Family Feud (1988–1995)

"Family Feud" was one of the most popular game shows on TV, but after nine years with Richard Dawson as host, ratings were starting to slip. In 1986, producers decided that the "Family Feud... See full summary »

Stars:

Ray Combs, Gene Wood, Doug Davidson

12 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Ray Combs	...	Himself - Host (9 episodes, 1988-1993)
Gene Wood	...	Himself - Announcer (9 episodes, 1988-1993)
Doug Davidson	...	Himself (3 episodes, 1989-1993)
Peter Barton	...	Himself (2 episodes, 1989-1993)
Lauralee Bell	...	Herself (2 episodes, 1989-1993)
Jimmy Hart	...	Himself (2 episodes, 1992-1993)

Storyline

"Family Feud" was one of the most popular game shows on TV, but after nine years with Richard Dawson as host, ratings were starting to slip. In 1986, producers decided that the "Family Feud" needed a makeover, and they wanted a fresh face to breathe new life into this old favorite. "Family Feud" producer Howard Felsher remembered hearing great things about a talented young comic named Ray Combs. The late Mark Goodson chose Ray to host "The New Family Feud." It was a perfect match. Ray's down-home love for people was genuine. But pressures began to amount in 1994 as ratings on "Family Feud" began to slide following the death of Mark Goodson. Son, Jonathan Goodson and consultant Harris Kattleman decided to bring back original host Richard Dawson to try and boost ratings, but a drab set covering, low prize money and bad timeslots forced "Family Feud" back onto the shelf in 1995.

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Plot Keywords:

non fiction

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Genres:

Game-Show

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 July 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Family Feud Challenge

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mark Goodson Television Productions, The New Family Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 30 min (1988-1994) 60 min (1992-1993) (1994-1995)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 1994, due to the show's falling ratings, 'Ray Combs' was dismissed, and replaced by original host 'Richard Dawson'. The show was canceled a year later.

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Quotes

Ray Combs: Thank you. Thank you so much and welcome to Family Feud. I'm Ray Combs, the new host of the show. Happy birthday America. Let me say that first of all its a pleasure to be with you. Today we're going to see two wonderful families battle it out for family honor on their way to five thousand dollars, with a chance for five thousand dollars, but I want you to know that I'm excited about being on CBS and hosting this show. I have been studying all the great CBS shows. I think I'm prepared so if ...

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Connections

Follows Family Feud (1976)

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Soundtracks

"The Feud"
(1994 Edition)
By Edd Kalehoff and Performed from 1994-1995
Original theme by Score Productions

User Reviews

The last episode of "The New Family Feud" with Ray Combs was both funny and a little sad

I previously reviewed the original Richard Dawson run of "Family Feud", then the first episode of the 2nd run with Ray Combs. Now, I'm reviewing the very last one hosted by him with the returning champs the Beckwiths competing against the Trans. Combs seemed to be a little more excited than I remember him being when I watched his hosting stint in first-run syndication and CBS back then. Anyway, the Trans end up in the Fast Money round with the second contestant getting 0 points-of which he passed on three of the questions-leaving Ray to say "I've been doing this for 6 years now and this is the first time I've had someone who got no points. I'd say it's a damn fine way to go out. I thought I was a loser till you came in and made me feel like a man." Apparently, however, it wasn't better enough for him to stay to talk to the two families like he usually did when the show ends as he left just after saying, "See you next time" as there wouldn't be one. Two years later, after getting in an accident, losing his comedy club businesses, and then his wife and kids leaving him-and despite hosting a new game show called "Family Challenge", Ray Combs would hang himself in a mental hospital. What a sad end to what seemed to be a charmed life during his run on "Family Feud". One hopes he didn't suffer too badly when he made the decision...