Bert was the reason I wanted to be a game show host when I was a kid. He is sincerely missed in this revival of game shows that we are experiencing today.
true that :) a great person indeed if he didnt have that brain cancer diagnosis he could of done this easily and be a great host like he was in tattletales
I love Bert! I would listen to him read the dictionary. How very sad about his passing the following year. He would have been the perfect host to continue the popularity of Match Game.
All I can really add is, Bert clearly was the right guy to step into Gene Rayburn's shoes from these pilots, and I thought Ross Shafer did a decent job in his own way. But from Adam Nedeff's biography of Gene, after Bert dropped out Gene was considered for a short time before an unexpected name came up - of all people, Bob Eubanks. The way the book conveys the story, Bob did runthroughs in the Goodson offices but it doesn't sound like he ever shot a pilot. I would have loved to see something of him doing Match Game. Getting back to Bert, though, we really were robbed of what could have been a great run from him doing Match Game. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if he hosted the proposed revival in 1985 when Gene was already signed to Break the Bank, even though he was already doing Super Password.
Contestant Michelle had already met Bert Convy, as she was a contestant on the last day of Super Password. She won the first game that day but then lost the last game (only time for 1 game for $100) to a woman named Heather, who became a contestant on MG 90 during its run on ABC.
The panel for this pilot episode of "MG '90" was good, but replace Khrystyne Haje & Teri Copley with Brett Sommers & Betty White, to make it even better! You can't have any episode of "MG" without Brett & Charles sitting in the right hand side of the top row! R.I.P., Brett Sommers, Charles Nelson Reilly & Bert Convy.
Indeed! I found Ross to be rather bland, and he often missed comedic opportunities; One episode saw the Matchup computer freeze twice. Instead of using a zinger to keep the audience awake while IT was on the case, he just looked annoyed 😒
Exactly! Sadly enough-after taping five "pilot" Match Game '90 broadcasts-Bert Convy collapsed after suffering a brain tumor while visiting his ill mother in the hospital; Bert died in July, 1991 at the age of 58.
@@jimhanold9026 It is so heartbreaking to see Bert looking so well here, only to know that he would be taken from us very soon after. Why do the good die young?
@@ddt99 It is-indeed-a mystery, dd99! As unfortunate as Bert's premature passing was-at least we can still enjoy him on RUclips and Buzzr (formerly the Game Show Network/GSN)!
@@jimhanold9026 - What did you mean about Buzzr being "formerly" something else? GSN is still in existence, and Buzzr is just another network similar to it. They're not related to each other, outside of having the same kind of programming.
Ross Shafer had to take over the hosting duties of this version of "Match Game" after Mr. Convy was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Sadly he was visiting his mother at Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles after she had suffered a stroke. It was there that he had a seizure and was diagnosed with the tumor. Despite aggressive treatment (at many different places) he passed away in July 1991-just 8 days short of his 58th birthday
Even without ever seeing this before, I was ready to bet money that Bert would be the 2nd best ever MG host. And, sure enough, Bert nails it. That mean old Grim Reaper really cheated us this time!
Dang shame! Bert Convy was completely meant to host the new version of "Match Game"! Anyway, awesome upload, sadler76! Bert Convy's one of my many favorite game show hosts ever!
Fun fact: the contestant in this "Match Game" pilot named Michelle was in the very last Super Password episode with Bert Convy! Just figured u might wanna know that!
Yes! Bert even called the "MG '90" panel 'looney bins', as Gene referred to the panel on "MG '7x"! If Bert Convy had the tumor by the time he hosted this pilot ep., he showed no sign of it, as he was being his jolly unrestrained self here! I also agree that Bert would have been far more qualified than Ross Shafer as emcee. Ross appeared quite stiff & rigid during his tenure as host. Furthermore, this version of "MG" would have lasted beyond one season if Bert had continued hosting, R.I.P. Bert.
If Bert Convy was able to host the show, it would have had a chance, despite the noon time slot where a large number of affiliates aired news or syndicated programming. It's not the first time a host was changed due to illness or death. In 1975, Goodson-Todman launched a new game show Showoffs. The pilot was hosted by Larry Blyden. He went on vacation after taping the pilot and he died in a car accident in Morocco. The show would go on with Bobby Van as host and turned out to be a flop since Van never hosted a game show and another show that had a noon time period would also be hurt by low ratings and clearances.
It’s very sad that we don’t see much of Bert Convy in the 1990s when he started off of Tattletales and Super Password in the 70s and 80s. He was a great game show host. He looked great and energetic during the pilot of Match Game 90 but didn’t last that long when he was diagnosed with brain cancer in 1990 and then sadly passed away in 1991. RIP Bert Convy, Gene Wood, Gene Rayburn, Charles Nelson Reilly, Brett Somers
So sad that Bert Convy passed away before this show got rolling, he would have been a great host. Gene Rayburn of course was the best. Ross Shafer was a stiff and the show floundered. It didnt help that ABC had the show on at noon when most affilates had news going.
It was a shame Gene Rayburn was passed over to emcee this version of "MG", as he was deemed "too old" to host. He was 72 years old during "MG '90's" run. Heck, Bob Barker was 67 years old in 1990! Gene still had that unmistakable charm & charisma @ 72! He was still more qualified than Ross Shafer...FAR more qualified to host! Ross was exactly half Gene's age in 1990 (36 years old). R.I.P., Gene Rayburn & Bert Convy.
I think this version of the show would have done well, if it weren't for Convy's untimely death. There was only one Gene Rayburn, but Convy came in a very close second. The man was hysterical. Randy, The Lazy Comic.
Rikarocks2001 I didn't say anything bad about Shafer... but if he was that good... why did the show not make it after Convy's passing. I just didn't think Ross Shafer had the comic timing that was needed to make Match Game work. The host had to be very quick witted... with a bit of an "edgy" twist that would make censors squirm.
Part of the problem was the timeslot, I think if i remember right it was in that noon timeslot going up against Young And The Restless, I agree with Rikarocks2001, he was good and better than Michael Burger.
That's an excellent answer! Unfortunately, the way the question was phrased, it said, the "blank-ing stones", which implied they wanted something ending with "-ing". This rules out a lot of good answers like "kidney" and "gall", which some of them said anyway. How about "The Eroding Stones".
Thanks so much! Hated to miss it on GSN, so it was great of you to upload it! Bert was, as always great...if maybe a little too reserved. I think his ease with the celebs on Super Password and here is because he was one too and it shows. Liked the format changes they made, but the celebs and Bert were great.
There's something that's always baffled me: Since this particular ep. of "MG '90" aired October 1st, 1989, & Bert Convy was initially diagnosed with a brain tumor in April 1990, why couldn't Mark Goodson Productions tape more episodes with Convy hosting? There was a six month time frame where many more eps. could have been taped. Bert did not show any signs of being ill here or possibly immediately afterward. Bert Convy's death has got to be the saddest death among game show emcees. R.I.P.
This was a pilot episode created to sell the show to the network. This show never aired on network television. By the time ABC picked up the show, Convy was already stricken with the cancer that would go on to kill him.
I agree with you ChihuahuaboyDH. He almost did it exactly like Gene Rayburn would have did it. It was said that Bert Convy had that Brain Tumor before he had the job for the show. He is much better than Ross Shafer. RIP Bert Convy.
This right here is a perfect example of what happens when the right host is combine with the the right show. This is one that will stay with us as we think of what might have been. easily would of made the argument of best game show of the 90's
In an interview with CNR, he in fact talked to Brett about it and after she declined he said "Well let's face it, it wouldn't be the same without Susan."
If they hadn't brought MG back in 1998 but instead in 2000 with the right chemistry to make it work like the original version and with the right host to fill the part i've could seen the show have run on the air from 2000-2010 or beyond that thats what i think
Of course no one could replace Gene, but Bert was the best candidate out of any of the game show hosts. I love watching Super Password when Bert hosted it and I also enjoyed watching him on Tattletales, and can't forget the other game show that was so very funny, Win Lose or Draw. Bert was a very nice, sweet man. And a very handsome guy too! Such a terrible loss when he passed away. Hard to believe he was born in 1933. He definitely aged very well!
If Bert Convy didn't feel ill, he would've been the permanent host. However unfortunately, he lost his illness battle and past away as well. RIP Bert, you did your best to host this and others you've remarkably done.
The week of pilots was taped in October 1989 and they never aired on television (except this one on GSN on Christmas, 2012). The pilots were pitched to ABC and competed against TKO (also packaged by Mark Goodson, hosted by Peter Tomarken), and a few other shows. Once Match Game sold, the taping of the first episodes to air was some time away, during which, Convy became ill and a new host had to be found so the series could meet the deadline.
I never saw this version of match game before. Back in my day, I remember the version match game p.m., and the ones from the 1981, and 82 era. Also I have seen on RUclips match game 73 all the way to 1979. By the way, I am a big Marsha Warfield fan. Specially when she played Rosalyn Russell on night court. She was hilarious.
Wow thanks for this! Always wondered about this pilot. Bert Convy was great. Shaffer wasn't bad but this would have lasted longer with Convy at the helm. Shafer wasn't bad though but in my opinion Bert would have been the 2nd best host for Match Game just as he was the 2nd best host for Password. One thing for sure though, even with Shafer hosting this MG '90 was waaaaaaaay better than MG '98
I think brad garret got the idea of Robert his character on everybody loves Raymond from Harvey and his wonderful lower type voice I suppose marsha could of been like a Brett and been a regular just to torment CNR and Teri with those answers she didn't match once I liked bert convey doing MG because he was actually a celebrity panelist on MG with gene reyburn in the 1970's he called them looney bins I'm from Australia and ty!!!!
Ah thank you for the correction. Still, being placed against the local news in most markets, or being pre-empted is something that killed many of game show. Kind of like how CBS used to have game shows on at 4:00 p.m. only to be pre-empted by local programming, and going against talk shows of the day like Donahue, or Dinah Shore.
10/5/89 is the airdate. GSN only had two minutes of commercials during the show to get this whole pilot shown in its entirety, going to split screen for the end credits, which were the Goodson logo and the copyright date.
Gene Rayburn once said on Howard Stern that his career ended when Entertainment Tonight announced his age at the end of their show which was a form of outing stars for ageism. He said the phone stopped ringing after that. Bert did a great job and like Gene he was a natural upper. Ross had the looks and the hair helmet but never really looked like he was having fun but rather just trying to put in His time. In that MG/ HS HOUR FIASCO, Gene was not digging sharing duties with Jon Bowzer and that was the beginning of the end for Gene. Bowzer was actually good and had the chops and energy to be a great host. I looked up Harley and he was one of the prison goons in Con Air and played many other roles of the same genre. Team ZumDrum haha
☹I never heard tell of this gameshow. I was just checking it out now, and I really thought I was gonna like it. Bert Covey was my second favorite gameshow host after Allen Ludden. I loved him on Tattletales and Password Plus, and I loved him on here too up until the 19:00 minute mark when Ten said that word. What a huge disappointment. I knew what she meant, and she would NEVER have gotten away with that on the old show. What a shame too; I really liked it up till that point. I can't watch it if the show's gonna turn out to be filthy. But I'll check out the next episode to see what it's like And where's Brett?!
The strangest part of the pilot, in my opinion, is that they used the think music for Check Game, Up, Make Your Move, and Cover Up on The Price is Right on the head-to-head match.
If Bert was alive today he could’ve easily hosted Jeopardy. Instead, we are bombarded by all of these part time hosts who make a point to show “PERSONALITY.” On another note, how about Harley!! XD Dude was awesome. Hope he’s doing well in life
They did air a few pilots on Halloween one year, but none that were produced by Goodson and Todman. A couple interesting unsold ones that can be found on RUclips are "Twisters" with Jim Perry and "Dollar a Second" with Bob Eubanks.
Interesting think music for the head-to-head match. A lot of us know that's the same music used for "Cover Up" on "The Price is Right", but the game wasn't introduced until 1993.
The sad thing is it did sell, but then Bert Convy was diagnosed shortly after with a tumor and could not actually host. It would have been great though
Bert Convy was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer three months before the actual series aired, and was forced to give up his hosting duties. He died just three days after the series ended its run.
A great pilot episode! A big thank you for uploading it, as I wondered for years about the Bert Convy-hosted pilot ep.. Was this ever aired originally? So, there were five pilot episodes of the Convy-hosted "MG '90"? I wonder how by some unforeseeable miracle GSN was able to dig this up? Do the other four pilot eps. exist? Bert Cony's brief stint as host of "MG '90" was nothing short of spectacular! It's too bad he became ill immediately afterward, as he would have been an even better host!
The panel was superb, and the audience was lively. Convy was the weak link--he lacked the casual, relaxed charm of Rayburn. The questions needed some work, too. Not a bad pilot, though.
It didn't last long on ABC because it aired at noon and a lot of ABC affiliates either passed on it for local news or it got bounced to another time period (here it aired four hours later on an independent).
Had it not been for Bert's fatal tumor, Match Game would've survived more than a year & end up at the 7pm hour next to Jeopardy, then it would've been fitting to have it as a lead-in program before ABC's primetime lineup began airing.
Bert was the reason I wanted to be a game show host when I was a kid. He is sincerely missed in this revival of game shows that we are experiencing today.
true that :) a great person indeed if he didnt have that brain cancer diagnosis he could of done this easily and be a great host like he was in tattletales
I love Bert! I would listen to him read the dictionary. How very sad about his passing the following year. He would have been the perfect host to continue the popularity of Match Game.
He seemed so healthy here.
"Balls" has to be the FUNNIEST Match Game answer of ALL time, regardless of decade.
All I can really add is, Bert clearly was the right guy to step into Gene Rayburn's shoes from these pilots, and I thought Ross Shafer did a decent job in his own way. But from Adam Nedeff's biography of Gene, after Bert dropped out Gene was considered for a short time before an unexpected name came up - of all people, Bob Eubanks. The way the book conveys the story, Bob did runthroughs in the Goodson offices but it doesn't sound like he ever shot a pilot. I would have loved to see something of him doing Match Game.
Getting back to Bert, though, we really were robbed of what could have been a great run from him doing Match Game. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if he hosted the proposed revival in 1985 when Gene was already signed to Break the Bank, even though he was already doing Super Password.
0:34 Gotta love Bert;s parody on the "Time Tunnel".
Glad someone else caught that!
Contestant Michelle had already met Bert Convy, as she was a contestant on the last day of Super Password. She won the first game that day but then lost the last game (only time for 1 game for $100) to a woman named Heather, who became a contestant on MG 90 during its run on ABC.
I THOUGHT that she was, because just before this, I saw that final episode.
What week of episodes was Heather on Match Game 90
Michelle is pretty. I wonder what she is doing now.. I wonder why she didn't say I was on Super Password just an few months ago?
The panel for this pilot episode of "MG '90" was good, but replace Khrystyne Haje & Teri Copley with Brett Sommers & Betty White, to make it even better! You can't have any episode of "MG" without Brett & Charles sitting in the right hand side of the top row!
R.I.P., Brett Sommers, Charles Nelson Reilly & Bert Convy.
Harley has an IMDb page. Apparently he was a steady bit actor in movies & tv from 1995-2005.
Bert Convy would've been the perfect host! Who knows how long the show could've lasted if he did!
+Bryan Law I wholeheartedly agree! While he's not as good as Gene Rayburn, he would've a million times better than Ross Shafer was!
I see it running from 1990-1999, if they decided on a full decade run, and using the title "Match Game 90, 91, 92, etc."
Indeed! I found Ross to be rather bland, and he often missed comedic opportunities; One episode saw the Matchup computer freeze twice. Instead of using a zinger to keep the audience awake while IT was on the case, he just looked annoyed 😒
Certainly would have been a better host than Alec Baldwin.
A solid 5 years easy.
Wow, Bert Convy would've made a great Match Game host, can't believe he died so soon!
Even after 28 years, this pilot would've sold me on Bert Convy as the host of Match Game.
Exactly! Sadly enough-after taping five "pilot" Match Game '90 broadcasts-Bert Convy collapsed after suffering a brain tumor while visiting his ill mother in the hospital; Bert died in July, 1991 at the age of 58.
@@jimhanold9026 It is so heartbreaking to see Bert looking so well here, only to know that he would be taken from us very soon after. Why do the good die young?
@@ddt99 It is-indeed-a mystery, dd99! As unfortunate as Bert's premature passing was-at least we can still enjoy him on RUclips and Buzzr (formerly the Game Show Network/GSN)!
@@jimhanold9026 - What did you mean about Buzzr being "formerly" something else?
GSN is still in existence, and Buzzr is just another network similar to it. They're not related to each other, outside of having the same kind of programming.
Ross Shafer had to take over the hosting duties of this version of "Match Game" after Mr. Convy was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Sadly he was visiting his mother at Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles after she had suffered a stroke. It was there that he had a seizure and was diagnosed with the tumor. Despite aggressive treatment (at many different places) he passed away in July 1991-just 8 days short of his 58th birthday
Even without ever seeing this before, I was ready to bet money that Bert would be the 2nd best ever MG host. And, sure enough, Bert nails it. That mean old Grim Reaper really cheated us this time!
Dang shame! Bert Convy was completely meant to host the new version of "Match Game"! Anyway, awesome upload, sadler76! Bert Convy's one of my many favorite game show hosts ever!
The male contestant was a musician and friend of mine from Norfolk Nebraska area!
RiP Harley....longtime tour guide at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Fun fact: the contestant in this "Match Game" pilot named Michelle was in the very last Super Password episode with Bert Convy! Just figured u might wanna know that!
Nice info! Thanks!
I saw that Christmas day & was highly surprised that GSN was able to find the episode Bert did. I almost cried...
Bert Convy was a good game show host, but no one could compare to the Match Game king-Gene Rayburn.
This was a good pilot! Admittedly it was fun to see questions and answers revolving around that time's technology (gooooo fax machines!)
Will Kivinski. I have always owned a fax machine and it has served me well
Yes! Bert even called the "MG '90" panel 'looney bins', as Gene referred to the panel on "MG '7x"! If Bert Convy had the tumor by the time he hosted this pilot ep., he showed no sign of it, as he was being his jolly unrestrained self here! I also agree that Bert would have been far more qualified than Ross Shafer as emcee. Ross appeared quite stiff & rigid during his tenure as host. Furthermore, this version of "MG" would have lasted beyond one season if Bert had continued hosting, R.I.P. Bert.
If Bert Convy was able to host the show, it would have had a chance, despite the noon time slot where a large number of affiliates aired news or syndicated programming. It's not the first time a host was changed due to illness or death. In 1975, Goodson-Todman launched a new game show Showoffs. The pilot was hosted by Larry Blyden. He went on vacation after taping the pilot and he died in a car accident in Morocco. The show would go on with Bobby Van as host and turned out to be a flop since Van never hosted a game show and another show that had a noon time period would also be hurt by low ratings and clearances.
This series made 250 episodes over 2 seasons, with a worldwide total of 108 hours, and 20 minutes long!!
No doubt in my mind Bert would have been a terrific fit for Match Game. He was taken way too soon.
yes
PriceRight89 Yeah. Brain tumor.
Why wasn't it Gene hosting it?
Michel Madaire at the time he was 73 producers think he is too old to host at the time.
pressmin too old...Barker was near 70 anyway. Gene should have hosted this one more time. it deserved a solid 5 year run minimum.
I see that Convy's carried over Rayburn's charm on this pilot when he introduced the stars as "looney bins" like Rayburn did a couple of times.
Bert's laugh...I could listen to it all day!
It’s very sad that we don’t see much of Bert Convy in the 1990s when he started off of Tattletales and Super Password in the 70s and 80s. He was a great game show host. He looked great and energetic during the pilot of Match Game 90 but didn’t last that long when he was diagnosed with brain cancer in 1990 and then sadly passed away in 1991. RIP Bert Convy, Gene Wood, Gene Rayburn, Charles Nelson Reilly, Brett Somers
Whoever designed this set had a weird obsession with circles.
Trying to pull the retro '50s look.
yah, the 80s had a weird obsession with the 50s. The set is tacky whereas the 70s set was tacky in a good way. This oddly looks more dated.
So sad that Bert Convy passed away before this show got rolling, he would have been a great host. Gene Rayburn of course was the best. Ross Shafer was a stiff and the show floundered. It didnt help that ABC had the show on at noon when most affilates had news going.
It was a shame Gene Rayburn was passed over to emcee this version of "MG", as he was deemed "too old" to host. He was 72 years old during "MG '90's" run. Heck, Bob Barker was 67 years old in 1990! Gene still had that unmistakable charm & charisma @ 72! He was still more qualified than Ross Shafer...FAR more qualified to host! Ross was exactly half Gene's age in 1990 (36 years old).
R.I.P., Gene Rayburn & Bert Convy.
0
I think this version of the show would have done well, if it weren't for Convy's untimely death. There was only one Gene Rayburn, but Convy came in a very close second. The man was hysterical. Randy, The Lazy Comic.
What's wrong with Ross Shafer, I thought he was good, Michael Burger was the worst host.
Rikarocks2001 I didn't say anything bad about Shafer... but if he was that good... why did the show not make it after Convy's passing. I just didn't think Ross Shafer had the comic timing that was needed to make Match Game work. The host had to be very quick witted... with a bit of an "edgy" twist that would make censors squirm.
I see your point.
Rikarocks2001
Ross Shafer was too bland. Michael Burger was given a raw deal.
Part of the problem was the timeslot, I think if i remember right it was in that noon timeslot going up against Young And The Restless, I agree with Rikarocks2001, he was good and better than Michael Burger.
i abslotly loved terry colpey boy she was adorable
I think she's MM's doppelgänger -- all she needs is the beauty mark.
Bert was still alive during the whole run of this version of Match Game; he passed away a few days after the finale aired in July 1991.
But he was too ill to continue his duties.
@7:55 LOL Brad doing his impression of CNR who replies "I don't talk that low!"
I used to watch Bert Convy when he was a panelist on the color version of "What's My Line?"
If the Rolling Stones were old, I would have said "the Tomb Stones"
MichaelBrookham I was thinking "stepping" stones.
or 'Kidney Stones' or 'Gall Stones', e-ven….
The Passing Stones, as in passing a kidney stone.
HAHAHAHAHA!!!!
That's an excellent answer! Unfortunately, the way the question was phrased, it said, the "blank-ing stones", which implied they wanted something ending with "-ing". This rules out a lot of good answers like "kidney" and "gall", which some of them said anyway. How about "The Eroding Stones".
Brad Garrett @ 6' 8 1/2", almost 6' 9". wow!
He mentioned on this pilot that he is indeed 6'9"
Thanks so much! Hated to miss it on GSN, so it was great of you to upload it! Bert was, as always great...if maybe a little too reserved. I think his ease with the celebs on Super Password and here is because he was one too and it shows. Liked the format changes they made, but the celebs and Bert were great.
There's something that's always baffled me: Since this particular ep. of "MG '90" aired October 1st, 1989, & Bert Convy was initially diagnosed with a brain tumor in April 1990, why couldn't Mark Goodson Productions tape more episodes with Convy hosting? There was a six month time frame where many more eps. could have been taped. Bert did not show any signs of being ill here or possibly immediately afterward. Bert Convy's death has got to be the saddest death among game show emcees. R.I.P.
This was a pilot episode created to sell the show to the network. This show never aired on network television. By the time ABC picked up the show, Convy was already stricken with the cancer that would go on to kill him.
Ray Combs' death was pretty sad, too.
Khrystyne's adorable! :)
I agree with you ChihuahuaboyDH. He almost did it exactly like Gene Rayburn would have did it. It was said that Bert Convy had that Brain Tumor before he had the job for the show. He is much better than Ross Shafer. RIP Bert Convy.
Well he was diagnosed in 1990 and passed the next year, but the pilot was filmed in '89 so it hadn't been revealed yet.
Great to see Bert! He was in some of the earliest Match Game celebrity!
This right here is a perfect example of what happens when the right host is combine with the the right show. This is one that will stay with us as we think of what might have been. easily would of made the argument of best game show of the 90's
I see the Super Match cue was the one used on several pricing games on TPIR, such as Cover Up, Make Your Move, & Check Game
Here is something I would like to know: if Charles Nelson Reilly returned, how come Brett Somers didn't? Those two made the earlier show funny.
She wasn't on this pilot, but once ABC picked up the show, Brett did in fact appear on it from time to time with Charles.
In an interview with CNR, he in fact talked to Brett about it and after she declined he said "Well let's face it, it wouldn't be the same without Susan."
If they hadn't brought MG back in 1998 but instead in 2000 with the right chemistry to make it work like the original version and with the right host to fill the part i've could seen the show have run on the air from 2000-2010 or beyond that thats what i think
The head to head match music is the TPIR pricing game Cover Up music (and Make Your Move but Cover Up is played more often).
The Bob Barker Price Is Right! I refuse to acknowledge any other edition! But yup, you're right about the theme music! Check Game, too!
Line 'Em Up also originally used this cue.
@@erikbunty2016 yes they did until they started using the music they use for pushover
Of course no one could replace Gene, but Bert was the best candidate out of any of the game show hosts. I love watching Super Password when Bert hosted it and I also enjoyed watching him on Tattletales, and can't forget the other game show that was so very funny, Win Lose or Draw. Bert was a very nice, sweet man. And a very handsome guy too! Such a terrible loss when he passed away. Hard to believe he was born in 1933. He definitely aged very well!
If Bert Convy didn't feel ill, he would've been the permanent host. However unfortunately, he lost his illness battle and past away as well. RIP Bert, you did your best to host this and others you've remarkably done.
The week of pilots was taped in October 1989 and they never aired on television (except this one on GSN on Christmas, 2012). The pilots were pitched to ABC and competed against TKO (also packaged by Mark Goodson, hosted by Peter Tomarken), and a few other shows. Once Match Game sold, the taping of the first episodes to air was some time away, during which, Convy became ill and a new host had to be found so the series could meet the deadline.
This is awesome!!!!!! Thanks for posting this!!!!!!!!!
I never saw this version of match game before. Back in my day, I remember the version match game p.m., and the ones from the 1981, and 82 era. Also I have seen on RUclips match game 73 all the way to 1979. By the way, I am a big Marsha Warfield fan. Specially when she played Rosalyn Russell on night court. She was hilarious.
The introduction here (more in line with the 70s version) is better than what they ended up doing.
Wow thanks for this! Always wondered about this pilot. Bert Convy was great. Shaffer wasn't bad but this would have lasted longer with Convy at the helm. Shafer wasn't bad though but in my opinion Bert would have been the 2nd best host for Match Game just as he was the 2nd best host for Password. One thing for sure though, even with Shafer hosting this MG '90 was waaaaaaaay better than MG '98
It aired at 12/11c, and most ABC stations at least had a half-hour of news in that time slot. Loving aired at 12:30 on most affiliates.
What were they thinking trying to bring this back? Its was great in the 70s but its time had past. Most os the stars were past their sell buy date.
I think brad garret got the idea of Robert his character on everybody loves Raymond from Harvey and his wonderful lower type voice I suppose marsha could of been like a Brett and been a regular just to torment CNR and Teri with those answers she didn't match once I liked bert convey doing MG because he was actually a celebrity panelist on MG with gene reyburn in the 1970's he called them looney bins I'm from Australia and ty!!!!
Bert was such a great game show host, so sad he passed away a year later...RIP Bert.
He died?
@@BugzKiller yes brain tumor
@@BugzKiller Afraid so. He died back in July 1991.
Bert Convy was really good in this. Such a sad story.
--Khrystina did not look happy with Jerry at 16:33
The music was already used for Check Game (beginning in 1988), and Make Your Move, which debuted about a month before this pilot was taped.
At 0:52 I thought he said, "And welcome to RUclips!" I was like, HOW DID HE KNOW?
Lol, wasn't expecting a Donald Trump reference in a 1990 show.
Trump by then was already big, especially in New York.
That's because you don't know much about him. People who grew up in the NY NJ CT area knew all about him.
@rrr ccc And Home Alone 2 in 1992.
@@donmoore7785 He was involved in WrestleMania's 4 and 5 in 88 and 89 too, hosted both at Trump Plaza.
I learned all I needed to know about him during his USFL time. Then he created a game of his own......"Trump Card".
Ah thank you for the correction. Still, being placed against the local news in most markets, or being pre-empted is something that killed many of game show. Kind of like how CBS used to have game shows on at 4:00 p.m. only to be pre-empted by local programming, and going against talk shows of the day like Donahue, or Dinah Shore.
10/5/89 is the airdate. GSN only had two minutes of commercials during the show to get this whole pilot shown in its entirety, going to split screen for the end credits, which were the Goodson logo and the copyright date.
Am I the only person that was thinking "Adam's apples" for the bobbing question? lol
Thank you for this!
I just recognized her and posted that! Glad to see someone else had too :) .
As much as I like the sliding faces intro, they should kept this intro with Ross. It was paying homage to the original opening , except with circles.
Gene Rayburn once said on Howard Stern that his career ended when Entertainment Tonight announced his age at the end of their show which was a form of outing stars for ageism. He said the phone stopped ringing after that. Bert did a great job and like Gene he was a natural upper. Ross had the looks and the hair helmet but never really looked like he was having fun but rather just trying to put in His time.
In that MG/ HS HOUR FIASCO, Gene was not digging sharing duties with Jon Bowzer and that was the beginning of the end for Gene. Bowzer was actually good and had the chops and energy to be a great host. I looked up Harley and he was one of the prison goons in Con Air and played many other roles of the same genre. Team ZumDrum haha
☹I never heard tell of this gameshow. I was just checking it out now, and I really thought I was gonna like it. Bert Covey was my second favorite gameshow host after Allen Ludden. I loved him on Tattletales and Password Plus, and I loved him on here too up until the 19:00 minute mark when Ten said that word. What a huge disappointment. I knew what she meant, and she would NEVER have gotten away with that on the old show.
What a shame too; I really liked it up till that point. I can't watch it if the show's gonna turn out to be filthy. But I'll check out the next episode to see what it's like
And where's Brett?!
Michelle from the last Super Password. Bert must have remembered or recommended her for this.
RIP Bert Convy
The strangest part of the pilot, in my opinion, is that they used the think music for Check Game, Up, Make Your Move, and Cover Up on The Price is Right on the head-to-head match.
Charles Nelson Reilly 👓 !!! ......
IN ANY DECADE - ON ANY MATCH GAME
YOU WERE STILL THE "KOOLIST" 🕶️ DUDE
AROUND......
I was never a big CNR fan. Charles came across as aloof and snobby .
He always acted too feminine it seems
ty for this!
Missing Richard Dawson,all in all a great episode and love Bert convy's work.
Richard wasn't doing anything in 1990.....why didn't they consider him?
19:15 Greatest Moment is history!
The think music used during Super Match is still used 34 years later on The Price is Right. Check Game and Make Your Move in 2024.
RIP Bert Convy. I agree, this would’ve been much better with Bert as host.
If Bert was alive today he could’ve easily hosted Jeopardy. Instead, we are bombarded by all of these part time hosts who make a point to show “PERSONALITY.”
On another note, how about Harley!! XD Dude was awesome. Hope he’s doing well in life
If Bert were alive today, he'd be 91 years old
god, Bert never changed
They did air a few pilots on Halloween one year, but none that were produced by Goodson and Todman. A couple interesting unsold ones that can be found on RUclips are "Twisters" with Jim Perry and "Dollar a Second" with Bob Eubanks.
Of the five pilots that GSN had a choice to upload, this one, with the infamous answer from Teri Copley was the best choice.
I agree and my favorite part was them using the TPIR Check Game music for the think music for the Head-to-head
26:25 Music used on "The Price Is Right" on the pricing games Cover Up, Make Your Move and Check Game.
Interesting think music for the head-to-head match. A lot of us know that's the same music used for "Cover Up" on "The Price is Right", but the game wasn't introduced until 1993.
That's interesting they brought down the opening sign at the end of this episode.
I saw two episodes in person at ABC studios in 1991...
RIP Bert Convy. Taken way too soon.
19:14 and now we know why the pilot didn't sell.
The sad thing is it did sell, but then Bert Convy was diagnosed shortly after with a tumor and could not actually host. It would have been great though
The Halloween question was worth it.
Bert Convy was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer three months before the actual series aired, and was forced to give up his hosting duties. He died just three days after the series ended its run.
Bert did a fair job. He clearly knows that he has some huge shoes to fill! (and he seemed kinda almost 'robotic'...) But he did okay.
Initially he was trying too hard, but he got in the groove.
The "think" music was taken from The Price is Right's 3 Pricing Games: "Check Game," "Make Your Move," & "Cover Up."
RIP bert convy and RIP charles nelson reilly
And Jerry Van Dyke, too.
26:26 The Check Game music introduced in September 1988 of The Price is Right.
Finally someone else noticed, too!
A great pilot episode! A big thank you for uploading it, as I wondered for years about the Bert Convy-hosted pilot ep.. Was this ever aired originally? So, there were five pilot episodes of the Convy-hosted "MG '90"? I wonder how by some unforeseeable miracle GSN was able to dig this up? Do the other four pilot eps. exist? Bert Cony's brief stint as host of "MG '90" was nothing short of spectacular! It's too bad he became ill immediately afterward, as he would have been an even better host!
Well i was gonna say she was the "Last Winner" at unnamed alphabetics on Super Password...but we had the same thought lol
The panel was superb, and the audience was lively. Convy was the weak link--he lacked the casual, relaxed charm of Rayburn. The questions needed some work, too. Not a bad pilot, though.
Have to agree. I love Burt Convy, but at least early in the show the casual banter just isn't there.
It didn't last long on ABC because it aired at noon and a lot of ABC affiliates either passed on it for local news or it got bounced to another time period (here it aired four hours later on an independent).
No, It's the because of Bert Convy not being there.
Had it not been for Bert's fatal tumor, Match Game would've survived more than a year & end up at the 7pm hour next to Jeopardy, then it would've been fitting to have it as a lead-in program before ABC's primetime lineup began airing.
Only if it went into syndication after its ABC run. the 7 PM an 7:30 time periods Monday through Saturday have been syndicated since 1971.
C.B. Cooke I never got to see it here in DFW for that very reason. The local affiliate, WFAA-TV, ran a noon newscast then.
heyyyyyyy its marsha warfield