Family Feud 1987 - Ray Combs Pilot

WTXF-DT4 Allentown/Philadelphia (UHF Channel 38)
A Mark Goodson Television Production
Courtesy: FremantleMedia North America
Original Air Date: June 1, 2016; VTR: August, 1987
Part of BUZZR's 1 year anniversary special
Watch Family Feud on BUZZR
Weekdays at 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM
Sundays at 5:00 PM
For more information, visit buzzrplay.com

[@gina5565]

I loved Ray Combs. He was funny, sweet and smart. I remember him so well.

[@dr.alexander7039]

Crazy fact: Both Ray Combs and Richard Dawson died on the same exact day of June 2nd only 16 years apart from each other. Rest In Peace to both iconic hosts.

[@terrycanada3978]

Yeah that’s actually really strange considering that he lost his job when Richard came back to the family feud and then three years later he commits suicide… on June 2nd his estranged wife’s birthday. Spooky 🎃

[@Glennswo]

Ray Combs was very funny I wish Buzzr would show his shows along with Richard Dawson episodes RIP Ray

[@damienchance3153]

I agree

[@wturner777]

They do now.

[@videogamer004]

my how time passes hah. 2 years later and we just came off of an anderson/combs feud marathon.

[@danielsamuels5857]

Yeah, but just the 1980-81, 84-85, 88-89 and 89-90 seasons. Anyone besides me still wish Buzzr will show the 1994-95 season?

[@ChoiSeongYT]

I Agree Too.

[@JukeboxJoeB]

We love you Ray! Always the #1 host in my book! So sad the way things turned out in the end.

[@JoshColletta]

Oh, this brings back memories! Ray was such a great Feud host. Even in his pilot episode, it was so obvious he was the right choice for the role. I'd like to think that If we had anything close to adequate mental healthcare back then (or now, for that matter), he might still be with us.

[@ClapHurts]

Been wanting to see this forever! Ray is my favorite host funny hearing him shouting the answers instead of saying show me

[@Lola-gl9rl]

Paco Caballero he was my favorite too. Totally underrated.

[@palmbeachasmr]

Ray Combs was an awesome host of Family Feud. I love it when he makes sure that everyone has a turn in guessing the answers.

[@kewanw16]

The original Family Feud sign from the 1976-1985 era .

[@bradhamilton4405]

I was extremely shocked when I heard ray combs committed suicide in 1996! Rest In Peace Ray combs

[@TheSaltydog07]

😢

[@pinedelgado4743]

We miss you, Ray Combs!!! You are IRREPLACEABLE!!!

[@leighlahcrum9346]

He his. By Steve Harvey.

[@whittymadness3427]

Yup

[@boogitybear2283]

I had the honor to shake his hand when he hosted the show at Opryland in Nashville. I sure do miss him. He was so nice!

[@ummhussein1]

Such a vibrant person so sad he’s gone

[@worldwide4376]

@@leighlahcrum9346 Both Richard Dawson and Ray Combs were original Family Feud hosts.

[@mphlohi]

Ray Combs was the best Family Feud host, will always love him. He's entertaining up in heaven I'm sure. The equally irreplacable Alex Trebek just joined him up there, along with all the other game show legends up there, Mark Goodson, Merv Griffin, Dick Clark, Rod Roddy, Johnny Olson, Peter Tomarken, Jim Perry, Regis Philbin, Bill Cullen, Tom Kennedy, Johnny Carson, Art Fleming, Richard Dawson, Gene Rayburn, Orson Bean, Ed McMahon, Charles Nelson Reilly, and so much more. May they all be forever happy, joyful, and entertaining up there.

[@riley1049]

Bob Barker as well, having just died on August 26, at age 99.

[@phalynwilliams4119]

I always liked those old fashioned intros. It was fun seeing families pose like they are taking a picture 🤳 and then they suddenly jump up ⬆️ and start cheering 📣.

[@danamaderas3382]

Actual family photos were used! 😮

[@therealbrentrolland]

YES! Thank you for airing/posting this!

[@frankcook4959]

I personally wish they kept the set like this. It was more in line with the original one.

[@danielr4640]

Me too Frank

[@danielr4640]

I don’t know if Steve Harvey would of liked it

[@ShamrockParticle]

Ever since 1994, the set has never looked quite right.

[@bluebear1985]

By the looks of this pilot, I'm not sure if they originally intended to have a network version as well, due to the name of the distributing company mentioned. There were obviously a few differences compared to what actually made it to air, such as set colours and one of the sound effects, but other than that, it's pretty much the same game we all love.

[@bobbyshaddoe3004]

Ray was such an awesome host. I was shocked to hear how he died. I was also shocked at how CBS shafted him to bring back Dawson.

[@robtheoutsider]

CBS had cancelled the daytime version by that point. The ones doing the shafting were the distributors of the syndicated version and Mark Goodson’s son who had taken over the business after his passing.

[@zt1053]

@@robtheoutsider it failed big time. Family feud was canceled within a year

[@robtheoutsider]

@@zt1053 They should have let the show die with dignity instead of trying to save face by bringing back Richard Dawson.

[@SP84Fanatic]

Such an interesting hybrid between the ABC days and what would come in the summer of 1988.

[@StriderKyanzaki]

and to think ABC almost had it, but rejected it and CBS snatched it in the fall of 1988

[@paullarue2010]

CBS had this show, back in 1988.

[@MadMikeSportsYT]

@@StriderKyanzaki ABC rejected this pilot?

[@danielsamuels5857]

@@MadMikeSportsYT Possibly. Maybe that's why the Feud didn't return to ABC until 2016.

[@unknown-kh7dg]

That's 2015!

[@suzanned.5176]

Ronald Regan was being brought up in present tense...wow, how much time has passed and changed. People seemed a lot smarter back then.

[@pinedelgado4743]

Ray Combs was the BEST "Feud" host--EVER!!! Dawson, Anderson, and Harvey don't even come close!!! Thanks lots for posting!!! :)

[@TheEggplantThatAteChicago]

Thank you for making this available! Ray seems to have loosened up between the pilot and the series.

[@blessedmslady7016]

I was 18 😘 God rest Ray Combs soul🙏

[@jtmal0723]

It's interesting to note that the digitized board (the board shown for the fast money) goes as slow as it was during Dawson's run. It got sped up/upgraded when the show was re-picked up for the CBS run.

[@ccouthen_gaming]

Favorite host ever! SURVEY SAID!

[@PhirePhlame]

What a vibrant set!

[@MrJgreig72]

He was a great host.

[@sahmomof2boyz828]

My absolute favorite host!! Brings back memories

[@JohnSmith-4U]

Ray Combs did a good job during his run on this show

[@Student____2025__1]

Ray Combs was the best host. Kept things fun, funny and snappy.

[@travelsonic]

15:22 "I'm never staying in a hotel room with you!" HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@Anthony_Spilotro]

Ray Combs was the best host for this show in my opinion.

[@redwingsfan3621]

I luved Ray too but Richard was Family Feud gold.

[@zt1053]

@@redwingsfan3621 when they fired ray tp bring back Dawson the show was canceled within a year

[@yama5182]

I really enjoyed Ray...he didn’t waste time trying to be amusing. He let them play the damn GAME!! I miss that...👍

[@LinkRocks]

@L.S R.S Ray did that too, just not on the pilot.

[@megamanj2004X]

Even Ray's hair looks different here too! :)

[@drinkinglotsofsoda]

Mullet!

[@bduddy55555]

It sounds like a few of Ray's lines were inserted in editing...

[@TheSaltydog07]

Rest in peace, dear Ray Combs. 🌹

[@shawno.8322]

Ray did a great job. The people he worked for did him dirty.

[@nicholasbruno9497]

Cool to see the leftover Dawson-era set pieces used. Interesting to heard some slightly different sound effects. Shame the whole $10 per point in fast money was never carried over! Even to this day FF is still awarding $5 per point if the winning family doesn’t win the fast money! It’s 2021, not 1981!

[@KiddBloo86]

This made my day! :)

[@worldwide4376]

IMO, the rank of Family Feud host in order from best to worst is: #1 Richard Dawson (the only man who ran the show from start to finish) #2 Ray Combs (the high-pitched man and currently used music) #3 Richard Karn (most people loved the music and his joke) #4 John O'Hurley (informative Feud host) #5 Steve Harvey (high ratings of the show, but too much controversy and filthy disgusting answers) #6 Louie Anderson (no Double points in Round 3, Triple round with one-strike rule and no 300 points format)

[@moonchildluvsbobcrane]

I remember watching this at night with my grandma. May Ray rest in peace.

[@jmiller297]

LOVE the set!!! #SomuchRED ;-)

[@JarvisBrodie]

J Miller It's beautiful! I know that in the early days of Game Shows like The Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, and Jeopardy!, there was a lot of Red, Orange, Tan, Gold, and Brown in their set color schemes! :)

[@junkaholic95]

I can't help but notice a lot of overdubs when Ray calls for answers. I wonder what that was all about.

[@someguy23475]

I think he originally yelled the answers like Dawson did. For some reason they decided to edit and subdue this.

[@georgef551]

That bell sounded sour. Glad it was restored to the original sound for the actual reboot.

[@californiahummus]

I can't believe he said Ontario and still got 3 points for it.

[@travishurt9005]

Ray Combs and Richard Dawson are irreplaceable hosts of Family Feud as both were really good in their own ways of hosting.

[@Ashalmawia]

"this is no place for politics, we're trying to make fun of a man here" lol

[@RetroMuseumTV]

Great memories of the 80s thanks

[@johnissoevil]

Many set parts had carried over from the Dawson version but would be replaced when the show went to series on 4th of July 88

[@IvoryM1986]

Also, the pass or play option was there for these pilot remakes but was eliminated altogether by the premiere of the actual remake and the "0" appearance carried from the ABC/syndicated run and the Family Feud Challenge pilots and the eggcrate clock used here also wasn't used in the actual remake.

[@adithya_2001]

1987 season was the only times when Ray Combs asks the players who got the top answers to pass or play that round, cause in his next season, the players that who got the top answers will automatically be playing that round. The former format was re-applied from Anderson's era onwards.

[@sparkweaver]

"Hello 'I like'. What is your last name?" "MANDIC"

[@jsb0714]

Strange. I believe the Dawson pilot had a family named "Madvig".

[@whittymadness3427]

Yup! Against "speir"

[@worldwide4376]

the 1987 music was current version since 2008

[@williesealsiii1665]

Actually they started reusing this theme in mid 2003 during the Richard Karn years.

[@alexanderpytko5394]

My girlfriend said that her favorite host of the show was Ray Combs. She liked to watch the show when she was a little girl but always got freaked out about Richard Dawson kissing every woman... ON THE LIPS! Ray kept his lips to himself. She didn't think Louie Anderson was too good, either. She thought Richard Karn was alright and John O'Hurley was, too. John O'Hurley happens to be her mother's celebrity crush. But she hates Steve Harvey but what she hates more about Family Feud these days is that there are too many questions that are sex related or are more than bound to have sex related answers. The show has become unfit for kids to watch since Steve Harvey became the host. Family Feud used to be Rated G, now it seems to be rated PG, PG-13 and even R. I agree.

[@ghettogadget206]

Scifi763 you and the original commenter might not be racist but you in particular are using some Pretty strong racial code dog whistles

[@venator0405]

@@ghettogadget206 muh 'dog whistles', truly my man you're giving yourself away as a boomer libtard too easily.

[@SoupBone-bp1qk]

@Lone Wolf - that wasn't remotely funny. You should be ashamed of yourself.

[@SoupBone-bp1qk]

@Scifi763- you don't have to like Steve Harvey, that's fine. He isn't my favorite host either and I do agree with the original commentator that the questions have gotten too sexually suggestive but to say things like "thugged" wasn't necessary that is the point Mr. Cavett was making. Also Mr. Harvey doesn't come up with the questions. As the host his job is to ask them.

[@SoupBone-bp1qk]

@Lone Wolf - take it or not, that's your choice; it was freely given and much needed.

[@Azwel]

who steals paintings and tv's from hotels. That family really failed that last question.

[@mistress9sama]

I was dumbfounded at television. We're not talking OLED 8K screens here but those super heavy CRT ones that can break people's backs during moves! Thank goodness no one hired this family to be cat burglars.

[@samimas4343]

teeth? jewelry? those were the innocent old days. and the front board. lol

[@elizabethramirezsierra3700]

Rest In Peace, Ray Combs, the second Family Feud host 1956-1996

[@zeeboss2762]

Now we just need BUZZR to air the Dawson Pilot! (If they ever get it)

[@meligarcia8398]

I love you ray.number 1 family feud host

[@verlinden80]

This pilot was played more like the Richard Dawson versions. Definitely made sum changes b4 the cbs premiere

[@KiddBloo86]

Hamzah Elsulayman Even to the point Ray doesn't say "show me" before every answer.

[@jessyleppert2]

Ray originally was supposed to host Classic Concentration

[@darkenergy410]

awesome episode love the ending

[@jiggajivin]

I was upset I couldn't find family feud with Ray on tv anymore!

[@jameschristiansen5526]

I notice I seen is the family not answering huddled up to try to figure out an answer for some reason they did not do that or were not allowed to in the later version.

[@Videokid703]

JAMES Christiansen I think they couldn't think of something they still do it in later versions

[@LinkRocks]

@@Videokid703 They didn't huddle in the Combs version. Ray went to each person for an answer, then asked the head of the family to decide what to do.

[@rendragmedia]

Ray hosted his first series of shows wearing a lavalier (clip-on) microphone. He did the remaining shows of his stint using a hand-held mic.

[@kingchrisl89]

This was supposed to be the 1987-88 season set, had they started a year beforehand.

[@alexanderpytko5394]

If Family Feud took submissions from fans here's what I'd submit, "Besides Superman, name a superhero that has both the colors red and blue." But they probably already made that question or something similar.

[@jonsmith4238]

3 people, 4 including the contestant, thought Ontario is a city in Canada?

[@pem1974]

To be fair, Ontario is also a city in Southern California. Sounds like an honest mistake.

[@roryfitzpatric]

@@pem1974 Also, Ontario is an entire province in Canada, its capital is Toronto.

[@mistress9sama]

Tells you how much the US knows about Canadian geography even though we're just a cross of the border.

[@natev1855]

Imagine that question being asked today's time? There would be so many answers up there in 2022

[@brenthenderson3983]

I liked Ray Combs, he was personable , spunky, with some humour, he never really got a fair shake, people couldn't get over the fact that he wasn't Richard Dawson, which is why they convinced him to return, but he was a married, boring old man, so that didn't last long. Dawson and Combs beat the hell out of Steve Harvey...sheesh.

[@alexsdb9712]

Steve Harvey last place, just no comparison. I don't even consider him due to level of professionalism and connection factor, but also because Harvey has another show which associates him more with.

[@nicholasbruno9497]

Fun to hear Ray yell all the answers like Richard Dawson!

[@johnrowley3140]

"Name something found in a jail. BARS!" Well yeah the inmates gotta drink I guess! 😜

[@joaquimpayne1774]

Miss you

[@franciscoramos9167]

Happy birthday to buzzr

[@brendancrowley3859]

My neighbor’s dad looks like Ray Combs

[@nextbarker2702]

Ray you left us WAY to soon.

[@youbetcha6880]

The 82-year-old dad would be 115 now.

[@redwingsfan3621]

He’s still alive. Dude was in great shape.

[@irishyouwereherewithme]

So sad that he couldn’t deal with life. Money problems can get to be devastating.

[@Gamebox27]

Steve Harvey, Ray Combs, Richard Dawson, louie Anderson, that guy from Seinfeld

[@chuckers40]

John O'Hurley

[@melissamadden3171]

Miss you ray combs see you again soon love nothing but love

[@meowkitty5588]

22:26 Distributed by LBS Communications Inc was syndicated.

[@rodneyadderton1077]

Ray was the best.

[@jasonduke6003]

The hosts of Family Feud in order from best to worse: 1. Ray Combs 2. Steve Harvey 3. John O' Hurley 4. Richard Dawson 5. Al Roker (season 1 of Celebrity Family Feud) 6. Richard Karn And the WORSE host of Family Feud is... 7. Louie Anderson

[@pinedelgado4743]

Jason Duke, I'd actually put Steve Harvey DEAD LAST. He and his questions have desecrated the FEUD.

[@drewski1535]

I feel Richard Dawson is number one he was the one who bought Family Feud to life and had amazing energy and Ray Combs second both of them were the only ones who kept the energy of Family Feud going

[@DM-ty4jb]

Better a Trump supporter than a Bernie or Hillary supporter.

[@Lava1964]

Richard Dawson fourth? No way. He was the best.

[@LinkRocks]

@@DM-ty4jb Grow up.

[@AdriennevsUncleJamesWashington]

Happy birthday 🎂, Annie VS Ray Combs

[@fredkaplan9720]

Great Game Show Host❤😂

[@sarahboisvert1894]

Poor guy. So upsetting to think how it turned out

[@irishyouwereherewithme]

I’m watching old episodes of Family Feud & is anyone else annoyed that so many times he wouldn’t tell us the #1 answers at the end?😟

[@bradgearly]

Ontario's not a city. It's a province! He should've said Toronto or Vancouver or Calgary or Winnipeg.

[@jsciarri]

Actually my first answer would have been Quebec, but I'm stunned some people think Ontario is a city.

[@Quartzquiz333]

Archie Bunker at least Quebec IS a city in Quebec!

[@BlueCPR-jl2qn]

Can't believe 3 people actually said Ontario

[@AaronJrBrundidge]

@@Quartzquiz333 Montreal in Quebec

[@williesealsiii1665]

Ontario is also a city in California.

[@mistress9sama]

Seriously, for the longest time I thought Ray Combs was the original Family Feud host as I remembered watching him in most of the time in my childhood. Richard Dawson was before my time but now watching the old clips, I wouldn't have felt comfortable watching him even back in the day. Man, that sucked that the producers booted Ray off just give it back to him? So unfortunate Ray took his own life when he was charming; all this time I just thought he just decided to step away from the limelight. And then all the other hosts are meh and have lost interest for decades. Steve Harvey's now the current host and I'm slowly watching it again but it's not the same vibe at all. Ray's days were the best as it was to me the most G rated version. The questions in the current version are definitely not appropriate and degraded the quality of the show... and most of the contestants are SMH (the celeb ones are fine; still like RuPaul's team the best!). I still don't understand the hype about Dawson; I don't feel he exudes charisma and even as an easygoing person myself, his level of touching in a game show was excessive (Bob Barker is okay by my standards)

[@ilikemyowncomments4114]

Ray Combs and John O'Hurley my favorite hosts. Dawson I could tolerate and Harvey I can't stand.

[@DM-ty4jb]

Same here. I also couldn't stand Louie Anderson and loved Richard Karn.

[@whittymadness3427]

I'm sticking to harvey

[@wintercrush554]

I agree that Ray Combs was the best Family Feud host. I also think Richard Karn did a good job as well.

[@redwingsfan3621]

Dawson by far the best.. Harvey the worst.

[@alexsdb9712]

It's great to see almost a consistent view and placement-ranking by people and fans regarding the Family Feud hosts. Harvey is definitely last, with a big gap. It's not just his lesser professionalism and lesser-connection level, but it's also that the game show, like most things in the mainstream today, is of poorer quality and lacking a type of refinement.

[@bigjawed]

How this show changed when Steve Harvey took over, I can’t believe the board was mechanical until CGI kicked it’s ass.

[@someguy23475]

The board went CGI in 1994 when Dawson came back. I miss the mechanical board.

[@gfolkins1]

I can't believe they did that question about Ronald Reagan, and I'm not even American.

[@LisaDawnn]

I thought the same thing. Even though I believe respect is earned, there should be a modicum of public respect for sitting presidents. Hollywood is very diabolical........and sadly very influential too.

[@RealPhilGames]

You guys should get 80’s episodes of The Price Is Right, that’s where you’ll get the most attention from

[@JasonDelarosa2000]

And they did 🎉

[@ReallyStrongGuy]

Yana was very serious and thorough on her first answer!

[@ABCEasyas--]

5:35 13:18 both sounded like they were dubbed in post

[@gdi9320]

CBS Daytime - WIVB channel 4 Buffalo aired in Toronto as well 10:00AM - Family Feud 10:30AM - Wheel of Fortune 11:00AM - The Price is Right

[@nicholasbruno9497]

What is up with all the bad Ray Combs voiceover edits when he shouts all the answers???

[@jerrysgardentractorsengine2243]

Question: “name any Canadian city” Contestant: *names a province*

[@donwilliams7561]

Why did Ray didn't ask the person on face off about pass or play on the airing series when he was hosting Family Feud,Richard Dawson;Lourie Anderson,Richard Karns,John Hurley and Steve Harvey'verison.They always asking the family.Ray was only ask the families pass or play.only when he was doing Family Feud unaired pilot.

[@mrnobody2683]

I'm sorry your story ended so soured You had great promises left unfulfilled

[@mrnobody2683]

0:05 0:14 Also SONIC FOR HIRE RUINED THIS

[@michellenorman2600]

The 80s hair! Lol😂

[@jakesmith6233]

Richard Dawson picked a perfect host after he left.

[@DanknDerpyGamer]

2:37 "Mr. Goodwrench Politician?" "Right." "I'd like to slap you right now, Bob." 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@PhayzinOut]

"You're shorter than me" "It's my show" 🤣

[@DanknDerpyGamer]

@@PhayzinOut 🤣 🤣