It's sad to see this; the original "Concentration" was the last network game show to use a live on-set musician to provide the score. It's replacement the following Monday on NBC was "Baffle" -- a Heatter-Quigley show that was an update of their "PDQ." "Baffle" had an awful early synth pre-recorded score by Mort Garson ( it can be heard on YouTube ).
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, the NBC-owned syndicated version produced by Goodson-Todman and hosted by Jack Narz was already well underway in production and set design. The long-dormant "Nighttime Concentration" board had been taken out of storage and shipped to Caliofornia, as the venerable daytime board was still in use. It was scrapped not long after this finale. The other board was completely rebuilt in late 1974; then it, too, was scrapped California after the last taping in 1978.
Concentration was definitely a great show. I remember the late 80's version with Alex Trebeck hosting. I'll bet that game would do well today in daytime.
"Concentration" was the last TV game show to use organ music!
Had the show stayed on the air past the Spring of 1973, I suspect an updated musical score (and a new arrangement of the opening/closing themes, probably recorded by an orchestra) would have been commissioned.
I remember one classic episode when Bob had his back to the NBC Cameras,the doors suddenly closed on him and as soon as he looks into the camera,he got shutout behind those doors,shouting;"Hey,Let Me Outta Here!"It must have been an April fool's episode,because the audience loved it!Thanks for sharing!Brainy,Brainman Media
I just found out that Paola Diva, the hostess, died on 12/22/2007 in Florida of cancer. No age was given in her obituary but her work on Concentration was mentioned. If you google the name "Paola Diva Giovannetti Smith Pinna" you find her obit on page 6 in the Sun-Sentinel website Paid Obituaries
Does anyone have the clip of the joke NBC pulled on bob during the time his back was to the camera when the doors closed on him?It was a very funny moment,i could not help laughing at the time.Or the Cash Wheel being spun?Thanks,Brainy
According to Wikipedia, the final show of the 58-73 NBC version exists as a colour kinescope. Is that what this clip is from? And if the whole episode does indeed exist, do you have access to it for posting?
Yes. I do. Last I checked, a game show was about a game, not a bunch of money being thrown around uselessly. If you've got a problem with that, then I'm sorry.
What I used to capture was something called bumble bee, or soemthing like that. It had a converter from VCR cables to S Video to the computer. If I cant help then you could google Video Capture.
Of course Art James also announced and substitute hosted on "Concentration" as well.
In fact, I recall, in the early 1960's James substituting for Downs for quite an extended period once, perhaps when Downs was on vacation or something.
Also, Bob Clayton hosted the ABC game show, "Make A Face," before coming to "Concentration."
We had the board game version of "Make A Face" in our home when I was a child. It was a lot of fun--a red, plastic screen placed over pieces of a puzzle that revealed the face of a celebrity. I understand the game is now rather difficult to acquire, and therefore collectible.
Specifically, this video was originally uploaded by philofarnsworth. secondchance1977 made a copy of it before it went down, and that's what you see here.
Interesting bit of footage found. I understand that for a majority of the run, the show was actually hosted by Hugh Downs. Ed McMahon even hosted for a few months. Bob Clayton started as announcer, but hosted the last few years of the original run. Also, note to NBC: Bring back "Concentration".
Concentration was a great game and i remember one time when Host Bob Clayton was standing in the doorway where the two players are introduced and his back was turned to the camera and they closed the doors on him and he yell:"Hey,LetMe Outta Here!"That was the 70's! Thanks for posting this classic moment.Brainy
Why won't NBC Universal allow the original Concentration shows, incl. the syndicated and Classic Concentration shows air in reruns? All of the episodes from all of the shows exist. That is really unfair for fans of the show like me. There are a lot of people like myself who never saw most of the episodes. Come on, NBC Universal, get the Concentration shows back on in reruns. Allow CBS Television Distribution and FremantleMedia to put the shows back on in reruns.
I'm hoping for the original, which blew the Narz and especially the Trebek version out of the water. You actually had to be smart to play it. Trebek's version is way too easy!
No you don't. Here's what I'd do if I did Concentration: A toss-up question is asked before each pick. Whoever answers the question correctly gets to try for a match.
I say combine it with elements of "Deal Or No Deal" or "1 Vs. 100" - match dollar amounts, and guess the puzzle, then if you guess correctly have the opportunity to go on or risk it all. Lose, and you lose everything. Or set a dollar level like on "Millionaire" or "Password" where you can't win less than $10,000 (for example) if you win three straight games.
I don't think intelligence was required so much as a good, short-term memory, remembering what was beneath each of the squares on the board.
In terms of the rebus solving, the skill required was not too dissimilar from the one used to solve those puzzles on "Wheel Of Fortune."
Fun as "Concentration" was (and I liked Hugh Downs' version best too), "GE College Bowl" remains the most intelligent of all the game shows aired on broadcast TV to date.
I think the three most intelligent game shows, in terms of knowledge tested and displayed by contestants, were "GE College Bowl," the Art Fleming-hosted "Jeopardy!," and "Win Ben Stein's Money," with GSN's "Inquizition" a close runner-up.
In terms of intellectual sophistication combined with entertainment (though no actual knowledge was tested beyond persistent interrogation of contestants by panelists), I think the John Daly version of "What's My Line?" is THE panel game par excellence.
It's sad to see this; the original "Concentration" was the last network game show to use a live on-set musician to provide the score. It's replacement the following Monday on NBC was "Baffle" -- a Heatter-Quigley show that was an update of their "PDQ." "Baffle" had an awful early synth pre-recorded score by Mort Garson ( it can be heard on YouTube ).
morrisrooney 2 months ago
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, the NBC-owned syndicated version produced by Goodson-Todman and hosted by Jack Narz was already well underway in production and set design. The long-dormant "Nighttime Concentration" board had been taken out of storage and shipped to Caliofornia, as the venerable daytime board was still in use. It was scrapped not long after this finale. The other board was completely rebuilt in late 1974; then it, too, was scrapped California after the last taping in 1978.
Noveltooner 5 months ago
Concentration was definitely a great show. I remember the late 80's version with Alex Trebeck hosting. I'll bet that game would do well today in daytime.
DomenicDee 1 year ago
"Concentration" was the last TV game show to use organ music!
Had the show stayed on the air past the Spring of 1973, I suspect an updated musical score (and a new arrangement of the opening/closing themes, probably recorded by an orchestra) would have been commissioned.
altfactor 1 year ago
I remember one classic episode when Bob had his back to the NBC Cameras,the doors suddenly closed on him and as soon as he looks into the camera,he got shutout behind those doors,shouting;"Hey,Let Me Outta Here!"It must have been an April fool's episode,because the audience loved it!Thanks for sharing!Brainy,Brainman Media
brainman214 1 year ago
I just found out that Paola Diva, the hostess, died on 12/22/2007 in Florida of cancer. No age was given in her obituary but her work on Concentration was mentioned. If you google the name "Paola Diva Giovannetti Smith Pinna" you find her obit on page 6 in the Sun-Sentinel website Paid Obituaries
R.I.P Paola Diva!!!
chrisbox51 2 years ago
Would somebody please post this entire episode? I for one would like to see it, and many others for sure. Thank you!!!
chrisbox51 2 years ago
@chrisbox51
yeah, with classic tv commercials or something in it!
thefirefighter2011 1 year ago
Does anyone have the clip of the joke NBC pulled on bob during the time his back was to the camera when the doors closed on him?It was a very funny moment,i could not help laughing at the time.Or the Cash Wheel being spun?Thanks,Brainy
brainman214 2 years ago
Happy new year! Oh wait, this is March 1973...
MrMatteNWk 2 years ago
a shame we'll never see this on GSN!! and that is a true tragedy,thank you NBC,we hate you!!!!!!!!!!!
saml760 2 years ago
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SwingBatta0 10 months ago
And the last puzzle was "You've been more than kind". Sad. One of the 2 or 3 greatest game shows of all time.
rhodeisland95 2 years ago
That's The Final Episode That Mom Used To Watch The Final Episode Of Concentration From 1973.
jonwiley85 2 years ago
According to Wikipedia, the final show of the 58-73 NBC version exists as a colour kinescope. Is that what this clip is from? And if the whole episode does indeed exist, do you have access to it for posting?
Thanks.
40onTheBlue 2 years ago
NBC should do Million Dollar Concentration...
ddavenport 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
No!
nicholasm79 2 years ago
Comment removed
TVLubber 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Yes. I do. Last I checked, a game show was about a game, not a bunch of money being thrown around uselessly. If you've got a problem with that, then I'm sorry.
nicholasm79 2 years ago
5000 views @ 6/11/09 Thanks guys!
secondchance1977 2 years ago
@secondchance1977 10,200 views @ 11/5/10
TheGameShowGurus 1 year ago
I have a 1963 episode from a purchase at Shokus video. Mind to tell me how to do video capture?
Hondo20132 3 years ago
What I used to capture was something called bumble bee, or soemthing like that. It had a converter from VCR cables to S Video to the computer. If I cant help then you could google Video Capture.
secondchance1977 3 years ago
Of course Art James also announced and substitute hosted on "Concentration" as well.
In fact, I recall, in the early 1960's James substituting for Downs for quite an extended period once, perhaps when Downs was on vacation or something.
Also, Bob Clayton hosted the ABC game show, "Make A Face," before coming to "Concentration."
gymnastix 3 years ago
We had the board game version of "Make A Face" in our home when I was a child. It was a lot of fun--a red, plastic screen placed over pieces of a puzzle that revealed the face of a celebrity. I understand the game is now rather difficult to acquire, and therefore collectible.
gymnastix 3 years ago
Bob also announced the show prior to 1969.
Hondo20132 3 years ago
This is NOT in the trading circuit; where did you find this? Did your friend find this, maybe?
Hondo20132 3 years ago
Yes
secondchance1977 3 years ago
Specifically, this video was originally uploaded by philofarnsworth. secondchance1977 made a copy of it before it went down, and that's what you see here.
supersaver87 2 years ago 5
Interesting bit of footage found. I understand that for a majority of the run, the show was actually hosted by Hugh Downs. Ed McMahon even hosted for a few months. Bob Clayton started as announcer, but hosted the last few years of the original run. Also, note to NBC: Bring back "Concentration".
bluebear1985 3 years ago
Concentration was a great game and i remember one time when Host Bob Clayton was standing in the doorway where the two players are introduced and his back was turned to the camera and they closed the doors on him and he yell:"Hey,LetMe Outta Here!"That was the 70's! Thanks for posting this classic moment.Brainy
brainman214 3 years ago
This was also sadly Mr.Clayton's last tv game show
hosting job.
143AC 3 years ago
Why won't NBC Universal allow the original Concentration shows, incl. the syndicated and Classic Concentration shows air in reruns? All of the episodes from all of the shows exist. That is really unfair for fans of the show like me. There are a lot of people like myself who never saw most of the episodes. Come on, NBC Universal, get the Concentration shows back on in reruns. Allow CBS Television Distribution and FremantleMedia to put the shows back on in reruns.
191965 3 years ago 4
Interestingly, the part of the rebus that spelled "YUV" on the board, was the same as the name of an analog encoding formula for color TV systems.
wmbrown6 3 years ago
As much as I loved this show, I don't remember the female with Bob Clayton. Who was she?
ccie12933 3 years ago
In the video, Bob called her Paula, so that might be her name.
secondchance1977 3 years ago
She was Paola Diva, who was with the program from almost its 1958 beginnings.
wmbrown6 3 years ago
unfortunaley paola passed away last year
she died of cancer and was living in florida
ericcollins81 3 years ago
@secondchance1977 Her name was Paola Diva, and she was on the show for a good part of its NBC run.
jehobden 1 year ago
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TVLubber 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Did you even watch that version you twit!
nicholasm79 2 years ago
Comment removed
TVLubber 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
They did NOT give away 8 cars on that version. That makes you a twit.
nicholasm79 2 years ago
Comment removed
TVLubber 2 years ago
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TVLubber 2 years ago
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TVLubber 2 years ago
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Cassman0503 10 months ago 2
Concentration is long over due for repeats and a new revival too!
NBC, Bring back Concentration!
lawrenceofarabia1962 3 years ago 12
Comment removed
TVLubber 3 years ago
I'm hoping for the original, which blew the Narz and especially the Trebek version out of the water. You actually had to be smart to play it. Trebek's version is way too easy!
someguy23475 3 years ago 4
No you don't. Here's what I'd do if I did Concentration: A toss-up question is asked before each pick. Whoever answers the question correctly gets to try for a match.
palmercomm 3 years ago
I say combine it with elements of "Deal Or No Deal" or "1 Vs. 100" - match dollar amounts, and guess the puzzle, then if you guess correctly have the opportunity to go on or risk it all. Lose, and you lose everything. Or set a dollar level like on "Millionaire" or "Password" where you can't win less than $10,000 (for example) if you win three straight games.
dan1701a 3 years ago
I don't think intelligence was required so much as a good, short-term memory, remembering what was beneath each of the squares on the board.
In terms of the rebus solving, the skill required was not too dissimilar from the one used to solve those puzzles on "Wheel Of Fortune."
Fun as "Concentration" was (and I liked Hugh Downs' version best too), "GE College Bowl" remains the most intelligent of all the game shows aired on broadcast TV to date.
gymnastix 3 years ago
I think the three most intelligent game shows, in terms of knowledge tested and displayed by contestants, were "GE College Bowl," the Art Fleming-hosted "Jeopardy!," and "Win Ben Stein's Money," with GSN's "Inquizition" a close runner-up.
In terms of intellectual sophistication combined with entertainment (though no actual knowledge was tested beyond persistent interrogation of contestants by panelists), I think the John Daly version of "What's My Line?" is THE panel game par excellence.
gymnastix 3 years ago