A Classic Reborn (maybe): Match Game (1990)

Time to do a little backpedaling on an earlier review of the 1990 revival of Match Game.

Previously, we covered this version, as hosted by Ross Shafer (ex-The Late Show). However, Shafer wasn't the producers' 1st choice. It had been decided that Bert Convy (ex-Super Password, Tattletales, The Snoop Sisters), a favorite of Mark Goodson's dating back to the late 60's, would inherit Gene Rayburn's long microphone. However, Convy took ill before the series could start, and had to step away, leading to Shafer being hired.

So, in a clearer case of "what might've been" than usual, here's Convy's one and only go MC'ing Match Game. Gene Wood is the announcer, carrying over from the 1983-4 Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour.



GSN ran this as part of a marathon a couple of years back, back-to-back, as memory serves, with a Shafer episode. The differences were obvious.

Rating: B.