Survey Says.

Last night it occurred to me that I may be watching way too much of the Gameshow Network.

While lying in bed, casually discussing the highs and lows of my day, I mentioned to Ben that "Allen" was once again on Press Your Luck.

This, by the way, was a low.

Mena: God, I hate Allen.

Ben: Who?

Mena: That guy on Press Your Luck who makes all those noises of glee while winning. He makes me so angry. He's such a smug bastard.

As we discussed the personality flaws of Allen, I explained to Ben that I discovered today that the Gameshow Network plays episodes in order of broadcast. And, today, while laying on my almost comfortable couch, I came to the realization that, yes, I am truly pathetic.

The actual thought:

"When the Family Feud's Richard Dawson comments about a past family or a joke from an earlier episode -- and I actually REMEMBER the joke or family -- it's time to turn the television off."

Comments

[Jennie]

Press Your Luck - that was the game with the Whammies, right? As in "No Whammies, no Whammies, no Whammies.... STOP!!!"

Egads.

[Mena]

Yeah, but it gets better -- there is now a new show called "Whammy." It's a modern-day Press Your Luck.

It bothers me terribly because the Whammies don't have their high voices. The silence on Whammy really alarms me.

[Ed]

I must confess that, even though I don't watch television very much, if I visit family (they have cable; I don't), inevitably one hour or so is committed towards watching the Game Show Network. If the cheesy game show concepts, if the trashy celebrities and the superthin microphoned with the long cord isn't enough, the hairstyles, ancient film footage, slight vernacular differences and atavistic attitudes (often sexist or racist) are completely and utterly fascinating. When watching an episode of "Card Sharks" from 1981, I almost feel that I'm getting some semblance of what is happening during the time from a renewed adult perspective (during much of these years, I was a lad). Even though every conceivable aspect of the show is artificial in nature, the introduction of real people into the mix (particularly the families whose ladies were assaulted by Dawson with all the air of a incorrigible Roman emperor) is a facet of the game show that FEELS real. This is poppycock of course. But then there appears to be no other cable programming committed to showing the television of before (whether old installments of Phil Donahue, old news reports or even some of the early "Tomorrow" shows with Tom Snyder). It seems strangely ironic to me that one should strive for this kind of vicarious sociological study through the silly bells and whistles of "The Joker's Wild."

[Rosie]

Don't feel bad Mena, I watch informercials. You know, shows that last for half of an hour that sell useful items like siccors that can cut through a penny.

The Steam Buggy and Oxy Clean are both pretty cool. Sharper Image has a nice carpet cleaner too. The worst informercials are ones that pertain to exercising and dieting. Those are all the same.

Did you know they come on at three A.M.? I just learned that the other night (though I had school the next morning). I wonder if I'll ever order anything off of one when I'm a lonely old lady.

[megami]

I LOVE the Game Show network. I was exposed to it for a week once; we don't happen to have it piped into our house. I couldn't tear myself away. We were supposed to be visiting my boyfriend's mom, but we spent more time with Gene Rayburn.

[Alejandra]

Mena,

I am sooo glad to know that I am not the only one who actually loathes various game show contestants, as if I knew them personally.

One guy that was on Jeopardy! for several episodes got on my nerves so badly, I wanted to reach through the TV and strangle him. It wasn't as if he had injured or insulted me in anyway, but just the fact that he would press the ring-in button repeatedly with such a maniacal sense of urgency -- UGH! --- I wanted to slap him silly.

*sigh* I have issues.....

This is further proven by the fact that I am extremely saddened for not being able to see "WHAMMY"

P.S. Does anyone remember the Boy George Whammy cartoon (back in the 80s) dancing across the poor loser's face?

[Helen]

On Jet Blue, an airline that regularly flies from Long Beach to New York, they show cable television throughout the flight. That's where I first became aquainted with the Whammies ... even though I'm sure the show ended before I was born.

People in seventies-style clothing are funny.

[katie]

The sad thing about this post is I started to laugh and then realized I can relate..

[Mike]

Hey, when I was a kid I remember watching "Match Game" at my grandparents' -- does anyone know if Charles Nelson Reilly did anything else? He used to crack me up when I was, what, eight or ten? Maybe he was the first professional game show panelist, like the precursor to Bruce Vilanch.

Interestingly enough, this is the first day of TV-Turnoff Week. Funny I didn't see it mentioned on any of the shows I regularly watch.

[onegoodtum]

Am I so out of it? I don't even know the shows you're talking about. Course, up here in Canada we've only recently gotten television, and pa doesn't know if the cows will keep walking on the treadmill to keep it running.

[kismet]

Press Your Luck is one of my fave game show reruns. Wasn't it you, Mena, that informed us of a Press Your Luck movie coming out starring Bill Murray? What happened?

[Jeff]

Rosie, Oxy Clean REALLY works!! It's the miracle powder of our generation!! Ok, I can think of others...

[Gerette]

I would say one of the better things about getting TiVo is that it took the "Game Show Network" monkey off my back--of course, replacing it with a never-ending stream of home decorating shows sans commercials! I feel your pain, Mena.

[Laura]

My weakness was the Match Game. That cray-zee wah-wah goin on that guitar...

Never disappoints.

[Mena]

Wow -- the Match Game drives me crazy.

I think it's Charles Nelson Reilly that does it -- just sitting there with his pipe.

I wish I could like it, but I just can't.