EVER since the dawning of the Broadcast Era via Signore Marconi's Wireless Wonder, the old Quiz Show has been a popular staple of the networks annual offerings of items on the Public's dietary listening/viewing menu. Day after day, monthly habits varied little year to year. At the end of the "day", after all is said and done, the top shows' categories consistently reflected our collective need for light, escapism; accordingly, the two genres that gave us the chance to get our rationing of levity were the Comedies and the Quiz/Game Shows.
CARRYING the tradition over from Radio to the upstart cousin medium of Television, literally hundreds of ideas were put into play, some new to TV (Dotto*, Play Your Hunch, Tick-Tack-Dough) to some carry over adaptations from the Radio Daze (Truth Or Consequences, People Are Funny). But regardless of the origin of the shows, we must ask the question; just what sets a successful show from an also ran? What elements endow one program with a seemingly cult following of loyal, die-hard fans; yet leaves the majority of candidate shows either D.O.A. or foundering as a meandering also ran?
MAKING the ultimate difference between success and failure is the ability to bring a unique angle and philosophical outlook to its presentation; while, at the same time, maintaining a simplicity of execution. Luck, as in all endeavors, is also an intangible; for who was it who said, "I'd always rather be Lucky than Good"?
CREATED by the fertile mind of Mr. Merv Griffin, JEOPARDY leads the pack in being the least forgettable of the game shows. As indisputable proof to any doubters or detractors, we remind you, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury; that there have been two (that's 2) separate and distinct incarnations of the Show. The initial run, which was first to tickle our fancies ran 11 years on NBC from 1964-75 when it captured an unanticipated following. The Second and Current Edition is currently running in Syndication. Its life span has gone over the 20 year mark; being 1984-Present and beyond to ????
INASMUCH as we've already addressed the success of the "Modern", Alex Trebek version; we will confine our remarks and analysis to the "Original", Art Fleming hosted series.
AS far as can be ascertained the success of the show is due to the following elements which are all inter-connected, elementary and obvious; which all add up to a successful and memorable series.
FIRST of all, where a laugh or two never hurt any entertainment; dignity is always maintained, first and foremost.
SECONDLY, the prize $$$ is substantial; but never so extremely high as to encourage any extracurricular tutoring and coaching of the contestants; ultimately leading to cheating and widespread dishonest sneakiness!
THIRD off, we have a stimulating array of questions; all of which range from moderately difficult to "real hard". Furthermore, the questioning is presented in a sort of topsy-turvy, reversal of the norm in its format. In this case, we see how the otherwise simple switch of giving the Answer and requiring the Contestants to respond with the proper Question makes for something that is seemingly totally other.
LASTLY, and to no small cause, the selection Mr. Art Fleming (1924-95), an Actor by trade, as the original Emcee/Host/Head Inquisitor, was an exercise in absolute TV Brilliance. Art gave us a Moderator who maintained a high level of dignity and academic curiosity; while at the same time emanated a high level of proper humor, good will and sympathy for the Studio Contestants.
IN any case, Creator Mr. Merv Griffin and Host, Mr. Art Fleming deserve to get an A+ for bringing us JEOPARDY; as does Mr. Alex Trebek for Reviving, Producing and Hosting the Series' 2nd Coming. In this, both Schultz and I heartily concur.
NOTE: * Ironically, it was this daytime DOTTO, picture-puzzle game, rather than the Big Money,Heavy Hitter$ like THE $64,000 QUESTION and TWENTY-ONE, that began the Big Quiz Show Scandal of the Mid-'50's.
POODLE SCHNITZ!!
