Million Dollar Password - Discussion Thread

[Calhoun24]

Hello everyone,

Tonight, Password returns after 19 years off the air, now known as Million Dollar Password, on at 9/8 PM on CBS.

If you haven't seen this format, you have no idea how fun and challenging it is.

Post your thoughts about the show here about the updated classic.

 

[Kryton]

I'm not really a huge game show fan, but I always liked Match Game and Password in the '70s.

This version AIN'T yer daddy's Password, but it's tons of fun so far...and Regis is the perfect host for it.

The way the clock whips your ass in this game is significantly different from the Allen Ludden/Tom Kennedy shows to this point.

It's KIND OF like a cross between Password and Pyramid meeting Who Wants to Be A Millionaire.

Not the worst possible gene splicing.

 

[Calhoun24]

I thought this was a smart revamp of the classic format.

Spoiler: Spoilers for those yet to see it on the west coast...

The scoring is different, and the new time element in the elimination round is interesting. I also like the "main game" where one person needs to get 5/10 for $10,000, then 5/9 for $25,000 (which is a "safe haven"), then 5/8 for $50,000, then 5/7 for $100,000, then 5/6 for $250,000, then a perfect 5/5 for $1,000,000. I also like that for the main game that there is 1:30 for an entire money level and that each password is restricted to three clues, and that for $100,000 on up, a preview of the first five passwords are given, so as to educate the player on their decision on whether or not to go to the next level.

It definitely makes things more interesting.

 

[Kryton]

I liked it...I even liked both guests.

I just set up a TiVo season pass for it...it's fun and the tension runs high with that damn clock ticking in a way it never did with Password, Password Plus, or Super Password.

Noticed that Goodson & Toddman got no credit...their estates must have sold the concept outright?

 

[Calhoun24]

Well, the thing is that the Goodson and Toddman Password concept was probably bought by Freemantle Media. The same applied to The Price is Right after Bob Barker retired, even though Freemantle was producing at the end of his run as host. When Drew Carey took over, they no longer said "A Mark Goodson Television Production", but instead said "A Freemantle Media Production". Ditto tonight when you see the credits, with Freemantle being the company there.

 

[Kryton]

Rosie is kickass on this version of the show.

Just sayin'.

 

[TGTheodore]

They essentially tossed out the regular game and made every round similar to the classic Lightning Round.

Still way too much chat and audience interference with the game. More than once I've heard a contestant or star say "What?" because the stupid audience is allowed to cheer and applaud during the actual play.

But I've always loved the game and Betty White will be on this Thursday night. She's AMAZING at this game (and of course was married to Password host Allen Ludden for over twenty years).

--Ted

 

[firehawk12]

Just caught the first episode... there is something weird with using a celebrity, since they obviously don't care what happens. But then again, maybe that's a good thing, since they have nothing to be nervous about.
Still, I like the concept at least. Good summer TV anyway and better than most game shows... (at least they're not picking a briefcase!)

 

[Kryton]

Honestly? "Good summer TV" is all I'm asking for here. I've enjoyed the first two (as I mentioned a week ago, I'm well aware it's a conglomeration of several programs) and Betty will be MORE than welcome...oh, GOD I've missed her on Boston Legal!

 

[firehawk12]

Tony Hawk boooombed. Yeesh.

 

[bigdaddy]

I couldn't stand the 70s version, not one bit. It was, and still is, the lamest most boring thing that they show 10 times a day on GSN.

 

[TGTheodore]

Yeah. Taking time to actually think and play is just too boring for the flashy lights and sign-induced, super-hyped applause version.

And that Allen Ludden, what a hack.

--Ted

 

[bigdaddy]

No, the problem with the show is you couldn't play along because they showed you the clue on the bottom of the screen! Thus there was NO thinking needed. What the hell was the point of watching it that? It would be like watching Jeopardy and having but the question and the answer on screen at once.

 

[firehawk12]

I guess you're supposed to put yourself in the position of the word giver...

 

[Mr. Adventure]

^^ Yeah, that's how all game shows work. Though sometimes I will have Jeopardy on without looking to see what it's like to play without the onscreen clue.

 

[bigdaddy]

I guess you're supposed to put yourself in the position of the word giver...

I know and that's just boring.

The show would be so much better if they just didn't show the word. Plus the end for $10,000 seems way too easy.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

You could tape a piece of paper over the TV where they show the word.

 

[SPOCKED]

You could tape a piece of paper over the TV where they show the word.

In '72 I used to plug my ears, close one eye, and hold my foot up sideways to cover the password...

[hushed voiced announcer] The password is... nerd [/hushed voiced announcer]

 

[TGTheodore]

You could tape a piece of paper over the TV where they show the word.

In '72 I used to plug my ears, close one eye, and hold my foot up sideways to cover the password...

[hushed voiced announcer] The password is... nerd [/hushed voiced announcer]

Exactly. Ludden would even frequently say something like "For those who want to play at home ... " Also, they would occasionally NOT show or say the password so people at home COULD play along.

Is it really that hard not to figure out how to avoid seeing and hearing the password on a static full shot of the set?

--Ted

 

[cardinal biggles]

I missed this tonight, but if it's a success, hopefully that'll mean more well-executed revivals of classic game shows. I'd love to see Match Game come back.