GENE RAYBURN'S MATCH GAME - Everybody's favorite fill-in-the-_____ show! (58 episodes)
CELEBRITY LEGEND: BS = Brett Somers; CNR = Charles Nelson Reilly; RD = Richard Dawson; BW = Betty White; FF = Fannie Flagg; EJ = Elaine Joyce; JB = Joyce Bulifant; MS = McLean Stevenson; GB = Gary Burghoff
THE MATCH GAME - The original version, with a plain and simple format and a snappy theme song!
1. From 1964; Jayne Mansfield-Joe-Marlene vs. Orson Bean-Dave-Jean (SM/GSN, TMS2.2)
2. From 1964; Joan Fontaine-BW-Peggy Cass vs. Bennett Cerf-Henry Morgan-Robert Q. Lewis (GSN, SW4.3)
MATCH GAME 7X - The version we all know and love.
MATCH GAME 73 - It began a little more sedated, but was finding its following by year's end.
3. From July 2; Series Premiere: Michael Landon, Vicki Lawrence, Jack Klugman, Jo Ann Pflug, RD, Anita Gillette; First Game: Stanley vs. Joan (GSN, CBS2.3)
4. From November; Jim Backus, BS, Nipsey Russell, Patti Deutsch, RD, BW; first game: Emmy vs. Susie; $5000 win (GSN, GSN2.3)
5. From November 27; Robert Vaughn, BS, a shirtless MS, Nancy Dussault, RD, BW; first game: Ellen vs. Charlene; $5000 win (GSN)
6. From December 31; the last MG73; Bert Convy, BS, CNR, Lee Meriwether, RD, Gail Fisher; First game: Harry vs. Judy (GSN, CD1.1)
MATCH GAME 74 - The year that MG took form, and everyone noticed.
7. From January 2; MG74 Premiere: Bert Convy, BS, CNR, Lee Meriwether, RD, Gail Fisher; First game: Harry vs. Paula; features a very nervous contestant! (GSN)
8. From January; Greg Morris, BS, Morey Amsterdam, Juliet Mills, RD, FF; First game: Marlena (who is very nervous) vs. Super Match; she eventually wins $5000 (GSN)
9. From January 31; Orson Bean, BS, CNR, Meredith MacRae, RD, Marcia Wallace; First game: Phyllis vs. Jim; features a blooper in the second Super Match (GSN, VM1.11)
10. From May 6; Bobby Van, BS, CNR, EJ, RD, BW; First game: Debbie vs. Super Match (GSN, GSN1.12)
11. From June 12; Bert Convy, BS, CNR, Louisa Moritz, RD, Kaye Stevens; First game: Gloria vs. John; the Karen Lesko episode; $5000 win (GSN, CD1.4)
12. From July 2; Don Adams, BS, CNR, Mitzi McCall, RD, EJ; First game: Timothy vs. Sandy; $1000 win (GSN, CBS2.4)
13. From late 1974; Gene Wood, BS, GB, Amanda Blake, RD, JB; first game: Maureen vs. Lisa (GSNC)
14. From December 31; the last MG74; James Darren, BS, Nipsey Russell, Juliet Mills, RD, BW; First game: Andrea vs. Thomas; $1000 win (GSN, CD1.2)
MATCH GAME 75 - As more memorable moments occurred, the show continued to be much less forgettable.
15. From August 8; the Belly Dancing Episode: Allen Ludden, BS, CNR, Dolly Martin, RD, BW; first game: Elaine vs. Maxine; $5000 win (GSN; "Next Week's Panel" missing)
16. From September; Avery Schreiber, BS, CNR, Lana Wood, RD, JB; first game: Ben vs. Ginny; Avery eats his card (GSN)
17. From late 1975; Scoey Mitchlll, BS, CNR, Patty Duke Astin, RD, Patti Deutsch; first game: John vs. Super Match; $5000 win (GSN)
18. From November; William Shatner, BS, CNR, Julie Harris, RD, FF; first game: Monica vs. Super Match; $5000 win (GSN)
19. From December 29; Dick Martin, BS, CNR, Jody Donovan, RD, FF; first game: Jack vs. Super Match (GSN; final segment missing, CBS1.10)
20. From December 30; same guests as above; first game: Doris vs. Jack; $2500 win (GSN, CBS1.11)
21. From December 31; New Year's episode; same guests as above; first game: Melinda vs. Doris (GSN, CBS1.12)
MATCH GAME 76 - Still coming on strong in the Bicentennial year.
22. From April 14; Bill Cullen, BS, CNR, Janice Pennington, RD, FF; first game: Sue vs. Tommy Simmons (future FtM and NTT winner) (GSN, JD2C.1)
23. From mid-1976; Jimmie Walker, BS, CNR, EJ, RD, FF; First game: Rita vs. Super Match; $5000 win (GSN; first few minutes missing; CBS2.11)
24. From December; Orson Bean, BS, CNR, Mary Wickes, RD, BW; First game: Donna vs. George; Gene attacks a stagehand offstage toward the end! (GSN, RR2.5)
25. From December 31; the last MG76; Joey Bishop, BS, CNR, Elizabeth Allen, RD, FF; First game: George vs. Jane (no, the Jetsons weren't playing! Jane was on High Rollers exactly 3 years later); Mark Goodson appears at the end (GSN, CD1.3)
MATCH GAME 77 - The year that MG fell from the top, thanks to curious time slot changes.
26. From April 8; Dick Martin, BS, CNR, Debralee Scott, RD, JB; First game: Barbie vs. Kris; $5000 win (GSN, RRR.1)
27. From April 11; same guests as above; First game: Rich vs. Barbie; $5000 win (GSN, RRR.2)
28. From April 12; same guests as above; First game: Chita vs. Rich (GSN, RRR.3)
29. From April 13; same guests as above; First game: Kathy vs. Rich (GSN, RRR.4)
30. From April 14; same guests as above; First game: Pam vs. Kathy (GSN, RRR.5)
31. From April 15; Abe Burrows, BS, CNR, Rosemary Forsyth, RD, BW; First game: Brett vs. Pam; $2500 win (GSN, RRR.6)
32. From April 18; same guests as above; First game: Pam vs. Super Match; $5000 win (GSN, RRR.7)
33. From April 19; same guests as above; First game: Elliott vs. Lois (GSN, closing credits missing, RRR.8)
34. From July 8; the SCHOOL RIOT episode; Edward Asner, BS, CNR, Debralee Scott, RD, Patti Deutsch; First game: Kathy vs. Super Match (GSN, GBA.2)
MATCH GAME 78 - The year the Star Wheel and new orange-white-and-blue set debuted, and Richard left.
35. From January 2; the first MG78 episode; they forgot to change the sign at the end of the last MG77, so they finally changed it at the start of the first MG78; Richard Deacon, FF, CNR, Mary Wickes, RD, JB; First game: Terri vs. Super Match (GSN)
36. From February; Avery Schreiber, BS, CNR, Barbara Rhoades, RD, BW; first game: Clarice vs. Jim; features striptease by Betty, $5000 win (GSN)
37. From June 28; STAR WHEEL DEBUTS; Scoey Mitchlll, BS, CNR, Sharon Farrell, RD, Mary Wickes; first game: Ann vs. Cindy; you won't believe who the first Star Wheel celebrity is! (GSN, CBS2.6)
38. From July 19; the first episode in new digs; Nipsey Russell, BS, CNR, Susan Richardson, RD, FF; First game: Bill vs. Super Match (GSN, CBS2.7)
39. From December 29; the last MG78; David Doyle, BS, CNR, Connie Stevens, Jack Jones, BW; First game: Lonzena vs. Super Match; $5000 win (GSN, CD4D.3)
MATCH GAME 79 - The end of Match Game on CBS.
40. The unacknowledged last episode from CBS run, though never aired on network TV; Bart Braverman, BS, GB, EJ, Bill Daily, Marcia Wallace; first game: Kirk vs. Alma Jo; $10,000 win (GSN, CBS2.8)
MATCH GAME PM - Everybody's favorite star-studded big money game of _____, now with higher stakes!
41. From 1975; Premiere; Clifton Davis, BS, CNR, EJ, RD, JB; Mike vs. Becky; $5000 win (GSN, CBS2.5)
42. From 1975; Orson Bean, BS, CNR, Mary Ann Mobley, RD, Patti Deutsch; Bob vs. Donna; $10,000 win (GSN, SMF.10)
43. From 1975; Dick Gautier, BS, CNR, Melinda O. Fee, RD, BW; Michael vs. Sandy; features a $7500 win and the "Admiral TV" incident! (GSN, RR2.6)
44. From 1977; Hans Conried, BS, CNR, Sarah Kennedy, RD, BW; Ken Thomas (future WoF champion) vs. Sandy; $10,000 win (GSN)
45. From 1977; Dick Martin, BS, CNR, Polly Holliday, RD, FF; Marla vs. Brian Billick, future head coach of the Baltimore Ravens (GSN, GBA.6)
46. From 1980; Alan Oppenheimer, BS, CNR, Laurie Walters, Dick Martin, BW, and Trotter; Tom vs. Pat (GSN)
47. From 1980; Fred Travalena, BS, CNR, EJ, Dick Martin, Debralee Scott; Alice vs. Randy; $20,000 win (GSN)
48. Pentultimate PM episode from 1981; Brian Patrick Clarke, Jack Klugman, CNR, EJ, Bob Donner, Marcia Wallace; $20,000 win with crazy results! (GSNC, JLP1.6)
49. From 1981; unacknowledged PM Finale; Bart Braverman, BW, CNR, JB, Bill Daily, Marcia Wallace; John vs. Linda (GSN, CBS2.9)
MATCH GAME (Syndicated) - For those who couldn't live without a daily dose of Rayburn and Co., the show was in daily syndication for three years.
50. From 1979; Robert Walden, BS, CNR, EJ, Bill Daily, JB; first game: Ginger vs. Adrienne; the "Cuckoo Friend and Ollie" episode! (GSN, video goes between color and B&W; DB1.9)
51. From 1981; Tom Kennedy, BS, CNR, Gail Farrell, MS, JB; first game: Kris vs. Glenn; $10,000 win (GSNC, GSN4.1)
52. From 1982; unacknowledged last syndicated MG; Skip Stephenson, BS, CNR, Melinda O. Fee, MS, BW; first game: Beth vs. Super Match; $10,000 win (GSN, CBS2.10)
MATCH GAME 90 (Ross Shafer)- Despite a few flaws, this was a decent-at-worst revival, and though he was no Rayburn, Ross still was a great host.
53. From October 29; Walt Willey, BS, CNR, Vicki Lawrence, Ronn Lucas and Friends, Jill Larson; Annette vs. Rick; $5000 win (GSN, RR7.1)
54. From October 31; Halloween episode; same guests as above; Vicki vs. David; everyone is in costume (GSN, AS3.2)
55. From December 3; Brad Garrett, Dana Fleming, CNR, Vicki Lawrence-Schultz, Richard Simmons, Lisa Canning; John vs. Nancy; $10,000 win (GSN, GSN2.6)
56. From December 26; Post-Christmas episode; Fred Travalena, Sally Struthers, Rip Taylor, Susan Norfleet, Tom Parks, Marcia Wallace; Tamra vs. Ray; $5000 win (GSN, RR2.7)
57. From December 31, 1990; Bruce Baum, Vicki Lawrence-Schultz, Brad Garrett, Edie McClurg, Roger E. Mosley, Pat Musick; Tami vs. Eric; features a celebration at the end a la the 70s, but without BS, CNR, or the sign change; last few seconds missing (GSN, CD1.5)
MATCH GAME 91
58. Finale; Brad Garrett, Nell Carter, CNR, Diana Jordan, Bruce Baum, Jacklyn Zeman; Stacey vs. Herman; $5000 win; unlike the previous version, this version's finale was actually acknowledged (OB, CD4D.4)
