If you could pick one show, and only one show

[BrandonFG]

The problem with Marshall's HSq was that, despite the rareness of it all, the episodes were just plain dull IMO. The fact that Bergeron's faster-paced version was still airing in first-run prolly made it look even slower by comparison.

[Matt Ottinger]

The problem with Marshall's HSq was that, despite the rareness of it all, the episodes were just plain dull IMO. The fact that Bergeron's faster-paced version was still airing in first-run prolly made it look even slower by comparison.

In hindsight, it's interesting to consider what made the 70s Match Game such a big hit for GSN while the 70s Hollywood Squares flopped.  What I keep coming back to is that Squares insisted on taking its dumb tic-tac-toe game seriously, while Match Game realized they didn't have much of a game and amped up the humor accordingly.  Peter Marshall has been quoted frequently about how his role was to keep the game moving. It also couldn't have helped much that each star was trapped in his own little box.  Sure, the show had a long list of (mostly scripted) 'zingers' it could point to, but very little in the way of spontaneous humor.  Match Game was all about spontaneous humor.

[toddyo]

I'll take Elke Sommer to block.

[That Don Guy]

And what does a Halloween episode of The Simpsons have to do with a person's likeness being blocked? And which season was it?

Season 20's "Treehouse of Horror XIX" had a story called "How to Get Ahead in Dead-vertising"; Homer killed celebrities because "you can use dead celebrities in commercials without paying anybody."  I'm fairly certain this is not really the case (except for Presidents of the USA, whose likenesses are public domain).

[clemon79]

(except for Presidents of the USA, whose likenesses are public domain).

"First we'd heard!"

[DrBear]

See, that's the difference. Presidents of the USA are in the public domain. The Presidents of the United States of America isn't.
OB Game Show: TPOTUS did "Cleveland Rocks" for the theme of The Drew Carey Show. Drew Carey is a game show host.

And as for the other comment, I agree MG was looser, although there were some classic lines from HS.

My wife still wonders why Gene Rayburn's microphone kept getting longer the longer the show ran.

[Jimmy Owen]

"Hollywood Squares" has never been a favorite show of mine, even in the Marshall years.  I preferred "Blankety Blanks"

[That Don Guy]

I preferred "Blankety Blanks"

The Bill Cullen version (as opposed to the UK version of MG)?

Was it just me, or did that show repeat questions?  I seem to recall hearing this one twice (once with a correct answer, and once with an incorrect one):

"At the 1972 Munich Olympics, they had to put extra chlorine in the pool because (blankety blank)"

[Sonic Whammy]

Is the fact that TPIR isn't on GSN now Barker's call at all?  I thought it was strictly Fremantle that was blocking it ("as long as CBS is airing it," I seem to recall hearing).  Besides - I am under the impression that the ban applied to the Cullen episodes as well, and what say would Barker have in those?

Maybe Bob can have his estate prevent airing the episodes with furs?  (Can an estate put a general block on airing TV shows with someone in it, the way it (presumably) can block using the person's likeness in commercials (a certain Halloween episode of The Simpsons notwithstanding)?)

I was referring to the furs thing primarily. That is I could see Bob having such episodes kept off the table, including the premiere that everyone would give their right ________ for (wrong show, but I don't care).

But as far as the current Price goes, the idea that not airing the classic version because you don't want the current version to be affected by comparison is baffling. I mean, why doesn't Feud have this same issue? Dawson hasn't had a negative impact on Karn, O'Hurley or even Harvey now? And no, syndication shouldn't have to be an excuse. It's a double standard by Fremantle here... and I really hate double standards.

[Jimmy Owen]

I preferred "Blankety Blanks"

The Bill Cullen version (as opposed to the UK version of MG)?

Yes.  All ten weeks of it.

[BillCullen1]

I preferred "Blankety Blanks"

The Bill Cullen version (as opposed to the UK version of MG)?

Yes.  All ten weeks of it.

IIRC, Anne Meara was on the first and final week of that Bob Stewart extravaganza. It was cute but being on against Squares didn't help and Stewart did his usual tinkering with the format every other week. Cullen got the last laugh - he got a paycheck out of it.

[Jeremy Nelson]

But as far as the current Price goes, the idea that not airing the classic version because you don't want the current version to be affected by comparison is baffling. I mean, why doesn't Feud have this same issue? Dawson hasn't had a negative impact on Karn, O'Hurley or even Harvey now? And no, syndication shouldn't have to be an excuse. It's a double standard by Fremantle here... and I really hate double standards.

At some point during the O' Hurley era, I remember there had to have been at least 10 episodes of Feud on each weekday, considering the double run in syndication, the Pax/Ion reruns, and the Classic Feud on GSN. Unless I'm missing something, this is high risk cannibalization right here.

[Vahan_Nisanian]

I noticed many people are quick to blame Les Moonves/Fremantle/CBS as the main reason we're not seeing classic TPIR. To be honest, I don't think neither of them remotely care if it's on GSN or not. I think the real blame lies with Barker and Barker alone.

I wish Chris Mann's book would come out already. What happened to it? He said he'd have it ready by this year. What's taking him so long? The truth about Barker needs to come out this instant, people need to stop being spoon-fed his lies and his hypocrisy.

[clemon79]

The truth about Barker needs to come out this instant, people need to stop being spoon-fed his lies and his hypocrisy.

Unless you have verifiable proof (and you don't), then you need to get it clear that "what you believe to be the truth" and "the truth" aren't necessarily the same thing.

[joker316]

Price, would be great, but forget it. I fear even after Bob leaving us, his estate will probably hand some edict down blocking it or something.

Is the fact that TPIR isn't on GSN now Barker's call at all?  I thought it was strictly Fremantle that was blocking it ("as long as CBS is airing it," I seem to recall hearing).  Besides - I am under the impression that the ban applied to the Cullen episodes as well, and what say would Barker have in those?

ISTR the CBS affiliates didn't want to allow same day reruns because it would adversely affect their noon news ratings. Which is why it took so long for SoapNet to get Y&R same day replays.