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Charlie O'Donnell (1932-2010)

O'Donnell was a longtime fixture on television. In addition to "Wheel", O'Donell's impressive resume includes a News Anchor over at K-COP in L.A.; Announcing "American Bandstand", "Rockin' New Years' Eve", and The AMA's for Dick Clark. Also, several award telecasts from The Golden Globes to the PrimeTime Emmys, and several other game shows-including "Press Your Luck", "Card Sharks", and "Hot Potato".
 
Being a baby boomer pushing 60, I remember Mr. O'Donnell from what he usually referred to as the "Charlie O. Show" on KRLA radio in the mid 60s. As a Top 40 jock, he was fairly run-of-the-mill, always more of an announcer than a personality, but he had that great voice. He was Dick Clark's announcer on American Bandstand at the same time, and was also referred to as the "Jolly Lean Giant."
 
Man, it seems like there are no replacements coming up the ranks for game show announcers. I hope they can find a way to have Johnny Gilbert do double duty for 'Jeop' & 'Wheel' permanently... although he is getting up there in years. He's 86, O'Donnell was 78.

If not, I suggest that they grab Bob Hilton to keep that old-school game show feel:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Hilton
 
I was about to ask how old Mr. Gilbert was...

Think about this: If Vanna White were to leave the show for whatever reason, I've a feeling that all of the letters contestants pick would pop up in puzzles electronically - that's how valuable she is to the show. It would be a good gesture if they simply didn't replace O'Donnell with another announcer... but that's just my two cents - and I need about $249.98 to buy a vowel... ::)
 
DToTheJ said:
I was about to ask how old Mr. Gilbert was...

Think about this: If Vanna White were to leave the show for whatever reason, I've a feeling that all of the letters contestants pick would pop up in puzzles electronically - that's how valuable she is to the show. It would be a good gesture if they simply didn't replace O'Donnell with another announcer... but that's just my two cents - and I need about $249.98 to buy a vowel... ::)
Click to expand...

Vanna was always there for the eye-candy effect - they didn't need anybody to turn the letters back in the pre-electronic days. Think of the original Jeopardy. I don't know for sure, but I always figured there were a few guys on a platform in back of the board, whose entire job was to pull the covers up to reveal the questions.
 
You got to admit; Johnny is like a war horse. He does'nt have any immediate plans to retire-just yet. This guy is like 4 years short of being 90. And he is like Jack LaLanne. I know there are some fresh talent out there. I think there's one name that has come to mind, and I think he'll become THE permanent announcer on "Wheel"-Joe Cipriani. And with the big board-Which is upgraded for the 21st Century(And Beyond) We really don't need Vanna.
 
As I said on the Classic TV board, my personal pick
would be Don Morrow, since he has substitute-announced
"Wheel," but he's 83 and , despite the fact he's younger than
Johnny Gilbert and is still active with his voiceover seminars and
other voice work, there's no telling how many years he has left. I
also said it would be justice done if they gave the job to
Rich Fields. Given how he was unceremoniously booted off
"The Price Is Right," it would be appropriate for him to get
a show with an even bigger following.

I just wonder what Merv would make of a guy who yells "A NEW CAR!" ::)
 
Troy Goodwin said:
Y I think there's one name that has come to mind, and I think he'll become THE permanent announcer on "Wheel"-Joe Cipriani.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry to inform you that I misspelled Joe Cipriani's name, but it's Joe Cipriano. I think "Wheel" might do some thinking about him.
 
Sad. I heard about it somewhere and, while I don't watch the show, I sometimes have it on to keep a VCR from recording "Jeopardy" if I saw it on the other station. So it was weired, even though I knew why, to hear Johnny.

I missed most of what Pat and Vanna said Friday as they said good-bye for the day. Where can we see that?
 
DToTheJ said:
I was about to ask how old Mr. Gilbert was...

Think about this: If Vanna White were to leave the show for whatever reason, I've a feeling that all of the letters contestants pick would pop up in puzzles electronically - that's how valuable she is to the show. It would be a good gesture if they simply didn't replace O'Donnell with another announcer... but that's just my two cents - and I need about $249.98 to buy a vowel... ::)
Click to expand...
Yeah. We've long known Vanna didn't serve a purpose, but she sure does look good doing what she does, even at 50+, and that's enough.

Though I saw her interviewed a few years back and she said people would be surprised at how she REALLY looks these days.
 
I was wondering if Pat Sajak broke the news in regards to Charlie O's untimely death last week? Somehow, I might have a hunch there won't be no game show one day next week, in order to pay a special tribute to Uncle Charlie.
 
They're not going to skip an episode. They ran a message from Pat and Vanna at the end of Friday's show.
 
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