Customer Reviews

The Ultimate TV Game Show Book

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you are looking for a fun, trivia-type book, then this is the book to buy. I was looking for a book that would provide more detail than what this book does. It is laid out like a high school scrapbook....lots of pictures, many trivial pieces of information, etc. Many of the captions on the photos were ok, but the authors didn't elaborate on some of the most interesting ones. I guess I was expecting more than what was delivered.

This book is by the same people who put out The Encyclopedia of TV Game Shows. While that book is very complete with info, this book is basically like a high school yearbook. Lots of pictures, some vary rare and unique. Just about all the hosts prior to 2005 are here, including Todd Newton and Kennedy, from the Game Show Network (GSN). The text is primarily little tidbits relating to the people in pictures on that page. I found one inaccuracy. On page 48, it says Three on a Match debuted on NBC in 1973, when it was actually 1971. Other than that, the book has a lot of fun facts, and is a good collector's item for any game show fan.

This is a really weak book that will not satisfy game show lovers. Basically a paperback coffee table book with lots of photos, it gives very little information on game shows and instead comes up with silly lists like "Four Landmark Merv Griffin Productions." Wow--that took a lot of research!

The lists are mostly stupid and often very incomplete. They list 8 times more than one person was in a box on The Hollywood Squares--but it happened WAY more than 8 times. So instead of doing true research, the authors just pulled things off the top of their heads. They also have some type of addiction to Bill Cullen--they give him a tribute at the start of the book and then include him often throughout the book in a way that is really odd. Yes, he hosted a number of game shows a very long time ago, but he is mostly irrelevant today.

The only thing that makes the book worthwhile are a few special photos--the one of a young Ryan Seacrest hosting is hilarious. But there are some shots that cut off people's heads and you have to wonder why they were included. And there's lots and lots of white space--a very poorly designed book. Then the font style is huge, so the entire 250 page book could have probably been done in less than 100 normal pages.

Don't buy it. If you feel you must look at the pictures, find one at a library.

I'm a game show junkie and have been for years My earliest game show memory is lkistening to "Quuen for a Day" on radio. When I first saw "Password" on TV I was hooked and have obsessed on game shows ever since. Ryan and Wostbrock have produced a book that has delighted me more than anything in years. It is informative and sheer fun at the same time. The book consists of a series of lists and some of the best game show photos that I've ever seen in print. Check out those cute, really young photos of Gene Rayburn and Regis Philbin. The authors' other book "The Encyclopedia of TV Game Shows" is the main course, substantial and a great resource for any game show fan. I've used it to settle more than one argument. On the other hand this book is dessert-delicious delightful and begging to be dipped into over and over. How many catchy game show phrases can you quote? What To Tell the Truth imposters later became celebrities in their own right? What popular game show host changed his name from Colin Emm? I could go on and on, but you're just going to have to read the book for yourself to find these answers and so many more. Steve Ryan and Fred Wostbrock have spent many years working in the game show industry. Their knowledge of and love for the format is readily apparent.

This book is Volume 1 and that encourages me to look forward to a volume 2.

Great job guys!

This is a good compilation of information about TV game shows, including lists, fun facts and tons of pictures. The only flaw is that some of the pictures cut off the very top, meaning that some people's heads are not showing. I suspect that is a publishing error. Still, a very good book.