With so many of these "competition" shows like "Wipeout"
and "Win It In A Minute" all over primetime, why doesn't
somebody revive what is possibly the granddaddy of all
such shows: "Almost Anything Goes," which aired in several
versions on ABC and in syndication from 1975 to 1978?
The show, based on a British series called "It's A Knockout,"
pitted three teams from small towns from around the country
in "Beat The Clock"-style stunts, such as having to maneuver
a loaf of bread across a greasy pole. There were no prizes,
just local pride at having won. The show was set up as a
sporting event; on the ABC primetime version Charlie Jones
and Lynn Shackelford served as play-by-play and color announcers,
and Regis Philbin (briefly) was sideline commentator. There was also
a kids' version hosted by Soupy Sales on ABC's Saturday-morning
schedule in 1976-77, and a syndicated all-celebrity version in 1977-78
(a response to "Battle Of The Network Stars," which was getting popular
then).
Maybe the format would have to be tweaked to offer money prizes to the
winners, and maybe the stunts would have to be a little more dangerous,
but the promos for "Wipeout" made me feel that "Almost Anything Goes"
is long overdue for a comeback. Any thoughts?
and "Win It In A Minute" all over primetime, why doesn't
somebody revive what is possibly the granddaddy of all
such shows: "Almost Anything Goes," which aired in several
versions on ABC and in syndication from 1975 to 1978?
The show, based on a British series called "It's A Knockout,"
pitted three teams from small towns from around the country
in "Beat The Clock"-style stunts, such as having to maneuver
a loaf of bread across a greasy pole. There were no prizes,
just local pride at having won. The show was set up as a
sporting event; on the ABC primetime version Charlie Jones
and Lynn Shackelford served as play-by-play and color announcers,
and Regis Philbin (briefly) was sideline commentator. There was also
a kids' version hosted by Soupy Sales on ABC's Saturday-morning
schedule in 1976-77, and a syndicated all-celebrity version in 1977-78
(a response to "Battle Of The Network Stars," which was getting popular
then).
Maybe the format would have to be tweaked to offer money prizes to the
winners, and maybe the stunts would have to be a little more dangerous,
but the promos for "Wipeout" made me feel that "Almost Anything Goes"
is long overdue for a comeback. Any thoughts?