It is such a shame that NBC destroyed the original Concentration tapes. One of the most uplifting moments of my childhood was when Bob Clayton came back to host the show after NBC realized it needed him for ratings. It showed the good guys can win out after all.
After its NBC run ended, Goodson-Todman Productions ("The Price is Right", "Match Game") produced the Jack Narz syndie version with Johnny Olson ("come on down!") as the announcer. The Goodson version included 4 "headstarts" (revealing prizes behind 4 different boxes on the board before the game started). The "Double Play" end game had the winner attempting to solve 2 full rebus puzzles within 10 seconds to win a car. The only game Goodson-Todman produced that they did not originally create.
Actually, the Double Play game changed after 1977. Instead of getting to win a car, there was a mini numbered board where people had to match two prizes to see what they would be playing for. It’s kind of a shame, but I guess they wanted to update a little bit. I think starting in 1977 they also began allowing contestants to pick three numbers in the first game instead of two. I really wish Buzzr could rent or acquire the whole Narz era. Does anyone know if they will be showing it again? I would love to see all the eps from 1973 onwards.
As a kid, I used to be very good at solving the puzzles. Once, when home sick from school ca. 1969, my mom and I watched together and she was amazed when I got the puzzle with only 2 tiles revealed! That was possible b/c they used the same graphics (icons) for certain common English sounds over and over again, and if you watched enough shows you could recognize an icon with only 1/4 or 1/3 of it revealed. If you got the first icon and the last icon in this way, you could sometimes guess the whole phrase (puzzle solution) -- same as you can on Wheel of Fortune if you get lucky with your first spin and reveal enough letters in the first and last words to allow you to guess them.
When I first got the electronic game version of Concentration, my mom told me that Alex Trebek used to host the show. It's true, he hosted Classic Concentration from 1987 to 1991 while hosting Jeopardy! at the same time.
Goodson-Todman took much of the NBC "Concentration" production staff to L.A. for the syndicated version. In addition, they also brought the original board, the desks the two prize tote board doors. The board's trilons were completely re-done in new colors and the doors were cut down and the tote boards set permanently. The desks were refinished with buzzers. Too bad the board got jet lag; it broke down completely during season 2 and had to have a new mechanism built.
The only game show NBC left on the air after the quiz show scandals. NBC was so concerned about it being squeaky clean at the time that could have been one of the reasons there was no sponsorship for the game during most of it's run. Then they sell it to Goodson & Toddman who made a great game out of it. Jack Nartz did a good hosting job on that version. I wish GSN would put the syndicated version of the theme song on a CD. It's another Moog synthesiser songs G & T used in the early 70s.
The entire 1958-73 daytime run of CONCENTRATION does exist but NBC which owns the rights to the show refuses to release the episodes for viewing. There was a rumor about a possible revival of CONCENTRATION with the original format and hosted by Bob Costas back in 2004 i believe,,but NBC put the kibosh on it,thanks a lot NBC .
In Syndication, it had Jack Nars as the host of Concentration, with the grand prize of a Chevrolet Vega Car. And, in case you may or may not know, Tom Kennedy was Jack Nars' brother. DANGER WOMAN
No. Most, if not all, tapes were reused. NBC does own a collection of scattered episodes, but not even close to the entire run. Look at what happened to other NBC shows like "The Match Game", "You Don't Say!", and "The Hollywood Squares"...
Update everyone! Here's an article excert from "The Lost Episodes" (8/16/1999) by Steve Beverly from the Game Show Convention Center website: "Reportedly, NBC still has in its possession the original Hugh Downs Concentration on kinescope and the Jack Narz edition on tape but will not release them. NBC still owns the rights to the series, based on its purchase of Barry and Enright properties during the quiz scandals."
All of the Concentration episodes from all of the NBC and syndicated versions exist, as I have read online. I just wish that NBC Universal would just release them in reruns, for crying out loud. If the Peter Marshall Hollywood Squares episodes exist, and I wish they were rerun back on cable again, PLEASE!; they are great!, then why not Concentration.
Bernie Schmittke, who illustrated all of the NBC "Concentration" rebus puzzles, also illustrated the Goodson-Todman "Concentration" rebuses as well. I think he also illustrated the "Classic Concentration" rebuses too.
@@clintonflynn815 Edd Kalehoff was a genius! he also did the the theme music for multiple programs on ABC Sports. He did College Football in 1973, he did the NBA Game of the Week tune during the early 70's and also did the theme to the Pro Bowler's Tour which has been covered by ABC Sports on Saturdays for I don't know how many years, mostly done by Chris Schenkel.
I'm too young to have seen this show, but damn, I love this theme so much. I stumbled across it while looking for The Price Is Right cues and got hooked on it. It's got a killer bassline!
@timbabcock I can tell you for a fact that over 800 "kinneys" of "Concentration" do exist and are still in storage by NBC, although no longer in the old Fort Lee, NJ warehouse. That includes the entire 1961 run of "Nighttime Concentration," which was broadcast from the original Ziegfeld Theater with a different board which, after 11 years in storage, was shipped out to L.A. for the Jack Narz version in 1973. (The last of the original series was still in production in New York at the time.)
While I haven't seen much of Hugh Downs and his work on the show. In sample sizes, he was good. But yes, Jack Narz ran Concentration like a well oiled machine in the 70s
You're welcome! It's the best I could do in order to show people what these game shows were like back in their prime during the golden age of television. The sad thing is that most of our childhood memories watching these shows back in the day are forever erased. I was born in 1978 & I will never get a chance to see any of those legendary shows like this one, the Match Game ('62-'69), Jeopardy ('64-'75, '78-'79), Password ('71-'75) or the first 2 Super Bowls that NBC & CBS deleted.
Ed Kalehoff also did the music score for NBA Basketball and the Pro Bowlers Tour for ABC Television. To say the least he is a genius! I still have his NBA on ABC tune playing in my head today over 50 years later.
I think b&w kinneys of the entire 1961 nighttime color run do exist. WLIW-TV 21, a PBS station on Long Island, ran a series of nostalgic TV a few years ago in the wee hours. There were four "Concentration" shows with Hugh Downs I'd caught and all of them were from the nighttime shows at the Ziegfeld with Skitch Henderson and the NBC Orchestra (of "Tonight Show" fame). So there are definitely more shows out there than most people are aware. By the way, Stratman, thanks for a GREAT compilation.
I think it's time that we should do an online petition here on UA-cam and forward it to NBC about the shows that they got. This is getting ridicious. Come on NBC, just save the hassles and release them. Give it up already! WE WANT TO SEE THE OLD GAME SHOWS!!!!
its been 14 years since this was posted. and NBC has released one of the old show's pilots. one that would be later hosted by trebek 9 years after cancelation. JEOPARDY!
Find Wink Martindale's UA-cam account. He has posted several Narz episodes, complete with slates, and the video quality is pristine. He promises more, too, as more people "like" his Facebook page.
From the Wikipedia website: Although Mark Goodson Productions packaged Classic Concentration, NBC retains the rights to the entire Concentration format, including the 1987-91 version. All episodes from the 1987-91 version still exist, and NBC has converted them from their original analog format to digibeta (required to air on cable TV). However, NBC has not licensed any version of Concentration for syndication or DVD release as of yet.
I can remember both Hugh Downs (but not very well) and Bob Clayton. I remember being happy as a kid that Clayton was succeeding Downs as host. Then, to my dismay, McMahon became the host (I am not aware of having seen any episode when he was the host; I seem to remember that he may have been the announcer when Clayton filled in for Downs as guest host). Soon after my grandmother died in 1969, it was announced that Clayton was returning. For the next several years, I enjoyed him as the host. In later years I saw a newspaper article from 1971 that explained that there had been a spontaneous letter-writing campaign by viewers to bring Clayton back. It might be the only time that happened with reversing a game show host firing decision.
In response to the music cues of Concentration 1973-1978 syndicated version, Yes. I have a lot of tracks from Concentration 1973-1978. Theme music, prize cues, Ticket Plug cue, etc.
What a great song! I miss this show. Not an easy game as those puzzles were tough. Also when only seeing parts of the puzzle. I love this game but I don't think I would have won.
The Wheel of Fortune episodes that you're talking about, perhaps with Chuck Woolery and Susan Stafford, may or may not be around anymore, although some parts of those episodes have appeared on other shows like the E! True Hollywood Story about WOF; that included parts of the Edd Byrnes-hosted pilot from 1974, where he was reportedly drunk and saying "whee" when the wheel sometimes was spun, according to a website about game show pilot episodes called the Mike Burger Pilot Light.
You know what just made me sad now? After hearing this music, I thought of all of the game shows like Concentration that aren't on the air anymore. I miss them.
GSN's website states that Concentration is still owned by NBC and they haven't released any of the tapes for viewing. The daytime concentration shows are probably destroyed except for a few kinescopes and the last episode. The syndicated version is still intact in the Goodson Todman libraries (just like the other two series Jack Narz did in the 70s) but NBC won't allow their viewing. There have been some rumors going on that there may be a new version offered on NBC during primetime.
The cable network "TRIO" started airing "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" in its original one-hour form in 2001, but only the pilot and the first 69 episodes (extending to the fourth episode of the 197071 season) were included in Trio's package.
I'd like to see on UA-cam some 1963-69 era episodes-aside from the Challenge of Champions ones-with Downs emceeing and Clayton announcing. The regular games.
It's funny you say about the "Heidi Game." Back in 1991, HBO did a two-part documentary called "PLAY BY PLAY - A History Of Sports Television". Very briefly, the Heidi Game was shown. The plays that were shown was when Daryle Lamonica hit Charlie Smith for the 45 yard touchdown pass. The second was when Raiders' special teamer Preston Ridlehuber who scored the Radiers' second touchdown in 9 seconds due to Jets' kick returner Earl Christy's fumble. Then they showed the clock run to 0 as well.
Part 2 of the article excert from "The Lost Episodes" (8/16/1999) by Steve Beverly from the Game Show Convention Center website: "The network merely licensed its production to Goodson-Todman for the Narz and Alex Trebek versions. GSN attempted to purchase those episodes in 1994 and NBC refused to sell them."
Actually, back in April 1997, VH1 started showing episodes of the Midnight Special. The 90 minute episodes on Monday through Thursday were reduced to 30 minutes, but on Fridays, they were shown for an hour. When VH1 stopped showing the episodes, I don't remember. I know that you can get the episodes now on DVD.
Orion owned the "Hollywood Squares" concept and co-produced the "Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour" with Mark Goodson. Goodson did not allow pre-written celebrity bluff answers to the Squares questions as Heatter-Quigley and later the 80s Squares Orion producers did. It is also possible that ownership issues with "Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour" with Orion Television, Heatter-Quigley, King World, and Fremantle/Mark Goodson productions are preventing the reruns from airing.
Buzzr has MG-HS Hour on its schedule, usually shown along with MG '7x/PM episodes. They have yet to air the Peter Marshall or John Davidson versions of Hollywood Squares.
According to Norm Blumenthal (producer of the original NBC Concentration), the routine was to keep each for a 90 day period in case the tapes needed to reviewed by S&P, then they were re-used.
Closing Spiel (Original): This is Johnny Olson Speaking For Concentration A Mark Goodson Bill Todman Production Revival (If Ever): This is George Gray Speaking For Concentration A Fremantle Production
I think Secondchance1977 said on one of the videos (I can't remember where, I'll have to find it) that the Chuck Woolery episodes of Wheel Of Fortune do exist.
I'm not sure the exact amount, but there aren't that many tapes archived. Definitely not the entire series. Interestingly enough, daytime episodes of Concentration and CBS' Password were transcribed and rerun on a Spanish network in the late 70s. I have no idea why though, maybe just for S's and G's?
I know. When I did this collage, I ended up rushing it onto UA-cam instead of doing a final double check on the mistakes. I would have to take this video down and start over again.
SAMACAL, it is true. Not only that Steve Beverly's 'Game Show Convention Center' confirmed that CONCENTRATION does exist, but so does NAME THAT TUNE (not too sure about the NBC 1974-75, 1977 episodes, but the Tom Kennedy syndicated 1974-81 episodes do exist). If you don't believe me, I'll even send you the website link and it'll take you there.
And with the newer technology, the 30-space board can be brought back; doubling as the Double Play board which for the first win, should be for $10,000 and the second win, $25,000 + a new car (yes, kinda borrowing from another game show that was airing on ABC at that time).
@@rwboa22 For the Double Play Bonus Round: 60-second timer to match as many one-word clues (to the hidden rebus) as possible. When the clock reaches 15, a 'clang' will sound and the matched squares will reveal the rebus with the 'Wheel of Fortune' timer sound (1981-1989) ticking, If the rebus is solved correctly, contestant wins $25,000 (a car/suv is added if the board is cleared). If the timer reaches 0, every match is worth $500.
Actually, Steve Beverly told me NBC has about 150 Hugh Downs/Bob Clayton "Concentration" episodes archived. However, NBC is, as AK47Music says down below, is also holding those hostage.
I've read where CBS owns the 1958-73 Concentration episodes as they own much of the pre-1973 NBC library, as well as the earlier TV series libraries of ABC and of course all of CBS' library.
Someone told me that Jack Narz's Concentration aired mostly on CBS stations back in the day...is that true? I do recall that WTOC channel 11 in Savannah, GA aired the show. I was wondering if this fact was true.
@Stratman78 I just quoted with what the GSN website states because Sony seems to own most of the gameshows that have been produced in the past except for a few exceptions. I'd like to see the link to that.
And, in disagreement with Norm Blumenthal, full color really didn't help in making the puzzles easier to solve in the syndicated version with Jack Narz; Bernie knew how to place their parts. The series had a number of challenging "stumpers." "Classic Concentration" had the great artwork, but it was so dumbed down and "Goodson-ized" as a speed game that it really distracted from Schmittke's excellent work.
I think the answer to the puzzle at 1:54 is "The Sweet Smell of Success" but I can't figure out what the symbol is between the "SM+" and the loaf of bread. Anyone?
KPIX Channel 5 San Francisco carried the syndie Concentration...first as a 7:30pm Wednesday night only show (Dealer's Choice-Mon, New Price is Right with Dennis James-Tues, New Treasure Hunt-Thurs, Name That Tune-Fri) and then as a weekday afternoon strip around 3:30pm. KPIX stopped carrying Concentration around 1976 so the final season never aired in San Francisco. KXTV Sacramento Channel 10 did carry Concentration weeknights at 7:30pm up to the final 1978 episodes.
I know this post was 13 years ago.....but this is the first mention of the KPIX nightly game shows I've seen. I swear KPIX had a locally produced bowling game hosted by Big Tom Campbell from top of the hill Daly City. I can't find evidence of it anywhere.
@@raymondswenson5529 "Super Bowling" was the title of the locally-produced KPIX game with Tom Campbell (the local 1970s San Francisco Bay Area radio personality and not the host of the syndicated Chuck Barris game show pilot "Camoflauge"). It was shown as a summer series weekdays around 5pm or so around 1976 or so. I remember an elementary school classmate wore a red Super Bowling t-shirt that was a promotional giveaway for audience members. The irony of KPIX producing a local tv game show while they dropped the hour Price Is Right in the morning for The Morning Show/People Are Talking talk show in the 10am time slot from 1977 to 1995.
@@artytoons Thank you for responding Arty. Yes, I KNEW it existed. Only I remember it as a part of the nightly 5 on 5 block of game shows that aired at 7:30 Monday thru Friday before Evening Magazine came along. This was in 1975 if memory serves me I believe the Price is Right daytime was aired at 2 pm.....followed by Match Game, Tattletales, then for a little while.....Adam Wade's "Musical Chairs" if KPIX didn't have a show in the 4pm slot. Then they had Mike Douglas before the news blocks.
@@raymondswenson5529 Yes. The Price Is Right half hour version on CBS aired at 2pm and then Match Game and Musical Chairs as well as Jim Lange's short lived Give And Take game and then Mike Douglas for most of the 1970s. I think KPIX did not carry the 1974-1978 run of Tattletales...Channel 20 (then KEMO-tv and now KOFY) carried the Tattletales feed from CBS...Channel 20 then was a mish mosh of foreign language programs with Japanese anime, religious programming, and the occasional US tv rerun and had room for Tattletales! KPIX did air the 1982-1984 Tattletales revival though.
My gripes with the Goodson-Todman version were its laid-back L.A. feel with all Southern California contestants (the New York show chose contestants from the audience from all over the country), and its almost total lack of spontaneous humor (no gag prizes and Forfeit strategies). The overall production and set were terrific and should have been done to the NBC show, but Lin Bolen was determined to get rid of the show from Day 1 of her tenure. L.A.: better production. NYC: better show.
Do a UA-cam search with the words "Dolly Madison Charlie Brown" and click on the clip titled "WBMG-TV 42 10/24/77". A clip of the Jack Narz Concentration credits can be seen along with a preview of a CBS Charlie Brown special.
@timbabcock If you don't believe me on the status of the Concentration episodes, I can send you the link to Steve Beverly's Game Show Convention Center website stating that the episodes do exist.
Edd Kalehoff owns our childhood!!
Written by Edd Kalehoff who worked for Score Productions in New York. They were Goodson-Todman's choice for game show music for almost 30 years.
It is such a shame that NBC destroyed the original Concentration tapes. One of the most uplifting moments of my childhood was when Bob Clayton came back to host the show after NBC realized it needed him for ratings. It showed the good guys can win out after all.
After its NBC run ended, Goodson-Todman Productions ("The Price is Right", "Match Game") produced the Jack Narz syndie version with Johnny Olson ("come on down!") as the announcer. The Goodson version included 4 "headstarts" (revealing prizes behind 4 different boxes on the board before the game started). The "Double Play" end game had the winner attempting to solve 2 full rebus puzzles within 10 seconds to win a car. The only game Goodson-Todman produced that they did not originally create.
A toss-up rebus should've been added at the start.
Actually, the Double Play game changed after 1977. Instead of getting to win a car, there was a mini numbered board where people had to match two prizes to see what they would be playing for. It’s kind of a shame, but I guess they wanted to update a little bit. I think starting in 1977 they also began allowing contestants to pick three numbers in the first game instead of two.
I really wish Buzzr could rent or acquire the whole Narz era. Does anyone know if they will be showing it again? I would love to see all the eps from 1973 onwards.
As a kid, I used to be very good at solving the puzzles. Once, when home sick from school ca. 1969, my mom and I watched together and she was amazed when I got the puzzle with only 2 tiles revealed! That was possible b/c they used the same graphics (icons) for certain common English sounds over and over again, and if you watched enough shows you could recognize an icon with only 1/4 or 1/3 of it revealed. If you got the first icon and the last icon in this way, you could sometimes guess the whole phrase (puzzle solution) -- same as you can on Wheel of Fortune if you get lucky with your first spin and reveal enough letters in the first and last words to allow you to guess them.
Buzzr is going to air Narz Concentration starting on March 30.
When I first got the electronic game version of Concentration, my mom told me that Alex Trebek used to host the show. It's true, he hosted Classic Concentration from 1987 to 1991 while hosting Jeopardy! at the same time.
Goodson-Todman took much of the NBC "Concentration" production staff to L.A. for the syndicated version. In addition, they also brought the original board, the desks the two prize tote board doors. The board's trilons were completely re-done in new colors and the doors were cut down and the tote boards set permanently. The desks were refinished with buzzers. Too bad the board got jet lag; it broke down completely during season 2 and had to have a new mechanism built.
I loved Concentration. I remember when one of my own friends was a contestant on it.
R.I.P. Jack Narz (1922-2008)
From Hollywood, the game of puzzles and prizes, Concentration! And here's the star of Concentration, Jack Narz!
Jack Narz's brother was also a game show host---Tom Kennedy. (Jan Griffiths).
The only game show NBC left on the air after the quiz show scandals. NBC was so concerned about it being squeaky clean at the time that could have been one of the reasons there was no sponsorship for the game during most of it's run. Then they sell it to Goodson & Toddman who made a great game out of it. Jack Nartz did a good hosting job on that version.
I wish GSN would put the syndicated version of the theme song on a CD. It's another Moog synthesiser songs G & T used in the early 70s.
The entire 1958-73 daytime run of CONCENTRATION does exist but NBC which owns the rights to the show refuses to release the episodes for viewing. There was a rumor about a possible revival of CONCENTRATION with the original format and hosted by Bob Costas back in 2004 i believe,,but NBC put the kibosh on it,thanks a lot NBC .
In Syndication, it had Jack Nars as the host of Concentration, with the grand prize of a Chevrolet Vega Car.
And, in case you may or may not know, Tom Kennedy was Jack Nars' brother.
DANGER WOMAN
No. Most, if not all, tapes were reused. NBC does own a collection of scattered episodes, but not even close to the entire run. Look at what happened to other NBC shows like "The Match Game", "You Don't Say!", and "The Hollywood Squares"...
Update everyone!
Here's an article excert from "The Lost Episodes" (8/16/1999) by Steve Beverly from the Game Show Convention Center website:
"Reportedly, NBC still has in its possession the original Hugh Downs Concentration on kinescope and the Jack Narz edition on tape but will not release them. NBC still owns the rights to the series, based on its purchase of Barry and Enright properties during the quiz scandals."
All of the Concentration episodes from all of the NBC and syndicated versions exist, as I have read online. I just wish that NBC Universal would just release them in reruns, for crying out loud. If the Peter Marshall Hollywood Squares episodes exist, and I wish they were rerun back on cable again, PLEASE!; they are great!, then why not Concentration.
Bernie Schmittke, who illustrated all of the NBC "Concentration" rebus puzzles, also illustrated the Goodson-Todman "Concentration" rebuses as well. I think he also illustrated the "Classic Concentration" rebuses too.
The Greatest Theme Song I have ever heard on Concentration!
Agreed. Also check out the Tattletales theme also by written by Edd Kalehoff.
Yes, this IS better than Classic Concentration.
Sorta like an early concept of Super Mario Bros.
@@clintonflynn815
Edd Kalehoff was a genius! he also did the the theme music for multiple programs on ABC Sports.
He did College Football in 1973, he did the NBA Game of the Week tune during the early 70's and also did the theme to the Pro Bowler's Tour which has been covered by ABC Sports on Saturdays for I don't know how many years, mostly done by Chris Schenkel.
Glad to hear this song again on TV. The Narz era can be seen on Buzzr.
I'm too young to have seen this show, but damn, I love this theme so much. I stumbled across it while looking for The Price Is Right cues and got hooked on it. It's got a killer bassline!
"The only game Goodson-Todman produced that they did not originally create."
That is correct. This was originally a Jack Barry-Dan Enright game.
@timbabcock I can tell you for a fact that over 800 "kinneys" of "Concentration" do exist and are still in storage by NBC, although no longer in the old Fort Lee, NJ warehouse. That includes the entire 1961 run of "Nighttime Concentration," which was broadcast from the original Ziegfeld Theater with a different board which, after 11 years in storage, was shipped out to L.A. for the Jack Narz version in 1973. (The last of the original series was still in production in New York at the time.)
Edd Kalehoff rules!
Yes, he's come a long way! He now has his own music production company!
And he also did the music for Monday Night Football, arranging the Johnny Pearson-composed “Heavy Action.”
I'll second that on Hugh Downs for he was the definitive host. As for Jack Narz, this was his definitive game show.
While I haven't seen much of Hugh Downs and his work on the show. In sample sizes, he was good. But yes, Jack Narz ran Concentration like a well oiled machine in the 70s
As a matter of fact, both the Narz and Trebek versions currently air on BUZZR!
Like the theme. Haven't heard it in years.
Edd Kalehoff had the best game show themes.
You're welcome! It's the best I could do in order to show people what these game shows were like back in their prime during the golden age of television. The sad thing is that most of our childhood memories watching these shows back in the day are forever erased. I was born in 1978 & I will never get a chance to see any of those legendary shows like this one, the Match Game ('62-'69), Jeopardy ('64-'75, '78-'79), Password ('71-'75) or the first 2 Super Bowls that NBC & CBS deleted.
Ed Kalehoff is a genius! I have all of the TPIR cue music, and it still boggles my mind! thanks for posting this!
Ed Kalehoff also did the music score for NBA Basketball and the Pro Bowlers Tour for ABC Television. To say the least he is a genius! I still have his NBA on ABC tune playing in my head today over 50 years later.
It's Edd Kalehoff
@@MusiCole-1 Oh, excuse me. 🤣
Jim Victory Television. They also distributed the syndicated Match Game PM.
And the weekly version of Tattletales.
I think b&w kinneys of the entire 1961 nighttime color run do exist. WLIW-TV 21, a PBS station on Long Island, ran a series of nostalgic TV a few years ago in the wee hours. There were four "Concentration" shows with Hugh Downs I'd caught and all of them were from the nighttime shows at the Ziegfeld with Skitch Henderson and the NBC Orchestra (of "Tonight Show" fame). So there are definitely more shows out there than most people are aware. By the way, Stratman, thanks for a GREAT compilation.
Thank you, Artytoons and Stratman78...you guys rock! :-)
Fitting music with this collage:)
I think it's time that we should do an online petition here on UA-cam and forward it to NBC about the shows that they got. This is getting ridicious.
Come on NBC, just save the hassles and release them. Give it up already! WE WANT TO SEE THE OLD GAME SHOWS!!!!
its been 14 years since this was posted. and NBC has released one of the old show's pilots. one that would be later hosted by trebek 9 years after cancelation. JEOPARDY!
Find Wink Martindale's UA-cam account. He has posted several Narz episodes, complete with slates, and the video quality is pristine. He promises more, too, as more people "like" his Facebook page.
Yet another show I'd like to see revived...really couldn't hurt.
The hosts of Concentration were (on NBC):
Jack Barry - 1958 only
Hugh Downs - 1958 to 1969
Ed McMahon - 1969 only
Bob Clayton - 1969 to 1973
Some CBS stations, some NBC's. That was the syndicated version.
The image at 1:57 is from episode #1211, taped in 1976. It aired on Buzzr on 9/21/21.
From the Wikipedia website:
Although Mark Goodson Productions packaged Classic Concentration, NBC retains the rights to the entire Concentration format, including the 1987-91 version. All episodes from the 1987-91 version still exist, and NBC has converted them from their original analog format to digibeta (required to air on cable TV). However, NBC has not licensed any version of Concentration for syndication or DVD release as of yet.
Absolutely loved this show with Bob Clayton. He was later the original announcer on "The $10,000 Pyramid."
I can remember both Hugh Downs (but not very well) and Bob Clayton. I remember being happy as a kid that Clayton was succeeding Downs as host. Then, to my dismay, McMahon became the host (I am not aware of having seen any episode when he was the host; I seem to remember that he may have been the announcer when Clayton filled in for Downs as guest host). Soon after my grandmother died in 1969, it was announced that Clayton was returning. For the next several years, I enjoyed him as the host. In later years I saw a newspaper article from 1971 that explained that there had been a spontaneous letter-writing campaign by viewers to bring Clayton back. It might be the only time that happened with reversing a game show host firing decision.
In response to the music cues of Concentration 1973-1978 syndicated version, Yes. I have a lot of tracks from Concentration 1973-1978. Theme music, prize cues, Ticket Plug cue, etc.
If Concentration ever gets revived today:
Concentration is a FremantleMedia production in association with Goodson-Todman Productions!
Art James hosted a couple of times in the late 50s as well, as fill in.
What a great song! I miss this show. Not an easy game as those puzzles were tough. Also when only seeing parts of the puzzle. I love this game but I don't think I would have won.
The Wheel of Fortune episodes that you're talking about, perhaps with Chuck Woolery and Susan Stafford, may or may not be around anymore, although some parts of those episodes have appeared on other shows like the E! True Hollywood Story about WOF; that included parts of the Edd Byrnes-hosted pilot from 1974, where he was reportedly drunk and saying "whee" when the wheel sometimes was spun, according to a website about game show pilot episodes called the Mike Burger Pilot Light.
You know what just made me sad now? After hearing this music, I thought of all of the game shows like Concentration that aren't on the air anymore. I miss them.
The Narz episodes of Concentration is now on Buzzr!
I found that out now after reading a blog on GSN.
I hope it comes back soon.
GSN's website states that Concentration is still owned by NBC and they haven't released any of the tapes for viewing. The daytime concentration shows are probably destroyed except for a few kinescopes and the last episode. The syndicated version is still intact in the Goodson Todman libraries (just like the other two series Jack Narz did in the 70s) but NBC won't allow their viewing.
There have been some rumors going on that there may be a new version offered on NBC during primetime.
The song is titled "Fast Break" by Edd Kalehoff.
If NBC has 150 Concentration episodes (1958-73), could it be possible that there could be more than what NBC is saying?
The cable network "TRIO" started airing "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" in its original one-hour form in 2001, but only the pilot and the first 69 episodes (extending to the fourth episode of the 197071 season) were included in Trio's package.
Bob Clayton rules!
Him and Hugh Downs looked kind of similar. At least to me. I was a kid then. (Jan Griffiths).
I'd like to see on UA-cam some 1963-69 era episodes-aside from the Challenge of Champions ones-with Downs emceeing and Clayton announcing. The regular games.
It's funny you say about the "Heidi Game." Back in 1991, HBO did a two-part documentary called "PLAY BY PLAY - A History Of Sports Television". Very briefly, the Heidi Game was shown. The plays that were shown was when Daryle Lamonica hit Charlie Smith for the 45 yard touchdown pass. The second was when Raiders' special teamer Preston Ridlehuber who scored the Radiers' second touchdown in 9 seconds due to Jets' kick returner Earl Christy's fumble. Then they showed the clock run to 0 as well.
Fortunaly, all episodes exist. Which is a remarkable feat for NBC.
*Bzzz* Wrong!
The Jack Narz revival was my favorite version of Concentration
That's what I ment to say. I forgot to double-check for mistakes. Thanks for catching the typo on the video info.
Part 2 of the article excert from "The Lost Episodes" (8/16/1999) by Steve Beverly from the Game Show Convention Center website:
"The network merely licensed its production to Goodson-Todman for the Narz and Alex Trebek versions. GSN attempted to purchase those episodes in 1994 and NBC refused to sell them."
Actually, back in April 1997, VH1 started showing episodes of the Midnight Special. The 90 minute episodes on Monday through Thursday were reduced to 30 minutes, but on Fridays, they were shown for an hour. When VH1 stopped showing the episodes, I don't remember.
I know that you can get the episodes now on DVD.
buzzr now has the 70s version concentration
And Trebek's 87-91 NBC version.
Orion owned the "Hollywood Squares" concept and co-produced the "Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour" with Mark Goodson. Goodson did not allow pre-written celebrity bluff answers to the Squares questions as Heatter-Quigley and later the 80s Squares Orion producers did. It is also possible that ownership issues with "Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour" with Orion Television, Heatter-Quigley, King World, and Fremantle/Mark Goodson productions are preventing the reruns from airing.
Buzzr has MG-HS Hour on its schedule, usually shown along with MG '7x/PM episodes. They have yet to air the Peter Marshall or John Davidson versions of Hollywood Squares.
According to Norm Blumenthal (producer of the original NBC Concentration), the routine was to keep each for a 90 day period in case the tapes needed to reviewed by S&P, then they were re-used.
Closing Spiel (Original):
This is Johnny Olson Speaking For Concentration A Mark Goodson Bill Todman Production
Revival (If Ever):
This is George Gray Speaking For Concentration A Fremantle Production
I think Secondchance1977 said on one of the videos (I can't remember where, I'll have to find it) that the Chuck Woolery episodes of Wheel Of Fortune do exist.
jack barry not berry
They might be. I know "In Concert" started in 1972. I wonder how long that show was on?
I'm not sure the exact amount, but there aren't that many tapes archived. Definitely not the entire series. Interestingly enough, daytime episodes of Concentration and CBS' Password were transcribed and rerun on a Spanish network in the late 70s. I have no idea why though, maybe just for S's and G's?
My 8th Favorite Game Show of all-time, all versions; and 2nd Favorite Goodson/Todman/Fremantle Game Show of all-time underneath Password.
I know. When I did this collage, I ended up rushing it onto UA-cam instead of doing a final double check on the mistakes. I would have to take this video down and start over again.
SAMACAL, it is true. Not only that Steve Beverly's 'Game Show Convention Center' confirmed that CONCENTRATION does exist, but so does NAME THAT TUNE (not too sure about the NBC 1974-75, 1977 episodes, but the Tom Kennedy syndicated 1974-81 episodes do exist).
If you don't believe me, I'll even send you the website link and it'll take you there.
awesome theme! all hail Edd Kalehoff!
This music was used in the Jack Narz version. the. Hugh Downs version was very different
This show needs to come back to TV WITH this theme music! And I'd like to be the host and producer of it!
And with the newer technology, the 30-space board can be brought back; doubling as the Double Play board which for the first win, should be for $10,000 and the second win, $25,000 + a new car (yes, kinda borrowing from another game show that was airing on ABC at that time).
Heck, this could be done as keyboard synth these days!
Yes, however, in light of taxes and other factors now in play, if it came back now I would make it an all-cash version.
@Qunicy Holman Which was a no-brainer. The 4th hour of TODAY is a Cash Cow for NBC.
@@rwboa22 For the Double Play Bonus Round:
60-second timer to match as many one-word clues (to the hidden rebus) as possible.
When the clock reaches 15, a 'clang' will sound and the matched squares will reveal the rebus with the 'Wheel of Fortune' timer sound (1981-1989) ticking, If the rebus is solved correctly, contestant wins $25,000 (a car/suv is added if the board is cleared). If the timer reaches 0, every match is worth $500.
Actually, Steve Beverly told me NBC has about 150 Hugh Downs/Bob Clayton "Concentration" episodes archived. However, NBC is, as AK47Music says down below, is also holding those hostage.
I've read where CBS owns the 1958-73 Concentration episodes as they own much of the pre-1973 NBC library, as well as the earlier TV series libraries of ABC and of course all of CBS' library.
I wonder where this show was shown in Chicago.
Do you know (if and) where I can find the tapes from 1969?
Someone told me that Jack Narz's Concentration aired mostly on CBS stations back in the day...is that true? I do recall that WTOC channel 11 in Savannah, GA aired the show. I was wondering if this fact was true.
Both KPIX and KXTV were CBS affiliates at the time. KXTV is now an ABC station.
@Stratman78 I just quoted with what the GSN website states because Sony seems to own most of the gameshows that have been produced in the past except for a few exceptions. I'd like to see the link to that.
And, in disagreement with Norm Blumenthal, full color really didn't help in making the puzzles easier to solve in the syndicated version with Jack Narz; Bernie knew how to place their parts. The series had a number of challenging "stumpers." "Classic Concentration" had the great artwork, but it was so dumbed down and "Goodson-ized" as a speed game that it really distracted from Schmittke's excellent work.
I think the answer to the puzzle at 1:54 is "The Sweet Smell of Success" but I can't figure out what the symbol is between the "SM+" and the loaf of bread. Anyone?
KPIX Channel 5 San Francisco carried the syndie Concentration...first as a 7:30pm Wednesday night only show (Dealer's Choice-Mon, New Price is Right with Dennis James-Tues, New Treasure Hunt-Thurs, Name That Tune-Fri) and then as a weekday afternoon strip around 3:30pm. KPIX stopped carrying Concentration around 1976 so the final season never aired in San Francisco. KXTV Sacramento Channel 10 did carry Concentration weeknights at 7:30pm up to the final 1978 episodes.
I know this post was 13 years ago.....but this is the first mention of the KPIX nightly game shows I've seen. I swear KPIX had a locally produced bowling game hosted by Big Tom Campbell from top of the hill Daly City. I can't find evidence of it anywhere.
@@raymondswenson5529 "Super Bowling" was the title of the locally-produced KPIX game with Tom Campbell (the local 1970s San Francisco Bay Area radio personality and not the host of the syndicated Chuck Barris game show pilot "Camoflauge"). It was shown as a summer series weekdays around 5pm or so around 1976 or so. I remember an elementary school classmate wore a red Super Bowling t-shirt that was a promotional giveaway for audience members. The irony of KPIX producing a local tv game show while they dropped the hour Price Is Right in the morning for The Morning Show/People Are Talking talk show in the 10am time slot from 1977 to 1995.
@@artytoons Thank you for responding Arty. Yes, I KNEW it existed. Only I remember it as a part of the nightly 5 on 5 block of game shows that aired at 7:30 Monday thru Friday before Evening Magazine came along. This was in 1975 if memory serves me I believe the Price is Right daytime was aired at 2 pm.....followed by Match Game, Tattletales, then for a little while.....Adam Wade's "Musical Chairs" if KPIX didn't have a show in the 4pm slot. Then they had Mike Douglas before the news blocks.
@@raymondswenson5529 Yes. The Price Is Right half hour version on CBS aired at 2pm and then Match Game and Musical Chairs as well as Jim Lange's short lived Give And Take game and then Mike Douglas for most of the 1970s. I think KPIX did not carry the 1974-1978 run of Tattletales...Channel 20 (then KEMO-tv and now KOFY) carried the Tattletales feed from CBS...Channel 20 then was a mish mosh of foreign language programs with Japanese anime, religious programming, and the occasional US tv rerun and had room for Tattletales! KPIX did air the 1982-1984 Tattletales revival though.
The first word is "Walter." I can't tell what the 2d word is because of those numbers- what the hell are those numbers for, anyway...?
In Birmingham, Alabama, CBS affiliate WBMG-TV 42 (Now WIAT-TV 42) aired it. Artytoons left the comment down below.
And KHOU - CBS 11 had this in Houston, TX.
Velvet4U, the picture at 1:03 says, "WHAT'S A REBUS?".
My gripes with the Goodson-Todman version were its laid-back L.A. feel with all Southern California contestants (the New York show chose contestants from the audience from all over the country), and its almost total lack of spontaneous humor (no gag prizes and Forfeit strategies). The overall production and set were terrific and should have been done to the NBC show, but Lin Bolen was determined to get rid of the show from Day 1 of her tenure. L.A.: better production. NYC: better show.
Jack Marx was a host. He was from Space Patrol!
Same composer as Tattletales '74, right? This sure reminds me of it...
Do a UA-cam search with the words
"Dolly Madison Charlie Brown" and click on the clip titled "WBMG-TV 42 10/24/77".
A clip of the Jack Narz Concentration credits can be seen along with a preview of a CBS Charlie Brown special.
Who distributed the syndicated version of Consentration (the one josetd by Jack Narz)?
Do you know where I can find the 1963 Concentration you mention? My Dad was on the show and won my parents honeymoon there. Thanks.
It's a little high-pitched.
@timbabcock If you don't believe me on the status of the Concentration episodes, I can send you the link to Steve Beverly's Game Show Convention Center website stating that the episodes do exist.
This song is better than Alex Trebek's theme song.
Narz
At 1:02 it totally looks like Ricky Gervais pointing at the board.
IMO the cancellation of Concentration was the beginning of the decline, and eventual demise, of NBC Daytime.
@cr78fan You are welcome!
Can you tell me what the picture says at 1:03 ?? Cannot figure this one out.
Jack Narz Space Patrol!