Concentration RARE UNAIRED SHOW #8

[@scootover7]

I think Orson calling out the prizes in the bonus round slows things down. I'm glad they went with Alex and the Classic Concentration version. I'd like to see Classic Concentration get a revival

[@trekadam30]

Agreed.

[@trekadam30]

@LittleRockElevators Well, since comedians are game show now, Patton Oswald?

[@marcpower4167]

Orson also may throws some contestants off by doing that....that's not good.

[@christopherslappey1681]

Yes I Would Like To See Concentration Be Rebooted Back On NBC In A One Hour Format Taped Again At NBC Burbank Studios.

[@jrjgames]

@@christopherslappey1681 Since NBC Burbank doesn't exist anymore, I wouldn't hold my breath. ;)

[@markmatuga2595]

God bless Orson Bean in heaven.his legacy will never be forgotten.

[@marcpower4167]

Someone commented on another episode that he was on the show, according to him: in his game there was a match: MOTHER FATHER and another one: KISS PUCKER. By sheer accident he picked MOTHER PUCKER which got a huge laugh and rendered Orson speechless. Art btw, was also on the Bill Rafferty era of Blockbusters.

[@fredmckinney8933]

ROFL!!!!!!!!

[@marcpower4167]

Come to think of it, it's possible I mean they had TINKLING and DRIBBLE in the same game.

[@publisher73]

Fantastic. What an oddity this is. Given this is episode 8 of ten recorded, I have my suspicions why this was not a successful sell, but still fantastic to see.

[@InTheGame21]

There was a game like this on TV it wasn’t called concentration but it was on TV I watched it many years late 80’s 90’s

[@scoobydoo11111]

@@InTheGame21 Classic Concentration came back in 1987 and ran till 1991.

[@jeopardy60611]

The way they did the pairs in the main game was weird. It was more straightforward to have matching prizes like every other run of the show.

[@SchuminWeb]

Yeah, I suspect that the weird gameplay was a large factor in why this wasn't picked up.

[@MetroShadow1]

Orson must've been a hoot at parties. 😅

[@jrjgames]

I was lucky enough to know Orson and his lovely wife before he died and he was CHARMING and FUNNY & WITTY and spoke to you the first time as if he had known you for years. He was a delightful man and I was heartbroken when he died.

[@therealbrentrolland]

Thank you for this, Wink! Hoping to see all the rest of the pilots of the 10! 🤞🏾🤞🏾

[@17tubemaster]

This episode didn't do much to sell the show in that the $5,000 wasn't won yet again (this is the third of these pilots that I've seen and I've only seen it won once). Also, looks like the sound effects got picked up a couple of years later when Family Feud returned.

[@AdamJ617]

I have to assume this was taped at ABC studios based on how the sound effects sound.

[@matthewbaduria]

It became Classic Concentration soon later.with host alex trebek of Jeopardy and High Rollers fame.lasted 4 years on NBC.from 1987-91.

[@fredmckinney8933]

Interesting concept with matching famous pairs.

[@billbyers2344]

Not a big fan of the clue matches, glad they retooled it with prizes for Classic Concentration. RIP Orson Bean, Gene Wood and Alex Trebek

[@PGTransformed]

Had Orson Bean hosted Classic Concentration, I think it would have never lasted as long as it did when Alex Trebek hosted it.

[@VegasInsight]

Orson is very personable, but gets in the way of the game. Of course today that's what we want in a host.

[@trekadam30]

A personable host, yes. A host that gets in the way, no.

[@marcpower4167]

I agree, I'm sure he was a nice guy et al. But it seems like he's trying too hard to be funny here and it borders on obnoxious at times. I hear though he was very nervous and uncomfortable being a host so a little too much nervous energy maybe.

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

I love Orson but he's a little over the top here. All he has to do is tone it down a tad. Think Hugh Downes.

[@intellivisionmaster7999]

I agree with these comments. The host is pushing too hard with the schmaltz and getting a little too close to the contestants.

[@mrceleb2006]

Some sound effects were recycled from 'Family Feud' since this was perhaps taped at ABC in Hollywood!

[@viddykiddy18]

I've been noticing something from the two pilot the Winker uploaded. While the numbered tiles are computerized, the board is really not. For I can see the physical lights up close. Even the item, prize, star & wild cards are not computerized. They are just as physical as the board and the rest of the set. But remember, this is 1985, computer technology in game shows in still relatively new even it has been used for years thanks to (appropriately enough) Tic Tac Dough.

[@steve760]

Not that many years. The Wink Martindale TTD reboot premiered in 1980. :)

[@altfactor]

Orson Bean probably got the chance to hist this 1985 pilot because he had been a regular panelist on several Goodson-Todman game shows. But the matching of clues instead of prizes detracted from this show.

[@dougghiz8339]

R.I.P. Orson Bean, Alex Trebek, Gene Wood, Johnny Olsen & Jack Narz

[@reedberry]

Johnny OLSON

[@balboa77]

While you're at it RIP Art Fleming and Don Pardo

[@mhmrules]

Wow! TEN OF THEM???

[@JMFabiano]

I turned eight this day.

[@calzonemaniacsvideocorner0804]

Interesting that instead of matching prizes (as on the Narz Concentration and on Trebek's show), you matched related concepts to earn cash. I wonder if this would have carried over onto the actual program had it been picked up or if prizes would have been used instead.

[@AdamJ617]

I think Art was on the Rafferty version of Blockbusters in 1987.

[@dougcoffey7354]

I don't really like this version of Concentration because of matching connections to the words. I liked the versions where you find the matching prize cards.

[@armorybrunotjr.3204]

For years, "Concentration" always had prize cards and special cards like "Wild Card", "Forfeit One Gift" and "Take One Gift". I prefer matching prizes over matching words and phrases on the board. You're not alone.

[@bigblue9996]

So that’s where the Ray Comb’s Fast Money answer reveal sound effect came from.

[@KiddBloo86]

Trivia Trap actually.

[@tuxie1989]

I think the sound effect came from another game show, Trivia Trap

[@VegasInsight]

I'll bet nobody knows it was used on Trivia Trap!!!!!!

[@dirtyoldman7356]

@@VegasInsight I've known it since 1984

[@paulnguyen8910]

Recorded at CBS Television City, Hollywood, CA. $500 for finding two wild cards, or $1,000 if all three are found. Can be won upon solving solution. All contestants, who had been chosen before taping and advised of rules of the game, must meet eligibility requirements in order to win announced prizes. Mr. Bean's wardrobe provided by Botany 500.

[@danielmecca7999]

Why were they so sure they were being picked up that they filmed 10 episodes?

[@stevesobol9430]

Because, I imagine, if they did get picked up, that's two weeks of shows already in the can.

[@TLEberle]

No, pilots generally are not aired for game shows. If the company paid for studio space, may as well use all the time.

[@tyshaunmiles1973]

I'm sure these pilots are the reason the show that made air was called CLASSIC Concentration.

[@HunterPBrown]

Great rebus for today.

[@pookieizzy7]

I remember the theme song was on Body Language at one point as a prize theme. I don't think this was a bad version, it was more about putting together a person, place or thing in the form of a match. The Lightning Round had more time but yeah Orson slowed it down whereas Alex simply said 'no match' and it didn't shake up the player's momentum. There are just some things that flowed better than its pilot run. Orson wasn't a bad host per se, the energy he carries just felt a tad bit erratic but I can see why this version wasn't as good as the Trebek version.

[@JayTemple]

Ah, 1985, when old people were still allowed on game shows.

[@Uzumakipavel]

Basically, knowing that in 2014 you upload one of con'85 pilots, 2 down 8 to go?

[@suzannemarah7941]

The "winner" was terrible both times in the bonus round. How did she ever qualify for the show?It was torturing watching her playing during the bonus round. I was unable to watch the video to the end!!

[@TonyKanameKuran]

Recorded at ABC Television Center (The Prospect Studios) in Hollywood.

[@jdbarker32]

I swear this set is so dated. It looked like something out of the early 70s.

[@LogoMan7777]

It works better with matching prizes.

[@trekadam30]

Agreed. But, at the same time, I like how it's more thinky.

[@psalm37v4]

Exactly. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it! I wish they had gone back to the original premise of 30 tiles, but oh well.

[@JerseyJoe50]

The graphics & set are cool, but the main game needs prizes to match. A puzzle in a puzzle for a few hundred bucks would get old fast. It was cool to see another episode of this unaired version. At least they took the best parts of this for the NBC Trebek version.

[@RichCale]

Nice set, and personally, I like how this bonus round was done. Not a fan of how the matches were done in the main game. Leaves for possible multiple matches on one word or clue.

[@semplenyc]

Overall, I’m really happy that they scrapped this version in favor of the Trebek version of Concentration because the main game is pretty confusing. Sticking with the matching prizes concept is easier and more attractive to play. The “connection” approach makes it seem like the players are just randomly selecting squares while solving the rebus puzzle. The set looks dark and cramped in comparison to the actual version and the red reminds me of the old school “The Jokers Wild” (don’t ask me why). However, I will admit, I like the cash approach to the game. The end game with the prizes is meh but the cars in the Trebek are better and looks more alluring and interesting.I don’t know many games that gives away an assortment of cars in the end game (except for shows like the 70s Split Second with Tom Kennedy for example). The host has his entertaining moments but again, thank god for Alex Trebek.

[@semplenyc]

... and why does the timer for the end game sound like an alarm on my old electric clock? Sorry for the nit picking

[@ajk]

You could kind of see this in the first puzzle actually. "Is that a match, I don't know.", for Monster and Godzilla. That shouldn't happen. It should be very clear what is or isn't right on a game show, and for a show like this, it seems to me it was too open ended on what could be or couldn't be. Not good. You don't want a lot of confusion.

[@vinniemystery563]

SORRY BUT I LIKE THIS VERSION I COULD SEE THIS ON BUZZER

[@anotherguy2741]

I like the regular game except I think it would have been better with dollar amounts behind the numbers and might have been a good way to go with in the Trebek version. But I still like the bonus round with the cars in the Trebek version better.

[@stevesobol9430]

I'm sure Orson was an absolutely wonderful person, but three and a half minutes in, I decided not to watch any more. A good host lets his contestants shine, and Mr. Bean seems to need to be the center of attention.

[@TFLS]

I can understand why this didn't sell. Having no prizes during the regular round and no car was a big sell FOR me to watch it. Also the sound effect for the clock is very annoying.

[@KrakenMan5853]

After now seeing three of these pilots for the 1985 version, I do prefer playing for cash as opposed to prizes. I could imagine two ways to play it this way. Either by matching different cash amounts or by the use of theme games where players matched words or names associated with a category for a single amount each. Trying to pair related words like Bugs and Bunny or Hamlet and Ophelia, while trying to solve the puzzle, is too much work for the contestant. (continued)

[@KrakenMan5853]

For the bonus game. If you play the two game format, play it like the New $25K Pyramid. Have the players match the same set of dollar amounts totalling up to $1K in a similar matching pattern but scrambled. If both players split the two games, high scorer wins the day and returns tomorrow. Sweep both games, and you play for double bonus money or, for Classic Concentration, play for one of the cars.

[@Lupton2000]

Day it was taped was when Wink's last Tic Tac Dough aired.

[@maniacmedia]

This shows more than anything why Orson was a great panelist. As a host? Not so much.

[@davidwayneprins]

This format absolutely sucked. Not only did you have to remember where the "other half" in the pair was, but think what things would go together. The 7 pairs/15 tiles bonus game definitely worked better with cars and the last pair matched was the vehicle won.

[@seandenny339]

I’m rooting for art but I don’t think he’s gonna win

[@gordonbeattie4864]

Not nearly as slick as Alex's version was, or even Jack's 70s run. Orson was too hyper for the game, the matching words made the game too complex and the champion was TERRIBLE at the bonus rounds!

[@drewconway7135]

I’d never hit a woman, but her total lack of strategy and abysmal performance in the bonus might inspire me to ask another woman to shake her.

[@gordonblack4920]

This version sucks.

[@ronaldcarmony3068]

I don’t like this version at all so thumbs down 👎

[@markjones1184]

I thought Orson was good.