Match Game: Do You Know What That Wheel Cost Us?

[UsingNothing]

Whoever is the top comment is gay.

[tpir1972]

Noticed: Richard left also when it landed on him, and he's alwaysfavorite one, why did HE get up to.

[riceboy1701e]

You can tell that Richard was visibly irritated at the "new Star Wheel", at the prospect of losing his "status" on Match Game.

He already had "Family Feud" to himself by this time. The Star Wheel marked the beginning of the end for Richard on Match Game.

Great post!

[tpir1972]

Wheel of Fortune was hosted by Chuck Woolery at time for those who didn;t know what Richard met.

[tpir1972]

Is that the only time Richard got to play during the star wheel?

[wsbtam]

What are the odds the very first time the star wheel is used it lands on Richard?! XD LOVE how the other stars all act like they're leaving..and Mary Wickes was SO RIGHT!!

[shoredude2]

@wsbtam The odds are 5 to 1. While funny, not that difficult.

[HarlemHyena]

The way the Star Wheel was beeping, you'd think it was saying "Epic Fail, Epic Fail..."

And look what happened!

[TroyOi]

Can't believe Dawson with the cigarette. I'm sure he was (is?) a heavy smoker, but there must have been an agreement between him and the producers that they work together to avoid him being caught on camera taking a drag. Guess this shot slipped between the cracks.

[crispinh1]

@TroyOi Dawson smoked up until his daughter was born in the late 80's-early 90's. In place of smoking he turned to eating, hence is heavier apperance on Family Feud '94. Most of the panel smoked but I'm not 100% sure they tried to hide it and more then just they took the cig out to talk on camera or write answers.

[TroyOi]

@crispinh1 Well I'm no expert, but I'm inclined to disagree with you. Thinking back to my coming of age years in the 60's & 70's, I'm pretty sure most game shows did their best to keep cigarettes out of the view of the TV audience, to keep up the wholesome appearance (notwithstanding Gene's suggestive double entendres). Things like late night talk shows were, of course, a very different matter... try to take away Carson's cigarette, and he would've sic'd Ed McMahon on you.

[lytrigian]

@TroyOi Even Carson generally kept his smoking to the commercial breaks. About the only time you actually saw him with one was if he hadn't finished when they cut back to him.

[SuperPAC]

The only one who wields the power to make folks disappear from this thread is me. I do not wish to exercise said power. Cool it.

[Novetrix]

The wheel beep lowering in pitch as it slowed down... Was that a common technology in the early days? I remember the "test-drive" showcase wheel on TPiR did the same thing, didn't it? Or should I just shut up, 'cuz I'm oblivious?

[godzillahulk]

was the only time the wheel landed on richard?

[krzykid6969]

was that steve mcqueen at 1:20 ?????

[Starjack100]

HAHA, everybody leave when the wheel land on no star under Richard. And now they asking how much the wheel cost. lol.

[PsychoB32]

Hey I got a question. Brett is the undisputed Queen of Match Game... but who was the King... Charles or Richard? ^^"

[estupido7490]

This was absolutely hilarious. "Exciting" my butt! Even the panelists walked off, lol.

[eskiewolf76]

Does anybody remember certain episodes of MG 75, where it was head to head match for $5000 or so? A few of them Rayburn tells the contestant to choose a celebrity OTHER than Richard. It was to give the other panalists a chance. It only lasted for a few weeks (episodes I saw on the old Game Show Network. I might be wrong).

[SuperPAC]

I remember this too. I believe the rule that was temporarily used was the celebrity could only be picked once until everyone else got a shot. It disappeared quickly.

[grammarguy1]

@eskiewolf76 Episodes 471-480 (or thereabouts). It didn't last long!

[grammarguy1]

@eskiewolf76 Episodes 471-480 (or thereabouts). It didn't last long!

[grammarguy1]

Episodes 471-480 (or thereabouts) !!

[grammarguy1]

Episodes 471-480 (or thereabouts) !! And the rule was you had to pick someone different than the previous time (i.e. the first contestant picked Richard, then Brett, then back to Richard...

[Joemurph10]

@eskiewolf76 I believe the rule was, a contestant making a repeat trip to the Super Match could not choose the same celebrity they chose in the previous Super Match. I.E. on your first Super Match you could choose Richard. If you won your way back a 2nd time, you could NOT choose Richard, but if you came back a 3rd time you could go back to Richard again because you would not be allowed to choose the same celebrity you chose in your 2nd Super Match. The rule did not last long.

[DamianGarcia92]

@eskiewolf76 Like SuperPAC said, it seemed to only last a few episodes and then they got rid of it.

[wolverineland]

I heard the other celebrities complained that Richard got picked all the time and thats why the Match Game Wheel was introduced, but Richard was a smart man and took the game seriously, especially when money was put on the line for a contestant. Richard was correct in feeling slighted and the Wheel led to the show's demise.

[estupido7490]

The wheel was NOT the show's demise. In fact, the network cancelled Match Game with provocation. The show went on for five more years after the wheel was introduced.

[bluebear1985]

True, but the show was cancelled by CBS in 1979. It lasted in syndication until 1982.

[estupido7490]

I meant "WITHOUT provocation" by the way. The actual demise of the show was that they moved it from 3:00 in the afternoon to somewhere in the early morning time when no one was around to watch it.

[landrykkb]

@estupido7490 CBS didn't help matters any by constantly shuffling its timeslot.

[Novatogal]

But didn't the star wheel give them double their money if they landed on the double? Just picking Richard didn't ever double their money. I am a big Richard Dawson fan, but I feel he should have just let it go and continued with the show.

[bluebear1985]

I don't get it. So what Richard was getting picked most of the time? Putting the wheel in the show was the biggest mistake they made. I can see why Richard took it as a personal insult. I'm guessing that it was Gene's idea to put this in the show, because if Goodson-Todman came up with it, Richard could have left "Family Feud" as well if he wanted to.

[georgef551]

...and hitting Richard on the wheel was the straw that broke the camel's back.

SURVEY SAYS!!! Not me anymore!!

[TheJman2600]

Just look at Richard's body language. He clearly doesn't want to do this anymore. He wanted out, but Goodson/Todman wouldn't let him. So to get back at them, he acted completely disinterested during the episodes. Richard was eventually allowed to leave during Match Game '78 and the show never recovered, eventually being cancelled by CBS in 1979. Being moved to the 4:00 PM "death slot" certainly didn't help, but maybe CBS saw the writing on the wall and moved it there to help get rid of it.

[georgef551]

The show actually limped though until 1982.

[nycboy3489]

that was in syndication, it ended the network run in '79

[georgef551]

Ok. Was only about 7 at that point, and I remember the show lasting until '82 or so.

Like you said, syndicated version.

[fxcamera1]

I'm sure the reason it went to 4pm was because some soaps expanded to a full hour each, -running til 4pm . Hence the theory about soap viewers growing and (daytime)game show viewers decreasing.

The wheel did however, become an obstruction rather than a nice addition, -and took away from the show's unique comedic magic that set it apart from the rest, and made it's predecessor from the 1960's pale in comparison.

BTW, I feel that look of the wheel influenced the whole new set later that year.

[landrykkb]

@fxcamera1 Of course,game shows didn't rapidly demise from the daytime schedules of the then-3 major networks until the early 90's.

[Pinman1000]

Gene:Enough now wait! Hold Now, HOLD ON, JUST A MINUTE HERE! NOW,WAIT A MINUTE! NOW, YOU sit down there! GET BACK HERE!

[janabee]

Awesome! Didn't realize that the first spin landed on Richard. Guess that showed them. HA.

[Pinman1000]

That woman should've gone with Scoey's answer!

[kayllo15]

they need more game shows like this.

LOVE BETTY!!!

[luckyc120]

the lady that said "do you know how much that wheel cost us" was the sarcastic nun on sister act

[bb6f44]

Yeah, that's Mary Wickes.

[AarHan3]

"CHuck Woolery comes out and punches you in the mouth!" :)

[cartoongameshowfan76]

This is one of the few reasons why Richard left the show.

[boxtop2]

Richard had such a huge ego that he could not tolerate having someone else play the one to one matchup.

[Ilovelucyclassics]

lol Richard is always picked

[sageofsuccess]

The Star Wheel sucked. Maybe that is one reason why all later versions of the show haven't had it.

[SuperGamer7]

Not True, Match game '90 with Ross Shaffer had the Star Wheel, only you spun a giant green pointer, and if it stopped on a red dot, it was worth double.

[jthweatt]

Both good points. I think that cheering for the "Double" was the best part.

I have also always found it funny that the very first spin stopped on Richard, and that no one is keeping it a secret that the reason for the wheel is that everyone picks Richard.

[BlackwoodCompany]

It is better so that one person is not picked all the time and with additional money.

[quizmaster85]

Mary Wickes couldn't have said that quote better!

[SuperPAC]

Indeed.

[garrisonskunk]

Its funny, I had remembered seeing a clip of this about 10 years ago and I would have sworn it was Charles who had said it. :) Guess it just sounds like a CNR kind of quote.

[ryanschroer]

CNR would never have said that., not like the way Dawson said it.

[expoboy52]

@quizmaster85 Mary Wickes was the best. There are no character actresses like her around these days.

[golga14]

At the beginning of your clips where did you find that match game them?

[ACuriousDanceretc]

Its available on iTunes

[golga14]

Thank You!!!

[graperonto]

How times have changed... Did you notice Richard Dawson take a drag on his cigarette as he sat down (or in his hand as he returned to his seat?) Or that Charles Nelson Reilly always had a pipe or cigar on the show... never be allowed today...

[nightfly776]

"Chuck Woolery comes out and punches you in the mouth!" Priceless Dawson.

[tommy76tx]

Luckily they changed the way it sounded later on. Sure sounds wierd. Everyone got up (including Richard) when it landed on him.

A lot of the panelist did not like the star wheel and you could tell that when it landed on them by how they react.

[johnissoevil]

Funny comment by Richard about Chuck Woolery. Richard tends to forget, Chuck never had his ego.

[tomgreentwin]

Man, the sound on the wheel was pretty bizarre!

[gshowguy]

Sounded like a Game Boy's battery dying!

[patrickballoonman]

I think they changed the set about a week after the wheel's debut.

[dim432]

get back, get back,

get back get back

[sillybilly452]

so what did richard have in is hand, a pen or cigarette

[the06bug]

Both

[ieeeeeeeeeeeee]

Gene: "Anywhere in this gold star area--"

Richard: "Chuck Woolery comes out and punches you in the mouth."

LOL

[60sThru80s]

As was said earlier, the wheel may have been another straw on the camel's back, but his stand-offishness and ego made it inevitable. I don't his leaving made it a worse show. What REALLY made Match Game the show it was (apart from Rayburn) was the wonderful chemistry between Charles & Brett.

[Boulton26]

That's true, but it was the begining of the end for Match Game. This was just one of many bad moves that hurt the show.

[landrykkb]

@60sThru80s Don't forget either that Richard Dawson's Family Feud was #1 in 1978 either.I'm surprised there wasn't a conflict between both CBS & ABC because he appeared on both networks simultaneously for a while.

[catholicpriest1]

@landrykkb Both Family Feud and Match Game were Mark Goodson/Bill Toddman productions.

[landrykkb]

@catholicpriest1 I knew that already.

[bigt4u2nv]

The wheel was a good idea, but it was the worst thing to happenn to Match Game. Because of the wheel, Richard left.

[shinigami518]

I agree.

[sillybilly452]

why did he leave?

[Jnelson09Returns]

Ego. Simple as that.

[PsYcHoFaB]

He wanted out so he could do both his daytime and nighttime Family Feud. Match Game didn't want him to leave, so he didn't act himself.

[TVLubber]

He left to pursue Family Feud, on account of its success.

[kewanw16]

To host his own on ABC called Family Feud/All Star Family Feud Special which is out on dvd!

[smashwhammy]

DA FEUD, DA FEUD

[JMFabianoRPL]

True, but would he be on his way out anyway? Even before the wheel was when he started to not act like his old self.

[ryanschroer]

He acted that way because they were going to use the wheel. He said so himself in an interview in 1994.

[PsYcHoFaB]

He was already acting that way, even before the wheel.

[njboricuaparati]

They needed the star wheel. People kept picking Richard. It was getting old.

[lorelaigil32]

I don't like the star wheel because if you don't really like the celebrity you choose then it wouldn't e much fun for the contestant and they all picked Ricahrd because they knew he would win them money so let the people win the money!! The Star Wheel STINKS!

[JMFabianoRPL]

On the other hand, it gave everyone a chance to play the Head-to-Head. And it was from the MG I grew up watching, so I am a bit lenient ;-)

[JMFabianoRPL]

But yeah, on the other other hand, it would be fun to get to make your own choice and play with your favorite or the best player.

[kewanw16]

Oh come off of it gotdamnit it wasn't Gene's idea to come up with that "Star Wheel"it was Mark Goodson that idea and CBS went right along with it at the same time the set was remodeled to match it plus it was another for the celebrities to help the players win money that's how it started with $ THE PRICE IS RIGHT back in 1975 when Bob Barker came up with "The Showcase Showdown also contain the wheeel that beeps so what the hell is wrong with you?!!

[videonut33]

This was launched before they redone the whole set.

[SuperPAC]

A combination of things is the reason why Dawson departed.

Survey Said: Ego was the #1 answer!

[DENo1MatchGameFan]

Yes, Richard DID have an ego, but even at its worst, it wasn't as bad as Bob Barker's ego became by the time he left "TPIR" - just ask all of the people fired because of his antics!

[hossrex]

@SuperPAC

Of course he has an ego. He's a very talented person. This wheel robbed him of what he (rightfully) felt was HIS segment of the show, because he was good at it, and it made for great television.

The wheel was the reason he went on to the Feud, and ran this (otherwise great) show off television.

[beau99]

@hossrex Actually, it's the complete opposite. He was tired of being picked all the time, and I don't blame him, honestly.

[hossrex]

@beau99

Ummm... no.

He felt that part of the show was his, then when they brought in the wheel he felt insulted.

He left very shortly after the introduction of the wheel. Why in the world would he have done that if it was what HE wanted?

[beau99]

@hossrex He's more than admitted he hated always being picked several times already. He was legit pissed off that the wheel landed on him the first time it was used.

[hossrex]

@beau99

Since I have a dozen sources to DISAGREE with you... I'll ask for ONE source that agrees with you... since you wont be able to find it, you'll just quietly disappear from this thread, I'll never see you again, and all of us will be happier.

[Jnelson09]

That wheel was the reason Richard Dawson left.

[DeppObsession1963]

I know he took it WAY too personally! I kinda feel bad for him though because he was always so unhappy. It's like I wanna hug him just so I can see him smile FOR ONCE.

[animal654]

Who was that knucklehead in the purple? She ruined the moment!

[matchgame7xfan]

The Star Wheel was great!

[Warrenles]

The Starwheel Premieres At The Match Game Episode. Gene Rayburn Was With The Contestant Landed At Richard.

[lix500]

Every Richard Dawson's name is on the wheel, if it lands on his name with the double light you'll play for $5,000 or play for $2,500, if not on a double.

LOL

[bigfoot060775]

In the later days of the star wheel, it sounded more like the Price is Right wheel.

[ap621]

Yes, and they made the double harder to get.

[jh6]

A.I think to Starwheel matches the old set better (my opinion)

B.Even The Starwheel loves RICHARD DAWSON!

[SailorScoutX]

Great clip, for some reason this is the first time I actually saw the clip other than screen caps.

[HdbngrKen29]

They walked out because the wheel was fixed. LOL

[cpowers94]

"Chuck Woolery comes out and punches you in the mouth!". Pure genius.

[JBWiz]

reference to "Wheel of Fortune" hosted by Chuck Wollery in the '70's

[landrykkb]

@JBWiz It was also a cheap shot directed at Gene Rayburn and/or Mark Goodson.

[PressYourLuckWhammy]

Two good things about this clip:

1. It was hilarious!

2. Nice Match Game Wallpaper Factory plug. It's a good site.

[blank77]

Even the good lord wanted to pick Richard Dawson!!!!