hfan77 Along with Hollywood Squares, Match Game was one of the funniest game shows of the 1970s. The original version, which ran from 1962-69 was a more serious game with questions like "Name a cold drink" that would also turn up on the early revival episodes. But as the show evolved, the questions became more and more silly and that's one reason why the show became a hit.The other reason for the show's success was host Gene Rayburn, along with regulars Richard Dawson, Brett Somers and Charles Nelson Reilly who created a zany atmosphere around the double entendre responses to the questions. Rayburn was very funny imitating a senior citizen when reading an Old Man Periwinkle question.Unfortunately, the show began to jump the shark when Dawson became the host of Family Feud and became even more difficult to deal with, especially after the addition of The Star Wheel in the Head to Head Match. He would be the only regular to depart. Also, a time change from afternoon to late morning cost the show most of its after school audience, though it would return to the afternoon but it was too late. The show ran its course in daytime, only to stay on for three more years in syndication.Fear not, the reruns are alive, well and funny on GSN.

Blueghost It's not deep entertainment, but it's fun.There isn't the overly social restraint of the 1950s and early 1960s. Nor do the social norms of 70s Match Game fray with the trashy 90s (which lasts up until today). Having said that the humor is racy, but not raunchy nor otherwise disgusting. It's suggestive rather than explicit, and leaves the jokes to the imagination. Bodily functions are not spelled out for the media-challenged.The game tested the mental mettle of the contestants in a very simple game of matching thoughts and answers to very funny (sometimes challenging) questions and unfinished phrases. The contestants didn't need post docs, nor did they need to be hot young minds attending university. Nor did they need commercial oriented knowledge, but good common sense about how people.But the game would not have worked without the personalities of the late great Gene Rayburn, the supreme master of ceremonies, and his gaggle of irregulars :-) I don't know what made me think of this show, and hence the writing of this comment, but just out of curiosity I surfed You-Tube for some clips. Found them. And based on what I saw (and the laughter it invoked within me) I went and bought the best of DVD set. All I can say is I'm glad I did it, because not only did I laugh, but I was reminded that I actually saw the first few episodes of this show. And then when it changed time slots I never missed an episode :-) Yes, there may have been some staged and scripted moments, bu7t most of it was true live television with no finagling. But, even with those few scripted moments, the show still works for me. And, with a more mature and sharper mind, I happen to think that the re-runs of an old 1970s' TV game show is far more entertaining, far more stimulating, far more filled with wit, far more suspenseful (inspite of the low cash prizes, not adjusted for Jimmy Carter inflation) than most everything I've seen produced since 1989. And, for all the hooting and hollering that went on, Gene had control of both show and audience, and did it with a fun attitude and authority.The DVD set contains a lot of extraordinary moments, and mostly shows the winners. Which would be misleading if you weren't around to see the show when it first aired, because rarely did anyone win the "Super Match" contest, much less the bonus multi-thousand bonus round that followed.The other bonus about the DVD set is that it's Crystal-clear video. For those too young to remember TV aerials, even if you lived near a broadcast antenna, airplanes, sun-spot activity, storms, even road traffic, would and could distort reception. No longer, thanks to the good folks at Fermantle Entertainment and BCI.Buy this DVD set, and show your MATURE kids and grand kids how a game-show ought to be run :-) Enjoy!

BlackJack_B The Match Game shows of the 70's were a huge favorite of mine as a kid. Like "The Gong Show", I was allowed to watch this program as a kid despite the content of it being a little too "adult" at times, although I think it's much tamer than the crap that airs on FOX. It was a time, the 1970's, when everyone was much looser and there wasn't the hypocrisy and falsehoods of political correctness.Match Game was similar to games like "What's My Line". The contestant was given a phrase with a blank in it and he/she would give a response and try to see if they could get matches from the celebrities. Whoever won the game would then go into a bonus round where they could win various amounts of money (depending on the version of Match Game) where they just had to match the response of the celebrity they chose.Match Game was famous for their regular panelists. Richard Dawson wasn't just a comedian, he brought moments of arrogance, cockiness, and dry British wit that was so intriguing to watch. He may have not been a favorite of the regulars but the female contestants were in love with him. He was the guy who most of them chose as the one to match answers with in the bonus round before the celebrity wheel showed up. Of course, Brett Somers and Charles Nelson Reilly were awesome, too. Those two were a hoot. I also like Fannie Flagg; she was so out there.The real star of the show was always Gene Rayburn. The Master of Ceremonies; he always played it cool and collected. He was a gracious, friendly, entertaining, non-overbearing host. I liked his rich tone of voice and charm to make the contestants feel comfortable. I always enjoy watching Match Game on the Game Show Network; I kind of wish they'd dump most of their homegrown game shows like Cram, Lingo, and others (except Whammy) and show more 70's and 80's classics like Match Game. I think re-showing stuff like "Regis' Gig" and "The Weakest Link" isn't a good idea.

raysond GET READY TO MATCH THE STARS......................."Match Game" was without a doubt a grand staple of the game shows that were produced in the 1970's. When the show made its premiere on CBS-TV in the summer of 1973,the show quickly became a surprised hit and it was very successful against another celebrity oriented game show as well,"The Hollywood Squares",which was on a rival network. But the show will always be one of the classic game shows from that decade. The late announcer Johnny Olson and the perfect show host,the late Gene Rayburn were simply marvelous. Each episode will have contestants attempting to match six-well knowns to fill in the "blank" that was based on a mildly provocative question often with hilarious results from the panel of celebrity guests.The show made household names out of Brett Somers,Betty White,Charles Nelson-Reilly,Bill Daily,Fanny Flagg,Richard Dawson,and Bob Barker. The show also had contestants on the show as well who will make names for themselves as well including earlier segments which featured future talk-show host Jenny Jones and future actresses Marliu Henner,Joyce DeWitt, and Kristie Alley. The show also had some walk-ons to add a bit of spice to the show and help the contestants along as well including cast members from various CBS shows at the time appeared on Match Game when the show aired including the cast of "The Carol Burnett Show", "All In The Family" "MASH",and one that included the cast of "The Waltons",and "Good Times".Recently,The Game Show Network did a day-long marathon of this series and it brought back some grand memories. It amazes me to this day,that they don't make great game shows that this anymore since the only daytime game show still on network television today is "The Price Is Right",which has been on CBS for over 30 years and still going strong with Bob Barker!!! Gone are the those great game shows of the past which included "Gambit", "The Jokers Wild","Press Your Luck","Tattletales","Tic,Tac Dough". But still Match Game will always be a grand staple of which game shows were based from the golden age of the 1970's. Kudos to Gene Rayburn and Johnny Olson.