Betty Thomas who later played Officer Lucy Bates on Hill Street Blues was one of the sketch actors in the Fun Factory game. The comedy sketches would contain a clue to a puzzle for the contestants to guess for prizes.
This show was only on for a very limited run in 1976-NBC placed it at noon and many of their local stations didn't pick it up because it cut into their noon day news programs--sadly Bobby Van (who was married to Elaine Joyce) ultimately died from a brain tumor in 1980
I can now see--at least for about a minute--how game shows had opened! But I am still wondering why TV networks had to drop the "Brought-to-you-by' part of the opening and go directly in sequence to introducing the host's name. My mind says that sponsors cost the networks who aired the show money, and the game needed the money more than the ads. (For example, in a 1960's Password show, it mentioned who the sponsor was before the introduction to the host, and other shows did it too.) But so many game shows we have watched are gone and almost forgotten.
Interesting thing about the Fishman-Freer game shows were that with each show, the run was shorter. For example, their first offering, "Dealer's Choice", lasted two seasons, "The Diamond Head Game" lasted one season, and "The Fun Factory" only lasted 3 1/2 months.
This was a weird semi-game show and variety programme. Bobby sang a popular song at some point in most episodes and the games were almost an afterthought to that.
The show and host were way ahead of their time, it was a piss take of game shows, it was about laughter, fun and entertainment for the TV audience, who would of thunk it?
Betty Thomas who later played Officer Lucy Bates on Hill Street Blues was one of the sketch actors in the Fun Factory game. The comedy sketches would contain a clue to a puzzle for the contestants to guess for prizes.
I would have liked to hear Jack Barry sing. Or John Daly.
This show was only on for a very limited run in 1976-NBC placed it at noon and many of their local stations didn't pick it up because it cut into their noon day news programs--sadly Bobby Van (who was married to Elaine Joyce) ultimately died from a brain tumor in 1980
The Fun Factory from Ed Fishman-Randall Freer Productions and Columbia Pictures Television
Producers of Dealer's Choice and The Diamond Head Game
I can now see--at least for about a minute--how game shows had opened! But I am still wondering why TV networks had to drop the "Brought-to-you-by' part of the opening and go directly in sequence to introducing the host's name. My mind says that sponsors cost the networks who aired the show money, and the game needed the money more than the ads. (For example, in a 1960's Password show, it mentioned who the sponsor was before the introduction to the host, and other shows did it too.) But so many game shows we have watched are gone and almost forgotten.
Interesting thing about the Fishman-Freer game shows were that with each show, the run was shorter. For example, their first offering, "Dealer's Choice", lasted two seasons, "The Diamond Head Game" lasted one season, and "The Fun Factory" only lasted 3 1/2 months.
This was a weird semi-game show and variety programme. Bobby sang a popular song at some point in most episodes and the games were almost an afterthought to that.
The show and host were way ahead of their time, it was a piss take of game shows, it was about laughter, fun and entertainment for the TV audience, who would of thunk it?
An episode of this once aired on GSN as it was distributed by COlumbia Pictures, long since absorbed into SOny's holdings.
This show replaced the magificent marble machine.
How often do you see game show hosts sing during a show?