Concentration (October 15, 1958): Part 1

"Concentration" is one of the great classics of TV, running on NBC from 1958-73 for over 3,000 episodes. It was a personal favorite of my mother's when she was a child, and I guess that's why I love it.

But this episode is from back on the franchise's 38th day, a match between current champ Robert and new challenger Walter. Commercials are included...and a running timecode!

(This was requested by "40onTheBlue", who also wanted a few other items. Also, thanks to "banjochris" for pointing me to the airdate via Paley Center.)

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Entertainment

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• Concentration
• game
• show
• Hugh
• Downs
• of
• puzzles
• and
• prizes
• New
• York
• 30
• numbered
• squares
• Season
• 1958
• 1959
• October
• 15
• Miles
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• Nervine
• One-A-Day
• episode
• 38
• request
• 40onTheBlue

[banjochris]

I saw this episode several years ago at the Paley Center for Media (at that time the Museum of TV and Radio). According to their database, this episode aired October 15, 1958. The show premiered August 25, 1958.

[WarioBarker88]

I just checked the online database for the Paley Center, and...

*jaw drop* HE'S RIGHT. As such, this is Episode #38.

Well, there's another mystery solved!

[bluebear1985]

There were also two primetime versions at seperate times in addition to the daytime one. Hugh Downs hosted the one in 1961, but Jack Barry hosted the 1958 version as a last-minute replacement for "Twenty One".

[WarioBarker88]

*nods* The 1958 version only lasted four episodes (10/30-11/20/58), while the 1961 version lasted a little bit longer.

[chris319]

It can't be the first daytime episode because the announcer refers to one of the contestants as "our winner from yesterday".

[WarioBarker88]

Although the theory that this was the Premiere was pretty much shot down, it should be noted that some games have done a "mock pilot" -- "Face The Music" and the 1990s "Joker's Wild" are believed to have done this.

[DesiluTrek]

I think I could use some of that Miles Nervine right now! Great vintage stuff. Thanks for posting!

[gymnastix]

@fromthesidelines Announcer and sub-host Bob Clayton filled in so often, many got used to Clayton hosting. So it was almost an insult when, for a few months in 1969, Ed McMahon was named as "Concentration" host. NBC rather quickly reversed the decision and named Claytn host, with Wayne Howell as announcer. I don't know I ever saw Howell sub-hosting?

[gymnastix]

@fromthesidelines And in the mid-to-late 1960s, Hugh Downs was no less busy, hosting "The Today Show" for two (or three) hours, then "Concentration," and sometimes documentaries in prime time.

As that eventful decade evolved, Downs' "Today" chores took him away from "Concentration" for long stretches, to location shows at the sites of political conventions, space ship launchings, and foreign trips of presidents.

[gymnastix]

I think the sliding doors entrance was used from about 1962 until maybe even the early years of Bob Clayton hosting, at least until late in the Downs-hosted years.

I know it may sound trivial. But these are the details that hold such memories for those of us who enjoyed television when it was newer and downright exciting to watch. Of course many things are amplified when one is a child.

[gymnastix]

I wish I could find an episode in which Hugh Downs (or announcer/sub-host Art James) emerges from between the two sliding doors that comprise the contestant prize boards.

You may see those doors close at around 2:05, just before Downs segues into the Miles Nervine spot. But for several years, the emcee would emerge from between those doors after he was announced, which made for a much more dramatic and fun show opening.

[5star555555555]

if only shows nowadays used those organ/timpani blasts to introduce the contestants

[DRIVEIN101]

Being a game-show nut as a kid in the 70's, I grew up with the Bob Clayton and Jack Narz versions. I've been wanting to see some of the earlier versions. Great classic television here!

[OaktownABQ]

How is Miles Nervene any different from a shot of bourbon?

[PeerlessPaavo]

2:43 "And though she's not really ill/There's a little yellow pill"

[Noveltooner]

It was interesting and also "Nighttime Concentration" was much more elaborate than its daytime counterpart. First of all, it was broadcast from the original Ziegfeld Theater as opposed to 30 Rock. They had a full orchestra conducted by Milton DeLugg an much bigger prizes. It had similar but larger set than the daytime version with a display floor for big prizes, and another board had been constructed for it. After 12 years in storage that board headed for L.A. for use on the Jack Narz version.

[fromthesidelines]

At the time, Hugh was very busy on NBC- he not only hosted "CONCENTRATION" during the day, he was also Jack Paar's announcer/sidekick- late nights- on "THE JACK PAAR SHOW".