tamiks

"The Food That Built America" tells the astonishing stories behind the foods and food services we enjoy and take for granted today. Each episode plays out dramatic and engaging tales involving historical events, breakthroughs in manufacturing technology, packaging and distribution challenges, wavering public opinions, ruthless corporate battles, marketing genius, and boom or bust luck. Most impressive is the courage, perseverance, and ingenuity of the individual Americans behind so many of the iconic products and companies that are still around. I find myself saying, "Wow!" multiple times every episode. This is a truly great series, and I'm so glad I came across it on my library's free streaming service.

I stumbled upon Match Game '74 recently and couldn't stop watching it. I'd forgotten how engaging, sincere, and funny the host, Gene Rayburn, was--he was just an all-around likable guy who did a great job letting the humor flow while reining things in a bit when they got a bit too racy. And it did get racy! The panelists seemed to enjoy teasing each other with humor that was often encouraged by the writers, whose questions drove speculation about such things as what was in Fanny Flagg's bra or how young Brett Somers liked her men. I rarely watch modern game shows, but suspect that this sort of humor is not allowed by today's PC standards.

Match Game exudes the warmth, sincerity, and innocent, fun-loving nature of the 70s. I happened to catch the New Year's eve episode for 1974, and was delighted by the short celebration at the end, which included party hats, balloons, and confetti for the panel and the audience, and the changing of the big sign on the stage from "Match Game '74" to "Match Game '75". Such fun!

I'm so glad this show is still around on TV and DVD to give us all another taste of the fun and spicy 70s.