Match Game Syndication May 1982 Last Show of the Series Aired May 1982

Tune in for Game Show Fever Chat! New Year's Galore with Match Game New Year's Game Show Finales and New Years Eve Episodes of your Favorite Game Saturday at 2:00PMET/11:00AMPT Here is the Grand Finale of The Orginal Match Game from 1982. Enjoyed

[@davidganderson870]

It's so strange. I was born in 2000 (I'm 20 years old), so by the time I first fell in love with Match Game 1973-1982 (I was 17), the show itself was already quite old. Brett, Charles, Richard, Johnny, and Gene had all passed away. So had many others, such as Mary Wickes, Marcia Wallace, Nipsey Russel, Debra Lee and so many others I can't even name (Patti Deutsch passed away a few weeks after I started watching). I haven't been able to watch every episode yet (and thank heavens, I love that there are still hundreds of hilarious episodes that I can still watch fresh) but the ones I have have given me so many smiles and laughs. To everyone who made Match Game possible, thank you. In some ways I wish more than anything that I could have been alive back in the seventies and watched these coming out live, but I'm blessed that at least the recordings are widely available (unlike Match Game from the 60s). How is it that I love all of these celebrities, most of whom have died, more than the celebrities I have grown up watching and for that matter, more than almost anyone else (barring close family and friends)? In particular, to Gene, Richard, Charles, and especially Brett (I don't care what the haters say, that woman is an amazing human being) thanks so much for all the happy times. And to you four and many of your colleagues, rest happily in heaven, you all deserve it. And to the panelists who remain alive: Fannie, Betty, Joyce, Scoey, Gary, Jo Ann, and many others, stay alive and well! Long live Match Game!

[@ivanmay7890]

The syndicated version of Match Game went off the air in 1982, but it certainly wouldn't be the last time the show aired on TV. The Match Game Hollywood Squares Hour, which saw Gene Rayburn hosting alongside Jon Bauman, would air on NBC during the 1983-84 season.

[@aaronbruceladner1983]

What a Great Way to End the Series, with a $10,000 Win!

[@williampryor4306]

A REAL Happy Ending.

[@Lupton2000]

Charles knew the show was ending. At the end of the show he said thank you to Gene.

[@beauryandrew]

Lupton2000 and the sweet kiss for Brett.

[@brooklyn6times]

Recorded on January 15th 1982! This was the end of the 1970's version of Match Game with Gene Rayburn! An All-time American Classic!

[@2005Golfguy]

I agree people were fun back then unlike today

[@danalong1237]

22:18, “This is Johnny Olson saying so long for Match Game, A Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Production!”

[@der22672]

I always thought that the show should have been able to give a proper goodbye. Gene should have been given the chance to say some final words, Brett and Charles as well. I mean they gave 8 years of their lives to this great show. This show was a classic example of a shadow of one's former self.

[@reemak8500]

Great reference to Richard Dawson by Betty!!!!

[@jasontassinari5348]

where was that?

[@Buc_Stops_Here]

Nice to reference Richard Dawson who appeared for a few years on this show. The fact it ended with a big winner was nice.

[@ronflatter1235]

7:51 A perfectly apt reference to Richard Dawson from Betty White.

[@Doug41160]

a shame that Gene, Charles, & Brett weren't given a proper send-off for this final episode.

[@michaelhealy1767]

This aired on wbz 4 Boston and has an ad With match game whell of fortune and card sharks Jim perry from fall 1982 and yes Very early days of 1983 as well

[@VahanNisanian]

Beth actually commented on the original upload, saying she lived in San Francisco at that time, and that it was known that the series was ending.

[@melvingeloneck3344]

Since that was the last episode aired, I guess those who saw the promo to write for tickets didn't get tickets to the Match Game! Maybe an offer for tickets to something else...

[@willmack5909]

Pity the final spin didn't land on Charles or Brett.

[@icm1970]

Believe that this aired in my locale (Ottawa, ON) in about the first week of September 1982. And oddly enough a few months later in about the spring of 1983, reruns of the last season or so cropped up through the local NBC feed (from Rochester, NY) and I guess this was to promote the new "Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour" that ran from later in 1983 to that bit into 1984. Anyone else here remember that happening in their locale with the original Match Game being brought back as reruns in years like 1983 and even later?

[@dpf2122]

Did Match Game air on Canadian television or did you just watch it on US TV?

[@ericmeyer3380]

Yes! Some markets had Match Game reruns in 1985-86, sometimes paired with Family Feud reruns.

[@unknown-kh7dg]

WROC-TV, Channel 8 in Rochester, NY was the NBC(now CBS since 1989) TV station at the time that carried reruns of "Match Game". They also aired reruns of the original NBC daytime version of "Card Sharks" starring Jim Perry that year in 1983.

[@unknown-kh7dg]

@@dpf2122 Yes, "Match Game" did air on Canadian television on TV stations such as CFTO-TV, Channel 9 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, as well did "The Price Is Right", "Family Feud", and "Card Sharks".

[@johnstewart6366]

A consolation prize of a Mitsubishi color TV - from those wonderful folks that brought you Pearl Harbor !!

[@demetriusdillard2863]

This episode marked the end of an era, for it was the final, first-run episode of "Match Game" after a (largely interrupted) nine-year run on both CBS and in first-run syndication; sadly, Gene declined to mention it to the panelists, the studio audience, or even the viewers watching at home. Luckily, Gene redeemed himself when he co-hosted (with Jon "Bowzer" Bauman, of Sha Na Na fame) "The Match Game/Hollywood Squares Hour" on NBC's daytime schedule the following year, but it lasted only nine months. Sadly, all six celebrities on the panel in this episode are now deceased. And this episode is also included in the "Best Of Match Game" DVD box set (released by BCI/Eclipse in 2006 and reissued by Mill Creek Entertainment in 2010).

[@ajk]

There's a reason why they didn't mention it being the finale. It's because, the syndicated series was bicycled around the country, meaning that not everyone would see the same week of shows at the same time (this is also why each week was self-contained with no carryover from one to the next). So while for some this could well have been the last new episode they saw, for others there may have been more that followed it. Thus, it'd not make much sense to announce this as its' final show. It's a shame it had to be that way, but that was just how it was at that time.

[@demetriusdillard2863]

Interesting. Thanks for commenting,@@ajk.

[@ajk]

@@demetriusdillard2863 Welcome :)

[@SammyReed-cd4cu]

@@ajk Plus stations most-likely kept running the show for the next few months until the next Fall season began.

[@TED9K]

End of a Era.

[@kristabrewer9363]

Betty mentioned Richard Dawson. woow. I didn't think they could do that

[@syvyn11]

When you're Betty White, YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU WANT!

[@flics85]

at 8:20 Gene says they are starting "the final game... round 1.." was that a hint the show was over?

[@torchkit]

Strange that they still put in a ticket plug since it would obviously have been known by air-date that the show was done.

[@JackPlatt]

Why did Johnny do the ticket plug if this was the last show of the series?

[@paullarue2010]

Kery Khiv always "My Dear" to me.

[@jamesklatt]

Mark Goodson still had the top syndicated game show with family feud, but he would soon lose it to merv griffin with wheel of fortune.

[@VahanNisanian]

Recorded January 1982.

[@tvtimetravel]

January 15.

[@SammyReed-cd4cu]

@@tvtimetravel I remember GSN running the episode putting a Feb. 1982 date on the corner of the screen at the beginning.

[@tvtimetravel]

@@SammyReed-cd4cu Well now, you could be right.

[@joefagan6244]

That was end of 9years of match game . Match game 82.

[@HelloooThere]

3 more years and they could've had Rue McClanahan and Marla Gibbs!!

[@ajk]

Gene and Rue woulda been hilarious....the flirtation there woulda been great lol

[@usa02]

Or even Jamie Farr, Markie Post, Pat Sajak, Richard Simmons, Jackee Harry, Marsha Warfield, Brad Garrett, and Brian Mitchell.

[@good03boy]

If there was a 10th season in the fall of 1982, MG could've had Richard Simmons, Lydia Cornell from Too Close For Comfort, Randi Oakes from CHIPS, and Genie Francis.

[@HelloooThere]

@@good03boy k

[@abstractdream001]

Rue and Marla were both on very popular shows in the 70s. Why 3 years?

[@VahanNisanian]

Melinda O. Fee is so gorgeous.

[@eyehatefarcebook11]

Vahan Nisanian nice knockers too

[@paullarue2010]

Dummy?! Tiffany won't like that!

[@michaelhealy1767]

By early November 1981 when chicken McNuggets debuted at McDonald's the 1st day my family in Raymond nh was talking to me about into 1st 5 months of 1982 and even fall 1982 wbz had match game card sharks whell of fortune and Wmur 9 1200pm was family feud Transferring me from lamprey river elementary school in Raymond nh to great bay school training center newington nh and it took place In September 1983 and 8 months later match game was in rerun on May 10 1984 abc on abc game show special and match game was in Syndication off and on in late 1983 and 1984.

[@kristabrewer9363]

And for the last episode, why couldn't they NOT to a repeat question for a change sigh :(

[@jasontassinari5348]

they ran out of material after 9 years! It's in the documentary

[@seanadams3551]

Gene probably didn't know this was the last show.

[@nestorsuan2182]

Love Skip!

[@lynskyrd78]

18:50 WTF????

[@rager-69]

Gene said "see you next time," but there was no next time. And all those people that wrote in for tickets never got a response. Of course, they came back with The Match Game/Hollywood Squares Hour, but that was a pile of poo.

[@paullarue2010]

What's with the dummy?

[@Johnnynbk]

poor pitiful mclean stevenson

[@paullarue2010]

Skip Stevenson is from Omaha, Nebraska?

[@rabinel51]

Do You Have Family Feud Challenge Final Episode March 26 1993?

[@HelloooThere]

Gene looked very trim here

[@Shane07752]

Skip reminds me of David Letterman,speaking of Letterman he would of made a good panelist.

[@bluebear1985]

Possibly, but by this time, Dave was probably busy preparing for Late Night, which I believe premiered in February 1982.

[@nextbarker2702]

@@bluebear1985 Right after NBC cancelled his short-lived daytime talk show.

[@AbandonedMines11]

All that kissing going on during the show! Today’s modern feminists would be furious!

[@reemak8500]

Gene seemed annoyed.

[@harpoon_bakery162]

Sinned -- what did he do to illicit that response from you?

[@HelloooThere]

yes he did, very much so and it was a rough show for everyone

[@Crockerish]

Strange no mention of a goodbye or thanks,still good to see a show without Dawson and him panting after every good looking woman.

[@harpoon_bakery162]

gene rayburn looked like a grandpa by this time. "Spread Eagle"

[@joshuawright8990]

He died in 1999. So he only lived another 17 years.

[@harpoon_bakery162]

@@joshuawright8990 17 year retirement is not bad

[@EvilLordBane]

When you get the likes of Skip Stephenson on your show as a celebrity, I'm sorry, but you deserve being canceled.

[@kristabrewer9363]

that makes alot of sense

[@Johnnynbk]

yeah talk about a death knell. that was it.

[@pattondiorama7136]

You can tell Gene was irritated by Skip's stupid one liners.

[@EvilLordBane]

When Richard Dawson left the show in 1978, ratings went down hill and CBS dropped the show the following year. NBC picked up the show 3 years later, but it only ran one season (ending with this show). NBC tried two more show revivals without Gene Rayburn, that both failed miserably. The current format with Alec Baldwin is completely unwatchable, yet persist on ABC, despite it's horrible ratings.

[@JZCRAZY]

Your history is a little mixed up. CBS did drop the show in 1979. However it was syndicated for 3 more years on various stations across the country and canceled in 1982. NBC revived the show in October 1983 when they combined it with another game show to make it into "The Match Game Hollywood Squares Hour." Due to low ratings that was canceled in June of 1984. Match Game completely left the air until it was brought back in 1990 by ABC with host Ross Schafer. That also didn't last long and was canceled in 1991. There was another syndicated version tried again in 1998 with host Michael Berger. That was completely unwatchable and quickly canceled within a year.

[@davidtrevino1358]

I once kiss sally fields dawson got mad

[@davidtrevino1358]

I once kiss loni anderson for 12 minutes gene got me out tha show