Scroll down a pinch to Switzerland. (I'll let you stop for a moment to take a peek at Rachel in the first picture.)

They are now using green screens for the trip skins now.

Discuss ahoy.

Again: Saves money and time, audience doesn't care.

Next?

In all honesty: What took them so long? It's only a cosmetic change IMO! No big deal!

I'm surprised they even bothered with a frame and "Switzerland" lettering. Stick a door-sized green screen in there, and let Carey handle the comedy that results from fitting downtown Zurich behind door #2.

/Ryan, how many doors does that prize have again?
//Seventeen, Drew.

OH NOES CHANGE

Several flaws.

Door 3 is green, now requiring the door to open just as the contestant is making their way onto the stage. This ruins any sort of surprise and contestant reaction shots.

Obviously you see nothing in the studio other than the name of the location printed over the screen. I just have a hard time believing that any of the reaction shots will look normal when they cut to a contestant who sees a giant green billboard.

Contestants wearing green can be no longer in front of the screen. (Safe Crackers, Showcases, etc.)

It's my understanding that they are just sort of 'winging it' trying to get around some of these problems. I just very much hope they don't institute a forced reaction shot (retaped or whatever) if it continues to be a problem.

Said, of course, solely to mock Golden-Road and in complete ignorance of whether or not the change even makes sense.

I don't think it makes a damn bit of difference. It certainly won't deter me from watching the show.

Some of you really need to unwad your panties and question whether you should be caring as much as you are. If Rodger was making these changes, would the reaction be the same? Something makes me think its more about that than anything else.

You're tilting at windmills.

John just explained quite clearly why it does.


Yes it will. Just like every single other aspect of the program, regardless of who was controlling it. You hate everything, Mark; you're not exactly in a position to be giving lectures about this.


I already responded to this in the Barker's Marker$ thread a couple weeks ago. I'm not doing it again.


Yes -- but Roger never would have approved something so ridiculous to begin with.

Oh, bullshit.

I'm sick and tired of you waving this card every time I say something, be it here, or on Wikipedia. I've done nothing but enjoy the show since Drew took over. Imagine that.
What, no surprise reactions? The same comments were made about the Plinko reveal. Again, NBFD.
Why, because you know its right?
Somehow, I doubt that people would be complaining as much.

Why are they keying to the same shade of green as the door?

Why are they staging games that will use the CK board at Door #3?

As opposed to a mishmash of windmills, chocolate bars, and holy cheese? Really?

Again, I was under the impression that keying technology had improved to the point where this wasn't an issue.

I would *love* to see that. God, if you think some panties are wadded *now*...

OH MY GOSH!!! THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END!!!!! TPIR IS CHANGING!!!!!!

Then try saying something positive about something at some time other than immediately after I've pointed out your apparent hatred of the entire universe.


That isn't even close to comparable. The problem with the Plinko reveal is that it's terrible on television. The problem with using a green screen for trips is that it's terrible in the studio.


Because I shouldn't have to post the damn thing again when it's already there for you to go back and read if you really care to (and frankly, I don't think you do -- you just enjoy taking potshots at the Golden-Road guy).


You know, if you'd get over your blanket hatred of Golden-Road, you'd realize that we did complain about things that were done under Roger's watch -- there were set changes we didn't care for, rule changes that we didn't all agree with...such things just tended to come up far less frequently than they've been doing since he was fired two months ago.


A guy chuckling at the goofy picture across the stage is a hell of a better shot than a guy staring blankly at a green wall.


Congratulations. You now sound exactly like Mark Odor.

Not to get on my high horse or soapbox, but let me just take a moment to remind everyone freaking out that this is simply a television game show. It is not as if we're changing the appearance of the American flag. A simple update in television production that, quite frankly, could have been added fifteen-twenty years ago and has no really horrible impact upon the show is all that is being added.

Just think about that before you go nuts on someone else or go nuts with your "end of the world" mantra.

The slightest change on TPIR and Gavazzi and ClockGameJohn are instantly turning into Chicken Littles. Again.

Why am I not surprised in the least?

...and a whole lot of other people who are also openly mocking the Chicken Littling that has been stereotypical of the G-R userbase.

This just in to CNN...

I merely pointed out some of the flaws. There is no spilled milk in my kitchen, I assure you.

I don't normally watch TPIR, but this is the one part of your post that really perplexes me. Are you simply being a contrarian here? The impression I've gotten is that a lot of the posters here don't like the forced reaction shots and retakes on all the Endemol shows, so I can't imagine why anybody would like it any more on TPIR. I can't help but think there are some folks here would would get happy seeing the right people get their knickers in a twist. (I'll admit, however, that I know there are times over on the TCM boards that I feel like being a contrarian. If you think there's a lot of kvetching here, it could be much worse.)

To be honest, my first impression would also have been to ask about whether contestants wearing green would be a problem regarding the ChromaKey, but I would hope the producers considered that.

My other thought was that if all the audience saw was a green screen, they might have a more muted reaction. But considering how they go nuts over the flats, that probably wouldn't happen. Of course, I also think that a more muted reaction from the audience wouldn't be a bad thing. :-)

Of course he is. That's all he does in any discussion about Price -- shout down anybody who tries to put forth the prevailing opinion of the Golden-Road crowd without even bothering to consider that it might have some merit. And the same goes for PYLdude and Mark Odor -- there are days I swear that's the only reason they even come here.

And I've gotta be honest -- it bugs the crap out of me. I don't enjoy coming here very much when all I end up doing is explaining the finer points of running a game show to people like Lemon who have freaking worked in broadcasting and by all logic should understand it better than I do.

Speaking IN MY ROLE AS A MODERATOR I completely agree with this assessment. John and Steve may, fairly or unfairly, have gotten a reputation around here as TPIR apologists, but all John did was point out some fairly small but very real reasons why using a green screen presents certain production challenges, challenges I frankly hadn't considered.

Far worse in this thread, in my opinion but still IN MY ROLE AS A MODERATOR are the completely unprovoked "OH NOES" AND "OH MY GOSH!!!" and anything else you guys think is funny to write in all caps. And THAT is all that Steve was responding to.

If you have some legitimate criticism or defense of the issue at hand, you are certainly free to express it. But if all you want to do is belittle the opinions of others even before they've had the chance to express them, you will not be doing it here much longer. I have had it with people who think taking cheap shots at TPIR superfans in general is a way to make a point. It is not, as the next person to do it will learn.

"Happy" is a strong word, but yeah, my comment was illustrating just how tired I am of the TPiR fanb0i contingent shiatting a pickle every time the least little thing changes. To the point where I'm willing to sacrifice the #1 game show on daytime television to express my annoyance.

Well, when I *did* consider it, and posted why I thought the argument *didn't* have merit, all I got was ranted at.

Mind you, I don't care if you want to rant at me, but, you know, intelligent discourse goes two ways.

/"no you didn't blah blah blah"

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n243/ga..._shit_again.jpg

TPIR used to use a blue screen for their trips back in the early years before the hour-long extension.

Just sayin'.

Does anyone have video of that or know of any shows on the DVD set where it was done? I'd like to see it.

Mark, you really hit it on the head. It seems the show is only being scrutinized closer because Roger isn't in charge any more.

But what's up with those hockey players playing the game? We got pseudo-celebrities now? Hmm...

Would the use of a blue screen he mentions perhaps be similar to those "Salute" showcases, where they pried open the picture of who was being saluted to reveal a green screen? The contestants had a monitor to watch during the Showcases, as did the audience, so this didn't kill the reaction at all.

ClockGameJohn's incredibly apt points aside, I can see where this new way to do trips has its benefits. Not having to manipulate so much huge art and/or create new huge art would save time and money I'm sure. But on face value, this doesn't scream incredibly cheesy to anyone? It was like when they faked in prizes/used a video wall on Billy Bush's LMAD. Part of the thrill is seeing your prize onstage. Even if it's just a huge hunk of plywood that says "FRANCE" with some pictures on it, it's still what you're playing for.

It would be like the players shopping solely from that list on the old Wheel, and inserting shots of the "stores" in post to save studio time. Logically? A safe maneuver, cost effective, and one I don't exactly disagree with. But are people around here so entrenched to NOT dislike a change on TPIR that we turn around and herald the ones that are bad? My view is that it stinks, and takes away from the "old school feel" of the show, but logically speaking it makes sense and won't ruin the show. Surely I can't be the only one who thinks this.

-Jason

Show 0573D from the DVD has a trip to Scandinavia. Here are a few screenshots:

http://www.yosuamedia.com/misc/TPiR/TPiRBlue01.jpg
http://www.yosuamedia.com/misc/TPiR/TPiRBlue02.jpg
http://www.yosuamedia.com/misc/TPiR/TPiRBlue03.jpg
http://www.yosuamedia.com/misc/TPiR/TPiRBlue04.jpg

Although the keying isn't that great, it was a nice effect because the blue screen served as a world map (with a marker at the location of the trip) in addition to presenting the art cards with images of the destination. The photos from that hockey-themed showcase show the current green screen to be solid green, so it looks like there it will be used in a more straight-forward manner.

Why not just use art cards?

What's wrong with a complete overhaul set, and everything of TPIR? I mean they've already done a 180 by hiring Drew Carey who brings as much excitement to the game as George F. Will. The show looks tired, dated, and needs a complete fresh look. Whether it's a green screen, or computer monitors, or whatever, TPIR needs whatever it can to spruce it up because right now we all wish Barker was still at the helm. Carey is out of place. I'd love to see a new set, new host, and a whole new show, not just a cheesy makeover of Barker's show which almost looks like a send-up of it's former self.

My only gripe is that this must look fugly in-studio. To a home viewer, it could be used for good effect. A cheaper way to emulate a video wall, perhaps?

/not surprised to see this at five pages, and realizes he probably doesn't want to see their contents

I wonder too if the skins started to look really bad in HD.

And if the green door #3 is a problem, why can't they swap doors 1 and 3...1 isn't used much anyway, and they have the two primary doors to use the technology for...and it keeps the reveals and games the same way.

I just don't get it. If the producers want this kind of display-- why not just replace door #1 with a video wall.

In default-mode you could make the wall "look" like the other two doors-- so you don't have radical changes to the venerable set.

Then you could use the video wall to reveal trips, use it for showcase backgrounds, and even use it in some score displays like the showcase showdown, or, heavens, even Lucky Seven. Door #1 is barely used during a typical PRICE because there's not much room behind it.

I think it would add a new dimension to Price-- though it might some heads to 'splode for those who still think cars should be $3,250.

Not to start a new argument, but I posed a question on an older thread that I wish to ask again (based on all of the posts so far).

If, when Barker retired, and CBS cancelled TPIR only to revive it say two years later with Drew as the host and all of these changes, would any of us be as apoplectic about the changes?

Or would we have accepted it as a "new beginning" for TPIR?

You may be in the minority here. There is a growing number that like the fact that the show is making changes that move forward and look backwards...and a host that doesn't make it all about him.

Staying well away from all the expected back-and-forth.

Dave: I think maybe they had players in Contestants' Row more for picture-taking purposes than anything else. Still, this seems like a very weird theme episode.

I'd like to point out why this statement hinders your argument, but that's not the topic.

But yes, green screen; good for budget and tv (to a point), bad for studio audience. The tangibility of the art card does detract from the experience (though I have to wonder if they'll just be showing art card-type stills) both on tv and in person, just like how the video-screen bonus games lose points.

As an aside, if Price was so worried about green-on-green, couldn't they just use a blue screen instead?

/Thought he saw a purple screen once.

I'll have what you're having.

I figured as much. Must've been my headache talking.

Not to get into the frey as with other threads of similar ilk, I think the change is good for budgetary purposes & affect, but it'll cause many to reconsuder wearing anything of that shade if it gets to be a production problem. The change may be alright, but it'll come off as bizzare to those attending the show.

Considering the audience that Price still pulls, I think two years would still be a recent memory. I remember there being a little fuss when Feud premiered back in 99, with the set and music changes, and it was five years since the more familiar version of Feud* went off the air. So there might be many viewers (both casual and avid) who might wonder just exactly what is going on.

Now, had the show ran for, say, 5 or 6 years, then I wouldn't see any big deal. If Hollywood Squares or Pyramid returned tomorrow with a massive overhaul, I don't think anyone would notice. But 36 years with only moderate set upgrades and mostly the same props? Yeah, someone would notice, and not just in the game show contingent.

*Combs's last season...I know Dawson v2.0 came in the following season, which is why I said "more familiar version".

As for this change, I'm really not bothered. Yeah, I like the traditional artwork, but it's not like the show has never done this. And yes, the Dobkowitz Tribute showcase heavily relied on a chromakey, as did that showcase with Johnny Olson as a superhero.

/What, you think they bought all those fireworks themselves?

Yeah...that's a pretty neat effect with the blue screen, but not at all comparable to what's being done today. Actually, I'd say the '70s version is a much better idea.

I liked it too when I saw it on the DVDs. It provides something to see in studio (and on camera when the footage isn't being keyed in) while still allowing for the chroma-key effects. It has to be more visually appealing for those in the studio than a plain green screen.

I agree, at least from the pictures, because in the 70s version, at least the chroma wall was something when it wasn't being keyed onto. It reminds me a little of the green-on-green panel on the Sports Challenge set, which got keyed out when they started one of their film clips.

That was the panel next to Enberg, right? If I remember right, each team of players had a screen behind them that would have either a slide with the team logo or chroma-key color.

Which brings up this. . . are there screens big enough and do projectors work in such a way that they could do this on TPIR? I mean short of a video wall, something they could move in and out or raise and lower.

Wow, where to begin...

I'll keep this brief. I don't agree with the green screen as described and demonstrated because I think it will be problematic for the showcases and contestants/friends during the end credits. There is not a way that looks good to move along with it, it needs to be a static shot, which is hard when you have 20 college kids celebrating with their winning friend in front of a green screen. I do like the 70s way, because there was SOMETHING to look at during credits/wins without having to use the keying effect. That seems to me like a much better option.

Second, as far as the technology, lest we forget that Wheel for many years now has been using a video wall behind the contestants with running video all show. It looks good and works well. However, for something like the trip backdrops, which are either flown in or wheeled off numerous times a day sometimes, the technology of that kind of system (which is actually a projector on WOF, not TV screens brought together) would be extremely costly and is likely why they did not go that route.

Just a hint...blanket statements usually don't work too well here...there are many who are happy that Barker is gone.

Just like we all wanted Rich Fields to host TPIR?

/"DROOOOOOOOOOO CAREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!"