Episode 18.8
July 28

Gordon: I'll watch...and then pan every decision.
Jason: I have my tuxedo ready :)
Chico: I'll watch... and then say "Sorry, not bald enough".
Gordon: Or sexy enough
Rob: Or mean-spirited enough.
Jason: Or witty enough.
Gordon: Mean-spirited would be me. But witty would be Chico. And maybe Chico can give us some more wit as we have letters for him.
Chico: Hold on... *puts on Spiderman scrubs* Okay, I'm ready. Ask away.
Gordon: I've got the first letter.

Chico: One word... Bright. Don't get me wrong. You and GSN could've made some great music together, but the fact of it all was that the money wasn't there... And you were hurting... I was hurting for you. But a name like FSN... might be the shot in the arm that you so desperately need right now.
Gordon: if I'm the WPT, I take the 6 of the Final 9 decided at the World Series of Poker and give them a rematch.
Rob: That would be a good idea.
Jason: Before the Final?
Gordon: After.
Jason: Wow. That would rock.
Gordon: Which I still think is a bad idea to wait 4 months between playing.
Jason: I do too.
Rob: Horrendous.
Jason: Big time.
Rob: I have a letter ready to go for Dr. Chico.
Chico: Let's hear it.

Jason: LOL
Chico: Well, Orwellian presence... This is one of those times where you have to acknowledge the world we live in. Your presence has changed from a social experiment to a launching board for jobless wannabes to get their 15 minutes. You've lost all relevance, and that's why you're looking like a little sister right now.
Gordon: and unfortunately, the sister's last name is Kardashian.
Chico: And she's got a big ass and a sex tape and/or is dead behind the eyes.
Jason: I think I have one for the great doctor.
Gordon: You ready for it, Chico?
Chico: Let's do it.
Gordon: Jason, your letter.

Chico: How can you mend a broken heart, indeed, TT? How can you stop the rain from falling down... How can you stop the sun from shining... What makes the... Sorry, that's the Bee Gees. Anyway, it seems like you're getting a life lesson learned to ya here, and if you ask me, being coddled by strangers all the time... You could stand to learn it. a) Love by TV never works. b) Attention-grabbing looking for love is counter-intuitive.. and 3) anyone worth your time isn't going to take a shot at it either way... So my advice... Get outside. See the real world for a change.
Gordon: ...you mean there's a world outside television?
Chico: Yep. And Myspace.
Gordon: ...wow.
Rob: I also throw in that making people who want to see you eat pig lowers isn't a grand idea either.
Gordon: But if I go outside, there's a chance that I would have to do something that doesn't require electricity or my face staring at something.
Jason: You mean like tanning or bike riding?
Gordon: Oh! I can do tanning! Tee hee!
Rob: Or something that requires anything above a 30 IQ.
Jason: Like reading.
Gordon: Hey Don - you got a letter for Chico?
Don: As a matter of fact, I do.
Gordon: Let's hear it.

Chico: Well, 7s, you're not the only ones with that problem. The 5s and the 6s won't stop talking to me about it either. But you have to realize that you're better than the people you hang out with, who, for all intents and purposes, weren't foisted upon you with the intention of winning.. or at least the appearance of winners. Because game shows nowadays want a package deal. Not just people who can play the game, but people they can package... How Jason Block managed to meet you guys I have no idea... but whatever he used...
Jason: ROFL
Chico: I'm hoping he bottles it and gives me a case the next time I'm in Atlantic City.
Gordon: Hey Chico.
Chico: Yes, Gordon?
Gordon: I know how you can have the 6's stop complaining
Chico: How can I have the 6s stop complaining?
Gordon: Pair them up with the 9's. They'll have their mouths full.
Chico: HA!
Jason: Saw that a mile away. Still damn funny.
Don: LOL
Jason: I have one more for you.
Gordon: Give him the next letter, Jay.

Chico: Hey, RD.. Love your work, by the way. Listen.. you gotta keep busy somehow, even if only as a consultant... But if you want my advice.. Get back out there. And that failing... Teach. Because there are a lot of people out there who can benefit from your wisdom.
Jason: I think RD next job will be sooner rather than later, personally.
Gordon: Hey Chico! I've got one last letter.
Chico: One more letter, Gordon. Sock it to me.

Chico: I know where this is going.
Jason: I don't yet.

Jason: Now I get it!
Chico: "Signed, the Wipeout Obstacle Course." Dear Wipeout Obstacle Course... Love your work, by the way... I have absolutely no idea. Sounds more like a personal problem. Only thing I can think of to help... Clean your balls once in a while.
Gordon: Most people hate dirty balls.
Chico: This is true.
Gordon: And you have to clean your pole after people service it.
Chico: That's a good place to end it.
Jason: I would think so!
Gordon: Awwwww.... We move from Chico giving answers to Gordon giving questions...next!

(brought to you by Anaconda 3. Watch David Hasselhoff get attacked by a giant snake - and no, I'm not talking about Piers.)

Jason: Are you serious?
Chico: It's the SciFi movie of the week... the sequel to the sequel of a movie that shouldn't've been made in the first place!
Gordon: Saturday Night. 9pm. Sci-Fi Channel. I liked the original with Jennifer Lopez. And we have a original game. This...is...Categories!
Jason: Alright!
Gordon: You all know the drill. I give points based on answers. Here are today's Categories.
Jason: (sound effect)

Jason: Got it.
Gordon: Chico, you are the defending champion. You select first.
Chico: I have to do it if only it means I get to say it.. Gordon, I'll take "Game On, Bitches!"
Gordon: I figured as much.
Chico: You know me.
Gordon: I do :). The Greatest American Dog debuted to very good numbers. By episode 3, it lost 33% of it's audience and now CBS is moving it to Wednesdays. What can be done to save the show?
Chico: Put Bob Barker on it? Kidding.
Gordon: He'd probably spay and neuter the show.
Chico: Three-fold plan... 1) Replace dogs with competitive humans. 2) Replace dog park with deserted island. C) Call it "Survivor."
Jason: LOL. BUZZ. I have the real answer.
Chico: Point is, there's really no saving strike-filler.
Rob: Although CBS is looking for more family friendly fare, this isn't winning over the audience. I would suggest talking to Animal Planet and move it over there. They just finished up Groomer has it, and now they need a new Dog based show to fill the void. Sure that the show isn't the best thought up concept, but a move to a new network would be fine for this show. It's a niche show at best, and would work well on a niche network like Animal Planet.
Jason: No--you put them on Big Brother for a spell to see who the real bitch is!
Chico: Precisely what I've been trying to say. There's nothing that CBS can do to save it.
Jason: Sorry...but outside of that...the show is really not that save worthy.
Gordon: Don?
Don: I can't see anything saving this show on CBS. If I was them, I'd give it the Old Yeller treatment.
Jason: You are cruel and cold.
Chico: Such violence.
Gordon: Rob is the only person who actually gave a good answer - and he's absolutely right. 1,000 for him. The rest of you all came up with the same answer, so 400 for each of you.

Jason: Nice job, Rob.
Gordon: You select next.
Rob: Let's go with Wii-Man.
Gordon: Wii-Man. The question: Deal or No Deal goes to the Wii. What game show game would be best suited for it?
Chico: American Gladiators. Seems like you can do anything with the Wii-Mote. And imagine playing the Assault course while pointing the Wii-Mote at the screen. It's like you're really there.
Jason: Damn!
Rob: Well, quite a few to be exact since is so interactive. One game would be great is Wheel of Fortune. Spinning the wheel with the Wiimote would be wonderful. Because just hutting a button didn't feel like enough in the past incarnations of the game. by flicking the wii-mote to spin teh wheel, it would be breathtaking.
Jason: I would think Iron Chef....using the remote to chop, cut and cook would make it a very interactive experience :) Hopefully much better than cooking mama. But still. The wiimote would make it fun.
Chico: Wii-Mote makes anything fun.
Don: Man, it's hard to top those answers, but I'll go with one that was already confirmed for the system: The Price is Right. There's plenty of pricing games that the Wiimote would make rather fun to play (Hole In One comes to mind)... ...and there's the Big Wheel, of course.
Chico: I'm actually surprised no one mentioned Jeopardy!. Point at the clue... buzz in with the mote...
Jason: because the wii-mote is only part of it. Hard to type that way.
Chico: Ah. Point taken.
Gordon: Ok. The Wii is a machine that is all about physical activity. The best game, far and away would be American Gladiators.
Chico: *fist pump*
Gordon: 1,000 to Chico. 800 to Jason and the Cooking Mama reference.
Jason: I know my video games :)
Gordon: 600 for both Rob and Don, as they are both good answers for the Wii.
Jason: (applause to all) *multi-hand fist bump*

Gordon: Chico, you select
Chico: I'll take Who Wants to Showcase the Wheel of Jeopardy?
Gordon: There are many changes on these shows. Wheel has the million dollar wedge, Millionaire has a time limit for each question, Jeopardy has the CES (and we know they will do something on that) and TPIR has a dreaded 'New Direction'. Rank the shows from high to low on the effectiveness on these changes.
Jason: Wheel - 1. (The Million Dollar Wedge will bring in viewers and make the number one show even stronger). Jeopardy with the CES and the 25th Anniversary is 2. The Millionaire Time Limit may make it a better show...I dont know...(3)... and the new direction as far as we have heard so far has been - minimal(4)
Chico: I'll go Millionaire (time limit will speed up the game)... then Wheel (profit begets profit... right? RIGHT!)... then Jeopardy! (essentially the same game)... and then TPIR (which I'm convinced is more bark than bite).
Rob: I'm going with Jeopardy as #1 because of the big milestone that is the 25th anniversary. Not only that, the competition should be that much better in this year, wheel with the $1,000,000 Wedge is #2, because it's supposed to be really hard to even get to that point. It's like winning the Car in Whammy. The minimal changes at Price puts it at #3. Mainly it's just cosmetic changes and the like, which is fine by me. Millionaire's changes are so adverse. They are making a very hard game much harder. They are throwing in more lifelines, but I doubt that will even help with the time limits. I mean, If you need some time, then give them time. Especially the 30 seconds on the 2nd tier. This smacks of trying to get through shows faster in post as well.
Don: I'd rank them as follows: 1: Wheel (the Million Dollar Wedge looks like a really neat idea), 2: Jeopardy (same game, but the 25th Anniversary will be a big deal)... ...3: Price (regardless of what happens, I'm sure people will tune in to see just what was indeed done), 4: Millionaire (honestly, I'm not a fan of adding a time limit for that particular show).
Gordon: Let me first state that I don't like ANY of the changes proposed, but that's for a different time. The correct answer is - 1. Wheel of Fortune (It will get more people, which is what the point is), 2. Jeopardy (A Tournament (which has been whispered about) and no major changes), 3. TPIR (which has been minimal, but you know there will be more) and 4. Millionaire (the time bonus is a horrible idea, which is only good for getting more contestants and less budget - plus less chance for a personality. This will really bring the game down). Don gets it completely correct, so he gets 1,000 points. Rob and Jason only screw up one thing, so they each get 800. Chico, who's completely off, gets 400.
Chico: I defy you to argue with my logic.
Gordon: Just did :)
Jason: Here we go!
Chico: I ranked from high to low, just like you asked.
Gordon: Yes. Millionaires changes is awful. It shouldn't be anywhere near #1. Basically, you got them all wrong. But we still love you.
Chico: To each his own my friend.

Gordon: And we start Double Categories with Don.
Don: I'll pick Bowling, Baseball and Empires.
Gordon: What do all 3 things have in common? A strike. We still have that Screem Actors Guild Strike thing lingering in the midst. What's going to happen and how is that going to affect game shows?
Chico: SAG members as game show hosts? Heh. Just be grateful that all 40 shows of Catch 21 are in the can. But if you ask me, they're going to see what happens come November with Strike Effects: The Sequel... and then the actors will come around, simply because they can't afford not to. In the meantime... who's up for Duel season 3?
Chico: I think a deal will be reached sooner rather than later.
Jason: Logically, the two sides should come together and hammer out a deal. That being said...this has been and always will be a genitalia measuring contest.
Don: I think that if the strike does go forward, we'll be seeing more game shows; specifically, Celebrity versions. Celebrity DoND, anyone?
Jason: And SAG and AFTRA parted really badly. But, if the SAG strike they will come out looking real bad. And we will see more bad reality shows. Therefore, they will settle. I don't think we will have to suffer another slate of bad shows.
Rob: Quite a bit, although it won't be as bad as the strike of this year, however it would give fledgling shows like Duel a Third Wind, and a Season 3 of American Gladiators (which needs a massive overhaul, IMO). Sure we'll see some of the new batch of shows fail, and we can see tested shows like DOND be beefed up, as well as more Million Dollar Password. But, what we all want is for them to hammer out a deal badly. I don't want to have to suffer through another bad glut of Filler programming. The cream rose, like the PIR $1,000,000 specials and to an extent American Gladiators and Duel, but the rest were dreck.
Gordon: I concur. The fact of the matter is that I don't think the actors will strike. With both the economy and the TV ratings in bad shape, they can't afford it - and they'll be complete idiots if they do. Even if they do strike, I think it ends quickly, because this time, they won't have the public approval - and that can be disastrous. 2000 points for everyone.
Chico: Actors being idiots, just another day in Hollywood.

Gordon: Since everyone tied, Don picks again.
Don: Chomp, Pachewy, Chomp.
Jason: I have an idea where this one is going :)
Gordon: You are in charge of the Game Show Zombie Brigade.



Gordon: Thank you.
Chico: Don't mention it.
Gordon: Select ONE show to send your army of blood-thirsty and hungry zombies to eat. And of course, back it up with why.
Chico: High School Musical! Because it's an American Idol knockoff!
Don: Hurl! That show, along with its concept, just makes me want to... you know...Getting people to eat and eat, then try not to send that food back up, is one of the worst concepts I have ever heard of.
Jason: Nope....The Gong Show...a bad execution of a horrible remake. This had so much potential. Nothing on this show works. Attell is unfunny, and the judges are just bad. And the acts are in unfunny horrible taste.
Rob: YES! I agree with Jason on The Gong Show. They screwed up this version way more than Extreme Gong. Dave Attell is no way close to Chuck Barris or even Don Bleu. The Celebs didn't give a horses patoot about the game. The acts are beneath contempt. They are acts that Chuck Barris wouldn't even allow on the show. And don't get me started on the messed up scoring format. What's wrong with 0-10?
Chico: So we have a knockoff, a terrible retread, and a health crisis waiting to happen.
Gordon: First of all, may I say you all have some good choices.
Jason: Thank you.
Chico: But I suspect you have a better one.
Gordon: Actually, I don't.
Chico: Ah. Shut me up.
Gordon: Hurl makes me hurl. 2000 to Don. Gong Show comes in a close second, so 1600 to Jason and Rob. High School Musical is a close third, so 1200 to Chico. But all good choices.

Gordon: But anything can change, as we get to FINAL CATEGORIES. Subject: Paint the Town Pink. IM me your wagers.

(wagering)

Gordon: The question: between Wesley and Daniel, Jesse in (alleged) porn, Lance Bass being outed, and Pat and Kate getting married, being gay gets highlighted a lot amongst the media.
Jason: Right.
Gordon: Is it justified? Overblown? Both? Neither? What's your opinion?
Rob: It is completely overblown in my eyes.
Chico: I'll go with "Who cares?" Overblown. This is just space-filler in between the news that matter and the recap of the highlights of the day. And at the end of the day it's all "So what?"
Jason: Being Gay is about shocking as a fart in the wind these days. The only thing that will be shocking is if an openly gay contestant wins American Idol and comes out before the contest is over.
Chico: Hence... "who cares"? Overblown.
Jason: Way overblown. Otherwise...it means nothing.
Don: I'd say it's overblown. Hasn't that lifestyle been accepted by society by now?
Chico: Society, yes.
Jason: Most of it. Not all of it.
Rob: Nothing is shocking in my eyes when it comes to sexuality. The last coming out that was shocking was Lance Bass's coming out. Although it should be accepted by everyone, some will poo-poo it for various reasons.
Chico: The church and its moneys, and its ability to use said moneys to control whoever whatever wherever... no.
Jason: But when you have shows like Tila Tequila making a mockery of the bisexual lifestyle...then you might have a problem.
Rob: The old saying that love comes when you least expect it rings true here. Especially in the case of the couple from Project Runway. I'm happy that they are together and happy. So, No, completely overblown.
Gordon: One of the biggest 'say wha' moments in 2005 was when Lance Bass came out. You are still feeling shockwaves over that. However, most of what comes out really, when you look at it, makes no difference. People are being labeled as 'The Gay One' in game shows just so you can have a demographic watching.
Chico: So you're saying it's all a scam to make profit?
Rob: Like what Eric Bischoff's book stated, Controversy Creates Cash.
Jason: Why do you think people are showcasing the gay guy and the Trannie on the new Diddy show. Profit.
Gordon: Not always. You do need a little diversity, but I do think that exposing people's lives (See David Hernandez and Jesse Godderz) is completely unwarranted by the media, and it's a practice that should be stopped. So the correct answer is - Overblown. I'm waiting for a time where someone can be labeled as a contestant who happens to be gay than a gay contestant - and yes, there's a difference.
Jason: Amen. I agree.
Rob: here, here.
Jason: (standing ovation)
Gordon: So everyone gets it right. It all comes down to wagering. Chico, you has $5,000. Wager: $3,800 for the new kitchen. You're up to $8,800. Jason has $5,600. Wager: $4,400. He's up to $10,000.
Jason: Yes!
Gordon: Don has $6,000 Wager: $5,201. He's up to $11,201.
Jason: Oh well.
Gordon: Robert has $6,000. Wager: $6,000. Total: $12,000.

Rob: WOOOOOO!
Jason: Yeah man! Good job!
Chico: Nice, Rob.
Don: That's what I was afraid of... Good job, Rob.
Gordon: Robert Seidelman wins Categories. As a result, the floor is yours for 30 seconds. All you, Rob.
Rob: I cordially invite all of the readers of WLTI that are wrestling fans to listen to a little radio show that me and Jason Block do every Friday. It's called the North American Wrestling Connection at www.blogtalkradio.com/sigmafan. Currently, Jason Block is our NAWC Pick'em Fizzleweight champion, and we have interesting wrestling convo every week. So, tune in and enjoy, you won't regret it.
Chico: Thanks, Rob. Speedround in a moment, but first, a Breaking Media Ho... Drew Carey to star in a Midsummer Night's Dream with the Cleveland Philharmonic. Watch. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080726/ap_en_tv/people_drew_carey_5 More in a moment!

(Brought to you by "I Want to Work for DK"... Like the jungle? Like bananas? Like barrels? You'll love this new series.)

Rob: Can we expect to be beaten upside the head by Cranky?
Gordon: I'm guessing Diddy Kong would be better than Diddy?
Chico: Any day.
Don: That is something I'd watch.
Chico: Okay, it's Speed Round time... Hey Gordon!
Gordon: Hey Chico!
Chico: Give me two minutes!
Gordon: Okay!
Chico: Big Brother... Aussie and UK editions... probably dying if not dead. Will the US follow?
Rob: Yes
Gordon: No I give it at least one more Summer.
Don: Wouldn't surprise me if it did.
Chico: How about the next eviction? I mean, sure Jessie and Angie are up, but still... that Veto... Actually... never mind. Keesha won that veto. So it's either Jessie or Angie. My money's on Jessie.
Gordon: I think Jesse is in trouble if Keesha doesn't use that veto.
Don: I'd certainly see Jessie being evicted.
Chico: 2002's Pyramid is back on GSN... thoughts?
Gordon: It reminded me why the game itself was good and why the show itself got taken off the air.
Rob: The game itself was solid, but it was executed way poorly.
Gordon: Do we see Wipeout being brought back if an ABC show falters quickly?
Chico: Yes.
Rob: No, they stated that they are saving it for Summer. I fully expect to see yet another run of Bachelor or even Duel again.
Gordon: If ABC is smart, they'll save it for the Summer. That being said...expect Wipeout in November Sweeps.
Don: Heh...
Chico: Do we know who the Mole is?
Gordon: I think it's Paul. The contestant with the biggest breasts.
Chico: I think it's Craig. He's just too much of a liability.
Gordon: It wouldn't surprise me if it's Craig.
Don: Right now, I'm also thinking Craig, but who knows...
Gordon: But I'll still go with Paul, because I'm a stubborn goat. Anaconda 3 with The Hoff. Who's watching?
Chico: No thanks.
Don: Don't have that channel; wouldn't watch it anyway.
Chico: Rather watch the X-Files... which wasn't as good as the original.
Rob: Joel McHale will be watching to blast it on the Soup, because I won't watch.
Chico: I'm with Rob on that one.
Gordon: I'll watch it...just to see him possibly get eaten.
Chico: Okay, meanwhile, we'll eat some viewer mail. Time for episode four of our summer-long series... The Daniel Benfield Letter...

EPISODE 4: JEOPARDY!

Chico: I'll go with 100% on that one.
Gordon: 100% it is. There's no way they don't especially with them sprucing up Wheel of Fortune
Chico: Come on, Jeopardy! I know you have it in you.
Rob: 100%, possibly a bonus in winning 5 games.
Don: Agreed. Something has to happen.
Gordon: Or go back to what they used to do and give out a car for every 5 games won.
Chico: Imagine what would happen if you had another Larissa Kelly or god forbid another Ken Jennings..
Rob: Brad Rutter's record would be killed.
Gordon: Donate the cars. It would certainly help against the IRS tax bill.
Don: Yeah, because otherwise, imagine the number of garages one would need...
Gordon: Who couldn't use 14 new cars?
Chico: 7. Garages, that is.
Gordon: So with that, we end the mail segment. And because Rob won Categories, he can also tell us what to do if you guys want to send us some mail.
Rob: You can send you wonderful queries to the boys at wlti@gameshownewsnet.com And we'll be more than happy to read them on future episodes.
Gordon: We love wonderful queries. You can also send us wonderful queries at www.myspace.com/wltiongsnn.
Chico: And we love you. Thanks for reading. Thanks to Jason Block, Don Harpwood, and Rob Seidelman.
Gordon: So for everyone, this is Gordon Pepper saying Game Over and Spread the Love.