By Adam Nedeff, researcher for the National Archives of Game Show History
This year, Game Show Network is treating fans to a blast from the past—the channel is launching a revival of Split Second, a tough Q&A game that enjoyed a three-year run on ABC with host Tom Kennedy in the 1970s. Split Second returned in the 1980s with executive producer Monty Hall pulling double duty as host. While it ran for only one season in first-run broadcasts, Hall’s version […]
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President Lincoln’s TV Game Show Moment
By Adam Nedeff, researcher for the National Archives of Game Show History
For the month of February, the National Archives of Game Show History commemorates Presidents’ Day with a look back at one of the most extraordinary segments on an American game show.
On February 9, 1956, Garry Moore dashed into the wings of the I’ve Got a Secret stage and walked out with frail, bandaged, cane-toting, 96-year-old Samuel Seymour. Seymour got three rounds of applause before the game even started. One […]
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The Play of Angling
If you visit The Strong’s America at Play exhibit, among the fascinating and familiar artifacts on display, you will see a 1950s-era cartop boat filled with fishing equipment. An interpretive label next to the wooden watercraft asks guests a provocative question: “Is fishing play?” Ancient fishers almost certainly started out using spears, nets, and hand lines primarily to catch food. However, as early as 2000 BC an Egyptian wall painting illustrates a person gripping a short rod (or pole) with […]
Strikeout to Home Run: Ken Johnson’s Dice-Baseball
The words “Phase 10” evoke smiles and fond memories in innumerable families worldwide. The bestselling card game’s creator Ken Johnson released the game as a young Black man in Detroit, Michigan, trying to break into the gaming industry. However, Phase 10 was not his first attempt to triumph in the game aisle. Johnson developed, produced, and sold a game just before the success of the game for which he is world-renowned. That earlier game is Dice-Baseball, and this is its […]
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Betty White Made Game Show History
By Adam Nedeff, researcher for the National Archives of Game Show History
We are deeply grateful to the estate of Betty White and Allen Ludden for their donations to the National Archives of Game Show History. “Hollywood’s Happiest Couple” left behind a personal treasure trove of relics from their long and memorable association with TV game shows. Among them—a history-making Emmy Award given to Betty White for her work on Just Men!—now loaned from the estate for display at The […]
The Importance of Coloring and Authentic Self-Expression
In 1900, Binney & Smith ventured into the school supply business. The company created handy multicolored non-toxic wax sticks in black, brown, orange, violet, blue, green, red, and yellow. Alice Binney combined the French words for “chalk” and “oily” (craie and olea) to make “Crayola.” The crayons hit the market in 1903 and kids snapped them up. Over the years, appealing new colors tracked fashion trends and cultural change.
One of Crayola’s most problematic colors was called Flesh Tint. First introduced […]
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Biggest “Turkey” in Game Show History
By Adam Nedeff, Researcher for the National Archives of Game Show History
You bring the stuffing, the cranberry sauce, and the pumpkin pie. For Thanksgiving, we’ll bring you the biggest turkey in the history of game shows: You’re in the Picture
By 1961, Jackie Gleason was already a bona fide show business legend. His Cavalcade of Stars had made him one of the first superstars in the young medium of television. The classic 39-episode season of The Honeymooners had been icing on […]
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Johnny Carson: From Game Show Regular to Late-Night Icon
By Adam Nedeff, Researcher for the National Archives of Game Show History
October 2022 marks the 60th anniversary of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. For the next 30 years after its debut in 1962, Carson became a nightly habit for millions of Americans, who were treated to his monologue as a record of the day’s events, sketch comedy featuring “The Mighty Carson Art Players,” Johnny’s lively chit-chat with announcer/sidekick Ed McMahon, the musical interludes of Doc Severinsen and his […]
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50 Years Ago: CBS Brought Play to Mornings
By Adam Nedeff, Researcher for the National Archives of Game Show History
In 1972, longtime NBC executive Bud Grant jumped to CBS for a position as vice president of daytime programming. In his new role, Grant inherited a stagnant morning schedule of reruns from prime time. He thought game shows could spruce up a wilting lineup and bring an element of fun. Grant tried one game show in the summer of 1972 as a signal flare of sorts—an odd game called […]
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