March 19, 2007

Gordon: I hate that Great Salt Lake. Gets 'em every time.
Chico:  Let's just say the First Stage obstacles, which begun with 100 people in 2003... is still in progress. Watch that Circle Slide, man. That'll take an eternity.
Jason:  LOL
Chico:  Okay, welcome back, this is the thing and we're the guys. While Gordon counts the CDs we've moved from that last game, we're going to play a little round of Should and Will. Everyone ready?
Jason:  Ready.
Gordon: yah
Eric:   let's go
Chico:   Okay, first up. Chain Reaction had its second season premiere this week. Yay.
Eric:   genuine yay for GSN originals.
Chico:  Anyway, they did tweak the game a bit. 1) The last-letter rule is reinstated, and b) the endgame is now a five-in-60 matrix with the middle player controlling the buzzer... and the clock.
Gordon: I like the changes.
Chico:  The question...

Should GSN begin talking about a third season? Will GSN begin talking about a third season?

Eric:   They better be.
Jason:  Yes and Yes.
Gordon: Should - Get good ratings and be a hit for a third season. Will - get good ratings and be relegated to 10pm or later once the Playmania Prime Time Suite comes out
Eric:   Should do season 3 and they will. Not as if they pay out too much cash on this one.
Chico:  Should, yes. Will, yes, but I'd be careful about falling into the season 2 trap. Remember Friend or Foe? Russian Roulette? Inquizition?
Eric:   All too well, but those shows were competing with a glut of other game show originals, Chain is not. Gambling shows aside.
Chico:  Right. Speaking of...

While Shandi is away dancing her cute little behind off, we get back... Jessica York. Now should Shandi make it big from the Dancing... should Jessica be made her permanent replacement? and Will that happen?

Jason:  Should No...and Will....hell no. Shandi aint winning the thing.
Gordon: Should: No. Will: I see Shandi showing up to work 1 week after Dancing with the Stars premieres. This is a classic case of you think you have more publicity than you actually do. Ask Tucker Carlson.
Eric:   Should, No. If there is a god. Will: NO
Chico:  Should.. no. Will... I think they still have a craigslist ad out, so here's hoping. Not, that is.
Eric:   Shandi is going nowhere. Here career is about as strong as it is going to get and GSN isn't really that bad.
Chico:  GSN's not that bad, and Chuck Woolery is good people. Right?
Jason:  Yes.
Gordon: Right
Chico:  Right. Okay, next. Continuing on this stream of consciousness.

Dancing begins Monday. Who should be the first one to kindly exit the dance floor? Who will be?

Jason:  Should: Heather Mills...Will...Heather Mills.
Chico:  Agreed. Nothing against Heather, but I can imagine that leg of hers being a bit of a hindrance. I certainly hope it isn't. But just keeping it real.
Gordon: Should: Heather Mills. Will: Shandi Finnessey. People will keep Heather in to see if the leg falls off.
Eric:   Should: Heather because this is a exploitation at its finest. Will: Late entry Ratzenberger
Gordon: I think Ratzenberger has a greater fan base than Shandi does - though she does have those assets
Chico:  And she fits three classic Dancing molds. 1) Beauty queen...b) Blonde bombshell no one has heard of...2+1) As seen on a game show.
Eric:   Exactly, the ladies have some serious looks, and that should help them through night 1.
Chico:  And to think... she's a big time geek. People are going to think all geeks look like that!
Eric:   No, they're not...
Chico:  Well... I can dream. Okay, next up.

The short list of Price candidates isn't getting any shorter. Who should get Bob's mic? Who will get Bob's mic?

Eric:   Should: John O Hurley Will: I really have no clue, but someone way too young for the job.
Jason:  Should: Rich Fields...Will: Dave Price.
Chico:  Should... Rich Fields or John O'Hurley... Will.... someone who can't host but just looks pretty on TV.
Gordon: Should: Anyone but Dave Price. Will: Dave Price and we see the last bastion of civilization crumble.
Eric:   I guess the name says it all...
Chico:  We've said it before... The Price is wrong, biotch.
Eric:   Can we talk Barker out of retiring?
Chico:  CBS: Can't Bob Stay?
Gordon: Get Jerry Springer to do the show. he's already in Los Angeles.
Chico:  I think he's busy with Hoff, Piers, and... I think he's busy.
Eric:   Frankly, I think Price will die without Barker, and that is a scary world to live in.
Chico:  Oh yeah. We need our diversion from Rosie-ness. Okay, next..

Who should win the game show host Emmy? Who will win?

Chico:  Should and will... Bob Barker... the icewater on a career in greatness.
Eric:   Ditto. While the candidates are good, Barker has earned and deserves this win.
Gordon: Should: with all of the brain dead contestants he's had to deal with this season, Bob Barker. Will: Barker, in a rout.
Jason:  Should: Meredith Vieira. Will: Bob Barker
Eric:   Really? Last year I would have argued Meredith, but I haven't seen much growth out of her this year. It's gotta be Bob.
Chico:  Well, Eric, when you're working two steady gigs. And you're a working mom. Don't forget that.
Gordon: Yes, but that shouldn't come into play. It should be who's the best in their game show.
Eric:   I won't take Today into account for Meredith winning an Emmy. She's a good host, but nothing special right now.
Gordon: Bob Barker, this year, has had to deal with people who have set records for game show futility.
Chico:  This is true.
Eric:   And he did it with a class and humor that was great.
Chico:  I'm thinking "Yeah, you're here to get on stage, get your 15 minutes, and then be on your way to brag to your friends."
Gordon: Taking a page from Ken Hidaka, but this season is BY FAR the worst playing of The Price is Right. Ever.
Eric:   Heck, sometimes you could read on his face how bad he wanted to pull a lever and drop a contestant through a trap door.
Gordon: There is no comparison here.
Chico:  Okay, finally...

The Apprentice is looking for a new city to host its next season. Should they just scrap the series altogether? Will they?

Chico:  Should: Yes. Will: No. Donald won't allow it
Jason:  Agree...should yes...Will...no. I see an Apprentice Miami in the future.
Gordon: Should: No. They are still getting decent ratings and I expect it do to well in the 10 pm time slot. Will: no. It wakes far too much money for NBC.
Eric:   As the recapper, Should: No, the show is good, but they have gone away from what makes it work. Will: No, but please just go back to NYC.
Chico:  It's become an hour long fee plug.
Gordon: And that's why NBC will keep it on the air.
Chico:  And if you want to hear about making far too much money for the network? Six words..."Save the cheerleader... save the network."
Jason:  And Donald's Cross Promotion On WWE hasn't hurt it.
Eric:   Can we cast next season with people who haven't made millions, please? Really, regular people have enough business sense and drive to do better than these "seasoned pros."
Gordon: I hate to say this, but the show works better when they are actually trying to do tasks and not trying to watch their behavior before getting called into the Boardroom, which James has been doing and that Bill has correctly called him on.
Chico:  Two words... "White trash." A classic example of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.
Eric:   Careful now, you don't want to be fired from WLTI
Gordon: That's what has made the first 2 seasons work while 3-6 have been draggy. It's an interview, and they are playing it like a game. Unfortunately, so has The Donald, as I have disagreed with a number of his selections this season.
Eric:   Bingo
Chico:  Almost like, what is he looking for?
Jason:  Amen.
Gordon: You don't fire someone who has led the team to 3 straight wins
Chico:  That's right.
Gordon: And what exactly has James done this season?
Eric:   The candidate pool is weak, and really Surya needed to go, but much later in the process. James has shouted and been obnoxious
Gordon: I see 2 people who should win. 2.
Chico:  Much like Idol this season :-)
Eric:   Heidi is going to be one, who else?
Gordon: Tim is the other. As far as Idol is concerned, at least I see 5 in Idol who could win. Melinda, Lakisha, Jordin, Blake and Haley could all win in Idol. Yes, I said Haley.
Chico:  Dangerous indeed. Prepare to stand by that statement, G.
Jason:  There is only one person who can win Idol. And that's Melinda...anything else is a travesty.
Gordon: Frontrunners in Idol do not win. Remember that.
Jason:  Then the night Melinda goes is the night i stop watching.
Eric:   I actually agree with Haley, she does have talent, and could shock America with one good song.
Gordon: If Haley can belt out ONE good song, she's going to be very hard to stop.
Chico:  She could pull a Carrie Underwood as early as next week. Stand by. Meanwhile, you sit there and watch this. We'll be back with the Big Finish.

(Brought to you by America's Next Big Game Show Host. Who will win The Price is Right spot? Todd Newton. John O'Hurley. Mark Wahlberg. Dave Pr...ok, maybe not.)

Jason:  Now that's a show I would watch.
Eric:   Hey, why not turn the Bob Barker Search into a reality show?
Chico:  Someone get GSN on the line! CBS!
Eric:   Open calls start NOW!
Chico:  Hell, someone get FOX!
Jason:  Can I wait online now!
Eric:   Must be able to explain the Check Game to apply
Gordon: It worked for ESPN for 3 Seasons.
Chico:  Ten-ep deal... after Idol... The kids will eat it.
Jason:  Oh man, please make that show!
Eric:   And everyone is still working at ESPN. Bristol is a cozy little place. Zach Selwyn notwithstanding.
Chico:  But he did get to be Kevin Pereira & Olivia Munn's punching bag, which has to count for something. Okay, real quick Big Finish! Idol, who's next?
Eric:   Phil, sorry Man.
Jason:  Phil Stacey.
Gordon: The ONLY people who are voting for Sanjaya is Howard Stern. And he can't powerdial 500,000 times. Sanjaya's gone.
Eric:   Keep dreaming.
Chico:  I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Stephanie is in danger. Phil's also in danger, but eventually, someone's going to call Stephanie on being a karaoke star.
Gordon: I could see Stephanie in danger as well.
Eric:   Sanjaya will be a plague like Jasmine Trias or Nikki McKibbin
Chico:  Don't remind me.
Eric:   If Stephanie is in trouble that will be a travesty
Jason:  Eric is on the money.
Chico:  Quick reminder: TPIR returns this week. After spring break reruns for basketball. Also, Identity slides into its 8p slot on Friday.
Jason:  Dancing starts Monday night. 2 hour season premiere with the new Pirates 3 Trailer on it.
Chico:  Yay corporate synergy.
Gordon: And finally, don't forget to Root against UNC.
Jason:  OW.
Eric:   Boo!
Chico:  *gives G death stare*
Eric:   I'll take UNC to WIN!
Chico:  I AGREE!
Eric:   My bracket relies on it...
Gordon: Oh you're all a bunch of brownnosers. Every one of you...
Chico:  Okay, mail time!
Eric:   Hey, Mr. Postman
Gordon: Due to time (and length of the letters) all of these letters have been edited down.
Chico:  First up, from Intelligentfan777.

Eric:   In defense of Mr. Wostbrock, While some Americans may be getting smarter, the majority are being catered to with TV that panders to minimized intelligence.
Gordon: I agree with Eric. I don't think the show is condemning the youth. I think it's condemning the adults, and I agree with it.
Eric:   Intelligentfan777 is correct on J! and the media, the media is the problem as it thinks that America wont watch something more intelligent, thus we get 5th grader.
Chico:   If I can say something here...to believe that the intelligence of Americans is gauged on a game show, is probably the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.
Eric:   Definitely Agree
Chico:   If I can quote "Quiz Show"
Eric:   Please do.
Chico:   "Cheating on a quiz show is like plagiarizing a comic book."
Gordon: Here's the problem  - the ratings, even without Idol, warrant that the American public likes and wants these types of shows.
Eric:   And TV is about ratings and ad dollars
Chico:   But to say that we're getting dumber for it?
Jason:  There is actually a bigger societal problem.
Eric:   Pray tell, Mr Block.
Jason:  The reason why game shows seem "dumber" is that the educational system as a whole is well, dumber. They are more concerned about self-esteem and political correctness than actually teaching well, facts.
Chico:   The parents depend on the teachers...The teachers depend on the preachers...The preachers ain't filling the bleachers...And another thing, comparing games of today with games of yesteryear is like comparing apples of mangoes. No one era's shows are better. No one era's shows are worse. They're just... different. Just thought I'd get that out. While the concept hasn't changed, it's evolved.
Eric:   The beauty of the media is that is can set expectations. We see it work negatively with body image, why not put it to use with learning. More intellectually involved Game shows might encourage people to learn more.
Chico:    Okay, next?
Gordon: Sorry for cutting this short, but our mailbox is stuffed, so we're doing some cutting here. Next letter is from David Howell. Thanks for the e-mail, David!

Chico:    Thanks, David. So far, all we know is that there's a songwriting contest going on and details are at the Idol site, AmericanIdol.com. I hope they're still there.
Jason:  I am glad that the profits went down. Until they get their houses in order, things should be not trusted.
Eric:   Time for more game show legislation it seems.
Chico:    Might be. If they can't learn to police themselves.
Gordon: Can we see a UK version of Quiz Show? Maybe. Thanks for the e-mail, David
Chico:    Okay, another member of the e-mail family, John Lee. Thanks, John!

Chico:    Well... not quite sure what permission was needed or given, and given that this is the same website that killed off a still-very-much-alive Sinbad over the week, I don't even know if it exists.
Gordon: I think they meant to say that his career is dead.
Jason:  Oh man. Bad Gordon...no home game.
Chico:    But to answer your question, John... We don't know
Gordon: Thanks for the letter, John
Chico:    Next?
Gordon: Next up - Josh Johannesen

Chico:    Definitive info... .. no.
Gordon: Based on the fact that NBC has been swinging the schedule around and has been inserting Deal Or No Deal repeats (like Sunday's episode), no. So who knows?
Chico:    I do know that the show has been on this season so far for oh, 50 times. That's twice as long as any scripted show.

Chico:    I think GSN will switch on and off, just to see Mel say "We have no time for wrong answers" and maybe cycle the prize to the next question. Variety, after all, is the smile of life. Thanks.
Jason:  lol
Gordon: That's all we have time for. However, as you can see, we LOVE to get mail. So keep the e-mail coming at wlti@gameshownewsnet.com
Chico:  We love reading. We love people who write.
Eric:   We know how to read?
Gordon: We do. We also love Jason Block and Eric Pierce for hanging out with us today.
Eric:   Anytime Gents.
Chico:  For Jason, Eric, Gordon and everyone at GSNN, I'm Chico Alexander... game over... spread the love... happy birthday, Dad :-)