It’ll be nice to have returning champions; having those contestants return last Thursday was great for the show. It’s a good thing when we get to see familiar faces on more than one show, especially when all three were just that (though decades in the making).
I don’t think it’ll work or be a great idea. I have to say returning champions (like the 80s original format) is not going to happen. Same goes for Match Game, $100,000, and Card Sharks (more on that later). The dilemma is that there are a handful of episodes annually and unless a contestant retires on the season finale, he or she would have to wait a while (the following summer) to defend the title. I wonder, however, if a contestant wins the Bonus Round if it would mean automatic retirement.
While I don’t see PYL having returning champions, I was referring to the version on television today. Now, if PYL ran daily (a la Family Feud), it should work. Half-hour shows, though. Even if the bonus round stayed intact. PYL could “borrow” from WOF (or some other gameshow(s)) and have a week full of nine contestants. 3 different ones on Monday – Wednesday, the winners of each game battle on Thursday, and then have your bonus round on Friday. Whatever happens, happens, but 9 new players the following week.
Given the success of ABC Fun & Games, it would be nice to see PYL, as well as Match Game, Pyramid & CS return to daily TV. Not just Family Feud, for reasons. Best of luck finding any space on the networks though! Of course, in addition to that long shot, the fact is those are all hosted by A-List folks, which, while great, there are only 24 hours in a day, 7 days in a week, and 12 months in a year