The talent of the Talent

[chris319]

Replace "Likeable", "Fast Wit" and "Control" with "Annoying", "Hyper", and "Cheesy", and you may have something.

Don't forget "smarmy".

[chris319]

I don't think it was as much Todd Newton's fault that Whammy bombed out as were other factors

Like the premise of the game was as thin as a single-ply Kleenex tissue?

[tyshaun1]

[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Dec 8 2004, 10:32 PM\']

I don't think it was as much Todd Newton's fault that Whammy bombed out as were other factors

Like the premise of the game was as thin as a single-ply Kleenex tissue?

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Whammy! made me realize how well executed PYL was. Right host, pacing and contestants. Whammy! was so overly structured..... For instance, why would you put a commercial break in the middle of the final round? That, IMO, is like putting a commercial break in the middle of the Winner's Circle. I don't think much could've helped it.

[Game Show Man]

[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Dec 8 2004, 08:27 PM\']

Replace "Likeable", "Fast Wit" and "Control" with "Annoying", "Hyper", and "Cheesy", and you may have something.

Don't forget "smarmy".

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I find it absolutely hilarious that you guys should think to apply the same derogatory adjectives to Todd Newton that detractors of game shows have applying for years to the greats of our business.  Besides, Newton is still a relatively new emcee.  I personally think that he IS likeable, quick-witted and capable of keeping control of his show.  Based on reports, I would also say that he is like Ray Combs in that he is able to keep the same energy level through out his show and the taping of that show.  But he's also still fairly raw, and as a result, without the experience to help him know how to react in certain situations (Mark, Chris and most of Newton's detractors seem to want to say "all situations"), right now to many people he comes off exactly as you suggest.  But I think the capacity (and the desire) are there to help him learn.  Frankly, I'd rather have someone like Todd hosting shows than, say, Louie Anderson. ;P

[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Dec 8 2004, 08:32 PM\']

I don't think it was as much Todd Newton's fault that Whammy bombed out as were other factors

Like the premise of the game was as thin as a single-ply Kleenex tissue?

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That's never stopped the PYL format before.  Certainly Fremantle's desire to have wall-to-wall game hurt the show.  They were so obsessed with keeping the audience focused on the game that they forgot to give the audience a stake in the game by making us care about the contestants on the show.  And I think we're all agreed that the show was TOO DAMN CHEAP.

And then there's Sony's dumb decision to turn Game Show Network into GSN...

[Dbacksfan12]

[quote name=\'wheelloon\' date=\'Dec 8 2004, 09:35 PM\']IDon't you think that would be exciting to see someone land on "$10,000 AND A SPIN?!!!!!!" [/quote]
Trying launching The $250,000 Diamond Head Game and tell me how far you get.

[clemon79]

[quote name=\'wheelloon\' date=\'Dec 8 2004, 07:35 PM\']!!!
?!!!!!!
!!!!!

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Dude, you might be taken a little more seriously if you backed off on the punctuation a little bit.

[tyshaun1]

[quote name=\'Game Show Man\' date=\'Dec 9 2004, 02:00 AM\'] Certainly Fremantle's desire to have wall-to-wall game hurt the show.  They were so obsessed with keeping the audience focused on the game that they forgot to give the audience a stake in the game by making us care about the contestants on the show.

And then there's Sony's dumb decision to turn Game Show Network into GSN...

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I think what finally pushed me over the edge for the show was when I heard a contestant announce "I want to win big bucks so I can have liposuction! WHOO!"
Liposuction. Think about it.

BTW, it wasn't Sony's decision, it was Cronin's.

Tyshaun

[Game Show Man]

[quote name=\'tyshaun1\' date=\'Dec 9 2004, 05:21 AM\'][quote name=\'Game Show Man\' date=\'Dec 9 2004, 02:00 AM\'] Certainly Fremantle's desire to have wall-to-wall game hurt the show.  They were so obsessed with keeping the audience focused on the game that they forgot to give the audience a stake in the game by making us care about the contestants on the show.

And then there's Sony's dumb decision to turn Game Show Network into GSN...

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I think what finally pushed me over the edge for the show was when I heard a contestant announce "I want to win big bucks so I can have liposuction! WHOO!"
Liposuction. Think about it.

BTW, it wasn't Sony's decision, it was Cronin's.

Tyshaun

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Cronin's at Sony's behest.  They are the one who want the younger demos.

[wheelloon]

(wheelloon @ Dec 8 2004, 07:35 PM)

!!!
?!!!!!!
!!!!!

Dude, you might be taken a little more seriously if you backed off on the punctuation a little bit.

I do that for emphasis, nothing else....  I've always done that... but anyway...

(chris319 @ Dec 8 2004, 08:32 PM)

I don't think it was as much Todd Newton's fault that Whammy bombed out as were other factors

Like the premise of the game was as thin as a single-ply Kleenex tissue?


That's never stopped the PYL format before. Certainly Fremantle's desire to have wall-to-wall game hurt the show. They were so obsessed with keeping the audience focused on the game that they forgot to give the audience a stake in the game by making us care about the contestants on the show. And I think we're all agreed that the show was TOO DAMN CHEAP.

And then there's Sony's dumb decision to turn Game Show Network into GSN...

AMEN!!!!! The new format (and yes that mid-final round commercial break seemed very weird...) screwed up one of the best concepts for a game show of them all... BOOHOO... Oh well, if we expect PYL to succeed again, it has to be on a major network (not including FOX) and have more at stake per round... Bottom Line...

[Chelsea Thrasher]

...one of the best concepts for a game show of them all...

Hit a buzzer at random points.   What a concept.  (And I'm a FAN of the show)

Oh well, if we expect PYL to succeed again, it has to be on a major network (not including FOX)

It has the same odds of being picked up by FOX as it does by CBS/ABC/NBC these days.  None.   They've pretty much made clear based on 11 years without one single new premiere that they're out of the GS business except TPiR, for good.  And the WWTBAM ratings crash, LMAD's mediocre ratings, etc. have convinced networks to basically stay away from games in primetime.

and have more at stake per round... Bottom Line...

Why?  PYL/Whammy payoffs ran about $10,000-$20,000 per show, sometimes less, sometimes more.  I think that's a downright perfect amount myself.  WHY do people seem to think that a good game requires paying out a quarter-mil per show?

[Dbacksfan12]

[quote name=\'wheelloon\' date=\'Dec 9 2004, 01:47 PM\']Oh well, if we expect PYL to succeed again, it has to be on a major network (not including FOX) and have more at stake per round... Bottom Line...
[/quote]
Once again, try launching "The $500,000 What's My Prize", and tell me how far you get.

[clemon79]

[quote name=\'wheelloon\' date=\'Dec 9 2004, 11:47 AM\']I do that for emphasis, nothing else....  I've always done that... but anyway...
[/quote]
You should stop. It makes you look inane. But, take the advice or not, your choice.

[chris319]

If Todd Newton were that good, people wouldn't be divided in their opinions of him. There would be more of a consensus among game show fans. Can you think of a game show fan who would describe, say, Garry Moore as "cheesy" or "smarmy"?

[DrBear]

[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Dec 9 2004, 03:56 PM\']Can you think of a game show fan who would describe, say, Garry Moore as "cheesy" or "smarmy"?

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A traditional game show fan, no. If there were a game show Mt. Rushmore, Garry would be on it (and do I smell another thread coming from that?)*

Somebody with a different point of view, maybe. Garry's style was very much of his time, and lest we forget, that time ended almost 30 years ago. For good or bad, tastes change. Some of those old 1950s and 60s variety shows are almost cringe-inducing - take the musical numbers on "Laugh-In."

(Personally, I through Todd Newton did OK on Whammy! but the contestants were generally so-so and the construction of the game - especially that interrupted final round - was crummy. Maybe you can't catch lightning twice. Todd wouldn't work for every show but yes, I could see him on TPIR or some other show with lots of host-contestant interaction.)

*OK, since you asked....Game show Mt. Rushmore, from left, Cullen, Barker, Moore, Kennedy.

[Neumms]

[quote name=\'Seth Thrasher\' date=\'Dec 9 2004, 02:29 PM\']

and have more at stake per round... Bottom Line...

Why?  PYL/Whammy payoffs ran about $10,000-$20,000 per show, sometimes less, sometimes more.  I think that's a downright perfect amount myself.  WHY do people seem to think that a good game requires paying out a quarter-mil per show?

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As others have noted, there's not much to the game here. PYL's sole point of interest is the drama and excitement. To that end, the prizes do have to seem worthwhile. A transistor radio or box of M&M's isn't much of a prize when one sees bigger one on TPIR and Wheel. And I'm not suggesting that we should take up a collection for Sony and Fremantle, just analyzing why it didn't work.

PYL, I would add, does have more interesting concept than "Let's Make a Deal." Just sayin'.