"Candlepins Stars And Strikes" Returning....But Not To WZMY-50

[Joseph_Gallant]

After an absence of several months, "Candlepin Stars And Strikes" will be returning in February.

But it won't be returning to it's longtime home of WZMY-50 (formerly WNDS). Instead, it will air on WLVI-56.

According to this Nashua (N.H.) Telegraph article (scroll down to see it), the show will be seen on WLVI Sundays at Noon, and be co-hosted by WLVI news and sports anchor Frank Mallicoat and longtime "Candlepins" co-host Mike Morin.

I think there is a typo in the article: I doubt the show would be retitled "Candlepins For Cash" as there was a show by that title on the old WNAC-7 during the 1970's which was a Candlepin version of "Bowling For Dollars", a hybrid bowling/game show that was franchised to local TV stations at that time by Claster Productions (the same company that franchised "Romper Room"). Hopefully, WLVI will be able to kep using the original title "Candlepins Stars And Strikes".

The show's move to WLVI is actually a good one. WLVI is available off-air or on cable in the entire market (some areas south of Boston can't get WZMY either off-air or on cable). And the station is looking to regionally syndicate the show, which should help it gain even more viewers in areas where the show has not previously been broadcast.

 

[JustinT]

Re: But on Boston's WB?

> After an absence of several months, "Candlepin Stars And
> Strikes" will be returning in February.
>
> But it won't be returning to it's longtime home of WZMY-50
> (formerly WNDS). Instead, it will air on WLVI-56.
>
> According to this Nashua (N.H.) Telegraph article (scroll
> down to see it), the show will be seen on WLVI Sundays at
> Noon, and be co-hosted by WLVI news and sports anchor Frank
> Mallicoat and longtime "Candlepins" co-host Mike Morin.
>
> I think there is a typo in the article: I doubt the show
> would be retitled "Candlepins For Cash" as there was a show
> by that title on the old WNAC-7 during the 1970's which was
> a Candlepin version of "Bowling For Dollars", a hybrid
> bowling/game show that was franchised to local TV stations
> at that time by Claster Productions (the same company that
> franchised "Romper Room"). Hopefully, WLVI will be able to
> kep using the original title "Candlepins Stars And Strikes".
>
>
> The show's move to WLVI is actually a good one. WLVI is
> available off-air or on cable in the entire market (some
> areas south of Boston can't get WZMY either off-air or on
> cable). And the station is looking to regionally syndicate
> the show, which should help it gain even more viewers in
> areas where the show has not previously been broadcast.
>

On WB 56? The bowling show fit the kitschy identity and appearance of WNDS, but I can't imagine that it will fly on a full-powered Boston station.

In addition, it's still being filmed in Haverhill, so although the article says that the production quality will be improved, the target audience will be shared with that of Adult Standards stations. And we all know where they've gone.

I'd like to see the show be successful, but with a different host and a different station, I have my doubts. Then again, the Phantom Gourmet has only grown since changing stations (and production quality and hosts), so perhaps the show will become even better.

 

[BRNout]

Re: But on Boston's WB?

> In addition, it's still being filmed in Haverhill, so
> although the article says that the production quality will
> be improved, the target audience will be shared with that of
> Adult Standards stations. And we all know where they've
> gone.

Wasn't the show filmed at Leda Lanes in Nashua, NH? If I'm not mistaken, I seem to recall that Leda was the place.

I wonder if WLVI would try to change the venue to a more "Mass-o-centric" locale.

 

[JustinT]

Re: But on Boston's WB?

> Wasn't the show filmed at Leda Lanes in Nashua, NH? If I'm
> not mistaken, I seem to recall that Leda was the place.

Actually, I believe that it was. Either way, Haverhill is close enough to Nashua that the same audience will continue coming.

> I wonder if WLVI would try to change the venue to a more
> "Mass-o-centric" locale.

Perhaps it has something to do with tax-breaks for using a bowling alley in the same state? You never know.