Paula Deen at the bottom of the "Food Chain"?

Paula Deen is trying to bring a new syndicated game show to America called "Food Chain". Partnered with Zodiak USA. Food Chain is based on the popular Italian game Cuochi e Fiamme which returns for a fourth series in 2012 on network LA7. Each episode sees two amateur chefs compete against each other as they attempt to cook four dishes. In the meantime:




Source: BuzzerBlog

Family Game Night Fun

It's Father's Day, and not much going on and I haven't even covered this yet. There were rumors about the cancellation of Family Game Night, which were false. BuzzerBlog's Alex Davis had it confirmed it was a goner and it was a last minute decision to bring it back. However, The Hub did have a press release saying it is coming back. So, that should make people happy who are fans of the show. Here's the casting call for season 3.

Alex Davis: For whatever it's worth this was a last minute decision. I had it confirmed it was a goner. I was sent an email from a source on April 14th saying Hasbro went back and were, "attempts underway to save the show from a lot of different angles," and "Right now, nothing is certain either way." I was asked to keep quiet about it, though.

And it wasn't just me. Announcer Randy West, who is awfully reliable about this stuff as everyone knows, said just about three weeks ago, "While I don't know of any formal announcement, sadly, it appears that FGN will not be back, following a season that earned its host Todd Newton another well-deserved Emmy nomination." So again, sorry for the confusion, but this was confirmed to be cancelled but Hasbro found a way to bring it back and make it work. Not sure what the situation was which caused it to be cancelled (I'm going to guess budget), but it seems to be resolved.
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Source: Game Show Follies

Mike Richards to host GSN's "The Pyramid".

Price is Right executive producer and Beauty and the Geek host Mike Richards is going to host GSN's "The Pyramid".

“We are thrilled to have found a talent in Mike Richards, who not only has great hosting ability, but whose vast producing experience makes him an expert in all that is game show,” said Amy Introcaso-Davis, Executive Vice President of Programming and Development, GSN. “We feel Mike is the perfect choice to carry on the tradition of THE PYRAMID, one of America’s most beloved television franchises.”

“I am honored to join the GSN family as host of THE PYRAMID,” said Richards. “I was fortunate to work alongside Dick Clark for many years. Not only was he one of the most respected game show hosts of all time, but he served as my mentor and it’s an honor to follow in his footsteps. This is an iconic game show that I grew up watching. I’m looking forward to introducing viewers to this fresh new version.”

Last Month & Recently in Game shows In Review

We start off with The American Bible Challenge and Beat The Chefs coming sometime in August 2012. War of the Rose Sisters had a casting call. Not real sure if it's still going but, Click Here for the Info.

Also, The week of June 11 GSN is making some schedule changes. They already made some earlier, so I will mention those as well.

8:00am - Family Feud (Dawson)
9:00am - Password Plus
10:00am - The $100,000 Pyramid
11:30am - Chain Reaction
12:00pm - Jeopardy!
4:00pm - Catch 21 (June 11)
4:30pm - Catch 21
5:00pm - Family Feud (O'Hurley)
5:30pm - Family Feud (Karn)
6:00pm - Family Feud (Harvey)
6:30pm - Family Feud (Harvey)

Predicting the hosts...

The reason Marie Osmond's picture is there is, people on the GSN Forums are predicting who's going to host the GSN revival of The $100,000 Pyramid. Someone mentioned Marie Osmond so she could follow in Donny's footsteps. Someone mentioned Jerry Seinfeld, Arsenio Hall, Alfonso Ribeiro, Cat Deeley, etc...

I say, you can't predict who the host will be on these game shows. It's impossible most of the time. It's a miracle if someone actually guesses right. But very rare. It can annoy me when people keep guessing who hosts a game show. People just sit all day and try to think of names it seems.

Donny Osmond wasn't necessarily a bad host. I doubt GSN would get him but, it is a thought. Donny Osmond would be my only choice. No one else. I know I'd be wrong but, that's my ONLY guess. Not like other people who can guess all day long.

GSN and Pyramid

There's discussion going on the GSN Forums about The $25,000 Pyramid. Currently, GSN is running Donny Osmond's Pyramid at 10:30am ET. I find this ridiculous that GSN is doing this with Pyramid. Dick Clark's version is a classic and I would hate to see it go.

Right now, however, according to the GSN Online schedule, it lists The $25,000 Pyramid again on Friday from 7pm - 11pm ET. I have a gut feeling it will change. I've been wrong but this is riduclous the games GSN is playing with us. They are so unorganized and the network is run by monkeys who don't know what to do.

I am a little mad Donny's Pyramid is still on at 10:30am. It may be from 2002 but I still wouldn't consider it "classic" in this day in age still. Dick Clark just died and I feel this is disrespectful. How come GSN can't be a little more like TV Land. A network devoted to mostly classic shows and they still air shows  that people have passed away who starred on those shows. M*A*S*H, for example. Harry Morgan died in December. Some people mentioned TV Land in that thread to. I agree with them.

I made a schedule on the GSN boards this past weekend with no classics, though. It looked decent but, as long as the schedule looks decent, I don't have a problem with it. If you want to read stuff in that thread, CLICK HERE.

GSN Needs to improve? Part 2

Here's part 2 of my little weekend series how GSN needs to improve the weekends. I think if GSN started their programming at 6:00am ET, that would give time for some trivia classic shows because, those shows I wouldn't air during the day. One reason, trivia games from like the 60's, 70's and 80's, the problem with them is the questions are outdated.

GSN needs to improve? Part 1

It's a slow Saturday, so I'll just be talking about how GSN needs to improve with their schedule since, apparently according to their online schedule, they're taking off The $25,000 Pyramid with Dick Clark.

I say here's how GSN needs to improve with their schedule. And I'm trying to do what works with GSN. I watch their schedule, I might know. First, here's what I said on GSN's board just now:

Million Dollar game shows

There's a discussion on the GSN Forums titled "What If? -- The $1,000,000 Press Your Luck Hour?" Here's basically what I had to say about it.

I'm starting to hate million dollar game shows. Honestly. So therefor, I don't want a Million Dollar Whammy/Press Your Luck. Seriously, I sure liked it when a contestant was happy winning over 10,000 on a game show or 5,000 for that matter. Nowadays, 100,000 or 250,000 isn't so bad. Maybe even 500,000. On certain game shows, giving away 1,000,000 is good. But, that's beside the point. I don't want a new version of Whammy!/Press Your Luck.

Another Poster: Come on Phimat. If you had the choice of being on a $25,000 game show or a $1,000,000 game show, both with the same type of gameplay and both having an equal level of difficulty, I'm sure you would choose the latter. 

Come on, I would be just as happy with a $25,000 game show. But, you can do so much more with $1,000,000. I just think game shows nowadays are dumbed down in a way.

I just hate it people on game shows nowadays don't seem to be happy with what they win, they get greedy. People used to be happy with $5,000, $10,000, $25,000 or possibly $50,000. Maybe even $100,000, $250,000 or $500,000 but that's as far as I'll go.

Another Poster: Press Your Luck is just all luck, and I still doubt any network is going to recreate it, except GSN. With Whammy!'s ratings, I can see GSN reviving Whammy! between now and the next 10 years. If GSN were to revive it now, it would be cheaper than the 2002-03 version 

 I agree there, but GSN would somehow screw it up and air it a lot (like any other network does with their shows) and overdo it. But, it would be worth a shot, I think.

I hope I don't sound like a certain person that owns a blog called the Game Show Follies. But, I think you know my view on million dollar game shows now.

Which "Password" host fooled around more?

There's a thread on the GSN Forums asking this question. This is a good poll, I think.

I had to say Bert Convy because, Bert laughed and fooled around a lot as, Allen seemed kind of laid back, if you know what I mean. He laughed of course but, he just seemed kind of mellowed.

Poster #2:  Hmm...Bert also had more energy. 

 That too but, nothing against Allen of course. Allen is my favorite host of Password, I think.

Poster #3:  Judging by this scientific poll, Convy is a screw up. IMO, he was the bigger screw up on Password. His jokes weren't that funny and his incompetence (intentional or not, most likely forced) was pretty lame.
When he revealed the word, screwing up once is okay but, he did it several times. I'm surprised Mark Goodson Television productions didn't fire him for his embarrassments with that.
When Rip Taylor lost control on the set, Convy couldn't handle it and let it drag on. Not to mention, he took Taylor's wig and placed it on his own chest and claimed he has a hairy chest. Not funny. 

I agree his jokes weren't that funny. He sounded like a fake almost, no offense to Bert Convy's fans. But, honestly, I think he's okay.

Most people voted for Convy right now. Allen Ludden seemed like the more laid back type to me.

GSN: The world of games and prizes

Honestly, today is a slow news day for me so I will be talking about GSN's Oodles program. I think it has gone downhill since a few years ago. The prizes have gone downhill for sure. The games are fun but I've stopped playing for the time being until GSN can restock the good prizes.

I started a new group on Facebook called "Oodles for Nothing" a group to complain without getting in trouble. I'm speaking out right now. I emailed GSN and complained to them at a certain email address. Peter Blacklow, President, GSN Digital and Executive Vice President, WorldWinner. I think that's how it goes. It wasn't a form letter, he said he would pass it on and meet as a group to discuss it.

Hopefully they did. I've been with GSN since 2006. I'm a hardcore GSN fan. And, me, as well as many players are not happy with the direction GSN has turned. I'm not a complainer, just an outraged customer who states his opinion and tells it like it is.

GSN's Help team sucks. All they can do is write standard form messages. I won't stand for that anymore so I'm trying other email addresses. I can't stand their UnHelpful team.

Last GSN prize I bought actually, was GSN Oodles Lip Balm. I hope you outraged fans continue to speak out as well.

Dream Schedules

People on the GSN Forums make their own schedules in a thread. Some people, however, think that the purpose of the thread is to make a schedule that you think would give good ratings. I say, it's your dream schedule. I recently suggested ideas for the prime time block.

Bob Stewart passes away at 91

I'm sad to report, and I'm sorry I'm late to reporting the passing away of Bob Stewart. The creator of To Tell The Truth, Pyramid, Password, and The Price is Right. He died of natural causes. Just Sixteen days after Dick Clark, the host of Pyramid. Game show announcer Randy West announced the sad news, according to BuzzerBlog.

On a sort of related note, GSN will be airing Donny Osmond Pyramid next week at 10:30AM EST. For now, I hear this is just for next week.

Rest in Peace, Bob Stewart!

The British Are Better Than Us?

Alex Davis of Buzzerblog is a big fan of the british game shows and game shows overseas. I agree, they are better than the game shows nowadays  but I just don't keep up with the game shows overseas. If I was willing, I'm thinking about watching full episodes of overseas game shows and giving my review on them. I'm not sure about it because of other commitments but, We'll see what's in store.

The Hosting Feud

Since the original Family Feud with Richard Dawson in the 1970's, there have been a number of hosts of the Family Feud.

Ray Combs (1988 - 1994)
Louie Anderson (1999 - 2002)
Richard Karn (2002 - 2006)
John O'Hurley (2006 - 2010)
Steve Harvey (2010 - Present)

The reason for the titling of this post is, GSN airs a lot of Family Feud with Richard Karn and Steve Harvey. Just recently, a few weeks ago they added a 5pm hour slot for Steve Harvey and also recently they added an 11pm hour slot for Steve Harvey. John O'Hurley doesn't air much except on Monday's and Saturday's only. It's a shame. I wonder why GSN didn't expose John O'Hurley Feud more if they could? Just a suggestion.

Richard Dawson only airs once every Monday - Friday at 9:00am ET. It's a shame his version doesn't do great in another slot because, he was the original and that's my favorite version. I would like to see the ratings for the Family Feud Dawson marathon back on Christmas Day 2011.

It would be nice is Ray Combs saw the light of day. Next to Richard Dawson, he was my favorite too. It's a shame what happened to him. Maybe that's why he's not on GSN now and why it doesn't get decent enough ratings? But honestly, Karn, O'Hurley and Harvey are good enough for me as much as I'd love a little more Dawson. I like Family Feud regardless of who's hosting. Not a fan of Louie's hosting though, to be honest.

Smart Alec's

A certain host of a game show seems to "know it all". That's easy for anyone to think since he just has cards in front of him reading off the answers. The certain host I'm talking about is Alex Trebek.

Personally, I do like Alex. He is a good host but he just can act like a know it all on Jeopardy!. He says things like "obvious" to some questions. That's easy for him to say, come on. He reads cards, and he makes people think he knows it all it seems like. No offense to all. Alex is one of my favorites and a good host of the show as I keep saying but he doesn't need to talk like he's so "intelligent". No offense there either.

Wheel of Fortune on the other hand doesn't really involve smarts. Well, maybe it does because you have to try to know the puzzles and get them as fast as you can. Pat Sajak doesn't act like Alex though, I can't really speak much for him.

There is not a quiz show like Jeopardy! I don't think. It is such an intelligent show and good to learn from. Just get tired of the people who act like they know it all. No offense once again.

Pac Man

Pac-Man is a classic game. I want to talk about this game because a rewards site I am on called SwagBucks has new versions of the game now. One game is a sketched out version of Pac-Man and one is something completely different.

The sketch one is basically the same as the old game you know and love. The game is also now on facebook, though it has already been on Facebook. I am a huge fan of the classic video games and old games. I am a gamer, I like playing video games still, even the new systems.

This game is a classic, fun game! It's good to hear that the game is still living on. On Facebook, and on the SwagBucks site I'm on. Here's a blog post about the Pac-Man games!

Rerun abuse and Classic chit chat

Slow Sunday afternoon, so I'm going to be talking about rerun abuse. It is not a good thing, and on weekends is the time where lots of shows get rerun abuse. Certain shows that are more than enjoyable to watch and are "classic" type shows, like on GSN such as Lingo (Woolery), Chain Reaction, Whammy!, Family Feud (If not run into the ground like GSN does on Monday's and Saturday's.), etc...

Shows like Deal or No Deal, Who Wants to be a Millionaire? (Which at a time was rerun abused on GSN), 1 vs. 100, Million Dollar Password (However, I find that an enjoyable show), Lingo (Engvall, though that gets fair ratings, if GSN made a new season, I would say continue airing reruns), Catch-21 (Same applies. Get new episodes, it's done well) and the list goes on and on. Though, I do enjoy Catch-21 still. All those shows could stand to go.

Then you might ask, what will GSN air in their place? Well, GSN should really try to acquire fresh, new shows and new episodes of classics. Young people like classics, from what I heard on the press release about the $25,000 Pyramid tribute. The ratings for that increased 35% or something like that. Classics that don't involve outdated trivia questions like Tic Tac Dough, Blockbusters, The Joker's Wild, etc... I actually enjoy those old trivia game shows but, those questions on those shows are outdated and the shows get low ratings. Tic Tac Dough when it aired on GSN, bombed.

Card Sharks (Perry) did well at 10:00am Monday - Friday when it aired. It wouldn't kill GSN to expand time on classics, either. Get new classics, fresh episodes too and you're set. Classics are good for 8am - 2pm ET at least on Mon - Fri since that's the time frame when the older generation watches. Although, I'd like classics to expand from 8-3pm but still. Either way.

Classics have proven to do well. They made the network where it got today. But, my whole point is rerun abuse is not good. If GSN wants to revive a show like Deal or No Deal or any of those shows mentioned above, I wouldn't care one bit. 1 vs. 100 should be brought back again. The remake did fairly okay ratings. GSN needs to do something to stop rerun abuse on shows. All networks should. Rerun abuse is NOT a good thing.

I almost forgot to mention Family Feud a little more. GSN has been running Karn/O'hurley and Harvey into the ground for some time and it's getting old. This is one of my favorite game shows but GSN should massively cut down on this show and cut block scheduling. So, if GSN cut back on it, GSN should air it Weekdays: 4pm, 4:30pm, 5:00pm, 5:30pm, 8:00pm, 8:30pm. Weekends: 3:00pm, 3:30pm, 5:00pm, 5:30pm, 11:00pm, 11:30pm. I'm talking about Karn/O'Hurley and Harvey, by the way.

Older is better? Hmm, if you say so.

Note: This is not a "hate" post.

Many of you on the GSN Forums are probably getting tired of a certain user always saying we think "older is better". That is a bunch of crock. I'm sure people don't think that. People will probably watch newer game shows to. I love older game shows but, I for one don't think "older is better" like this person does.

This person runs a blog, like me where he just cross posts stuff from the GSN Forums or another website and posts it on his blog. Some of it isn't very positive, some of it is but not the point! He is getting a little annoying with his crock and I'm going to cross post my own stuff:

That 90's Show

Has anyone noticed how GSN airs mostly game shows from the 70's, 80's, and 00's? I saw a post by a person on the GSN Forums mentioned that and I noticed it too.

From what I see, Who Wants to be a Millionaire? is the only 90's show GSN airs. Late 90's that is. GSN could be showing more from the 90's and air it on weekends maybe. Greed (Also late 90's), Match Game (90's) and probably more. There are a lot of game shows from every decade GSN could show. They just don't want to spend the money or anything like that.

Honestly, I wish GSN would get rid of Regis Philbin's Millionaire. It's old and stale by now. What GSN should do if possible is acquire the 10th Anniversary edition and maybe re-show Meredith Vieira's Millionaire. There are some good 90's game shows GSN could show. And some good ones from early in the 2000s. GSN had documentaries Play It Back: 70's, 80's and 90's GSN should do one for the 2000s now.

Some people would probably say 90's had some lame shows, not to speak for any of you but, I'm just saying. 90's though, I admit, was probably when game shows started to "suck" so to speak.

50 Cent's Blackjack

Today I'm posting about a game. Rapper 50 Cent and GSN Digital teamed up to bring you a new game called 50 Cent's Blackjack. (By the way, I'll say this is probably old news but I wanted to post about it.)

Here's what GSN says:

Drunkin' Host

It's a slow Sunday afternoon of course. Weekends are probably going to be the slowest all the time. That's why I might give my opinion on some of these old stories, like this one when Pat Sajak admitted he was drunk on Wheel of Fortune.

I got a video I'm going to show you in case you aren't familiar, but I'm sure all game show fans should be aware, it was somewhat all over the news. I don't think it was exactly "all over" the news. I heard about it some on CNN and on ABC News.

I don't know if this sounds strange of me to say but, somehow I'm not surprised. Someone like Pat Sajak getting drunk with a hostess like Vanna White. I hope this doesn't sound too strange of me to say, I'm just saying.

Here's the video:

George Lopez "Takes You Out"

Buzzerblog reports George Lopez will host FOX's new dating game show "Take Me Out". The Fox show invites 30 single ladies, the Flirty 30, to fight over a single guy through various rounds.

To me, George Lopez has changed a lot since George Lopez, I think. He's not very funny anymore, I think he's very foul mouthed from one show I saw. I wonder how they came across a decision to bring George Lopez to host this show.

The UK version, on ITV, is hosted by  Paddy McGuinness. I don't have much to say about it obviously. The weekend is usually slow so, that's why I'm posting this now.

Hippity Hop

This is old news sort of, but MTV2 is reviving Hollywood Squares but giving it a different name, Hip Hop Squares. I do agree, it is an interesting name for a game show for today's generation and for MTV. MTV though, stopped being MTV when they stopped showing music videos. I am not a fan of MTV and I do not support any shows on there anymore. Honestly, all their shows are trash and I predict Hip Hop Squares will be trashy.

Celebrities include: Nick Cannon, DJ Khaled, Fat Joe, Mac Miller, Machine Gun Kelly, “Jackass” crewmember Bam Margera, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley and Wu-Tang’s Ghostface Killah.

There is some discussion on the show going on the GSN Message Board. Some people say it will flop, like me. I don't support MTV so I won't watch it. I found a comment on the message board really appealing just now.

 Yeah, THIS show has a lot of potential...

"Fiddy, did you smack your beyotch today?"

"I agree"

"Circle Gets The Square".

You know, it's disheartening that I'd actually want Bergeron or Davidson squares vs. this show which sounds like a gargantual pile of (s-bomb). 

Honestly, as much as I do like Peter Marshall Squares, I happen to be a fan of Tom Bergeron's Squares more over Davidson's. But Honestly, I would take either. You pretty much know my opinion on this now.

And also, honestly, I think the GSN Forums are starting to turn into a huge joke. I'll discuss there but, I'm just saying, people on there seem to just be rude half the time. Starting to get tired of that place but, heck, I'm still there so what am I complaining about? I could just play games and chat with friends for all I care. I'll just mind my own business and get along with others. That's all I can do I guess. I'm sorry if you're from the GSN Forums reading this and I offended you but, just saying how I feel. Thanks.

The Year was 2002

We've approached a milestone. Whammy! had it's 10th Anniversary on April 15th. This year it's time to look back at what great GSN Originals GSN used to have. Friend or Foe?, Russian Roulette, and Lingo. Over the years though GSN has produced great originals. Until now, In my opinion.

Buzzerblog did a nice post on Whammy for its 10th Anniversary. Though, it would've been nice if they did a post including all game shows from 2002. That was a good year for GSN, I think in originals. I started watching GSN in 2006 but I heard a lot of good about 2002. You just can't beat those old originals, in my opinion.

Back to Whammy, though. There were some posts on the GSN Forums about Whammy and a couple polls (One which I created). http://www.gsn.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4895&page=1 is the link to the "Whammy turns 10" thread.

Paying tribute...

Dick Clark passed away today at age 82. He hosted American Bandstand, went on to host Pyramid and hosted New Year's Rockin' Eve every year.

GSN is going to be paying tribute to Dick Clark also, surprisingly but kind of not surprisingly because GSN has been doing good ratings with The $25,000 Pyramid. GSN says...

Washed up

Howie Mandel is going to host a new NBC game show called "White Elephant". 7 episodes of the series have been ordered. The reason for the topic of this post is I mentioned how Howie is washed up. It all started with someone saying "Your favorite game show host of all time" and then I said "What?!"

My post: Honestly, there are other great game show hosts. No offense, Howie is washed up, that is probably a reason he's going to host this. In my opinion, nowadays they will always get washed up hosts mostly. Rarely will we get someone that comes close to decent.

My favorite game show hosts are Pat Sajak, Gene Rayburn, Richard Dawson, Bob Eubanks and Peter Tomarken, honestly I can could on and on probably but those are my main favorites.

Another Poster: What in the HELL?
That's gotta be one of the dumbest things I heard. Apparently, you forget that he is a judge on AGT and he also has a show on FOX with flash mobs or some crap like that. Plus, he entertains crowds with his stand-up act.

Pretty good for a washup. 

 Well, other than those he is pretty much washed up. Mobbed is trash. America's Got Talent I have nothing to say about. The acts suck, IMO.

Off Subject: I also asked "Is everyone a foul mouth around here?" Because, and I'm no fuddy-duddy, I've seen some foul mouth's on there. "Hell" is not a bad word but still. No need for that crap.

Losing

Don't you hate it when the champions lose on these game shows? Well I was watching an episode of Family Feud on GSN just now and saw the champs lose. I bring this up because someone brought this up in GSN Chat room.

If they are actually good at the game and give good answers and don't fool around and tick me off, then I will say they were great players and would've been nice to see them play longer. If they weren't really worth watching, I could just say "forget it". Family Feud is probably my favorite game show. It's a fun show to play along with. Losing is just part of life, I understand that but it is just kind of sad. Like if I watch others of my favorite game shows such as Match Game, Card Sharks, Jeopardy! or the old version of Press Your Luck and the list goes on...

I will say, however, it is nice to get new champions on these shows instead of watching the same over and over because that can get tiring but, Sometimes it can be fun watching the same champion play over and over!

What's My Blog?

Well, I'm not really a game show "fanatic" if you will, but I do like to blog about game shows and post my ideas, reviews, opinions, etc... I used to watch the Game Show Network (GSN) a lot when I started watching in 2006 when GSN. I still watch GSN occasionally, just not as much. When I am not watching GSN, I watch TV Land or Me-TV. Or when I'm not watching TV I'm on my tread mill.

I like decent game shows. If you make a game show decent and not trashy, it's good. That's my opinion there. My favorite classic game show is Family Feud, My favorite current game show is also Family Feud. It's a decent, family oriented game show.

Hope you like what I have to say here!