Game Show Marathon Report Card

The tape has been snapped, the confetti has been dropped, the trophy has been awarded, and the charity has been paid. Now, it's time for the Final Exam of "Game Show Marathon."

The subjects to be graded:
Ricki Lake
Rich Fields
Game Selection
Set Replication
Celebrity Choice
Individual Games
"History Class"
Editing
Rule Changes
Other

RICKI LAKE = B- (2.67) Ricki had a lot of enthusiasm for the show, and hosting these seven classic formats. I had a problem with that enthusiasm drowning out her ability to successfully host a show. I thought it would wear off at first, but it stuck with her from walking thru the Big Doors all the way to Fast Money.

RICH FIELDS = A (4.00) A masterful job, as always. He had some acoustical trouble, what with a studio that's shaped like a bowl, so a lot of post-production plugs had to be done. Don't fault Rich, fault the acoustics of Stage 46.

GAME SELECTION = A+ (4.33) Combining a show that's in syndication, five highly anticipated recreations of classic formats, and a retooling of a juggernaut, this was perfect.

SET REPLICATION = A (4.00) Oh...my...God. I think I uttered those words every night when the giant TV opened to reveal the classic set (albeit the "Price" set was a reproduction of the current set, not the classic set). Art and Electronics Departments, I salute you.

CELEBRITY CHOICE = C (2.00) While most names were recognizeable, I'm still scratching my head. Who IS Brande Roderick?

INDIVIDUAL GAMES = B (3.28)

THE PRICE IS RIGHT = C+ (2.33) Bad editing, a missing 2nd putt, a confusing (for some) Showcase Showdown, and an overly enthusiastic host made for a not good first night.

LET'S MAKE A DEAL = B+ (3.33) The show, as a whole, was enjoyable, and much like the original. Bringing in civilians for Tim's deal was a classy move. But, not having Rich come out with the trays and Ricki mugging with some of the products brought the grade down.

BEAT THE CLOCK = A (4.00) A wonderful adaptation of the Bud Collyer classic. Keeping the celebrities sequestered during the description of the stunt was a stroke of class. Also, with the show being a clip-fest, the grade was increased.

PRESS YOUR LUCK = A- (3.67) A light explanation of the rules during the game to the players drew away from the show. Also, not to fault the guys at FlashGames, but the cash slides on the board were lacking. The font for the original slides isn't that hard to get. However, this WAS "Press Your Luck," so I kept it in the A range.

CARD SHARKS = B+ (3.33) Good use of the classic theme all the way thru the show, and I loved seeing the dual turntable set. Also, I loved how they even incorporated the classic opening poem along with the four-way split screen. However, the cards should have been turned over a little faster and with more authority.

MATCH GAME = B+ (3.33) Although I didn't see the show all the way thru due to a power outage, I have seen clips and heard reports. That being said; the choice and placement of panelists was wonderful. Good to see Betty White in her old seat on the bottom tier. The REAL Rayburn microphone added brownie points to the show. However, Lance's poor performance took something away.

FAMILY FEUD = B (3.00) The players KNEW what they were doing! Plus points for that. Ricki yelling and pointing at the board CONSTANTLY! Minus points for that.

"HISTORY CLASS" = A+ (4.33) Excellent...all the way around.

EDITING = D (1.00) Editors, take a lesson from the director. Some shows have to have certain things included...LIKE A SECOND PUTT and EVERY PLAYER GETTING A DEAL!!

RULE CHANGES = C+ (2.33) Adjusting the Showdown rules, while it made sense to me, confused the general populous. Adjusting the max values on the Money Cards and the Super Match was cool. Not sure I liked the Audience Poll question in the middle of a Perry "Card Sharks" tribute...especially when played for a car. Increasing the dollar values on the "Press Your Luck" board was a nice touch.

OTHER = B+ (3.33) The home player aspect was good. Bringing in civilians on a couple of things was a nice touch.

OVERALL GRADE = B (3.127)

SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON A POSSIBLE GAME SHOW MARATHON 2:
1) Put Todd in studio and Ricki on the truck. The general populous like Ricki from her TALK SHOW days, and honestly isn't ready to be a game show host. Throwing her into 7 different formats with no prior game show experience was a tragic error in judgement.

2) A-List celebrities that actually want to be there. In my opinion, Kathy Najimy and Brande Roderick could have cared less if they were there. Evidence? Kathy was slumped over the Showcase podium, and Brande was "confused" about the trip to Australia. I would suggest, CBS, that you put your top stars in this tournament. My lineup for the next Marathon:

Jeff Probst - Jennifer Love Hewitt - Charlie Sheen
Kathryn Morris - Craig Ferguson - Victoria Rowell

3) Try to adapt the show to tape on Stage 33. It would be better for acoustics, and there is already a camera paddock at the back of the audience.

4) Perhaps a new game lineup, with some remaining the same. GSM2 Lineup:
The Price is Right
Let's Make A Deal
The $100,000 Pyramid
Sale of the Century
Tic Tac Dough
The Joker's Wild
Family Feud

with the necessary rule changes:

TPIR = Eliminate Bidder's Row. Have all 6 celebrities come right up to the stage to play a pricing game (a la Doug Davidson). Also, bring out pricing games that are easy to comprehend. Race Game and Hole In One may have been a little to advanced.

Pyramid = Since the contestants are celebrities, celebrity partners may not be needed. Simply pick people directly from the studio audience to partner with the celebrity contestants. Should they make it to the Winner's Circle, the civilian would win the cash.

TTD and TJW = Best of three match with "Dragon" and "Devil" for home players.

5) Timing, timing.........timing. Seriously, game shows are supposed to be faster paced. Don't drag on talking about who cares what. Play the game.

6) Don't spread the shows out. Game shows, in the traditional sense, as a rule, are stripped. Start it on a Monday night, and run it for a full week, ending on the following Sunday night. Ratings will increase. Look at the premiere week of "Deal or No Deal."

That's the end of my rant. Hopefully either GSM will be back, or PYL will be its own show again.