Scrabble Challenge game show pilot (2002 - rough cut)

John O'Hurley hosts. This is from the first of two sets of Scrabble Challenge pilots that GSN did in the early 2000s. Neither version got picked up for series.
This was one of the first projects I worked on out of school, and I met and worked with a lot of great people! Unfortunately, the end product is a little lacking, but it was still a very fun experience for me.
This is an unsweetened rough cut, so there are going to be audio and picture issues throughout.

[@PJade]

I remember Dean, he was on Hollywood Squares! That buzz-in sound effect they borrowed from Click! was cool.

[@johnissoevil]

I enjoyed Woolery's Scrabble. But I also always enjoyed the standard board game version. This was a nice twist on the latter. What baffles me is GSN picked up crap like Extreme Gong, DJ Games, and All New 3's a Crowd, yet they didn't pick this up.

[@marcomacias3960]

how ironic that John hosted To Tell the Truth in which the category is To Tell the Tooth

[@MountainHawkPYL]

That's not irony. That's a coincidence. Irony is when I tell you that smoking is bad for you, then I go out and get run over by a cigarette truck.

[@ladambell]

I kind of like this, but I understand why it never made air. It's basically vanilla Scrabble with some trivia questions thrown in, which moves incredibly slowly-especially considering the announcer's assertion at the beginning that it's "the fastest word game on television."

[@kaseysmith6790]

Ingenious use of technology here.....

[@Spi-AU]

I get the feeling that, with this being a rough cut, they'd work out better pacing, probably some better touchscreens (although maybe not in 2002!)... maybe add some canned audience to give it atmosphere (one thing this run through didn't have, especially when going to the board). Seems like it did have some premise. But then as you might get through more words with better pacing - unless you wind back the amounts, maybe $10 a point to start with or get rid of the 4x point round, or add probably more padding than they'd like - it becomes something that could've blown out to be well beyond GSN's typical prize budget. So I could see it become kinda stuck, especially if it were competing against other things in the $10,000 range at the time...

[@alexanderpytko5394]

SCRABBLE is being revived with Raven Symone as the host on CW on October 7, 2024.

[@Brundall525]

The vibe of this show reminds me of the way KingWorld does in game shows.

[@herezmikey]

I was reading the comments and understand that it should have been a bit more fast pace, but it was a good concept. I really liked the concept. The original Scrabble game show will always be in my heart but the concept here was good.

[@AaronBruceLadner]

At My House, We Play SCRABBLE just like the Chuck Woolery Version.

[@PIXPromosMore]

This would've been better if the pacing of it was a little faster

[@bmhedgehog2]

Wow this was pretty good.

[@TBONE_2004]

Reg Grundy scored a winner with Scrabble back in the 80s, and that version is one of my all-time favorite game shows!

[@MrMarcellolsilva]

Should have kept it the same way Chuck Woolery hosted it.

[@alexanderpytko5394]

I agree. It was easier to follow. They are reviving SCRABBLE in October 2024 with Rave Symone as the host.

[@michaelfagan7290]

quincy

[@MikeCountyMan]

If someone brings Words With Friends to TV, could this be a viable concept?

[@Musicradio77Network]

If GSN never picks up "The Scrabble Challenge", why not put it on the Hub Network and it will add to the prime time lineup along with the classic version with Chuck Woolery.

[@cutemimi25]

They should do that since Hasbro does own Scrabble.

[@AlexPerrine]

cutemimi25 true.

[@Musicradio77Network]

@@AlexPerrine If not, maybe they should scrap the idea and move on.

[@JordanGenesis]

I need to find that Buzz-in sound effect cause I heard it from that kids game show "Click" and I wanna use it for a Wheel of Fortune project I'm working on.

[@alextorres9832]

Congratulations Dean you're move on to the bonus round

[@port566]

It's a 5-letter word. The clue is: "Scrabble is grounded in it." Answer: Chuck. It's the crossword game you've played all your life, but never quite like this.

[@Musicradio77Network]

SCRABBLE!!! And here’s you host, Chuck Woolery.

[@jwgreek8606]

Not too shabby Caleb! Should have sold!

[@connarcowanakacliffordoneo9095]

I liked the idea and its an interesting concept and set up. John does a good job with the set up. I wish the game was a little bit faster pace. It seems a bit too slow. It also needed a studio audience to give the show more energy. The set was really crafty and cool aka the scrabble 1993 set

[@danbarker3846]

This wasn't a bad version, not the Chuck version we all loved, but pretty decent.

[@brianjohnson7]

I liked this better than the Woolery version...seemed more like actual Scrabble

[@jimmyboyzable]

I actually liked John O' Hurley as a Game Show Host, I loved him on "Family Feud" and actually wish he was still hosting it because I can't stand Steve Harvey's version, he's annoying and too dramatic, but that's me. This "Scrabble" pilot was okay, could've been better but nevertheless, it was still fun to watch.

[@bearboy518]

good one

[@jasonserota3843]

that is why i dont watch because steve is too dramatic.

[@jasonserota3843]

and annoying

[@Michael103101985]

I liked him on TTTT, but absolutely hated him on FF. I don't seem to mind him here though.

[@robertgranros2098]

Don’t forget him playing J. Peterman on Seinfeld.

[@cutemimi25]

Does Hasbro own Scrabble, if they do, then The Hub Network should give this show a shot.

[@andrewschroy6368]

Most likely won't happen-- Hub is going to go bye-bye come October 13th. Though the soon-to-be christened Discovery Family Network could air something like this...

[@cutemimi25]

Now you tell me.

[@kballard27]

But it's discovery family it's still doable

[@cutemimi25]

kballard27 We'll see about that.

[@kballard27]

cutemimi25 john o'hurley is a great host in any show he does even to tell the truth was great

[@technospyform1578]

Something tells me this Dean also played H2

[@SP84Fanatic]

Why were the contestants seated in barbershop chairs? Wouldn't a podium or desk sufficed?

[@floridianwolf1029]

Why are the chairs out of "Een Tegen 100?"

[@autumnwinds8636]

I liked it, because it was different.

[@kelley381]

I LOVE SCRABBLE.

[@dexj1]

I can see why GSN passed on this. The game play is kind of slow.

[@TcheQ]

Jebus, 25 a point, plus 3700 per bonus? I'd be a millionaire in a month

[@Forensource]

They are under pressure, but CHAINED is not hard to see for Dean.

[@EdinburghAndy]

On a triple word score.

[@aaronbruceladner1983]

Charlie Tuna: She Owns a Vending Company... He's a Claims Representative From Huntington Beach, California, KELLY SIMMS... And from El Ajondra, California, DEAN YOSHITANI

[@dimitriberozny3729]

I am surprised that FOX didn’t pick this up!! They were looking around for different things.John O’herley was a FOX employee at this time. FOX probably didn’t want to pay what they wanted for it.

[@andrewschroy6368]

Except this wasn't piloted for Fox. This was actually meant to be for GSN.

[@dimitriberozny3729]

@@andrewschroy6368 Thanks for the info!

[@alextorres9832]

STOP THE CLOCK with 1 second to spare ⏰ ✋

[@AaronBruceLadner]

A 9 Letter Word, The Clue is: IT CAN BE THE SHOCK OF A LIFETIME Audience: LIGHTNING It's The Crossword Game You've Played All Your Life, But Never Quite Like This. Audience: SCRABBLE And Here's Your Host, CHUCK WOOLERY!

[@Musicradio77Network]

You got the wrong show, it’s “Scrabble Challenge”, not “Scrabble”.

[@Musicradio77Network]

I wish if the Hub Network should pick this up, or possibly the Chuck Woolery version. This pilot was not too shabby and didn't followed the Chuck Woolery version.

[@wwefan791]

10:39 Put chained with the d at the end of maze and the holiday would have been hers.

[@AuRaZaC]

Why do I find this so fucking funny?

[@andrewschroy6368]

I recognize Dean! He was on the premiere of Amnesia with Dennis Miller...

[@alextorres9832]

Hello John 👋

[@dereksmith7293]

could i get the boardgame scrabble at a free play and uploaded or send to my computer

[@kamenduck8073]

The moving chairs are very cool, but the rest of the game is a bit too lightweight.

[@MountainHawkPYL]

Tournament Scrabble players are cringing at all the high scoring words they missed.

[@alextorres9832]

He's found the corner

[@JasonMasterJHuhn]

Kelly could have earned more points if she made BATHE and EXIT with her letters.

[@alextorres9832]

YOU DID IT DEAN

[@rodteriouscampbell6450]

1:55 OK dean first up

[@alextorres9832]

Bye 👋 john

[@morley247]

I really want kelly to win, The F dean...

[@alextorres9832]

Dean is a winner for the day $4,750 you move to bonus round congratulations 👏 you beat her

[@bigblue9996]

I like the concept, but too boring to be put on television. Also the set looks like the Family Feud (Karn) set.

[@hawnmelissa2000]

This Game Show Needs To Be Put Back On The Air

[@andrewschroy6368]

Same ring-in sound from Click... don't think they're from the same production company, though.

[@alextorres9832]

He found it she found the corner you did it dean you won $9500 congratulations 👏

[@quizmaster85]

10:39 - I would have put CHAINED at the far right of the board.

[@Michael103101985]

Yes, and EXILE instead of EXIT

[@cartoongameshowman]

So, losing contestants don't get to keep their money.

[@amuzulo]

No, but they get a collection of board games. yay.

[@blindman131a]

All sic people in the audience were just thrilled to be there. NOT

[@nextbarker2702]

Not a bad pilot

[@jakelocker2394]

Meh this isn't the best. I much rather Chuck Woolery's version.

[@RainbowReflection1]

Easy money

[@andrewschroy6368]

BTW, I think Scrabble Showdown and the 80s version were better, although I do think John O'Hurley did a fine job with this show. John Moschitta, Jr., however, needed a little more enthusiasm, even if it was just a pilot.

[@jakelocker2394]

Especially the seats. Those are just stupid. O'Hurley is a good host. But just a bad version I think

[@dpsulliv]

The bonus round had some tension, but the rest of the show was so boring.

[@evanking6737]

shame they aren't very good at scrabble

[@jwgreek8606]

why do those buzzers sound familiar?

[@jwgreek8606]

The theme music sounds like Neutron Dance by Pointer Sisters

[@KettouRyuujin]

Needed a laugh track.

[@jwgreek8606]

categories are similar to pyramid

[@alextorres9832]

You found the corner upper right hand corner you won $9,500 congratulations Dean 👏 💰🤑💸💲💶💵💰🤑💸💲💶💵💰🤑💸💲💶💵WOO HOO HOO 😀😄👏👍😁

[@yaphettvazquez9796]

$1,900!!!!!!

[@andrewschroy6368]

I dunno-- more like Win Ben Stein's Money to me...

[@rosabenavides7069]

power rangers Samurai Mia Shaka Hi Sam Barney Power is Icarly today

[@tjh1521]

zzzzz this is boring

[@arhsmacdude]

this show seems awful!

[@mandapanda3761]

Audrey

[@morgan8757]

john o'hurley is a terrible host anyways

[@jackswanson8326]

morgan8757 he’s hot though

[@robertgranros2098]

Well he was great as J. Peterman

[@IMightBeJesus69]

Was she ducking blind?! She could've spelled TEXT on the 2nd and 3rd go....

[@alextorres9832]

Hello John 👋