Every evening for much of the late,late seventies into the early chunk of the eighties(aka my childhood years)this show inhabited the 6:30 PM CST slot right before prime time. My family watched it faithfully,and it became sort of a regular to the point of complacency. I didn't watch the ABC daytime version of this show quite as often,since I was usually in school,but I'd catch this semi-routinely on my summer vacations--it didn't seem as fun as,say,"Press Your Luck","Sale of the Century" or "The Price is Right"--and enjoyed it,but when this quietly went off the air in June/July 1985,I don't think I gave it much thought and even kind of felt like it was probably meant to be escorted off the air.
Watching this in reruns on GSN has set me right.
Upon seeing these shows again(and I'm mostly referencing THIS version,though the 1988-94 Ray Combs hosted version was also very strong),I've actually become much more watchful of the style and savvy of host Richard Dawson,from the style of his wardrobe(often three-piece suits,perfectly cut and not a stitch out of place!)to his mannerisms and wit,as well as other elements(i.e. the pacing of the game,the types of survey questions,the answers,the way the contestants dressed,the attitudes toward physical space vis-a-vis the host,among other things).I've come to feel that,as hokey and out-dated that these shows are,there's still a fresh--dare I say---innocence and enthusiasm that seems to be lacking in much of what constitutes un-scripted entertainment,particular game shows.
I intend to enjoy these shows a lot more now in re-runs. The charm and comparative simplicity of this version of the show is priceless. The newer "Feud"s(particualrly much of the Louie Anderson and Richard Karn era)are pale shades of this show's inspiration and fun.
Watching this in reruns on GSN has set me right.
Upon seeing these shows again(and I'm mostly referencing THIS version,though the 1988-94 Ray Combs hosted version was also very strong),I've actually become much more watchful of the style and savvy of host Richard Dawson,from the style of his wardrobe(often three-piece suits,perfectly cut and not a stitch out of place!)to his mannerisms and wit,as well as other elements(i.e. the pacing of the game,the types of survey questions,the answers,the way the contestants dressed,the attitudes toward physical space vis-a-vis the host,among other things).I've come to feel that,as hokey and out-dated that these shows are,there's still a fresh--dare I say---innocence and enthusiasm that seems to be lacking in much of what constitutes un-scripted entertainment,particular game shows.
I intend to enjoy these shows a lot more now in re-runs. The charm and comparative simplicity of this version of the show is priceless. The newer "Feud"s(particualrly much of the Louie Anderson and Richard Karn era)are pale shades of this show's inspiration and fun.