GSN, What Do I Think? What Do I Watch?

I have to say since I've been back, I've really enjoyed watching GSN. I enjoy each of the old shows airing. I've DVRing Match Game 78 in the mornings. These haven't been seen since the first part of 2004. Those have been nice to see. I also catch The New $25,000 Pyramid before I head off to school each morning. I really enjoy these early shows. It's also good to hear my favorite announcer Jack Clark on the show. Sometimes I even catch the Wheel of Fortune episodes too. Sure they're fairly recent, but they're still fun. I'm generally asleep during Card Sharks and Press Your Luck but I try to catch them if I can. I hope Jim Perry's version of Card Sharks finds its way back to the schedule.

I haven't caught any of the new shows yet. It's not that I'm not interested, I just don't have time. Maybe I'll watch some Divided this weekend. It looks interesting, and it's getting renewed for a second season this year. Cash Cab is now on the network too as of this week. There's still some good stuff on the network.

GSN Leases, My Speculation

I returned on December 1st. Prior to that, GSN renewed their leases on their older shows they've been airing. Last September, GSN began airing Match Game 77 picking up from a previous lease from a few years ago. They also leased episodes from 1987 for Bob Eubanks Card Sharks, 1979 episodes from Jim Perry's Card Sharks and 1984 episodes of Press Your Luck. And also last June, they leased the first few months of The $25,000 Pyramid from 1982. Of course when I returned, Jim Perry's Card Sharks had been pulled from the schedule.

I have a couple of observations. From what I've read on the internet, the previous lease of Match Game included the first syndicated season from 1979-1980, and CBS episodes ranging episodes #1216-#1455 (which is the finale). Accounting for the episodes skipped about 350 episodes aired. This current lease starts from episode #921. If they go until episode #1215, the episode before the previous lease, counting skips it's about 280. My guess, either they've leased just that. Or if it's close to what it's been in the past. My guess if they were to round off the number to say 400, they could've picked up Match Game 73 as well. With the episodes they've got for that (counting skips) you have 113 episodes (including the first Match Game 74 which was not part of any recent lease). That would put you close to 400 episodes. I guess we'll see.

Another interesting item to note is The $25,000 Pyramid. They're currently airing episodes from June 1983. I'm guessing with that leasing history, we're going to be rewinding back to the 1982 Premiere soon. However, on the GSN schedule, I noticed episodes for next week feature celebrity guests as Teresa Ganzel & Charlie Siebert. According to the episode guide, they played together in November 1987. So I don't know. I guess we'll see.

Predict That Future

Well, the month of March is upon us. And soon, April will be here. With GSN's track record over the past few years, they usually make changes, whether it be adding adding new shows, or switching episodes, they do stuff. So, why not make predictions just for fun?

Here are mine with each show. Keep note these are only my predictions.

• Match Game - Will keep the same 1975-1977 episodes. 

• Blockbusters - Will end up leaving. My guess it will be replaced with Jim Perry's Card Sharks with the last set of 1981 shows.
• Press Your Luck - Will get a different set of episodes. My guess, more 1984 shows.

• $ale of the Century - Will get a different set of Syndie shows, from where they left off

• Super Password - Will get a different set of episodes, from where they left off.
• Password Plus - Will get a different set, somewhere from the Ludden run.

Well, these are my predictions. What are yours?

Scheduling History

Most times they change some things up in April. In fact, because I can, here's what they've done in regards to the oldies in April.

2009: Shows such as Child's Play, Blockbusters, Press Your Luck, Card Sharks (Both Perry and Eubanks) To Tell The Truth (O'Hurley and Collyer), & What's My Line? are removed from the schedule. In addition to Sony shows such asPyramid with Dick Clark and Hollywood Squares, Match Game PM, Dawson Nighttime Feud, and original recipe Passwordare added to what other versions of those shows are already there. Oddly enough, Let's Make a Deal stayed but was removed in June 2009. 

2010: Match Game (PM and SYN), Family Feud (Dawson SYN and Combs) and Password are removed from the schedule. Match Game goes from 1978 to 1974, Dawson Feud goes from 1983 to 1980, and 200 episodes of Perry and Eubanks Card Sharks are added to the schedule.

2011: Nothing happens. In April they were focusing on the originals. 2 of which bombed. 1 of those still has a weekend slot?!?!

2012: Both Eubanks and Perry Card Sharks leave the schedule. Password Plus and Super Password are added. 

October 2012: Jim Perry's Card Sharks and Press Your Luck are added to the schedule. Both Password revivals remain on the schedule as well. Usually things like this hadn't happened in October.

2013: New leases on Match Game, Press Your Luck, Password Plus and Super Password and $ale of the Century added to the schedule.

December 2013: New $ale of the Century lease and Blockbusters with Bill Cullen added. 

So who knows what's going to happen. It could be another 2011 where nothing happens.

Remembering a Legend - Marcia Wallace

I hate coming across death notices, especially if it's a name I recognize. I went browsing at the Game Show Paradise boards, and saw a notice that Marcia Wallace had died at the age of 70.

I've been watching The Simpsons for several years. Krabapel was always one of my favorite characters. Her signature laugh, and her character, very enjoyable. Marcia was the perfect voice for that character. I'll miss that character.

I knew Marcia better on Game Shows. I first saw Marcia on Match Game with Ross Shaffer on a 2004 rerun. I later saw her on the Syndicated version with Gene Rayburn, then, yeah, the episodes got earlier. She was one good panelist, always giving the most interesting answers. Yeah she didn't match anyone until 1975. Needless to say, everyone made a huge deal of it. She was always fun to watch.

Marcia also did Password Plus, Super Password, The $100,000 Pyramid, and Card Sharks with Jim Perry. One of my favorite moments was on Card Sharks when Bill Daily made a dumb move in the game and still managed to win. Her reaction was priceless, and of course Bill was happy. Very funny moment.

R.I.P Marcia Wallace
1942-2013

She will be missed and her contributions to television will be remembered.

Goodbye From 7 1/2 earlier

Well, in my DVD collection (turns out someone decided to delete the $ale finale off the DVR, oh well, I'll wait till next time it airs), I thought I'd give this the Third exposure. The Jim Perry Card Sharks finale, which was a former Online Pick twice.

Well, in watching it, I am once again reminded of why Jim Perry is one of my favorite hosts. The finale was good, and Jim invited his wife up again, and thanked the staff at the end.

Jim of course still had a heartfelt goodbye, and it showed he truly enjoyed doing it. I have to say as I have in the past, Jim has the best finales. Of course over both $ale and Card Sharks, Card Sharks was my favorite.

Going Back Already

Well, I hope you had a good holiday. I enjoyed yesterdays Match Game marathon. Seeing the Convy pilot was a treat. Well, two shows that returned to the lineup in October only leased 50 episodes. Starting Friday, both Jim Perry's Card Sharks and Press Your Luck cycle back to their respective starts, where they started in October.

Well, I'm disappointed, as I was looking forward to seeing more 1983-1984 shows or Press Your Luck and certain episodes of Card Sharks. But it's not meant to be at this time I guess. I mean, I'm grateful for a couple reasons. One, they aired Press Your Luck and 1983 episodes for that mattered, which have never aired on the network, ever, or rerun for several years. Plus I thought the show would never return after it was pulled a few years ago. So seeing these shows were cool, although the first couple weeks were kind of bland, so that's a little disappointing. At least the show holds on.

Plus, also shows like Dick Clark's Pyramid, Card Sharks, Press Your Luck , and Password are on the schedule at the same time. Put stuff like Card Sharks and Password or Dick Clark's Pyramid and Press Your Luck haven't been seen on together for years, so it's been kind of cool. Oh well, life moves on, and I still haven't seen all of the episodes they've leased. Plus the network still has done some cool things.

Memories

I think Thanksgiving is my favorite Holiday. Nah, that's Christmas. So it's Number 2. I think back to 5 Years ago tomorrow, as I will be on the coast hiking. I think back to the Viewer's Choice Marathon GSN did back in 2007. Happened around Thanksgiving. This was a few months before I joined the boards. Users voted for their favorite shows. Being that most of them were old fans, all old shows made the lineup. Smelling the turkey gives me memories of rare shows that never get time on the network. One of these shows is Bullseye.  A show that was a combination of Tic Tac Dough and The Joker's Wild that was hosted by Jim Lange. Very good I might add, good music, actually good premise. Jim was always confident, and, well.. I enjoyed it. Not because it's old, but because it's good. Plus the Celebrity format wasn't too bad.

Also, I'd like to think about Hot Potato hosted by Bill Cullen. Good show, music, host, and more. Also aired on that marathon. Kind of a Family Feud style show. I enjoyed it. Bill did good, and the contestants were good. The celebrity format killed it though. Oh well.

Well, happy Thanksgiving.

Online Pick of the Week (8/12) - Card Sharks (Rafferty)

In memory of Bill Rafferty, I have chosen an episode of his version of Card Sharks. Bill was a great host of this version. Very underrated. It's Eva vs. Arthur. Enjoy Bill Rafferty's Card Sharks, My Online Pick of the Week

Online Pick of the Week (5/20)

For this week, I picked the finale of Jim Perry's Card Sharks. It had a very good run, and this was an excellent episode. And I'm heading to Canada right now, now how appropriate featuring a guy who hosted a Canadian game show. Enjoy

Card Sharks 1981 Finale My Online Pick of the Week

Harvey does Swell, But Only That

 Well, another set of GSN ratings has been updated. Hey, it's Steve Harvey's first week on GSN. Well, he got 5 slots in the top ten. His highest, 390,000 viewers. The top show was a Sunday Night 5th Grader airing and that was 401,000 viewers. Well, he did well, but the ratings are sinking in quicksand. Maybe the block scheduling isn't working out too well.

Monday Feud - 261K
Newlywed Tuesday - 225K
Harvey Wednesday - 326K
Deal Thursday - 173K
Pyramid Friday - 231K.

Wow, Howie took a huge fall on Thursday nights. Don't know what that was about, but it happened. Newlyweds are slipping a little bit. Hate the show, but that's bad for GSN (the ratings).

Other notes to point out on the schedule, Karn at 4:00pm does well with 258K for that hour. It's been better, and that's the best hour out there. Chain Reaction's return to the lineup averaged 204K. Not the best, but it could've been much worse. The new afternoon spot for 5th Grader  averaged 240K. Perry's Card Sharks exits with a 215K average, while Eubanks leaves with a pathetic 172K. Yeah, he doesn't work in daytime, and Bert Convy with Super Password will end up working a lot better. Still daytime could use some changes (episode wise)  And why GSN is keeping Dancing With the Stars is probably to be getting their money's worth, gee that show is stinking.

And also, O'Hurley will take over the 4:00pm-6:00pm Sunday slots here in the next couple weeks.

The Password is..... Bittersweet

Well, GSN is making a few daytime changes. Well, as expected, something is leaving. Both versions of Card Sharks are departing, and leaving. Replacing Perry's Card Sharks is Password Plus. Most likely Allen Ludden's era. Well, this looks interesting, and that's a decent replacement. The $100,000 Pyramid as expected by many is leaving. Replacing it is The $25,000 Pyramid. Well, that's unexpected, at least some version of Pyramid is sticking around. Eubanks is also getting the shaft as well. Replacing it is Super Password. Yep. So, basically, Password Plus airs at 10:00am, and 2:30am, The $25,000 Pyramid airs at 10:30am and 3:00am, and Super Password will air at 11:00am, and 3:30am.

Well, as for Card Sharks leaving, good riddance Eubanks, but for Perry, it's like saying goodbye to a very good friend who is moving a couple states away from you. It might turn up on the schedule again in the future. Odd seeing The $100,000 Pyramid disappear, but I do enjoy The $25,000 Pyramid almost just as much. I am absolutely thrilled to hear the return of Password Plus. I am stoked. It's looks like it will be 1979 episodes. Super Password is a welcome addition as well (I prefer Password Plus much more), and it will be starting at November 1985, with Gary Burghoff and Jamie Farr. That was a good week. I look forward to these changes.

Also, next week Chain Reaction with Dylan Lane will turn up weekdays at 3:30pm replacing Lingo, and Fridays go back to Monday-Thursdays (with exception of Pyramid at 7:00pm-12:00am). I look forward to these, and along with Harvey Feud, this is looking great, for now.

Online Pick of the Week (2/26) - Original Broadcast Rafferty's Card Sharks

Happy Leap Day. Well, one of my favorite YouTube users uploaded an episode of one of my favorite Game Shows. Card Sharks Bill Rafferty. It's an original broadcast too, so, this is awesome. When it comes to the 1980's versions, Rafferty wins the bet. Eubanks was OK, but his hosting style really isn't my favorite. Of course, I still think Perry's the best.

 Bill Rafferty's Card Sharks, My Online Pick of the Week

More GSN Ratings, and Some More Notes

All rights, let's look at some more GSN ratings folks. The February 6-12 ratings are in. Well, I saw some interesting numbers all around. There were a few 500K's, and 400K's. That was actually a pretty darn good week if you ask me. Here are some observations I'd like to point out:

• Maybe block scheduling is good. Family Feud pulls big numbers on Monday Night.
• 5th Grader did decent in pretty much all slots. Hey, this show works.
• DWTS pulls OK numbers on Saturday nights. Let's forget about the other slots.
• Perry's Card Sharks and The $100,000 Pyramid are the greatest combination in mornings. 252K in the 10:00am hour. Match Game 74 at 11:30am did OK, but Eubanks in daytime just doesn't work. Try Pyramid or something else.
Wondering how the block scheduling stuff did? Here is the averages:

Feud Mondays - 442K
Newlywed Game - 332K
Baggage Wednesdays - 254K
Deal Thursdays - 346K
Dancing Fridays - 217K (second set 128K)
Dancing Saturdays - 241K
5th Grader Sundays - 462K     

Feud, Newlywed Game, and Deal or No Deal rock latenights. While Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader reigns majestic over Sunday nights. Baggage has lost some steam apparently, not good IMO. I like this show. There are rumors it's going into syndication.

Dancing averaged 241K on Saturday nights. Not totally bad, but not good like on Monday night. But GSN can live with those numbers. Fridays (which I will speak about later) averaged 217K for the first set, and 128K for the second set (11:00am-4:00am). Not great, but it will probably do for now.


Also, you may have noticed that I deleted the post about The $100,000 Pyramid on Friday nights. It turns out that is not happening. They're going back with what the originally planned on showing, so that post does not need to be there. That's why the post is gone.

My Personal Top 10 Favorite Game Shows

1. Match Game 1973-1982 versions. Loved it, very funny, amazing host, announcer, gameplay and it was just funny.

2. Card Sharks (Perry/Rafferty) 2 best versions, the 1978 version was the best, Perry was a great host. Rafferty did good too. Loved the gameplay, it was fun.

3. The Price is Right with the exception of Davidson's version, this is a very good show. Each one is great, and each host contributed something great to put on the table

4. Family Feud (Dawson/O'Hurley/Karn/Harvey) Great hosts (listed in order of favortism) fun show, surveys, been around a long time. Sorry, Combs and Anderson sucked at hosting this show.

5. Password (All Versions). Fun word game to play. Allen Ludden was an awesome host. All other hosts did good too, especially Regis.

6. Let's Make a Deal - Monty Hall did great on the original 1963 version, that was a great team. The current version also is good too.

7. Pyramid -  With the exception of the John Davidson sorry revival, this show was amazing, an extension of password. Very fun. The 1980's versions were the best. Donny Osmond did OK, and the 70's versions vere fun too, not as exciting, but it was just getting started. Cullen did good too.

8. Press Your Luck - I have always found the whammies fascinating. This was a fun show for me, and Peter handled it well.

9. Blockbusters - This was also a fun quiz show IMO. Both Bill's did well. Bob Holness was amazing, and the UK version is great

10. Who Wants To Be a Millionaire (The Regis Years) - Regis was the best. I love the show, and I thought he handled it well. I never really got into Meredith. Yeah she's lasted longer, but my heart belongs to Regis (when it comes to Millionaire)


Other shows that I enjoy. Deal or No Deal, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, 1 vs. 100, Russian Roulette

Even More Changes

Well, with Dancing With the Stars premiering tonight, there are more changes to the schedule, beginning this next week, in addition to the changes announced last month.

Match Game loses its 11:00am slot. Eubanks Card Sharks will rejoin the daytime lineup and take over that spot. That will begin at episode #1 from January 1986. Match Game 74 will remain at 11:30, and will still air in the 8:00am hour. Seems odd having Perry at 10:00am, Pyramid at 10:30am, then Eubanks at 11:00am. Seems weird but oh well. Would much rather see Match Game for the 468th time, but at least this will shut up the people on the message boards who complain about rerun abuse. Yeah, I'm sure you'll be happier to see the shows gone.

And another changes happens. Syndicated Deal or No Deal bites the dust. Repalcing it? The Bill Engvall version of Lingo. And same with Card Sharks, Engvall at 2:30pm, Whammy! at 3:00pm, and Woolery at 3:30pm. Seems weird, but it might work. That's just Monday-Thursday. Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader will still get the Friday afternoon slot. This is a good change. I really hate the Syndie version of the show, only 2 models (and there were hotter ones IMHO), half the prize (yes it was Syndication) and just felt too rushed. I don't like it slow, but if you go too fast, it ruins it. And the gimmicks on the NBC version didn't bother me, in fact, I liked them. I love the NBC version, but the Syndie wasn't that great. It even had suckish ratings. Engvall should do much better.

Online Pick of the Week (12/24) - Christmas Card Sharks

I have 2 episodes of Christmas Card Sharks for my online pick. The first episode is a Rafferty Christmas episode from December 1986. The episode features 10 Santa Clauses

The second one is an episode from Christmas 1978 (Which probably will be seen on GSN), which features a funny contestant Jorge from the Christmas 1978. He's hilarious. I love him. I enjoy seeing his run on Christmastime. Love him.

Merry Christmas. Card Sharks, My Online Picks of the Week

Feudin' Around the Christmas Tree (Plus 78 Sharks)

Well we're approaching the end of the year. So, that means Christmas is coming up. So for Christmas, there will be GSN marathons. Let's look at them:

For Flashback Friday's the one old show on the network that doesn't get Friday Night exposure Card Sharks with Jim Perry will air for Flashback Fridays. Nice. I love the 1978 Christmas episodes with Jorge. He cracks me up. Can't wait to see.

For Christmas Eve, it's Family Feud with Richard Karn and John O'Hurley. Oh well.

If you can wait a day, on Christmas Day Family Feud with Richard Dawson. Who said older shows are dying on GSN.

Also, Black and White Overnight hangs around for the week of December 19th.

Once again, you can't say GSN doesn't care about older shows. Look at what's happening with the schedule.

And Million Dollar Mondays REMAIN

Jim Beats Them All

Happy 11/11/11. It's 11:11am PST. Recently there was a thread about your favorite Card Sharks hosts. Guess who it is :D


The Perry version. I liked the theme song. The set was amazing (the 86 set was good as well), and Jim was a very awesome host who always seemed to know what he was doing, and he always did good with the suspense of the cards.

Bill Rafferty's version is a close 2nd. I enjoyed Rafferty's hosting style, and the extra features (the car, prize cards, other surveys), and he was fun to watch.

Eubanks was OK. His hosting style wasn't the best, but it's not unwatchable. The extra features were good too.

Bullard = Suckage. Sorry Pat, good guy, awful host.

Looking Back - Card Sharks, The Bob Eubanks Years

prefer Perry over Eubanks, but GSN chose to air the Eubanks version on Flashback Fridays. Oh well, no big deal. So, GSN will start with the January 1986 premiere. Well, as I did with the other 2 shows, I'll outside the lease.

Here is an October 1986 episode. No i did not screw you over, this is the 3rd episode featuring the car game, which GSN hasn't shown since June 2007. Will it be won on this episode, wait and see. Watch Card Sharks on Flashback Fridays at 9:00pm ET. If you want Perry, check 10:00am and 3:30am