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 Views,
Reviews, and Interviews
by Dianne R. Davis
diannerd@aol.com
Photos by Dianne or Burt Davis
Game Show
Hosts Abound at Special Reception at LV Hilton
Television game shows were an integral part of the fabric of our lives,
so it’s no wonder that the hosts are finally receiving recognition in
their own unique category. That’s why the Game Show Hall of Fame has
been established.
TV Icons Monty Hall, Peter Marshall, and Wink Martindale, and Hugh Downs
are the first inductees along with posthumous recognition of Merv
Griffin, an icon of the game show industry. Monty Hall was unable to
attend due to a recent accident resulting in two broken ribs, but sent
regards and asked Bob Eubanks to accept on his behalf. Video montages of
the honorees were presented.
Rich Fields
Photo by Stephen Thorburn
Rich Fields, announcer for CBS TV’s “The Price is Right” emceed the
October 13th ceremony at the Las Vegas Hilton.
Following the presentation, I had a chance to chat with some of the
honorees and other special guests at a special reception in the Hilton
Ballroom.
Peter Marshall
Video Exclusive Interview with Peter Marshall
That’s me with (Ralph) Pierre LaCock, aka Peter Marshall. Pete told me
that his connection to Las Vegas goes back to 1950 when he opened the
Desert Inn. Many of his game show fans may not realize that Peter’s
background included entertaining in Vegas and the Broadway stage.
Wink Martindale with Dianne R. Davis
Video Exclusive Interview with Wink Martindale
Winston “Wink” Conrad Martindale hosted more than a dozen game shows,
including the highly popular “Tic Tac Dough.” He told me that he is
privileged to “make a good living and get to work with people. I’m a
people person,.” He said. He asked me to pass on a message. “To all of
you who watched our show – thank you, thank you.”
Hugh Downs
Video Exclusive Interview with Hugh Downs
Hugh Downs felt that the years that he did Concentration were rewarding
ones. He jokes that it appealed to his Scottish blood that he was able
to give away money, but it was not his own.
Christopher Broughton and Judy Thorburn
Chris Broughton and Judy Thorburn were busy at the reception talking
about his new show which debuts at the Venetian on October 30. Chris
described it to me as “Dave Chappelle meets Jay Leno on steroids” It’s
called The Christopher Broughton Show: “Where Hollywood Meets The
Strip.” Chris said that it will have something for everyone and that,
“I’ll get stars to do things they don’t normally do.” Sounds like fun to
me. He said to look for many of the strip performers to drop in with and
without warning.
Broughton brings his experience as a director, writer, producer, and
filmmaker to this show which will be televised nationally. I personally
found him to be bright, charming, and entertaining and I’m looking
forward to the show.
Christopher Broughton, Dianne R. Davis with Bruce Reiner
Chris’s sidekick on the show will be the hilarious Bruce Reiner who
describes himself as, “the college roommate who never grew up.”
Jamie Farr said that he was a big fan of game shows when he was growing
up and enjoyed guesting on many of them as well as hosting. He is
delighted to be part of the revolving team of stars of the $250,000 Game
Show Spectacular. He said his good friend and neighbor in Calabasas,
California, Bob Eubanks called him and said, “Hey Jamie, want to do a
game show.” That was all he had to say.
Chuck Woolery
Chuck Woolery is enjoying Las Vegas. The previous day, he and wife Kim
took the monorail up and down the strip. They plan to see a number of
the Cirque du Soleil productions. Chuck originally set out to be a
singer, but is enjoying the direction that his career took.
Bob Eubanks
Photo by Stephen Thorburn
Bob Eubanks thanked the fans, celebrities, and the Las Vegas Hilton for
supporting the new game show.
Adrian Zmed
Photo by Stephen Thorburn
Adrien Zmed just finished doing The Full Monty in Maine and is working
on a new television show called Casting Call. He is traveling cross
country looking for the right people to star in a new film. The TV show
will have a similar format to American Idol and the finale will be held
in New Orleans.
If you are in the New York area this winter, look for Adrien on Broadway
in a new show, “TV Hit Parade”
Laura Lee O'Connell with Amy Solomon
The LV Hilton also stages Menopause, The Musical in their Shimmer
Cabaret showroom. Cast member Laura Lee O'Connell and the show’s group
sales and special promotion maven. Amy is also busy with Tony & Tina’s
Wedding at the Rio. Laura spent the summer at the Longwarf Theater in
Connecticut doing, what else, Menopause, The Musical.
In the small world department, Laura told me that her dad, John Duncan,
was a DJ in Moorehead, Kentucky where Chuck Woolery went to college.
Chuck and her dad worked together there.
Bob Eubanks, Jamie Farr, Hugh Downs, Chuck Woolery and Wink Martindale
Photo by Stephen Thorburn
What a great afternoon it was, enjoying the hospitality of the Las Vegas
Hilton and meeting with so many icons in the history of game shows.
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