Strike it Rich (But it falls short)

Since my hiatus, Buzzr announced that the short lived yet long forgotten series Strike it Rich hosted by Joe Garagiola that some episodes would be available for streaming on Amazon Prime (they have several other titles, both on and off the network). Although it took some time to get on there, they're finally there. Prior to that I watched the premiere episode of the show. I have to say I was actually kind of let down by the show. It's not bad by any means (meaning I'd choose it over Louie Anderson's Family Feud or Supermarket Sweep in an instant), but it's kind of a dull show. It just wasn't terribly exciting. And the play along factor (except in the bonus game) is mostly absent. So needless to say, I'm not too excited about this one. And it's a shame, mainly because I enjoy Joe Garagiola. Two of his previous shows (He Said, She Said and To Tell the Truth) he did very well at. I feel this game wasted his talent. Oh well. Oldies fans, I hope you enjoy this to your hearts content.

Clutching Pearls

I'm back after a two week hiatus. I've been very busy. I have to say the last week of GSN's panel shows were awesome. But more on that at a later time.

Yesterday, Buzzr ran a large Blank-a-thon featuring 2 1960's episodes, several 1970's episodes, and a few of the Alec Baldwin reboot. I caught a few episodes. Match Game 77 got a couple of episodes (that aren't in the GSN rotation), as well as Match Game PM making its official debut on the network. I of course enjoy the 1973-1982 versions of Match Game. It's my favorite game show of all time (and one of my favorite television shows). And as a collector, I always enjoy seeing more versions surface on Buzzr (and GSN when it occurs). And I of course gratefully welcome Match Game PM to Buzzr.

Now there are many purists out there in the game show community who get really (and I mean really) bent out of shape when you cut out anything, speed it up, or what not. Recently for many Buzzr shows, they have been removing the fee plugs from many of their shows. You know those little ads for Adolph's Ready Crust or Good Humor Ice Cream? Or any other product that's now obscure? Yep. And on many oldies boards there are many people pissing and moaning to Buzzr that on last night's broadcasts of Match Game PM their beloved fee plugs were edited out of the broadcast. No seriously, there are some people that are clutching their pearls over this thing which really doesn't even qualify as a travesty. One person said "you screwed up." Another one said "you're losing a one time fan." And one person even hilariously suggested that "You're losing viewers because you've gotten to be another game show network as they started cutting out plugs in the late 1990s like 1998 or 1999 and you're doing the same thing and not listening so i suggest you stop cutting out plug fees stop taking game show network's side and do not start crunching out credits or plug fees and do not start airing Harvey Feud or you're gonna get what game show network has gotten is you will lose viewers and no one will watch your channel anymore so don't start doing what game show network does or your'e gonna get what game show network has gotten is lose viewers and you will lose me as a viewer and i won't watch your channel anymore." Of course while GSN is not an oldies network anymore, it's doing really well in ratings, whether or not you're head is stuck in the sand.


Now, to be fair, the edit was a little sloppy in which after Gene said goodbye, Johnny Olson said "some" and then it cut to the final credits. But it's not something to lose any sleep over. But if someone wants to get all bent out of shape and stop watching Buzzr and throw a massive "I want my fee plugz" fit, go right ahead.

However, the reality is, they're just fee plugs. If Buzzr decides to keep them in (or even show mid-show ones), I won't complain. They're kinda cool, but if they're not there, it doesn't bother me in the least bit.

EDIT: Today's Tattletales broadcast (January 7, 2019) has the mid-show plugs in them. I like the background music.

My Thoughts on the Buzzr Changes

Well, I wanted to share my thoughts of what I think of the upcoming Buzzr schedule changes. First the departing shows. I've very much enjoyed having The Name's The Same and Collyer's Beat the Clock on the network for the last year. I'm a little saddened that they underperformed but oh well. At least we got them. I'm not that saddened that Combs Feud is getting the boot. I've always felt a little meh about his version. I'm not sure if he'll be back considering Feud on Buzzr in general is waning away. I do enjoy Celebrity Name Game a lot, and have wondered why they've just been running the same 50 episodes over and over. 'Twas nice having it.

For the new shows, I'm going to go on record by saying I cannot stand Temptation. I remember watching it as a kid and thinking it sucked. I hadn't seen the original $ale at that time. I have however come to love the original show. I am very, very excited to see Match Game PM make its debut on the network. I don't know why they're starting in the middle of season 4, but I'm glad to finally see it again. I'm very excited for that. It's also good to see the original versions of What's My Line? and To Tell the Truth return. That should keep the purist wackos in check for awhile.

It looks like Family Feud in general is making its way out in general, being banished to the 8:00am hour. I guess the old Feud doesn't have its appeal anymore. Oh well, it's still here. I also find it interesting Card Sharks with Jim Perry, Password Plus and Sale of the Century are gaining additional spots on the schedule. They seem to be strong performers on the network. Or with each of these, they make nice little blocks such as a Password block in the afternoon. They're good shows, so I'm okay with this.

I'm looking forward to fresh episodes of To Tell the Truth and What's My Line?. My guess is now that these are in the mornings, they'll not edit them as much (the only thing that bothers me is the cut panel intros on What's My Line?). Plus we may now get into the 1975 episodes of Tattletales. A little Classic Concentration is exciting as well. So there's a lot of fresh stuff to look forward to.

Weekends don't see any changes. Meaning Now You See it and Blockbusters keep their spots.

It looks like I'm gonna have some viewing fun on Buzzr this winter. I like these changes.

Betty White Christmas Starts This Week

TV's greatest game show player is getting a lot of airtime on Buzzr this upcoming week. Buzzr is doing its 4th annual Betty White Christmas this week. So here's how this will play out this week:







Match Game 74 will air in the 11:00am-1:00pm block. The 11:00am spot for the week will be episodes #131-#135. The 11:30am spot for the week will be episodes #161-#165. The 12:00pm spot for the week will be episodes  #176-#180. The 12:30pm spot for the week will be episodes #201-#205. Most of these will be repeated during the weekend block.

Match Game 76 will air in the 5:00pm-7:00pm block. The 5:00pm spot for the week will be episodes #686-#690. The 5:30pm spot for the week will be episodes #701-#705. The 6:00pm spot for the week will be episodes #716-#720. The 6:30pm spot for the week will be episodes #731-#735. These will repeat in the late night block, and a few during the weekend block. Check the source code for those.

Password Plus will air the May 21-25, 1979 week throughout the week, featuring Betty & John Phillip Law.
Super Password will air the June 3-7, 1985 week throughout the week, featuring Betty & Vicki Lawrence.
Tattletales will air the August 1974 with Betty & Allen, Scoey Mitchlll, and more.

On Christmas eve, Buzzr will feature Betty in primetime with and hour of Password Plus at 8:00pm, Tattletales at 9:00pm, and Match Game 75 at 10:00pm. 

On Christmas day, it's all the Betty White and Match Game 74, 75 & 76 you can handle, all broadcast day.

This should be fun!