By Adam Nedeff, researcher for the National Archives of Game Show History
There’s still some time left to get some summer reading done. BearManor Media, which specializes in pop culture titles, has just released two ebook adaptations of biographies of game show legends.
Okay? Okay! Dennis James’ Lifetime of Firsts chronicles the unique life and career of Dennis James, a prolific broadcaster best known as a game show host, with credits including Haggis Baggis, PDQ, and Name That Tune. Although primarily known for his game show work, his enthusiasm for the then-new medium of television led to a massive collection of “firsts” to his credit. Among other bragging rights, James was the first host of a TV variety show; the first host of a network game show; the first host of an infomercial; the first TV wrestling commentator; the first TV boxing commentator; the first reporter to cover a political convention for TV; the first person to host an Easter parade on network television; the first person to appear on a videotaped commercial; the host of the first major annual telethon; the first man to put Dick Van Dyke, Jonathan Winters, and The Carpenters on television; and the first host hired for The New Price is Right.
Monty Hall—TV’s Big Dealer is the story of the legendary creator and host of the venerable Let’s Make a Deal. The book is actually an updated version of Hall’s own autobiography, originally co-written with Bill Libby in 1973. Monty Hall—TV’s Big Dealer features new research and new interviews with friends, family, and co-workers, creating the most comprehensive portrait possible of the master of ceremonies, actor, singer, and philanthropist. The People’s Court creator Stu Billett, game show host Tom Kennedy, and, yes, the lovely Carol Merrill were among the many who provided their memories and insights expanded work.
The ebook, hardcover, and paperback versions of both books are available direct from the publisher at BearManorMedia.com, or from amazon.com, which offers the ebook version specifically for Kindle. Happy reading to all of you who want to enhance your knowledge of game show history.
DO YOU REMEMBER…THESE GAME SHOWS FEATURING DENNIS JAMES AND MONTY HALL?
Your First Impression (NBC, 1962-64) – Monty Hall created this game show hosted by Bill Leyden and featuring Dennis as a regular panelist. The celebrity panel listened to the way that concealed celebrities answered questions about their opinions and feelings, and tried to guess who the celebrities were from hearing their answers. Among the many celebrities who appeared on the show: Richard Nixon, at the time running for governor of California.
People Will Talk (NBC, 1963) – Dennis hosted this game, which featured two contestants and a panel of 15 people. The contestants would debate opposing sides of a topic, and the panelists voted on who presented the best argument. The contestants won money for each vote that they collected. The show lasted only six months, replaced on the NBC schedule by Monty Hall’s Let’s Make a Deal.
It’s Anybody’s Guess (NBC, 1977) – Monty hosted this game show, in which members of the studio audience were asked a series of survey questions, akin to what you’d hear on Family Feud. Two contestants were shown an answer, out of view of the survey group, and had to predict how many different answers they would hear until somebody finally named the secret answer.