Wow, I've always loved Richard Dawson, but this proves one person can really make an environment tense. I remember the tension in the atmosphere before he left.
If someone had me stuck doing something I didn't want to do after doing it so long I wouldn't be expected to smile either. Eventually it gets old and he wanted to move on and have his own show just like gene had. So why was gene and others upset?!
No show ever jumps the shark. It just has a moment that separates the true fans from the cynics. The former sticks by the show no matter what, the cynics do not. MATCH GAME is no different.
The 3 things that changed Match Game, all with in a few weeks.
1. Star Wheel
2. New Set
3. Richard leaves
I really wished Richard stayed on and as his own self, the show was never the same. I dont even like to watch post 1978 shows because its so different.
I still love Richard and watching him on FF. He really changed in 1978 after winning an emmy. Plus I think he was getting tired of MG but those episodes where he is not smiling and hardly saying anything is hard to watch because he being himself anymore, someone totally different. He ended up leaving on bad terms with them.
Of course he left on bad terms, they wouldn't let him out of his contract because filming two shows day and night was hitting him hard, so the only thing he can do is act like the complete opposite of what he was.
@KyleRockafella You are so WRONG!!! The Star Wheel debuted in mid-1978 before Dawson left. I believe he left in July/August 1978 while wearing those dumb glasses due to something being caught in his eye.
Around this time Match Game wasn't too funny no more. Still a great show but the week after Dawson left and Bob Barker took his sit for that week. Then the show JUMPED THE SHARK!!!!
Match Game never jumped the shark..but they should have allowed Dawson to leave when they wanted to. It's hard for me to watch episodes where he isn't smiling. Totally ruins the mood of the show.
Parlet, he is not a jerk. I love him also. Family Feud didn't mess him up because if you watch it he seems very happy to me and the finale he cried because he was going to miss it so much!
He sure did love Family Feud. And I have seen his last Family Feud show, and he did have to fight back tears, and he wanted to have at least 30 minutes of fun and laughter.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
I'm glad Dickie left and McLean replaced him, eventually...Richard was obviously not having much fun in the later episodes and McLean was a great replacement. Too bad he came a couple of years after Richard left and not before.
Smile you meanie
ApricotOfLove 5 months ago
I'm not going until you smile Richard.
ethanman62187 10 months ago
Wow, I've always loved Richard Dawson, but this proves one person can really make an environment tense. I remember the tension in the atmosphere before he left.
snoops71 1 year ago 3
Richard is pouting, but he is kinda sexy. ;)
80stimeagain 1 year ago 6
Comment removed
80stimeagain 1 year ago
A douchebag situation handled remarkably well by a consummate showman.
NOWhammies91983 1 year ago
Yeah, this must have been when the producers refused to release him from his MG contract so he can do FF full-time.
jjlucash 2 years ago
Well I don't care what any of you say, I think Richard has a charming smile.
electricallogan 2 years ago 5
If someone had me stuck doing something I didn't want to do after doing it so long I wouldn't be expected to smile either. Eventually it gets old and he wanted to move on and have his own show just like gene had. So why was gene and others upset?!
jeanzgirl13 2 years ago 4
@jeanzgirl13 I agree with you.
80stimeagain 1 year ago
well, he did smile by the end....
BestMusicExpert 2 years ago
No show ever jumps the shark. It just has a moment that separates the true fans from the cynics. The former sticks by the show no matter what, the cynics do not. MATCH GAME is no different.
ericandy88 2 years ago
It's quite a sight watching Richard sulk through Match Game '78. He clearly wasn't enjoying himself.
TheJman2600 2 years ago
Why did you play music over the ending?
ajk 2 years ago
At this time, it was all a joke, but some time later, Richard SERIOUSLY lost his smile.
antimokracekcampaign 2 years ago
David kind of looked like Tom Arnold
rlguitarist 2 years ago
If Richard never won his Emmy and/or them bringing in that star wheel he probably would still be the same ol Richard everyone loved.
I don't blame Richard or the others for not liking the star wheel. Half the times when it lands on them they have the look like oh no why me.
Still love Richard irregardless!
cartoongameshowfan76 3 years ago
The 3 things that changed Match Game, all with in a few weeks.
1. Star Wheel
2. New Set
3. Richard leaves
I really wished Richard stayed on and as his own self, the show was never the same. I dont even like to watch post 1978 shows because its so different.
cbutchko 3 years ago 5
A year later, CBS cancelled Match Game.
Add the move to the 4 PM "death slot" to your list and that's what got it canned.
TheJman2600 2 years ago
@cbutchko
It needs mentioning again that this was a PRE-star wheel episode.
MrSammyReed 1 year ago
Dawson had outgrown Match Game at that time and wanted out.
freewaydan 3 years ago 2
I still love Richard and watching him on FF. He really changed in 1978 after winning an emmy. Plus I think he was getting tired of MG but those episodes where he is not smiling and hardly saying anything is hard to watch because he being himself anymore, someone totally different. He ended up leaving on bad terms with them.
tommy76tx 3 years ago 5
Of course he left on bad terms, they wouldn't let him out of his contract because filming two shows day and night was hitting him hard, so the only thing he can do is act like the complete opposite of what he was.
tingaaling 3 years ago 7
How come it took 2 years of 2 shows for him to see he could not both? Did he think he could for a while?
ericandy88 2 years ago
Maybe he didn't like the star wheel because it meant he wouldn't be getting picked every time for the final round.
IcouldBNE1 2 years ago
@IcouldBNE1 that didn't debute til 1977.
KyleRockafella 1 year ago
@KyleRockafella You are so WRONG!!! The Star Wheel debuted in mid-1978 before Dawson left. I believe he left in July/August 1978 while wearing those dumb glasses due to something being caught in his eye.
familyfeudfan95 9 months ago
@IcouldBNE1
This was a PRE-star wheel episode.
MrSammyReed 1 year ago
@ericandy88 he had no choice.
KyleRockafella 1 year ago
Dawson wanted out so he work full time on Family Feud
clockmaster2010 3 years ago 8
dawson wanted out of his contract at this time but they wouldnt let him, so he rebelled by withdrawing himself
DylanGaine 4 years ago 10
Gene seemed particularly besotted here. God bless him. Booze made this game as fun as it was. They all seem to have tied one on before filming.
MrAnus 4 years ago
Dawson was Cool!!!
Around this time Match Game wasn't too funny no more. Still a great show but the week after Dawson left and Bob Barker took his sit for that week. Then the show JUMPED THE SHARK!!!!
coolwafferman 4 years ago 3
@coolwafferman And Barker had a MUCH bigger ego than Richard ever did!
DENo1MatchGameFan 1 year ago
Match Game never jumped the shark..but they should have allowed Dawson to leave when they wanted to. It's hard for me to watch episodes where he isn't smiling. Totally ruins the mood of the show.
ryanschroer 4 years ago 4
Parlet, he is not a jerk. I love him also. Family Feud didn't mess him up because if you watch it he seems very happy to me and the finale he cried because he was going to miss it so much!
lorelaigil32 5 years ago 6
He sure did love Family Feud. And I have seen his last Family Feud show, and he did have to fight back tears, and he wanted to have at least 30 minutes of fun and laughter.
gameshowfreak 3 years ago 3
If I were paid to appear on a game show, I'd have a non-stop smile on my face.
Lava1964 5 years ago
If Family Feud hadn't messed him up, He just might have been smiling!
blank76 5 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I'm glad Dickie left and McLean replaced him, eventually...Richard was obviously not having much fun in the later episodes and McLean was a great replacement. Too bad he came a couple of years after Richard left and not before.
blank73 5 years ago
parlet .. he's not a jerk.. He's a very funny guy. I love him
Geddy93 5 years ago 7
This was probably the moment MG began to jump the shark.
Drchainsaw77 5 years ago 4
Gee...Richard Dawson acting like a total jerk...what a huge surprise.
parlet 5 years ago
Come on Richard, smile!
lix500 5 years ago
Richard Dawson not smiling. Kind of like his final episode of "Match Game PM" in 1978.
bluebear1985 5 years ago
lol
XRayX4416 5 years ago
Probably one of my all time favorite Match Game moments.
PressYourLuckWhammy 5 years ago