(1962) Gene Rayburn Match Game PILOT

[@keosh777]

I was 3 years old when this aired. I can't remember watching any Match Game shows, but, am now enjoying them on youtube these days.

[@acebrandon3522]

That un-mistakable voice of Johnny Olsen..... what an announcer he was. RIP, Sir.... Gene Rayburn what an excellent host he was also. RIP, Sir.

[@jdollinter]

Wow, this takes me back to early childhood, my foster Dad would come home from the shop for lunch after my Mom spent the morning doing her ironing watching these game shows, I remember the smell of her fabric softener, it smelled like a pink baby's blanket. Later the lunch smells of fresh perked coffee and soup, sandwiches, hard boiled eggs, pickles, green onions, radishes, Ernie liked hot things like those little yellow peppers that made your eyes water. We would listen to Paul Harvey on the radio..."This is Paul Harvey..good day" ! She would then read the mail she received from her grown Daughter back East who's husband was an AF jet mechanic . It's odd how an old game show theme can open a window on the past. Gawd, I'd give anything to revisit the early 60's, just for a day, to see my deceased folks again and be their little boy instead of the old man I am now. JD

[@TaliaGSings]

This was so awesome to read, thank you for deciding to share this 🙏🏼

[@rcschmidt668]

Paul Harvey was king of “the rest of the story.” I wish like you do.

[@terrybuckalew6874]

you sound precious

[@mehboobkm2018]

good old memories

[@allenjones3130]

The song "A Swingin' Safari", recorded by Bert Kaempfert and his Orchestra, was the theme song for the original "Match Game".

[@davebetts9843]

An interesting, somewhat serious version of what we would LOVE in the '70's. Gene was a natural for this kind of game show!!

[@Celluloidwatcher]

So much for the Seventies version of The Match Game which is played repeatedly on the Game Show Network, KZbin, and other venues. It's really great that the original version from the Sixties is being played on this medium, providing many more memories. Thanks for sharing.

[@designsonyouinparis]

Love this version! Brings back such sweet childhood memories!

[@prchristman]

I was in the Match Game audience in February 1968 (aired the next month or so), and to a then-15-year-old it was fun. The celebrity guests were Morey Amsterdam and Phyllis Newman. Two shows were filmed in the same day--about an hour and a half. At the start of the second show, Gene Rayburn commented that some of the audience members (unchanged from the first show, of course) looked very familiar. The set was a nice maroon and wood (not the same as in this pilot). I wasn't on camera at any point. Sorry for all this reminiscing, but this brought it back.

[@prchristman]

+Bob Frost I dimly remember that NBC taped the old Match Game at Rockefeller Center on Wednesdays and Fridays (3 on Wednesday, 2 Friday). And the bonus round, where some large number of people were supposedly surveyed, involved the answer of only one person or just a very few that the contestants had to match. It was easy to get tickets. No waiting list lasting for months on end.

[@4seeableTV]

+prchristman Now, most game shows will tape a week's worth of shows in one day. I went to see Wheel of Fortune a couple of years ago. They taped 2 shows before lunch with one audience, then 3 shows after lunch with another. So if they tape all week long, that's five weeks worth of programming. Very efficient.

[@prchristman]

+CrazyWedz I can't imagine them taping all week long. They'd be done with the year in three months or so. Anyway, it was great fun back in 1968 to see all that color on a show I watched on a 1952 back-and-white set.

[@prchristman]

+CrazyWedz Just a P.S. Gene Rayburn was the announcer on the Steve Allen program and participated in skits. Great way to gain comedy experience, and he showed it all the time.

[@4seeableTV]

+prchristman That's true.

[@40bpaula]

Oh wow! this is my first time ever seeing this episode. I loved it. Man, Rayburn was so young. I've got to find out when they hammed up the show to what i remember when i was a kid. that was fun to watch.

[@steve760]

1973. The revamped, raunchier Match Game debuted then, although it was still pretty tame for at least a few months.

[@scarsdale22]

I love these older shows. I was not in the USA at the time, but I sense the greatness, civility and class of this gear country. Terrific show

[@jvolstad]

I agree.

[@donaldmarcus9655]

Till the Communists got jealous decided to come in here and sneakingly buyout all the evil people

[@jackiehusein6267]

Wow!! What a blast from the past!! Before I was born!! Gene Rayburn classic.

[@rcschmidt668]

And even back then, it was a Mark Goodson/Bill Todman Production. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@genkatqltr737]

Wow, so that was the beginning. Gene looked like a kid. No comparison to what came later, in prize money or hi jinks! Thanks for posting.

[@SuperC888]

Dickie Dawson was so witty and charming. He was the best part of The Match Game ‘74,’75

[@stacyannnelson1586]

Wow this is so great seeing the humble beginnings of what match game has turned out to be. Great concept worked out the little ins and outs and ups and downs and stayed with the original Gene Rayburn. Thanks for posting this was a joy to watch.

[@jeanthibodeau8686]

stacyann nelson

[@huntonpeck]

Fascinating to see the origins of Match Game, one of my favourite shows in the 70's. Different format, and definitely less risqué than the version I grew up with.

[@fourpoint64]

you can see some of the similar things in family fued

[@UNOwen1]

Enjoyed seeing this, thanks. While this IS the pilot for Match Game, for those who Might not know, there've been around 5 iterations of the show. This - from '62-'69 - was the first. The one most people recall I's the iconic early 70's through the early '80's version. I love Peggy Cass, and for those who might not know, this version (as well as such series as ToTell The Truth), were filmed here in NYC - NOT LA. That's why there'd be a different group of 'celebrities' which could be used on series like these. I think Goodson-Todman were VERY smart to stay with Gene Rayburn as host for the 2nd, iconic version of Match Game, which is unusual, as when anything gets revamped, they usually start from a 'clean slate,' sets, rules... hosts - they almost always go & new everything's brought in. This is also why new versions almost always fail (esp. If they do this with a well-known & likes series), because the things which made the original popular are gone, & they're memory's are still close enough to irk people. This was the 'one-in-a-million' times it worked.

[@paulcooper8818]

Good comment

[@SuperC888]

A lot of the questions were written by Dick DeBartolo .. MAD magazine’s gag writer.

[@armorybrunotjr.3204]

I remember the original "Match Game" (1962-69) and the theme song, "A Swingin' Safari" by Bert Kaempfert. I like the panels that show MATCH followed by a ringing bell when the contestants and celebs are making a match. RIP, Gene Rayburn, Johnny Olson and Peggy Cass.

[@georgemaster689]

And to think that a good portion of the panelists would appear on the CBS 70s and PM versions and the daily syndicated shows.

[@SuperC888]

And Peter Lind Hayes

[@CoCotheTurtle]

@@SuperC888 A Jack Narz clone!

[@rtususian]

I don't remember watching this version, but I realize now I had to have watched it, but I do remember the theme song! It has been in the back of my mind since that time, but I had forgotten where I had originally heard it, it was this show! I was born in 1961 and in the late 1960s I went with my mom every 6 months into NYC for my eye doctor appointment at 39th Street and Lexington Avenue, usually around 10:30am. Then my mom and I would walk to the Grand Central Viaduct Ticket Office where we would choose free tickets to game shows that were being filmed that day! They were all arranged on a desk and we could choose whichever ones we wanted. We saw To Tell The Truth, What's My Line, Concentration, the original Jeopardy with Art Fleming, and so many more. Just a few short years later all those game shows moved to California. Nowadays only some soap operas are still taped in NYC, but of course they don't have audiences. Can you imagine if soap operas had a live audience? I think they would be much more popular again.

[@SuperC888]

So cool! Thanks for sharing these great memories:)

[@alexeimscruz2893]

Man, Gene Rayburn and Johnny Olsen go way back!!! Praise the Lord and thank the isolation for the binge wonder that is Match Game 👏😄👌

[@marygraham3189]

WOW. Who knew?! They improved it greatly over the years.

[@kristabrewer6736]

lol YEP

[@uncleruckus2974]

gene was 45 but looks so much younger thanks for uploading

[@jackmessick-noaafederal5671]

The pilot was taped the day before I was born. I can barely remember this version in color on television when I was 5 or 6 years old, but the catchy musical intro has stayed with me.

[@jeprice08]

So this is where it all began, huh? I like it! I don't care what anybody else says, I...LIKE...IT!!!

[@jeprice08]

***** Yeah!

[@jeprice08]

***** Is it possible for me to shake hands with you via keyboard? You see, I'm an old soul too!

[@jeprice08]

***** Shakes hand. :-)

[@zimjun7]

Keith Evers The contestants are much more relaxed here! A few were calm like the celebrities.

[@jeprice08]

zimjun7 That was 60s television, I guess! Not that there was anything wrong with it.

[@stevebieber8411]

Before my time, didn't know this existed, very cool! Love the electro-mechanical displays that flip when they "match" kind of like an old pinball machine. Also actually using your brain and remembering the $ value of the winnings in the bonus round (no displays).

[@joeygagliardi7380]

Wow,,, what a major change from the 70's version. However Gene could make any show a Winner. Did enjoy, but was before I ever could see this version. Thanks for all these enjoyable and descent Game Shows. They had such a touch of respect for themselves and others.

[@fscap811]

I was only 11 when the bw version was on, but I liked it. They sometimes had sports stars on (I remember Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford). But there was no way the old version could compare to the new one with 6 entertainers there who tried real hard to be funny. Even Gene was a lot more crazy than he was in the NY version.

[@charlesbear5867]

Gene was such a sexist. Couldn't stand him.

[@SuperC888]

**DECENT**

[@joeygagliardi7380]

@@SuperC888 That does not describe that hairdo. or wig,,,

[@therealhawkeyeii7888]

Wow! Never knew it went back that far. I remember watching it in the 1970s, but this is a good fifteen years before I started watching.

[@joelluis4988]

I've always wondered how it all started, this is definitely the best way to watch!

[@ccie12933]

Gene has one of those great microphones that also double as a wrench.

[@JeffChilds]

Gene always had the best microphones.

[@weatherboi]

I believe Alex Baldwin uses this same microphone Gene use in today's Match Game episodes

[@riverdealer]

amazing how much the game changed from the pilot to the current model

[@SuperC888]

It didn’t change too much. The premise is still the same. Your answer has to match studio audience. It just got a lot raunchier and racier. Things were pretty tame in 1963.

[@hcombs0104]

Gene Rayburn looks so young. He was, in fact, 44 years old at this point.

[@Jennifer_Lewis_Beach_Living]

Yes, Gene always looked younger than his age.

[@crystalheart9]

This is so funny, the earlier shows were so prim and proper. I think Gene really made this show when he was allowed to be himself and make the show much more entertaining. I don't think it would have lasted without him, he was a great host for Match Game. And I was 11 years old at the time of this pilot.

[@larrynemecek5746]

ALL shows were prim and proper. Seen the original "The Price Is Right" with Bill Cullum and the four players in suits and ties and nice dresses and Mr/Mrs on their placards?

[@glenslater8813]

@@larrynemecek5746 Bill CULLEN

[@vilstef6988]

Goodson-Todman shows were civil and uncomplicated and rather classy compared to their competition.

[@MsJanetLouise]

I thought this version was much better than the one of the 70's. I was a kid in the 70's and thought of him as a dirty old man...

[@vilstef6988]

To really put your head in a time warp watch What's My Line through most of it's run. I think most of it is available on KZbin. Well dressed panelists, some wit and always politeness. I think if one of the panelists cursed, John Daly would have personally given them the Heave-ho!

[@Exotic3000]

Americans had class back then! ❤ Great show!

[@douglasghiz1287]

R.I.P. Gene Rayburn

[@LimitlessThinker]

I remember this exactly! That music! I haven't heard it in decades! Brings me right back to my childhood.

[@hardlines4]

One of the greatest game shows ever

[@nancyhahn4182]

I love the old game shows! Thanks for uploading!

[@joeykardos7602]

I remember the original "Match Game" quite well! It was on NBC every day during my early childhood!

[@333ohmy]

Thanks for sharing this- I remember watching this in the early 60s. That music at the beginning is so memorable!

[@mrmjb1960]

It's "A Swingin' Safari" Played by Bert Kaempfert and His Orchestra! His version made #1 in the Easy Listening Charts!

[@Sheba531]

Billy Vaughan recorded it too

[@garyeisenberg9475]

@@Sheba531 Billy Vaughn's version is used in the pilot. In the 1964 shows that you can see here, it is Bert Kaempfert's version, and that was the one that had the longest run. On the day that Gene Rayburn's death was reported on the radio, it was "A Swingin' Safari" that was played in the background.

[@SuperC888]

What song did they use for the California match game ‘74?

[@vilstef6988]

This was from when I was eight years old. I first saw the game with regularity when I was ten.

[@omega311888]

wow! so different from the 70's one that i'm familiar and the 70's version was a VAST improvement! thank you for posting this :)

[@jacquievickers4579]

OMG Gene Rayburn looks sooo young! Wow.

[@patrickvecchio8138]

Gene Rayburn asks the guys “What do you do for a living” ? He asks the women,”Where is your home” ? Try that today.

[@toddburgess8285]

Patrick Vecchio also my first thought.

[@larrysintay4456]

Good days!

[@mrufino1]

Ha! I just said the same thing to my wife. Times have changed (thankfully)

[@EdsterIII]

@@mrufino1 Why thankfully? So that now even a joke can make you a outcast? Screw that. This SJW GARBAGE is a joke. If people weren't such pu$$ies the world wouldn't be in such chaos.

[@mrufino1]

Edster III I’m thankful that times have changed and women can make different choices. Not sure that that has to do with what you said. I’m not criticizing gene Rayburn, it was the way things were and I agree that people don’t have to be so sensitive to jokes.

[@stewartscarborough4608]

The times they are a changin. Notice he asked the men where they worked, and asked the women where their home is.

[@altfactor]

In the pilot, the celebrity captains on each team sat in the middle of the team's table. In the actual series, the celebrities were seated at one end of their team's table in such a way that the two celebrity captains sat next to each other. Peggy Cass was a regular celebrity panelist on "To Tell The Truth" in the 1960's and 1970's, which like "Match Game", was also produced by Goodson-Todman.

[@SuperC888]

You’re right ! There is a YT video with OrsonBean seated near Jayne Mansfield

[@thewordkeeper]

Good gracious. Every answer should have been Rudolph. The deer has a song named for him and a number of movies made about him. Lol! Here it is decades later and Rudolph still ain't gettin' "no" respect. I really enjoyed this version. I remember back in the 60s and 70s my mother and I binged on game shows; especially *_The Match Game, Password and The Price is Right,_* mom's fav.

[@ozneroll2132]

I still remember that tune after all these years....I was 4 when this show aired

[@8avexp]

I used to watch this version. In fact, I was on a tour of NBC Studios in Rockefeller Center in July of 1967 and we happened to walk by Studio 8-H, where this show was taped, just as a taping session was taking place.

[@bsteven885]

Why does Studio 8-H sound so familiar? Which other shows were produced there?

[@kevinfitzmaurice4072]

"Saturday Night Live," for one. And NBC News used it for years on election nights.

[@paulymac5513]

I remember that tune more than the game when I was a kid, my mom had the TV on all the time while cooking.

[@stenoch]

I remember this version of the game. It came on just after "You Don't Say" with Tom Kennedy. Both lots of fun for a schoolboy in the '60s.

[@johnluedtke5976]

Many of my friends didn't believe this show existed. They also weren't aware of the theme song SWINGIN' SAFARI!

[@zimjun7]

John Luedtke so THAT'S the name of it! thank you

[@garyeisenberg9475]

@ The version in the pilot is Billy Vaughn's. But Kaempfert's was the one used through most of the show's run. One of my most precious and enduring sets of childhood memories was watching "The Match Game" with my grandmother and hearing Gene Rayburn sign off with "This is Gene Rayburn, for The Match Game, saying so long!" followed by the playing of "A Swingin' Safari."

[@dadoctah]

I was aware of it, but it was only about 15 years ago that I found out the title. In fact, that's one of the main things I was hoping to find when I saw this clip come up in my Recommendations.

[@larrynemecek5746]

@@garyeisenberg9475 And then "You Don't Say" right afterward.

[@scotth.9170]

I loved the game shows from the sixties-Password, To Tell The Truth, You Don’t Say, Match Game and Jeopardy! I eventually got on Jeopardy!

[@CKC411]

I love the early tech on the show...raise hands when finished. Classic.

[@rubber20021]

great stuff! B&W Real TV, I do miss it a lot!

[@jackiecalhoun5815]

I I've always liked match game. Wanted to be a contestant but never knew how to get on. So I played along at home. Most times I got the right answer. Rarely missed. Even though it's no longer a daytime regular, only syndicated episodes I still watch it. But there's an episode I haven't seen; it's one where a contestant won her match and came on stage to play for the studio audience round wearing a shorts. She looked so good that Gene Rayburn could hardly contained himself. I would be very appreciative if that episode would show up. thanx GSN.

[@rogerscalf231]

They weren't shorts, they were " hot pants ".

[@heidifedor]

Well this is no fun, they’re all sober.

[@robertharkins5737]

First episode. The after party got wild I bet.

[@wiedep]

The 'sober' production was cancelled with weeks to run on the contract. Show staff decided to make changes and the show numbers improved, NBC reversed the cancellation and the rest is TeeVee history. See it here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHurenaBnJeAock

[@jamescowley1710]

greatest day in America....They're all sober...so enjoyable...

[@markjamesmeli2520]

Well...you never can tell.

[@SuperC888]

Unlike Brett !! 🥴😵‍💫

[@stillknower3544]

Wow, Johnny Oleson was announcer on this version too! And Gene looks at times here like he wants to adlib so bad!

[@kennethsouthard6042]

There was one Match Game from the 70s where Gene said that there was one time in his career where he did a game show where Johnny Olson was not the announcer and it went badly. It's obvious the two enjoyed working together.

[@SuperC888]

Olson is perhaps best known for his work as an announcer for game shows, particularly the work he did for Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions. Olson was the longtime announcer for the original To Tell the Truth and What's My Line?, and spent over a decade as the announcer for both Match Game and The Price Is Right, working on the latter series at the time of his death. RIP JOHNNY OLSON

[@blitzburghbilly7813]

Ooh Mr. GENE RAYBURN IF YOU ONLY (KNEW) 👈🏼 .... WHAT WAZ TO COME 11yrz. LATER.... ( KNUCKLE👊🏽BUMP ) Match Game 73

[@FarnhamJ07]

Pretty cool to see the origins of the Match Game! It's not bad by any means, but certainly not nearly as entertaining as the 70s version. Pretty glad television became a little less strict in what they allowed on air!

[@jpolar394]

I just love that Bert Kaempfert beat in the beginning of the show.

[@boopah4365]

It's been a very exciting game, one of the most exciting! ...pilot episode.

[@SuperC888]

Lol 😂

[@williampalenik7306]

Never knew that Match Game was on before I was born, I am used to the 70's version of the show

[@charlesyoung9980]

12:37. It's been a very exciting game, one of our most exciting games..... DUDE, IT'S THE PILOT LMAO!!!

[@SuperC888]

If this is exciting to you.. your life must be pretty boring!! Lol 😂 🥱

[@CapeCloud9]

10 years to the day before i was born...... pretty cool... :)~

[@kevansf]

What a wonderful pilot show. It really was a good game and Peggy Cass was a delight. I had never heard of Peter Lind Hayes, but he was great too. Gene looked so young, like he was 35 or something (although he was actually a bit older than that). I had to laugh at 12:38 when Gene said "It's been a very exciting game, one of the most exciting..." Since it was the first episode, it sort of had to be the one of the most exciting ones so far! (I know, he must have meant one of the most exciting TV games shows of all time, or something like that.) Still, at the moment, it struck me as unintentionally humorous. Finally, I was wondering how they were going to award the winnings. I figured each of the two "civilians" would get the amount won ($225 today). No way would they be so cheap as to divide it between the two teammates, I thought. Ha! They did divide it! Each winner walked away with 112.50! Too funny. This was actually a pretty good show, but not even in the same league as the now-classic "Match Game '7x".

[@beth2398]

One of my favorite game shows. I've been watching it on Buzzer, recently. Gene was cute here! Such a good host, too! Also, Johnny Oelson was there as an announcer!

[@SuperC888]

Olson is perhaps best known for his work as an announcer for game shows, particularly the work he did for Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions. Olson was the longtime announcer for the original To Tell the Truth and What's My Line?, and spent over a decade as the announcer for both Match Game and The Price Is Right, working on the latter series at the time of his death. RIP

[@markroberts9577]

You could identify this show to the later version. Glad that theme song was changed!!

[@AD-yi3qz]

Very cool. Thank you for posting.

[@thebambino4728]

Never even knew THIS VERSION EXISTED !!

[@shanemike3070]

I was thinking the same thing, I was born that year

[@thebambino4728]

@@shanemike3070 LOL - SO WAS I !

[@algeborusas1883]

No one was drunk and no double entendres!

[@bozsongz3652]

Gene showed (even in a pilot) what funny and relaxed host he always was.

[@laurelremington2056]

Gene looked so young in this episode!

[@SoJustCool]

I wish I could find episodes of Dough Re Mi, because my grandma whom I never met because she died when my mom was 15 was in it...and I never saw her before.

[@floyjoy]

Everybody had fun on this game show. Notice that Gene Rayburn asked the men contestants what do they do, and he asked the women contestants where do they make their home.

[@BeingRomans829ed]

This is the Match Game back before Charles Nelson Reilly, Fanny Flagg, Betty White, and every other answer was "boobs".

[@madmadhatter]

How funny that it started out so different!

[@stevenzwolinski3047]

Just started watching match game 74 on KZbin, i was born in 62 so this is a crazy coincidence ❤

[@tomitstube]

what a shame only 11 of 1760 episodes exist. all the stars they had on that show, all lost.

[@MrWolfSnack]

This is why it is important to save TV footage.

[@will89687]

NBC was terrible about saving its game shows. The biggest loss IMHO was the daytime Art Fleming Jeopardy.

[@davidbezer5011]

I found far more

[@will89687]

@@davidbezer5011 Like?

[@astro8585]

WIsh I could watch this without being so used to the 70s version which I watched when it couldn't be preserved on videotape or KZbin by the average person. Seems practically like Password, if you want to work out the precise variations be my guest. Great that we can still see this.

[@gtoger]

30 points to whoever can dub in a 60's version of the 70's Match Game theme while they're writing answers.

[@luisreyes1963]

The music used in the 70's version of Match Game was created by Score Productions.

[@boopah4365]

"The big winners!..what are you gonna do with your $ ?" "Well its enough to get me back home."

[@evonleue]

The theme song for the show back in these early days was "Swingin' Safari" by Bert Kaempfert & his Orchestra. In case you wondered...

[@ApartmentKing66]

Yeah, we knew, but thanks for the trivia.

[@kkakdugiman]

Honestly, I didn't know this show existed in the early 60s, which I didn't exist at that time.

[@joeygagliardi7380]

Wow the commercial was funny,, Bromo Quinine,, sounds like something that would be sold on the streets and snorted in this ERA.LOL!!

[@GoldwaterB]

Gosh, they shook hands! The old days!

[@bigred997]

can see why they changed the format. this could get boring very quickly.

[@newstarcadefan]

Surprsingly, they decided to play it for comedy when the suits had the same complaints. In fact on the re-make that is better known, the same happened, but it quickly was played for comedy as well.

[@leehope6948]

Agree totally. Once they sexed up the questions & had more comic celebrities on the show. It brought bought both Gene & the audience to life. These earlier ones are great to see, however, I agree the '70's ones were superior..

[@joerhoden4919]

They did have some foreshadowing with the 2 fill in the blank responses. Richard from Alabama (ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

[@SuperC888]

Heinz one of the sponsors STILL IN BUSINESS in 2022

[@tracybrooks5971]

Actually that lady that said Lassie is more point on than the rest, he didn't say 'breed' of dog....so I would have said Marmaduke! and what is up with Gene's microphone??? Thanks for putting this on here!!

[@40bpaula]

Yeah, I caught that too. i said Old yeller. i don't think marmaduke was around back then, was he?

[@stephenholloway6893]

He was around, since 1954. But speaking of Great Danes, Scooby Doo for example not yet.

[@johnscanlan9335]

I remember going down to Rockefeller Center to see a taping of the Match Game!

[@arthurcrunden6107]

I vaguely remember this show but definitely remember the theme song

[@davidmoore535]

This is wayyy back before I was born!!

[@hankaustin7091]

so? not sure of the point of your comment...

[@kingbee1500]

This is a copy of what was called a "Hot Pilot." It was made after the show was OK'd for purchase by NBC from Goodson-Todman Productions in late 1962. It's a bit more fleshed out with commercials so the affiliate GMs, PDs and Sales execs could see the ad spots in context with the show. Probably fed closed-circuit to NBC affiliates...never aired. Note that several technical positions in the end credits aren't filled yet! I believe "Match Game" started on NBC-TV in January '63.

[@BigBingFan]

I MUCH, MUCH prefer this version to the "Joke-a-thon" later version. Hope you can post many of these old "Match Game" Shows!

[@ablethevoice]

BTW The theme music was " A Swingin' Safari" recorded by Bert Bert Kaempfert and released a few months before the premiere of this show.

[@vilstef6988]

The instrumental which is the theme is a small hit from 1962 called Swingin' Safari.

[@frankdenardo8684]

I remember Peggy Cass as a panelist from To Tell The Truth. Along with Bill Cullen, Regis Philbin, Kitty Carlisle, Gene Rayburn,

[@madmadhatter]

This version shares more in common with Family Feud than Match Game. Interesting...

[@robertc2397]

The producer of this show was Jean R. Kopelman. The production coordinator was Dianne Hoffacher. Roselle Barnhard, Lenore Goldstein, and Audrey Davis were on the production staff.

[@amymanns8023]

Swingin' Safari by Bert Kaempfert , wow! Never seen Match Game from 1962, too tame for us that know it and love from the 70's

[@MRYHuskerfan18]

that mic that Gene has!

[@farpointgamingdirect]

I always find it interesting how different the classic game shows that I grew up with in the 70s differered from their original production. The original Price is Right had different gameplay as well

[@4seeableTV]

Looks like they lost Rayburn's mic, so they made one from scratch with spare parts.

[@ronflatter1235]

It was built so that when he wore it around his neck, it would not rub against his clothing and cause a scratching sound.

[@momichaux5054]

from a telegraph machine

[@rondmc44]

I remember that as 5-6 year old kid. I watched this to remind myself on how it looked like.

[@amandajstar]

Heh heh!

[@lennon1252]

I was searching for this theme song in my head for years.