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wThe Hall of Games |
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My Top 25 Favorite Game Shows
#6 - PASSWORD/PASSWORD PLUS/SUPER PASSWORD
Hosts: Allen Ludden, Tom Kennedy, Bert Convy
There are three things which guaranteed this show its classic
status. It originated the celebrity/civilan format, making the celebrity
an integral part of the game. It was the first word association game of
its kind. Without it, there would be no "Pyramid" and no "You Don't Say!"
It originated the concept of the bonus game with its Lightning Round. I've
heard complaints from several people especially in the "Password/Pyramid"
debate, that "Password" was slow paced. True, it was slower paced from "Pyramid,"
but that's what set it apart from Pyramid. You had to think differently and more
economically for Password, coming up with clues that were "on the nose." This made
"Password" at times more challenging that "Pyramid."
The game also proved itself as a classic to me by showing that you really
didn't need flashy sets and bells and buzzers to make a great game. The
original "Password" set was a cheap as you can get, but the game was so strong
that it didn't matter at all. The 60s version also had appeal because you
got to see stars like Peter Lawford, Barbara Eden, and Jimmy Stewart play.
Jimmy Stewart! You just don't get those kind of high caliber-stars on today's
game shows. Last but not least, Allen Ludden does an great job of
hosting adding even more class and dignity to the show.
"Password All-Stars" improved things with the "play, pass, or double"
rule and provided us with some of the most challenging passwords ever,
but it lost one of the key attractions of the show, the interaction between
celebrities and civilians. It just wasn't as exciting to see celebrities
play it up for charity. Plus, Ludden seemed less "on-the-ball" on
this version than during the original.
Things turned around for the better when civilians were brought back
into the fold, but it was clear it was too little, too late. The
set was glitzed up and the increase of the winning score to 50 combined
with the hold over of the "play, pass, double" option were definite improvements
on an already-excellent game. However, the elimination round, despite having
neat buzzers, for me, just seemed out of place for me. Totally unnecessary.
As to the lightning round, it was great to see more money being given out
and contestants being rewarded for faster Lightning Round times, but a
less complicated scoring system should have been used.
"Password Plus" was a rare instance in which a major overhaul of a classic
leads to another classic. This is one of the first game shows I remember
watching as a wee laddie. The puzzle format was superb, adding a "play along"
element to the show giving the home audience an opportunity to figure out the
answer along with the players. The set for a 70s/80s set was great with the
password flashing up on the window in front of the table. The theme was one of
THE all-time great game show theme songs, with one great funky bass line. And the
Alphabetics round tops all previous versions of the "Lightning Round" on "Password."
Allen Ludden does a fine job adapting to the new rules and seems genuinely excited
that "Password" is back.
The only drawback to the new format was that it restricted the kinds
of passwords used for the show. Often, the passwords tended to be
easier. Moreover, the "no opposites" rule added later in the show's run was a
huge mistake. It lead to awkward clue-giving and could easily have been remedied
by using less passwords where a supposed opposite could have been used as a first
clue.
Some of the later tweaks in the format did improve the game including
the keeping the option with the team that guessed the previous password.
Also, during the last several months, the progressive Alphabetics jackpot
and the switching of celebrities midway only added to the show.
Tom Kennedy, while a bit unsure of the flow of the game at first, eventually
did a fine job taking over the reins from the late Allen Ludden.
The show's final incarnation, "Super Password," was basically "Password Plus"
with the modified rules from its last few and a few more changes which were
all improvements. The scoring system was changed to a 100, 200, 300...etc. format
leading to bigger winnings for a victory. The wonderful Ca$hword bonus was added as
kind of an answer to Pyramid's "7-11" and "Mystery 7" bonuses again meaning more
money for the players. The progressive jackpot (a carry-over from "Plus's"
last episodes) led to VERY exciting end games. Bert Convy does a commendable job
of hosting this show and more futuristic set was great.
#7 - WHEEL OF FORTUNE
Hosts: Chuck Woolery, Pat Sajak, Rolf Benirschke, Bob Goen
I'm going to say right off the bat that I'm not going to bring up the
tired old debate of whether the show was better B.C. (before cash) or A.D.
(after dollars were introduced). I am going to say that either format had
their own little quirks which make them equally enjoyable. The heart of the
show is really the game. It takes the simple childhood game of Hangman
and makes it into a durable and enteraining game show. Add a beautiful
hostess, a very witty and underrated host, and glamorous prizes galore and
you've got yourself a ratings hit and a true classic! The game just lends
itself to the play-at-home aspect. You shout letters out at the contestant.
You yell at the TV telling them folks whether to spin or solve. You scream out
the puzzle. Any game that can do that is great!
The Woolery years are the classic years. Chuck Woolery really did a great job
with his ordinary-guy approach to hosting. He knew the show was simple and
just a game show. He had fun with the job and it showed as he often made fun of
the chintzy prizes on the show. Susan Stafford proved to be the better
letter-turner with her little quirks and by really assistant Chuck in the hosting
duties. And that original Alan Thicke's theme is the best of all the themes
for the show and one of the all-time best game show themes.
That's not to short-shrift Pat Sajak and Vanna White who've done a great
job as host and hostess of the show for the best couple of decades.
Pat Sajak, like Woolery, knew this was just a game show and it wasn't really
to be taken seriously. Many may criticize him for being snide and disinterested,
but I like it. Like with Richard Dawson and Gene Rayburn, his personality provides
a great contrast to the typical happy-go-lucky "Wheel" contesants.
Rolf Benirshcke, however, brought things to a screeching halt. He's a prime
example of how good looks do not necessarily mean one will be a good host.
Gone were the wisecracks of Woolery and Sajak. Instead, we got a pretty-boy who
hardly communicated any personality and who really lacked a connection with the
contestants. Benirshcke also proved how important Sajak was to the show.
Bob Goen did a fine job hosting, but by then daytime audiences had moved on...
The all-cash format on CBS really hurt the show causing reductions in the
top dollar values of the wheel. Also, by going to all-cash and lower
dollar values, the daytime version could not help to be compared to the
mega-hit nighttime version.
I have to hand it to Griffin for taking risks by introducing something
new each year for the past several years. There are those new puzzle
categories which had been both been good (the clever "Before and After")
and bad (remember "Megaword"?) There have been other changes that have really
paid off, such as the $10,000 bonus space, the Jackpot, the Toss-up puzzle, and
the new $100,000 bonus round. It's this variety that also makes the show a true
classic.
#8 - $ALE OF THE CENTURY (Reg Grundy Version)
Host: Jim Perry
A great Q-and-A game that really tested contestants not only on how
fast they were but their ability to anticipate what the whole question was.
The original format was really the best especially since it was the one that was
most true to the concept of the show. Here, score really mattered determining
whether a contestant would advance to the next prize level or not. This is the
closest that modern game shows had come to the "risk-it-all" factors of
the 50s quiz shows until the "Millionaire" boom, especially as contestants
mulled over whether to risk all their winnings for that growing cash jackpot.
It is also one of the few post-"Password" games to really shine without a bonus
round. The Instant Bargains and Fame Game added variety to the show altering the
final outcomes of the game. $ale Surprises and Jim Perry's great job of tempting
contestants by lowering prices even more and adding a little cash here
and there were great increasing the incentive to buy. (One of the best
things I saw him do was have a contestant pick one of pockets to add cash
to the bargain.) In the original format, there was even more of a risk to get an
Instant Bargain possibly causing a contestant to miss the amount needed to advance
to the next prize level. It's all of these elements of risk in original version
which made "$ale" such a unique and entertaining game show to watch. It was also
exciting to watch a contestants progress as they came closer and closer each day or night to reaching the needed
amount for the big jackpot.
The Reg Grundy people also have to be commended for their production and
presentation of this show. The ways prizes were presented were great if not the
best of all game shows. One presentation which I recently saw which stuck out in
my mind was the presentation of a home entertainment center. Instead of having a
model simply stand and fondle the entertainment set, they had a male model as a
magician have each prize magically appear with a wave of the wand. While today it
may seem cheesy to some, tell me the last time you saw Vanna present a prize like
that on "Wheel"?
There was also something cool about seeing the models in their tuxes and
dresses escort the contestants to their podiums on the nighttime version.
(I forgot...did they wear tuxes and dresses on the daytime version?). Speaking
of models and hostesses, I have to say that Summer Bartholomew ranks as
one of THE all-time best hostesses. For once, a game show let their hostesses
say more than one word.
As the years wore on, changes were made which weren't all that great. While the
speed round opened the game up for anybody until the very end and the Instant Ca$h
bargain was fun, the decision to make the Fame Game like "Press Your Luck" just
didn't have that same suspense as hearing the timpani roll while Summer flipped the
card and Jay Stewart announced what was behind it. The show made an even bigger
mistake dropping the grand prize bargain concept. While the Winner's Board made it
possible for the contestant to win a car at any time and some big cash, it just did
not go along with the "$ale of the Century" concept. The even worse switch to the
puzzle bonus round was just utterly pointless. Yes, the actual bonus game was
nice, but it did not belong on "$ale!"
#9 - CARD SHARKS
Hosts: Jim Perry, Bob Eubanks, Bill Rafferty, Pat Bullard
One of the best gambling game shows of all time. The show had one of
the easiest rules to pick up. Both versions had some great sets and great
themes. The CBS version made things better upping the stakes to $32,000
and throwing in a car game. This was Jim Perry's first big hit in the U.S.
introducing audiences to his excellent hosting style. Just watch his
card reveals (especially in Money Cards) and you really see how he is one
of the masters at building up drama and suspense. Bob Eubanks did a fine job
in the 80s version showing a looseness and sense of humor that hadn't been
present in his other hosting gigs with the exception of "The Newlywed Game."
#10 - BLOCKBUSTERS
Hosts: Bill Cullen, Bill Rafferty
One of the last great original games put out by the Goodson-Todman company.
Yet another game that makes the Q-and-A format interesting by implenting
the "Alphabetics" of revealing the first letter of the answer. The game was
fast-paced and visually entertaining. The show had two unique things going
for it: 1) the clever hexagon board where no ties are possible; 2) the concept
of finding out whether "two heads are better than one." Bill Cullen, as
always, does a marvelous job of hosting. Bob Cobert also churns out a great theme
song. The Gold Run was a nifty bonus round and the later rule of allowing
players to play twenty matches led to some memorable champions and big payoffs.
The short-lived 1987 revival was o.k. featuring a passable hosting performance
by Bill Rafferty and then-high-tech computer graphics.
Check out the rest of the Top 25 here.
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