Match Game 90

[dawsongirl]

Did anyone watch this this morning? I'd seen it once before, but I don't know, it REALLY lacks something.

For starters, Gene Rayburn's personality.

[corwayn2]

GAME SHOW NETWORK changed it's schedule,today, and I did see MATCH GAME 90, and, it's almost exactly like the '70's version, where the audience takes part in the jokes. For example;"How---Was He(or She)"? And they have a SUPERMATCH AND $5000 ROUND, WITH THE STAR WHEEL. However, the ONLY regular from the '70's version was CHARLES NELSON REILLY. I just wonder how GENE RAYBURN felt about all these versions from 1990 and 1998?

[TV Guy]

I'm guessing Gene was pretty happy to be retired to Cape Cod. I've read that in the early 80s, NBC was considering him to replace the late Allen Ludden on "Password Plus", in addition to his "Match Game" duties, but Gene didn't want to work any more than he already was. "Match Game" was really a product of its time -- I don't see how any newer version could measure up.

As far as he early 90s version goes, keep an eye out for the weeks when Brett Somers returns to her spot next to Charles. Those episodes are the most worthwhile.

[D&R]

Originally posted by dawsongirl:
Did anyone watch this this morning? I'd seen it once before, but I don't know, it REALLY lacks something.

For starters, Gene Rayburn's personality.

I also think it lacks something. There doesn't seem to be any chemistry between any of the stars or the host. The set with its modernized motif and those awful red neon lights don't help at all (reminds me of the car wash chain in my area). How long did it run? Must not have lasted more than a season.

[dawsongirl]

It did only last one season. The set reminds me of a cheesy 50's diner type restaurant (though I don't really know why.) But yeah, Gene had great chemistry with the stars and Ross is one of these "these are the rules and this is the game and nothing in between" kind of hosts.

[PPatters]

First, it lasted for a year for one large reason, it didn't air in MANY, MANY markets because MANY, MANY markets aired noon news in place of it. Furthermore, Ross did have a lot of chemistry with the stars, and that all found it's way up to the cutting room floor because of the time constraints.

[TV Guy]

Bert Convy was originally supposed to host, but got sick before production began, so they brought in Ross Shafer. I agree that he lacks a certain spark -- I never cared for him when he was host of "The Late Show" on Fox, either.

It didn't help that the celebrities weren't as strong on this version as they were on the earlier one -- ABC tended to use it as a promotional platform for their soap stars, a lot of whom had no business being on a show like this.

The noon timeslot/low clearances certainly didn't help matters either, but I have my doubts about whether this would have succeeded even in a better time period.

[corwayn2]

Bert Convy died in 1991, so that must've been the sickness that led to his death

[wren]

Originally posted by dawsongirl:
It did only last one season. The set reminds me of a cheesy 50's diner type restaurant (though I don't really know why.) But yeah, Gene had great chemistry with the stars and Ross is one of these "these are the rules and this is the game and nothing in between" kind of hosts.


Ditto!

[willjarmon]

First, it lasted for a year for one large reason, it didn't air in MANY, MANY markets because MANY, MANY markets aired noon news in place of it.

It was on ABC from 1990-1991 so it really wasn't on in many markets cause it wasn't syndicated