Game Show Newsnet

Episode 30.3 - The Daddy of All Game Show Hosts
June 18

Chico: This is Chico Alexander here, saying happy father's day to all the dads out there.
Gordon: And to the soon to be father's who will be finding this moment out by any other way besides being on the Maury Povich show.
Chico: Buzzkill, man. Buzz. Kill.
Gordon: I'm allergic to mush.
Chico: Obviously.
Gordon: But while we celebrate the Father's Day weekend, we start out with another mother of a controversy.
Chico: Because from somewhere in your dad's loins, WLTI... is... ON!
Gordon: YAY! Gordon and CHico here, and why are we having our second straight controversy?
Chico: So ... America's got more morons. Paint me a word picture, G.

Chico: What, did someone claim that the show is rigged or something?
Gordon: The word picture is 'Hipchick', who has wrote that the show is rigged in a number of ways. The most damning accusation is that they have plants in the audience trained to boo and send the judges a message that they should X them. Indeed damning. But the thing I don't get, I'm reading people at the same audition that didn't recall any of that happening.
Chico: So it's like, who's in the right here?
Gordon: Well it's all a matter or perspective. As you know, I've been in the audience of a number of AGT tapings.
Chico: Right.
Gordon: I've never seen any of those things happening. Would it surprise me if they had production members in the audience? No. However, the whole point is to get talent from America. You would have to believe that the judges want unique, original good acts to be on the stage.
Chico: So it's basically a case of sour grapes here. When in doubt, "show is rigged!"
Gordon: It could be. We'd have to see the airing in order to figure that out. Of course, if they only do a 10 second segment, no one will know.
Chico: Right. But again, however elaborate the "fix is in" screed is, if the act never makes it to air, it's pretty much pointless.
Gordon: Now if anything, the judges are going to want non-singing acts to advance, because every year, we've had a singer win the whole thing.
Chico: Exception made for Terry Fator, who at best could be a singing comedian.
Gordon: He's still a singer, so no, no exception.
Chico: But yeah, you can have all sorts of evidence to corroborate a theory, but in the end, it's just that.. a theory.
Gordon: I wouldn't think that the producers would say no to a 'Good' act. Now if the act was terrible, then boos are aplenty. Keep in mind that sideshow acts are always based on someone's cup of tea per se. If you put a weird act in NYC, for instance, they'd love it. If you put it in the heartland, on the other hand, then it's not a good idea.
Chico: So in the end, what do you make of this story?
Gordon: I think, to be honest, that someone can twist facts any way they want. It's almost like a parent with a 2 year old going into a baby beauty pageant. If the kid isn't good enough, the adult will make up any excuse they want.
Chico: So ... non-factor?
Gordon: I'd have to see the video to tell, but it doesn't feel like a factor to me.
Chico: Right. Now speaking of stupid human tricks... Your favorite show to come out of the 90s is back.
Gordon: Throut and Neck?
Chico: Your OTHER favorite show.
Gordon: Figure It Out?
Chico: Bingo. If you grew up watching this show on Nick, you'll be glad to know that it's VERY familiar.
Gordon: If you remember the old show, you have kids with secrets divided into words and 4 celebrities trying to, yes, figure it out.
Chico: Now there have been a few changes. For example, Billy the Answer Head is still out of commission, while we now have the It Board, which features the It to be figure out. The timer's been shaved, and, oh yeah.... Slime... All over the place. Old school FIO had its fair share of the green stuff, but FIO2012 ratchets it up a notch. First of all, it comes from top and bottom, and second, there's an opportunity for the contestant to get slimed if the panel figures out the Word of Honor.
Gordon: Most of the clues are messier than the old version. Of course, the celebrities have no problem sharing with the audience.
Chico: Right. So let's start out with the good. If you're a big fan of FIO, Gordon.... nothing's changed much. It's the same old game you know and love.
Gordon: Nothing at all. If anything they accentuated it with the Word of Honor.. No Billy the Answer head, but that's ok.
Chico: And it's just as crazy as you remember it.
Gordon: Complete with examples of the kids prowess at the end of each segment.
Chico: And Jeff Sutphen, who's already in his THIRD show... is effective as both conduit and ringmaster.
Gordon: And here, for me, is where I have the bad. What's one of the things that for us, is required of a host?
Chico: Let the game be the star.
Gordon: The GAME be the star, not the HOST. Is it just me, or did he really try to shine himself into the proceedings?
Chico: I want to say that he adds a lot of himself to the script.
Gordon: I thought the same thing. Jeff - you've been here before. Chillax and watch how Summer Sanders handled it
Chico: Now one could say that the same could apply to the panel. They range from the able and ready (Drake Bell) to the deer-in-headlights (Victoria Justice)
Gordon: The panel is going to change though, so I'm not that concerned about it.

FIGURE IT OUT Nick - Weeknights 7p ET
GORDON	CHICO	AVERAGE-O-MATIC
A	A-	A

Chico: Right. But some control would be nice. Don't totally reign it in, because you're going to try and keep the kids entertained. But yeah, if you're going to play the game, play the game. But all in all, it doesn't take away from the whole package. It's just as good as it ever was, and this is a great addition to an already rich Nick game show legacy. A-.
Gordon: I'd watch this show on a daily basis. This is an excellent show and strongly recommended by GSNN. A.
Chico: Already a front runner for 2012's Game of the Year. Watch with the kids.
Gordon: It wouldn't surprise me if this gets nominated for an Emmy. It really wouldn't. It's that good.
Chico: My ONLY major complaint? It's on the same time as Jeopardy!.
Gordon: Watch this on the weekends. Like what I'm doing :)
Chico: Heh. But about Jeopardy!... we thought we had a superchamp in the making with a big win on Tuesday. That turned into a bit of a bust on Thursday.
Gordon: (deflates balloon)
Chico: That's a sad balloon.
Gordon: Well it was a sad Thursday. What the heck happened here?
Chico: Well, it wasn't so much that she bet badly, but a conservative play pays off for her opponent David Menchaca. Kathy Wright has $20,000 to David's $18,400. Stu Weaver, still in it with $10,800. If you wanted to lock Stu out, a win on a wager of $1,601 would've done it. She bet to lock out DAVID.
Gordon: Well she has to bet $16,801, and that's the right bet. You can't bet less than that
Chico: True. But if you were playing Shore's Conjecture, you could've bet the $1601.
Gordon: You can't do that because David, if he gets it right, wins. If you're in first, unless you know absolutely nothing about the category, you play to win the game.
Chico: So here's what happens. The Final Jeopardy! clue is US Top-Selling Albums. The clue...

The bestselling album of all-time by a female is a 20 million seller by this woman who started singing at age 8 in Ontario.

Gordon: Well, it's one of three.
Chico: Right.
Chico: But which one?
Gordon: It could be Celine Dion....but the SONG was the big one with My Heart Will Go on, NOT The album, so I won't go with her, so I don't think its that.
Chico: Okay.
Gordon: It COULD be Alex Trebek's wife, with the hit song 'I Won On Jeopardy, Seven Come a Niner and other game show classics, but I think Chico would hit me on the head if I said that, so I don't think its it.
Chico: I got the hammer right here. I need a response.
Gordon: I believe the last choice is the right one - which is Shania Twain's Come On Over, so...what is Come On Over?
Chico: ... I was going to say "Sorry, but the correct response was 'Who was Carly Rae Jepsen?'."
Gordon: Give her time.
Chico: You're right. Everyone said Celene Dion. BUT David only bets $2500 to win it.
Gordon: Smart betting from David will get the win here.
Chico: He plays his third game on Monday. Something that also plays on Monday... the Glass House.
Gordon: Despite CBS throwing stones at it. A federal judge says that the show IS different enough from CBS's Big Brother to air.
Chico: The key being "different enough"
Gordon: Here's the play: 14 people enter a house. they are divided into 2 groups for challenges. 2 people from the losing team gets put into 'limbo', and the voting public decides who comes back in the house.
Chico: So it's more like Murder in Small Town X if anything.
Gordon: I'd say that, or Big Brother UK - but NOT Big Brother USA. So The Glass House gets to air. Is this the right move by the judge?
Chico: I'd have to say yes, because let's be honest. There are enough tropes and memes in reality TV to keep people arguing for ages. I mean, look at Big Brother! Season 2... and after.... is basically Survivor in a house.
Gordon: With enough twists to make it it's own. Now does this hurt CBS?
Chico: I think it'll hurt ABC more than it does CBS. After all, is anyone going to stick around after all of the dust settles on an unproven (ahem) format? Because right now, it's just going on buzz.
Gordon: I think it WILL hurt CBS, just because it's getting on the air first. That being said, the quality of the show will determine how long it stays on the air. But ABC has a disadvantage because it's only on once a week, and I think for this sort of format, it needs to be on 3 times a week to be soluble.
Chico: It'll be as Expedition Impossible was to the Amazing Race, that being "a non-issue"
Gordon: Well it wasn't competing directly against The Amazing Race - but I think it will be a non issue also.
Chico: Okay. So let's stay on ABC Mondays for a moment and another ABC non-issue...

Chico: Now before I go on further... I should just say that this was brought to us by my sister, Quisla, who as we all know is a little girl trapped in a big girl's body. She saw the story and said... you guys kinda sorta have to cover it. So ... against my better judgment... we're going to talk about.... *exasperated sigh* ..... thebachelorette....Waiting for Gordon to yay.
Gordon: I want to hear the story first.
Chico: okay, I'll tell you the story. Imagine you're on the Bachelorette, and the bachelorette happens to be a single mother of one, not unlike Emily Maynard (disclaimer: I never met an "Emily" I didn't like, but that said, she's about as exciting as moss)
Gordon: Kate or Peat?
Chico: YES. What is the worst thing you could do? Call her daughter "baggage". True as that can be, it gets Kalon McMahon a first-class one way ticket to... well, the next season of "Bachelor Pad" Heh.
Gordon: That's a very good way to lose a game show.
Chico: ROLL THE CLIP!

Chico: It's not just that she kicked him off, she went, and now I'm quoting... "West Virginia hood rat back woods on his ass."
Gordon: That's an immediate boot right there. impressive.
Chico: ... I'd like to say so, Gordon!
Gordon: But the questions becomes...do I care?
Chico: If you're anything like me.... no. It's just fun TV to watch someone get owned.
Gordon: True
Chico: But no, I don't care. And frankly, I don't know of anyone who SHOULD
Gordon: I care more about the last week of Wheel of Fortune
Chico: So do I.
Gordon: What happened this week?
Chico: We're down to our last champion of season 29 in Phil Zhi. He wins $19,250 in cash and Hawaii trip. The final bonus is PHRASE. Wtih the standard six and CMHA...

_ _ C _ / _ _ / _ _ _ R / H E E L S

Chico: Here's a hint from Other Jason... It's the last puzzle of the year. After which the crew of Wheel can...
Gordon: Kick Up Your Heels. Well, their heels.
Chico: YAY! Bad news... Phil doesn't get another $35,000. The good news... season 30 is on the way.
Gordon: The Better News - so is the Choppler, and Drew the Bookworm is already studying to be a contestant for the NYC edition.
Chico: How's he going to spin that big wheel?
Gordon: He'll bring in a guest spinner....me. :)
Chico: ... That works! But first, let's....
Gordon: Roll that Beautiful Brain Footage

(Doug: Live, local, and latebreaking... From the four corners of the globe to your frontal lobe, this is WLTI Brainvision News, and now here's Gordon Pepper, Chico Alexander, and the award-winning Brainvision News Team)

Chico: Thanks Doug. We're going to start with a BIG Business End item
Gordon: Huge-age
Chico: So I'm going to need the Phat Bat.
Gordon: (Gives Chico the Phat-Bat)
Chico: Now I realize that the dumb thing to do at a time like this is to go over not just the news that came out of GSN Friday but the reaction thereto. So if no one objects, we're going to do just that.
Gordon: I'm all for it. I love to hear the blood-curdling scream of trembling fanboys.

GSN has named a host for its pilot of "The Pyramid" that rolled yesterday. Stop at... Mike Richards.

Chico: Now here's the thing. You have a lot of people crying foul over this because they either don't like TPIR or LMAD under Mike Richards' thumb... or they just don't like him as a person. So to them, this is the same Mike Richards that "ruined" TPIR and LMAD. I don't think anything is ruined.
Gordon: Ok Let's remember a few things. First of all, all the fan boys freaked out when Drew Carey was named the new host of The Price is Right. The world didn't end and the show is still on the air. Second of all, Richards, who's the HOST (not the producer, etc.), has a very good hosting resume. This would include being the second host of fan favorite Beauty and the Geek.
Chico: Yes he does. He injected some much-needed life into Beauty and the Geek.
Gordon: Third of all, I was there for the Pyramid Pilot tapings that had Tim Vincent (good) and Dean Cain (Very good) auditioning a few years back. Richards has the game show chops to be able to host this.
Chico: Now the pilot shot yesterday and by all accounts, it went fairly well. I have to wonder if those same people are now helping themselves to the crow bar.
Gordon: He CAN'T be worse than Osmond - and Donny's version lasted 2 seasons. So my advice: Give him a chance here. He may be a lot better than you think. They aren't getting Ryan Seacrest to host the show, so heel.
Chico: This one stays true to the original game and brings it to 2012 Michael Davies standard. And if you can't handle that, then your fandom is shallow and you are selfish. Just saying.
Gordon: Michael Davies has a good record of bringing back classic shows (Chain Reaction, Grand Slam, Millionaire), and again, his pilot in NYC was spot on. Do you have a green Light?
Chico: Why yes! Yes I do. And... it has a lot of butter on it.

Whole slew of greenlights, including "Food Chain" from Paula Deen, ya'll, in syndication, and "Chef Race: UK vs. US" on BBC America.

Gordon: I really don't want to see Paula Dean draped in butter, thank you.
Chico: Then you probably don't want to watch her in ANY capacity.
Gordon: Like butter, I can take her in limited doses. However with Chef Race, I'm eagerly looking forward to see what they do with this. I'm not so eager about this week's Datebook.

Monday has The Glass House. Sunday has The Great Escape.

Gordon: These are a pair of shows I'm nervous about.
Chico: I'm cautiously hopeful about the Great Escape. Glass House. Not so much. I want to throw a giant boulder to the thing.
Gordon: We will watch both shows and give you our reviews in the weeks to come. Meanwhile, Let's get Fully Loaded.
Chico: This Fully Loaded has a red couch.

If you want to be on MundoFox's "Minuto Para Ganar", go here: http://www.realitywanted.com/call/17990-minuto-para-ganar-now-casting It is the Spanish version of "Minute to Win It" hosted by.... Marco Antonio Regil.

Chico: So there's your loaded AND your casting couch.

Now if you want to play a game show on Facebook, you can play You Don't Know Jack. It's free, it's easy, and if you don't play it on Google Chrome, you don't crash as often. Learned that last one the hard way.

Gordon: Yes. Playing the game on Firefox is dumb.
Chico: What else is dumb?
Gordon: I've got some dumb. Want to see?
Chico: YAY!

Are YOU Smarter Than...Chris Brown. A frequent performer on American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance (not to mention a co-singer of No Air with Idol Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks) decided it was a good idea to get into a fight with fellow R&B singer Drake on who had the most time with Rihanna. Brown wins that, but Drake apparently had the most current time with her (read: last week), so the 2 got into an altercation featuring the throwing of VERY expensive bottles of booze. The poor bottles.

Chico: Protip: when two people throw bottles of booze, no one wins.
Gordon: Nope. Lots of Haterade to be tossed around.
Chico: I'll take some.
Gordon: It's made of fresh zombie

Tough Enough...not tough enough. The WWE Competition just got piledriven into oblivion.

Chico: But wait! There's more!
Gordon: MOOOORE!
Chico: Mooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooore
Gordon: Give me more.

The summer has its first casualty. Our condolences go out to the fans of Are You Normal America, which is pulled as of tomorrow. All 3 of you.

Gordon: That was quick. Even for a show on a network that 15 people watch.
Chico: I know, right? I've said it before, I'll say it again. If this is the show that's going to save Oprah's network, ... is it even worth saving?
Gordon: I think Oprah needs to take a trip to reconsider this whole network thing.
Chico: Yeah. I got a place for her..
Gordon: Where is she going?
Chico: The UK... home of some of our favorite games...

And apparently some of Adam Levine's as well, as he expresses a deep fascination with Countdown and DOND.

Gordon: How deep is it?
Chico: I have a quote!

"Daytime TV quiz shows like 'Deal or No Deal' and 'Countdown' are brilliant. We don't have anything like that in America, grab some tea and slob out,"

Gordon: We used to have Deal or No Deal
Chico: And it was good, too.
Gordon: Gave us some good Media Hoes.
Chico: Yep. (plays Ludacris)
Gordon: We start with a Casting Couch

If you want a FREE trip to Hell's Kitchen and the finale of So You Think You Can Dance, go here: www.fox.com/superperks Don't expect your dinner to be served any time soon. Or in one piece. Or flavorful. Or cooked.

Chico: Still... I'd like to sit at that place.
Gordon: I already entered to win.
Chico: Nice
Gordon: Now for the hoes.

In this week's Media Ho Report, Betty White meets Barack Obama, Jesse Holley (4th and Long) is now a New England Patriot, Philip Phillips family pawn shop is burglarized...

Chico: They caught the guys. It's cool.

Rob and Amber Mariano have ANOTHER kid, Ryan Seacrest wants Dick Clark Productions, Nicole Scherzinger WILL be the new judge of the X-Factor UK, greatly dismaying everyone on staff here and probably millions of Brits...

Chico: Need to choose... NEED TO CHOOSE...

Khloe Kardashian is allegedly taking fertility treatments, season 3 of Bachelor Pad is announced, and the 6 'surprise' women of Love in the Wild is announced. I know Chico is a big fan.

Chico: Not really, but you're thinking.
Gordon: But none of them is your ho of the week.
Chico: Who's up this week?
Gordon: This week, it's not a person...but a franchise.
Chico: A franchise.
Gordon: On the heels of P90X having gym classes taught by licensed trainers, The Biggest Loser is ALSO coming out with classes with specialized trainers. In addition, Jackie and Dan Wilson are sponsoring Walk/Running events that seem remarkably similar to Spartan Runs, etc.
Chico: You're a big fan of Spartan Runs.
Gordon: I like them a bunch. I actually think this franchise will work and if it makes a positive impact, then even better.
Chico: Great!
Gordon: And those...are your hoes.
Chico: Okey doke. Brobot, Choppler off. Brainvision is in the books.
Brobot: (plays The Rolling Stones 'Start Me Up')
Chico: That bot ain't right. Okay, still to come, we're going casting... But first, Gordon... remember when you said that Richard Dawson was among the best game show hosts of all time?
Gordon: We did. And we said we'd do a follow up on the discussion.
Chico: Yep. That's coming up after the break. This is WLTI. You give us 22 minutes, we'll give you 22 secret slime actions. Like.... *touches nose* .... *gets slimed*
Gordon: (Opens up umbrella and directs the slime on Chico)
Chico: *man-hugs Gordon*
Gordon: ...gross.

(Brainvision has been brought to you by Misfits of Science. We take 14 people, drop them in radioactive slime, watch them obtain super powers, and have them compete in contests, with the losers being melted. Who will survive?)

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