Brett Ferino
05-28-2003, 02:23 PM
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - The Game Show Network is launching its most ambitious slate of original programming with two hours of original Sunday night programming including two new shows. Beginning on June 15, the 9 to 11 p.m. ET block will be called Sunday Night Buzz.
The nine o'clock hour will offer an orgy of Chuck Woolrey-related fun, leading off with "Lingo," a word-guessing game. Woolrey hosts the show, which has become GSN's most popular original game show. For those who can't get enough of the former "Love Connection" frontman (and opt not to watch the dozens of Woolrey-hosted shows on GSN), he's back at 9:30 with "Chuck Woolery: Naturally Stoned," GSN's first reality show, following the host through is duties on "Lingo."
The 10 o'clock hour is anchored by "National Lampoon's Funny Money," the first original on the network to blend comedy and games. Comedian Jimmy Pardo hosts as celebrities (including Martin Mull and Fred Willard) compete to win money for charity and folks like Kathy Griffin make cameo stand-up appearances. An early episode features Joey and his soon-to-be-ex-wife Mary Jo Buttafuoco, who stretch the boundaries of celebrity and humor.
"Funny Money" will also air nightly in a less celebrity-studded format.
Closing the night is the second season of "Cram," hosted by Graham Elwood. Like "Funny Money," "Cram" will feature the marginally famous on Sunday nights and less interesting regular people on weeknights.
"When we decided to broaden our programming genre beyond the traditional game show format, we knew that Sunday nights would be a perfect destination night because it already is our highest-rated night in primetime," says GSN President and CEO Rich Cronin. "'Sunday Night Buzz' offers an evening of escapist TV for everyone who is trying to forget about Monday morning work or all the troubles in the world. It is a natural TV high that is completely legal."
The nine o'clock hour will offer an orgy of Chuck Woolrey-related fun, leading off with "Lingo," a word-guessing game. Woolrey hosts the show, which has become GSN's most popular original game show. For those who can't get enough of the former "Love Connection" frontman (and opt not to watch the dozens of Woolrey-hosted shows on GSN), he's back at 9:30 with "Chuck Woolery: Naturally Stoned," GSN's first reality show, following the host through is duties on "Lingo."
The 10 o'clock hour is anchored by "National Lampoon's Funny Money," the first original on the network to blend comedy and games. Comedian Jimmy Pardo hosts as celebrities (including Martin Mull and Fred Willard) compete to win money for charity and folks like Kathy Griffin make cameo stand-up appearances. An early episode features Joey and his soon-to-be-ex-wife Mary Jo Buttafuoco, who stretch the boundaries of celebrity and humor.
"Funny Money" will also air nightly in a less celebrity-studded format.
Closing the night is the second season of "Cram," hosted by Graham Elwood. Like "Funny Money," "Cram" will feature the marginally famous on Sunday nights and less interesting regular people on weeknights.
"When we decided to broaden our programming genre beyond the traditional game show format, we knew that Sunday nights would be a perfect destination night because it already is our highest-rated night in primetime," says GSN President and CEO Rich Cronin. "'Sunday Night Buzz' offers an evening of escapist TV for everyone who is trying to forget about Monday morning work or all the troubles in the world. It is a natural TV high that is completely legal."