The $25,000 Pyramid (1987) ***original CBS broadcast*** PT. 3 (B)

Here's part tres of CBS's Emmy-winning $25,000 Pyramid, from the week of 6/1/87-6/5/87. The special guests featured are TV icon Betty White (from The Mary Tyler Moore Show and more famously, The Golden Girls), and legendary game show host and personality Bill Cullen. Watch as Dick Clark pays a small tribute to Mr. Cullen, and his lengthy career in television. Plus, a 20'' color TV is the Mystery 7 prize in round two! Will returning champion Larry have a crack at the big bucks? We'll soon find out.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• $25000
• pyramid
• dick
• clark
• game
• show
• 1987

[Noveltooner]

I always enjoyed Bill Cullen on everything he did on both television and radio (ah, the good old days of WNBC-AM). Even the games shows that didn't last or weren't that good, he was always witty, enjoyable and classy. My favorite show, however, was and always will be (and the show and I were born seven months apart) "The Price is Right." Even after 38 years of Bob Barker, Dennis James, Tom Kennedy and Drew Carey, for me Mr. Cullen was and always will be THE host of "The Price is Right."

[Noveltooner]

He had originally been diagnosed in March 1987; he already looks and sounds frail in this show. He fought it for almost three years, but, although he stopped doing it on-air in 1958, he was a heavy chain-smoker and, sadly, it was too late when he finally quit. Many of his closest friends and associates knew the handwriting was on the wall. It's been said that he wanted his last TV appearance to be on "The $25,000 Pyramid" because of his 40-year friendship with Bob Stewart and crew.

[zachhoran]

When was Bill diagnosed with cancer? I thought it was earlier in 1990 before the died the Summer.

[Noveltooner]

It was also fitting that Mr. Cullen's last appearance would be on a show created and produced by his longtime friend Bob Stewart. The went back together to their biggest hit before "The $25,000 Pyramid," "The Price is Right." Yes, it was a Goodson-Todman show, but its creator and original producer is Bob Stewart.  Many of the G-T staff who worked under Stewart followed him to his production company. Stewart inspired loyalty and a working family environment of which even the audience was part.

[Noveltooner]

Tom Kennedy (nee: Jim Narz) is Jack Narz's younger brother and had two big hits with the original "You Don't Say!" and "Split Second." His "Body Language" occasionally pops up on GSN and he succeeded Allen Ludden as the host of "Password Plus." And, in another case of six degress of separation, he and Jack Narz were Bill Cullen's brothers-in-law.

[Noveltooner]

The 6/5/87 show was Bill Cullen's last TV appearance before his death in 1990. Although much of his trademark energy seemed to be lost after his move to laid-back L.A. from New York in 1980, by the time this show was taped, it was apparent he was ill with the cancer. I'd met Mr. Cullen 3 times here in New York and had attended tapings of "Eye Guess," "To Tell the Truth," "Three on a Match" and "$The 25,000 Pyramid." What a classy, charming, unassuming person! R.I.P., Bill, with lots of smiles.

[SueBeaWho]

Contestant: "And this is ummm...."

Bill Cullen: "An injection."

Bill is my hero! (Betty too, actually!) I am old enuf to remember when these shows aired! Sheesh, I actually remember the 60's :-D (Course I did not take drugs or "turn on" at the time unless it was children's aspirin lol)

[BenJabituya]

Dick Clark forgot to mention "How Do You Like Your Eggs?".

[tvtimetravel]

Yes, he did, but just for the 1985-1986 season.

[Matto2t]

I have heard of Tom Kennedy, but I don't think I ever saw any game shows that he hosted. Isn't it true that he used to host a nighttime version of The Price is Right back in the mid '80s?

-Matt