Retrogaming Revisited:
Part 1 - March 25
Gordon Pepper
Assuming that you have been reading the news section of
the website (which I know you have), you know that Ant
and Dec of the UK have decided to go ahead with a series
of retro-gaming one-shots that include Blockbusters and
Bullseye. That got me to thinking
out of all of the
shows that we all talk about that wed love to see
again, what shows would do well perhaps even better
now than their original runs - and which shows wouldnt?
Thats the topic of this weeks column, and in addition
to Blockbusters and Bullseye, well talk about the shows
that we will be running for this years Game Show
Tournament at GSC 4 (hey, if the big networks can do
cross-promotion, then so can I).
Blockbusters What a great choice. By keeping the
payout at a low $5,000 for a Golden Road win, this has
potential for a GSN pickup for next season (as long as
they dont screw around with it). Put Mark Wahlberg or
Kennedy as the host and I think this would have hit
written all over it.
Bullseye I never liked this game, as the pace was
incredibly slow and I just dont like games where one
person, controlling the action, can win the match.
Despite me, there are many people out there who like the
show, and it could have a decent syndicated run if you
could find a way to speed up the pace of the game. Could
a Marc Summers-type be able to spin up the show?
Match Game There have been remakes of this game, but
it hasnt had the staying power that Gene Rayburn has.
The show needs to be naughty, irreverent, and willing to
be edgy just like the 70s version was. For this show
to have a chance, it needs to be cultivated on either
FOX (who has been edgy in the past) or Cable (Comedy
Central) and have someone who isnt afraid to be a
little blue (someone like Mark DeCarlo
or maybe a Brit
such as Jimmy Carr? He does have a version of the show (Blankety
Blanks) across the pond for him to draw on
)
Jackpot This was another great game show, but its
production company ran out of money will the show was
going and it had to be shut down. If you kept the
budgets low here, it could work, but I the only viable
network that would run this show is GSN and I dont see
them picking a riddle show up (and a potentially
expensive one, at that) for 13 weeks. If they did go on
with it, someone with a bit of humor (Tom Bergeron?)
could work out well with it.
Remote Control Hmmmmm
..I certainly think that this
should could easily be brought back and made a cult hit
on MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, GSN, or wherever it decides
to roost. The catch is that this show was as much
powered by the play between the host and accompanying
troupe of actors as the show itself. For this to work,
you need a hip host with some attitude and a quick wit,
an attractive and sassy babe, and a smart aleck
side-kick who can all trade barbs with each other and
who dont have much in the realm of inhibition. Carson
Daly, Playboy Playmate (and Smush Co-Host) Lisa Dergan
and Rich Vos seem to fit in nicely in the Ken Ober, Kari
Wuhrer and Colin Quinn spots, respectively.
Starcade Who didnt love this arcade-based show
growing up as a kid. If you could update the format and
make it more of a 1 on 1 competition, or completing a
level quicker instead of just getting points, a revival
of this show would be perfect for an up-and-coming G4
network. As for the host, you need to get someone who
the kids follow and who also has a credible video game
presence Tony Hawk would fit nicely.
Win Ben Steins Money When Jimmy Kimmel left the show,
so did the audience. The show is perfect as is you
just need to either get Ben back, or replace him and get
someone in the Kimmel mode. I wonder what Ken Jennings
will be doing after May and I wonder what Frank
Nicotero will be doing after Street Smarts finishes
their season. Crank up the pot to $10,000 and unleash
Nicotero and you have a show that should be able to grab
a decent syndicated audience.
Whew! This is perhaps one of the more underrated
strategy/trivia shows of all time which is why it has
an amazing cult following. I can see Todd Newton or Tom
Bergeron being a very competent host and filling Tom
Kennedys role nicely. If they shrank the pot down to
$10,000, this could be a show that Comedy Central or GSN
could take a stab at you listening, GSN?
Press Your Luck Forget the 2 seasons of Whammy! I
actually am enjoying the show better as it ages, but it
doesnt come close to the original Press Your Luck.
Bring back the square board, bring back Tomarken, bring
back original Whammy creator Savage Steve Holland, get
rid of the Double Whammies, update the board, add some
strategy (and Im sure everyone and their mom has new
squares that theyd like to see in), pump up the money,
and team it up with an edgy Match Game and a revived
Greed on Friday night on FOX and you may actually get
not only a ratings-viable Friday night, but the first
Prime-Time game show block in a long time that could
actually work.
So I mentioned that this was part 1. The reason being
I want you guys to supply me with part 2. E-mail me your
ideas for what shows you think should be revised and
what you think about the ideas here. In a few weeks,
well come back with your suggestions and well see
how feasible they are.
Gordon Pepper can be reached at
gordon@gameshownewsnet.com |