GSN to Air Several Behind-the-Scenes Specials Starting This Fall /GSN and Scott Sternberg Productions Bring the European Hit 'THAT'S THE QUESTION' to American Audiences This Fall
Chuck Barris and 'Match Game' Among the Topics to Be Covered
GSN will air several original behind-the-scenes specials starting this fall about the world of game shows, it was announced by Rich Cronin, President and CEO of GSN, the network for games, at the network's Summer TCA presentation. Among the broad topics to be covered are game show legend Chuck Barris and the classic "Match Game," which currently airs on the GSN schedule.
"The overwhelming success of 'Big Bucks: The Press Your Luck Scandal' told us viewers love to learn about the inside workings of the game show world," said Cronin. "There is a wealth of material within the game show community and we'd like to offer more of the same, top-quality behind-the-scenes fare."
One of the early specials will spotlight Chuck Barris, host of "The Gong Show." To the viewers at home, this was a new kind of show and the audience loved it. But they didn't know what was going on off screen. This special will go back to Barris' beginnings to shed light on his past, including an exclusive interview with this most unique host.
Another will feature the beloved classic game show "Match Game." "Match Game" started out slowly and uneventfully, but when faced with cancellation, producers and panelists decided to kick it up a notch and have fun with it until the end of the season. As a result, everyone cut loose and loaded the show with offbeat jokes and double-entendres. The final product was hilarious and viewers responded. This "new" format was a recipe for success; the network kept the show on the air and it was a hit for years to follow in daytime and prime time. With a revolving cast of comedians and questions echoing the 1970's penchant for sexual innuendo, "Match Game" redefined the modern game show. It went against convention and appealed to a younger, hipper audience and ushered in a new era of television. GSN takes a look at "Match Game's" heyday from 1973 until its end in 1979 and celebrates one of the most beloved game shows on American television.
The specials will be produced by Asylum Entertainment, founded in 2000, and who created the 10-time Emmy nominated series "Beyond the Glory" and the Emmy nominated series "Fearless." Frank Sinton serves as executive producer.
GSN, the Network for Games, is the only U.S. television network dedicated to game-related programming and interactive game playing. The network features game shows, reality series, documentaries and casino games. As the industry leader in interactivity, GSN features over 133 hours per week of interactive programming. Reaching 60 million Nielsen homes, GSN is distributed in the U.S. through all major cable systems and satellite providers. The network is jointly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Liberty Media Corporation.
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Source: GSN
Web site: http://www.gsn.com/
GSN and Scott Sternberg Productions Bring the European Hit 'THAT'S THE QUESTION' to American Audiences This Fall
'Entertainment Tonight' Vet Bob Goen Hosts New U.S. Version That Tests Contestants Word Skills and Trivia Knowledge
GSN, the network for games, and Scott Sternberg Productions are bringing the highly-rated international show, THAT'S THE QUESTION, to American audiences in the fall with 20 episodes of the specially-produced U.S. version of the fast-paced word game featuring host Bob Goen ("Entertainment Tonight," "Miss Universe").
Produced by Scott Sternberg Productions ("Sunday Morning Shootout," "Square Off"), THAT'S THE QUESTION is a half-hour series that combines word un-scrambling skills with a test of world history and pop culture trivia knowledge. The series is widely popular in numerous countries around the globe and is setting ratings records in the Netherlands, Switzerland and France.
The U.S. version of the series is being shot this week on the original set in Amsterdam, Holland. The show will feature American contestants and Goen as host.
In making the announcement at the network's Television Critics Association presentation, Rich Cronin, president and chief executive officer, GSN, said: "We are pleased to be able to introduce this exciting game to our audience with Bob Goen as host. The game combines three great game show concepts, trivia, scrambled words and puzzles, making for an entertaining half-hour that will complement our schedule perfectly."
Scott Sternberg, executive producer of THAT'S THE QUESTION and veteran game show producer, commented: "I am delighted that GSN has backed THAT'S THE QUESTION. I am looking forward to working with GSN on the show and am confident that it will replicate its European success in the American market."
Goen, who served as host of "Entertainment Tonight" from 1993 to 2004, began his broadcast career as a sportscaster and then made the transition to his life-long dream, hosting game shows. Among his credits, he hosted the daytime version of "Wheel of Fortune" and then the prime time show "The Hollywood Game." He is also known globally from hosting the "Miss Universe," "Miss USA," and "Miss Teen USA" Pageants.
THAT'S THE QUESTION is a fast paced word game that pits two contestants against each other in a race to win the grand prize in the show's conclusion. Every second counts as contestants battle each other unscrambling words for valuable seconds of time in the grand finale.
Widely acknowledged for his creative success in a variety of television genres, Scott Sternberg and his production company have a rich background producing game shows. His producing credits include such top-rated hits as "Hollywood Squares," "Love Connection," "Rock and Roll Jeopardy," "The Extreme Gong Show" and "Wheel of Fortune for Kids" in the game show genre. His most recent projects include the television industry focused "Square Off," the film industry series "Sunday Morning Shootout," and other original series including 'My First Time' and 'Spying on Myself'.
About GSN
GSN, the Network for Games, is the only U.S. television network dedicated to game-related programming and interactive game playing. The network features game shows, reality series, documentaries and casino games. As the industry leader in interactivity, GSN features over 133 hours per week of interactive programming, which allows viewers a chance to win prizes by playing along with GSN's televised games via GSN.com. Now reaching nearly 60 million Nielsen homes, GSN is distributed in the U.S. through all major cable systems and satellite providers. The network is jointly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Liberty Media Corporation. For further media information, visit GSN's press website at corp.gsn.com
About Scott Sternberg Productions
Scott Sternberg Productions is a full service television production company focusing on unscripted programming. Emmy-award winning CEO, Scott Sternberg, founded Scott Sternberg Productions in 1991. The firm provides content to broadcast and cable networks, web portals and satellite radio stations. Scott Sternberg Productions also produces branded content for major non-broadcast entities. No Studio Entertainment and Spanglish Entertainment are wholly owned subsidiaries of Scott Sternberg Productions. Both produce regional and local programs, with Spanglish Entertainment providing content for Spanish language outlets. Scott Sternberg Productions is located at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood, CA.
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Source: GSN
Web site: http://www.gsn.com/
