Quoting:Personally, I'd take him over some new 20-year-old, camera-ready unknown.End Quote

I definitely agree with you there!

Quoting:The real question is, will the image of the original "Pyramid" game show be destroyed (or "lost") due to the inevitable incorporation of current 21st-century technology, graphics, etc., much as the present incarnations of "Family Feud" (w/ Louie Anderson) and "Press Your Luck" (w/ Todd Newton), among others, have??? :-(End Quote

That's something that I'm also worried about.  I've never really cared for any modern versions of the old gameshows.  I've tried to watch Family Feud now but Louie Anderson's personality just doesn't compare with Richard Dawson's.

Quoting:The other major flaw in almost all current game shows (the lone exception that comes to mind being that classic standby, "The Price is Right") is that they cater exclusively to the under-30 crowd, both in image and the actual contestants that appear on them. Sorry, but that's not the real world. But hey, youth and looks are IN. :-( End Quote

What you're saying about the young viewers is very true.  When I think back to the times I liked to watch gameshows I was probably between 10 and 15.  Nowadays I watch those (70's and early-80's) shows for nostalgic reasons. :)

Quoting:As for Dick Clark, as much as he's contributed to the evolution of rock 'n' roll, w/ "American Bandstand", the "American Music Awards", "New Year's Rockin' Eve", etc., I've never really liked him - and a big part of that is simply because he's always been so painfully mechanical in the way he speaks... :-(End Quote

I'd never really thought about him being "mechanical" until you mentioned it.  His manner of delivery has never bothered me.  Sure, he's not as witty as say Gene Rayburn, but I still thought he did a good job as host of the "Pyramid" shows.

Quoting:
"Press Your Luck" (w/ Todd NewtonEnd Quote

I hate that one. Everything looks so stupid on there, and it's just not as fun as the original.

Quoting:
I heard on the news this morning that Donny Osmond will be hosting a new version of the classic gameshow, which is scheduled to begin in September.  I didn't think anybody could replace Dick Clark as host of that. :(  What are your thoughts?
End Quote

Well, CeramicsFanatic, the new version of "Pyramid", w/ Donny Osmond as host, is now on the air during weekday evenings - caught it yet? ???

Just watched it for the first time myself, and I must confess, it wasn't quite as bad as I expected. Yes, just as I predicted above, the set has undergone a major overhaul, w/ an all-new 21st-century look - IMO, some of the changes are good, and some not so good. For one thing, the new set is too "dark" for my taste... :(

Of course, there have also been a few changes in the way the game is played: For starters, during the Dick Clark era, you had 30 seconds to score 7 points in each category. For the new version, you now have 20 seconds to score 6! (Guess they needed to chop some time to allow for more commercials. *sigh*) And instead of a hidden "7-11" category, where you win a special bonus for getting all of the points in the allotted time, it's now called the "Super Six". The "Mystery 7" category has been eliminated altogether (i.e., no equivalent replacement). Also, when you go to the "winner's circle" after winning the first round, if you successfully get to the top of the pyramid, the cash prize is still the same as before - $10,000. But now if you win that, and make it back to the "winner's circle" after winning the second round as well, the cash prize for making it to the top of the pyramid again is only $15,000 (vs. $20,000 or $25,000, during the DC era)...

As for Mr. Osmond, I think he did quite well. He hosted the show w/ a lot of smiles and enthusiasm (vs. Louie Anderson on the current version of "Family Feud", who is a walking corpse, IMHO). I've always felt Donny had a very likable personality, and although I've seen only one episode so far, I believe he was a good choice for the show... :-)

Quoting:
I'd never really thought about him being "mechanical" until you mentioned it.  

End Quote

That's because Dick Clark really died years ago. It's all done with special effects. ;D Seriously, does the man ever age?

Quoting:


Well, CeramicsFanatic, the new version of "Pyramid", w/ Donny Osmond as host, is now on the air during weekday evenings - caught it yet? ???

Just watched it for the first time myself, and I must confess, it wasn't quite as bad as I expected. Yes, just as I predicted above, the set has undergone a major overhaul, w/ an all-new 21st-century look - IMO, some of the changes are good, and some not so good. For one thing, the new set is too "dark" for my taste... :(

Of course, there have also been a few changes in the way the game is played: For starters, during the Dick Clark era, you had 30 seconds to score 7 points in each category. For the new version, you now have 20 seconds to score 6! (Guess they needed to chop some time to allow for more commercials. *sigh*) And instead of a hidden "7-11" category, where you win a special bonus for getting all of the points in the allotted time, it's now called the "Super Six". The "Mystery 7" category has been eliminated altogether (i.e., no equivalent replacement). Also, when you go to the "winner's circle" after winning the first round, if you successfully get to the top of the pyramid, the cash prize is still the same as before - $10,000. But now if you win that, and make it back to the "winner's circle" after winning the second round as well, the cash prize for making it to the top of the pyramid again is only $15,000 (vs. $20,000 or $25,000, during the DC era)...

As for Mr. Osmond, I think he did quite well. He hosted the show w/ a lot of smiles and enthusiasm (vs. Louie Anderson on the current version of "Family Feud", who is a walking corpse, IMHO). I've always felt Donny had a very likable personality, and although I've seen only one episode so far, I believe he was a good choice for the show... :-)
End Quote

Hi 80smusicfreak...

Sorry this is late...I don't often check this board anymore. :-/

I agree with most of what you said about the new 'Pyramid' show.  Like you, I've only watched it once.  Donny Osmond was okay, but I just don't think he makes for the perfect game show host (IMO, that would be the late, great Mr. Gene Rayburn... :'().  I did notice that the contestants had less time to answer and that the amount of prize money hasn't increased.  That seems really odd to me.  Any guesses on how long the show will last? ;D

BTW, I agree with your opinions about Louie Anderson. ;)