The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Martin Short To Host Match Game On ABC

**Posted by paterson1** April 29, 2025 4:29 pm

Alec Baldwin hosted the game show a few years back on ABC and CTV. The US network has decided to bring the program back again, this time hosted by Martin Short and shot in Montreal rather than NYC. More from Deadline.https://deadline.com/2025/04/match-game-abc-martin-short-1236380096/#comments

Last edited by paterson1 (April 29, 2025 4:30 pm)

**Posted by Easily Amused** April 29, 2025 4:37 pm

I remember the commercials he did for Hitachi televisions, way back when.

**Posted by zed** April 29, 2025 4:46 pm

Interesting that it will be shot in Montreal...

Canadian content I assume?

**Posted by Brad** April 29, 2025 5:24 pm

For those who never saw the Comedy Network, Montreal-shot Canadian version, take a peek:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIdOzHtEv-4

The panel rotates, but had comedians, some American celebrities, and mostly those who used to be on the Much Music show Video on Trial.

**Posted by Walter** April 29, 2025 5:30 pm

Thanks for the warning.

**Posted by betaylored** April 29, 2025 5:51 pm

With Martin Short spending a great deal of quality time with Meryl Streep, one wonders if she'll attend the inaugural taping of the show.
Sidebar: speaking of Match Game, another odd couple Elizabeth Hurley has hooked up with Billy Ray Cyrus.
Stars, they're just like us! as the fan magazine says.

After the last few months of anxiety/limbo/anxiety created by the short-fingered vulgarian, plus the possibility of a PP gov., a few hours of the right kind of mindless television with a grilled cheese sandwich and a glass of chocolate milk would be very very welcome.

Last edited by betaylored (April 29, 2025 5:53 pm)

**Posted by paterson1** April 30, 2025 8:55 am

Brad wrote:
For those who never saw the Comedy Network, Montreal-shot Canadian version, take a peek:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIdOzHtEv-4

The panel rotates, but had comedians, some American celebrities, and mostly those who used to be on the Much Music show Video on Trial.

I did watch the Comedy Network version of Match Game from time to time. It wasn't bad and always featured the amusing Sean Cullen. I think it was on for about 3 years and finished up about a year before ABC brought it back with Alec Baldwin. I am sure ABC is producing the game show in Montreal to keep the cost down. Maybe Bell is involved so it might show up either on CTV or return to the Comedy Network.

**Posted by mace** April 30, 2025 9:23 am

I don't think this version will be able to match the Gene Rayburn hosted CBS version which featured Richard Dawson, Brett Sommers and Charles Nelson Reilly as panelists.

**Posted by paterson1** April 30, 2025 9:37 am

I agree, the new version of any show rarely is better or even equals the original. And Match Game has had many remakes over the years. Looks like this latest revamp will debut in the summer, so likely will have a limited run.

**Posted by RadioActive** April 30, 2025 10:20 am

I loved Hollywood Squares growing up. But the new CBS version is simply unwatchable.

**Posted by mace** April 30, 2025 2:39 pm

The original Match Game [also hosted by Gene Rayburn] ran on NBC Daytime from 1962-69. I was able to find the pilot episode in B&W on youtube. Colour broadcasts began in 1963.

**Posted by Buzzy Krumhunger** April 30, 2025 4:37 pm

“Alice was worried her BLANK wouldn’t satisfy her boyfriend. Alice was worried her BLANK wouldn’t satisfy her boyfriend.”
Cue Brett’s smutty, smokey cackle…C.N. Reilly’s double entendres…Richard Dawson wanting to grab at Fannie Flagg, Elaine Joyce/Joyce Bulifant.
Didn’t know until I looked up some of the panelist names on IMDB that MAD Magazine’s Dick DeBartolo was a writer for the show.
Always thought Gene’s microphone was really cool. I guess CBS had a crate of them since Bob Barker also used one on The Price Is Right.

**Posted by Binson Echorec** April 30, 2025 5:09 pm

Buzzy Krumhunger wrote:
Always thought Gene’s microphone was really cool.

It was.

**Posted by Glen Warren** April 30, 2025 7:23 pm

Binson Echorec wrote:
Buzzy Krumhunger wrote:
Always thought Gene’s microphone was really cool.
It was.

The microphone was the Sony ECM-51 model. It is very similar in performance to the model ECM-50 lavalier mic.

This microphone was a go to model at both CBS Television City and at ABC Television Center (West). They were used on many of the Goodson * Todman game shows produced at both facilities... TPIR, Match Game, Family Feud...

TPIR used seven of the ECM-51 for the show, Barker's mic, four for the contestant row podiums, and two at the final showcase podium positions.

**Posted by mace** April 30, 2025 8:16 pm

Glen Warren wrote:
Binson Echorec wrote:
Buzzy Krumhunger wrote:
Always thought Gene’s microphone was really cool.
It was.
The microphone was the Sony ECM-51 model. It is very similar in performance to the model ECM-50 lavalier mic.

This microphone was a go to model at both CBS Television City and at ABC Television Center (West). They were used on many of the Goodson * Todman game shows produced at both facilities... TPIR, Match Game, Family Feud...

TPIR used seven of the ECM-51 for the show, Barker's mic, four for the contestant row podiums, and two at the final showcase podium positions.

Wow! The knowledge from SOWNY members never ceases to amaze me.