Match Game

The very first episode of the new Match Game 2016 and the panelists are lackluster and/or marginally recognizable as famous.

Rosie O'Donnell was unable to keep her political views to herself and turned entertainment into soap boxing. Who gives a damn what she thinks about any of the presidential candidates? That's not what this show is supposedly about. She had her chance to whine on The View. Now, she's trying to torpedo another show with her vitriol.

I loved the original Match Game from the Seventies. This isn't on par.

I thought Alec Baldwin was pretty good, but even so, he just makes me realize how much fun Gene Rayburn really was, back in the day.

I won't be tuning in to future broadcasts.

I saw some of the reviews on IMDb for the new Match Game on ABC and they were very negative, which shocked me. For the first time since the 70s/80s era one went off the air, it feels like they finally got it right. I love that they kept the old theme song, I like that the set, while modernized, is very similar to the 70s era set. The panel I thought was pretty strong, with Rosie O'Donnell and Ian Michael Black in particular looking like potential regulars. Alec Baldwin was fine as host, not terrific, definitely not Gene Rayburn, but he did a good job all things considered. There were certain moments of awkwardness and creepiness, but not too bad. I even loved the skinny microphone! I thought the questions were written with some provocative nature, but not over the top sleaze (Steve Harvey Family Feud, I'm looking at you). Sure, the Costco one was a bit much, but compare this to the failed late 90s remake of Match Game and this one is more tame and not as difficult to watch. The celebration after the audience match seemed a bit excessive and over the top. That should only happen after a successful Super Match. Overall, I thought this remake was pretty well done. Not perfect, but much better than some of the reviewers think.

I am a big fan of Match Game from the 1970's. I watched the show as a kid from 1975-1982, watched reruns on The Game Show Network or whatever it's now called and YT is full of episodes and classic moments. It is tough for a reboot to match (no pun intended) the classic Match Game hosted by Gene Rayburn and this one just doesn't make the grade.

I watched episodes from both the summer of 2016 and the new episodes being aired in 2017.

I actually think Alec Baldwin is a great host for the show. I'm no fan of the guy but he fits in perfectly with his sleazy, douche-y persona and he pays homage to Gene by using a microphone like the one Mr. Rayburn built for the show. I have zero issues with him.

I do have some issues with some of the panelists they bring in. Some of them look like they drank a case of Red Bull before coming in for the taping. Niecy Nash overplays the sassy black woman to the hilt that it becomes annoying. Mario Cantone is your typical unfunny stock flaming queen who is no Charles Nelson Reilly. I'd rather have a guy who only implies he's gay than somebody who is loud and proud such as Cantone. Some panelists even have contempt for the contestants and gave purposely wrong answers.

The contestants can be annoyances as well. They love bringing in brainwashed female religious fanatics from Jesusland or other stereotypical flaming queens with the big flashy smile and the limp- wristed clapping.

The blanks are typically about sex or politics and people in the summer got their panties in a bunch when Donald Trump was the topic and you had Alec Baldwin (who is known for his portrayal of him on Saturday Night Live) and Rosie O'Donnell (who hates Trump) taking shots at him. Are people not aware that Mr. Trump isn't exactly a normal human being?

Way too often in the Head-to-Head Match, the other panelists stick their noses where they don't belong. Could you imagine if the late, great Richard Dawson had every other panelist in his face every time he was picked?

It's an OK show but the more you watch it, the less you like it. Hopefully, Neil DeGrasse Tyson appears again as he was great in his one appearance.

Below average junior high school boys must be writing the ridiculous questions on this modern lowbrow version of Matchgame. It's painful to watch Alec Baldwin, through no fault of his own, struggling to explain the stupid questions to the guest celebrities. I'll take reruns of the classic version any day over this tripe.

The original was lots of fun, with mostly clever jokes steering occasionally into naughty territory.

This version is just loud, obnoxious, and crude. Sad, because I was looking forward to a Match Game revival. Until I saw the show, I thought maybe Baldwin could pull it off.

He can't.

The celebrities don't really seem to be trying to find answers that will match the contestants. If they can't even get into the spirit of the game, why bother?

Just avoid this mess.