Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

[gamesurf]

Even if we're assuming the Hollywood Squares part is done competently--Match Game has already proven it can fill an hour timeslot by itself.

Why would ABC pay two production companies for two formats when they've already proven they can get a good hour of television from just one?

Would ABC be happy paying Alec Baldwin-sized amounts of money for a MG host only to have him sit on a panel for half of the show?

[imhomerjay]

They absolutely wouldn’t. The idea of reviving MGHS makes no business sense whatsoever.

[Roadgeek Adam]

It was just a poor idea in the concept of common sense and business sense. The fact that it lasted 9 months was incredible. Not sure I'd call it Mark Goodson's worst idea (Mindreaders might be), but it is up there.

Of course, we talk about the idea of TTD, TJW and Bullseye all having the  same format and causing a problem, Goodson's panel shows suffered from that. You could merge The Name's the Same, Make the Connection, and I've Got a Secret into What's My Line and still only have to produce 1 show instead of 4. (Of course, 3rd Degree did what Make the Connection should've.)

[imhomerjay]

Certainly Barry and Enright weren’t the only copycats. I mean...Battlestars was Hollywood Squares turned sideways. Not a whole lot of effort there.  
Agree totally the G-T panel shows were largely the same idea over and over.

[harrisburgpatv]

The fact that it lasted 9 months was incredible.

Was it because Santa Barbara wasn't ready quite yet, and they needed a placeholder? But yeah....9 months for that was amazing.

[blozier2006]

Was it because Santa Barbara wasn't ready quite yet, and they needed a placeholder?

That's exactly why it was on, and why it was created in the first place, from what I've read.

[Roadgeek Adam]

That's exactly why it was on, and why it was created in the first place, from what I've read.

It's stuff like that led to bombs like Give and Take (the game show). That show was there to fill time until the hour long Price was ready.

It is amazing how much the industry will spend on television shows that have near zero chance of ever succeeding.

[JhayPrice]

Jon Bauman was a total flop in this show. Peter Marshall expressed some desire on working with Gene as the HS host, but Goodson decided to go with Bowzer instead. Plus, Gene didn't like Jon AT ALL.

[blozier2006]

but Goodson decided to go with Bowzer instead.

NBC decided to go with Bauman. If Goodson had gotten his way, Gene Rayburn would've hosted the entire hour by himself.

[urbanpreppie0004]

Jon Bauman was a total flop in this show. Peter Marshall expressed some desire on working with Gene as the HS host, but Goodson decided to go with Bowzer instead. Plus, Gene didn't like Jon AT ALL.

After watching the shows, Jon Bauman could have been at least passable, but when you are saddled with a format like that one- no one could have saved it.

[Roadgeek Adam]

After watching the shows, Jon Bauman could have been at least passable, but when you are saddled with a format like that one- no one could have saved it.

Look at his performance on The Pop & Rocker Game, he is so much better in a musical format (being a member of Sha-na-na, it fit him well.)

[imhomerjay]

So much focus often seems to be on Bauman and the HS portion, but the MG portion was painful, even with Rayburn. It was just a poorly executed mishmash (except the theme). Facts of Life reruns might have been the better option.

[Roadgeek Adam]

So much focus often seems to be on Bauman and the HS portion, but the MG portion was painful, even with Rayburn. It was just a poorly executed mishmash (except the theme). Facts of Life reruns might have been the better option.

There's talk Gene had to do it kicking and screaming, but did host it like a complete pro despite that.

The better answer would've just been the two shows on their own.

[imhomerjay]

That also would have been better. Almost anything would have been.

[pricefan18]

Look at his performance on The Pop & Rocker Game, he is so much better in a musical format (being a member of Sha-na-na, it fit him well.)

I think he woulda done better too had he used his Bowzer character. Woulda added some edge, especially to the MG portion I think as a panelist.