13 years after the original version had ended on ABC, independent producer Al Howard revived Supermarket Sweep, this time for cable.
Lifetime launched the series in 1990, with actor David Ruprecht ("The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island") as host, and veteran Johnny Gilbert (no relation to ye scribe) taking a break from Jeopardy! to serve as announcer. Instead of setting things up in a real supermarket, which would be totally rad today, Howard opted to create a supermarket set on a soundstage in Hollywood.
That same approach is being taken with the new Sweep, which launched last weekend, back on ABC, with actress Leslie Jones ("Ghostbusters", ex-Saturday Night Live) as host. We'll review the 2020 version another day.
Lifetime cancelled the series in 1995, but after a 5 year break, the series, returned, complete with Ruprecht, but with Randy West as announcer, on Pax (now Ion) for another three years. (2000-3). The format of the new show is the same as the Lifetime/Pax version, so let's show you a 1990 episode to get an idea of what to look forward to.
For what it's worth, the new version uses a retro hip hop beat with Salt 'n' Pepa's "Push It" as the opening theme, while the closing theme reportedly was co-written by Kinks lead singer Sir Ray Davies. Unfortunately for Jones and Sweep, as was the case with a remake of Kids Say The Darndest Things last year, being placed on Sundays doesn't do this show any favors opposite Sunday Night Football and post-season baseball. The 90's-00's version didn't have such worries.
Rating: A.
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