Blockbusters: The First Episode (1 of 4)

[@riceboy1701e]

Damn shame that GSN has all but abandoned the classics like this one. Thank goodness for people who post these wonderful little gems for us to enjoy!

[@wturner777]

Well at least there's a network called Buzzr, owned by Fremantle, that shows all the classic game shows non-stop.

[@AaronBruceLadner]

WOW! The Players hit those Buzzers with Such Great Enthusiasm.

[@aaronbruceladner1983]

When BLOCKBUSTERS Came to the UK in 1983, The Top and Bottom Sides of the Board were White, and the Left and Right Sides were Blue.

[@BenJabituya]

One of my favorite game shows hosted by Uncle Bill.

[@AaronBruceLadner]

My Favorite Thing about Blockbusters is the Game Board.

[@artytoons]

A rare shot of Bill Cullen walking on camera. Cullen walked with a limp from a childhood case of polio and was never shown walking on camera in most of the game shows he hosted. He was usually standing or seated at his host podium during the game show introduction scenes.

[@AaronBruceLadner]

@Novetrix This Original Version of Blockbusters premiered in 1980. The Revival premiered in 1987.

[@holydiver73]

I'm English and not wanting to sound like a traitor, I agree with you. Americans not only created these great shows but it always seemed better. Your cash Prizes were MUCH larger for a start. I remember High Rollers who gave the contestants a choice of one of 12 really good cars. We Brits were offered an Austin Metro like it or not. I do, however, think we had the edge when it came to hosts. Bob Monkhouse RIP, was our version of your Bob Barker and we did give you Richard Dawson RIP.

[@ALoserIsFred]

I wish they would bring this back to the US. They brought it back to the UK.

[@supergamer7473]

We do appreciate these shows. Some just have longer runs than others. It works both ways though. There have been shows that were sholt-lived overseas, but a hit here.

[@ILOVETHEWHAMMY]

I think this game would work on todays tv line up!

[@GameShowFanMan]

Yes, there were two runs of the American edition. This one ran from 1980-1982 with Bill Cullen and again for a few months in 1987 with Bill Rafferty. The show suffered the same fate: not appreciated in the States but a hit in other countries. When will Americans learn to appreciate these shows?

[@DorvellTStewart]

This game show is from the 80's, and Bill Cullen is now dead. R.I.P Bill!

[@tomservo56954]

I understand England had laws limiting the value of prizes that could be given away on game shows, that weren't changed until the 1990's.

[@ChadQuick270W]

Nice to see an episode that is not time compressed and credit crunched. Watch an episode on GSN and see how dang fast the opening theme goes. Bill was 60 years young at this time but still his genial self and a great host as always. Thanks so much for posting this.

[@RealTime88]

@kes1963 I agree one million times over. I read Bill received an Emmy nomination for this show.

[@JeopardyandWheelFan]

@kes1963 I agree with you, man. This was Bill Cullen's best show ever.

[@Hawqis1]

sounds like he broke his fingers

[@Novetrix]

I notice the not-so-digital gameboard, yet some of the transition effects are clearly computer-animated. What year was this? And what year was the newer version with the fully-digital board? I believe they used an Amiga 500 for controlling the system.

[@aaronbruceladner1983]

This was 1980, and the Letters on the Board were Slide Projections. The Computer Generated Board Came, When BLOCKBUSTERS was Revived in Early 1987.

[@taratupa73]

Agreed. Those greedy jerks butcher these shows so that they can cram in more commercials.

[@PhilipWester]

Tom did NOTHING. Didn't even attempt to answer a single one.

[@AaronBruceLadner]

Q: What "M" is the Fast Food Restaurant which features a Red Haired Clown named Ronald? A: McDonald's

[@johnissoevil]

Bill's return to Goodson-Todman after several years with Bob Stewart.

[@jerrybonds1995]

Rich Fields:This is battlefield for our American favorite game of speed and strategy these the letters who lead to victory GSN Blockbusters begins start onnnnnnnnnn... right now, with the star of Blockbusters, Sam F.Kennedy.

[@JonBushell]

Pinched from a UK show and summed down for US.

[@HarlemHyena]

@jablejam You flipped it. Blockbusters was first created here in the USA. It was more popular across the pond. You're welcome.

[@TheMidknightryder13]

WHAT does THAT mean?

[@mistofoles]

Are these guys for real?

[@christinacc08]

Blockbusters guest host ruff ruff tweet and Dave

[@mrmatchgame]

yes

[@BradersVal]

wtf is this? where is Bob Holness? didnt know there was an american version aswell

[@AaronBruceLadner]

BradersVal That's Bill Cullen.

[@riceboy1701e]

@storrs19 feh...who needs GSN anymore?

[@DENo1MatchGameFan]

@storrs19 One of the many reasons I don't watch that network anymore! Plus no more great G/T shows like this one!

[@livinthemoment]

Rebecca