Match Game 73 (1973–1982)

The five-day-a-week syndicated successor to the popular CBS game show, where two contestants compete to match fill-in-the-blank phrases with those of the celebrities.

Stars:

Gene Rayburn, Johnny Olson, Brett Somers

6 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Gene Rayburn	...	Himself - Host (221 episodes, 1973-1982)
Johnny Olson	...	Himself - Announcer (220 episodes, 1973-1982)
Brett Somers	...	Herself (97 episodes, 1973-1982)

Storyline

Game show in which 6 guest stars (which change from week to week) are given a humorous phrase with one word missing. The stars write down a word they think would be most appropriate for the missing word, and then two contestants try to guess what the stars have chosen. A point is given for each correct match, and the one with the most points wins.

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Plot Keywords:

fill in the blank | panel game | non fiction

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Taglines:

Get ready to match the stars...

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Genres:

Comedy | Game-Show

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 June 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

Match Game 74

Filming Locations:

CBS Television City - 7800 Beverly Blvd., Fairfax, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fremantle Media North America, Celebrity Productions, Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (1970 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Initially the show played as a straight up game, as Mark Goodson didn't want it to be a comedy show within a game like NBC's Hollywood Squares. However, after one of the celebrities answered "boobs" to a question, the show went into more of a comedy direction as the show saw a big ratings increase. The new focus made it the most popular show on daytime television. It also made the show appeal to a younger, teenage demographic who came home from school, an audience that typically avoided game shows.

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Connections

Followed by Match Game (1998)

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Soundtracks

"MATCH GAME (73-79) Theme"
Performed by the Score Production Band (1973-1982)

User Reviews

A blanking good time!!!!

This show proves that game shows were actually fun once! Even though this game doesn't tax your brain like Millionaire, you also don't feel like falling asleep in the middle of it. I've found myself more than once practically falling on the floor laughing at the hijinks of Richard Dawson, Brett Somers, Charles Nelson Reilly, Gene Rayburn, Betty White, Fannie Flagg, Patti Deutch, etc. The list could go on forever.

This show has produced more funny, memorable moments than all the episodes of Friends and Frasier put together. If you've ever seen the Admiral Color TV incident or the "nipple" incident, you know what I mean.

The only thing that ruined this show was the star wheel. People were getting sick of the contestants always picking Richard for the Big Money Super Match that they came up with this stupid star wheel that picked a celebrity for you. Bad move.

Thank God for these people that were willing to completely let loose and keep us entertained for years and years to come!!!!!