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.

Let's Go Shopping

If you tuned into GSN this morning, you saw $ale of the Century. What made it special, or different from seeing it on a normal day was the era of shows. First off, the theme song was a little different (and IMO more lively), Jay Stewart was announcing, there were 3 bargains, No instant cash, players picked the fame game numbers, the Pyramid clock was there.....and most different, players went shopping for prizes as opposed to guessing word puzzles where you could be potentially screwed over.

This morning they aired the first 8 episodes of the 1985-1986 syndicated version. Jim was still there hosting and reading questions, and Summer was there looking good as usual. The earlier episodes seemed more exciting than the other ones. With the shopping episodes, winning the game was not only important, but how much you scored determined what would happen. My favorite endgame was the Winner's Board. Maybe GSN will eventually show that. Very excited that these are now gonna air in the mornings (in place of the 1988-1989 shows). Nice to hear Jay Stewart again. Also looking to see some of the runs of big winners like John Goss or Alice Conkwright.

Holiday Marathon Review

Well, Thanksgiving is probably one of my favorite days of the year. I woke up and caught the last few minutes of Family Feud with Richard Dawson. Jim Perry was a fast money player. Then, for the first time in several years, Ray Combs was on my television set. Now, I understand that here on the web Ray is considered one of the best. As I've said before, I disagree. After watching both episodes (fighting to stay awake) I was reminded as to why I no longer like Ray. He tried too hard to be funny, and was a lousy emcee. It has nothing to do with what he did. While he didn't try to be like Dawson, I've come to find that his style just doesn't fit my tastes anymore.

But I was reminded that Ray was not the worst. After that, it was 2 episodes of Louie Anderson Family Feud. The only interesting thing about the episodes were Brande Roderick. Other than that, Louie was just downright putrid. I fell asleep during the second show. He mumbled, and looked about as interested as dead leaves. That's all I caught. I didn't catch the Roker episode. I was helping get Thanksgiving dinner moving forward. I do miss Richard Dawson's version on the network though, I will admit that. It was nice to see again.

Returns and Acquisitions - What's Happening to GSN next

Well, GSN used to be very predictable, when a show would lose a spot for Harvey Feud. The next set of changes at GSN, well, are very unexpected, but are very...well, if you like older shows, you're in heaven, or something like that. These changes start December 2nd.

First, Blockbusters with Bill Cullen returns to the network after nearly 5 years of being nowhere on the network. The episode start is #312, so it looks like the last 60 episodes of the run. This replaces the 9:00am episode of Super Password. Convy and crew still have the 11:00am slot for now.

Second, it's not a show change, but a switch of episodes. The 1985-1986 episodes of $ale of the Century will air at 10:00am continuing from the Black Friday marathon. The 1988-1989 episodes disappear. So this means different music package, endgame, and Jay Stewart are around now.

Then, the most interesting change is at 4:00pm. Shop Til you Drop with Pat Finn (don't know which run, I'm assuming it's the 2000 PAX run, I mean GSN did air one of those shows a few years ago). The episodes will repeat the next weekday at 12:00pm. (so what airs Tuesday at 4:00pm will air Wednesday at 12:00pm). The shows get the full hour.

Well, this is very interesting. I do prefer Shop Til You Drop over Supermarket Sweep by far, so I can live with that. I'll watch (or record). I hope it lasts awhile.

Very glad to see Blockbusters with Bill Cullen return to the network. This is one of my favorite Game Shows. I would always watch it on weekend mornings. Also good to see a Bill Cullen show on the network. I will definetley be watching (or recording) this for sure. Hope it fares well in the ratings.

As for Syndicated $ale gaining a spot on the regular schedule. Yes I'm happy.

These changes start Monday Shop Til You Drop, that starts on December 3rd)
December 2nd (except for the Noon

Thanksgiving Weekend - Some Different, and Several Same

I should return to more blogging. I've given a few posts, but I'll give some more. So here's Thanksgiving on GSN this year.

On Thanksgiving, it's all Family Feud. Steve Harvey? Yes from 2:00pm and onward. Before, it's everyone else. And I mean EVERYONE. Dawson gets the 8:00am hour with 2 shows (1 with Sammy Davis Jr. Hosting, and then the Game Show Hosts episodes). Combs gets 9:00am, Anderson 10:00am, Karn 11:00am, O'Hurley 12:00pm, and Roker 1:00pm. Yes they're all celebrity shows.

Well, this is interesting. Dawson gets his first exposure since his removal last spring. He'll be good to see again. He was my favorite. Like that GSN's usuals are present, wouldn't be a normal day without them (some sarcasm there) As for everyone else, it must be turkey day.

Al Roker was not a bad host, it was the celebrities that turned me away, like the Kardashian's or Hugh Hefner's girlfriends. Considering I don't like those who are popular, that turned me away from the show. I've grown to dislike Combs more and more, so I probably won't watch. There is an Opryland show though, so I might (Bill Anderson is there). Louie.........Yeah I hope this is a one time deal. His voice sucked, his hosting sucked, and yeah. He didn't want to be there and eventually grew really bored (worse than Dawson did). Probably a one time deal like Match Game 98 (I Hope). Card Sharks 2001 is probably due to pop up sometime soon.

As for Black Friday, Steve gets everything from Noon eastern onward. Before that, 1985-1986 Syndicated episodes of $ale of the Century. That works for Black Friday with shopping. They're airing the First 8 episodes of that version, with the Shopping era. Some speculate that version will air soon. I think so, but not for awhile. Well, I'll be tuning in (or DVRing and saving). The earlier episodes were much better. The music package was better, more energy, better endgames. We'll see what happens. If the Syndicated version makes its way to the network, I'll be watching. If not and they stick with the 1988-1989 NBC shows, OK. I thought the show would never come to the network. Sometimes it's good to be wrong.

As for the overabundance of Harvey. No problem. I just won't watch :)

The End

Hey all. Well, with yesterday being my birthday and all :), GSN gave me a present, even if it is a day late. After not being seen anywhere for several years (except on YouTube), the March 24, 1989 finale of $ale of The Century has been broadcast on TV. I have to say, I've really gotten into this show, and I appreciate getting able to see it on TV. Up until April, it hadn't been seen on TV in my lifetime (I'm 18), so this has been spectacular. And I've enjoyed watching Jim Perry too, so it's a bonus. He just did well at anything I've seen him host. He's just a natural. And bringing his wife June on stage, and thanking the crew, and all other stuff, well, yeah. He looked like he enjoyed doing them too.

Anyway, thank you GSN allowing me and others to see this on TV, not just in YouTube form. Can't wait to get this to DVD

Spirit of 76

Well, with GSN's new lease of shows, we hit a huge turning point in Match Game. OK, not that big, but it's great to see it again. Tomorrow at 8:00am, Match Game 76 returns to the network, and we leave 75 behind... for now. Long awaited since, well... I don't know, but we're getting it. We expected to see it sometime in 2011, but we then found out GSN leased about 400 episodes, and we would not be seeing them.

Well, there are several things to look forward, like Gene Breaking Down the Door for the first time, or Mike Douglas. If there's anything I'm looking forward to it's Marvin Hamlisch's episodes, which air, this week. Also several other funny episodes, but then again, just about every episode is a funny episode.

Starts tomorrow at 8:00am EST.

A New Interest

Well, with the recent debut of Sale of the Century on GSN, I have to say, I should've gotten into this years ago. During the last week I've been watching episodes of Sale from 1985-1989. I've actually seen a Sally Julian episode, and was disgusted by that. The Menning episodes are OK too.

This show makes me appreciate Jim Perry as a host even more. He's good, reads questions well, and shows his humor.

And the show actually has an interesting format as well. Some of the Instant Bargains are hilarious, and everyone seems to work well. Yeah the prizes look like crap today, but a lot of shows do, and I watch for the gameplay anyway, so what do I care? So, after Having seen a few episodes, the winner's board is my favorite end game. The last one was too hard, and the first one was OK.

I'm now into it, and am grateful GSN picked it up. I hope it does well for the network, because I'd like to see more than the final 65. Jim and Summer are a great team. Of course my favorite Jim Perry work is still Card Sharks but this is a very close second.

GSN Daytime Changes Next Week

Well, I've been on a long vacation, that should've ended 2 days ago :) Well anyway, next week GSN is revamping its daytime schedule.

8:00am - Match Game 75 (1975-1977 Episodes)

8:30am - Match Game 75 (1975-1977 Episodes)

9:00am - Press Your Luck (1983-1984 Episodes)

9:30am - Sale of the Century (1988-1989 Episodes)

11:00am - Super Password (1986-1987 Episodes)

and for Weekends, we get the 1981-1982 episodes of Password Plus with Tom Kennedy.

Well, I for one am excited for these changes. Very excited to finally see some more Match Game 75 and more Press Your Luck. Not extremely excited for the final season of Password Plus but it does have Tom Kennedy which hasn't been seen forever. More Super Password episodes are always welcome.

As for Sale Of the Century all I can say is wow, I thought this show would never set foot on the schedule.  Well, good thing I didn't necessarily bet my life, otherwise I'd be in huge trouble. It's a decent show, and I will enjoy it. I mean Jim Perry is an excellent host, so it's gonna be good. Starts Monday April 1st.

Yeah, we give up Dawson Feud and Card Sharks but oh well. They'll probably be back. This is the first time Dawson Feud has not been on the GSN lineup.

Chuck's Back

Well, looks like GSN is changing a part of the schedule again. Jeopardy! once again disappears from the schedule. And they haven't finished out the season yet. Oh well, some things I still would've liked to see, but oh well, life moves on.

It's replacement is something that is not on the schedule at the moment. Chuck Woolery's Lingo. According to the PDF schedules, it will be Season 5, with Chuck and Shandi.

Well, I enjoy Lingo but the Chuck and Shandi seasons weren't my favorites. They were OK, but I don't know, it just doesn't click with me. I just don't know. I didn't mind Stacey Hayes that much, but I personally think Lingo is best with just one host. I do prefer the Bill Engvall version over Chuck and Shandi, but of course, you can't beat Chuck solo, during his first two seasons. I'm sure 2003 episodes will turn up again soon. Might take a long time, but they'll be back, and I'll be watching. So Starting Monday February 25th at 11:30am, Woolery Lingo replaces Jeopardy!

Looking Back Again

Well, this is the first New Year's Eve without Dick Clark. Kind of sad. GSN is airing a day long marathon of Pyramid and most of it is dedicated to Dick Clark. I have to say, my favorite thing he did was Pyramid. It is also one of my favorite shows. I have to say Dick made the show good, and just fit. I mean anyone could do it, but Dick fit best, I don't know why. Also one of my favorite formats ever.

Sad to believe we lost Dick Clark last April. Well, we miss him, and his legacy lives on. I also think it's fitting that GSN is airing this on the day he made famous.

The countdown isn't going to be the same. It hasn't been the same, and it was painful to watch him, but he was improving. We miss you. I'll try and catch the special tonight. Until then, I'm going to enjoy some Pyramid today, both for Dick Clark, and the game.

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.

A Happy Holiday

Well, with GSN's Holiday Marathon list, I thought I'd return to comment on my favorite one. The Christmas Day marathon filled with Match Game. However, it will only feature 1 episode of 74 :) I'll post the lineup, and my thoughts about each any every episode. The marathon will air from 8:00am ET-5:00pmET.

The lineup is as follows. My Commentary is underlined

8:00am - The Match Game, 1962 Pilot episode with Peggy Cass & Peter Lind Hayes. Well, that's awesome, I've only seen a few parts on Youtube. I understand it will probably be not as exciting as other episodes, but it beats Algebra 2 any day.
8:30am - The Match Game, July 28, 1964 episode with Jayne Mansfield & Orson Bean. I've only seen 1 other episode of the 1960's version. And that was an All*Star episode. So I'm looking forward to this.
9:00am - Match Game, 1973 Pilot with Bert Convy, Arlene Francis, Jack Klugman, Jo Ann Pflug, RD, BW. Yeah, this is really awesome. I truly mean it. I'm very excited to see the beginnings of one of my favorite TV shows.
9:30am - Match Game 73. Premiere episode with Michael Landon, VL, Jack Klugman, Jo Ann Pflug, RD, Anita Gillette. Been awhile since this has been on the network, so this will be nice to see again. Especially for those who just recently started watching
10:00am - Match Game 73, First episode with Brett & Charles, #11, with Bert Convy, Jaye P. Morgan, CNR, BS, RD, BW So cool, this is a classic episode, something that would start something great :)
10:30am - Match Game 74, #158 with Steve Allen, BS, CNR, FF, RD, Kaye Ballard. This was the first time boobs was used for an answer, so, yeah it's a classic, even though GSN has aired it a lot lately.
11:00am - Match Game PM, #3, with William Shatner, BS, CNR, Lee Merewether, RD, JB. This is a good episode. Should be fun to watch again
11:30am - Match Game 76, #827 with Avery Schrieber, BS, CNR, Nancy Kulp, RD, JB. Another classic, hasn't been seen for years.
12:00pm - Match Game 77, #972, with Dick Smothers, BS, CNR, Meg Bennett, RD, FF Other reports are reporting New Years Eve 1976. We'll see, either way, I've probably never seen them
12:30pm - Maych Game 77 #1005, with Edward Asner, BS, CNR, DS, RD, PD You know, this episode kind of pissed me off. I mean the riot was funny, but the judge's decision was completely Back Asswards (Yeah I said that right). Hey better than nothing :)
1:00pm - Match Game 78, #1228, with David Doyle, BS, CNR, EJ, RD, BW. Classic episode with classic moment, nuff said
1:30pm - Match Game PM, #151, with Kukla & Ollie, BS, CNR, Eva Gabor, Arte Johnson, Another classic, one of my favorites.
2:00pm - Match Game SYN, 1979, with Foster Brooks, BS, CNR, Sarah Purcll, Scoey Mitchlll, FF Should be interesting to see again
2:30pm - Match Game SYN, 1980, with Charles Siebert, BS, CNR, Phyllis Davis, Robert Donner, MW I Think I know this one, or maybe I don't :)
3:00pm - Match Game SYN, Finale of the 1973-1982 version featuring Skip Stephenson, BS, CNR, Melinda O. Fee, MS, BW Unnanounced, but Dawson is mentioned :)
3:30pm - Match Game 90, #41 with Bill Kirchenbauer, BS, CNR, VL, Ronn Lucas, Deborah Tranelli Awesome, an MG90 episode with Brett. I do love Ronn Lucas
4:00pm - Match Game 98, with Nell Carter, George Hamilton, Judy Tenuta, Rondell Sherdian, VL This is the black licorice flavor in the marathon. Oh well, beats Dog Eat Dog.
4:30pm - Match Game 90 Pilot with Bert Convy Hosting. Um, wow, DVR set.

This looks to be a good marathon.

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.

Out With the Old, and In with the New, Another GSN Experiment

GSN has done a whole bunch of schedule shakeups. For example, this week Harvey Feud gains 2 hours in latenights, replacing Karn, Engvall, Jeopardy!, and Password Plus. And Baggage replaces The $25,000 Pyramid and Super Password in latenights. And now, on September 21, Baggage also will replace Match Game and the Richard Dawson Family Feud.

I am going to support this change. Time is moving on. Older shows (especially game shows) are no longer appealing to people, except a select few. I mean, on GSN, there getting awful numbers, and they are putrid compared to big stuff such as American Bible Challenge which pulls almost 1 million viewers each week, or The Pyramid. Looks like GSN has had it. Seeing how Match Game pulls around 100,000 viewers each week, and Dawson has just about 75,000 each week. Looks very wimpy compared to those stuff. Hey I enjoy both Match Game and Dawson's Feud, but no one else, except the die-hard fans do (not that there's 100,000 of them). GSN figures Baggage could do better numbers. If all else fails, there's always Harvey.

I truly enjoy older shows, as well as modern. But as time progresses, those shows only get older. Match Game is turning 40 in July. Sorry, they just don't work.

Can I Have a Minute on GSN?

Well, might as well post some good news (to me, at least). GSN has made an acquisition, and this looks to be another good one. Minute To Win It will air in a stack on Tuesday nights replacing The Newlywed Game. Well, how can I complain? Here is the press release. I love this show, this revival of Beat the Clock was fun, and beat The Cube overseas (yeah, I'm not a buyer of that British are Better Than Us stuff), This was a fun show, and I'm glad to see it come to GSN. Guy was a great host.

Tuesdays at 7/6c

Success

Well, I usually don't blog as much as I'd like, but I figured this is a subject that is worthy of a post here on my blog. As many know, GSN is attempting to revive the classic Pyramid series with new episodes. Mike Richards is supposed to be the host. They taped the pilot this last Saturday. From Buzzerblog, here's how the gameplay worked:

The game is played like the old version.  Two teams compete in two games per show.  You have seven clues to convey within 30 seconds.  The main difference is how money is handled.  Whenever you go to the titular Pyramid you play for a base of $10,000.  In the main game if you score a perfect 7-out-of-7 you earn a $500 bonus plus you play for $5,000 more on the Pyramid.  So one perfect round means you win $500 and have a chance at $15,000.  Two perfect rounds is $1,000 and a chance at $20,000.  A perfect game means you win $1,500 and play for $25,000.  Of course no perfect rounds mean you play for the base $10,000.  There are no bonus categories such as Mystery 7 or 7-11.  If you can’t beat the Pyramid you get money for each box you do beat.  In order, from left to right, the first row is worth $100, $200, and $300; the second row is $400 and $500; the top box is $750.

Well, I would like to see it made to air. As I said Mike Richards is the host and there has been some positive feedback from what I've personally heard. Here's the casting call. Almost looks like it's a go.