117 replies to this topic

[Robair]

Matt Ottinger, on May 16 2005, 09:43 AM, said:

The first show that occurred to me was Hot Seat, a one-trick pony that got redundant before the end of the first episode.

Great theme, though. Can't say it was the worst in that case.

My vote for the worst: the 1986 remake of "Split Second". Took everything truly great about the original (host, pacing, endgame, music) and threw it out the window. When it takes Monty Hall a minute to read a question on that show, it pretty much takes all the wind out of the show. The set was kind of cool though.

[dmota104]

Could there be a game worse than TTD90 or BtB86?  Is there a show crummier than almost any Stone Stanley production?  Could a show have aired that makes CaSINO look like the original Gambit?

The answer to all questions: Yes -- $hopper's Casino from the '80s.  I brought this up at "the old place" -- but for viewers just tuning in, I'll gladly repeat here.

Long story short, the show was co-hosted by Jeff Maxwell (from M*A*S*H) and Debra Sue Maffett (former Miss America).  Dealer was a guy named Dirty Harry (who's about as much fun at a party as Emile Autori).

Object of the game: Win points by playing casino games.  The point values were determined by the prices of the merchandise up for sale (think TPiR prizes worth less than $100).

If there was more to it, I forget -- and also tuned out about 15 minutes into the show.

Why?  The set was just horrible.  Take a bunch of gaming tables, throw them in a vacant studio and, voila, it's a shopper's casino.  

What *REALLY* got my goat was during a "phone home" segment.  Thing was the contestant on the phone line sure didn't sound like she was on the phone.  The "phone connection" was as crystal clear as (insert your favorite game show announcer here) reading off the list of loving parting gifts losing contestants got to take home.

I was living in Dayton at the time.  Friend of mine ran master control at the Fox station on the day in question.  "Oh, you saw that piece of (deleted expletive), too, eh?"  Joke was I didn't get paid to watch it -- and he did.

I've sat through full half hours of StyD, TJW90, even Born Lucky and the most recent piece of (deleted expletive) I've seen -- ESPN's Teammates.  

While I admit to only watching half an episode, trust me, you haven't seen pathetic until you've seen $hopper's Casino.

[PYLdude]

Okay, my turn.

Where do I start, honestly? So many god-awful shows to choose from!

Of course, as was stated before, Card Guppies has to be considered (although I heard last night of someone who said compared to this one, the other three versions of Card Sharks were crap...wow). There were many others (which I don't want to list, because it would take too much time, you've already read them by this point, I'm sure, and I actually enjoyed one or two of those shows).

I guess you really can't consider this, because of the time frame, but I'll say season 2 of the syndie Weakest Link has to be up there. Sure, the first season may have had its flaws, but at least the game was somewhat passable. The second season just blew everything up. I could understand doubling the possible complete bank to $25K, but why ditch the double bank round? Plus, George Gray seemed to get more and more bitter as the season wore on.

And I still don't like Meredith Vieira's Millionaire, even though it's on its way to a fourth season.

[Steve Gavazzi]

PYLdude, on May 16 2005, 01:28 PM, said:

I heard last night of someone who said compared to this one, the other three versions of Card Sharks were crap...wow

Contrary to popular belief, it is possible for an opinion to be wrong. :-)

[SRIV94]

I'd like some consideration given to RODEO DRIVE.  Bad show, worse host (DuArt's impressions are lame enough as it is).

(Dis)Honorable mention--THREE'S A CROWD (either version, although the announcer on the second one rocked [is my nose turning brown?] ;-) )

Doug

[Jimmy Fiono Coyne]

Quote

For those of you who actually saw the one episode of the series, how would you say You're In The Picture ranked among the worst? 

It was a cute idea, but the game itself turned out to be dreadful, and the celebrities did a lamentable job at playing the game. While not THE worst, I would categorize it as "Among the Worst."
Jackie Gleason was the only reason I found the show tolerable.
I think though that his subsequent monologue is some of the best television, period!

The worst game show ever: Bingo At Home. Poor Monty.

EDIT: But then there's The Perfect Match with Dick Enberg. Both of these shows were cures for insomnia.

--Jamie

[HairMetalLives]

It's interesting that someone brought this up. I launched a new section of my web site a week or so ago called "The Game Show Hall of Shame." The link is in my signature if anyone wants to check it out.

The worst show I've ever seen? I'll go with J.D. Roth's "Double Up."