For those of you who tuned to CBS to see your first episode of Whew!, what were your impressions of that first show you saw?

"Damn, this rules."

My first impressions (mind you, at the time, I was 4)..

"Wow, that's cool, the clock is on the screen for more than just the bonus round!"
"Wow, 'The Price is Right' is not on at 10:30 anymore!"

Loved it. Wasn't sure what to expect from the name, but once things got rolling, it was a game of laughs, knowledge, and a race against the clock. I'm with many of you who think it left too early.

Mixed emotions. Liked the theme song, enjoyed the game; was surprised to learn at the end that the guy from "Soap" was the announcer, he certainly didn't sound the same; wondered who was this Bud Austin guy; good to see Richard C. Hottelet still reading the news after the show; sad that "Match Game" wouldn't be on anymore.

Oh, yes, how easily I forget that "Whew!" was a 25-minute show because of CBS News at 10:55..

Ditto on it leaving too soon. If there's a game that could make a comeback somewhere, I think this is one of them. It would certainly make a good computer game or even a home board game (HINT HINT!).

Great ticket plug cue.

I thought it was just passable until I watched it a few times and some of its flaws became apparent (the material went by too fast and the blocking strategies were based largely on chance).

One game show producer and son of a celebrity folksinger pronounced it "unwatchable". I think that's too harsh.

Anyone know why they went through two or three different directors? Klauss?

It got me hooked almost right away. When I was home from school, I usually watched "All Star Secrets", which was on opposite "Whew". As soon as I saw the latter I hardly ever watched "ASS" (can I say that?) again - except for that show's final episode.

The first show I ever saw was in late May 1979, so it was pretty early in the run. I was pleased when Howard Wilson's shows hit the trade curcuit - they are all from June 1979, and are the earliest shows currently available. I loved the set and the theme from the get-go, and it's still my all-time favorite game show theme today!

I was disappointed when it was cancelled in June 1980. Did the "Alice" reruns really do better in the ratings?

Probably not, but Alice was a heluva lot cheaper to program.

And my memories of Whew? None. I was 5 at the time , and when I saw the advertisement touting the premiere with all of the 'villians', I was afraid. Yep, scared. Saw a commercial and that was all I would take.

Saw my first episode on my FIRST video tape trade 9 years ago (Thanks Chris Lambert!)..... and i've been a fan since. (and wondering why I was a big wussy back then).

Definitely....From the time that "Whew!" was cancelled to September of 1982, the entire 10am-11am CBS hour was reruns. "Jeffersons" at 10am until September 1981 (replaced by "One Day at a Time"), and of course, Alice at 10:30.

Interesting game....but the name is stupid and the payoff much too big.

I enjoyed the sound effects and the set which looked as if it were designed by a comic book artist.

Dr. J - The "Whew" foundation was copped by at least one game maker - University Games had a board game called Phractured Phrases not long after Whew left the air. You moved around the board by correcting the gag words inserted in famous quotes, Shakespeare lines, and the like. If you ever stumble onto it in a second hand store or eBay, you could use it as a material source for a home game.

Short of the Randy Amasia seance, I'll guess: Did Carruthers pick up better-paying gigs?

It does seem to me that Chris Darley was Carruthers' original AD on the show and that it may've been his first directing credit. Just like Mark Corwin succeeding Dick Carson or Kevin McCarthy succeeding Dick Schneider.

That newscast that followed Whew! was presented by Douglas Edwards......but Mr Hottelet occasionally popped up with a report from the UN(he was the CBS correspondent there).

Chris once told me his first directing experience was filling in on "The Girl In My Life", when the regular director took ill. No word on if he took ill based on having to direct "The Girl In My Life".

:)

For me, "Whew" was to me what day-glo posters under black lights were to the stoners of the early 70's.

The music was -- and still is -- some of the best game show music I have ever heard.
(Thank you, Alan Thicke!)

The use of a cartoon intro was cool.
(Thank you, Hanna-Barbera!)

The LONGSHOT! and turning trilon sfx-es were a great little touch.

And that break-away set that opened up in stages leading into the Gauntlet round kicked ass as well -- not to mention Alan Thicke had the perfect music cue for that ordeal!

Rod Roddy's high-octane, occasional crackling, announcing voice really matched the shows premise.

And for those who remembered "Blackie" the contestant who screwed up his leg after winning the main-game, only to come back a few weeks later to literal "Pomp & Circumstance" to run the Gauntlet. At that time I knew Jay Wolpert was gonna do great things for the game show world.

Despite what some people say, the show rocked and should've had a much longer run. That show and Big Showdown are 2 shows that deserve a 21st Century resurrection!

If I'm not mistaken, wasn't Carruthers the director (or producer) on that show? He seemed to let his AD take the director's chair every now and then (witness Rick Stern directing several episodes of PYL)

Agree on Whew! without reservation. I really liked The Big Showdown, too, but it should only come back if they come up with a better endgame.

I've always thought the original "Whew" would have a good home on GSN. In a 25-minute format, GSN could run 5 extra minutes of commercials and promos - which I'm sure they'd love!

Isn't there some disagreement now over exctly who owns the show - or is it that they just want too much for the rights?

"....and HERE! THEY! ARE!". Hands down, my favorite part of the show is the open into the Gauntlet round.....

Original regime: Was content with G-T and Sony-owned shows (and most likely didn't have a budget for acquisitions anyway).

Fleming/Tauber regime: Wasn't spending any money on acquisitions at all.

Cronin/Boden regime: Not enough of a name to justify going after--Boden may've--emphasized *may've*---suggested it, but Cronin was probably not interested.

Current regime: In our dreams.