These are absolutely delightful to watch again, after all these years. We didn't have these in the Chicagoland TV market until the late 70s, or early 80s, as they ran on an independent station [Channel 32] or possibly one of the satellite channels, however, it was one show my parents and I all loved and would actually watch together. I didn't know Allen Ludden had at one time been the host as the shows they ran in the Chicago market were all hosted by Bill Armstrong. Still a wonderfully humorous 1/2 hour of entertainment. Thanks for posting these!!!
According to Tom Kennedy, he was selected to do nighttime TPIR because it was right near Body Language. Also keep in mind that Bill Cullen and Dennis James were both Name That Tune and TPIR hosts and it was probably assumed that Tom Kennedy would translate into the same success.
I like the show but can see why it didn't catch on... Gene's a seasoned trooper and manages to keep things going. Jon's not bad, but Peter Marshall is inevitably going to be missed. Whenever Gene stabs "Watch it!", one has to wonder what the person(s) in the audience said. Or think to more recent revivals (e.g. MG98 onward) because chances are the contestant or panelists actually said it. A few too many recycled questions in amongst the new (which were funnier), brash think music, a weird opening scene, recycled theme music from The Price is Right, and weird set designs seem distracting.
It's an okay game. The problem I have is that you don't win much money and I wasn't around when this show aired so I wouldn't even know half the headlines.
I just came across an episode of this on an old VHS tape. The cringe was real on the episode I had to watch. Thanks for uploading though so I was able to see what some of the other episodes are like.
The biggest problem I have with the show was the panto-like audience, hollering or booing at every question. Very annoying, sometimes leads the contestants to the wrong answer, and just felt like those trash talk shows.
