Episode 26.2 - Returning Champions
January 17

Jason: I would pay to see Jim Cramer go bye bye
Chico: Aww. I like Jim Cramer. He's crazy. Anyway, welcome back. This is still the Best Radio Show You'll Ever Read... thanks for doing so... Last week was he big confab of the wintertime, the TCA Winter Tour. If you're not familiar, it can be full of news, full of information... some of it accurate. Others... Idiotic.
Jason: One of my favorite games coming up here!
Gordon: Whoo hoo
Chico: Very simple, we go through what was said and you tell me whether it makes sense - accuracy - or whether it makes about as much sense as half a penny - idiocy.
Jason: I am ready
Chico: First up, let's go to Gordon's favorite musical showcase. This from Cecile Frot-Coutaz, EP of Idol...

"It was important that the show itself change, the direction, and that it wasn't just a change in cast. You need to have the show match the new cast or you're just casting somebody else's show."
ACCURACY

Jason: The quote in context is ACCURATE. But will the changes work, I don't know.
Chico: Agreed. They're not looking for "who'll be the next Simon". But I wonder if we're going to get a panel of firm-but-fair judges.
Gordon: It's accurate, but the change they are making is akin to sliding down the Materhorn in a Yugo with no brakes.
Chico: Let's face it... 2002.. You watched because of Simon, but you fell in love with Kelly. Simple as that.
Jason: Exactly.
Chico: If you don't have that bite... you're going to lose your audience. Next up... Paul Lee blaming "Skating with the Stars'" failure on "Dancing with the Stars". Here's the quote...

"Not everything works, but [the shows] were probably too similar. If you had just finished an absolutely brilliant novel, you don’t want to start another one that night."
IDIOCY

Chico: I call BS.
Jason: IDIOCY. The show sucked....move on.
Chico: That's like blaming Jeopardy!'s success on Wheel of Fortune. The show was bad. We know it because the show that preceded it was bad. Idiocy.
Gordon: Idiocy. Lots of problems with the show and what Lee is complaining about wouldn't be in the Top 5 of the problems.
Chico: Not even in the top 10 even.
Jason: That's like saying Downfall's failure was based on Wipeout. Specious logic.
Gordon: Right. Next one?
Chico: Next one... Matt Kunitz on Wipeout's winter success...

"Ultimately what's really cool about this show and I think this may have helped with the winter ratings, is it's a family show. In the summer, at 8 o'clock, a lot of the kids are still out playing; it's still light in most of the country. Now it's winter and the kids are inside and it's cold and they're not out playing and "Wipeout" is on and it really reflected in the ratings."
ACCURACY

Chico: I'm going to say Accuracy. It's a family show that doesn't act like one. And it's on at the family hour.
Jason: He's slightly ACCURATE.
Chico: That and nothing else is on... except Big Bang Theory, which I can record.
Jason: It's the America's Funniest Home Video Vibe.
Chico: Of course.
Jason: Until Idol and then they are gone. They are playing this right and then leaving.
Chico: They're using what time they have. It's a smart play
Gordon: Idiocy. It's a hit because nothing else on TV caters to the kiddie core. Those numbers will plummet once Idol shows up. I think more people want to see hot guy with guitar than hot guy bouncing on a big ball.
Jason: I agree.
Chico: But right now, they're taking advantage of the lull. That's a GOOD thing. Okay, next up... This is what Bravo actually believes.

'Bravo continues to translate buzz into reality with new and inventive competition and docu-series that tap into the network's "passion groups" of Food, Fashion, Beauty, Design and Pop Culture.'
IDIOCY

Jason: Um...no. IDIOCY. New and inventive = Xerox. Sorry
Chico: Wow. And here i thought i was going to be that guy who said that.
Jason: Bravo owns stock in Xerox.
Chico: Granted, it's TRUE, but i thought I was going to be the guy who said it. It's the same show with different flavors. Get a "passion group", copy it. Easy.
Gordon: You know what? Accuracy. They are copying from themselves. I mean they are the original trend setters with Project Runway and Top Chef. Yes, it's Xerox, but they also created the carbon to which the copy is made from.
Chico: Yep. But they've done nothing with it, aside from "create more shows like it".
Jason: New and inventive? Uh uh.
Gordon: I'm hoping we get a new format to have fun with.
Chico: We're all hoping for that.
Jason: Because we have seen them all.
Gordon: Next one?
Chico: Next up from Sinclair, this about "Baggage" and their beta test...

“Regular game shows aren’t very productive for us after a long string of giving them a good shot.”
IDIOCY

Chico: IDIOCY. You just didn't want to wait for a return. Game shows aren't productive. You're not productive for yourselves. I can cite one example. My local MNT affiliate is run by Sinclair. They let Family Feud go to Fox, which is owned by Capital... The Feud has never been bigger.
Jason: ACCURACY. The ORIGINAL syndicated game show is on a downturn right now. This GSN syndie synergy is going to be huge.
Gordon: Idiocy. It's not because it's not productive. It's because you don't do anything with it.
Chico: Thank you!
Gordon: Where's the Street Smarts home game? Where's the PS version of it? You have to cultivate a game if it's a cash cow and milk it.
Jason: See Ludia/Fremantle
Chico: That, and if I'm being honest, this company couldn't run a TV station for beans. Just my observation.
Jason: Noted.
Chico: Okay, one more. Donald Trump said of the next Celebrity Apprentice...

"The next season of 'The Celebrity Apprentice' will be the most exciting yet."
IDIOCY

Jason: IDIOCY. He always says that :)
Chico: IDIOCY. I don't even know who a third of these people are, nor do I care.
Gordon: Accuracy. Oh, it WILL be exciting - for the wrong reasons. See the people get into fights! See The Donald make even dumber firings than last season, as we all wonder where his sanity went! FUN FUN FUN!
Jason: LOL
Chico: Gordon, you're sick. :-)
Gordon: Thank you. And that ends Accuracy or Idiocy.
Chico: Next up, a trip for two to Hollyweird.
Gordon: When we come back, we bring people into the game show world, one step at a time. Next!

(Brought to you by Donkey Kong: The Game Show. Because nothing says family entertainment like hammers, barrel jumping, and giant monkeys)

Jason: NICE!
Gordon: So the Fox executives get their own show?
Chico: Yes! And a bunch of TV executives just pumped their fists!
Jason: Let's pitch it!
Chico: Looks like we're going to Hollywood.
Gordon: Yes! And now we need to populate it. Starting with...

David Hasselhoff. He needs a new career in the U.S of A.

Jason: What he seriously needs to go is go away for 18 months.
Chico: He's right. Granted he's no better there than he was here, but he's right.
Jason: Get TRULY clean. And then maybe a sitcom that pokes fun at himself. Something like that.
Gordon: I think he needs to go on The Biggest Loser, get in better shape, and have an emotional breakthrough moment with Jillian.
Chico: Preferably one that doesn't involves hamburgers. Just saying.
Gordon: True. next?
Chico: Next...

Ted Williams... the homeless guy with the golden voice. Forget winners, GSN. The world needs more announcers! Where do we put him?

Jason: The Voice of GSN.
Chico: The easy answer: the guest announcer route.
Gordon: You know the easy answer would be TPIR Announcer or Wheel of Fortune announcer. instead, put him on Baggage as the guy who reads what's in the suitcases. That would be awesome. Next one...

Lee DeWyze. He needs more publicity. MUCH more publicity.

Jason: How about a songwriter on the X-Factor?
Chico: I'd say Don't Forget the Lyrics... but that would probably hurt him a bit.
Gordon: I Don't think DFTL will see another new episode. Ever. And I wouldn't put him as an Idol mentor, either. How did Adam Lambert work out again?
Chico: Umm. I forget. Probably not good, though.
Jason: Not well
Gordon: No. Not good. I'd say make him a contestant on Platinum Hit, so maybe he can get more screen time with Kara. Then they can chat about horses and hurricanes together. That's always fun.
Jason: Yawn
Chico: You sure Kara won't just ignore him? Seems to be ignoring her Idol past like the plague.
Gordon: Not a smart move. Next one?
Chico: Next...

Looking at the cast of Improv-a-Ganza... Brad Sherwood, Greg Proops, Jeff Davis, Colin Mochrie, and Jonathan Mangum all have game shows on their resumes... I think it's Ryan Stiles' turn.

Gordon: New host of Last Comic Standing.
Jason: I think Gordon is right. He would be a great host for it.
Chico: Or redo Make Me Laugh. Either way, make it funny. Next?
Gordon: Next one...

OhMyGodit'sJustinBieberShriiieeeeeeek!

Jason: Justin Bieber would be great on Brainsurge
Chico: Family Game Night. Next?
Gordon: Now HIM I can see as a mentor on Idol.
Chico: How to look cute and sing blue-eyed soul on YouTube. That's a theme week.
Jason: See Grayson Chance
Gordon: Last one?
Chico: Last one...

Julianne Hough... Because she's not doing much of anything right about now besides changing her hair color.

Jason: Mentor on So You Think You Can Dance.
Jason: or in the Singing Bee Country Band.
Chico: Storm Lee doesn't get you there anymore, J?
Jason: They can both be there.
Chico: She can be a little bit country, and he can be a little bit... everything else. :-)
Gordon: I'd put her as an assistant Wheel Turner on Wheel Of Fortune. Vanna's not going to be there forever. Why not get a new person in training now?
Jason: Vanna for a Day anyone?
Chico: Ha.
Gordon: Maybe. And that ends the segment. Speed Round next!

(Brought to you by Stacey's Stopper Station. On your next ride during the snow. Stop off at the subway and see Stacey's Stoppers. Maybe she'll let you buy them and take them home - or maybe she'll let you try them out for free.)

Chico: Oh baby.
Jason: I don't get it...but ok :)
Chico: Guess Jason doesn't want Stacey's Stoppers. Maybe he'd like a Speed Round instead.
Jason: Yes! Let's do it.
Gordon: I would like one, and it starts...now! Idol; Do we find our winner this week?
Jason: No.
Chico: No.
Gordon: I agree. We usually don't see them until the Best of the Rest show.
Jason: But if you remember Larry Platt was on the first week. So we might see something like that
Chico: We'll get the first YouTube sensation, though; How will Wipeout fare against AI?
Jason: Killed like a bug
Gordon: Squish. Jeopardy: Does anyone get to 3 wins this week?
Chico: Why not?
Jason: Yes.
Gordon: Sure. Any shot of seeing a million dollar winner this week?
Chico: Nope.
Jason: No.
Gordon: Agreed. They'll save that for sweeps. Any mail?
Chico: No, but we have the Facebook Question. Remember when Lee asked what game show theme would be a good lullaby?
Jason: Yes.
Gordon: Yes
Chico: Got a couple of responses. First from our friend Carrie Grosvenor...

“

Carrie Grosvenor I used to hum the Jeopardy! "Think" music to my kids when they were babies. I catch them singing it every once in a while now, and they're 11 and 8. (The 8-year-old hums it while he's doing his homework, which I find hilarious.)

”

Chico: To which Josh Widdowson said...

“

Josh Widdowson Oddly enough, the Jeopardy Theme did start off as a lullaby.

”

Jason: It did?
Chico: "A Time for Tony". That was a lullaby.
Jason: Wow.
Chico: True story. And if anyone asks, you heard it here.
Gordon: There you go. And time for this week's question.
Chico: Got it right here...

“

BIG FACEBOOK QUESTION Do you plan on following American Idol this year? Why or why not?

”

Gordon: Good question
Jason: Very good.
Chico: Best answers make the show next week. Go to Facebook.com/wlti.gsnn. While you're there, leave us some love on our wall. Like the love we leave Jason Block for showing up today!
Jason: Thank you, as always
Gordon: Or email us at wlti@gameshownewsnet.com
Jason: Or Facebook, Youtube or MySpace
Chico: Next week, we'll break down Idol. What we saw, what we liked, what we didn't...
Gordon: And we'll get down and dirty with it. Until then, this is Gordon Pepper, saying Game Over, and Spread the love.