Match Game "7x" Revival

[formeraa]

Suppose there was a revival of Match Game -- similar to the "7x" version. Who would make the best host? Who could we get to be regular panelists (besides the timeless Betty White ).

 

[pab]

Years ago, I thought Ralph Garman would have been the perfect host.

The three regulars? Bruce Vilanch in Charles Nelson Reilly's seat, Vicky Lewis in Brett Summers', not sure who should be in Richard's.

 

[1069_KIFR]

Host: Ryan Seacrest
Regulars: Andrew Dice Clay
Norm MacDonald
Carol Leifer

 

[pab]

Norm and Carol would work well. Carol in Brett's seat, Norm in Richard's.

 

[PTBoardOp94]

I wouldn't mind seeing a new "Match Game"

Host: Howie Mandell
Permanent Panelists: Mo Rocca, "Judge Judy" Schindlien, Rich Fields

 

[KyDXIn]

Host: Regis

Panelists: Betty White, Fannie Flagg, Richard Dawson

 

[WMC2006]

Possible Hosts:

Arsenio Hall
Howie Mandell
Wayne Brady
Rich Fields
the ghost of Gene Rayburn

Announcers:

Burton Richardson reuniting with Arsenio and his ARSENIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL intro ;D
Rich Fields
Johnny Gilbert
Alan Kalter (Letterman's announcer)

Panelists:

I think Richard Dawson is pretty much retired and I can't see him wanting to come back even if he isn't retired.

 

[Robnoxious]

I take this topic very seriously because I am a HUGE fan of the original MG.

***cue the iconic MG wah-wah bass theme**

GET READY TO MATCH THE STARS!

From General Hospital, Kelly Monaco! (chair #1 is always a random assortment of semi-regulars, usually from soaps)
Carrie Fisher!
Neil Patrick-Harris! (who better to fill CNR's shoes?)
Angie Everhart! (chair #4 is traditionally a revolving door of cheesecake and/or ditsy)
Bob Barker! (chair #5 is the hardest to fill and has to be a seasoned MG player/fan)
and Greg Proops! (chair #6 also needs to be a good player)

As we play the star studded Match Game '12!

And now the host of Match Game, Craaaaaaaaaaaig Ferguson! (gotta have a host that's quick on his feet)

The perfect host would be the reincarnation of Gene Rayburn or Bill Cullen but that just won't happen.

 

[DToTheJ]

Now this game show, I feel Drew Carey would be more in his element than "The Price Is Right."

By the by... Shouldn't this belong on the Classic TV board, since there really isn't going to be a "Match Game" revival?

 

[hubcity]

Yeah, this topic probably belongs elsewhere, but here it is.

One thing that Gene Rayburn had that none of the later incarnations' hosts had, was the utter respect of the panel. With some exceptions (mostly Dawson) the panel took their cue from their host, and in turn he let them play out (or not) further and further if he felt the bit was working. It worked to everyone's benefit, including the audience's.

I suspect Craig Ferguson has that ability. No idea who else might.

 

[Kenny Atkinson]

Suppose there was a revival of Match Game -- similar to the "7x" version. Who would make the best host? Who could we get to be regular panelists (besides the timeless Betty White ).

I would love to see a remake of Match Game.It would have to have the right host.A problem with an all star panel is that it is tough to get stars who want to do it.This was a HUGE problem for HOLLYWOOD SQUARES during the Whoopi days. I saw her a couple of times make a comment that she would go to a party and no one would talk to her because they were afraid she was going to ask them if they wanted to do show.

 

[formeraa]

By the by... Shouldn't this belong on the Classic TV board, since there really isn't going to be a "Match Game" revival?

Perhaps, but the topic originally started in a Family Feud thread which was going way off-topic. I was just trying to start a relevant thread for a revival of Match Game 7x. I will trust the moderators to move it, if they deem it necessary.

 

[WMC2006]

And now the host of Match Game, Craaaaaaaaaaaig Ferguson! (gotta have a host that's quick on his feet)

I presume, then, that the announcer for this incarnation would be Craig's skeleton sidekick, Geoff Peterson. ;D

There's one thing we need to keep in mind when choosing panelists. Back in Gene Rayburn's days, it was sort of a running gag that all or most of the panelists on a given week were unemployed. So, Bob Barker would work because he's now retired but Neil Patrick Harris, while very funny, is busy hosting awards shows. With all the daytime soaps going off the air, there's a huge stable of available talent right there. :

 

[1069_KIFR]

Host: Jeff Foxworthy
Panelists: Louie Anderson
Cheri Oteri
Jason Alexander

 

[DToTheJ]

...Shouldn't this belong on the Classic TV board...

...the topic originally started in a Family Feud thread which was going way off-topic...

It was probably the one I started... in that case, I'll accept some of the responsibility. Carry on.

 

[KyDXIn]

And now the host of Match Game, Craaaaaaaaaaaig Ferguson! (gotta have a host that's quick on his feet)

I presume, then, that the announcer for this incarnation would be Craig's skeleton sidekick, Geoff Peterson. ;D

There's one thing we need to keep in mind when choosing panelists. Back in Gene Rayburn's days, it was sort of a running gag that all or most of the panelists on a given week were unemployed.

Brett Somers unemployed? Mclean Stevenson? Jack Klugman? Bert Convy? Richard Dawson? Fannie Flagg? Marcia Wallace? I actually would think they had ties to other Goodson Todman shows, or were on the CBS lot where the shows were taped.

 

[KS-IL-IA]

And now the host of Match Game, Craaaaaaaaaaaig Ferguson! (gotta have a host that's quick on his feet)

I presume, then, that the announcer for this incarnation would be Craig's skeleton sidekick, Geoff Peterson. ;D

There's one thing we need to keep in mind when choosing panelists. Back in Gene Rayburn's days, it was sort of a running gag that all or most of the panelists on a given week were unemployed.

Brett Somers unemployed? Mclean Stevenson? Jack Klugman? Bert Convy? Richard Dawson? Fannie Flagg? Marcia Wallace? I actually would think they had ties to other Goodson Todman shows, or were on the CBS lot where the shows were taped.

"Running gag" does not necessarily mean it's correct.

There have been several attempts at a "Match Game" revival through the years, including a late-night pilot for TBS a few years ago; and there was the syndicated version in the late '90s, where the regular panelists included Vicki Lawrence and Nell Carter.

But these aren't the '70s. Much of the fun of watching the episodes from that era -- don't get me wrong, I love 'em -- is that standards and practices were a lot less lenient then, and the panelists did their best to skirt around them. Most panelists today would write the dirtiest possible answer on their card, and there would be pixelation and bleeps all over the place.

 

[1069_KIFR]

Host: David Hasselhoff
Regulars: Gina Gershon
Steve Guttenburg
David Duchovny

 

[1069_KIFR]

Host: Donnie Wahlberg
Regulars: Tom Sizemore
Jeremy Sisto
Jamie Lee Curtis

 

[rwells2265]

But these aren't the '70s. Much of the fun of watching the episodes from that era -- don't get me wrong, I love 'em -- is that standards and practices were a lot less lenient then, and the panelists did their best to skirt around them. Most panelists today would write the dirtiest possible answer on their card, and there would be pixelation and bleeps all over the place.

Nail on the head.

Also, MG7x - to use the cliche - was lightning in a bottle. You had the chemistry (Dawson notwithstanding), and as already been said, Gene R. had the rare talent of keeping it all in line.

I won't say it could never happen, but I'm afraid the chances of a truly good MG revival are in the Powerball realm.

--Russell