The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => Game Show Channels & Networks => Topic started by: CaseyAbell on September 01, 2004, 09:28:02 AM
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Commented somewhere that the 9/27 prime time schedule looked temporary. Only I didn't realize how temporary it apparently will be. Adlink has posted the 10/11 schedule (http://\"http://adlink.com/resource_center/programming_grids/apg.cfm?netid=14909&begweek=10/11/2004&endtime=1770\"), with new series of Blackjack and Dodgeball all over the place.
As I said on the GSN board, the network isn't snoozing. They're cranking out the new shows right quick.
A few other comments: Dog Eat Dog keeps getting trimmed back to avoid ridiculous rerun abuse, which is a smart move. Still think GSN should get some U.K. eps (or, less likely, do some original shows) to freshen the franchise. Spy TV somehow hangs around in a sleepy-time slot. Kinda funny to see it still on the sched. Name's the Same looks set for a considerable run on B&WO. Star Search is still there, which also mildly surprises me. The Monday Weakest Links are probably place holders until the pool and horseracing shows are ready. War horses MG, Feud and Love Connection get solid hour strips across the entire week. Counting all the variants, MG continues to get the 32 showings a week from the 9/27 schedule. Is this a record?
Closer to home, Adlink now shows the Lingo Labor Day marathon.
EDIT: Just saw Variety's monthly roundup (http://\"http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/variety/20040831/va_tv_ne/mtv_kudos_dip_in_aud_1\") of big gainers and losers among cable networks. I can understand why GSN is rushing out new series of Dodgeball and Blackjack. Both shows staged entertaining finales earlier this month, and they really popped GSN's numbers. Total prime time viewers were up 47% in August vs. the same month last year.
Admittedly, the third quarter last year was the Nielsen Pit of Hell for GSN. But the recovery this year is still impressive.
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Wow, lots of Weakest Link on that schedule and many shows scheduled for back-to-back episodes. I would prefer to see more different shows on the schedule, especially since GSN has so many shows available, as I found out last year when voting for the Feast of Favorites. I doubt the upcoming pool and horse racing shows will be of interest to me.
I sometimes tune in to Blackjack, but it's not something that I always plan to watch. It gets high ratings, though, so I'm not surprised that new eps will be made. Reruns of it don't do anything for me, though. One viewing of each episode is enough for me. However, Dog Eat Dog and Extreme Dodgeball could leave the schedule permanently, and I would not care in the very least. I'm also not interested in Spy TV, Star Search, or any of those dating reality shows.
I'll look forward to seeing The Name's the Same. I gave Black & White Overnight a try last night by using the VCR, and it was pretty cool. This B&W version of Password was a little boring for me, compared to the newer versions, but I really enjoyed What's My Line? I remember seeing the '70s version at my brother's house a while back before I had GSN.
I'm glad good ol' Match Game is still on the schedule, although, as Casey noted, it might be a record with 32 airings a week, although there were many years of the show, plus I guess this counts the newer '90s version as well. I also like Family Feud and just about every game show from the '70s and '80s, as I've always been a huge game show fan since my childhood.
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Most of my (quality?) time with GSN lately has been spent on the new stuff: Blackjack, Dodgeball, Dog Eat Dog, and Street Smarts. So I'm happy to see them all get lots of play on the new schedule, though I worry about rerun abuse of the Dog's very few episodes.
Still, I've found that reruns of the Dog are very watchable. Last night I caught a repeat and enjoyed the silliness and dramatics of the gameplay, which included everything from a legitimately athletic climbing challenge to a goofy contest in opening beer bottles.
Weakest Link was never a fave of mine because Anne's wicked witch act gets old. But it must still do at least decent numbers to get as much exposure as it does. All in all, the new schedule is fine with me. I'm particularly looking forward to the new series of Dodgeball and Blackjack.
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Now Street Smarts I like. I'm glad GSN picked that show up. I assume the Blackjack show was created as a result of the popularity with the poker shows, which are aired on no fewer than three channels. I guess card games are the "in" thing now on TV, so I can understand GSN getting involved with their own card game show. I don't mind watching every now and then, but it's not "must-see TV" for me. But it does have its audience, and the ratings are good for now, so I guess it works out for GSN.
I remember that Dog Eat Dog ep with the guy opening the beer bottles. He did it with his teeth. That was one of the episodes that I did see. If I recall, the poor guy lost, but gave a good try. I watched the first week of the show, but I soon got tired of it. I think there are many good shows available that can be shown instead of the few episodes and constant reruns of Dog Eat Dog.
Yes, Anne's act does get old on Weakest Link, and the game play doesn't seem right to me. I think the rule should be that the players can vote off anyone except the player who was the strongest link for that round. Anne tells the players to vote off the player whom they think is the weakest link, but by eliminating the smartest player, that makes the other contestants' chances of winning the big bucks even better. So I think the strongest link for each round should be able to stick around.
I gave Extreme Dodgeball a chance, but it just didn't appeal to me. I played enough of Dodgeball in elementary and junior high school way back then (I'm 30-something now), and watching others play the game on TV just doesn't do anything for me.
What I really like--and have always liked--are the game shows from my childhood. I mean, I was crazy about game shows back then--and still am. I looked forward to being home from school in the summer or because of a snow day or holiday so that I could watch all those daytime game shows on the networks. Oh, I still watched the cartoons and kids' shows, of course, but game shows would be on my TV viewing schedule as well. I watched them during the day, and then there would be more in the evening. Some, such as Dealer's Choice and Cross-Wits, would come on late at night in my area. I didn't have GSN back in 1994, but I've seen a schedule of the shows that they had aired back then. (Sigh)--those were the days.
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[quote name=\'michaellinn\' date=\'Sep 2 2004, 03:03 PM\'] Yes, Anne's act does get old on Weakest Link, and the game play doesn't seem right to me. I think the rule should be that the players can vote off anyone except the player who was the strongest link for that round. [/quote]
I dunno -- whether it's intentional or not, getting to vote off the strongest player gives the game a psychological edge to it. You don't want to get voted off for doing too badly, or doing too well -- it's best to just blend in. I guess I like the rule as it is.
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[quote name=\'CaseyAbell\' date=\'Sep 2 2004, 06:59 AM\'] Weakest Link was never a fave of mine because Anne's wicked witch act gets old. [/quote]
Anne's schtick works a lot better on the BBC Daytime shows, when the stakes are lower and you can have such statements as "You've won a horrible, miserable £50!" Also, the angry schoolmarm act doesn't really translate as a cultural reference in the US like it does in the UK. We relate more to the kid in the back of the room mouthing off, as George Gray's relative success showed us.
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I don't know if I really like this schedule any better since they moved the hour of family feud back to 1 when I usually watched it everyday at 5. Now I can't cause of school. But than again it'll be on everyday now...
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That is pacific time. It's actually going to 4.
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oops.... if that's the case than the new schedule is all right. I'm still puzzled about love connection are they getting that good of ratings off of it to keep it on the air this long?
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[quote name=\'Triplez47888\' date=\'Sep 2 2004, 11:08 PM\'] oops.... if that's the case than the new schedule is all right. I'm still puzzled about love connection are they getting that good of ratings off of it to keep it on the air this long? [/quote]
I think they keep leaving LC on because it's got Chuck "2 and 2" Woolery as the host..
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[quote name=\'Triplez47888\' date=\'Sep 2 2004, 09:08 PM\'] I'm still puzzled about love connection are they getting that good of ratings off of it to keep it on the air this long? [/quote]
I asked a about the show last year and I'm STILL confused
as to how it's considered a "game" show. Given that the show
has these "main" ingredients, I imagine that's why it's thought
of as such:
- The show has an announcer
- The show has a studio audience (although it doesn't have a *HOME* audience)
In my opinion, it seems that LC is only a "game show" in the broadest
and strictest sense. Then too, it could be that it draws huge ratings, although
I find that difficult to believe. Who's to say WHY it's considered a "game"
show. I feel it lacks ANY element of home viewer "play along."
I hope this is what you were asking LOL
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LC could be thought of as a game show with the ultimate prize---true love.
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[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' date=\'Sep 3 2004, 12:10 AM\'] LC could be thought of as a game show with the ultimate prize---true love. [/quote]
Right... but couldn't the same argument be made for "The Dating
Game?" Doesn't that also have the potential to find "true love?"
I think of "The Dating Game," as a reality show, not a GAME show.
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Besides, I've also read that the reason Chuck holds onto
Stacy at the end of Lingo is to conceal the "battery pack" that
she's wearing onstage. Yet, why does he not appear to hang
onto her as they walk ONTO the stage?
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Of course, that's not to say I dislike Chuck Woolery - I
don't. I just question the format of LC... as well as believe
the LINGO "story."
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I agree with Matt that Celeb Blackjack is reminiscent of the panel shows from the 50s and 60s...something like I've Got a Secret, only with far more emphasis on the gameplay and wider, er, latitude in the comments of the participants. Since IGaS is one of my all-time faves, it's not surprising that Celeb Blackjack also rates high with me. The finale, with Caroline Rhea going over the top of the top in sheer obnoxiousness, was indescribably delicious. I'm really looking forward to the second series.
Dodgeball is such a goof that it always gets a smile from me. To be honest, though, there are occasional bits of genuine athleticism which help leaven the humor. A nice combo of sport and comedy.
I always liked Beat the Clock, so my affection for the pumped-up version (a.k.a. Dog Eat Dog) is no surprise. Brooke is nice to look at and can lead cheers, though her conversational abilities are not striking. The show moves along well and the challenges are usually interesting.
Street Smarts is a clever offshoot of MG and Feud, via Leno's goof-in-the-street segments. Lots of laughs, nice pace, likeable host.
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[quote name=\'MyCapableAssistant\' date=\'Sep 3 2004, 05:32 AM\'] Besides, I've also read that the reason Chuck holds onto
Stacy at the end of Lingo is to conceal the "battery pack" that
she's wearing onstage. [/quote]
If by "battery pack", you mean "her ass", then yes, this is likely the case. ;)
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[quote name=\'CaseyAbell\' date=\'Sep 3 2004, 05:54 AM\'] Brooke is nice to look at and can lead cheers, though her conversational abilities are not striking. The show moves along well and the challenges are usually interesting.
[/quote]
The thing about DED is, IIRC, that Brooke got NOTICABLY better between Seasons 1 and 2, in terms of overall hosting and banter and what not. So I wonder if you're seeing Season 1 shows, and if you'll be able to pick out when the changeover happens.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Sep 3 2004, 09:43 AM\'] [quote name=\'MyCapableAssistant\' date=\'Sep 3 2004, 05:32 AM\'] Besides, I've also read that the reason Chuck holds onto
Stacy at the end of Lingo is to conceal the "battery pack" that
she's wearing onstage. [/quote]
If by "battery pack", you mean "her ass", then yes, this is likely the case. ;) [/quote]
Heh -
If THAT's the "battery pack" she has, I would think she has
that coming AND going!
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Really haven't seen too much difference in Brooke's second-season performance on the Dog. She can still read the cards and yell, "go, girlfriend," but I can't remember a single clever ad-lib from either season.
Not that Dog Eat Dog needs clever ad-libs. They might actually work against the emphasis on the stunts.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Sep 3 2004, 10:46 AM\'][quote name=\'CaseyAbell\' date=\'Sep 3 2004, 05:54 AM\'] Brooke is nice to look at and can lead cheers, though her conversational abilities are not striking. The show moves along well and the challenges are usually interesting.
[/quote]
The thing about DED is, IIRC, that Brooke got NOTICABLY better between Seasons 1 and 2, in terms of overall hosting and banter and what not. So I wonder if you're seeing Season 1 shows, and if you'll be able to pick out when the changeover happens.[/quote]
They're back in Season 1 right now.
The other noticeable difference in seasons other than Brooke's performance--the more lead-footed, overly obvious sweetening on *every little thing* (and I guess there actually was an audience in the studio both seasons--they just got covered up by the canned version).
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The Prof is grumping about GSN again. I know he can't be bothered to look at the schedule, but this is getting silly. GSN is "tilting to an end of the traditional game show" by running Match Game 32 times a week? Family Feud 15 times a week? Millionaire 13 times a week? Maybe the Prof is tilting a little himself.
In fact, GSN is bringing back all sorts of older traditional game shows: Perry Card Sharks, Hollywood Showdown, All New 3's a Crud, MG 90, Name's the Same, even some eps of Number Please, Play Your Hunch, and Winner Take All. (As you can probably tell, one of these recalls doesn't please me very much.)
Meanwhile, the "game operas" and dating shows the Prof always rants about are disappearing from the network: Mole, Average Joe, Fake-a-Date, Vegas Weddings.
You'd think he'd be happy that the network is moving in his direction. He's still ticked over Boden's departure, I guess.
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I was under the impression that Play Your Hunch was gonna be running on a REGULAR basis during the weekends; but I guess I was wrong about that. And with our luck, it'll probably be the Jonathan Winters and Jaye P. Morgan episodes that we've seen already.
And don't get me started on WML about to be subjected to 'rerun abuse' just like $100kP and WLoD were before they were retired. It won't be long before we're all Lined-out!
Cordially,
Tammy Warner--the 'Lee Meriwether of the Big Board!'
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How can WML be subject to rerun abuse? There are hundreds and hundreds of eps in existence. GSN can churn through seven episodes a week and not complete the cycle in a year. Now what they're doing to Dog Eat Dog...THAT'S rerun abuse. Fortunately, the show can stand at least some of the nastiness.
Never saw Play Your Hunch, so I don't know if the show is any good. Name's the Same is an okay panel show, though the gimmick gave out too quick.
The real point is that the Prof is being intentionally blind. He won't look at GSN's schedule because it contradicts his strange notion that "game operas" are displacing traditional game shows. Exactly the opposite is happening, as the network brings back many traditional studio game shows and drops multi-episode reality series like Mole and Average Joe. Cronin even bad-mouthed reality series in the story on the new reality networks, which you think would have pleased Mr. Steve.
But GSN execs are bypassing the Prof and talking to other media outlets. That's why he went out of his way to bash the Houston Chronicle's long story on the network. And yes, he's still angry over Boden, as Game Show Man's GSC account confirmed.
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[quote name=\'Winkfan\' date=\'Sep 3 2004, 11:32 PM\'] And don't get me started on WML about to be subjected to 'rerun abuse' just like $100kP and WLoD were before they were retired. It won't be long before we're all Lined-out!
[/quote]
Tammy, my dearest darling, we must remember there are few faithful fans with popped-open eye lids and/or tapes a-rolling at 4:30am to catch the show every late night/early morning of the week. While we'd all like to see some George DeWitt era Name That Tune episodes in there, I don't see it happening. And we are getting The Name's The Same, which is a nice treat. And Beat The Clock, which I know is a favorite of yours stays in the picture, albeit just on weekends, but at least it's staying.
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[quote name=\'CaseyAbell\' date=\'Sep 3 2004, 11:59 PM\'] How can WML be subject to rerun abuse? There are hundreds and hundreds of eps in existence. GSN can churn through seven episodes a week and not complete the cycle in a year. Now what they're doing to Dog Eat Dog...THAT'S rerun abuse. Fortunately, the show can stand at least some of the nastiness.
Never saw Play Your Hunch, so I don't know if the show is any good. Name's the Same is an okay panel show, though the gimmick gave out too quick.
The real point is that the Prof is being intentionally blind. He won't look at GSN's schedule because it contradicts his strange notion that "game operas" are displacing traditional game shows. Exactly the opposite is happening, as the network brings back many traditional studio game shows and drops multi-episode reality series like Mole and Average Joe. Cronin even bad-mouthed reality series in the story on the new reality networks, which you think would have pleased Mr. Steve.
But GSN execs are bypassing the Prof and talking to other media outlets. That's why he went out of his way to bash the Houston Chronicle's long story on the network. And yes, he's still angry over Boden, as Game Show Man's GSC account confirmed. [/quote]
I don't think he's blind. He's just not happy with the direction that GSN is going. A lot of people between the different boards are saying the same thing. And with the latest appointment, his disagreements are justifiably louder. Given the past records of the people involved, GSN is indicating more game operas instead of game shows. Perhaps GSN could rechristen itself Game Operas Network Everyday or GONE.
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[quote name=\'sshuffield70\' date=\'Sep 4 2004, 01:46 PM\'] Given the past records of the people involved, GSN is indicating more game operas instead of game shows. [/quote]
Then how come it's not happening? How come the ones they HAVE aired (The Mole comes to mind right away) flopped and dropped off of the schedule? I can see MG '90 right now. Granted, it's Match Game, but if they brought it back, who knows what might follow?
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we must remember there are few faithful fans with popped-open eye lids and/or tapes a-rolling at 4:30am to catch the show every late night/early morning of the week.
Yeah, maybe those 1950-51 episodes DID turn up after all. But you just give it two or three more months, and even the most hardcore GSN fans will start thinking either.....
a.) "Is WML STILL on?"
b.) "Haven't they shown this already?"
c.) "Why didn't GSN retire WML back in September while they had the chance?"
d.) All of the above
While we'd all like to see some George DeWitt era Name That Tune episodes in there, I don't see it happening.
But it would be a big shocker if they DID turn up on GSN!
And Beat The Clock, which I know is a favorite of yours stays in the picture, albeit just on weekends, but at least it's staying.
Lately, that's the only B&W show I watch/tape on there.
What I'm getting at is, if the rest of you start getting bored with WML, don't say that I told you so. Not EVERYONE has short memories and/or attention spans.
Cordially,
Tammy Warner--the 'Lee Meriwether of the Big Board!'
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Well, of course every viewer has a short memory. How else to explain ED, CB, SpyTV, and DED, along with Whammy, FoF, RR, Lingo, and Cram every 5 to 13 weeks for time immemorial.
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I'm agreeing with Chris Lemon? These must be the last days. Anyway, it seems pretty weird for the Prof to complain about what MIGHT happen on GSN...when what IS happening is exactly what he should like: reality series and dating shows getting canned, and more traditional studio game shows returning. One of the recently recalled shows even features one of Mr. Steve's favorite hosts, Todd Newton.
If I were the Prof - odd notion - I'd be running I-told-you-so items right now about GSN's return to traditional game shows, and the failure of "game operas" and "docudateries." Instead, he maintains this strange pretense that GSN is running more reality series when they're actually cancelling them, and tilting away from traditional studio shows when they're giving more exposure than ever to MG (not to mention several shows from the very earliest days of the genre).
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[quote name=\'Winkfan\' date=\'Sep 4 2004, 06:50 PM\'] [/quote]
... just give it two or three more months, and even the most hardcore GSN fans will start thinking either.....
a.) "Is WML STILL on?"
b.) "Haven't they shown this already?"
c.) "Why didn't GSN retire WML back in September while they had the chance?"
d.) All of the above
Well, obviously YOU'VE seen every episode of WML. Good!
Instead of moaning and groaning because WML is on
everynight, why not be a little more considerate of the
WML'ers who HAVEN'T seen these episodes? ... not everone
is as old as Methuselah, you know.
QUOTE
And Beat The Clock, which I know is a favorite of yours stays in the picture, albeit just on weekends, but at least it's staying.
**Lately, that's the only B&W show I watch/tape on there.**
Goodee - Goodee gumdrops!
What I'm getting at is, if the rest of you start getting bored with WML, don't say that I told you so. Not EVERYONE has short memories and/or attention spans.
And what *I'm* getting at is THIS. Not everybody derives excitement from
just SITTING and WATCHING a game show. Some like to "play along." And I feel WML offers FAR more "play along" than BTC.
Now, if you enjoy watching paint dry, then BTC is for you!
But pardon me. I forgot I was talking to a brain surgeon. You better go
scrub up - don't wanna keep the patient waiting! Hurry!
TICK TOCK... (no pun intended) - "it's time to beat the... "
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[quote name=\'CaseyAbell\' date=\'Sep 4 2004, 12:59 AM\'] But GSN execs are bypassing the Prof and talking to other media outlets. That's why he went out of his way to bash the Houston Chronicle's long story on the network. And yes, he's still angry over Boden, as Game Show Man's GSC account confirmed. [/quote]
Have you got a link to that?
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The money quote from GameShowMan's account:
"After the Smarty-Pants Quiz, Steve Beverly (pictured at left) gave his "State of the Games Address," a fiery, almost sermon-like speech, in which Beverly explained what he believed the reasons for the lack of traditional game shows were, why Pyramid got whacked, condemned Sony for dumping Bob Boden from GSN (here, here), further exclaimed his disdain for "reality television," proclaimed the coming of "the era of the casino game" and exclaimed a bit of hope for the future as Ken Jennings continues his reign of terror on Jeopardy!"
This one (okay, very long) sentence should be covered by fair use because the poster put a link to the account on this board. I can well believe the "fiery, almost sermon-like" description.
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Actually, I meant the Houston Chronicle-bashing.
Andy
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His swipe at the Chronicle story was in the "Game Show Grapevine" section of his web page. It seems to have scrolled off now.
He sniffed that we should expect (apparently some nefarious forces) to "push" for more "upbeat" stories on GSN like the Chronicle article. He then bashed the idea that the network was trying to offer something for everybody, as the article described, by wishing "everybody" didn't include KvS fans.
EDIT: Found the exact quote on the GSN board: "The Houston Chronicle ran an extensive story on GSN and its current remake. Expect to see a push for more upbeat stories on how the network is offering 'something for everybody'....One supremely wishes that something for everybody did not include those who find Kenny vs. Spenny amusing." (Ellipsis in the original.)