"Family Feud" (1976) TV series 1976-1985

Director:

Paul Alter

Seasons:

unknown

Release Date:

12 July 1976 (USA)

Genre:

Game-Show

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Money | Non Fiction

Awards:

4 wins & 22 nominations

Cast

Richard Dawson	...	Himself - Host (41 episodes, 1976-1985)
Gene Wood	...	Announcer (33 episodes, 1976-1985)

Also Known As:

Family Fortune (UK)
Fast Company (USA) (working title)
The Best of Family Feud (USA) (reissue title)

Runtime:

30 min (3529 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

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

Certification:

USA:TV-G

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

Trivia:

Using "Match Game 73" (1973) as an inspiration for a new show, Mark Goodson came up with "Fast Company". Fast Company didn't have families, a feud, or surveys but otherwise it was the same show. The show was a pitched to NBC and at the end of the run-though NBC passed on it. Mark Goodson resolved he'd make NBC regret the day they passed on "Fast Company" and took his project to the ABC network. Michael Brockman, then V.P. of Daytime programming of the ABC network, wasn't impressed, but he dealt with _Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions [us]_ before and knew something would happen from the time he saw the show and the time it would go on the air. Goodson continued to tinker with the format, making the contestants family members and changing the name of the game to Family Feud.

Quotes:

[opening spiel]
Gene Wood: On your marks! Let's start "THE FAMILY FEUD!" With the star of "Family Feud", RICHARD DAWSON!

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "Saturday Night Live: Steve Martin/Randy Newman, Dirt Band (#3.9)" (1978)

Soundtrack:

Family Feud Theme

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.