Game Show Documentary - Password Mystery - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

ClassicTube · 10-23-2022, 11:03 PM

The documentary Game Changers was good, but not great. The interviews with hosts from the 60s and 70s were fabulous. However, the biggest mystery of the film is the complete snub of Allen Ludden and Password. How could anyone possibly make a 96 minute documentary about game shows (past and present) and — not even mention Goodson-Todman’s Password? As in, the name Allen Ludden is never even mentioned(!)

Keep in mind, the film was made in 2018 when Betty White was still very much alive and still active. She was in love with Ludden until the day she died and is, herself, part of the Password legend.

Does anybody know why such a production travesty could have happened?

There has to be an answer - but I’ve never heard one and I guess the writer/director, J. Craig Thompson, has never said. But, seriously, it’s almost as bad as doing a documentary on the NFL and ignoring the Green Bay Packers!

.

ClassicTube · 09-24-2023, 04:13 AM

I’m still curious about this. Anybody know why?

howilu · 09-24-2023, 10:45 AM

How could they overlook Password? It was one of the best word games of all time and the first to have celebrity-civilian teams. It paved the way for other shows including You Don't Say and the many incarnations of Pyramid. I have told many people without Password, there would be no Pyramid. Both shows were created by the same man, Bob Stewart.

A terrible oversight. As for Allen Ludden, it established him as a very classy host.

Duster76 · 09-24-2023, 10:58 PM

I think there may be some confusion as to what this is and what this isn't, the documentary was produced by CBC and is described this way:

"Game Changers is a feature documentary that follows legendary quizmaster Alex Trebek on a personal journey through the world of television game shows. A familiar face to most viewers as the host of Jeopardy!, Trebek sets out to explore the influence of game shows and discover why they continue to endure as an integral part of our entertainment culture.

His quest brings him face-to-face with some of the legendary hosts of our times and includes rare and intimate conversations with iconic personalities such as Monty Hall (in his last television interview), Alan Thicke, Wink Martindale, Bob Eubanks, Peter Marshall, Tom Kennedy, Regis Philbin, Drew Carey, Howie Mandel, Pat Sajak and Vanna White.

Alex Trebek has spent more than 30 years as the host of Jeopardy! and holds the Guinness World Record as the host of the most number of television game show episodes. He calls upon his encyclopedic knowledge to guide viewers through the seven decades of game show history, from their start in radio, through the scandals of the 1950s, their creative development of the 1960s, into their peak of popularity during the 1970s and on to today where everything old is new again.

Trebek takes us behind the scenes on taping day at Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune for an exclusive backstage glimpse of these long-running shows.

Game Changers taps into the mind banks of game show icons, former contestants, media experts and commentators to provide an entertaining and insightful look into the world of game shows – their history, their impact and their future in an ever-changing media landscape."

It's not meant to be an in-depth history of game shows, that fact is stated in the first sentence. When it's time to start editing you want to tell a compelling story that keeps the viewer engaged, oftentimes this means avoiding the temptation of putting in too many details.

ClassicTube · 10-10-2023, 09:02 PM

Duster, I’m sorry … but to talk about every other major game show, except Password, is ignoring the elephant in the room. There has to be a reason. No, it’s not meant to be an in-depth history, but the show itself states, “Trebek sets out to explore the influence of game shows…” A serious documentary can do that and not mention Ludden and Password? Really?

From the description you yourself posted. Read what they claim:

”He calls upon his encyclopedic knowledge to guide viewers through the seven decades of game show history, from their start in radio, through the scandals of the 1950s, their creative development of the 1960s, into their peak of popularity during the 1970s and on to today where everything old is new again.”

In what world can you do the above - and exclude Password?

So, no, there’s no “confusion” about what the documentary is or isn’t. You think not being an “in-depth history,” can excuse them from not even mentioning arguably the biggest game show of the sixties, seventies, and eighties? And regarding that final sentence in your post… you cannot say with a straight face that Password and Ludden were mere ‘details’. Again, it’s truly like someone making a documentary about the NFL with the stated purpose of, “…guiding viewers through the early years of the NFL right up to the present…” and never even mention Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers.

Duster76 · 11-01-2023, 10:30 PM

ClassicTube, let's look at the first sentence itself:

"Game Changers is a feature documentary that follows legendary quizmaster Alex Trebek on a personal journey through the world of television game shows".

It's Alex Trebek's personal journey, and there are certain realities associated with that. The documentary is going to be told from his perspective, it's subjective not objective. You also have to keep in mind the CBC produced it so there had to be Canadian content included. Alex is Canadian, so is Howie Mandel, Alan Thicke and of course Monty Hall. There's also the cost of clips and how to fit the series into the discussion.

Password is an important show don't get me wrong, and considering the number of years it was on in the 60's the 70's as well as the 80's it should have at least been noted.

10-23-2022, 11:03 PM	#1
ClassicTube Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 17, 2005 Posts: 33	Game Show Documentary - Password Mystery The documentary Game Changers was good, but not great. The interviews with hosts from the 60s and 70s were fabulous. However, the biggest mystery of the film is the complete snub of Allen Ludden and Password. How could anyone possibly make a 96 minute documentary about game shows (past and present) and — not even mention Goodson-Todman’s Password? As in, the name Allen Ludden is never even mentioned(!) Keep in mind, the film was made in 2018 when Betty White was still very much alive and still active. She was in love with Ludden until the day she died and is, herself, part of the Password legend. Does anybody know why such a production travesty could have happened? There has to be an answer - but I’ve never heard one and I guess the writer/director, J. Craig Thompson, has never said. But, seriously, it’s almost as bad as doing a documentary on the NFL and ignoring the Green Bay Packers! .

09-24-2023, 04:13 AM	#2
ClassicTube Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 17, 2005 Posts: 33	I’m still curious about this. Anybody know why?

09-24-2023, 10:45 AM	#3
howilu Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 1,958	How could they overlook Password? It was one of the best word games of all time and the first to have celebrity-civilian teams. It paved the way for other shows including You Don't Say and the many incarnations of Pyramid. I have told many people without Password, there would be no Pyramid. Both shows were created by the same man, Bob Stewart. A terrible oversight. As for Allen Ludden, it established him as a very classy host.

09-24-2023, 10:58 PM	#4
Duster76 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2008 Location: New jersey Posts: 1,639	I think there may be some confusion as to what this is and what this isn't, the documentary was produced by CBC and is described this way: "Game Changers is a feature documentary that follows legendary quizmaster Alex Trebek on a personal journey through the world of television game shows. A familiar face to most viewers as the host of Jeopardy!, Trebek sets out to explore the influence of game shows and discover why they continue to endure as an integral part of our entertainment culture. His quest brings him face-to-face with some of the legendary hosts of our times and includes rare and intimate conversations with iconic personalities such as Monty Hall (in his last television interview), Alan Thicke, Wink Martindale, Bob Eubanks, Peter Marshall, Tom Kennedy, Regis Philbin, Drew Carey, Howie Mandel, Pat Sajak and Vanna White. Alex Trebek has spent more than 30 years as the host of Jeopardy! and holds the Guinness World Record as the host of the most number of television game show episodes. He calls upon his encyclopedic knowledge to guide viewers through the seven decades of game show history, from their start in radio, through the scandals of the 1950s, their creative development of the 1960s, into their peak of popularity during the 1970s and on to today where everything old is new again. Trebek takes us behind the scenes on taping day at Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune for an exclusive backstage glimpse of these long-running shows. Game Changers taps into the mind banks of game show icons, former contestants, media experts and commentators to provide an entertaining and insightful look into the world of game shows – their history, their impact and their future in an ever-changing media landscape." It's not meant to be an in-depth history of game shows, that fact is stated in the first sentence. When it's time to start editing you want to tell a compelling story that keeps the viewer engaged, oftentimes this means avoiding the temptation of putting in too many details.

10-10-2023, 09:02 PM	#5
ClassicTube Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 17, 2005 Posts: 33	Duster, I’m sorry … but to talk about every other major game show, except Password, is ignoring the elephant in the room. There has to be a reason. No, it’s not meant to be an in-depth history, but the show itself states, “Trebek sets out to explore the influence of game shows…” A serious documentary can do that and not mention Ludden and Password? Really? From the description you yourself posted. Read what they claim: ”He calls upon his encyclopedic knowledge to guide viewers through the seven decades of game show history, from their start in radio, through the scandals of the 1950s, their creative development of the 1960s, into their peak of popularity during the 1970s and on to today where everything old is new again.” In what world can you do the above - and exclude Password? So, no, there’s no “confusion” about what the documentary is or isn’t. You think not being an “in-depth history,” can excuse them from not even mentioning arguably the biggest game show of the sixties, seventies, and eighties? And regarding that final sentence in your post… you cannot say with a straight face that Password and Ludden were mere ‘details’. Again, it’s truly like someone making a documentary about the NFL with the stated purpose of, “…guiding viewers through the early years of the NFL right up to the present…” and never even mention Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers.

11-01-2023, 10:30 PM	#6
Duster76 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2008 Location: New jersey Posts: 1,639	ClassicTube, let's look at the first sentence itself: "Game Changers is a feature documentary that follows legendary quizmaster Alex Trebek on a personal journey through the world of television game shows". It's Alex Trebek's personal journey, and there are certain realities associated with that. The documentary is going to be told from his perspective, it's subjective not objective. You also have to keep in mind the CBC produced it so there had to be Canadian content included. Alex is Canadian, so is Howie Mandel, Alan Thicke and of course Monty Hall. There's also the cost of clips and how to fit the series into the discussion. Password is an important show don't get me wrong, and considering the number of years it was on in the 60's the 70's as well as the 80's it should have at least been noted.