Family Feud (1976–1985)

Two families compete by trying to outguess the opponents about survey results.

Stars:

Richard Dawson, Gene Wood, Laurie Walters

4 wins & 22 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Richard Dawson	...	Himself - Host (42 episodes, 1978-1985)
Gene Wood	...	Himself - Announcer (33 episodes, 1978-1985)

Storyline

Richard Dawson hosted this TV game-show, which pitted members of two families against each other. Each team tried to guess the results of survey questions faster and more accurately than the other team.

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Plot Keywords:

money | non fiction

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Genres:

Game-Show

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 July 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fast Company

Filming Locations:

ABC Television Center - 4151 Prospect Avenue, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Broadcasting Company (ABC), Mark Goodson Television Productions, Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (3529 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono (1976-1983) Stereo (1983-1985)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

During one practice of the show, the producers put in a survey question at the end of the game. After the run-through, Michael Brockman went to Mark Goodson and his staff and told them the front part of the game isn't that good, but he thought the survey question was terrific and asked Goodson if he could reformat the game around the survey material. Goodson agreed to change the structure of the game. In the new structure, two families would square off to guess the answers of survey questions, the first team to reach 200 points won the game and had a chance at more money. However, there was controversy over the fairness of the "steal". ABC president Fred Silverman wanted the "steal" to be dropped from the show Goodson however said the "steal" is what makes the game work and is the penalty for not having cleaned the board. In the end Goodson prevailed and the "steal" remained in the game.

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Quotes

[End of Fast Money, amid general laughter]
Richard Dawson: I asked you to name a time when people usually get out of bed. And being the Einstein you are, you said..."Morning." Our survey said...
[Bzzt]
Richard Dawson: Zero. And then as if that wasn't bad enough, I asked you, name a time when people usually go to bed. You said, of course..."Night." Our survey said...
[Ding!]
Richard Dawson: Two!

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Connections

Referenced in Chelsea Lately: Episode #6.84 (2012)

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Soundtracks

"The Feud"
(theme)
Written by Robert Israel (BMI)
Performed by the Score Productions Band
Published by TattleTales Music (BMI)

User Reviews

One of TV's All-Time Best Game Shows

Since Family Feud debuted in 1976, it has become of the best game shows of all-time as well as very durable. It's a very simple game and most important, it involves the home audience who can't watch without playing along. Richard Dawson's unique hosting style was also a key to the show's success. His kissing the female contestants was under fire early in the run, but viewer response was strongly in favor of his kissing. The diversity of the families was a positive representation of America's melting pot. Also memorable was announcer Gene Wood's introductions of the families.

In addition to the nine year ABC run, there was a syndicated version that began as a once a week show, expanded to twice a week and eventually Monday through Friday. Also, there were celebrity prime time specials.

As for the Ray Combs version, it went very well until the producers added the Bullseye round, tampering with a great format. Also, the death of creator Mark Goodson and his son Jonathan hiring a consultant to improve the show's ratings by bringing back Dawson didn't do any good. Ray Combs was an outstanding host and he shouldn't have been let go.

The current version fortunately stuck to the basic game but Louie Anderson was terrible as a host, despite his sign off "Be good to your family!" Richard Karn was an improvement over Anderson, despite his inexperience and John O'Hurley is a much better host, keeping the game moving and bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Through all the hosting changes, there has been one constant, the show's announcer, who is one of the best, Burton Richardson.

Hopefully the O'Hurley version will keep the classic game on the air for more years to come.