ABC Cancels Alec Baldwin's 'Match Game,' 'Card Sharks,' Other Games

[TMC]

https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/ale...ks-1235221591/

The Alec Baldwin-hosted “Match Game” isn’t expected to return to ABC, as the Alphabet web begins to firm up its plans for its annual game show-heavy summer lineup.

Also unlikely to return are “Card Sharks,” “Celebrity Dating Game” and “The Hustler,” while “Celebrity Family Feud,” “Press Your Luck” and “The $100,000 Pyramid” are expected to be back.

The fate of “Match Game” had been the source of speculation in the wake of Baldwin’s accidental shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the independent production “Rust” last fall.

But ABC’s decision to cancel “Match Game” is not related to that incident; “Match Game” hasn’t been in production since 2020, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic — and only aired two new episodes in 2021, which had been left over from the previous year.

The latest revival of “Match Game,” hosted by Baldwin, debuted in 2016, and ran for five seasons. The most recent season was shot before the pandemic began, with nine episodes spread out between May 31, 2000, and Oct. 29, 2000, and then the final two on July 21 and July 28, 2021.

Produced by Fremantle, “Match Game” centered on four contestants competing for $25,000 as they try to match the answers of six celebrities in a game of fill-in-the-blank. The format, which first premiered in 1962, hosted by Gene Rayburn, has been revived several times in the decades since then. Executive produced by showrunner Scott St. John and others, the ABC run produced approximately 69 episodes.

As for “Card Sharks,” hosted by Joel McHale, the revival ran for two seasons on ABC, most recently in July 2021. Also from Fremantle and showrunner St. John, “Card Sharks” features players trying to win a cash prize by wagering on the cards that are about to be flipped over. The format first debuted in 1978; the ABC edition aired 21 episodes starting in June 2019.

“Celebrity Dating Game,” hosted by Zooey Deschanel and Michael Bolton, aired for just one season in 2021. The show, which premiered last June, brought celebrities to the “Dating Game” format as they quiz potential suitors and the civilians try to guess the stars behind the wall. Bolton would also perform parodies and renditions of popular songs as clues for the contestants. Sony Pictures TV is behind the show.

Hosted by Craig Ferguson, “The Hustler” called itself “the most diabolical game on television.” Contestants would collaborate to answer questions and put money in a pot — but it turns out one of them is a mole who knows the answers and is trying to hide their identity and win the prize. Based on a British format, “The Hustler” came from All3Media’s Studio Lambert and ran for two seasons on ABC — first debuting on Jan. 7, 2021. A total of 19 episodes aired.

As for “Celebrity Family Feud,” hosted by Steve Harvey, the show is expected to be back for Season 8; “Press Your Luck,” hosted by Elizabeth Banks, will return for a fourth season; and “The $100,000 Pyramid,” hosted by Michael Strahan, comes back for Season 6. “Celebrity Family Feud” and “Press Your Luck” are from Fremantle, while “Pyramid” comes from Sony Pictures TV.

The shows join previously renewed “Holey Moley,” which is back with a fourth season featuring the Muppets; and a new edition of “The Chase.” Both of those shows, as well as new true crime mystery gamer “Who Do You Believe?” will make up a springtime night of unscripted fare on ABC starting Tuesday, May 3.

The news also comes as ABC recently confirmed that “The Ultimate Surfer” will not be returning. Still awaiting word of their fate are “Supermarket Sweep,” as well as current shows “Judge Steve Harvey” and “To Tell the Truth” and recent entries “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy National College Championship.”

[AMackII]

Card Sharks(McHale) and Match Game(Baldwin) are very sorely missed by the ABC’s Summer Fun & Games Block but I’m surprisingly thrilled that Celebrity Dating Game and The Hustler are both gone though.

[biffbronson]

Originally Posted by AMackII

Card Sharks(McHale) and Match Game(Baldwin) are very sorely missed by the ABC’s Summer Fun & Games Block but I’m surprisingly thrilled that Celebrity Dating Game and The Hustler are both gone though.

I liked the Match Game & Card Sharks revivals more than most of the others, so I'm sorry to see those two go. Of the returning series, Pyramid is okay and Celebrity Family Feud has held my interest at times (though I'm not the biggest Steve Harvey fan). Press Your Luck has grown on me some, I'm more interested now having gone back and watched older editions.

[Hawkee]

I think ABC hasn't figured it out how to promote hit game shows and ever since the debut of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire in 1999 ABC really has been hoping for another successful game show to be a hit. But ever since Who Wants To Be A Millionaire was cancelled in 2001 ABC has forgotten what makes a game show hit work. The main reason why Alec Baldwin's Match Game was cancelled was that ABC did not promote the show enough and had Match Game had more episodes it would've been a solid hit. The same thing with Card Sharks and I think that show was destined to be cancelled because they ruined a game show favorite and if Card Sharks had a better host other than Joel McHale it would've done better. At least Press Your Luck is a wonderful hit thanks to the talent of Elizabeth Banks but if you look at the years that ABC has attempted to find a game show hit is like searching the desert sand finding that perfect jewel and as we saw with the game shows Duel Set For Life 500 Questions and Million Dollar Money Drop those shows failed for ABC but the main reason why 500 Questions failed in Season 2 was because of Dan Harris replacing original host Richard Quest. I wouldn't be surprised if Celebrity Wheel Of Fortune is next to be cancelled along with To Tell The Truth
Bestie

[Frank Gannucci]

Originally Posted by LaBestia

I think ABC hasn't figured it out how to promote hit game shows and ever since the debut of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire in 1999 ABC really has been hoping for another successful game show to be a hit. But ever since Who Wants To Be A Millionaire was cancelled in 2001 ABC has forgotten what makes a game show hit work. The main reason why Alec Baldwin's Match Game was cancelled was that ABC did not promote the show enough and had Match Game had more episodes it would've been a solid hit. The same thing with Card Sharks and I think that show was destined to be cancelled because they ruined a game show favorite and if Card Sharks had a better host other than Joel McHale it would've done better. At least Press Your Luck is a wonderful hit thanks to the talent of Elizabeth Banks but if you look at the years that ABC has attempted to find a game show hit is like searching the desert sand finding that perfect jewel and as we saw with the game shows Duel Set For Life 500 Questions and Million Dollar Money Drop those shows failed for ABC but the main reason why 500 Questions failed in Season 2 was because of Dan Harris replacing original host Richard Quest. I wouldn't be surprised if Celebrity Wheel Of Fortune is next to be cancelled along with To Tell The Truth
Bestie

Alec Baldwin’s current mental state due to him accidentally killing someone on the set of Rust, doesn’t help matters either.

[IllinoisTVFan]

Some of these cancellations to me were expected, but a few not so much. I'll break down each show because I can't group them all together.

Match Game. Always loved this show, I'll still watch the older versions, and can be so funny and sexy without being so. To be honest, not surprised it was canceled because I could see the quality go down in many ways, such as lesser "celebrities" (sorry, Alec Baldwin's wife is only a star in her eyes). Not to mention it hasn't made new episodes, a sure sign usually of cancellation.

The Dating Game. Honestly, I watched this and wasn't as gung ho about this show. It seemed at points kind of dated, plus the whole dating a stranger if you are a celebrity can be dangerous, plus there is the stigma of the Dating Game killer now. Speaking of the celebrities, most were D list and below. I get very famous ones aren't likely but there are others they could have gotten.

The Hustler. By far my favorite of the canceled shows. I love shows where I have to figure things out and am a huge fan of logic puzzles and Clue so this game was so enjoyable. I am surprised this was canceled because it was so original plus they were advertising on the show new contestants.

Card Sharks. This one being canceled is no shocker. It just seemed more slow-paced than a game show should be. I remember reading last summer they were running episodes filmed a few years ago and knew it was a goner and on a website stated it was already canceled.

Also, with regards to game shows not renewed yet I think both Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy are sure things. In the case of Jeopardy, I think they will expand it to other normally aired on daytime to primetime, such as celebrity episodes, or even Tournament of Champions, especially this year with so many multiple-episode winners. The rest of the game shows can't really predict but I think at least one of them will be canceled, not sure which ones.

[Mario500]

Originally Posted by IllinoisTVFan

Card Sharks. This one being canceled is no shocker. It just seemed more slow-paced than a game show should be. I remember reading last summer they were running episodes filmed a few years ago and knew it was a goner and on a website stated it was already canceled.

(wonders about the "website" mentioned in this part of this message (such as whether it had a name or not))

[IllinoisTVFan]

Originally Posted by Mario500

(wonders about the "website" mentioned in this part of this message (such as whether it had a name or not))

Can't remember if it was on tthe ratings guide or tvgrimreaper but one of those I believe.

[icecream]

Originally Posted by IllinoisTVFan

Can't remember if it was on tthe ratings guide or tvgrimreaper but one of those I believe.

tvgrimreaper only covers scripted shows in his predictions, no game shows or reality.

[IllinoisTVFan]

Originally Posted by icecream

tvgrimreaper only covers scripted shows in his predictions, no game shows or reality.

I wasn't sure, I honestly can't remember what website but there was a discussion about this. I'm pretty sure it was thetvratingsguide but not 100% and the topic came up.

[TMC]

It was bound to happen someday. ABC has started to trim the Summer Fun and Games Stable. Match Game, Card Sharks, Celebrity Dating Game and The Hustler have all been cancelled according to Variety. Cyndi Seidelman talks about the losses, what shows' futures are still uncertain and those that are going to stick around.