Super Password

I talked about in an earlier post about Password Plus.  Now I'm going to talk about the version after that which was Super Password.  On Sept 24, 1984 a revival of Password was born again.  This version was called Super Password.  It was hosted by  Bert Convy who you may remember from  Tattletales or Win Lose Or Draw.  This version to me was the most exciting of all the password versions.  Why was it exciting you may say?  This version had a magic toaster which was used to play cashword.  Cashword was played after the winner of the $200 puzzle.  The Cashword would start at $1,000.  If it wasn't won the cashword would increase by $1,000 each time until someone won it.  How do you play Super Password for those of you who don't know or never have seen the show.  There are two teams or two people usually one's  a celebritity and the other is the contestant.  Either they will give a one word clue to get you to guess the word or you have to give them a one word clue.  For example if the word was Bee and you want to get your partner to guess it you could say clues like buzzing, insect, queen.  If you want to give  a really clever clue for Bee you could give this for a clue A hoping that your partner would guess B.   The first puzzle won was worth $100, the second $200, the third $300 and the fourth was $400.  The first team to get $500 or more won and went to alphabetics.  After you guessed the word then it would be one of five words that would go on the board.  Then you have to guess what the puzzle is.  I liked trying to guess the puzzles and that to me is what make Super Password and Password Plus my favorite versions of Password.  After the team won then they went to play Alphabetics.  Alphabetics would start at $5,000 and if it wasn't won then the jackpot went up $5,000 until it was won.  Here is how you play Alphabetics your celebrity partner would give you a clue and the clue would start with a certain letter.  The next word would start with the follow letter in the alphabet.  For example if your first word started with a C the next word would start with a D.   There was a handheld game of Super Password made in 2000.  I have it and I play it once in a while.  It is fun.  I wish there was an updated PC Version of this game and an XBOX 360 or wii version of this.  I will always remember Super Password and I love it.  I years ago had my grandfather one year for my birthday make me a wooden super password board.  Although I never found anyone to play it with I still have it.  This to me will always go down as one of the best gameshows ever made.  So if you've never seen Super Password or you want to watch it again I recommend going on youtube and watching an episode.  It is a blast to watch and to guess the puzzles.  I thank you for reading my gameshow blog and I hope enjoy the memories I've shared.  Now they need a board game of this just like they had of Password Plus.

Let's Make A Deal

In 1963 a strange but interesting gameshow aired in the United States.  The name of that gameshow is Let's Make A Deal.   What makes this gameshow interesting to me is unlike most other gameshows people are generally dressed up in suits and ties or really super nice outfits.  On Let's Make A Deal people dress up in very silly costumes.  I admit when I was younger I really didn't like this gameshow all that much.  When I got older though I started to like it because it was different but entertaining.   The first host of Let's Make A Deal was Monty Hall who co-produced the show with Stefan Hatos.  This game is bascially a game of chance and risk.  Sometimes you are offered a curtain or cash, Other times it's a curtain or the box.  There might even be a game where there a wallet or other things with money inside or you may take a big giant box.  If you make the wrong choice it usually results in a zonk which sometimes can be very funny and amusing.  Sometimes on the show there are more than one person involved in a deal and the first deal gets to choose one thing and the other goes to someone else. Let's Make a Deal also had  some models on it who would model the prizes.   One of the models that most people may remember from years ago was Carol Merrill.  There has been some beautiful models on Let's Make A Deal who have come and gone.  To me the two most beautiful models from Let's Make A Deal are Alison Fiori and the new model Tiffany Coyne who are on the current version of Let's Make A Deal.  There has been many versions of Let's Make a Deal with Monty Hall.  To compete with American Idol in 2003 NBC in primetime tried to revive Let's Make A Deal.  The host for this version was Billy Bush and many people thought this version was awful.  I thought it was ok.  The best version besides Monty Hall's to me is the newest version which started in 2009.  This version is hosted by comedian and Whose Line Is It Anyway Improv star Wayne Brady.  I really like this version and he and Jonathan Mangum come up with some crazy stuff on it.  I also find the models on this version to be very beautiful.  To me Let's Make A Deal is a very exciting gameshow and I'm almost tempted to go and find me a very silly costume and land on this show.   I personally though am hoping to win cash because the taxes on a car would be insane to try and pay unless I won cash and a car too.  Let's Make A Deal will always be a classic and the new version to me is great and fun to watch.  So remember to tune in to Let's Make A Deal weekdays on whatever time it is on where you live. 

Press Your Luck

On Sept 19,1983 one of the greatest gameshows in history premiered.  The name of the gameshow I'm talking about is Press Your Luck which was on CBS.  This game was hosted by Peter Tomarken who is one of the greatest gameshow hosts ever in my book.   Contestants competed for cash and prizes.  The object of course was to have the highest total at the end of the game.   Press Your Luck consisted of a question round which had four questions.  In these four questions a contestant could buzz in and if given the correct answer would earn 3 spins while the players who didn't buzz in answered correctly earned 1 spin.  If none of the answer buzzed in a buzzer would sound and the host would provide three choices.  This would mean that a contestant would only earn 1 spin if correct.  After the 4 trivia questions were done then the players would get to take there spins and play on a big giant board that had 18 squares.   When the big board round started the player with the least amount of spin would go first.  If there was a tie the player at the farthest to the left would go first.  All players use there spins in one turn.  Each time a player can choose to press his or her luck or pass his or her spins.  Passing your spins sometimes brought interesting strategy espeically if your opponent has three whammies.   Usually you would hear during a spin big bucks no whammies stop.  If a player got four whammies they were out of the game.  In the first round the highest amount on the board was $1,500.  In the second round the highest was $5,000 and a spin.  You can now play Press Your Luck on PC, wii or handheld.  I wish they had it on XBOX 360, PS3 and PS2.  If there was a revival for Press Your  Luck and I think there should be here is how I think it should be done.  The question rounds stay the same.  The big board is what's different.  The first round the top three amounts are $5,000, $3,500 and $2,000 on big bucks.  In the second round the top three amounts are $10,000 and a spin, $7,500 and a spin and $5,000 and a spin.  Unlike the classic version players stay on until they lose.  I personally think that in spite it was on CBS.  NBC should try and do this show and get Jimmy Fallon to host it.  If CBS were to revive this they should get Mark L. Walberg or Todd Newton to host it.   One of the greatest moments in Press Your Luck happened in 1984.  Contestant Michael Larson memorized random pattern on the big game board and ended up taking home $110,237 in cash and prizes.  He hit a whammy on his first spin and then for the next 45 spins he didn't hit a whammy.  He kept hitting big bucks alot and prizes.  CBS investigated Michael Larson because they thought he might have cheated.  Later they found out he didn't and he got to keep his winnings.  Press Your Luck to me is and will always be one of the best gameshows of all time.  CBS should revive this and put it on in the mornings or after Let's Make a Deal.

1 VS 100

On Oct 13, 2006 NBC aired the international popular gameshow 1 VS 100.  It was hosted by Bob Saget who you would remember played Danny Tanner on Full House.  1 VS 100 was a hit for NBC on Friday Nights averaging over 10 million viewers.   I to this day still don't understand why NBC cancelled this show.  This was a very fun and exciting quiz show to watch on a Friday Night when there was nothing else on.  If you've never seen the show here is how it goes.  You as the 1 contestants will answer the same trivia question as the 100 mob members.  You see the question and the mob members see the question.  Before you give your answer though the mob members have 10 seconds to answer.  If they are right they stay in the game but if they are wrong the mob members are eliminated.  Bascially your goal was to outsmart 100 mob members to win a top prize.  I bought this game on DVD and I beat it three times.  I'm not a trivia expert and i love it.  Also you were given helps in the game Ask the Mob where two members are selected.  One gives the correct answer and one gives an incorrect answer.  There reasoning for there answers though may be designed to try and trip you up.  Poll the mob another help where you would select one of three answers you'd like to know more information about.  The number of mob members who select that answer is revealed.  The final help is Trust The Mob and that is where you are automatically locked in to the most popular answer by the mob.   This is one of the most exciting quizzer shows I've ever seen.  I still to this day think NBC was a fool to cancel this show.  The top prize on the NBC show was $1,000,000 if you eliminated all 100 mob members from the game.  On November 15,2010 GSN revived 1 VS 100.  The host of this version is Carrie Ann Inaba who you would know as one of the judges on the ABC hit show Dancing With The Stars.  The GSN version of 1 VS 100 top prize is for $50,000.  I feel that this version should have played for $100,000 or $250,000 even.  1 VS 100 is my second favorite quizzer behind Million Dollar Money Drop which i will talk about later.

Family Feud

In 1976 a very interesting gameshow came to television called Family Feud.  The first host of this show was Richard Jefferson who some might know from the show Hogan's Heroes or a panelist on Match Game.  This game was created by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman.   There were two teams of five family members four in some versions and they had to answer questions that were surveyed by 100 people and to try and give the highest answers on the board.  When the game would start two teams one family member from each team would faceoff and give a handshake before the host read the question.  Whoever gave the higher answer had the option of passing or playing with the exception of Ray Combs version where the top answer played.  Whoever played had to come up with all the rest of the answers on the board.  If a team member gave a wrong answer or took too long they were given a strike.  If a team got three strike then the other team could steal the board with just one correct answer.  Generally if a team got to 300 points they won the game and had the chance to play for fast money where they could add more money to there total.  Some versions was $5,000, $10,000, $20,000 or more.  Richard Dawson hosted Family Feud from 1976-1985.  In 1988 Family Feud was revived again and was hosted by Comedian Ray Combs.  This version of Family Feud is my favorite to date.  I loved how just like Dawson he would poke fun at a contestant's answer.  In 1992 Family Feud tried something new called the Bullseye round.  This wasn't really a success but I may be a loner here I was one of the few that I know who really enjoyed the Bullseye Round.  I liked the mystery of not necessarily knowing the exact amount a team was going to play for.  In the Bullseye round the only way to add any more money was to get the number one answer.  1994 Ray Combs was fired and a few months later  Family Feud was brought back with Richard Dawson.  The new version with Richard Dawson only had four family members and had a thing called Bank Roll with three questions.  This new version with Dawson didn't last very long though and wasn't as good as the classic version that currently runs on Game Show Network (GSN) .  1999 Family Feud was brought back again with new host Louie Anderson.  He was ok but wasn't as good as Dawson or Combs.  This version was different in the last round you only got one strike which made things crazy.  I didn't like this version as much and was wishing for the classic version back really quick.  In 2002 Richard Karn the guy known as Al from Home Improvement took over and hosted.  His version was better than Anderson's but he wasn't as good as a gameshow host compared to a sitcom actor.  2006 Family Feud to me got good again just like the Richard Dawson, Ray Combs days.  A new host was brought on named John O Hurley who was on Seinfeld and hosted a revival of To Tell The Truth. I liked John O Hurley's better than Anderson's or Karns version.   O Hurley stayed until 2010.  In 2010 another host was brought on to host the Family Feud.  This host is comedian Steve Harvey.  I haven't got to watch this version on TV but I seen some highlights of it on youtube.  I couldn't stop laughing and it has the Dawson, Combs feel again when the host would bust on the contestants for giving a really dumb answer.  If you want to hear some really dumb answers from Family Feud I really recommend going on youtube and watching some videos of it.  You won't be able to stop laughing for a while.  Family Feud to me is one of the most exciting gameshows because you have to guess how people think and answer on a survey question.  You never know what people will come up with for answer.  Family Feud will always be a great gameshow classic and there is enough episodes out there to have a Family Feud channel.  Not sure if one person could sit and watch Family Feud all day all the time in spite it's a fun gameshow. 

Russian Roulette

On June 3,2002 Game Show Network better known as GSN created a gameshow called Russian Roulette.  It was one of the best originals I've ever seen on the network.  The host of it was Mark L. Walberg.   It consists of a set with six trap doors and had four contestants.   I've never seen a gameshow like this where I rooted for a contestant to leave or in this case drop through the floor.  I to this wonder what is below those drop zones.  Could it be a pillow, elevator leading to the exit doors, a bed of nails laugh out loud just kidding on the bed of nails?  At the beginning of the game the four players are given $150 to start the game.  One person was randomly selected before the show to be the challenger.  After the challenger selects a player to challenge the challenged player has ten seconds to give an answer.  If they are right they become the challenger.  If they are wrong they have to pull a lever and hope that it doesn't land on them.  If it doesn't they are in the game and become the challenger.  If it does land on them they drop down and are out of the game.  I have personally thought that this show should be revived in primetime on FOX, ABC, NBC or CBS with higher stakes.  Here is how my version would play the first round contestants start with $500, and four players, Round Two is $750,  Round Three and the 1 VS 1 is $1,000.  The winner goes to the bonus round for up to $250,000. The Bonus Round would go like this you would have 60 seconds to come up with 7 correct answers and its various questions like rearranging letters, multiple choice etc.   If they get all seven it's $25,000 and the chance to turn it into $250,000.  If they get it wrong they win $1,000 per correct answer and drop out.  I also think that it should have returning champs.  Russian Roulette I felt would have made a fun computer game, video game.  If you wanted to play it at home you would have drop cards.  You would make five safe cards and five drop cards.  In each round the host would take away a safe card and had a drop card in the main game.  So if you loved Russian Roulette on Game Show Network like I did then share your memories and favorite episodes of it. 

The Joker's Wild

In 1972 a very interesting gameshow came to television.   The name of that was called The Joker's Wild.  I thought this quiz show was interesting because it had categories on a slot machine.  It almost had a Las Vegas feel to it in spite the set of the show was in California.   The Joker's Wild had an opening of the game where  knowledge is king and lady luck is queen it's The Joker's Wild.  There were many people who were possibly selected to host the Joker's Wild.  One problem was all of these hosts were committed to the shows they were already doing.  These hosts were Wink Martindale, Tom Kennedy and Allen Luddin.   Since they were busy Jack Barry got to host the show for 13 weeks on CBS.  There was no complaints about his hosting from the viewers or the network so CBS signed him to host the show until it's cancellation in 1975.   How this game was played for those of you who have forgotten here are the rules.  The champion generally went first pulling a lever like a slot machine and categories or joker's would pop.   If three different categories popped up the question was worth $50, if two categories or a category and a joker the question was worth $100, if three of the same category popped up it made the question worth $200.  If for some reason all three joker's popped up a player had to pick a category and answer a question.  If they got the question right they automatically won the game.  The first won to get to $500 or more won the game and the right to go and face the devil.   The main game was fun but to me this day I love the bonus round.  You would pull a lever back and pray that you would hit dollar amounts and not see a devil pop up.  You would be able to risk what you have or stop and take your money.  If you got to $1,000 or more without seeing the devil you'd win the $1,000 and various prizes.   I remember when GSN use to run this show in there dark period in 97.  I really miss seeing this show today and would like a revival.   Not only should they revive this but I think this would be a fun gameshow to see on PC, XBOX 360, PS3,PS2, Wii, PSP, Ninetendo DS and handheld.   I think CBS should revive this show for daytime or put it on after Let's Make a Deal.   They could get Mark L. Walberg to host it and I would watch it as long as it was done right. 

Password Plus

In 1979 an updated version of  Password called Password Plus started on NBC.   It was hosted by Allen Luddin the same guy who hosted Password back in the 60's.   This and Super Password which I'll discuss in a future post are my favorite versions of Password.  For those of you who forgot to play Password here is how it's played.  You are given a word and you have to give a one word clue to get your partner to guess the word.  If for example your word was beginning you could give a clue like starting but you couldn't say begin because its a part of the word.   What I really liked more about this version and Super Password was after you guessed the word it was one of five passwords that went up on a board.  The answer was usually a person, place or thing.   A puzzle might have clues like Models, Banker , Cases, Game, Show  and the answer would be Deal Or No Deal.  I used to have the Password Plus board game and I could kick myself for selling it.  The problem is though now finding people who want to play it.  I remember later in the series though they tried something new on Password Plus.  You couldn't in the main game give clues that were opposites which made it more challenging.   The team that got to $300 went to play Alphabetics which was an interesting bonus round.  Unlike the regular Password in this version and in Super Password you are given ten words and the first word would for example start with a B,  the next a C, all the way to K.   In October 1980 Allen Luddin left Password Plus due to health problem and another great gameshow host Tom Kennedy took over.   Tom Kennedy hosted Password Plus in the month of Oct 1980 all the way to March 26,1982.   There were many celebrities on this that were interesting like Lucille Ball, Jim Perry, Gene Rayburn, Dick Martin, Vicki Lawrence, Carol Burnett are just some that I remember playing the game.  I was so happy when GSN was running them again in reruns.  Password Plus is a very exciting show and I wish there was a flash version of it or a PC Version of it.

Card Sharks

I remember growing up in the 1970's watching Jim Perry hosting Card Sharks.  I loved the opening music from it and when they would spit a poem something like ace is high duece is low, call it right and win the dough on Card Sharks.  I would sit there and be happy when it came on as a little child.   When i was a little kid my grandpa build me a  Card Shark board and I would act like a game show host.  It was tons of fun to do and tons of fun to watch.  People getting happy and winning money.  Card Sharks was the first gameshow when i was a kid that actually got me to love gameshows to this day.  I even remember the rules very well.  Before the show each player has there own deck of 52 playing cards cut and shuffled before they went on the air.  The object of the game was to get all the way across the board predicting whether the next card would be higher or lower than the previous card.  Before they called the cards they had to answer a poll question that was asked by 100 people.   To some people this was a boring gameshow but to me it was so exciting to watch.  I liked it too because it was simple to understand.  I also loved the bonus round when they played the money cards and started with $200 and bet at least $50 or more on the turn of a card until they got to the top level where they had to bet half of there winnings.  In the 80s Card Sharks came back with Bob Eubanks from the Newlywed Game and a syndication version hosted by Bill Raffety.  My parents wouldn't let me watch this version because they thought the questions were too dirty.  While Bob Eubanks was my favorite version of Card Sharks to watch played I still like Jim Perry's because of the opening music and he seemed into the game.  I bought the board game of Card Sharks that was released and enjoy it.  I also went to http://www.joytube.com/ and played  there version too.  Card Sharks was revived later by host Pat Bullard but this version was no where near close to the classic versions.  I feel that this is a gameshow that deserves a revival and to also be on PC, wii, XBOX 360, PS3, PS2, PSP and hand held too.  So come and comment and share your memories with me of Card Sharks. 

Welcome

Welcome to my gameshow blog.  If you love gameshows as much as I do come and share your memories.  I encourage you to come and be a part of the conversation.  Come and talk about the gameshows you love or the game shows you hate.