I never saw Pass the Buck when it first aired on CBS since the Minneapolis affiliate blacked out the show in favor of syndicated programming but I caught part of an episode on another website and I thought it should have lasted longer than 13 weeks.
First of all, it was a simple format, contestants naming items in a category. It also enabled the home audience to play along. There was plenty of drama, also an essential to a successful game show when there were numerous answers mentioned and a contestant tried to come up with an acceptable response or risk being sent to the bullpen. In the bonus round, the drama built when the contestant tried to reveal the hidden answers en route to $5000.
Bill Cullen was also the reason why the show should have lasted longer, keeping the game moving and injecting humor. Unfortunately after a few weeks on the air, NBC debuted it's first Goodson-Todman game since Match Game was canceled in 1969 Card Sharks and the fast paced show hosted by Jim Perry sent Pass the Buck packing after 13 weeks. A bad break for a show that had a lot of potential. Pass the Buck didn't pass.
