Family Feud is an American television game show created by Mark Goodson, which aired from 1976 to 1985 on ABC and in syndication. The show featured Richard Dawson as host, with the original run running from 1976-1985. In 1987, the series was revived as a pilot, and later in 1988, it aired on CBS and in syndication with Ray Combs hosting until 1994. The original host of Family Feud is still considered the most popular game show in syndicated TV.
The show has had six hosts since its premiere, with Steve Harvey hosting since 2010. The show has captivated audiences and remains one of the most popular game shows in syndicated TV. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Family Feud, and ET cameras have been present with every host over the years.
The show premiered on July 12, 1976, on ABC, and aired on primetime and first-run syndication. The show ended in 1985 and was revived in 1988 with Ray Combs hosting. The latter version ended in 1995, with Dawson returning for the final year.
Family Feud has had three major runs: 1976-1985 under Richard Dawson, 1988-1995 primarily under Ray Combs, and 1995 (Dawson returning for the final year). The show has aired over 1500 episodes, with Richard Dawson as host and Ray Combs as the host.
In summary, Family Feud is an award-winning reality TV show that has captivated audiences for over four decades. The show has had six hosts, with each leaving a special mark on the show’s history. The show has aired over 1500 episodes and continues to be a popular choice for families looking to outguess their opponents about survey results.
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| Family Feud | Its original run from 1976 to 1985 aired on ABC and in syndication, with Richard Dawson as host. In 1987, the series was revived as a pilot and later in 1988 … | en.wikipedia.org |
| How long has Family Feud been on the air? | From what I gather, Family Feud has had three major runs: 1976–1985 under Richard Dawson, 1988–1995 primarily under Ray Combs (I believe Dawson … | quora.com |
| Family Feud | Television Wiki | It first aired on July 12, 1976, on ABC, and has also aired on CBS and in syndication. | television.fandom.com |
📹 The Family Feud Story: The Dawson Years
Today, Family Feud is a ubiquitous piece of popular culture. Steve Harvey has catapulted the long-languishing franchise back into …
Does The Mole Get Paid?
The Mole, as revealed by Tibballs, is not a traditional contestant on the show but rather a hired saboteur working for the producers, earning a guaranteed fee for their role. In "The Mole," a group of 12 contestants competes to complete missions that contribute to a communal prize pot. The twist is that one contestant, the Mole, deliberately undermines the efforts of the others without winning any of the prize money.
While the Mole doesn’t take home the cash prize, they are compensated for their participation, often possibly receiving a larger salary compared to other contestants. This payment can depend on their effectiveness in concealing their identity and the level of sabotage they achieve.
In international versions, the payment model for the Mole can be tied to how well they remain undetected along with other performance metrics. Despite the specifics being undisclosed, it's generally understood that the Mole receives an upfront payment, potentially ranging from $50, 000 to $100, 000. Cast members earn a minimum for their time on the show, but the Mole likely receives more due to their unique role. Season finales reveal winners, such as Michael, who claimed a significant prize, but the Mole’s compensation remains steady, distinct from the game’s financial rewards.
Where Is Family Feud Filmed In 2024?
"Family Feud" is set to resume filming in Atlanta, Georgia, starting January 29, 2024, with live tapings from January 30, 2025. This beloved game show, hosted by Steve Harvey, is filmed in various locations including California and Florida, but predominantly in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area and Los Angeles County. As one of America's longest-running game shows, "Family Feud" has been renewed through the 2025-2026 season, marking its 50th year on television.
Fans are encouraged to attend tapings and experience the excitement firsthand. Attending a live taping at the Atlanta Civic Center offers a unique opportunity for fans. The show will also continue with "Celebrity Family Feud," where celebrities compete for charity, taping five shows in April 2024 at Sony Pictures Studios in Los Angeles. For those interested in participating, a comprehensive guide on auditioning is available to help aspiring contestants navigate the process.
Security measures at the venues require that all attendees obtain their own tickets. The production has shifted since 2011, bringing "Family Feud" to Atlanta, further enhancing the connection between the show and its viewers in Georgia.
Which Family Feud Host Kissed Everyone?
Richard Dawson, the inaugural host of "Family Feud" from 1976 to 1985, became famous for his unique habit of kissing female contestants. This practice, which earned him the nickname "The Kissing Bandit," involved kissing approximately 20, 000 women during his tenure, according to a producer's estimation and reports from Showbiz Cheat Sheet. While Dawson's affectionate approach garnered him fame and a place in daytime TV history, it also faced criticism from some producers and viewers, particularly when viewed through a modern lens of consent and appropriateness.
Amidst the nostalgia of the late '70s and early '80s, a notable incident involved contestant Gretchen Johnson, whom Dawson eventually married. The context of such behavior, which seemed innocuous in its time, raises questions today due to cultural shifts regarding personal boundaries. Dawson was candid about his reasons for kissing contestants, stating it was a reflection of personal norms he grew up with.
Despite the charm he brought to the show, it remains a topic of debate how this practice aligns with contemporary views on consent and physical interaction. Richard Dawson's legacy continues to evoke mixed feelings in light of evolving societal standards.
Can You Take Cash Instead Of Prizes On The Price Is Right?
Winners of "The Price is Right" cannot choose to receive cash value for their prizes. Contestant Aurora De Lucia highlighted this in a 2013 blog post, stating that participants must accept the exact prize won or forfeit it entirely. Prior to claiming their rewards, winners are required to pay taxes on their winnings, which has led many to consider opting for cash equivalents. However, contestants incur no entry fees for participating. Despite speculation about hidden costs, the show maintains a clear guideline: all winners must settle their tax obligations before receiving prizes.
Unlike some game shows that allow cash value alternatives, "The Price is Right" explicitly denies this option. Although contestants might wish to exchange a prize for cash, the contestant information sheet emphasizes that "cash in lieu" requests are not permitted. In rare cases, if a prize is deemed unusable, winners may decline it and request a cash equivalent, usually reflecting less than half of the listed retail value.
While players have the option to take cash in certain situations, the overall messaging is definitive: cash value is not a standard option, and winners must be prepared to manage their tax liabilities associated with major prizes. Ultimately, contestants must adhere strictly to the rules laid out in the show's documentation.
How Much Do Family Feud Winners Get After Taxes?
On Family Feud, the total winnings of $20, 000 are equally divided among the five team members, resulting in approximately $4, 000 per person after taxes. Contestants must wait 90 days to receive their cash prizes, and the amount is subject to taxation as ordinary income in the U. S. For instance, if a contestant wins $50, 000, they may owe about $12, 000 in federal taxes, with games often withholding around 25% initially to cover tax liabilities.
Notably, the winnings are not life-changing; after taxes, an individual may only end up with around $2, 500 from a $10, 000 prize. Additionally, participation in the show does not guarantee financial rewards beyond the prize money. It is crucial for winners to report their earnings accurately, using forms like the IRS Form W-2G, which details reportable winnings including lottery, sweepstakes, and game show prizes. The winnings, whether cash or merchandise, are generally viewed as taxable income in states that have income tax.
California residents, for instance, would face their state income taxes in addition to federal obligations. Although the excitement of winning can be significant, the financial reality reveals that the actual take-home amount may not meet expectations, prompting discussions among former contestants on platforms like Reddit about the need for higher prizes.
Who Has Hosted Family Feud The Longest?
Between 2010 and 2016, Steve Harvey became the host of "Family Feud," beginning in September 2010. Under his leadership, ratings improved, and he achieved the distinction of being the longest-serving host in the show's history, surpassing Richard Dawson, the original and iconic host from 1976-1985. "Family Feud" has been a beloved program since its debut, showcasing a variety of hosts over the years, including Louie Anderson, Richard Karn, and John O'Hurley.
Dawson remains a legendary figure, while Harvey's tenure has seen a resurgence in popularity characterized by his quick wit and eye-catching wardrobe. The show transitioned to a syndicated format and was recently renewed for the 2025-2026 season. Throughout its nearly five-decade run, "Family Feud" has had six different hosts, each bringing their own charm. Notably, Harvey has stood out for his engaging personality, drawing comparisons to Dawson. The legacy of "Family Feud," with its memorable hosts and cultural impact, continues to thrive, with fans warmly receiving Harvey as a fresh yet classic presence in the game show landscape.
Who Is Considered The Best Family Feud Host?
Richard Dawson, the original host of Family Feud from 1976 to 1985 and briefly in 1994-1995, set a high standard for the show with his charm and wit. He is fondly remembered and considered an iconic figure. Presently, Steve Harvey has hosted the show since 2010, earning acclaim for his quick wit and ability to connect with contestants, making him one of the most recognizable hosts in the show's history. Other notable hosts include Ray Combs (1988-1994), Richard Karn (2002-2006), and Louie Anderson (1999-2002), each leaving their mark on the series.
Fan discussions often rank the hosts, typically placing Dawson first, followed by Harvey and Combs, while John O'Hurley, who hosted from 2006-2010, is often mentioned less favorably. Overall, Dawson's legacy and Harvey's current engagement with the audience highlight Family Feud's important place in American television and culture, underpinned by the unique contributions of its various hosts over the years, and setting a high bar for anyone who may follow them.
Who Will Host Family Feud In 2024?
Steve Harvey has been the host of "Celebrity Family Feud" since 2015, while announcer Richardson served until 2023, replaced by Rubin Ervin in July 2024. In 2024, "Celebrity Family Feud" will have aired eleven seasons (one on NBC and ten on ABC). The current host of "Family Feud" is Myeshia Mizuno, marking her as the first Black woman to lead a prime-time game show. However, Steve Harvey continues to host "Celebrity Family Feud." Reports suggested that Harvey was removed from "Family Feud" following a slip during an Oprah Winfrey interview, yet he remains a staple on both "Celebrity Family Feud" and "Family Feud," which has been renewed through at least the 2025-26 season.
ABC confirmed the renewals of both "Celebrity Family Feud" and "Jeopardy! Masters." Mizuno has recently become the showrunner for "Family Feud," while Steve Harvey maintains his position as host, keeping fans delighted with his charismatic approach. The show is set to return for its 10th season featuring celebrity guests. Despite facing challenges, Harvey's legacy as a game show host continues to thrive in the competitive television landscape.
📹 People Who LOST IT on Family Feud!
Stopped the article to make a comment….. Always liked Dawson, but….GOOD FOR HIM!! for telling the boss (who was pulling out dirty tricks and planning to not fulfill a promise on his contract – even though Richard was the hardest working most popular and most accurate celebrity on the payroll) that until the boss does as he should, Dawson would just sit on the job and be quiet. BRAVO!!! Richard Dawson, the Father of “Quiet Quitting” 🤴
You forgot the best part about the Star Wheel on Match Game. The rest of the celebrities hated that Richard always got picked, and everyone knew the wheel was to prevent Richard from always getting picked. The wheel landed on Richard on its first spin. All the celebrities (Richard included) walked off the set. The clip is on YouTube. It’s hilarious.
The thing that gets me about his beautiful speech is the fact that, when faced with the end of the road, he took a moment to admit, acknowledge, and accept all his real and perceived shortcomings and mistakes in front of EVERYONE. As ultimately “from a different time” as the kissing truly was, it’s amusingly awkward to see someone screeching about something from the 70s as if it’s happening right now when not only is that not allowed now, but the culprit HIMSELF already beat them to the punch on addressing it when his run ended all those decades ago. Dawson figured out how to start growing into a better person more than most people nowadays ever will.
Overall, this was a great article. A couple of points to make: 1. I don’t think Dawson was blacklisted on The Tonight Show after the Operation Eagle Claw fiasco. First, Dawson did a Family Feud sketch on The Tonight Show in 1982-83 with Johnny Carson playing Ronald Reagan. Part of that sketch appears on one of “The Best of Carson” articles. Second, if you look at Dawson on The Tonight Show at the 24:31 mark of the article, the set design is a bit later than 1980. Perhaps they blacklisted Dawson from being a guest host after the Operation Eagle Claw fiasco, but he did appear as a guest on the show afterwards. 2. Howard Felsher tends to come off as a bit too sympathetic in my humble opinion. However, Felsher was involved in the quiz show scandal of the 1950s. He admitted to Congress that he implored 30 contestants and all his production staff to lie to the grand jury. Felsher even admitted that 75% of Tic-Tac-Toe, the show he produced, was rigged. Yet, somehow, Mark Goodson kept giving him jobs. If you listen to Dawson’s Foundation interview, he states that he noticed how a contestant who was attractive or delightful would get a few extra seconds than someone who was not. Dawson was very clear that he did not play those kinds of games. He was pro-contestant, but he also wanted fairness. I’m not saying Dawson was a saint. But I think some of his behaviors look a bit different if you add this bit of context to the story.
I once worked in a hotel where I had to do my very best to try to help a gentleman who was coming in from Europe, and he was having a very hard time getting everything together for his reservation. But ultimately I ended up taking about an hour out of my time to make sure he would be all set for his arrival. When he came to check in The next month, he was so elated to see me because of all the effort I had taken to help him, that he embraced me in a giant hug and kissed me on both cheeks. I did not ask for that hug or kiss, but I could feel that it came from a place of great love and respect and appreciation. We all have our own personal spaces, and we should all strive to respect other people’s. That being said, I believe fully that when Richard Dawson kissed somebody, it was legitimately for luck and for love as he said. And if people were being asked backstage if they were fine with that, then I don’t really see how it’s creepy. I see it as genuine human expression. Again, assuming everybody was being asked.
The executives, according to Dawson, claimed the sponsors felt kissing women without knowing their martial status or getting their permission was uncomely. Dawson insinuates that it may have to do with him kissing two non-white female contestants. The actual number of all votes was 14,600 to 704 in favor of kissing. Contestants filled out a questionnaire before each game including, “Do you mind if Richard Dawson greets you with a kiss?” Apparently, not many declined.
Dawson will always be the best host that Family Feud had. He was so good at hosting it and he was very funny and caring and the women loved him. Nearly all the female contestants had no problem getting a kiss. Still to this day when I watch a old episode of the Dawson years on Buzzr website I have to stop and watch fast money.
I never knew that female contestants gave permission to bring kissed. As such, it doesn’t seem like a big deal since they are both agreeing to it. Also, I’ve watched reruns of the Dawson years and it was a fun show with him hosting, although I found it difficult to guess some of the answers due to the difference between the 1970s and today.
I hope you haven’t given up making content. I watched the UPN story and now on this. People say this too often… but don’t…. This website is CRIMINALLY underrated. Very well researched. Very well edited. Very charismatic on camera and in narration. Don’t give up or if you’ve moved platforms let me know. Excellent work man
Nice job. It wasn’t until years later that I heard his kissing became controversial. I never really thought about it being a guy. The women seemed to like it, though. For me, it was no harm, no foul. That young people today are turned off by it is sort of alarming and sort of indicates another nail in the togetherness coffin. It was clearly innocent, so what’s the big deal? And the fact that apparently 99 percent of the women contestants on the show were OK with it only supports that contention. Dawson was a genius on the Feud and Match Game. Unfortunately, he let his ego get in the way. Also, he stuck up for the contestants, too, which I think only added to his popularity. Watch school riot from Match Game. Dawson was completely in the right.
I thought about something: if people complained that Richard’s kissing was too much, they should see how Gene Rayburn was on Match Game with his kissing. Sometimes Gene tended to go a little too far on most occasions, particularly around the prettier new female celebs that dropped by and with some of the prettier women contestants. Or even one under the radar worse: Fergie Olver on the Canadian Kids Game Show “Just Like Mom” and that show worked with kids.
I know this might draw a bit of controversy but say what you will about Richard’s ego, at least he owned up to his reputable bad backstage behavior and never got sued by his crew, unlike Bob Barker in the later years of his time hosting The Price is Right. The Holly Hallstrom firing and lawsuit is a perfect example of that and that started the beginning of countless lawsuits against Bob Barker as well as the lawsuits against the show.
8:20 Geoff Edwards had previously worked as a news reporter for KHJ-AM radio. He was in the basement of Dallas police headquarters when Jack Ruby shot suspected John F. Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald on November 24, 1963. Edwards was one of the witnesses interviewed by NBC television correspondent Tom Pettit on the scene.
I still remember perusal Family Feud with my family in the early 80s and I swear there were repeats in the late 80s. But anyway I remember the kissing and as an 8 or 9 year old thought it was no big deal at all, nor did any of my family. It was just seen as “what he does” and as long as it was consensual that’s all people cared about in the 80s. It’s only our current “me-too” culture that makes such a big deal of things. Don’t forget the people calling the kissing “problematic” now are the same people who would have men get a form signed in triplicate and notarized to even get a peck on the cheek. Times have changed, but not necessarily for the better.
The thing is, though, if the staff sought consent from female contestants and it was granted, I don’t see how Richard Dawson’s penchant for kissing them should be disturbing to anyone. We can get into another debate about women’s inability to say “No” in those days but citing Twitter and other media sources known for actively judging the past through heavily flawed “Modern Lenses” does not lend a neutral retrospective to the issue. Additionally, many women found Richard Dawson, like any male celebrity, handsome, friendly, clean-cut, and charming so of course they’ll say “Yes” to receiving a kiss from him.
This was great! Very well done, sir. I remember reading that according to Howard Felsher, Richard later regretted saying nice things about Felsher in his closing monologue and had the clip removed before the final episode aired on network television. That seems to match up with his reputation for being a real jerk behind-the-scenes.
It’s funny to see how many people today get triggered by Dawson’s kissing thing. No one back in the day really squirmed over it. The subject would come up amongst our elders, we didn’t care and most of us from that era who’ve grown up still don’t get bothered by it. But seriously, it’s funny to see people say they’re bothered by it. And hearing flamboyant people say, “Why didn’t he kiss the men?” just crystalizes our state of affairs today. There are real problems in the world. There were then and there are today. And Richard Dawson kissing women on TV was never one of those real problems.
Richard Dawson’s Family Feud was the last successful game show on ABC Daytime. After The $20,000 Pyramid was cancelled in June 1980, FF was the only game show on ABC Daytime until October 1984 when Trivia Trap debuted. Except for the 1990-91 version of Match Game, none of the post Richard Dawson Family Feud game shows (All Star Blitz, Bruce Forsyth’s Hot Streak, Double Talk, and Bargain Hunters) lasted a year. Even Trivia Trap only lasted 6 months before being replaced by All Star Blitz. ABC since the early 1980s has relied on its’ soap operas, sitcom reruns, and talk shows like The View in its’ daytime schedule. Growing up in the 1980s, CBS and NBC primarily had the game shows on network daytime TV.
A great Documentary Connor. Your Game Show Documentaries on Family Feud are very informative. Your very good at coming across with the facts, and you make your commentaries very interesting. You give a fantastic delivery of the facts, and you voice is very good for Documentaries. Can you do a Family Feud on the John O’ Hurley years? Keep up the good work!
Great content, Connor and Future Connor. You could do this for a living. I’m always happy to see young people taking a serious interest in old popular culture. I watched the original run. I’ve occasionally seen clips from later incarnations. But Dawson was the absolute best, to the point where it’s hard to watch anyone else. A problematic person, for sure; not someone I would want to work with. But really good.
You earned a sub for this series, just came across it tonight and looking forward to perusal through it in order as I can. Really cool and very in-depth, love the use of the old school footage too to compliment your narrating. One thing I would like to add though if I may that you left out, in regards to upping the target goal from $300 to $400 in the show’s final year on the air, the reason it killed the show so much was not just because of the increase, but the way the game was then structured as well. By that I mean, in the past under the previous format, the game would go at a maximum usually of 5 rounds, 6 at most if the two families were struggling to get through boards. And it’d be set up where you’d play 2-3 single rounds depending on the period, 1 to 2 doubles and a triple, only again rarely needing anymore than that. Well, when they switched to the $400 goal (a total BTW that was often hit anyway under the old format, meaning you really didn’t need to change anything for it to work), this structure changed, to where now you had FOUR single rounds, THEN a double and a triple, meaning you were guaranteed at LEAST 5 questions per show if not like you said 6 or 7. It totally broke the format to do it like that. Had they left it alone, even with the $400 goal, it coulda still worked, but they added rounds they didn’t need to add instead, in part actually from what I understand because of Dawson taking up so much time (to the point of edits being needed) with monologues at tops of shows.
The clip you use of Dawson on the couch is actually from 11/5/82 almost three years after the guest host incident. Richard was on to do a Family Feud parody sketch with Johnny playing Reagan. So apparently after that incident the staff had set their differences aside. Johnny was even quite friendly with him during his panel interview as well.
It’s a shame you didn’t show this last message Richard did at the end of the last episode right after they stopped taping. I think this was more geared at the production crew but it is possible some audience members were still present. It’s just as heart felt as his aired final speech: youtube.com/watch?v=i69xMQmEnPQ * You can even see Gene Wood at the end facing away from the camera trying to prevent anyone from seeing him cry. I’ll always love Richard Dawson as the host of Family Feud. He had a chemistry that truly was unique and worked. I also like Ray Combs and Harvey but Ray lacked the chemistry with the contestants in favor of making a joke all the time, and Harvey is great, but he milks the jokes and “situations” to the point where the phrase “Beat the dead horsey” becomes tiresome. I think Richard knew when it was time to be funny, new how to welcome people and make them at home with the game and to loosen them up with some jokes, but Ray and Harvey seemed more interested in either just making jokes or making fun of people. And that’s NOT a game show to me. We will always miss you Richard! Hope you are pulling one over on Colonel Klink up there!
Connor, have you ever done a article about late 90s/early 00s game shows? Like Millionaire, Deal or No Deal, etc? These high pressure, high stakes game shows that have a lot of dead space in the game where they just let suspense build and stuff. Also, no parting gifts. These shows had a lot of All-Or-Nothing, compared to 80s shows, where even losers got nice prizes.
Nice job. Howard Felsher hired me at Goodson Todman to work on another show. Although Richard’s wit added a lot, I disagree with your conclusion that he was the main attraction. The show succeeded because the game was strong and Goodson knew it. That’s why he auditioned other emcees besides Dawson. The show has continued through a succession of emcees since Dawson left. Without a good game, 11 people on stage would have nothing to do. You can’t build a successful game show around Richard kissing female contestants. Goodson’s production designer, Ted Cooper, had a hand in the development of Fast Money. The main game was an extension of Match Game’s Super Match as you correctly point out. One insider tells me that Dawson’s already-immense ego swelled to even more massive proportions and Richard became even more insufferable after he guest hosted the Tonight show. Howard claims that Richard was disputing his every call in a deliberate effort to get his daughter in law promoted to producer. Goodson had a second pair of eyes at FF tapings: veteran GT producer-director Paul Alter. Richard’s antics on the set quickly made it around the office. I understand Richard’s farewell speech was excised from the original ABC airing. In 1980 GT produced a pilot for NBC, who passed on it. We then showed it to CBS who also passed on it. We did not show it to ABC because of the disagreement over the FF “steal” which you noted.
The negativity surrounding Dawson’s kissing is just completely stupid. It takes two to tango & almost always the women were more than willing to kiss him too. It doesn’t make him a sexual predator or a pervert. Like everything else Dawson’s Feud was a product of it’s time. In those days if he’d kissed men too the show would have been canceled immediately. Younger people making a big deal out of it is just another example of the people just being extremely sensitive. I’m not defending it I’m just saying everybody wants acceptance well we need to accept that as well. That’s the definition of INCLUSION. The women he kissed had the choice to be kissed or not. I’ve seen examples of him kissing them on their cheeks & some not at all. & for that one guy on this article that questions why he didn’t kiss men too, if he’d try to kiss me I’d knock his lips off his face & I’m sure all the men would have done the same back then too. It is what it is accept it. Doesn’t mean it’s right but also doesn’t mean that it has to be eliminated from existence either
“I’ve never presumed to tell someone who could make a rainbow what color to make a child.” That’s a very nice sentiment from Dawson’s mom. It’s a shame he got so egotistical and difficult to work with but he is a human being, and success can go to anybody’s head. Also, I was always put off by his kissing every woman on the show, but I’m at least glad to learn that he did get their permission first off screen.
Not a single uh, um, ya know, or like, or really any pause whatsoever in the flow of your narrative. You want to be a game show host, too, don’t you? 😁 Seriously, though, this was excellent all the way through, and much enjoyed. I have to admit, I rather liked hearing that Dawson’s temper was apparently let loose more or less exclusively on behalf of the contestants. I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t think I can fault him much for that, and word is that show business people can be notoriously hard to deal with, which would include, I’m assuming, a lot of those he went up against. He may have had little choice but to come on tough, for their sake.
What didn’t help as well was that Family Feud was pushed to 11.30am (which put it against The Price Is Right) and the soap Ryan’s Hope to noon as Agnes Nixon wanted the post noon slot for her soap Loving, therefore creating a block of her soaps. It hurt the ratings of Ryan’s Hope (since affiliates tended to bump network programmes at noon due to local news -WSB in Atlanta chose to keep RH at 12.30pm and didn’t air Loving at all until RH got the axe) and also of Family Feud. One wonders if Dawson wasn’t pleased with being moved for Loving, as the audience member he pulls out in The Running Man is called Agnes. If there was any vindication in the whole thing, Loving actually struggled at 12.30pm, not having the ratings Ryan’s Hope had in the slot during that soap’s peak. It constantly was ranking bottom of the daytime soap ratings, leading to the make or break revamp which became The City.
Thank you for this. There is far too much for a Dawson apologist to try to tackle in a comment, but one crack stands out: 30:03 Your shot at Cathy Hughart is a misfire. We can certainly agree that it was self-serving for Dawson to get Howard booted upstairs and put his daughter-in-law in day-to-day control of the show. But your assertion that she lacked experience and qualifications is contradicted by her professional record and her lengthy tenure on the show.
Great dives. Very entertaining. You are a natural. The humor in Match Game was not vulgar for that time on television. that was considered humor. and people thought it was funny. sort of a guilty pleasure. they couldn’t come right out and say anything because of the censors, but they could engage in innuendo regularly. that was what was great about the show. Be careful not to apply today’s standards to the past. some of us are very aware of how life was. I noticed you mentioned the needlepoint quite a bit. remember at the beginning the show had a theme that sort of mimicked the Hatfields and McCoys. so there was a method to that Madness. Regarding the kissing. that was a greeting that was very normal for decades and decades. it only disappeared 25 years ago. so that’s the first thing. Second, the women loved it and couldn’t wait for Richard to come and kiss them. Again, be careful about applying today’s standards to yesterday. **You should think about not relying on Wikipedia ass a source. As a teacher, I was hard pressed to allow my students to use Wikipedia at all. it is user enhance and anyone can write anything there. you really have to fact check it.
being British originally, why would he be “distraught to that extent over the failed rescue? Even most people just were like “yeah, another bad thing this whole hostage crisis”. I don’t know anyone who really was that “distraught” over those specific events, things don’t add up at all over that. It wasn’t’ like when JFK was shot or 9/11 or the death of Princess Diana, or any of those extremely noteworthy events that really shook the country/world, it’s just something that happened, and yeah, it was bad, almost no one lost sleep over it.
Ok… let’s talk about the kissing. I can understand that in this day and age, the kissing would just not be a thing at all (with good reason) … But you can’t judge the actions and customs of the past using today’s sensibilities (and canceling nature). It was what it was back then, and it is what it is today. Back then, it wasn’t surprising to greet with a kiss much more than it is today. You got used to kissing, and though I wasn’t a fan of it even back then (when I was kid) you even kissed your relatives hello and good-bye, often on the lips. During Richard Dawson’s reign on the show… most contestants were older than I would have been…and thus, even more used to the customs of the day. ALSO (and what you aren’t considering at ALL) Richard Dawson had much more of an attractiveness quotient than you give him credit for. He was considered sexy to a certain age of women (along the lines of a James Bond who walks amongst us)…. So if you would ask the public should he or should he not kiss these women… of COURSE they are going to say “definitely, kiss”. Again, I understand with today’s sensibilities, this is not only out of the question, but it’s probably not even something that could be understood. But back then…. it was MUCH more acceptable. (And as for the gen-z snarky question of… Well, then why didn’t he kiss the men??? The fact you even ask that demonstrates how you didn’t understand the time, and, again, how you seem unable to accept actions of the past without wrapping them in “today’s sensibilities”.
There was nothing at all wrong with Dawson’s kissing of the contestants. Everyone was asked in advance and if they didn’t want to be kissed, he wouldn’t kiss them. There was nothing sexual about it. It was not inappropriate in any way. Yes, a lot has changed than the 1970’s, but not all of it for the better. This is a prime example of taking ourselves too seriously and looking for something at which to be offended.
So that’s why Dawson ended up having a net worth below $1 million at the time of his passing. It’s because his ego prevented him from getting television roles that would’ve made him more of a fortune. Say whatever you want about how shady show business is, but in this case, this was completely all on Dawson. He could’ve had been even more bigger than just simply an amazing game show host if he kept his ego in check. Gene Rayburn even said Dawson allowed his ego to get the best of him, and boy it sure did. This is a lesson to show you how important it is to remain humble when you reach success. Because your ego can put you in a worse position than where you originally started.
You are incredible ❤️ ♥️. Don’t be PC. The kissing 💋 was AWSOME. Feminist are now controlled by a bunch weirdo lesbians. Man haters. I’m gay. If I’m not falling for this me too crap you shouldn’t either. Make more shows! I actually met Ray Combs when he was warming up studio audiences. My family are Mormons. Mormons believe God has a pure path for them. Ray talked about this. Myself and my family talked to him quietly when the rest of the studio audience left. I’ll never forget it. I think when things went south he mentally lost it. I have 7 siblings. 6 of them have either attempted suicide or have had major mental breakdowns. God bless Ray 🙌 🙏 ❤️. We love your work. Don’t ever give up!! LET’S GO BRANDON. GAY REPUBLICANS FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP ❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸
I am tired of him trying to play like he is so innocent. I watched some of the old family feud episodes and he was kissing girls who looked like they were teenagers as well as the adults. I don’t wanna hear him lie and say it was luck. You being A adult man and kissing teenagers is worst then you kissing adult women.