Classic Game Show: "$ale of the Century" (Temptation)

"Sale of the Century" is one of the best game shows of all time to me. I absolutely love it! It's amazing! It combined an intense quiz with shopping and became a success. The 1980s version is the most popular version of the show and is rightly so. Jim Perry's job as host was nothing else but perfection. He thoroughly balanced normal humor of a game show and the fast-paced intensity of a quiz show game show host and a superb salesman, probing many to buy deals when they probably wouldn't under normal circumstances. The show was perfect and truly should be remembered more now, but the show is not featured on GSN or any other place today. Thank goodness for the old USA's game show block of what has become yesteryear. :) "Temptation: The All-New Sale of the Century" of the 2007-2008 was an attempt at reviving the program, but failed miserable. It's definitely a show great enough to bring back. Australia's version of "Temptation" (Australia being the country where "$ale" has been the most successful of any country) is perfect, blending all the elements of the previous "$ale" and adding enough new elements to make it a distinctly different version of the show. I thoroughly enjoy "$ale" and, if FreMantle wants to revive the show, being a primetime show every night during the summer is the way to go for sure I think! Until then, enjoy the memories of Jim Perry's "$ale of the Century!!!"

Kevin $

Classic Game Show: "Let's Make a Deal"

"Let's Make a Deal" is in the process of being bought by FreMantleMedia (a move that could bring a bad revival? Very, very possible!). I hope that doesn't happen though. "Let's Make a Deal" is a truly great show. There aren't many shows where people dress up like pure fools for cash and prizes. The game was very easy; It only dealt with trading. Would you rather have this item or this item? Would you be willing to give up blank for blank? The only times where the show was not like that were during the grocery games for great prizes, usually cars. Overall though, the show was basically trading and very simple for most to play and catch onto for the audience. Monty's expertise as "TV's big dealer" was perfect. He knew exactly what to say at the right time. He was able to deal with women and men that were highly emotional during a time when just winning a range or refrigerator was a HUGE deal. He was also able to bring out the humorous moments of contestants. Overall, he was able to deal with the contestants and allow them to be the star of the show, a key to every game show host. All of this, mixed with the play with announcer Jay Stewart and model Carol Merrill, created a great show! None of the other versions or variations of the original held to the same awesomeness as the original, like the inclusion of the Super Deal in the later years and the '80s and 2003 versions. The original version was perfect. The other versions, however, still hold to the original to some extent. What's even better about "Deal" is the fact that it's truly so simple that it could be played during any era of television really. The original "Password," with it's extremely simple gameplay, for example, would probably not work well for today's audiences, but "Deal" truly could. Let's just hope that, if FreMantleMedia does buy and revive the show, Monty Hall will give some great advice while we still have him here. :)

Kevin $

"WWTBAM" on ABC again!?!?

So AMAZING news! "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" is coming back on ABC this summer in a supposed one-time only event. Almost 9 years to the date of it's debut during the summer of 1999, "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" is going to for two weeks in August with Regis actually hosting!!! The question i have is this: what format will be presented in this primetime version? Will it be the original U.S. "WWTBAM," complete with the 50/50 lifeline and no time limit or will it be the current syndicated "Millionaire"'s format, complete with no 50/50, new lifelines Ask the Expert and Double Dip, and :15/:30/:45 time limits for the questions? Will the phone qualifying system also be used this time around since it was used the original time? Will it even be taped in New York (HOPEFULLY!)? No one really knows. BUt, no matter what format they use, "Millionaire" in primetime is some of the most exciting news in game shows in a long, long time. There have been talks since January of this year of an anniversary special. There's been talks of a primetime revival since the end of "Super Millionaire" in 2004. Who knows how awesome it will be? Will the show be super successful? Will they have added bonuses like "Deal or No Deal" seems to have sometimes? Will it be liked considering there is a whole new generation of young people that were in single-digit ages or just not born when the original premiered (I feel old saying that)? Who knows? But watch in August to see what happens!

Kevin $

http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/04/abc_plans_13night_primetime_ru.php

Game Show Host: Todd Newton

Todd Newton is one of the best of the "new" breed of game show hosts. It's hard to call him new. He's been around for a decade or more now in our homes...or close to a decade. He has hosted a number of game shows, probably most notably "Whammy! The All-New Press Your Luck" and "Hollywood Showdown," both on GSN, with "Showdown" being reran on both the TV Guide Channel and the now defunct PAX-TV. He did an absolutely amazing job on "Whammy!" and "Showdown," earning my respect as a true game show host. He also served as announcer on "Lingo" during the 2003 April Fools' Day stints on GSN. For that day, he also host the Mark Wahlberg-hosted "Russian Roulette," doing a truly great job. In a complete misplacement of job position, he was the prize delivery correspondent on "Gameshow Marathon" on CBS during the summer of 2006. He did a GREAT job on it, but DEFINITELY should have been the host. He also hosted such shows as "Powerball Instant Millionaire" as well as non-game shows like "Performing As..." and "Reality Remix." He is currently a host on HSN, but thoroughly deserves to be a new host. Absolutely amazing host!!!

Kevin $

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_Newton

GSN's Game Show Awards!? WHAT!?!? OMG!

So AMAZING news (kind of). GSN will be having its first ever awards for game shows with The Game Show Awards this summer. To be specific, it will be on June 6. It will feature various things about game shows. There will be a Best Game Show category (I'm wondering if this will be pretty much a redo of whatever the Daytime Emmys gives out???) plus Best New Game Show and Favorite Classic Game Show (is this going to be annual, meaning the same classic game show can be voted on every year? Questions, questions...). There are also some odd(er) ones, but ones that make sense to game shows like Best Model and Favorite Parting Gift (Rice-a-Roni or Turtle Wax, anyone?) and Best Game Show Sound Effect. My first choice for the Sound Effect award makes me think of the first big problem with this gala. Are the nominees going to be only shows in GSN's collection or all game shows? When I think of sound effects, obviously the Bankrupt sound from "Wheel of Fortune" and the losing horns from "The Price is Right" come to mind, but others like any of the almost (or more than) 10 sounds from "Scrabble" also come to mind. Stopper sound effect, anyone? Exactly. I'm very afraid shows like "Scrabble" and "Sale of the Century" and "Split Second" won't get their fair chance to shine on the awards show...and that's a real shame. I'm also afraid it will be very modern awards show and just plain suck. Hopefully, it won't, but we'll see. :) One of the better things: special awards (I'm assuming the show's sort of Lifetime Achievement Award; Not sure what it's going to be called.) will given out to Bob Barker from "Price" and "Truth or Consequences", game show pioneer Mark Goodson, and Monty Hall from "Split Second," "Beat the Clock," and, most notably, "Let's Make a Deal." (How much do you wanna bet fast deals will be made during the show? I almost guarantee at least one will be made) Overall, the show does sound exciting. Hopefully, the host will be good and fun and it'll be an overall good time they can do for years to come!!!

Kevin $

http://snappoll.com/poll/326068.php

Bob Barker's New Book

So Bob Barker has a new book talking his life and moments on "Price" and etc. I don't know if it is an autobiography or not, but it may very well be and I think it is. Anyway, he's been on various things lately. He recently appeared on "Today" in an interview with Meredith Vieira and Lester Holt separately. He mentioned his book and talked about nothing too much that was new except the porn star story. WHOA!!! It was crazy! Besides that, it was a simple wonderful chat. He also appeared on an episode of "The Price is Right" today for the first time since he retired in 2007. I could not watch the show (SCREW 11:00 CLASSES!), but I'm sure it was a wonderful visit. Hail Chief Barker! (I'm not one to promote, but maybe the book is good and maybe you all should check it out. It's Bob for goodness sake.) :)

Kevin $

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Barker

Classic Game Show Host: Peter Tomarken

Peter Tomarken was one of the most underrated game show hosts in the history of game shows. His ability to deliver directions and questions while still having the ability to be fun and playful with the contestants is a skill not every host has (Rossi Moreale from "Temptation" anyone?). His style was laid-back while still forceful, fun yet still serious. He was truly a legend. If he were alive today, I would not be surprised if he were in demand for a new GSN game show. He was that good. Thank goodness we have "Press Your Luck" to look back on to see how great this man was. For those unaware, "Hit Man," "Bargain Hunters," "Wipeout," and "Paranoia" are other game shows hosted by this great host. He was truly a legend.

Kevin $

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Tomarken