Adam Nedeff

Thoroughly entertaining history of "Mr. Match Game" and more

This book is a more than complete history of Gene Rayburn, full of quotes explaining his career.

The biographical information is quite detailed, covering his entire life, family, and extensive body of work. Gene did so much more than the Match Game shows - stage and lots of early radio and TV. I was pleasantly surprised at how the variety he experienced! The book includes lots of pictures as well.

The last 17% of my Kindle version was a complete listing of his work history, including dates and panel lists for each Match Game episode.… (altro)

This was almost a perfect book about game show host/panelist Bill Cullen. Cullen was always a memorable panelist on shows like I’ve Got a Secret and To Tell the Truth. He was the first to host Let’s Make A Deal and The $25,000 Pyramid to name a few. From the mid-1950's to the early 1980's, when there was a new game show, Cullen was number one on the list of potential hosts. This book provides an excellent look at Cullen’s life with plenty of material from Cullen himself as well as his wife and colleagues. There are numerous photographs and some great appendices including a complete list of Cullen’s work in television and radio, favorite family recipes, reminisces from other game show hosts and those in the industry, and some scripts from some of his radio shows. However, the fish Bill had would have been koi not coy (p. 124). The book is well-written, and thoroughly researched and provides a complete bibliography. The only thing lacking is some follow-up after Cullen’s death. We don’t know if there was a funeral or memorial service. We don’t know who provided eulogies (if any). We don’t know what his beloved wife Ann has done since his death. If only the final follow-up had been done, this would have been a perfect book.… (altro)