As a game show fanatic, I’m always looking for the next great quizzer to sweep the nation. I yearn for the thrill of intellectual victory and the embarrassing heartbreak of fouling-up sophomoric queries. There’s just something mesmerizing about watching Goldman Sachs executives and Village Pantry cashiers race around with oversized shopping carts vying for an inflatable Green Giant mystery bonus. Some might say game shows are a veiled Marxist platform for all citizens (both the Bourgeoisie and the Proletariat) to prove the overwhelming equality of humanity as a whole; I just like the neat-o prizes.
It appears CBS has answered my quiz-hungry prayers. Variety is reporting that the Tiffany Network has green lighted not one but FIVE new game shows. That’s like asking for a scoop of ice cream and getting the keys to a Ben and Jerry’s factory! The handful of future question gems are all currently in preproduction, and almost all have found at least a B-List star to host.
Possibly the most exciting of the new hopefuls is an improv comedy showcase entitled ‘The Wizard.’ If you’re scoring at home, that’s two new, unscripted programs for fame-hungry comedians in less than three weeks. I can’t even tell you how rare that is. I’d probably be less surprised if I saw Pope Benedict spike Sinead O’Conner trying to leg out a triple in the annual Vatican versus Ireland softball game. ‘Wizard’ will be hosted by Craig Ferguson, and the pilot should appear sometime in the near future.
Drew Carey will also be making his network television return with ‘Power Of Ten.’ Not much is known about the Michael Davies production except it somehow incorporates elements of ‘Family Feud.’ Let’s hope neither of the characteristics are Al Borland’s bad beard or Richard Dawson’s old man creepy vibe.
The other three pre-productions include a Chris Kattan vehicle called ‘Game Show In My Head’, a strategy/trust televised relationship entitled ‘Do You Trust Me’, and a musical takeoff of ‘Name That Tune.’ ‘Game Show In My Head’ is being produced by Demi Moore spouse Ashton Kutcher. Here’s to hoping one of these reaches the lofty heights of “at least watchable.”
