User:Daniel Benfield/Singles and Doubles Collection

I was thinking of ideas for Video Archives, and it hit me: there's a lot of shows out there which have one or two episodes around. The Internet Archive has a "Singles and Doubles Collection" for radio shows, so why not do a similar page for TV game shows?

For the record, my limit for this page will probably be around five episodes, represented in whole or in part. This will also include pilots, whose listings will simply be copies from my pilot-related subpages, with stuff from the "Not-For-Broadcast" Theatre thrown in as bonuses.

This will not include shows owned by Sony (see User:Daniel Benfield for the reasons there), nor any shows that already have subpages (including, but not limited to, The Neighbors and Second Chance).

LEGAL STUFF SO I DON'T GET SUED: I'm only linking to these videos, none of which were uploaded by me, for the purposes of research and as a public record. All footage is copyrighted by their respective copyright holders, and I'm using that wording because there's way too many of them to list here.

3 for the Money
NBC Daytime: September 29 - November 28, 1975 (40 episodes)

Proof that this network had no clue what it was doing sometimes: this great show got canned in two months, but The Magnificent Marble Machine was allowed to stagger on well into '76.

No shows aired the week of November 3-7.


 * September 29, 1975 (Premiere: Linda Kaye Henning/Tony/Dona vs. Dick Gautier/Kim/Art, Game 1; studio master! {alternate copy of intro})


 * November 14, 1975 (#30: Barbara Feldon/Chris/Carroll {$4,300} vs. JIM McKRELL/Danette/Darryl {$4,100}, Game 5 {taped 10/31/75}; studio master!)
 * [While Spiegel is mentioned (the losing players each get a $1,000 gift certificate), it's never given its own plug.]

50 Grand Slam
NBC Daytime: October 4 - December 31, 1976 (65 episodes)

Ralph Andrews' attempt to bring the 1950s-style big-money quiz to the 1970s.


 * October 4, 1976 (Premiere: Sister MarthaAnn vs. David in American Women, Lee vs. Marge in Golf {which doesn't go too well}, Carolyn vs. Bonnie in General Knowledge {Parts 3, 4, and 5}, with Allen Ludden making an appearance to promote Stumpers!; taped from KNBC, with a Contestant Plug!)


 * December 31, 1976 (Finale: Duane {for $500} vs. Terri in General Knowledge: Prominent Members of the Clergy, RoseLee {for $500} vs. Bonnie in 20th-Century American Fiction, [winner of first game] vs. Lanny in General Knowledge: Flowers, Randy {for $1,000} vs. Dusty in TV Trivia: Maverick {Parts 3, 4, and 5})
 * [Tom notes that since this is the last show, no money is at risk and anything won is kept. "See you Monday on Name That Tune!"]

100 Grand
ABC Primetime: September 15-29, 1963 (3 episodes)

At attempt at bringing big-money quizzes back just three years after the scandals ended, with more focus put on making sure it was "rig-proof" than making sure it was interesting to watch. Heck, even the host (Jack Clark!) thought it was boring and was glad it was canned quickly, referring to it as a "stiff show".

Television Obscurities has a great rundown of the show's history here.


 * 1963 (Promo, from ABC's Fall Preview)
 * September 15, 1963 (Intro of the Premiere; audio only)

Dealer's Choice
Syndicated, Daily: January 21, 1974 - December 12, 1975 (taping began in 1973)

Originally hosted by Bob Hastings, who apparently talked way too much (requiring a bunch of edits). That wouldn't necessarily be a "get out"-worthy issue...except that he once told a severely-trailing player they didn't have "a Chinaman's chance". Yeah.

The show was originally produced by Odyssey Productions and syndicated by Les Wallwork and Associates. By the time Jack Clark became host, it was produced by Fishman-Freer and syndicated by Columbia Pictures Television.

Jack Clark

Las Vegas
 * 1974 (Janet/Mel/Terry {alternate copy of some portions, edited down as a pitchfilm})
 * [Spiegel catalog shown at 6:35 of Part 1 is the Spring/Summer 1974 one. At one point, Jack introduces the "Dealer's Choice A's", a baseball team who went undefeated (although I can't find any info on them).]

Los Angeles
 * 1975 (#301: Marilyn/Carolyn/Kate; studio master with slate, video issues at times {particularly during credits})
 * [Spiegel catalog shown at 14:55 is the Spring/Summer 1975 one. One prize is tickets to see The Stepford Wives (released 2/12/75), starring Katherine Ross and Paula Prentiss.]

Everybody's Talking!
ABC Daytime: February 6 - December 29, 1967

ABC's last daytime show produced in black-and-white.

Originally, the announcer was Wink Martindale. Around late June, when he left to do Dream Girl of '67, he was replaced by Charlie O'Donnell.

At some point early on, the format was altered to be have celebrities playing for home viewers, possibly the first instance of a game show trying this. (Unsurprisingly, it didn't work.)


 * February 6, 1967 (Premiere: Geri/Mike/Pat, with Bob and Bonnie playing later {alternate copy of intro})

Funny You Should Ask!!
ABC Daytime: October 28, 1968 - June 27, 1969

A celebrity panel was given a dilemma-type question and shared their thoughts, after which the players had to match a given answer to the celeb who gave it.


 * January 1969 (Noel Harrison, Nanette Fabray, Jim Backus, Jan Murray, Donna Jean Young; intro and clips mostly involving Noel, B/W video)


 * March 24, 1969 (Glenn Ford, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Stu Gilliam, Jim Backus, Martha Raye {Part 2}; Susan vs. Nick, with the Funny Money Jackpot starting at $4,400!; has commercials, B/W video)
 * [Spiegel catalog shown at 6:15 of Part 1 is the Spring/Summer 1969 one.]


 * April 1969 (Dean Jones, ROSE MARIE, Stu Gilliam, Marty Allen, Meredith MacRae; Rita vs. Jake, with the Funny Money Jackpot starting at $1,100; has commercials, B/W video that's a bit pixely and bright)
 * [Spiegel catalog shown at 6:35 is the Spring/Summer 1969 one. Includes that day's Children's Doctor presentation.]

The Generation Gap
ABC Primetime: February 7 - May 23, 1969 (16 episodes, taped January 26 - May 7)

Great quiz that pit the "older generation" against the "younger generation" 15 years before Trivia Trap. Probably better known as the show that brought Jack Barry back to hosting on national television, though.

Dennis Wholey (through 4/11/69)

Originally, all six contestant podiums had solid-color bases, and they were all the same color. By March 14, the standard look debuted (red-on-yellow for the adults, yellow-on-red for the teens).


 * February 7, 1969 (Premiere: Nancy/Thomas/Jane Henesy vs. David Henesy/Sue/Victor {taped 1/30/69}; Special Guests: The Ohio Express, Bill Kenny; has commercials {alternate copy of some portions})

Standard contestant podiums (began by 3/14/69)
 * March 14, 1969 (#6: Mrs. O'Brien/Hugh O'Brian/Mrs. Stone vs. Chris/Jon/Paul Levine {taped 3/5/69}; Special Guests: Pinky Lee {about a decade after he stopped being relevant}, The Brooklyn Bridge; intro, player interviews, and Pinky's portion only {alternate copy of intro})


 * March 28, 1969 (#8: Mrs. Morgan/ORSON BEAN/Barbara Cowsill vs. Bob/Cathie/Tony {taped 3/20/69}; Special Guests: Del Reeves, The Classics IV, Katherine Raht, Jonathan Frid {as Barnabas Collins!}; intro and Frid's portion only)
 * April 4, 1969 (#9: Jonathan Frid/Mrs. Mundy/SOUPY SALES vs. Tony Sales/Ruth/Andy {taped 3/20/69}; Special Guests: Chubby Checker, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Renzo Cesana; montage, centered around Frid)

Get the Message
ABC Daytime: March 30 - December 25, 1964 (taped at the Elysee Theater in New York City)

Another Password variant by Goodson-Todman, this time with teams of two celebrities and one contestant.

Frank Buxton
 * April 9, 1964 (Peggy Cass, Phyllis Newman, Orson Bean, Howard Keel {taped 3/13/64}; Ellen vs. Wilson; taped from GSN)
 * May 1, 1964 (Ann Sothern, Nancy Dussault, Abe Burrows, Daryl Hickman; Barbara vs. Al; has commercials {alternate copy of intro})

Robert Q. Lewis (began 9/28/64)
 * December 25, 1964 (Finale/Celebrity Special: Arlene Francis, Barbara Cook, Marty Ingles, Douglas Fairbanks; Joan Fontaine vs. Mitch Miller, with Julia Mead and Orson Bean appearing later; taped from GSN)

Give-N-Take
CBS Daytime: September 8 - November 26, 1975 (58 episodes, taped at The Burbank Studios)

There's really not much to this format, plus it had a dark set in an era of bright colors/pastels. Television Obscurities has a print ad for the debut here.


 * September 26, 1975 (#0015 {taped 9/19/75}: Gina/Susan/Judy/Ann {Part 2, Part 3}; has slate and Ticket Plug, video quality is about average)
 * [Judy was later on The $1,000,000 Chance of a Lifetime.]

Hot Seat
ABC Daytime: July 12 - October 22, 1976 (taped at ABC Television Center in Hollywood)

The show that replaced Let's Make A Deal was, basically, televised lie-detector tests.


 * July 1976 (Debut promo, with clips of the pilot)


 * July 12?, 1976 (Premiere?: Fred & Debbie vs. Jeff & Susan {Part 3, Part 4}; has some commercials, intro missing, average video)
 * [Spiegel catalog shown at 4:33 of Part 3 is the Fall/Winter 1976 one.]

I'll Bet
NBC Daytime: March 29 - September 24, 1965

Fun little game where celebrities determine whether their spouse can answer a given question.

NBC affiliates revealed after the game
 * September 6, 1965 (Denise Darcel & Bob Atkinson vs. Robert & Nancy Culp; has commercials, first five minutes only {alternate copy of intro})
 * [Robert is plugged as being from "NBC's new series I Spy", which would debut on 9/15.]

It's Your Bet
Syndicated, Daily: September 29, 1969 - September 7, 1973

While I'll Bet ran just six months, the revamp ran four seasons, albeit only on NBC affiliates. Also well-known for having a revolving emcee door.

Hal March
 * September-October? 1969 (Michael & Patricia Callen vs. Jan & Toni Murray; studio master, intro only)

Tom Kennedy
 * November 5, 1969 (#28: Lyle & Sharon Waggoner vs. Imogene Coca & King Donovan {taped 10/21/69}; studio master with slate!)
 * [At this point, Tom is simply filling in for Hal.]

Knockout
NBC Daytime: October 3, 1977 - April 21, 1978

Good show that might have run longer if NBC hadn't put it up against Family Feud.


 * October 3, 1977 (Premiere: Begins with Kacy/Jes/Stella; audio only)
 * [Winning five games awards a Chevy Chevette four-door hatchback.]
 * Early 1978 (Maxine/Jack/Anita, continued from last time; has a Ticket Plug, ends during sponsor list)
 * [Winning five games awards a Ford Fairmont. Arte mentions "tomorrow" when signing off.]

Musical Chairs (1975)
CBS Daytime: June 16 - October 31, 1975

Pretty obscure, but holds an important place in genre history as the first game show hosted by an African-American (Adam Wade). Also might have inspired the "Off the Air" segments of Remote Control.


 * September 11?, 1975 (Carole/Steve/Ronnie/Gerri; Special Guests: Irene Cara, Mary Stuart, The Spinners; audio is kinda bad {alternate copies, better audio: intro, montage of Irene Cara})

Namedroppers
NBC Daytime: September 29, 1969 - March 27, 1970

An interesting inversion of To Tell The Truth: one person with three stories.


 * March 26, 1970 (Bob Cummings, Ruth Buzzi, Bob Newhart; Name Droppers: Ward, Tina; intro and a round of Tina's gameplay)

Number Please
ABC Daytime: January 31 - December 29, 1961

Goodson-Todman show based around hangman, where to win you have to solve your puzzle and your opponent's. For whatever reason, just one episode seems to exist.


 * May 1961 (Begins with Katherine Secord vs. Helen DeWitt; taped from GSN {alternate copy of intro, from original broadcast})

Pay Cards! (1968)
Syndicated, Daily: September 9, 1968 - September 5, 1969 (260 episodes)

The first iteration of the poker-based game, with a celebrity guest each week.


 * June 26, 1969 (#209, taped 4/22): Paul/Celeste Holm/Jack, with Art plugging the home game {taped 4/22/69}; studio master with slate!)
 * [Credits refer to the show as "Orange Series".]

Spin-Off
CBS Daytime: June 16 - September 5, 1975 (60 episodes)

Yahtzee-esque game that really deserved a longer run.


 * 1975 (Compilation of clips, with narration that suggests this is a pitchfilm)
 * September 4, 1975 (Martin & Becky {$625} vs. Alden & Donna, continued from yesterday with the champs having 2-2-3-6-2; audio only {alternate copy})

Stumpers!
NBC Daytime: October 4 - December 31, 1976 (65 episodes)

Lin Bolen's first game show under her own production company, with Allen Ludden hosting.


 * October 4, 1976 (Premiere: Dick Gautier & Robert Reed; Gail vs. Mauri, with Tom Kennedy making an appearance to plug 50 Grand Slam!; has commercials {alternate copy... thing, no commercials and lower quality})


 * December 7, 1976 (Rita Moreno & Greg Morris; begins at tiebreaker of Mike vs. Kei, ends after subsequent bonus game)
 * December 8, 1976 (Rita Moreno & Greg Morris; begins near end of Mike vs. Marcia, ends after subsequent bonus game)


 * December 31, 1976 (Finale: Anita Gillette & Bill Bixby; Bonnye vs. Jess {Part 3, Part 4}, with a great final segment)

Super Bingo
Syndicated, Weekly: September - December, 1967 (13 episodes)

Short-lived entry produced by J&H International Corp. that was tested in six cities during the 1967-68 season. The show, hosted by Bill Leyden, had celebrities competing for sections of the audience.

Some of the set looks remarkably like parts of The New Price Is Right, and announcer Johnny Olson appears on-camera and seems to run a "Computer Center" between the audience sections. Also, this show is really obscure, so much so that it managed to elude both The Encyclopedia of TV Game Shows and Randy West's great book on Johnny.


 * Late 1967 (Arlene Dahl vs. Jack Carter; intro only)

What's Going On?
ABC Primetime: November 28 - December 26, 1954 (5 episodes)

Extremely short-lived Goodson-Todman panel game that had a great concept, but ran into issues due to the technology of the era. Oh, and per Gil Fates host Lee Bowman once mistook signals of "stretch for two minutes" as "sign off".

Apparently, Revlon was talked into sponsoring this and pulled out after the fifth show, opting to replace it with Pantomime Quiz to finish out the season.


 * December 19, 1954 (Hy Gardner, Audrey Meadows, Gene Redmond {Part 2, Part 3}, with the audio failing in Game 1 – resulting in Lee answering half the questions himself!; taped from GSN)

Wingo
CBS Primetime: April 1 - May 6, 1958 (6 episodes)

Really short-lived quiz with $250,000 on offer.


 * April-May 1958 (Intro)