Concentration (NBC, Syndication)

This video collage that I made is from the well-known game show, "Concentration" that aired on NBC from August 25, 1958 to March 23, 1973.

The hosts were:
Jack Barry (1958).
Hugh Downs (1958 to 1969)
Ed McMahon (1969, very briefly)
Bob Clayton (1969 to 1973)

The syndicated version ran from September 10, 1973 to September 8, 1978.

The host was Jack Narz.

The theme song is from the 1973-78 Syndicated version. Supposedly, the theme song is called "Concentration Opening" by Ed Kalehoff.

The NBC version fully exist (Big thank you to Secondchance1977 and the confirmation from Steve Beverly's Game Show Convention Center website). Some episodes were said to be found at the Library of Congress. Only a few remain on the trading block; Shokus Video is known to have a tournament episode from the late 1960s, and 12 Downs/Clayton episodes and a syndicated Narz episode have been found in the UCLA Film and Television Archive. The Museum of Television and Radio has in its possession one 1958 Hugh Downs episode, two 1971-72 Bob Clayton episodes and one syndicated Narz episode from 1974.

The Narz syndicated episodes also exist. At least one Narz episode has been found on the trading circuit, from the final season in 1978 with the Double Play bonus round pick-a-prize package board. A ten minute clip of the end of an episode from 1974 also exists, in poor quality.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Concentration
• NBC
• Game
• Show
• Hugh
• Downs
• Bob
• Clayton
• Jack
• Narz
• Barry

[timbabcock]

GSN's website states that Concentration is still owned by NBC and they haven't released any of the tapes for viewing.  The daytime concentration shows are probably destroyed except for a few kinescopes and the last episode. The syndicated version is still intact in the Goodson Todman libraries (just like the other two series Jack Narz did in the 70s) but NBC won't allow their viewing.

There have been some rumors going on that there may be a new version offered on NBC during primetime.

[Stratman78]

@timbabcock If you don't believe me on the status of the Concentration episodes, I can send you the link to Steve Beverly's Game Show Convention Center website stating that the episodes do exist.

[cr78fan]

Just want to thank you 4 posting theses clips. You have no idea what great memories come flooding back.

[Stratman78]

@cr78fan You are welcome!

[Limp73]

Alex Trebek also hosted a revived version of the daytime game show in the late 1980s. Hugh Downs was however the definitive host.

[Stratman78]

I'll second that on Hugh Downs for he was the definitive host. As for Jack Narz, this was his definitive game show.

[kimberlyKfnOphiEAGLE]

I'd also love to find out whether the ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES exist for "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In". And some of the old "Hallmark Hall of Fame" master tapes.

One show NBC Universal has released to Fancast

is "Emergency!" NBC, stop being stingy and release the old game shows, at least to Fancast!

[CraigFoye80]

R.I.P. Jack Narz (1922-2008)

[Noveltooner]

@timbabcock I can tell you for a fact that over 800 "kinneys" of "Concentration" do exist and are still in storage by NBC, although no longer in the old Fort Lee, NJ warehouse.  That includes the entire 1961 run of "Nighttime Concentration," which was broadcast from the original Ziegfeld Theater with a different board which, after 11 years in storage, was shipped out to L.A. for the Jack Narz version in 1973. (The last of the original series was still in production in New York at the time.)

[jazz1929]

Wow! They gave away a Chevy Chevette as the big prize lol. I found Concentration to be one of the tougher game shows to solve. Must be because I was a kid when it aired. I wish I could see one the Hugh Downs' episodes.

[GSNSmashFan3]

My dad's favorite game show as a child. Good to know it wasn't one of the unfortunate shows that had its episodes mostly destroyed.

[timbabcock]

@Stratman78 I just quoted with what the GSN website states because Sony seems to own most of the gameshows that have been produced in the past except for a few exceptions. I'd like to see the link to that.

[JemimaBloomstein954]

DL the audio from this tune at tubepull doht cohm.

[bradhig]

Where did you get the theme music?

[WheelWatcher12345]

Fortunaly, all episodes exist. Which is a remarkable feat for NBC.

[tofu916]

Ed Kalehoff is a genius! I have all of the TPIR cue music, and it still boggles my mind! thanks for posting this!

[fredbird67]

Having been born at the end of 1967, I was just a toddler when the original version was in its last few years on the air, so I don't remember it all that well, but I remember the Narz version. I especially love the fact that you used the theme from the Narz version in the clip -- It's definitely one of my all -time favorite game show themes! :-)