Edythe Chan, who reaches over to Bill Cullen when he calls her (telling her "Well, Edie, this isn't your first game show and it won't be your last.") had worked with Bill Cullen and Bob Stewart all the way back to original "The Price is Right" on NBC and ABC. She was among the first to leave Goodson-Todman to join Bob Stewart Productions when after "Price's" cancellation Stewart formed his own company. I loved the dark blue desks and the plexigalss podium later used on "The $50,000 Pyramid."
Bob Stewart's shows in New York, dating back to "The Price is Right," always had a "one big family" feeling and a spontanoeus atmosphere that could never be duplicated in Los Angeles, where everything seemed staged, precisely edited, and all of the contestants from the same mold. The wide angle shot with the running lights of the great gold pyramid on the darkend set, and the announcer's, "This is 'The $20,000 Pyramid" was more more explosive and exciting than the openings in California.
It's unfortunate that NBC, CBS and ABC didn't realize the worth of archiving numerous game shows back then. All of that talent lost forever. According to some internet articles the 1974-79 $25,000 Pyramid with Bill Cullen exists in its entirety being a syndicated production; and purportedly, all episodes of the $50,000 Pyramid exist. Too bad those episodes remain in limbo due to ownership rights to ever be rerun.
1,808 shows and ABC wiped damn near all of them except for the last season and a half. This looks to be from a studio master though as we have the VTR date (05/15/1980) slate at the head end. Thanks so much for sharing with us.
The "Hit shows on NBC-TV" category was relevant because except for SNL, Johnny Carson, and Bob Hope, the rest of NBC (at least in primetime) was unwatchable during the second half of the '70s.
@johnnyafairbanksak As the network that dumped was the first to dump voiceover announcements and was the first to inflict "credit crunching" on us (coicidentally when Jay Leno took over "The Tonight Show"), I think that's poetic justice.
@johnnyafairbanksak I almost forgot that that category had a particularly special meaning for Bill Cullen on the day this aired. NBC had just whacked "Chain Reaction" the same day.
It has been 30 years since that aired and of course Bill Cullen and Lois Nettleton have since passed on, RIP to Bill and Lois and being ths is September the month of new shows, hopefully one September, another Pyramid show will come on again be great again.
@tvtimetravel I know that contestants used to get away with hand signals on 'The $10,000 Pyramid,' but that was once upon a time. It's interesting how contestants escaped disqualification that way back then, though...
Edythe Chan, who reaches over to Bill Cullen when he calls her (telling her "Well, Edie, this isn't your first game show and it won't be your last.") had worked with Bill Cullen and Bob Stewart all the way back to original "The Price is Right" on NBC and ABC. She was among the first to leave Goodson-Todman to join Bob Stewart Productions when after "Price's" cancellation Stewart formed his own company. I loved the dark blue desks and the plexigalss podium later used on "The $50,000 Pyramid."
Noveltooner 4 months ago
That would of been so funny if Cullen got zapped on what bill cullen says.
trent100100 4 months ago
The man himself, "Pyramid" creator-producer Bob Stewart pops in at 4:48, announcer Steve O'Brien is seen in the light gray suit at 6:13 and joins in.
JerryG918 6 months ago
Bob Stewart's shows in New York, dating back to "The Price is Right," always had a "one big family" feeling and a spontanoeus atmosphere that could never be duplicated in Los Angeles, where everything seemed staged, precisely edited, and all of the contestants from the same mold. The wide angle shot with the running lights of the great gold pyramid on the darkend set, and the announcer's, "This is 'The $20,000 Pyramid" was more more explosive and exciting than the openings in California.
Noveltooner 6 months ago
@Noveltooner That could explain why he held off on moving his shows to Los Angeles for a good period of time.
bluebear1985 6 months ago
Listen carefully towards the very end when Dick is shaking hands with Bill Cullen. Bill tells him "I MEANT that..." True, genuine class Cullen was.
whewfan 7 months ago 2
A fitting final category on the last WC.(And loved Dick cracking up on "Things Kissinger Didn't Foul Up"!).
smittykins 10 months ago
It's unfortunate that NBC, CBS and ABC didn't realize the worth of archiving numerous game shows back then. All of that talent lost forever. According to some internet articles the 1974-79 $25,000 Pyramid with Bill Cullen exists in its entirety being a syndicated production; and purportedly, all episodes of the $50,000 Pyramid exist. Too bad those episodes remain in limbo due to ownership rights to ever be rerun.
palmz4u 1 year ago
See ya tomorrow on The Bandstand! :^)
AarHan3 1 year ago
Thsi was such a fitting finale. Bill Cullen kicks butt in the Winner's Circle.
sageofsuccess 1 year ago
1,808 shows and ABC wiped damn near all of them except for the last season and a half. This looks to be from a studio master though as we have the VTR date (05/15/1980) slate at the head end. Thanks so much for sharing with us.
storrs19 1 year ago
The "Hit shows on NBC-TV" category was relevant because except for SNL, Johnny Carson, and Bob Hope, the rest of NBC (at least in primetime) was unwatchable during the second half of the '70s.
johnnyafairbanksak 1 year ago
@johnnyafairbanksak Sadly, the same could be said for NBC today, right now the number 4 network behind even, ugh, FOX! (D**n you, Rupert Murdoch!)
Noveltooner 6 months ago
@Noveltooner But now that Comcast is in control, that could change.
johnnyafairbanksak 6 months ago
@Noveltooner Actually, NBC is still fourth behind ABC (CBS and Fox are #1 and #2). Coming into 1980, they were dead last behind ABC and CBS.
johnnyafairbanksak 4 months ago
@johnnyafairbanksak As the network that dumped was the first to dump voiceover announcements and was the first to inflict "credit crunching" on us (coicidentally when Jay Leno took over "The Tonight Show"), I think that's poetic justice.
Noveltooner 4 months ago
@johnnyafairbanksak I almost forgot that that category had a particularly special meaning for Bill Cullen on the day this aired. NBC had just whacked "Chain Reaction" the same day.
Noveltooner 4 months ago
This set did need to be updated, though.
scoobydoo11111 1 year ago
It has been 30 years since that aired and of course Bill Cullen and Lois Nettleton have since passed on, RIP to Bill and Lois and being ths is September the month of new shows, hopefully one September, another Pyramid show will come on again be great again.
TheFrankenstein72 1 year ago
How sweet for the second subject! And Dick still wouldn't let him use his hands!
tvtimetravel 1 year ago
@tvtimetravel He didn't get buzzed for it, that's something!
weatherdan882002 1 year ago
@tvtimetravel I know that contestants used to get away with hand signals on 'The $10,000 Pyramid,' but that was once upon a time. It's interesting how contestants escaped disqualification that way back then, though...
JeterSwisherFan88 1 year ago
If the subject was Dick Clark.....we'll never know!
scoobydoo11111 1 year ago
Real People, Little House on the Prairie, CHiPs, Diff'rent Strokes...
Tubewings 1 year ago
@Tubewings and Quincy, M.E.
megamanj2004X 1 year ago