Match Game 05

MATCH GAME 05
Get ready to match the stars!

Match Game 98

September 1998- January 1999

Host: Michael Burger
Network: Syndication
The last attempt to revive Match Game came in 1998 with a low budget syndication run. The game play was changed slightly, but overall the game was played exactly like the 1970's version, except the vulgarity in the questions and answers quickly became predictable, which made the game less enjoyable to watch. One major thing that hurt Match Game 98 was viewership. Most markets that aired Match Game 98 aired the program in overnight time slots. KDNL-TV in St. Louis aired the show at 2:30am. Very few ever aired the show at reasonable time slots (like WOIO-TV in Cleveland; they aired the show at 10:00am).

Michael Burger hosted the show and although no one could ever replace Gene Rayburn, he did a fine job hosting the show. Anyone who could tolerate panelest Judy Trunuda can't be that bad.

Neither Charles Nelson Reilly nor Brett Somers made an appearance on this show. If they were even consider is unknown, but instead the panel consisted of new regulars including TV legends Vicki Lawrence, Nell Carter, and George Hamilton. Other regulars included rapper Coolio, Judy Trunuda, and a list of soap opera stars. Other noted celebrities that made an appearance on Match Game 98 include Kevin Eubanks from the Tonight Show and Ben Stein from Win Ben Stein's Money.

Two contestants as usual competed against each other to match the stars, however there was a slight twist. Instead of choosing a question from slot A or B, contestants were given two category's to chose from, which would allow the contestants to get an idea what the question was going to be about. This really brought a disadvantage to the game, which, in the 70s version, was prevented by contestants only choosing A or B because neither of the contestants would no if one of the question was harder than the other. In round one, each match was worth one point and in round two they were worth two points. All celebrities played in round two whether they matched in the previous round or not. They player who had the most points at the end of two rounds won the game and went on to the Super Match for a chance to win $5,000.

The Super Match was played just like the previous versions, except in the head to head match, the selected celebrity came down to a podium to play the final part of the game. The contestant and the celebrity were allowed to make eye contact during the head to head match, which was never allowed in any of the versions.

Since the show was in syndications, there were no returning champions, and the panel changed from day to day. One feature that should have been on the show was the Star Wheel Over all, Mark Goodson Productions and Pearson Television (owners of Match Game at that time) could have put more effort and quality into the show.

Match Game on gsn: (All Times Eastern)

Weekdays
Match Game PM: 2:00am
Match Game 7: 2:30am
Match Game 90: 11:00am
Match Game 7: 3:30pm

Weekends
Match Game 7*: 11:00am
Match Game 73: 3:00pm
Match Game 76: 3:30pm