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January 15, 2007
 Gordon: I hear for an additional $49.99, you can have Cyber Lucy pilot it.
Jason: Nice reference.
Chico: Yeah.. but why would you want to? Only for the kitsch factor or
something?
Gordon: But would it be cool to have Cyber Lucy and Cyber Vanna next to each
other?
Jason: No.
Gordon: At least then, you could have a wheel turner for each side of the
stage
Chico: One's plenty, thank you. Anyway, we're back on this WLTI, the first of 2007... and as
Eamonn Andrews once said, an unfinished list is unfinished business. We still
have shows to Push....or Flush. Okay, buzzers and plungers ready?
Jason: Yup.
Chico: Okay, first one...
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I'M FROM ROLLING STONE
MTV
Sundays at 10p ET |
PUSH |
Jason: Mild Push. This could be good.
Gordon: Its an intriguing concept, and one I will definitely tune into the
first episode to see if they cover this intelligently. Push
Chico: I don't know. Miss Seventeen didn't do it for me. Then again, this is
hardly the Miss Seventeen acumen. I'm going pastry on this one. Three pushes.
Good. (small case cue) Next up...
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DEAL OR NO DEAL CANADA
Global
Premieres February 3 |
PUSH |
Chico: It's Deal or No Deal, eh?
Jason: Major Push. Canada catches the wave.
Chico: It's a big push.
Gordon: They did the smartest thing they could have done - kept the Canadian
host. This is going to be a monster hit. Push.
Chico: And.. apropos... (small case cue) Next...
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IRON CHEF AMERICA
Food
Premieres February |
PUSH |
Jason: Come on.. it's Iron Chef...push
Chico: Stick with what works. Chefs in gladiatorial combat.
Gordon: This is a great little show that is very very underrated. Push it.
Chico: We gon' push this sucka. (small case cue) Next...
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SURVIVOR FIJI
CBS
Premieres February 8 |
PUSH |
Jason: I would love to Flush it...but I can't. PUSH
Chico: Can't deny a workhorse. Push.
Gordon: I put this one in the same camp as The Apprentice. You can't blame
the show just because the advertising is bad. Push.
Chico: Three is good (small case cue) Next...
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THE BACHELOR
ABC
Premieres Spring 2007 |
FLUSH |
Chico: Can a soldier save this sinking ship?
Gordon: Only if it was Flava Flav coming back from the Navy yard. Flush.
Chico: FLUSH... HARD.
Gordon: Now this is the show that should take some of the comedy and make it
lighter.
Jason: Sorry....the ratings increased...and Julie is going to hate me. I
think the ratings increased this year and it will hold. Pastry push.
Gordon: Boo
Chico: You suck, Harrison!
Jason: I am being objective.
Chico: Me, I think opposite Heroes, it stands ill chance.
Gordon: Love for the Bachelor?
Jason: No, just being honest. I can't stand the show. But the show is the
best of a crappy class.
Gordon: I'm going to have to disagree. I Love New York is the best of it's
class.
Chico: I'm with Gordon on this one. 2-1 flush. People.. if you stop watching
it... it will go away.
Jason: Ok.
Chico: Listen to the Chairman.
Jason: I do want it to go away. But I am not going to lie about what I feel.
People like this crap.
Chico: Then again, didn't we come up with 1.6 million for Gay Straight or
Taken? People watch crap. And then crap gets made. And people wonder why that
is. IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT, AMERICA!
Gordon: But at least we get Temptation.
Chico: ... I feel better now. Next.
Gordon: So the Chairman's Resolution is to be more like Haterade, I see. Very
wise resolution.
Jason: And I am being nice to the Bachelor...SEE WHAT LOSING WEIGHT IS DOING
TO ME! :)
Chico: If that's what losing weight does, than pass the Krispy Kremes. =p
Gordon: So I'm the only person with any reason on this panel? You should all
be very nervous
Chico: Indeed. Next...
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HIGH STAKES POKER
GSN
Premieres January 15 |
PUSH |
Jason: Shuffle up and Deal. PUSH
Gordon: Its going to be very interesting to see what happens to Jamie Gold.
I'm guessing nothing good. But it will be entertaining. Push.
Chico: Yep. Better than Poker After Dark, at least. Push! (Small case cue)
Sticking with GSN...
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CHAIN REACTION
GSN
Premieres March 13 |
PUSH |
Chico: Season 1.... the beginnings of a winner. Season 2... a continuation?
Why not. Push.
Jason: I'll take a letter under P--it's PUSH.
Gordon: I hope it continues to win. My only reservation is that shows during
season #2 on GSN not only not improve, they usually go downwards. A very
cautious push.
Chico: Lingo, Poker, and Blackjack being the exceptions that prove the rule.
So hopefully Dylan can bump up his hosting chops a bit. Otherwise, you're
looking at stagnancy.. and as far as GSN shows go.. That's not good.
Gordon: But way too many shows, including Whammy and Friend or Foe, mark the
trend.
Chico: Again, stagnancy. So push with caution (small case cue) Next show...
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DANCING WITH THE STARS
ABC
Premieres March 19 |
PUSH |
Chico: I think America's ready for more. I just hope that it doesn't suffer
from the kind of burnout that hampered American Idol season 3 or Millionaire
season 3...I'm going to push.
Jason: Are you kidding. This is Dancing here. PUSH big time.
Gordon: The key is the stars, and if they get the ones mentioned (like Sarah
Ferguson, etc.) this show will be fine. Push.
Chico: Another good one (small case cue) Next..
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LINGO
GSN
Premieres April 2 |
PUSH |
Chico: It's the first GSN show to earn a sixth season.
Jason: And it will continue to do so for years to come. P-U-S-H-Y.
Chico: And they're keeping everything that made season 5 so enjoyable. So ..
Hell yeah, I'm going to push.
Gordon: I'm pushing, but Id really like to see another Tournament of
Champions or something to spark the show. Returning champs, maybe? Push.
Chico: Sort of a season 3 season 5 mesh? Returning Champs? Tournament?
Jackpot? I think you have the keys to victory. (small case cue) Next on GSN...
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CAT-MINSTER
GSN
Premieres March 27 |
PUSH |
Chico: Bob Goen and Marianne Curan both had shows on GSN. They both
return... to host this. I'm going to flush simply because it just doesn't belong
here.
Jason: I disagree. People love animals. PUSH.
Chico: It's not a game show. It's not even remotely reality.
Gordon: It doesn't belong here, but this could be a stepping stone to
promoting animal games, and to that, I'll push it.
Chico: People love animals, I don't doubt that. I'm just saying this belongs
more on Animal Planet than GSN See?
Gordon: That being said, don't you dare think about bringing out Wet.
Chico: I think Wet is all wet, if you ask me. Next..
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NATIONAL VOCABULARY CHAMPIONSHIP
GSN
Premieres April 15 |
PUSH |
Jason: Word. PUSH.
Chico: I'm going to extrapolate my support for his budding endeavor. In so
many words.. Push. I mean, it's harmless, it's got a great hook behind it,
$40,000 in college money... for knowing some SAT level words.
Gordon: Wait a sec...a kiddie game show actually target for kids? Learning
for kids? Not just something made for the big money networks? Who would have
thunk it? Push.
Chico: (small case cue) Two more for ya.
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AMERICA'S GOT TALENT
NBC
Premieres TBA |
PUSH |
Chico: This has to pick up a slot vacated when a season ends for one of
NBC's Sunday shows, right? And when it does... I'll be all over that. PUSH.
Jason: Big Push...2nd season better than the first...HOWEVER...Piers better
be careful. More Like Simon...less like a prick.
Gordon: Ehhhhh.....I am very concerned that 1. They aren't going to change
what was wrong with it (Piers and Brandy) and 2. Somehow, a kid singer is going
to win this. VERY paltry Push.
Chico: (small case) Okay, one more.
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AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL
CW
Premieres February 28 |
PUSH |
Chico: More models... less competent writers? Time for another pastry.
Gordon: Lets give the new writers a fair shakke. Keep in mind that they had
to come in in the middle of a season, so it's hard to do. Lets see what they
have to work with now. Besides, the models dont have to write. Push.
Chico: They just have to look pretty :) And they're good at it.
Jason: Yeah...Push. Tyra's hot...and the judges are nice.
Chico: Ya. Is good. So the winter turns out to be a giant suck out, while
the freshness of spring is all but clear. Fresh spring.
Gordon: So far. Let's see if it ACTUALLY happens that way, though.
Chico: We're going to spring.... into the Big Finish, next!
(Brought to you by America's Next Top Case Handler. Hey
if it worked for Katie Cleary (who lost in ANTM, but who is now Suitcase Holder
#11), it can work for you too!)
Chico: True story. Season 1. Check the DVD :) Okay, we're running out of
time.
Gordon: Idol - will we see any Top 12 Talent this week?
Chico: Two. And at least one top 12er that should've gone the distance, but
didn't. Much in the same way that Melissa McGhee denied Ayla Brown, who ended
up coming out with a CD anyway.
Gordon: Grease - will we care once Idol shows up?
Jason: Nope.
Chico: Natch. Okay. Mail?
Gordon: I have an e-mail from Seth Taylor. Thanks, Seth!
To: WLTI
From: Seth Taylor
I've had this idea for years...if you win the first tossup, and make it to
the bonus round, we'il add 5000 to whatever you spin in the Bonus Round. Second
tossup - 10000. Third - 15000.
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Gordon: Thanks for the e-mail, Seth. Unfortunately, I don't think WOF has
that sort of cash in their budget to do anything like it. I also think that
$25,000 is a nice hunk of coin and there's no reason to inflate it.
Chico: Thanks, Seth. Good idea, except for one thing. Aside from extra
money, it doesn't really add anything to the party. It's just "Hey, let's give
out more money" when you don't really need to because you have a solid
game element.
Jason: I think a $10,000 space after the third tossup might be more
interesting. Or make the big numbers in the rounds $3,500, $3,500, $5,000 &
$10,000...slowly increase.
Gordon: Or keep the 2,500, 3,500 and 5,000 in play, so that you're not
praying for Pat to hit 1 space to make it exciting at the end.
Jason: Which happens occasionally.
Chico: I like both of your ideas, but you know, it's only a matter of time
until inflation kicks in and then all of a sudden, you're looking at a $10,000
spot in round 4. They've got another five or six years for that to happen. But
still, it will happen. It's only the natural progression of things. Even Plinko raised its coinage.
Gordon: And then a good possibility we see a $100,000 winner before the bonus
round
Chico: Oh yeah. Thanks again, Seth. Next up, an interesting mail from Gene
Gray. You know who he is? You will after hearing this...
To: WLTI
From: Gene Gray
My name is Gene "Game Show Man" Gray aka The Black Bob Barker. I
recently found out that your website has a clip that show's me hosting
"The Price is Right." I also found it on YouTube.com. I wanted to thank you
guys for doing that. I hope to become a real game show host one day.
Hopefully, after I finish graduate school in performing arts.
Thanks again for showing the world my growing talent. I'll continue to check
your website.
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Chico: Thanks for writing, Gene. Truth be told, I really liked that clip...
I think you got a shot as long as you keep your head up and your dreams
alive.. I think we'll see each other down the road. Perhaps at a Game Show
Congress.
Gordon: Or if you're on the East Coast, try to hit the World Quiz on June 2nd
in the NYC area.
Jason: Yup.
Chico: Either way.. you've got a talent, and that talent can lead to a
future if you play your cards right.
Gordon: Absolutely - good luck!
Chico: Okay... we've got time for one more...This one from Josh Johannesen.
Thanks, Josh!
To: WLTI
From: Josh Johannesen
Just a few quick remarks about things that have happened recently: 1. Is it
just me, or did the home game played during the premiere of Identity seem like
some sort of corporate synergy project? I mean, not only did the game involve
product placement (figure out who's using Rogaine for $10,000!) but then those
rare people who actually watch the commercials outside of the Super Bowl
gained an advantage, because the answer was revealed during the right
commercial.
I know the rules specifically stated as such, but it really seems kind of like
a cheap way of forcing people to actually watch the commercials.
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Gordon: Welcome to corporate synergy, Josh.
To: WLTI
From: Josh Johannesen
2. I know you probably brought this up already, but just in case, nice to see
one of GSNN's own on the GSN last week. Of course, I'm referring to Travis
Schario on Game Show Countdown. It's still sad that someone who's been on TV
every weekday for your entire life is leaving, and TPiR was the first gameshow I
ever watched... ever since I was a baby for reasons that don't need
mentioning. I mean, you know it has to happen some day, but you just hope it
doesn't.
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Chico: Have to agree with you there, Josh. It's that whole Sunrise, Sunset
thing, but part of love... is letting go.
Gordon: True. It all happens to all of us - but you never know. If they get
the right person (Rich Fields), then things may go well.
To: WLTI
From: Josh Johannesen
3. I know you also probably already brought this up as well, but does anyone
else find it a bit of irony (or possible poetic justice) that the Trump/Rosie
wars have not only managed to do nothing for "The Apprentice"'s own
ratings, but also seem to have boosted the ratings on "The View"?
That last part is based on something I heard on CNN, so hold them to it, not
me... Anyway, it would seem that Trump's ratings stunt didn't really work,
though... no matter how you slice it.
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Chico: .... Yup.
To: WLTI
From: Josh Johannesen
I really hoped this would be a shorter e-mail, as my New Year's Resolution
was not to write e-mail that looks like it came from the Brett and Charles
school of e-mail writing. Ah, got to love dated inside references.
But, I'll try harder next time to not make all of you bored before getting to
the end of the e-mail. Have a good week!
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Jason: LOL
Gordon: Thanks, Josh - you too
Chico: You too man. Okay, that's all for the mailbag. Remember, any probing
questions about game shows, pop culture, and the surprisingly blurred line
between can be addressed to?
Gordon: wlti@gameshownewsnet.com
Chico: Thanks again to Jason for hanging out. Always a pleasure.
Jason: Thank you for having me.
Gordon: Thanks Jason - for Chico, this is Gordon Pepper, wishing you all
Game Over, Spread the Love, and a happy 2007.
Chico: Happy b-day Heather :)
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