The video wall was advanced, even in 1983-84. It was a terrific piece of work. If the WWE invented this video wall for the titantrons when the wrestlers enter the ring, they would have pyros on the upper part of the 4 panels, full videos on the monitors, now THAT can be major technology!
I think this was a great show, and not a too far fetched idea. A Rayburn/Marshall pairing would've been more ideal. Bauman is not as horrible as a lot of people made him out to be, clearly they lacked chemistry, but I think Bauman did a fair job as a match game panelist (not as the host of HS). Also, even though its an hour long show, the HS portion seemed so rush. Loved the set, but it looked just too expansive especially during the MG segment. Its like they were in outer space or something.
Haha, love hearing during the closing that classic cheesy NBC "whistling" audience sweetener. They seemed to use that on every game show during that period!
I loved this show as a kid. I wish it would have lasted longer than it did. Also looking back, they should have had Peter Marshall. It would have lasted a lot longer.
the problem with the HS side of the game, was that Mark Goodson didn't know how to run Hollywood Squares. the game goes to slow, because the celebrities were not briefed on the questions and they took so much time thinking of an answer, and a lot of times they could not come up with a joke quick enough and he couldn't tell Jon how to lead the stars with the questions.
I didn't HATE Jon as a host (I've seen worse)...and I really can never hate this show (pleasant memories of 1st grade and coming home to this from school)...but I do wonder what Mark was thinking, or if there were outside forces that led him to not get to use Peter Marshall, and to furthermore throw Bauman directly past the frying pan and into the fire.
I guess as much of a visionary as Mark Goodson was, not even he ALWAYS made decisions that made total sense to everyone...
The show was underrated!. This would have sparkled if Peter Marshall hosted the HS segment. The theme is my all time fav, too. The set what pretty advanced for mid 80's considering technology for the time. Gene Wood, Johnny O, all great announcers and there are none currently who have honed their craft to their perfection. FYI: Notice the camera work in the star entrances - very well done tracking "moving targets" - you rarely see shots like that one shows today! Thanks for posting this clip.
Johnny O was also announcing the 80s revival of Tattletales at that time. The theme was also used on occasion on Card Sharks (Eubanks/Rafferty) during the car round.
He had been announcing since 1946. He was the most popular announcer for nearly 40 years. I believe he was on radio before then. His voice always sounded the same, so you knew it was Johnny O even without having to hear him say his name at the end of a show! I bet if he was still alive, he's still be announcing!
Since Johnny Olson was the announcer of both the 60s and 70s Match Game versions, I wonder why they didn't hire him to be the main announcer for MGHS Hour instead of Gene Wood.
My lone complaint about this clip is that the volume is way too low, but I also figured that, possibly, that's as loud as u could get it, I don't know for sure. I love the theme music and everything about it, so I can't really complain too much.
I've wondered that myself..would've seemed a natural, to have had Peter Marshall emcee the HS portion, the way Rayburn did the MG half. Those two hosts would've had a better working synergy, and may have made it a better show...if only the exact same rules of gameplay that were intact during HS would've happened here..like having to EARN 3-in-a-row and not win by default if your opponent fails to block you off. And better writers for the quips..I guess. And not so many NBC soap stars playing.
Well, when you work for Mark Goodson and Bill Toddman TV Prod., You're an "automatic" announcer for every game show on the list, stationary or substitute.
That's why I've said numerous times that this would have been better in a syndicated format since NBC was naturally partial to their own stars.I didn't really think Jon Bauman was so terrible of a host but Peter Marshall would have naturally been better as he was the original.
Johhny O might not have been feeling up to par either. I saw a clip of the April Fools episode of Price is Right from 1983. He had a few seconds on camera, and it looked like he was trying to muster his pep. Besides this was only 2 years before his passing anyway, right?
makes me wonder which day of the week this ep was taped for. johnny sounds a little slurred, as if it were an "after-dinner" taping ;-) still great reads, of course, just not typical johnny o great.
If this was a bad day for Johnny, a bad day for Johnny O is still much much better than a great day for pretty much any modern-day game show announcer.
being a child of the 70s it is sometimes hard to distinguish johnny olson, rod roddy, and don pardo. but make no mistake...the late mr. olson was the real deal.
I would STILL like to see a complete ep of this show. Biggest problem was the change of the HS segment to eliminate the 'bluff' answers. Apparently, Mark Goodson refused to allow the stars to be 'briefed' so they could do that. It took me awhile to realize that THAT is why the HS part seems to drag.
I definitely agree/believe that they should have stuck to original hosts all around. Bet the show WOULD have last longer if they had Gene and Peter Marshall hosting with each other-two men who had been best friends for years who looked like identical twins with a great sense of humor. At least, that's my opinion...some folks involved in television do know how to screw up good things, don't they?
And ended Gene's television career after that...I believe both of those game show greats would have been sent into oblivion if it were not for their original show reruns hitting the airwaves. Bowzer isn't exactly my idea of a television host. A persona, yes; game show player, maybe; a GS Host-not the best idea.
What was Bowzer doing there in the first place? I guess someone at Orion wanted viewers to forget about Peter Marshall hosting the Hollywood Squares during the 80s. If I was in charge of selecting hosts for Orion, I would've wanted Marshall to host both this version and the 86 version that JD otherwise hosted.
Actually, Marshall had a hand in the show's development and was orig. slated to host, but Orion pulled the rug out from under him @ the last min. (similar to what happened to Marshall a few years later w/3rd Degree).
I don't know about Ross Shafer, because some critics said he didn't have the control and vibrance that Gene Rayburn had. I love that electronic wall of lights in the background, and I wish they could use it in a revival even though most people would consider it archaic compared with today's advanced technology of LED's and LCD's.
this must be from a much later episode, isn't it? I ask that b/c they have practically the same departing gitfs in the 1st half and the same exact ones in the 2nd half. I can clearly see why Gene Rayburn didn't like working w/ Jon Bauman.
johnny o just seems a better fit than regular gene wood for this show, much as i also love gene wood -- he makes this sound as credible as the '70s match game.
The video wall was advanced, even in 1983-84. It was a terrific piece of work. If the WWE invented this video wall for the titantrons when the wrestlers enter the ring, they would have pyros on the upper part of the 4 panels, full videos on the monitors, now THAT can be major technology!
MrNhlfan4ever 2 weeks ago
Well just so ya know, when Erin Moran aka Joanie Cunningham appeared on the show, Happy Days was in its 11th and FINAL Season on abc Primetime
I think that the contestant should've picked Erin since she had the BIG 30
tnawcwvictoria 3 weeks ago
Was this from 1983 or 1984?
tpir1972 1 month ago
I think this was a great show, and not a too far fetched idea. A Rayburn/Marshall pairing would've been more ideal. Bauman is not as horrible as a lot of people made him out to be, clearly they lacked chemistry, but I think Bauman did a fair job as a match game panelist (not as the host of HS). Also, even though its an hour long show, the HS portion seemed so rush. Loved the set, but it looked just too expansive especially during the MG segment. Its like they were in outer space or something.
smpage09 4 months ago
Johnny O will always be my favorite announcer, probably till the end of my days.
animegal2686 6 months ago
I wonder how many game show Johnny Olsen and Gene Wood have announced on. Probably hundreds each.
animegal2686 6 months ago
It was great to see 2 game shows back on their old network(even if temporarily).
269848 9 months ago
"WHEE!"
Gotta love NBC's fake audience cues.
excuseyou77 1 year ago
Haha, love hearing during the closing that classic cheesy NBC "whistling" audience sweetener. They seemed to use that on every game show during that period!
DesiluTrek 2 years ago 4
I loved this show as a kid. I wish it would have lasted longer than it did. Also looking back, they should have had Peter Marshall. It would have lasted a lot longer.
gooffbball 2 years ago 3
Peter Marshall hosted Fantasy from 1982-83 and this show replaced it.
Davidt33 2 years ago
the problem with the HS side of the game, was that Mark Goodson didn't know how to run Hollywood Squares. the game goes to slow, because the celebrities were not briefed on the questions and they took so much time thinking of an answer, and a lot of times they could not come up with a joke quick enough and he couldn't tell Jon how to lead the stars with the questions.
nycboy3489 2 years ago
@nycboy3489 Mark was perhaps too ethical for his own good.
MrLogoman007 1 year ago
@MrLogoman007 yea, its good idea just bad execution
nycboy3489 1 year ago
I didn't HATE Jon as a host (I've seen worse)...and I really can never hate this show (pleasant memories of 1st grade and coming home to this from school)...but I do wonder what Mark was thinking, or if there were outside forces that led him to not get to use Peter Marshall, and to furthermore throw Bauman directly past the frying pan and into the fire.
I guess as much of a visionary as Mark Goodson was, not even he ALWAYS made decisions that made total sense to everyone...
JMFabianoRPL 2 years ago
Gene Wood & Johnny Olsen both did a great job announcing on many wonderful game shows!
I don't blame Gene Rayburn for not wanting Bowzer as host on the HS side. I would have rather wanted Peter too!
Bowzer looks so out of place as host!
cartoongameshowfan76 3 years ago 11
The show was underrated!. This would have sparkled if Peter Marshall hosted the HS segment. The theme is my all time fav, too. The set what pretty advanced for mid 80's considering technology for the time. Gene Wood, Johnny O, all great announcers and there are none currently who have honed their craft to their perfection. FYI: Notice the camera work in the star entrances - very well done tracking "moving targets" - you rarely see shots like that one shows today! Thanks for posting this clip.
ClassicTVLover 3 years ago 7
Comment removed
Hondo20132 3 years ago
If it were me, I would've paired Gene with Peter Marshall.
palmercomm 3 years ago
Gene Rayburn wanted Peter Marshal instead Bowzer.
pacmannick 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
From what I've read, Gene and Peter are brothers - it would have been fun to see them together.
ClassicTVLover 2 years ago
Gene wanted to punch Bowzer in the face.
pacmannick 3 years ago 2
A panel full of B-list celebrities.
catholicpriest1 3 years ago
I wouldn't call Eubanks or CNR "B-list."
johnissoevil 3 years ago 2
Is Gene Wood the usual announcer for this show?
animegal2686 3 years ago
Yes, Gene was the usual announcer and Eubanks was from Dream House.
ryanschroer 3 years ago
Yes, he was.
dblevins2 3 years ago
What did they say Bob Eubanks was from at that time? I couldn't fully understand what they were saying.
CNR IS THE BEST!!!!!
animegal2686 3 years ago
Dream House, Bob Eubanks was hosting that in 1983-84.
fanotv 3 years ago
Thank you, I always remembered him as host of the Newlywed game and Card Sharks.
animegal2686 3 years ago
Was that a game show?
animegal2686 3 years ago
Love the theme music, I wish that was a ring for a cell phone (Its my favorite piece of music from any game show).
animegal2686 3 years ago
Johnny O was also announcing the 80s revival of Tattletales at that time. The theme was also used on occasion on Card Sharks (Eubanks/Rafferty) during the car round.
ejchiefsfan 3 years ago
I wonder how many shows he announced for althougher? Def one of my favorite announcers in game show history.
animegal2686 3 years ago
He had been announcing since 1946. He was the most popular announcer for nearly 40 years. I believe he was on radio before then. His voice always sounded the same, so you knew it was Johnny O even without having to hear him say his name at the end of a show! I bet if he was still alive, he's still be announcing!
travis7310 3 years ago 3
Johnny Olsen = Greatest announcer EVER!!!
DBradshaw25 3 years ago 4
I agree, I like Gene Wood too, but Johnny O is the GREATEST.....EVER.
animegal2686 3 years ago 2
martha smith was hot
Hot4Tipsy 4 years ago
Since Johnny Olson was the announcer of both the 60s and 70s Match Game versions, I wonder why they didn't hire him to be the main announcer for MGHS Hour instead of Gene Wood.
tvtimetravel 4 years ago 2
Probaby because Johnny was working on Price is Right at the time and could only work on other game shows as a substitute announcer.
NDW85 4 years ago
Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is the only time Johnny O announced Bob Eubanks and any other show.
nextbarker 4 years ago
My lone complaint about this clip is that the volume is way too low, but I also figured that, possibly, that's as loud as u could get it, I don't know for sure. I love the theme music and everything about it, so I can't really complain too much.
animegal2686 4 years ago
Gene Rayburn hated that fatty Bowzer
pacmannick 4 years ago
You won't always like every single person that you have to work with. Were they not able to get the original host of HS for this show??
animegal2686 4 years ago
I've wondered that myself..would've seemed a natural, to have had Peter Marshall emcee the HS portion, the way Rayburn did the MG half. Those two hosts would've had a better working synergy, and may have made it a better show...if only the exact same rules of gameplay that were intact during HS would've happened here..like having to EARN 3-in-a-row and not win by default if your opponent fails to block you off. And better writers for the quips..I guess. And not so many NBC soap stars playing.
huggyface 4 years ago
Rayburn and Bouman apperantly hated each other...
Hondo20132 3 years ago
Well, when you work for Mark Goodson and Bill Toddman TV Prod., You're an "automatic" announcer for every game show on the list, stationary or substitute.
CDP76 4 years ago
LOL! I've noticed that too! I remember hearing Olson & Wood on GT shows as "Family Feud", TPIR, MG (including MGHS hour), and whatever else...
huggyface 4 years ago
IMO, this show was underrated. I watched this when I was a kid and I liked the 80s upkeep. My only wish was they had some better panelists.
sugarbear522 4 years ago
That's why I've said numerous times that this would have been better in a syndicated format since NBC was naturally partial to their own stars.I didn't really think Jon Bauman was so terrible of a host but Peter Marshall would have naturally been better as he was the original.
landrykkb 1 year ago
Johhny O might not have been feeling up to par either. I saw a clip of the April Fools episode of Price is Right from 1983. He had a few seconds on camera, and it looked like he was trying to muster his pep. Besides this was only 2 years before his passing anyway, right?
gcd134 4 years ago
makes me wonder which day of the week this ep was taped for. johnny sounds a little slurred, as if it were an "after-dinner" taping ;-) still great reads, of course, just not typical johnny o great.
DesiluTrek 4 years ago
I agree, he just didn't have his heart in it.
mrmatchgame 4 years ago
@mrmatchgame With Goodson running the entire ship the way he did and Jon Bauman as HS host, who would have the heart?
MrLogoman007 1 year ago
I admit Johnny Olson sounds a little slurred but I think he did a good job.
NDW85 4 years ago
If this was a bad day for Johnny, a bad day for Johnny O is still much much better than a great day for pretty much any modern-day game show announcer.
MrMatteNWk 1 year ago 2
That must have been an expensive set to make.
animegal2686 4 years ago
I really love this set with the rear wall and flashing X's and O's during the transition. Hi-tech for 1983.
gcd134 4 years ago
There's one part missing..."This is Johnny Olson speaking for The Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour, a Mark Goodson television production."
mrceleb2006 4 years ago
That part was missing when I got the video, if it was in it I would of added it.
mrmatchgame 4 years ago
Oh, I see. Thanks for the info.
mrceleb2006 4 years ago
being a child of the 70s it is sometimes hard to distinguish johnny olson, rod roddy, and don pardo. but make no mistake...the late mr. olson was the real deal.
teflonmagnet 4 years ago
Okay then how about samples of Gene Wood announcing. By the way, sorry about me asking the same request on Rich Jeffries announcing.
NDW85 4 years ago
Do you have some samples of rich Jeffries announcing this show? I mention this because he also subbed for Gene Wood.
NDW85 4 years ago
No I don't
mrmatchgame 4 years ago
@NDW85 So did Bob Hilton.
tvtimetravel 1 year ago
I would STILL like to see a complete ep of this show. Biggest problem was the change of the HS segment to eliminate the 'bluff' answers. Apparently, Mark Goodson refused to allow the stars to be 'briefed' so they could do that. It took me awhile to realize that THAT is why the HS part seems to drag.
midknightryder13 4 years ago
I've seen a complete episode and want to watch another.
gcd134 4 years ago
I definitely agree/believe that they should have stuck to original hosts all around. Bet the show WOULD have last longer if they had Gene and Peter Marshall hosting with each other-two men who had been best friends for years who looked like identical twins with a great sense of humor. At least, that's my opinion...some folks involved in television do know how to screw up good things, don't they?
RosesLavender 4 years ago
Plus, Peter appeared during one week of MG(Syndicated obviously, because Squares was on NBC). He was a better player than Bowzer was.
Rayburn was great on Password Plus because Allen had done his show..surely he and Marshall would have been great.
Both were about the same age and it'd have made a fine ending to their careers....but instead they had Yahtzee(Peter) and Break the Bank(Gene)
ryanschroer 4 years ago
And ended Gene's television career after that...I believe both of those game show greats would have been sent into oblivion if it were not for their original show reruns hitting the airwaves. Bowzer isn't exactly my idea of a television host. A persona, yes; game show player, maybe; a GS Host-not the best idea.
RosesLavender 4 years ago
On Match Game, Bauman was okay..but I though he was MUCH better on P+.
ryanschroer 4 years ago
That's true.
RosesLavender 4 years ago
Rayburn and Bowzer? Not quite my idea of a match made in heaven...
Sammy4549 4 years ago
What year was this show on?
scottievand 4 years ago
1984....after NBC bought the right to MG.
ryanschroer 4 years ago
If they ever revive this, put one person in charge.
ryanschroer 4 years ago
This was a great show! They should bring it back!
DBR00 4 years ago
Actually, I rather liked this hybrid of a game show. Gene seemed to be in his element, and Jon "Bowzer" Bauman appeared to be doing just fine.
BootPatrol 4 years ago
add more of this show; it was a good show; and too damn funny to get the axe
MGHSHour2 4 years ago
What was Bowzer doing there in the first place? I guess someone at Orion wanted viewers to forget about Peter Marshall hosting the Hollywood Squares during the 80s. If I was in charge of selecting hosts for Orion, I would've wanted Marshall to host both this version and the 86 version that JD otherwise hosted.
cosmowanda868 4 years ago
Actually, Marshall had a hand in the show's development and was orig. slated to host, but Orion pulled the rug out from under him @ the last min. (similar to what happened to Marshall a few years later w/3rd Degree).
WhatsAYak 4 years ago
Hence why Peter Marshall doesn't speak highly of Bert Convy.
landrykkb 1 year ago
If you ask me, a revival of this should have Ross Schaffer and Peter Marshall since he IS the original master of HS.
As for Johnny O, he was a great announcer no matter what show he was doing, but Gene Wood was also a great announcer.
crinos43 4 years ago
sweet
KoraggRules 4 years ago
I can see a revival of this with Ross Shafer and Tom Bergeron working.
supremetaco 4 years ago
I don't know about Ross Shafer, because some critics said he didn't have the control and vibrance that Gene Rayburn had. I love that electronic wall of lights in the background, and I wish they could use it in a revival even though most people would consider it archaic compared with today's advanced technology of LED's and LCD's.
gcd134 4 years ago
this must be from a much later episode, isn't it? I ask that b/c they have practically the same departing gitfs in the 1st half and the same exact ones in the 2nd half. I can clearly see why Gene Rayburn didn't like working w/ Jon Bauman.
megamanj2004 4 years ago
johnny o just seems a better fit than regular gene wood for this show, much as i also love gene wood -- he makes this sound as credible as the '70s match game.
DesiluTrek 4 years ago 2
GOOD 'OL Johnny O!!!
videonut33 4 years ago 2
I miss him!! He was the best annoucer, next to Jay Stewart and Gene Wood!!!
JBTHREAT 4 years ago
Thanks MrMatchGame!!
gcd134 4 years ago
This is a rare treat, thanks a lot!
SuperGamer7 4 years ago
the theme was reused on tpir as the Superball!! prize cue.
gsn93 4 years ago
TPIR still uses that cue for cars too.
dknights411 4 years ago
PRice is RIght also uses that cue in some showcases.
NDW85 3 years ago 3
@NDW85 They use this cue every day.
MrLogoman007 1 year ago
Would have lasted longer with Peter Marshall. I don't know how in the world Bowzer became a game show host.
therealjaypeterman 4 years ago 3
To this day I'll never understand why they didn't just have Gene host the whole thing.
WileyCoyote69 5 years ago
...or let Peter Marshall host the Hollywood Squares portion in the first place.
viddykiddy18 4 years ago
From "Dream House" (game show), game show hosting legend Bob Eubanks.
CraigFoye80 5 years ago