June 19, 2006

Chico: Hey, this is Chico Alexander. Brande Roderick at the Money Cards... If she was any more excited, she'd be DEAD! Thoughts, Gordon?
Gordon: I think we found a date for Craig Westphal.
Mike: *snicker* He's the male version of emotionless Maria Wenglinsky from earlier this season.
Chico: "I am Craig Westphal. And this is how you play Jeopardy! on the street."
Jason B: Mr. Animatronics.
Chico: "And from Somewhere in America... We Love to Interrupt... is on."
Jason B: Oh yeah.
Gordon: Besides Chico and I, we also have someone who loves Guinness and emotion, Mr. Jason Block.
Jason B: I have an announcement...
Chico: *drumroll*
Jason B: I am re-upped my media ho membership!
Chico: Wee!
Gordon: Do tell, Mr. Block.
Jason B: I have just shot a documentary for GSN which will air as part of the "Game Show Hall of Fame" series this fall.
Chico: Is this the Millionaire episode?
Jason B: Yes it is.
Chico: Nice.
Jason B: The day I shot, Kevin Olmstead and John Castellano (of Meredith fame) were there. I don't get to interview, but I am interviewed. :)
Chico: Well done, Mr. Block :)
Jason B: Thank you.
Chico: And speaking of episodes, he could've been on Lingo this past week as a teacher... instead, he just made leaderboard. HMTripleCrown, Mr. Mike Klauss is here!
Jason B: (applause)
Mike: I made the leaderboard despite no GSN. That's how mad my skills are.
Chico: Game... is tight.
Mike: Plus the esteemed Jason Hernandez and I have a long-term grudge match going on. We're trying to find the better Lingoer. Taking a line from Stephen Colbert's book, Jason is a formidable opponent. Thankfully, he'll be on our side at Game Show Congress 5.
Chico: Mike vs. Jason... I'd watch that.
Gordon: We could have a fun little match between Mike, Jason and Ben Ziek. Meanwhile, on Jeopardy, we hade a nice little week for the aforementioned Westphal, who won for 5 days.
Jason B: Robo champ.
Chico: I've heard of a stiff upper lip, but a stiff face? Smile, damn it! It's Saturday!
Mike: Just stiff. Could it be nerves, or do you think he'd relax by game 5?
Chico: I don't know about you, but if I scored over $110,000 in anything, I'd be like... WOO-HOO!
Jason B: I'd be dancing....actually, I WAS dancing.
Mike: That's why you are the perfect contestant--smart and enthusiastic.
Jason B: Thank you.
Gordon: Well, the person who won on Friday WAS dancing - and jumping, as Westphal gets dethroned by Josh Kennedy, a Bartender from Trenton
Chico: Woops.
Jason B: Oh yeah.
Mike: We'll see Westphal next year in the Tourney, hopefully with more vital signs.
Chico: Hopefully. Let's see what happened, shall we?
Jason B: Big Board?
Chico: Oh yeah.

Chico: The title: Craig Westphal, Dethroning Robo-Champ.
Mike: I guess I should get my chalkboard out of the way.
Chico: Good idea.
Jason B: (rolls chalkboard out with Mike) Might melt the slate.
Chico: Now game six, he could have easily taken were it not for Double Jeopardy!.
Jason B: Do tell.
Chico: He was leading at the half, $8400 to $4000 for his nearest opponent, Josh Kennedy. Then came Double Jeopardy!.
Jason B: Ok.
Chico: Josh found BOTH Daily Doubles within the first 10 clues of the round and nailed both of them to end the round in first place with $15,000 and change to Craig's $13,600. Close, but Final will decide it. Judging by wager alone... I don't even have to show you the clue, because Josh knew exactly what he was doing. He bet enough to secure him a win, but just enough. He ended up with $27,400 as a result. Meanwhile, Craig, even if he got it right, couldn't even match.
Jason B: And Josh let out a ton of happy emotion at the end.
Chico: He's the people's champ. It'll be even better if he lasts a tear of his own.
Jason B: We are about 2 weeks into the season's end correct?
Mike: Usually there are 6 or 7 weeks of summer reruns. The season finale *could* be on Friday, July 14.
Jason B: Pretty much.
Chico: So season's end, we're thinking mid-July. Meanwhile, place Craig in the ToC,  finalist, semifinalist, or doesn't make it past the first round?
Jason B: I see him as a semifinalist. He is a good player.
Mike: Depends on the draw. Definitely a semifinalist. He did end up in 2nd going into Final on his last two shows. Then again, he smothered the competition on his first few.
Gordon: I think Craig gets past the first week. He could very well be a finalist, since he is the person who has done the best so far. I don't see any Maddens or Jennings this season.
Chico: Just a few good champs, no big superchamps like we had LAST year.
Jason B: Yes.
Gordon: Exactly - so it makes Westphal a definite contender.
Chico: Yes. We'll miss you, stone face.
Mike: Heh.
Chico: We'll also miss Paige Davis... okay, I'LL miss Paige Davis, as she's aced and deuced out of Game Show Marathon. The game: an old-time fave, Card Sharks.
Jason B: I did not see it.
Chico: It was one of the better shows so far.
Gordon: It's not saying a heck of a lot now, is it?
Jason B: Entertainment Weekly gave the show a B- in it's latest issue on stands and actually gave three shows they wanted to see revived.
Chico: Really.. which three?
Mike: If Jason doesn't have it handy, I have the three.
Chico: Can someone give me the three?
Jason B: High Rollers, Tic Tac Dough and Scrabble.
Chico: See, I could totally go with the TTD there.
Jason B: And EW have always been game show fans.
Gordon: Hey, did you hear that Thom McKee and Wink Martindale of Tic Tac Dough fame will be at this year's Game Show Congress?
Jason B: Did the ratings still decline this week?
Chico: Yes, but still #1 for its time slot. Okay, humor me for a second, G... Pretend you actually care.
Gordon: I'll have to get into Stanislavskian mode for this one.
Chico: Is it me, or did Paige look like she came to play?
Gordon: I think it's sad that Paige, who actually wanted to be there, gets knocked out by Brande, who looked like she'd rather be tanning out by the La Brea Tar Pits.
Jason B: LOL
Mike: GSM and Paige got some face time on Best Week Ever. They said nothing about the games, but rather focused on Paige's energy and her lack of popularity and how out of it Leslie Nielsen was.
Chico: All the reason why we'll miss her. I'm putting her on my short list of the Player's Club this summer :) Yay! We made pop culture barometer! We're cool again!
Jason B: We have ALWAYS BEEN cool. People are now realizing it.
Chico: This is true.
Mike: Jason wins that round.
Chico: Next time, something that even Gordon can enjoy: Match Game with Lance and Kathy matching wits again... well, let's just say if Match Game was made in 2006, this would be the panel you would want.
Chico: Witty, pretty, and... Betty White, a mesh of both. :)
Jason B: Yeah baby. Who is the panel besides Foreman and White?
Chico: Adam Carolla, Kathy Griffin, Adrienne Curry, and Bruce Vilanch as Charles Nelson Reilly.
Gordon: Every single person on the panel has been on at least 1 game show
Chico: Kathy Griffin was host of Average Joe for the season where it was actually worth watching.
Gordon: Not to mention she won the first Celebrity Mole
Chico: Bruce Vilanch wrote for H2. Adrienne Curry was rack girl on Ballbreakers.
Gordon: Lets not forget how Adrienne became famous.
Jason B: Top Model?
Gordon: She won the first ever America's Next Top Model.
Chico: Of course. won Top Model, ended up on Surreal Life, knocked Peter Brady's boots.
Jason B: And married him.
Chico: Eventually. Thanks for spoiling the season finale of My Fair Brady...
Jason B: It was in the news!!! LOL
Chico: Heh.
Jason B: Sorry. You wanted a SPOILER ALERT for that? :P
Gordon: Foreman has been a celebrity guest on H2.
Mike: Adam Carolla played on Win Ben Stein's Money, so he has game experience.
Chico: And Betty White... needs no introduction. So you approve of this panel then?
Jason B: Yes I do.
Chico: So everyone's been in the game of some capacity.
Mike: Everybody has some experience and George Foreman is a natural showman. Great panel.
Chico: This should be a fun one to watch.
Gordon: I approve - the show would have been miles better should those 6 have been the players and the bubbleheads have been in the panel.
Jason B: Agreed.
Chico: Well, one thing that regrettably was looked over was the premiere of a new game show... That gets us all giddy around here.
Jason B: In a Foreign Language too....
Chico: In a foreign language, too... that especially gives us a high.
Jason B: This was the premiere of "Que Dice La Gente", which is the 2nd incarnation of Spanish Family Feud.
Chico: This one, taped in Miami for an American market.
Mike: It's the Americanized Spanish-language Feud
Jason B: With the same host, Marco Antonio Regil
Gordon: I actually liked the decor of the old set better, but it's nice to see it back on the air.
Mike: It still runs circles around what is syndicated here.
Gordon: Well, flying yaks run circles around most of what is syndicated here.
Chico: After 900 shows of 100 Mexicanos Dijeron, Regil beings his permagrin to the US, and I have to admit.. I'm spoiled. This is the Feud the way it should be, the way I remember it.
Jason B: I have not seen an episode yet...what time does it air on the East Coast?
Chico: 7p ET on Telefutura.
Mike: As you could expect, Jason H. gave this show very high marks.
Chico: Yep. And who could blame him.
Mike: He also said in the first week, there was a family going for its fifth win. Talk about starting out on a high.
Chico: Totally. Reminded me of the Holtrusts back in 1988. Can't believe I still remember that. I'm the youngest person here and I still remember that!
Jason B: Damn, son.
Mike: The rest of us would've been in school then, kiddo.
Chico: In school in July... I doubt it. :)
Mike: Summer camp or Boy Scout camp
Chico: But back to 2006 for a bit. This... this was a class act right here. This shows you what happens when you keep one foot in the past, one foot in the present mentality. You have reverence for the format, but keep it fresh and exciting for a new audience. Michael Canter ... try as he might, didn't get this.
Mike: I anticipate that with John O'Hurley coming aboard and a new set as well, that our Feud might ascend to the levels of Que Dice La Gente or Bert's Family Feud.
Gordon: I do like the idea of John O'Hurley coming to emcee the next season of Feud.
Mike: We talked about this when the announcement was first made. O'Hurley is nothing but a positive for the show.
Chico: Well, they played the classic Feud format straight, but they didn't limit themselves to art conventions and what not.
Jason B: ok
Chico: And as for O'Hurley... I'm expecting good things. He's got a family of his own on the way, you know..
Mike: Too bad they're not taping when we'll be down there. :-/
Chico: Darn.
Jason B: But we will be seeing TPIR on July 13-16 in LA.
Mike: Tapings start in late July, so probably a week and a half after we return home.
Chico: Yeah.
Gordon: And Deal Or NO Deal on the 19th
Chico: Looks like I'm taking a redeye on the 19th. I don't have to be back at work until the night of the 20th. You think we can get tickets for Last Comic Standing while we're down there?
Mike: I checked NBC's site. It sounds like they're available.
Gordon: That should be some high entertainment. The Final 12 in Last Comic Standing, One of the 12 is someone who is very familiar to cable game show fans.
Chico: "And now, the captain of this crew... BIL DWYER!":
Jason B: Alright!
Chico: *hums IGAS theme*
Jason B: Now...what do you think of that?
Gordon: Battlebots. Extreme Dodgeball. I've Got a Secret. Is he an overwhelming favorite here?
Mike: I missed the rerun on Bravo on Thursday :-(
Chico: I think the rooks have their work cut out for them, but ascending to the elusive title of Last Comic Standing can be done.
Mike: How dare you forget Dirty Rotten Cheater! I think that was his best show, Gordon.
Gordon: I was TRYING to forget that one.
Chico: Gordon, you forgot UFL.
Gordon: Trying to forget that one, too.
Chico: Bad Gordon! No home game! :)
Mike: Let's lock him in the research room with a hungry Howie Schwab.
Gordon: He'll eat me!
Mike: That's the punishment!
Gordon: Uhhh...ewwwww.
Jason B: Do you mind...I just had breakfast.
Chico: AS I WAS SAYING.. Umm... Bil Dwyer... ringer? Big ringer? Bordering on spoiler?
Jason B: I think all the comics are spoilers. I think that LCS is a rigged game to start.
Mike: I'm rooting for Dwyer and Gabriel Iglesias. I've seen Iglesias on Comedy Central a few times. He has major game.
Chico: So you're saying that the show is playing with a loaded deck?
Jason B: Yes. Prove me wrong. Drew Carey and Brett Butler told us it was.
Chico: I've seen the producers have it out with Drew and Brett. I will NOT prove you wrong.
Jason B: Thank you.
Chico: So the show's runners ... still haven't learned their lesson. BAD SHOWRUNNERS! NO HOME GAME!
Gordon: Why don't you have the Schwab eat them, too?
Mike: Before we segue into another topic, I want to mention this relevant bit o' game show info...Thanks to J. Keith and the gang at the What's My Line? stage show, one of the guests at the July 12 show will be Bil Dwyer. Just like we did for Frank Nicotero last year, expect the game show contingency to give Dwyer major love.
Chico: Hell to the yeah.
Mike: The lineup that night is a good one, with 2 vets from last year's show: Teresa Ganzel, Dwyer, Debra Wilson, and Andy Zax. Actually, make it 3, as Debra Wilson was in the audience for the GSC WML last year.
Jason B: Hell to the yeah indeed.
Chico: Funny thing. I thought Debra Wilson was behind me last year.
Mike: Prolly was, Chico
Chico: Ah, so she was.
Mike: The July 12 show also appears to be the last show.
Jason B: It's coming to the East Coast...
Mike: Oh yes. The reason is J. Keith is moving to New York.
Chico: So there you go. WML Homecoming. Watch for it. Meanwhile, let's DO THE NEWS!
Jason B: Jackets and mice...let do it!
Chico: Footage is loaded. Just waiting for the cue.
Gordon: Roll that beautiful Brain Footage
Chico: That would be the cue.

Doug:  (impersonating Mark Thompson) From the four corners of your globe to your frontal lobe, this is WLTI Brainvision News, featuring the Award-Winning Brainvision News team.)

Chico: Nice brain footage.
Jason B: There you go.
Chico: Okay, first brainwave comes from Ohio...
Mike: Hey, I'm there!
Chico: Well there you go, sir.
Mike: What a coinkydink.

The Ohio Lottery is canceling its Cash Explosion game show in favor of a new show. Ticket holders for Cash Explosion are still eligible for said new show.

Mike: Oh Chico, you are master of the suave segue.
Chico: I learn from that guy over there *points to Gordon* He's the king.
Gordon: (slicks hair back and calls for a Pat Riley Armani suit)
Chico: Perhsaps you should offer some insight or something...
Mike: Cash Explosion underwent a drastic host and set change in the past few years. Longtime host Paul Tapie and his longtime assistant Sharon Bicknell were let go and replaced by two 20/30-somethings, probably to get younger viewers since the lottery game show skews towards older folks.
Chico: I'm guessing something that has to do with that 18-49 myth from Joe Mello.
Mike: The hosts are horrible. In the Fall, Cash Explosion goes boom, to be replaced by a new show with host(s) unnamed.
Chico: Hopefully Jim Caldwell won't come calling.
Mike: Cash Explosion had a long run, starting in 1987. It's had an almost 20 year run. Its 20th anniversary would have been in February '07. The new show is called...Make Me Rich, Make Me Famous.
Jason B: Isn't that the title of Paris Hilton's latest porno?
Gordon: Yes, and she's starring with Evan Marriott.
Jason B: Ouch.
Chico: But Make Me Rich... That sounds like it's begging for a punchline.
Mike: One of the prizes on this new show is the opportunity to co-host the show. I can't see any of the senior citizens I see on Cash Explosion being a co-host, sorry. At least I got my two entry tickets in the mail before this announcement.
Jason B: Do you get a paying gig?
Mike: I don't know. It's co-host for a show. I'd hope a little jack goes with the territory. Even $5000. We'll see more details when the tickets go on sale in August, I believe.
Gordon: Next one...

Big Brother media hoes want to be rich - and apparently, CBS thinks that they can be famous too, as they move the show from Saturdays (slot of death) to Sunday

Jason B: Better move for CBS I think.
Chico: And a better set up for The Amazing Race.
Mike: Versus summer reruns, good move.
Chico: Totally.
Jason B: Very good.
Chico: I'm expecting something to happen on these nomination shows now that everyone will be watching.
Mike: Since I'm out of the BB loop, when does America start voting on who should return?
Chico: June 21. That's THIS Wednesday! Vote for George!
Mike: Chicken George, exactly.
Chico: Yay. Next up...

Also on CBS, Rock Star Supernova's premiere is inflated to 90 minutes.

Jason B: Oh boy.
Chico: One word... and I quote the 25th letter of the alphabet...WHY?!
Jason B: "Can we have a little game with our show?"
Gordon: You actually want a game with Supernova??!?
Jason B: No...but I hate this stretching bs.
Chico: If you are going to stretch out a show, make sure you know where you're going with it.
Jason B: right.
Chico: If you do a show that could easily be done in less time, then it's going to start sucking quickly. Idol knew this... They didn't stretch unless they absolutely knew that they could get away with it.
Gordon: I'm hoping they have 90 minutes worth of performances. If they can do that, then I'll be happy. If not, then...why bother unless you're just going to add Tidy Bowl before flushing it down the toilet?
Chico: Or liquid plumr, even. Next?
Gordon: Next one...

Ohhh....Caaaanadaaaaaaa....Canada has a whole bunch of new game shows coming up - including their version of Test the Nation.

Jason B: Hellooooooooooo, neighbor to the North
Chico: No Mark Walberg involved, I assume.
Gordon: Did Mark Wahlberg ever get fully loaded?
Chico: He could ... he was on Russian Roulette. That show was fully loaded (no pun intended) Who wants to get Fully Loaded, y'all?
Jason B: I do!
Chico: This time, we take you to the casino..

IGT has released its newest machine, Joker's Wild Slots.

Gordon: Whee!

Basically, it's the same game of knowledge-is-king-and-lady-luck-is-queen... but instead of knowledge, we have timing, as you control the spin reels.

Jason B: Nice.
Gordon: It joins game shows such as Price is Right, Let's Make a Deal, Pyramid, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Millionaire and Press Your Luck.
Mike: Hopefully Tic Tac Dough is the next show on their list.
Chico: In short, every game a game show/gambling aficionado could love.
Gordon: Do you think they'd make a Media Ho slot machine?
Jason B: All the money goes in...none comes out.
Chico: I betcha Donald, Martha, and a ho to be named later are on the reels. *plays Ludacris' "Area Codes"*
Jason B: (dances the 2 step)
Chico: Hodometer me, Gordon.

We start with a Media Ho cast call - we're looking for people who want to be a part of Set for the Rest of Your Life or Sabotage. Meanwhile, David Foster joins StarTomorrow, Greg Rice sues a hospital, Jerry Springer hosts a new UK game show called Aladdin's Cave, John O' Hurley gets to play Billy Flynn in Chicago, and we get a bunch of new hoes as...The Contender's cast is announced.

Chico: Among which, an old Contender resurfaces - Hellraza Fraza, who returned due to chickenpox. And the ho of the week?
Gordon: And the Media Ho for the week is....People's #1 Hottest Bachelor! Mr. Taylor Ho!!! I mean Hicks.
Jason B: SOUL PATROL!!!!!!!!
Gordon: Taylor is People Magazine's #1 Bachelor. Surprising?
Chico: Not really. People dig gray hair.
Gordon: How many 70 year old grannies have sent him love notes by now?
Mike: And I thought it was for the same reason Chico gave.
Chico: Look at Anderson Cooper.
Mike: Love notes saying how his hair is greyer than the granny's 75 year old hubby's?
Chico: Taylor, you earned this pimp cup.. :)
Gordon: And those...are your Hoes.
Chico: And because I love you. A quick Brainvision Bonus. Mark your calendars. Master of Champions, this Thursday. The One, July 18. Set for the Rest of Your Life: December. Okay, we're done. Shut it down.
Gordon: Shutting....what's this? Brie Cheese for the mice?
Jason B: Sorry, They were out of American.
Chico: mmmmm Brie... Okay, we're going to point a few fingers in a bit, but first, Gordon's got a new game that you should... or will... enjoy. This is WLTI, home of the million dollar guarantee... give us a million dollars, and we'll talk about whatever the hell you want.
Jason B: LOL

(Brainvision News has been brought to you by Masters of Bunions. Contestants compete to see who can have the biggest feet blisters. Sponsored by Desenex)

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE