Wednesday, October 25, 2023

What Might've Been: ABC Carnival '74 (1974)

 A midway on daytime television?!?! 

Well, you can't fault Monty Hall & Stefan Hatos for trying.

With Let's Make a Deal & Split Second already on the air, the two producers were looking to add a 3rd series to ABC's daytime lineup. ABC Carnival '74 didn't get past the pilot stage, but if it did, announcer-barker Johnny Gilbert (no relation to ye scribe), still going strong nearly 50 years later, would've had a steady on-camera gig for the first time since fronting his own show in the 50's.

SoCal sportscaster Tom Kelly is the host, aided by Gilbert and special guest star Ruth Buzzi (Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In). Uploaded by Wink Martindale, who has been unearthing unsold pilots like this for his YouTube channel.


You pays yer money, you takes yer chances!

Rating: B-.

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