One of the Greats

Hello. I'm sad right now, so I need to be happy. So in response to my first online pick of the week, I will review the Match Game 70's series.

Match Gane returned to the airwaves on July 2, 1973 with the announcing combo Gene Rayburn and Johnny Olson back from the 60's version. The starting panel consisted of Michael Landon, Vicki Lawrence, Jack Klugman, Jo Ann Pflug, Richard Dawson, and Anita Gillette. It was a simple "Name Something" or John loves fried BLANK. It was pretty slow the first few weeks. Jack Klugman who was on the first week recommended his wife Brett to appear. She appeared on week 3. She was widely popular that she appeared a few more weeks then was on for many subsequent weeks (till 1982)

On that first week, broadway actor who worked with Gene, Charles Nelson Reilly appeared. He also appeared a few more weeks, then many more (with several gaps, including 7 months).

Richard Dawson was just always there.

And thus we had a nice combo of regulars. However things just went to hell over time, at least for Dawson, and he left in 1978. By the end he was not happy to be there. That's OK, it put a different yet still good feel to the show.

Why did Dawson leave? Part of it was the Star Wheel. It debuted 8 weeks before Dawson left. During 77-78, Dawson was chose 99% of the time. So to make it fair, and give you a chance to play for double, they added the star wheel.

The show's ratings on CBS were down the toilet, so in April 1979 it was cancelled. A syndicated version premired in September 1979, and ended in September 1982.

There was a nighttime version that started in 1975 and ran till 1981. You played for double the daytime stakes. It was known as Match Game PM

Cheers to Match Game, the best game show ever.