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How Do You Like Our Match Game '08 Panel of Stars?
As reported earlier today, the folks behind American Idol are reviving Match Game. I may be in the minority here, but my restrained response to this news was something akin to "Woo-hoo!" I loved that show — both in its heyday and in reruns on the Game Show Network — if only because it's the strangest anthropological documentation of 1970s comedy, sexual mores and substance abuse that you're ever going to find on network television. It was pretty subversive for a game show (see examples on YouTube), with more cigarette smoking, daytime drinking and winking sexism/sexual innuendo than your average episode of Mad Men.
So we asked you who you'd put on the show's inaugural panel. Who are today's Richard Dawsons, Brett Sommerses, and Charles Nelson Reillys? And you responded in kind, with some very interesting suggestions. (Mario Cantone? Genius. Jimmy Fallon? Eh.) That said, here are my humble suggestions for the inaugural sextet. —
1) Pamela Anderson: If anyone knows her way around a double entendre, it's her.
2) Michael Ausiello: A lot of you have already suggested him, and I wholeheartedly concur. Though I've only known him for a few hours (I'm new around here), the steady stream of profanity coming from his office seems to indicate he'd be a natural for it.
3) Simon Cowell: Because he's kind of mean, kind of funny, and definitely a dirty bird.
4) Kathy Griffin: The author of Suck It, Jesus! would definitely do it... if only to trash her fellow panelists in her act later.
5) Allison Janney (The West Wing): If you've seen her on Ellen, you know she's a quick wit who's got the devil in her.
6) Romany Malco (The 40-Year-Old-Virgin, Weeds): The man has a way with filth.
Jeez, writing this post was difficult. (How difficult was it!?!) "It was so difficult that.... " Oh, never mind.
So, let's keep it going. Which stars would you like to see fill in Match Game's blanks? Did I aim too high? Are we more likely to get the likes of Romber and Alfonso Ribeiro? — Mickey O'Connor
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Jan 31, 2008 5:10 PM
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You need a couple of the sort of goofy, not so snarky ones, too. Like a Patti Deutsch or Fannie Flagg.
Come to think of it, why not get Patti Deutsch? She's still working. And maybe Fannie can do a gig between books. 
Oh, and Betty White would be welcome too. 
I hope this show is actually good and doesn't turn into a really bad wannabe.
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Jan 31, 2008 6:12 PM
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I hated seeing Patti Deutsch on Match Game. She cost a lot of contestants a win when she refused to "play along". And I'd hate to see Simon Cowell either. There's enough meanness and enough of him on TV. As for Aussiello, my vote is a BIG no. He has not impressed me at all doing red carpet interviews and while I'm sure his co-workers all love him I don't find him in any way charismatic or likeable. He's stiff and markedly unfunny and his column is just one big self indulgent stroke-fest. His nickname for his "followers" is a not so subtle indicator of the contempt he actually feels for just about everyone except himself. Sorry if I ruffle some feathers. That's just the way I feel.
Some of my picks:
Don Cheadle-he can do anything. During the hunt to replace Craig Kilborn he showed how quick-witted, funny and personable he is. But it would be a shame for the movies to lose him. If anyone is capable of all things showbiz it's Cheadle.
Charles Grodin-Smart, curmudgeonly senior citizen.
Sarah Silverman-Funny, bright, unpredictable
Tracy Morgan-Much smarter than he wants us to think, excellent ad-libber, funny as heck
Joy Behar-Brains and wit, quick on the draw, just bawdy enough
Betty White-No explanation neccessary
Marie Osmond-She show she's got more grit that we might have thought and is pretty witty on top of that. She also has just enough of a naughty streak to make her interesting. And she's not a brainless dolt like Donny. She'd be better in small doses on a game show than she probably will on the daily talk show she's about to undertake.
Kim Coles-A surprise on that iVillage show or whatever it's called. Likeable and funny. She'd fit right in.
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Feb 1, 2008 3:54 AM
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My top six would be in order.
1. Betty White(since she is a orginal)
2. Mario Lopez
3. Gene Simmons
4.Caroline Rhea
5. Jerry Seinfield(SP)
6.Joy Behar
I would pick Rosie O'donnel as the host. She would be great !
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Feb 1, 2008 9:23 AM
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Match Game '08 Dream Team:
Host: Rosie O'Donnell
Julia Sweeney
Kathy Griffin
Ross "the intern" Matthews
Colin Mochrie
Chris Rock
and then the sixth seat would be a revolving door of A-listers and others
Matthew Perry
Queen Latifah
Ellen Degeneres
Lauren Graham
Margaret Cho
Queen Latifah
Drew Carey
Mario Cantone
Whoopi Goldberg
Brooke Shields (yes, she is funny)
Allison Janney
Felicity Huffman
Josh Blue (Last Comic Standing)
any of the finalists from Last Comic Standing
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Feb 1, 2008 9:33 AM
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Kelly Ripa would be great. She needs to break out of the PG daytime talk show mode and really show her stuff.
Ellen Degeneres would be awesome. I would love to see some of the stuff she would come up with to fill in the blanks.
Nathan Lane. Always funny, no matter what. If he can't do it, get Robin Williams.
Bette Middler. The Devine Miss M. She always keeps me laughing.
Betty White. An original and still great. Classic and classy lady who is not afraid to show her evil side.
and...
wait for it...
Neil Patrick Harris would have to Match Game Suit Up. The show would be legen... wait for it... dary.
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Feb 1, 2008 9:38 AM
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LOL!
There are so many possibilities. I really miss the celebrity-driven game shows like Match Game and Hollywood Squares.
I think Rosie would be fun if she can lighten up and be the old Rosie. Nowadays she just comes across as angry and depressed all the time - kind of a downer for a lighthearted game show.
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Feb 1, 2008 10:20 AM
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I loved Match Game, and am cautiously looking forward to a revival, depending who is on the show. I really don't want to see Rosie or Kathy Griffin; nor do I want to see a bunch of potty-mouthed panel members. Some witty double entendres are one thing, but I have no interest in single entendres.
My picks, culled partly from comments here:
Betty White--who else?
Marie Osmond--she's smart and witty, and would be a hoot to watch.
Ross "the Intern" Matthews--I know that he annoys some people, but I think he's funny and sweetly sarcastic.
Colin Mochrie--I'd actually like to see Ryan Stiles, Chip Esten and Brad Sherwood, too, but then we'd have Whose Line is it Anyway? redux...not that there's anything wrong with that.
Caroline Rhea--I watched Rosie's show back when she wasn't angry and mean, but liked it better when Caroline took over.
Nathan Fillion--I've heard enough recordings of convention panels to know that he's hilarious and quick-witted.
There could be various "guest panelists" that cycle in and out, as well. It will be interesting to see what grade of celebrities they're able to attract to the show. As for the host, I'm not sure who I'd pick to fill that role. Just not Ryan Seacrest, please.
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Feb 1, 2008 11:00 AM
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I guess Drew Carey couldn't do double hosting duty, eh? He immediately came to mind. What about Wayne Brady or Ryan Stiles?
If I remember correctly there was a different celeb panel each week, with regs like Brett Sommers, Richard Dawson and the great CNR cycling on and off. There were soap stars, prime time stars, movie starts, b'way stars, singers, comedians. And I can SO clearly remember my poor mom having to scramble for explanations (especially her creative response to this inquisitive 7-year-old's "what's virginity, Mommy?"). Oi, if tv could only be that innocent again!
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Feb 1, 2008 11:26 AM
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AHHHHHHHH - other Match Game fans - LOVE it! I absolutely adored Charles Nelson Reilly and Betty White. To think of similar personalities today is difficult. I can say for certain though that if angry Rosie O'Donnell hosted, it would not last and I would definitely not watch.
From what I have read of Ausiello, I think he would be great! Also, I bet they could get guest panelists like Jimmy Kimmell, Sarah Silverman, Kelly Ripa, Ellen, Neil Patrick Harris (he loves game shows anyway), maybe Patrick Warburton, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Jon Cryer and most definitely soap stars - Alison Sweeney, Melody Thomas Scott, etc.
As far as a host, I think someone like John O'Hurley or maybe Paula Poundstone would be good!
Again - PLEASE NO ROSIE!!!
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Feb 1, 2008 11:48 AM
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I love watching this on GSN and can't wait for it to air.
Here would my dream team:
Host: Regis Philbin (I think he would be as great as Gene)
Panel:
1)Betty White (You have to have Betty)
2)Ellen (She's Popular & Witty)
3)Hugh Laurie (The new Richard Dawson?)
4)Wayne Brady or any of the Whoose Line is it anyway cast
5)Stephen Colbert
6)Connan O'Brien
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Feb 1, 2008 12:00 PM
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I won't list the people that I'd like to see on Match Game, I'll name the ones that were previously mentioned that have no business on Match Game.
Kelly Ripa - The snooty girl that you hated in high school.
Marie Osmond - Who the hell wants to see her phony fainting gimmick?
Tracy Morgan - Too many arrests!
Joy Behar - Has become too nasty and is NOT funny anymore.
Michael Ausiello - Michael WHO??
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Feb 1, 2008 12:04 PM
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I won't list the people that I'd like to see on Match Game, I'll name the ones that were previously mentioned that have no business on Match Game.
Kelly Ripa - The snooty girl that you hated in high school.
Marie Osmond - Who the hell wants to see her phony fainting gimmick?
Tracy Morgan - Too many arrests!
Joy Behar - Has become too nasty and is NOT funny anymore.
Michael Ausiello - Michael WHO??
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Feb 1, 2008 12:04 PM
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Way to kill a blog.
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Feb 1, 2008 12:09 PM
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Lauren Graham
Nathan Corddry
Judith Light
Neil Patrick Harris
John Krasinkski
Allison Janney
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Feb 1, 2008 12:13 PM
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