Match Game 77 - Dawson Meltdown

[@limpnjen]

All of those celebrities on the show seemed a lot more interesting and endearing than the plastic celebrities we have today.

[@Oldcarnut63]

So true 👍👍

[@kathleenstrittmatter6895]

And the contestants look like regular people. Now contestants look like they all want a recording contract.

[@Habanero212]

Maybe you're just a geezer. The good ol' days weren't that good boomer.

[@jayngb]

Yeah bcuz every single celebrity nowadays has plastic surgery and no personality…

[@stephenfournier1936]

Very well said, best days gone by.

[@spockboy]

I've watched MANY of these. Richard Dawson really cared about the contestants winning. He was completely invested.

[@richardoconnor2560]

Richard was always rooting for the contestant when he gave an answer - cool!

[@IVR02]

I love how, at one point, the man on the buzzer activates the "OVER" horn from The Price Is Right.

[@midnightrun5622]

That might have been the network censorship horn.

[@DMS-pq8]

He wasn't being self-righteous Dawson was trying to help a contestant and I say good for him

[@deborahskillman3003]

You know Richard Dawson wishes he was drunk present oh man you poor thing maybe I can think of Richard was mission keep buzzing in the game show host a good job keeping it you try keeping the show the proper etiquette Richard Dawson you're a mess what was a mess rest in peace

[@Mu5096rdgh]

Deborah Skillman 😂 sorry but I couldn't make head nor tail about what you said in your comment.

[@RobertJBarnes]

I totally get where Dawson was coming from.

[@frankcabanski9409]

He was also playing it up for laughs.

[@kirbygene]

@@Mu5096rdgh No need to be sorry . What she said was gibberish,

[@MartinMcCauslin]

I remember this show as a young child and it was way above my head then but I wish we had TV like this now...

[@notsosilentmajority1]

Richard Dawson was a man of the people. He wanted to help each contestant by doing his best and that's why he was chosen by the contestants more than anyone else. It may seem a bit trivial now but at the time this was extremely important to these contestants and Richard knew that. God bless his soul.

[@jamessimmons7480]

Ĝfggg

[@mikeandstony]

You're right.

[@notsosilentmajority1]

@@mikeandstony Thanks. 🙏👍

[@martingarcia4373]

I never liked Richard Dawson. He was like that dirty nasty Uncle everyone has. When he was on Family Feud he constantly kept kissing the female contestants. Nasty guy!

[@JohnC-er3rg]

Yes and he was probably loaded or hungover AF

[@StephenPaulTroup]

Richard Dawson always tried to do his best for the contestants and play the game straight. Something with which a lot of the 'celebrities' often did not concern themselves.

[@billykravitz4993]

TRUE! many of the performers booked onto the show thought --- yuk yuk yuk.. how can I grab more screen time???

[@dallasbrubaker6054]

@@billykravitz4993 I hated when Patti Deutsch was a panelist because she would give these crazy answers that the contestant would never say. Something like, "I said she was sitting in a tree and eating a hamburger while listening to Beethoven's 5th Symphony."

[@jscottrockford]

Dallas Brubaker 100% correct! Deutsch and Joyce Bulifant were absolutely useless.....and even though people love her now because she’s 100 years old, Betty White normally gave shitty answers as well

[@dallasbrubaker6054]

@@jscottrockford Yeah, they all did it for attention.

[@ernestolombardo5811]

@@jscottrockford Brett often drives me up the wall for that reason. Misguided "aren't I so clever and funny" narcissism running rampant. Here's a hot tip, although too little too late: you are neither clever nor funny, in fact it's terribly awkward because you are doing your narcissistic thing in detriment of contestants.

[@Billtheawesome]

To be honest, I think that Richards actions were completely genuine, but perhaps misconstrued. There was a lot of stuff said about how Richard was constantly picked for the head to head match, and thats why they invented the Star Wheel. But I think one of the reasons people constantly picked him was that he would actually try to match the contestant. He cared about whether the contestant won or not, and that is why he's so upset. He lost her an easy point.

[@Mu5096rdgh]

I completely agree, because of that wheel he left to become the host on Family Feud so now I can watch him on that. Can't stand Steve Harvey, he was good when he started but he's gotten all out of hand. RIP Richard ❤️

[@GabrielCorpsegrinder]

Richard was also under a lot of stress at the time. Around 77-78 he started hosting Family Feud while still appearing on Match Game. You can even hear Gene telling him to take a vacation, he's being genuine. And you're absolutely right, they had to invent the star wheel because everybody would pick him. He's so incredibly talented when it comes to understanding language and he actually cared for the contestants (as seen in this clip), it was impossible to pick anyone else.

[@Fender178]

@@GabrielCorpsegrinder Interesting I never knew why they implemented/invented the Star Wheel for Match Game was because of Richard Dawson.

[@billa107]

I liked Richard a hell of a lot more than Patti or Joyce. Betty and Fannie were the better 6th Seaters. But more to the point it’s a shame that Richard easily became more dejected but I bet it was things like this that made him fed up. Along with the school incident.

[@amberola1b]

Richard couldn't help it if he was very talented and wasn't afraid to try and match the contestant in the super match. You could tell a lot of the other stars were nervous about being chosen. However I think a couple of the others were very good at it, one was Betty White and I think Charles Nelson Reilly was also a very good pick but the rest of them were very nervous and so that's why a lot of contestants relied on Richard and I think it was a slap in the face to implement that star wheel in response to him always being chosen.

[@Heromedic18]

This is not a meltdown, this is Richard being Richard, he's not berating or cursing like other celebrities, he's just saying he made a mistake and feels bad the contestant is being punished for it. He's even laughing at times.

[@Rawk4Life]

+Heromedic18 If they gave Betty a point because of Richard Dawson's error, then someone else on the panel could have deliberately wrote a word down on the card on a different question, and then claimed they meant to write the same answer as the contestant. How do we know Dawson wasn't lying to the judges just to see if they'd give Betty a free point? He said "I thought I wrote 'ate.'" That doesn't mean he was telling the truth. They buzzed him twice, meaning they weren't going to change their minds. There was no need for him to continue arguing after that.

[@stevenewberry7741]

Exactly. He's actually having fun with the buzzer guy.Great show.

[@ThunderFist1978]

I thought it was funnier still when the other buzzer came into play. I got so used to hearing the regular buzzer on the show that it took me by surprise when the other one sounded after the cursing.

[@willmilton2922]

Richard may be thinking of the contestant but the judge was thinking of both of them.

[@sweetpea9347]

Ummm… he did curse. Hahah. Love him no less.

[@Hummingbirds2023]

My grandmother loved this show she always circled it in red in the TV Guide so she wouldn’t miss the match game! God bless her💕

[@bobs1356]

Of course old people loved him even the grannies.

[@ddjj68]

I believe you, Richard. Rest in peace, bro.

[@steelersfan7238]

Rest in Peace Richard. I hope you and Gene finally made peace, and Brett, Charles, Johnny O. and other celebs that are no longer with us have already started making some new Match Game episodes.

[@crissrudd4554]

He is not drunk. He said in an interview he's never been hung over in his life. Its your choice to believe that of course but thats what he said. And here he just seems somewhat tired having hosted a telethon the night before. Understandable. So naturally he is a bit embarrassed having wrote down an answer that wasn't his intended answer. He's not being cocky here. Richard always wanted the fair outcome. He did not want the contestant to lose a match since he made a mistake.

[@sparklecanada0112]

crissrudd4554 . Agreed. If he was as Self Righteous or Arrogant as some people would like to put out...he would not have admitted his error ,with full explanation, like he did. Narcissistic People NEVER admit guilt or wrongdoing; Let alone when it focuses on or benefits someone else. I feel sorry for both The Contestant and Richard in this case. I don't remember if they brought her back later or not, but I say in all fairness, they should have.

[@Mu5096rdgh]

Sparkle Canada I agree!

[@safehousedelta9766]

It was never hung over because he probably drank the blood of children

[@dontpickonme]

@@safehousedelta9766 is that supposed to be good for hangovers? I'm looking for something better than a glass of water before bed.

[@handymanhoney-do6881]

70’s=quaaludes. Easy mistake.

[@astrosjer822]

Richard thought one thing and wrote the other. I commend his passion. Rip Richard

[@erikrupp692]

Richard was obviously as upset with himself as he was with the, "Judge," making the call there. He was clearly upset that they didn't believe him, and exhaustion got the best of him. He lost his cool. He felt bad for the contestant because he made a mistake, and that was the trigger for his outburst. Richard really cared about the contestants, moreso than most of the celebrity panelists. He knew winning that money was a big deal for those people and that meant something to him. But he did lose his cool.

[@LarryLeeMoniz]

I really do believe Richard meant to write down "ate". He's fantastic at The Match Game.

[@RB2331]

I think he was being very honest, but I’m the executive produce. I’m the boss I’d sit him down to. I understand you, but I cannot have guys changing what they wrote. It’s it’s just gonna not gonna go with the affiliates. It’s not gonna go with what happened with the quiz show back in the day you wrote down sat I know what you meant but it’s gonna go with wrong answer. You know you gotta be more careful. There’s no I’m gonna give her the answer.

[@Alienmojo]

I wouldn't exactly call it a 'melt down' or even self - righteous. He generally felt bad that he screwed up his answer for the girl. I think he was more upset with himself than anything and felt really bad for the lady. Having watched the show daily growing up I can tell you that he was always wonderful. I'm so sorry you feel that way.

[@brendalg4]

I think his feelings were hurt that they wouldn't believe him. I can see why they couldn't change their ruling though.

[@fastfootedone]

he was awesome...he was going to bat for the young lady, trying to get her the point, even though he was being a goof. Also, he made shows like Match Game and Family Feud much more watchable -- not to mention the iconic The Running Man ;-)

[@ericsloss4385]

He definitely wasn't being self righteous. He was trying to help out the woman. He did make a good point in saying why he would write that down. But I don't know how you could give her a point when he didn't write that down.

[@CliftonPhotographer]

Yeah he seemed to come off as genuine and I think when he realized he was a bit over the top there, as he mentions coming off a long telethon with no sleep. Take away our sleep and we all act out!

[@ronika1100]

Clifton Photographer a

[@BHAKTIBROPHY]

Richard Dawson was totally burnt out from doing Family Fued during the week and taping Match Game every Saturday and Sunday...wasn't this the year he quit? That was a shame...he was so funny--I loved the banter between Bret, Charles, Richard, and Fannie the best. So funny!

[@abelincoln3287]

He left in 1978

[@amandacress5132]

Yeah. He left one year later.

[@BrianONEILL-qf2cs]

He left shortly after they introduced the 'Star Wheel'.

[@benlewis754]

Thanks to Buzz TV I've been watching a lot of 1975 and 1977 Match Game episodes. I was a pre-teen and a teen at the time. I see an incredible realness in these Match Game celebrities and it's so unlike all the other prize and money winning game shows in those years.

[@Iduhwurst]

He was only being like that because he wanted to help the contestant....

[@RECOVERY1969]

He wasn't looking to help those contestants during The Running Man...... just saying. (lol)

[@eugenerabinovich1115]

“Hello cutie pie. One of us is in DEEP trouble.” How is that being mean to the contestant. Lol

[@duffbaker9554]

He certainly wasn't the only one. Those lunch-breaks were notoriously 'wet' to say the least.

[@dallasbrubaker6054]

@@RECOVERY1969 what's The Running Man?

[@GeneralZod99]

@@dallasbrubaker6054 When your browser gets fixed, copy and paste it in the search bar.

[@worldsgreatestimpressionis6462]

He wasn't joking he cared that much. RIP Mr. Dawson

[@duradim1]

Mr. Dawson made a mistake that cost the lady a point and it bothered him greatly. He likes to see people win. God rest his soul.

[@miaballester3978]

Dawson was such a gentleman. Sweet and kind.

[@scottsrush]

Richard really cared about the contestant. I hated when people did dumb answers that would never give the contestant a point. And that’s why everyone picked him.he seemed to always be the one who really focused to make the right answer

[@jeanetterichardson7450]

I agree he was for the contestants!

[@CozyCrime101]

I love Bret Somers but were many times her answers were clearly for laughter. She wrote things that were so left field and a full sentence long using 3 cards and the contestants lost out bc of that. Like, I've seen on a few episodes where the answer is kinda obvious and 4 or 5 others match the contestants answer but Brett went for laughter and the contestant lost bc of her.

[@jukka706]

I love Richard Dawson, and we'll all miss him

[@kristabrewer9363]

Please don't speak for me! It's about TIME saint Richard left the show

[@RECOVERY1969]

We'll always have The Running Man.

[@earlegavin5931]

Jukka70 you can speak for me i agree with you,he was dapper and smart always did his best for the contestants.

[@Mu5096rdgh]

Krista Brewer Oh grow up!

[@seansmith1839]

Richard Dawson was a Perv

[@bryan2523]

I watched this show whenever I was sick at home. Richard Dawson seemed to be a staple. This show was better at least than any soap opera.

[@4linertyandjustice817]

Seemed to care about the contestants too

[@ComputerLearning0]

Bryan Doyle Same here. Back in those days nobody taped a daytime game show, which meant the only time some of us ever saw the show was when we were home from work sick or something. Still though, Match Game was and IS a fantastic show :)

[@ssms3978]

Yes, lol. Same for me. I watched all these game shows when home sick from school. Price is Right as well. Too sick for school, but not too sick for 70’s daytime game shows. Sure beat the soap operas😂

[@FrozenMammothMusic]

Not a “meltdown”. Dawson cared about the contestants.

[@velinawelch7705]

He's not being self righteous and he's not being a jerk. As someone else commented...he dsnt want the contestant to pay for a mistake he made. He always believed in fairness to the contestants. He was the same way on Family Feud. Speaking of FF,please note that he was hosting it while also doing MG because he was under contract. And he said he had done a telethon. This was not a "meltdown", he was only human and was tired and not thinking clearly,which cld happen anyone.

[@velinawelch7705]

To anyone I meant. See, it's late, I'm tired, and I made a mistake. It happens

[@Tsuruta1]

+velina welch Just like contestants and/or celebs accidently said the secret word instead of clue words on "Password."

[@allnitenurse]

+velina welch I agree. He was always on the side of the contestant & wanted them to win some money. He had a few run ins with the judges on Family Feud also. I dont think he was as difficult as we hear. He made FF what is was for these producers & he needed off of Match Game, it was too much work. Brett & Charles I think were just plain jealous because contestants always picked Richard. Brett especially bad mouthed him & she was a nobody. I thought she was annoying. Her husband Jack Klugman was on Match Game & she begged him to get her on the show & he convinced them to use her (that came directlly from Klugman in an interview video). Betty White said he was a great guy, so what Betty says is good enough for me

[@Tsuruta1]

allnitenurse Brett Somers was CORNY, and Charles Nelson Reilly egged her on. But yep, who didn't love Betty White. Fannie Flagg was always a pleasant celeb on that show I thought.

[@crissrudd4554]

Betty was one of the few people Richard remained on good terms with following his rather ugly departure from MG. She even appeared on a couple Celebrity FF episodes! Who doesn't love Betty?? Spot on about Brett and Charles' jealousy of Richard. He didn't ask to be picked all the time. Not to mention countless times when the other two were picked they would get all shaky like they're asking to dismember a bomb or something. If its too much for them why get bitter at Richard???

[@blkmanbat]

Just another perfect example of why I love the '70's!!

[@saints093]

I thought that was SO FUNNY, and the judge kept buzzing Richard, and then the ship's horn blowing on here was as funny as the buzzer :)

[@a26z1c2b3]

I miss Richard Dawson too.

[@angelicam.6876]

Awwwww he felt bad!!! He genuinely believed he wrote "ate"!! Judges wouldn't budge. I love Richard!!💕💕💕

[@yaggy9]

Sad to hear Richard died yesterday. Chair #5 shall be permanently reserved for Mr. Dawson. Rest in peace.

[@TheGreatAtario]

The wild and loose feel of this show was amazing

[@David-wk6md]

Number one '73 '74 '75. Still is today on GSN. Richard wad second only to the mosquito for spreading malaria.

[@SigHawk04]

I've heard they taped an entire week's worth of shows in one day and at some point, they'd break and go over to a bar near the studio which is why shows closer to the end of the week were so crazy.

[@djangolachlan2194]

This makes me like Richard Dawson even more.

[@kristabrewer9363]

I never did like saint Richard

[@PittsburghMarky]

Me too. And always remember, #DawsonisFeud

[@JAWrightonline]

Krista Brewer What happened? Were you on the show as a contestant and he cost you $10K in the Big Wheel Round? LOL!!!

[@DENo1MatchGameFan]

@zachhoran I agree - even though Richard was pissy on "Match Game" before he left, he ALWAYS had the contestants first and foremost in his mind, regardless of the situation!

[@DarkFaze6477]

If that's a "meltdown," then I seriously need anger management.

[@Troyster94806]

I totally believe him. I've made similar mistakes myself when I've been tired. I understand the judges' position though.

[@Troyster94806]

Now that you mention it, he did seem hung over.

[@lutherleeboggs5655]

He sounds like he's still working his way towards the hangover. I wouldn't mind betting he was sipping on more than water during the breaks.

[@mwilliamshs]

Dawson was a staunch tee-totaler. Never touched the stuff

[@jaycompany4886]

mwilliamshs I know he drank it straight from the keg

[@pattykeegan7773]

Richard Dawson didn't drink

[@rwrobo202]

Not only was it a great show, they regularly had beautiful guest stars on, which made it even better to watch (Jo Ann in this episode, for example).

[@crissrudd4554]

@yaggy9 Yeah Im 18 and I love Match Game reruns! For me Match Game is Gene Reyburn, Charles Nelson Reilly, Brett Somers, and Richard Dawson! Any episode without any of them just isnt Match Game for me! I feel like cringing when I see someone else in Richard's spot!

[@GabrielCorpsegrinder]

Hurr durr, le wrong generation !

[@cherylkulis3247]

Love Richard, can do without Brett

[@cherylkulis3247]

Me too

[@gloriagarcia3672]

@@cherylkulis3247 it took a while but I ended warming up to Britt🤷🏻‍♀️

[@Oldcarnut63]

Yes I feel the same way.

[@Brian_Donlevy]

My favorite regular was always Richard Dawson - loved him since Hogan's Heroes. My favorite guest star was always Bobby Van. He went on to host a couple game shows, too but unfortunately none were as successful as Richard's Family Feud.

[@matthewferguson7084]

They all seem so happy and comfortable like the 70s will last forever

[@qualqui]

🤣🤣🤣LOL....Am i wrong for laughing at Dickie Dawson in meltdown mode?!! 😂My utmost respect and admiration for Sir Richard Dawson, may he rip.

[@JenniferOgle-b9i]

I loved this show. Celebrities then knew how to poke fun at themselves and were funny.

[@scottgarbo1288]

Of all the panelists, Richard was the only one who really took it seriously and wanted to help the contestants win as much money as possible. He was also HILARIOUS and sexy.

[@santora1957]

There was this roller skating rink I use to go to back in the 80's in Mission Viejo Ca. I was there with a couple of friends one night, when in walked the host of Match Game, Gene Rayburn. One of my friends asked him what brought him to the skating rink. Gene Rayburn replied "A Buick." Then Gene went out on the rink and promptly fell on his ass. And that's my Gene Rayburn story.

[@supachaloopa3611]

+santora1957 !!! BUZZZZZ !!!

[@MaskedGreenmagician]

+cindybin2001 the reason everyone saying Fowlingo is like Jesus Christ Lord Saviour God says like in the days of Noah even folks stop on led green traffick lights and go speeding down the road once the red led traffic light turns red. Ps it's gona get worse no one can hide any where at all man kind learns to fly like the birds night vision night vision plus infer red laser that see through mountains earth cams webcams you name it Ronald Reagan's star wars program

[@dominicksantora1574]

This girl is a troll. Go ahead and do a you tube search on her name, you'll see videos made about her. I and everyone else who dealt with her, has ended up blocking her. Don't waste your time. Take it from someone who found out the hard way. cindybin2001 = troll.

[@yaggy9]

banned from channel.

[@soleast1075]

Never went to the skating ring in Mission Viejo but I did go to Flippers in West Hollywood in the 80's a couple of times where a lot of younger Hollywood stars hung out.

[@ns4270railfan]

This classic TV game show, Richard Dawson made the show very funny! I'm a big Match Game fanatic & I got to say, it's a comedy & game show in one! That's what made this show more exciting to watch!

[@ComputerLearning0]

ns4270railfan Match Game was THE best show back in the day and still holds up even today as being funny as hell. My son was born in 1990 and he absolutely loves that show, and to this day we still watch old episodes of Match Game together because it's THAT FUNNY. Gene Rayburn was the best, and Richard Dawson was also a big part of the show, as were many other people of the time :)

[@ns4270railfan]

Mike Hawk Yeah, it seems that Gene was the best @ what he does with Match Game & Richard always made the show very funny! Brett Somers was funny & Charles too! I also laugh at the responses that the players give out too! That made this show even more funny! Also, I like the theme music too.

[@cinnamonjw]

I always loved Brett's laugh.

[@ns4270railfan]

Yeah, Brett Somers has a great laugh.

[@jedijones]

@@ComputerLearning0 I never saw it until a few months ago and I think it's a pretty bad show. This is a terrible game to play. Matching what celebrities think? What skill does that require? In any given episode, an extremely easy question will come out that only has one obvious answer and another question will come out that could be absolutely anything. It is simply random whether someone wins this show or not. That's a poor way to design a game show.

[@timwatterson7465]

Very odd exchange indeed. I do believe him 100% but I understand why they could not give her the point.

[@vbuffy5952]

Yes, but they were antagonizing him back with that buzzer. They only made it worse by sitting on that buzzer.

[@SisterRayVU68]

God Bless Richard Dawson.

[@babs6417]

I thought it was funny and sweet. He seemed to be genuinely upset and embarrassed because he caused the contestant to lose a point. He felt bad about making the mistake. He was trying to explain to the judges so she would lose his point.

[@tarastandifer-spotswood6175]

As anyone who watches this show knows, Richard was always the ONLY one who most passionately rooted for the contestant. Most of the others just wanted screen-time.

[@kristabrewer9363]

ummm think NOT

[@davidallen8465]

Babs

[@duffbaker9554]

@MAC So true, I hear you on that.

[@Mu5096rdgh]

Krista Brewer Do you have something personal against Richard? Sure sounds like you have had a bad experienced.

[@ColleenCM1124]

I hated when they instituted the wheel at the end. I remember Richard always gave the best answers!!!

[@Stoogewriter]

Richard Dawson WAS Match Game just like he WAS Family Feud. I'm sure he had his bad points & I'm sure he probably could be difficult at times. As an actress myself, I see it like this, when you actually care about what you're doing & putting on out a quality product (tv show, game show, movie, etc), you're gonna sometimes rub some people the wrong way. Especially if they're not as committed to the quality of the product as you are. Richard Dawson did NOT drink alcohol at all. He got irritated at some of the other panelists because they were often tipsy, if not outright drunk. I was a baby when the show initially aired but have seen multiple times down thru the years. I see Richard Dawson's dedication to his work. He enjoyed joking around & having fun as much as the next person but when it came down to the nitty gritty, he cared about helping the contestants win money as much as he could. He connected with the contestants & the audience more than the other panelists & I think they were jealous. That's my opinion. If anyone disagrees, that's your choice.

[@ssjup81]

Stoogewriter Well said! I was born in 1981 so I've only seen the show in reruns and I loved Richard Dawson's genuine concern for the contestants. You could see it.

[@zxccxz164]

he was ALWAYS the go to guy at the end

[@dmhogan4239]

Totally agree. I found Brett was occasionally amusing but quickly became catty and tiresome. Charles was funnier but he too had a tendency to become catty at times. Richard was the only one who was consistently concerned about the contestants. His intelligence and attractiveness were on full display which is why he was always being chosen in the final rounds.

[@sparklecanada0112]

Stoogewriter . 👌👍👍😎

[@sdne1959]

. Agreed......NOTHING I hated more than seeing a celebrity write down a "joke" answer, just to get a laugh, especially when it was one of those questions with one VERY obvious answer! Almost like spitting in the contestant's eye when the star decided to throw away one of their points, and (potentially) their shot at going on to win some big money !! .

[@allieblake477]

"Now obviously I did not write 'sat on'! Unless I'm demented, which I am!" Oh you sweet precious soul. ♡♡♡

[@brookehanley3659]

I agree with Richard.

[@kingrichardsfaire_1485]

I don't think he was being self righteous. He's just trying to get the contestant the point. I wouldn't consider it a meltdown but he's probably just overworked and made a mistake. I thought to keep repeating the buzzer was totally rude and that would piss me off.

[@AllenFreemanMediaGuru]

Nancy Nolan I'm guessing the buzzer repeats was a way to diffuse the situation though it may of made him more angry. But rules are rules.

[@KLawlor]

Nancy Nolan I

[@Experiment6Two6]

That seemed to be the thinking when they used the buzzer multiple times, but this time it didn't work. What does appear to have helped was using the alternate buzzer that sounded like a cruise ship horn, as alluded to by Gene. I'm guessing that Richard was overworked; he always had a habit of pushing to get a contestant a point on his answers if he believed it was the right thing to do, but he usually kept his temper in check. I think here, as well, he gets a little hot under the collar at himself because he KNOWS the judges CAN'T give the contestant a point for his answer, so on some level he feels a little silly and maybe even embarrassed to argue that they should (whether he meant to write "sat on" and whether he meant to write "ate" are two different things), but he is too tired and agitated to stop himself.

[@RickPotvin54]

I work as a performer and I sense this was a real meltdown. I've tried to deal with fellow performers having such meltdowns. The host did the heroic job of neutralizing the awfulness of it as I often have to do.

[@coldshot1723]

Actually, "sat on" was a great answer. "King Kong was too big to sit on the photographers pony. So he sat on the pony." I can see it.

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

Richard had taken over the show so much that they had to give him his own show. He was the only one picked for the final match at one point.

[@DanknDerpyGamer]

That part with the buzzers/horns 😂 🤣 😂 🤣 😂 🤣 😂 🤣

[@tarastandifer-spotswood6175]

Can I just emphasize how MUCH I love the fact that when he got worked up his Brit accent came out?

[@countdown2xstacy]

Tara Standifer You’re right, it did

[@Mu5096rdgh]

Ok, I missed that! Now I'll have to watch it again...😊😊😊. I loved Richard!

[@Mu5096rdgh]

Ok, I watched it but couldn't detect the British accent. I am British by the way.

[@seanvogt221]

Match Game Heaven is now complete. First, Gene Rayburn, then Charles Nelson Reilly, Brett Somers, and now Richard Dawson. Thanks for the laughs.

[@shuroom57]

GodDAMN! Do I ever love spontaneous television, and here it is.

[@felicefiore6783]

He was always rutting for the contestants! Only watched this show to watch him,and the same with Fued. He was smart,witty and loving.💟 RIP we'll always love and remember you!🇨🇦

[@OverlordR]

You meant rooting, but he was rutting a few contestants, at least the one from Feud he ended up marrying lol

[@tucsonia]

"Ladies, I run the show, you give the rotten answers and I'll run the show"....priceless.

[@DA90027]

It's a comedy show folks Richard is playing it up for laughs. Not a meltdown.

[@brookehanley3659]

Twaddles McGee Not comedy here. Richard is pissed and he messed up.

[@stephanieredden8861]

He was just a decent and humble human being.

[@dcs002]

Oh he was just sleep deprived. I turn into an idiot if I don't get enough sleep, & my judgement suffers. Richard was human too. He had such a big heart. I can't imagine the pressure on the celebrities on Match Game, knowing that their performance meant that someone else, who had nowhere near as much money as they had, would either get a big check or go home disappointed. Dawson was always the best at matching the contestants. He was solid. Contestants always chose him for the final match thing.

[@grendl13]

Mr. Dawson was simply being something not seen in society anymore, being a consummate gentleman and chivalrous. God bless you Sir. RIP.

[@GabrielCorpsegrinder]

Mr.Emm had British etiquette, it's still being taught as we speak. The recklessness and general rudeness is somewhat of an american thing. Not to say that the Commonwealth is perfect, but you'll see plenty of gentleman in Canada, Australia and the UK, obviously in the metropolitan area. You'd be more akin to see sharks and bulls in NY, assuming you understand the analogy.

[@robk8032]

Flan, that's totally false. I've been to all of those places and have met complete, rude jerks everywhere. The US has plenty of gentleman. And spell "american" with a capital. Generalizations are for the weak and inexperienced mind.

[@GabrielCorpsegrinder]

@@robk8032 Yeah sure, the world is seeing as much these days. And it's not sophistry to attack my un-capitalizaion of a Plebian society, absolutely not. But when we're grasping at straws, we might as well. You're extremely wise and not in denial, in the slightest.

[@robk8032]

Plebian? Ha, that's rich. Talk about being in denial. But generalizing an entire nation while praising another (much flawed) one is always "extremely wise." Good luck with that mindset.

[@GabrielCorpsegrinder]

@@robk8032 Is this little flame war cathartic for you ? It feels like you have a lot on your mind, such is the woes of a privatised health sector, eh ? Feel free to speak up, lest it rot you from the inside out.

[@jimperry4108]

awwww....fairly normal for that show. nothing surprising here. And...my favorite game show of all time! Love it!

[@flytheskymyway]

Sleep deprivation makes us all a little short tempered. He was speaking truthfully though.

[@greggg2301]

I wonder what was " blanked" out during Dawsons rant. I believe him when he said he meant to write ate.

[@Hawqis1]

Richard made a mistake and he felt very bad for the contestant. If I did that, I probably would have reacted just like Richard. The way they handled it made it so fun to watch, you can't duplicate that.

[@sonnydietscher5661]

Avery looks like my uncle when my mom has to pick him up from the bar.

[@Grymmorgan]

As someone with ADD/dyslexia, I totally understand where he was coming from here. The only thing worse than a brain frat is a brain fart that costs someone else something. He was absolutely right to fight for this, and they were probably right to not give it to him. But I feel his pain... :^/

[@toddhensley2204]

It's called paying attention. All the other panelists were able to get it right. Why not him? And to think the guy went on to become a game-show host himself.

[@Grymmorgan]

Todd Hensley Because he was overworked. He was working his own show, and this one as a courtesy to the producers. He was exhausted. "Pay attention" is a very easy thing to say. You've obviously never suffered from a cognitive disorder, Todd. If you'd been through it, you'd know how easy it is to make a mistake, even in the best of circumstances. And how nearly inevitable it is under the worst. When you are cognitively impaired, there is no such thing as "paying attention." That's why they call it, "attention _deficit_ syndrome."

[@brookehanley3659]

Todd Hensley Richard was the best at the game. The fact that HE messed up hurt him and the contestant. This was very odd for Richard.

[@careful...Icarus]

70s meltdowns were rather benign and usually entertaining and tongue in cheek.Actually very classy on Mr.Dawsons part.He was always very suave but classy

[@MusicMan1965]

This is when game shows were fun. The panelists were hilarious and they could have gone places but didn’t. Richard Dawson was incredible just watch when he hosted Family Feud.

[@CliftonPhotographer]

Anyone who's ever watched the show from back then knows that this was an everyday occurrence. The stars always played around and faked arguing and other events. It was just a mish mosh of craziness. Hardly a meltdown. Remember Richard Dawson from Hogan's Heroes? Awesome show!

[@toddmccreary4579]

"Colonel 'ogan's gone round the bend"

[@twist7799]

Richard had a savant-like ability to match answers. Richard and Charles are my favs

[@stevesnellgrove1518]

Yep he said he had been up all night working a telethon and he really wanted to help the lady win !... he was sincerely exhausted !

[@rickyparker3853]

My Aunt Helen was a waitress at the Bowl weevil restaurant in Enterprise Alabama around 1975 and she said Fannie Flagg came in and had lunch. ☺️

[@levinmoser4001]

I love Fannie Flagg. She's hilarious and the book Fried Green Tomatoes was better than the movie.

[@April_in_CT]

This show is fucking hilarious!!!! Used to watch it everyday with my parents back when I was in the single digits. That was the time when families used to gather round the tube together daily and enjoy watching the same program.

[@kevinkelley3906]

It was always laugh out loud and entertaining.

[@mrjasonwhite73]

I love how they keep buzzing him, then resort to the TPIR wrong answer buzz LOL

[@StarTropicsKing]

I wonder if that point mattered in the end. Gotta love Richard’s compassion!

[@fanboy2015]

I love Charles' Popeye the Sailor Man hat.

[@macsnafu]

I had forgotten how much fun the Match Game was! Of course, it's been forever since I last saw the show.

[@TheSpritz0]

Gene had the SMALLEST but LONGEST microphone of the 1970's...

[@Tmanaz480]

Identical to Bob Barker's

[@EnlightenedRogue]

Saw an episode from '74 a few days ago where Gene wasn't using the long mic, both hands were unoccupied. It was odd.

[@toniwilson4139]

I don't respond to comment very often but I laugh all the way though this. I see what he did, he was just trying to get the piont. Richard was being himself. I don't think he was mad but he was treid, was making light of the mistake he made. loved him on Hogans Heros, for everything he did. Miss his laughter he bought to this crazy world we live in. We have to laugh at ourself once in a while, this he did here R.I.P.

[@OverlordR]

He cracked a smile a few times through it. He was a bit overextended, everyone drank on that set, but him apparently a lot less than the likes of Somers and Reilly. In hindsight it was hilarious.

[@QueenAlexis556]

Everyone except Richard. He stated in an interview that he never drank, and never wanted to.

[@omegasupreme1970]

I would have said he F*cked the pony LOL

[@grimrides]

I think he just had a big sense of, I dunno how to put it into words, what's right? in this instance. He obviously felt he'd made a mistake in what he wrote down, and didn't want the contestant to lose points due to it. He's just mad at himself for writing it down wrong and frustrated they wont take his word for it. I just think it makes him all the more endearing.

[@WILDCHILDNJ]

i luv this show. i grew up watching it and luckily its on GSN and i watch it ever day now too.😂✌

[@SweptAway529]

Richard's English accent got more pronounced the more frustrated he became.

[@tarastandifer-spotswood6175]

I know!! I love it!! Reminds me of Newkirk

[@leonardyuelmann2364]

SweptAway529 So true - At one point, he even sounds like Stan Laurel!

[@UncleBooBoo]

“SAT ON”! Very Home Counties accent, that!

[@janetkeen8280]

Richard was my favorite. He really tried to match the contestant unlike some who just wanted a laugh at the contestant's expense.

[@sukie584]

I've been watching a lot of the old MGs on Buzzr/GSN and it is so clear that somewhere in '77 and all through '78 his last year, he was done with the show. He showed up, played the game but was checked out as far as participating in any other way. This may have been the beginning of that.

[@goodowner5000]

Also, depending when in 1978 this was, Dawson might have been preoccupied with current events- his friend , John Carpenter was under serious scrutiny as a murder suspect in the bludgeoning death of Dawson's "Hogan Heroes" co-star Bob Crane in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dawson introduced Bob Crane to his friend John Carpenter, who helped with all the extracurricular video taping endeavors 😉!

[@robertnobody]

His character from "The Running Man" is coming out here....lol.

[@stephentresca3536]

That's Richard caring about the girl playing. I remember him being mad when they brought the wheel of stars in. And the very first time they used it. It landed on Richard. That's Karma.

[@steveblaugh2180]

This is such a great panel! Brett is at her coolest best. Talk about being PC...It's the ultimate in hypocrisy and what goes on today's radio makes Match Game look like "Sunday School with Brother Rayburn." Richard had one of the greatest dry wits anywhere. He would have been a tremendous foil to Lucille Ball at her own finest, such as the Lucy Show called "Lucy and the Astronauts." Richard could carry a believable persona as either the tight-lipped Dawson of the later MG years or the more ebullient variety in the earlier years. I always greatly respected how much he absolutely wanted the contestants to win on either MG or FF. Just watch him wearing his heart on his sleeve as he crosses his fingers in the audience match, and that is before Gene even gets to the direct match for the largest cash prize. I liked it when they used the star wheel and the contestant spun Richard anyways. Richard Dawson was one cool, cool cat. I'm glad he was awarded an Emmy for Family Feud. I miss him!