that the two sets were a) different and b) facing in that fashion? [/quote]
The whole set did rotate for the bonus round on GO! as I recall. I recall seeing the maingame table in the background during the bonus.
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[quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' date=\'Aug 25 2003, 01:43 PM\']
Split Second's bonus was the very definition of anti-climatic, especially when coming off of a really good Countdown Round. It was nothing but pick a number 1-5. That's it. Nothing else. Very blah.
For the '86 version, you had to pick a number between 1-5, but in reality that's all the original "Split Second" end game was - pick a car between 1 and 5 and hope it starts.
Having said that, I still think "Split Second" was a great show. [/quote]
Early in MOnty's run the bonus game had a player pick one number(one number had a Car, the others netted the player $1000). Later in the run, the contestant had to pick three numbers from 1-5, three numbers had a Car behind it, the other two said Fur or Vacation. If the three Car screens were found, player won Car and retired as champ. Otherwise they could take the Fur or Trip(with $1000, $2000, or $3000 added if the player was a two, three, or four time champ) and leave the show, or not take the prize and return for the next show. A four time champion faced a bonus round with four Car cards and one Fur or Vacation card, and a contestant could win the car by picking three of the four Car cards. Five time champs won the car automatically as on the original.
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[quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' date=\'Aug 25 2003, 01:45 PM\']
Worst Format Change: The increadbly stupid board changes made on PYL. M1S to $1500 or $500. PAC: $1400, $500+, $1400...
They did change that board around quite a bit over the three-year run, didn't they. I think it was noted somewhere that at one point there were so many extra spin spaces on the board the producers had to start taking some off. By the time you get to summer 1986 shows, there are noticably fewer on the board. And Pick a Corner was gone by the last month of the run. [/quote]
The lack of some of the extra spin spaces(and the lowering of some of the other round two dollar amounts) was probably due to their being over budget, and the show's dwindling ratings by mid-1986, in the hopes that the winning totals would be lowered as we mentioned a couple of weeks ago. Of course, the show's highest non-Larsen winner, ANnemarie(later a winner on Greed), occurred during this period.
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[quote name=\'zachhoran\' date=\'Aug 25 2003, 04:25 PM\'] The whole set did rotate for the bonus round on GO! as I recall. I recall seeing the maingame table in the background during the bonus. [/quote]
Um, you couldn't have. The stairs at center stage where K.O. made his entrance would have blocked your view.
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[quote name=\'Starkman\' date=\'Jul 4 2003, 09:02 AM\']Kirk Fogg.....had about as much motivation as chuck henry and as much personality as a real stone face and of course when they gave Olmec the hosting reins, i could see why he wasnt motivated
[/quote]
Olmec, by the way, was played by Dee Bradley Baker, who also switched into normal announcing mode to describe the prizes on LOHT, then went on to become a fixture on STYD as announcer/sidekick.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Aug 26 2003, 01:20 AM\'] [quote name=\'zachhoran\' date=\'Aug 25 2003, 04:25 PM\'] The whole set did rotate for the bonus round on GO! as I recall. I recall seeing the maingame table in the background during the bonus. [/quote]
Um, you couldn't have. The stairs at center stage where K.O. made his entrance would have blocked your view. [/quote]
I thought I could see at least the top of the table, going from 17 year old memory(1985-86 was when CBN aired reruns of it).
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[quote name=\'ITSBRY\' date=\'Jul 2 2003, 01:46 PM\'] The Edd Byrnes WOF pilot discussion in another thread made me think that it might be fun to compile a \"Best of the Worst and Why\" list.
ITSBRY
itsbry@juno.com [/quote]
Worst theme: All Star Blitz--how can anyone stand this drivel?
Host: Larry Toffler--Sorry, he gets on my nerves with he constant girl-like giggles and nuinsices.
Format change: Wheel of Fortune--slowly adding more and more crap to the game lost my interest more and more....
Show: The Diamond Head Game--how anyone could have thought this made good TV must have been smoking something.
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[quote name=\'Dsmith\' date=\'Aug 26 2003, 10:57 AM\'] [quote name=\'ITSBRY\' date=\'Jul 2 2003, 01:46 PM\'] The Edd Byrnes WOF pilot discussion in another thread made me think that it might be fun to compile a "Best of the Worst and Why" list.
ITSBRY
itsbry@juno.com [/quote]
Worst theme: All Star Blitz--how can anyone stand this drivel?
Host: Larry Toffler--Sorry, he gets on my nerves with he constant girl-like giggles and nuinsices.
Format change: Wheel of Fortune--slowly adding more and more crap to the game lost my interest more and more....
Show: The Diamond Head Game--how anyone could have thought this made good TV must have been smoking something. [/quote]
I can stand the All-Star Blitz theme standing on my head as well as Pat Finn saying "First Definition, Last definion" on TJW '90 more than that Samoan chasing Bob Barker on the first Grand Game win.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Aug 24 2003, 10:14 PM\'] [quote name=\'ChuckNet\' date=\'Aug 24 2003, 03:49 PM\']
RD complained about the Bullseye part on E!THS, yet they went with the Bankroll thing which was almost the same thing (albeit only 3 questions instead of 5).
Also, the families each chose 1 person to play the entire round, as opposed to going down the line for the 5 Bullseye questions.
Chuck Donegan (The Illustrious "Chuckie Baby") [/quote]
...Also, the questions were worth $1,000, $3,000, and $5,000, instead of $1,000, $2,000, $3,000, $4,000, and $5,000.
...Also, the entire game was played on a Chyroned graphic instead of using the projection TV.
...Also, the 1994 Dawson version of the show was distributed wholly by syndication instead of the mixed syndication / network model the Combs show enjoyed.
...Also, the show's theme is now heard as a TPiR cue.
...Also, people who nitpick crap like this REALLY piss me off. [/quote]
The Dawson hour-long revival in '94 did very well -- scored higher ratings than the Combs version, and it appeared all good things were to come for Family Feud.
What killed Dawson's revival? O.J. Simpson. Otherwise, Richard would have hosted Feud for another year or two.
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WORST THEME: I defy anyone to listen to Monopoly (on one of the CD's) and tell me that something else is worse. (Regarding the Pyramid themes, I like the 70's version better for everything except celebrating a win. There I'll take the 80's version.)
WORST SET: any show where an important part of what the viewer sees is virtual
WORST CONCEPT: (tie) Three's a Crowd and Studs
WORST REVIVAL: TJW90 (If I'm ever unfortunate enough to see CS01, I may change my mind, but from what I've read, the essence of the game was more or less intact.)
Dishonorable mention: $50,000 Pyramid. Except for the big prize, the money was half what it had been in the previous incarnation. Worse, the way to qualify for the tournament was by getting the fastest 7 of 7 for that week, and if you won a game without needing a 7, you didn't get to finish.
WORST USE OF CELEBRITIES: Celebrity Whew!
Dishonorable mention: Scattergories. If you're gonna have celebrities, don't just tape 'em.
WORST KATHY LEE GIFFORD-IZATION OF PAYOUTS: (This refers only to shows that normally had adults doing a special kids' edition.) second go-round of Junior Pyramid, where the payouts for a big win were $1000, $2500 and $5000
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[quote name=\'Jay Temple\' date=\'Mar 1 2004, 07:56 PM\'] (If I'm ever unfortunate enough to see CS01, I may change my mind, but from what I've read, the essence of the game was more or less intact.) [/quote]
I'd love to know what you read, because other than the single incredibly basic concept of predicting whether a card is higher or lower than the one before it, and the Money Cards (and even THAT didn't make it intact), there is not one single facet of the Card Sharks we know and love that made it into the 2001 version.
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[quote name=\'Jay Temple\' date=\'Mar 1 2004, 09:56 PM\'] WORST THEME: I defy anyone to listen to Monopoly (on one of the CD's) and tell me that something else is worse. [/quote]
All Star Blitz.
Brandon Brooks
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[quote name=\'Brandon Brooks\' date=\'Mar 1 2004, 10:54 PM\'] [quote name=\'Jay Temple\' date=\'Mar 1 2004, 09:56 PM\'] WORST THEME: I defy anyone to listen to Monopoly (on one of the CD's) and tell me that something else is worse. [/quote]
All Star Blitz.
Brandon Brooks [/quote]
I'll do you one better: The scatting on "The Better Sex".
Close second: Hollywood Squares [current version]. That was a theme?
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[quote name=\'Dsmith\' date=\'Mar 2 2004, 01:53 AM\'][quote name=\'Brandon Brooks\' date=\'Mar 1 2004, 10:54 PM\'] [quote name=\'Jay Temple\' date=\'Mar 1 2004, 09:56 PM\'] WORST THEME: I defy anyone to listen to Monopoly (on one of the CD's) and tell me that something else is worse. [/quote]
All Star Blitz.
Brandon Brooks [/quote]
I'll do you one better: The scatting on "The Better Sex".
Close second: Hollywood Squares [current version]. That was a theme?[/quote]
Well, it was a top 50 single back in the early 80s. :)
Actually, I like "Square Biz," but I've always liked Teena Marie--[Chuck Barris] but then again, I like hernia operations. [CB] :)
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[quote name=\'Dsmith\' date=\'Mar 2 2004, 12:53 AM\'] [quote name=\'Brandon Brooks\' date=\'Mar 1 2004, 10:54 PM\'] [quote name=\'Jay Temple\' date=\'Mar 1 2004, 09:56 PM\'] WORST THEME: I defy anyone to listen to Monopoly (on one of the CD's) and tell me that something else is worse. [/quote]
All Star Blitz.
Brandon Brooks [/quote]
I'll do you one better: The scatting on "The Better Sex".
Close second: Hollywood Squares [current version]. That was a theme? [/quote]
That's why I didn't choose the current version of Pyramid. It doesn't even rise to the level of being a theme.
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THEME- Current Pyramid theme (way too futuristic), Family Challenge theme (sounds like some dumb square dance song)
HOST- Patrick Wayne (zzz), and Rolf (didn't even know the rules)
FORMAT CHANGE- Trivia Trap's new format made the name seem useless
SHOW- Um... Yahtzee I guess, very short lived and boring
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Worst theme - tie between Pyramid and TTD 90. Might lean more toward TTD, as Pyramid was just a rhythm track.
worst is a relative thing - I'll pick a few that left a bad taste -
Host - Red Rowe, nighttime Video Village (Narz was just as gabby in the early nighttime shows before it moved to daytime, as it was a new show and there was a lot to explain. But when Rowe took over..oh my God, Red..SHUT UP and move the game along!!!)
Format change: the second incarnation of Play The Percentages really blew. Three On A Match going from matching prizes to pictures on the board was weird.
Show - boy, a lot to choose from - Winning Streak (weak main game, fair bonus - dull, dull, dull), Blankety-Blanks, but big ones that come to mind are $1.98 Beauty Pageant, Three's A Crowd, and The Neighbors for their entertain through humiliation factor.
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The worst bonus game I've ever seen was the second "Caesar's Challenge" bonus game. You hardly could tell if the letters were spinning or not, and usually by the time you solved the third word, the 30 seconds were gone. (They probably should have lengthened the round to 45 seconds.) From what I possibly read, only one person won this particular end game.
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[quote name=\'mbclev\' date=\'Mar 4 2004, 10:35 AM\'] From what I possibly read, only one person won this particular end game. [/quote]
Where did you read that? Because I could've sworn I've personally seen otherwise.
Brandon Brooks
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Where did you read that? Because I could've sworn I've personally seen otherwise.
Indeed...it was actually two people, and on consecutive shows, since balloons were still strewn across the stage floor the day after the 1st win.
Chuck Donegan (The Illustrious "Chuckie Baby")
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Worst game-show-decision-since-greenlighting-Studs: Replacing Louie with Richard Karn. I *used* to watch this if it was on when I was home, and I *used* to laugh a lot at it. Now, it's the only thing that puts me to sleep faster than the Tonight Show.
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[quote name=\'tommycharles\' date=\'Mar 4 2004, 11:20 AM\'] Worst game-show-decision-since-greenlighting-Studs: Replacing Louie with Richard Karn. [/quote]
I have a feeling you're going to have a hard time finding people who agree with you on this. :)
Louie was so bad he made Benirshke look viable.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Mar 4 2004, 01:52 PM\'] [quote name=\'tommycharles\' date=\'Mar 4 2004, 11:20 AM\'] Worst game-show-decision-since-greenlighting-Studs: Replacing Louie with Richard Karn. [/quote]
I have a feeling you're going to have a hard time finding people who agree with you on this. :)
Louie was so bad he made Benirshke look viable. [/quote]
Yeah...generally anyone who agrees with me on this is about to ask me for money.
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Yeah...generally anyone who agrees with me on this is about to ask me for money.
Can you spare a dime? ;)
Seriously, I actually liked Louie, too.
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Indeed...it was actually two people, and on consecutive shows, since balloons were still strewn across the stage floor the day after the 1st win.
Actually it was three. It happened about a month after that bonus round was introduced, then on the two consecutive shows about another month after that.