Small $$$ on Merv Griffin's Crosswords

[Gregg]

Is this show going to continue next year? I notice in NYC, WNBC Channel 4 was DOUBLE running it at 4 and 4:30 when it premiered, then dropped the second show at 4:30, then moved it to 11:30am. Is that a sign it isn't doing well? Is the next move to 2:05am?

Even though it carries the late Merv Griffin's name in the title, the same guy who made Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune a success, it looks like he didn't put his money where his mouth is.

The winning money totals are an embarrassment! On "Millionaire," another daytime half hour, many contestants win $16,000 or $25,000, and nearly everyone else wins at least $1000. And they pay Merideth Viera a few million a year. Alex Trebeck, Pat Sajak and Vanna White are also very well-paid for Jeopardy and Wheel, two shows which also give big money to the winning contestant and at least $1000 or more to the other two contestants.

But on Crosswords, every day there are 5 contestants and only ONE of them wins ANY money. And that person only wins a few thousand dollars... and maybe a trip to some location in Mexico or California that isn't more than a couple of hours from LAX. Oh, I forgot, all contestants get a cheap watch that says "Merv Griffin's Crosswords" on the face. Pardon me.

And the host is an unknown. I'm sure he's not getting Viera, Trabeck or Sajak cash... probably not even a fraction. And it shows in his false enthusiasm and pre-written responses.

Knowing that the contestants have such a small chance to win even a few thousand dollars makes the show pretty boring. Even shows only seen on the Game Show Network give away more money.

What was Billionaire Merv thinking in his last days?




Gregg
[email protected]

 

[imhomerjay]

It will continue next year, despite the miniscule ratings in year one. Some trade reports say it's expected to be paired by some stations with the daytime Deal or No Deal in the fall. That said, a fair number of downgrades in time slots or stations shouldn't be too shocking. One of the reasons it is coming back is its relative low cost.

My problems with the show stem more from the game play and production values than the actual prize money, though it is on the low end by today's standards. At its core, the game is actually interesting...but the host, set, music and bizarre rules regarding the spoilers make it tougher for me to enjoy. I downloaded a sample of the play-at-home version and enjoy that better...because without the other distractions, as a combination word/triva game, it's kind of compelling.

Here in Philadelphia, I'm wondering where it will wind up. Our CBS affiliate paired it with Family Feud in the cursed 9 am hour, where nothing they've done has lasted more than a season in quite some time. It's a shame, too, as Feud finally got back on a decent station, after last season buried on weekend overnights on the My Network affiliate...and only two episodes per week at that. There's almost nowhere else for Crosswords and Feud to go here.

 

[jsu5381m]

On today's show, the winner didn't win any money because he was -$250 in the hole and he wasn't able to fininsh the bonus round. Well, I guess he won that plastic Crosswords watch made in China.

 

[WMC2006]

I believe Ty Treadway is supposed to return as host for season 2. The game itself is pretty boring, not that I've ever watched it regularly but I've seen it a few times so I dont know what he can do to liven things up at all.

The only other thing I ever saw Ty on was hosting TV Guide's American Idol Extra a couple of years ago. He has also been on the Soapnet cable network and done modeling and stuff.

Crosswords announcer is Edd Hall who was Jay Leno's orginal announcer on the Tonight Show. Good move, Edd.

 

[charlestondxman]

The season is actually getting postponed, and will not air till at least January.

A new group of three shows will replace it, including two Canadian shows, and a "best of" Crosswords. ;D

Here is the article from Broadcasting & Cable magazine:

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6572447.html

 

[imhomerjay]

Postponed?

Nah, that's a nice effort to save face. Jeopardy or Wheel could 'postpone' a season if, say, the hosts were sick or something like that. But Crosswords? A "Best of" for a show that barely registered?

If any stations actually do choose the 'best of' option (and that's a big "if"), it'll be buried in the middle of the night (in the cases that hasn't already happened).

Interesting game, overall poor execution.

 

[bpatrick]

If I'm reading Steve Beverly's blog right, "Crosswords"
is not returning at all, except in reruns. And no, WNBC
no longer carries it from 4-5; Oprah on WABC and Judge
Judy on WCBS sent it packing to the late morning. There
has been a lot of discussion as to how a show with an 0.8
rating could even be renewed at all.

I still think Merv cobbled together some similar shows, like
"Cross-Wits" and "Scrabble," then added the spoilers (what
was the point?). Then the show sold on Merv's name and
track record with "Wheel" and "Jeopardy!" Unfortunately,
I don't think he put the same care into developing "Crosswords"
as he did his two classics.

At any rate, I think the NBC o&os are more optimistic about
daytime "Deal Or No Deal."

 

[raedizzle2008]

My "random" thoughts, etc.- on "Merv Griffin's Crosswords" are, for the most part, actually rather positive...given that it's nice to see a game show that allows not only the contestants playing the game to test their verbal mettle (word skills), but for those "armchair players" (me) to do so as well! It was a pretty cool show to watch, certainly more so than many of the other crapheaded shows that are all too prevalent (and nauseating). Sad that the show for whom it was named after, legendary game-show creator and former talk-show host, Merv Griffin, had passed away about this time last year just before the show was put to air. Nevertheless, MGC was a treat to watch...Ty Treadway (the host, formerly of "One Life to Live") was a decent host choice, despite his seeming "obscurity" compared to Trebek, Sajak, Philbin, etc., and many of the players were fun to watch try to solve the big "puzzle." I tend to be rather adept at vocabulary exercises (geeky for sure); however, MGC really challenged me even on some of the lower-value clues! I even thought they may have made it a bit too hard for the average viewer to "play along" (even "Jeopardy!", another Griffin product, seems kinda easier if I'm having a good day hehe). But still a good game. My only real beef with Crosswords, however, was the "spoiler" element. It just didn't seem fair (again, who said life is) for a player to fight for most of the game, amassing money and even trips, etc.-while solving clues on-board..and then a dang spoiler ends up buzzing in on the last clue before the bonus round, and takes your podium and becomes the winner of the regular game! Grrr! But I guess, had I have been on-show, I'd still be somewhat contented with a "Crosswords" watch...no?


Yes, I read online that the show, though initially slated for a sophomore (second) season, had its production halted till perhaps this winter..and MGC stations are now scrambling to find programming options I'm sure. I wonder just how many will be willing to provide their local viewers a "Best of X-words" package, or any of the other shows offered by the production company? I dunno...but despite the rather lackluster ratings it received (I watched regularly, but anyway), MGC really should get another chance. It's way better than "Temptation", which SUCKS! And I was an avid fan of the classic "Sale of the Century", too! Temptation had been given too many changes to make it really seem like a new "Sale", I think. It's just...sucky. And as to "Millionaire", I hadn't watched it in quite awhile. I actually find Meredith Vieira to be a put-you-more-at-ease kind of hostess, more so than Reege. Yet more people won the big money under him...I guess making the questions much tougher is keeping its budget in check, but still nice to see more winners of higher monies. Vieira hasn't even been doing too much regular hosting has she, esp. after she took the "Today" gig? There have been a few sub hosts including Tom Bergeron and even Al Roker I've heard.


And as to "Deal or no Deal"...I'll take a pass on that one, thank you. When it becomes syndied this fall, you can just expect more and more players to perform the same dumb, goofy blunders that are seen on the nighttime show. Even if all but one of the suitcases are 1M, someone will find a way to not win!

 

[WMC2006]

...Ty Treadway (the host, formerly of "One Life to Live") was a decent host choice, despite his seeming "obscurity" compared to Trebek, Sajak, Philbin, etc

Sajak was an "obscurity" (to me, anyway) when he took over Wheel from Chuck Woolery in 1981. He was a meteorologist for KNBC in LA so people there knew him.

 

[raedizzle2008]

...Ty Treadway (the host, formerly of "One Life to Live") was a decent host choice, despite his seeming "obscurity" compared to Trebek, Sajak, Philbin, etc

Sajak was an "obscurity" (to me, anyway) when he took over Wheel from Chuck Woolery in 1981. He was a meteorologist for KNBC in LA so people there knew him.

Yes, but he's certainly become a household name over the past over quarter-century all across the land! ;D And he was also a weatherman on WSM-TV in Nashville in some of the '70's, and served in Vietnam. And was born in Chicago. Just some more "useless knowledge" from me hehe ;-)

 

[Tim-In-Houston]

I watched a few episodes during the spring when I had late classes, thought the show was okay. One thing I think really hampered it was the miniscule prize amounts and the spoilers.

Had there been an elimination round to explain the presence of the Spoilers. Round 1 could have easily accomodated this, with the top two answerers given the pole positions (with their accumulated monies), with the rest at the spoiler podiums, then round two played as it was.

Also, in the days of big-payout game shows, a throwback to the 80s-era payouts was quite lame. $50 for a 3-word clue? $300 (or $500?) per clue the highest amount possible to win? Triple or quadruple that and it might have been worth it.

 

[1069_KIFR]

As for Pat Sajak, I remember how Martin Short's character 'Ed Grimley' was a HUGE Obsessed fan of Pat Sajak. "He's such a nice guy, ya know"

As for Crosswords. I believe this show was rushed into production. I remember reading about Merv's death and the article mentioned that he was working on a new game show. IMHO,So to take advantage of his name that is why they are calling it Merv Griffin's Crosswords. You don't see it being called Merv Griffins Jeopardy, do ya?

Locally KNTV-11, now NBC Bay Area had originally moved 'Ellen' back to noon and aired back to back episodes from 4pm-5pm, leading into their 5pm newscast. 4pm is also 'OPRAH' on KGO, ABC7. Around 3-4 months later they moved 'Ellen' back to 4pm and now Crosswords airs at 1pm or 2pm.

 

[WMC2006]

As for Pat Sajak, I remember how Martin Short's character 'Ed Grimley' was a HUGE Obsessed fan of Pat Sajak. "He's such a nice guy, ya know"

Ed Grimley's catchphrase was "I must say", not "ya know"....."Pat Sajak is such a decent guy, I must say" ;D

He also used "Give me a break" alot when something didn't quite go his way. And, of course, he loved playing his triangle. And don't we all.

 

[1069_KIFR]

I am so sorry, I must say! Ding, ding, ding!

 

[RadioZack]

That show is desperate to find contestants, too. They were advertising for contestants in the Val-Pak direct mail coupons, so I went to the website and checked it out, and just for kicks entered my name in. I got a call, like, 2 hours later asking when I could come to an audition. Unfortunately, I'm not flying to LA from Alabama just for that, so I told them it was unfeasible.

 

[bpatrick]

When the movie "Good Morning Vietnam" first
came out, a rumor got started that Adrian Cronauer
was based on Sajak, who worked on the Armed Forces
Radio Network while in Vietnam. Fact is, Adrian Cronauer
is a real person; last I heard he was living in Northern
Virginia, outside D.C.