Tic Tac Dough (September 23, 1985) - Jim Caldwell's first episode

[@StudioZ7]

I remember this. The set sure got an '80s makeover with the new host. Having just watched Wink's last show on KZbin, it's particularly interesting, seeing these shows back to back, the same contestants going from the old format to new format. It seems everything drastically changed in the mid-1980s.

[@PREGO1966]

I didn't see a change of format when Caldwell came on, just change of set and some of the red categories.

[@cevancarr]

​@@PREGO1966those pesky red boxes.

[@PREGO1966]

@@cevancarr the red boxes have been around for several years, why are you waiting for Caldwell to take over to complain about them? Besides they added to the excitement of the game,

[@cevancarr]

@@PREGO1966 Caldwell went out of the way to tell viewers he would explain how they worked and were played when viewers had watched Wink's version for years before that (and you didn't hear Wink go on and on about them later in the run in particular). Patrick Wayne also liked to talk about these at the top of each show in 1990-91).

[@PREGO1966]

​@@cevancarrI don't know how long you have been watching game shows, my friend but in the at least 50 years of my doing so of my almost 59 years alive, it has been my experience than when a newbie replaced an emcee on an already established show, he does explain minor rules like that in detail during his initial year. This is especially true if said newbie was a newbie to game show land as well. Prior to replacing Winston, I only recall seeing Jim Caldwell as a host of the New York area's version of the Syndicated PM Magazine. He went on to TNN to host only 2 of the 4 years of their game show Top Card.

[@Musicradio77Network]

This was Steve Caldwell’s first show and it’s and final season of “Tic Tac Dough”. He remained for about a year until the show ended its run in 1986. It was first aired on WOR-TV (channel 9) in Secaucus, NJ.

[@PREGO1966]

Jim Caldwell not Steve and it was his first QUIZ show. Before that he was a host on New York's version of PM Magazine

[@jamesanthonygreen8233]

That was a very enjoyable episode. I will admit Jim Caldwell was a great successor as the new host of Tic Tac Dough.

[@tomdalfonzo9959]

We all wish Jim Caldwell had hosted Tic Tac Dough 1990.

[@mitchellries256]

I think Peter Tomarken would've been a much better replacement instead of Caldwell.

[@ericsamuelson5656]

@@tomdalfonzo9959 he was too busy hosting Top Card on TNN

[@benschlechter]

@@tomdalfonzo9959 That would've been interesting if he had gotten that job instead of Patrick Wayne.

[@altfactor]

I believe Wink Martindale left "Tic Tac Dough" to host and produce his own game show, which I believe was titled "Headline Hunters".

[@jwgreek8606]

Headline Chasers. Headline Hunters was hosted by Jim Perry.

[@RedStrikerBeetleborg]

That show lasted a year I think

[@JasonDelarosa2000]

For the sake of Wink, that could've been switched. Jim hosting _Chasers_ and Wink remaining at TTD. WINK WAS FREAKING PERFECT!!!!!!

[@cevancarr]

@JasonDelarosa2000 especially since Merv Griffin liked trying out unknowns (at least to the game show hosting land - Sajak, Rolf Benirschke, Mike Reilly and even Ryan Seacrest on his kids/teen show "Click"). I think Jim Caldwell could have replaced Pat Sajak on Daytime Wheel (there are no red boxes...uh...spaces but he might like to talk about the Bankrupt and Lose-A-Turn at the top of each show).

[@mrfloxin]

I do remember Jim Caldwell from doing all those infomercials that he use to do like Prolong and others that he did!

[@ericsamuelson5656]

My favorite infomercials by him were Dura Lube and the Flying Lure. I use to know all the words to both of them.

[@mrfloxin]

@@ericsamuelson5656 I would love to see you to recite the words someday in the future!

[@bluebear1985]

Jim Caldwell would later find other game show work as well. He hosted the pilot for "The Great Getaway Game" for the Travel Channel, but oddly enough, the job would go to Wink Martindale by the time it became a series. A job he did get by 1989 was for "Top Card" on The Nashville Network, which he did for two years.

[@mrfloxin]

@@bluebear1985 Thank you for your information that I didn't know about at all!

[@BenJabituya]

3:18 - I love that sound. That should've been used on one of the seasons of "Jeopardy!" when they did away with that classic board fill sound, prior to transitioning to a new board filling sound.

[@aaronbruceladner1983]

The Category Shuffle Sound?

[@BenJabituya]

@@aaronbruceladner1983 That little harp strum sound.

[@aaronbruceladner1983]

@@BenJabituya That's When the Categories are Introduced

[@cevancarr]

The category shuffle from the 80's version would have worked on Jeopardy from 1984-91 (cannot picture it on the grid, sushi bar, library or current sets). The 90's shuffle cue would have been perfect from 1991 to this day.

[@TheRenard10]

Underrated host and set

[@cutemimi25]

6:37 & 16:53 Something Patrick Wayne will say in his version whenever he took over as host.

[@PriceRight89]

Jim's was a lot more natural than Patrick's.

[@cevancarr]

I know some have speculated Jim would have hosted TTD90 if not for Top Card (or Wink if not for The Great Getaway Game). However, I just had a thought - might Patrick Wayne have been considered to replace Wink in 1985 (or even auditioned)?

[@zachhoran]

Jim Caldwell's season of Tic is coming to Game TV Canada weekdays at 2PM starting on March 2nd, as per their website.

[@Eminem200183]

dumb boyiam See if you post some of those episodes cause I been wanted to see Jim’s season

[@zachhoran]

@@Eminem200183 Someone in Canada would have to post them, and posting them on KZbin could get a Sony copyright strike

[@Eminem200183]

dumb boyiam Gotta love Sony continuing to ruin childhood memories by blocking classic game shows

[@Rewindium]

GameTV didn’t begin with this episode, it was Jacqueline @ Dragon if anyone knows the date to that one

[@ABCEasyas--]

The country music category foreshadowed Jim hosting game shows on The Nashville Network.

[@danielruggiero5230]

Top Card [more specifically season 2 when it went to the all-musical format]

[@mitchellries256]

On the episode before this one, Country Music was in the center square and Archie could've won the game last season if he picked that category and got it right. But instead he went for Oprah which didn't help him at all.

[@stevenshiller1600]

I've watching Tic Tac Dough for 36 years, so i enter contest.

[@johnmiller8338]

"From the kaufman-astoria studios stage-d in millerville-city luzerne-county ioml it's everybody's game of strategy knowledge & fun it's tic tac dough & now here's your new-host jim-caldwell".

[@mrbarker92]

Jim is not a bad host. He's no Wink, but he keeps the show up and doesn't flub immensely. The problem was that game shows were starting to lose their edge compared to those in the 70s. Yeah, Jeopardy in its current form came from the 80s, but other than that, most game shows either retreaded on old ideas with nothing special or just seemed complicated for the sake of being unique. It was certainly a dark time.

[@theguywiththegames1594]

Jeopardy stood out because it did change a few things up from the original Fleming runs; it was treated as a more serious, high stakes game but the gameplay remained as simple as they come.

[@Eminem200183]

The Guy with the Games Plus they change it to where no one could ring in without the answer being finished. Alex probably couldn’t catch up during the 1st season on who rung in 1st

[@megamanj2004X]

This season the Pyramid franchise introduced America to The $100,000 Pyramid and the 3 best players with the fastest times returned for annual tournaments where someone could win $100,000! Plus this season Jeopardy! with Alex Trebek introduced its very first seasonal Tournament of Champions.

[@megamanj2004X]

The Guy with the Games Plus Jeopardy! introduced its very first ever Tournament of Champions this season as well.

[@mitchellries256]

He was just okay from my perspective. I think Peter Tomarken would've been a much better host for this show.

[@aaronbaker5887]

Did anyone catch the old plug for Card Sharks on GSN back in the day @ 19:52?!

[@aaronbaker5887]

Not only Tic Tac Dough had a new host, it also had a new set in the final season, talk about a major overhaul makeover guys!

[@amywilson3593]

gerry wilson i turned 33 the day trhis premiered

[@stevenshiller1600]

I've watch these game shows since I went preschool.

[@zachhoran]

It's a Dilemma and Number PLease were seen for the first time

[@cevancarr]

A thought - what if Dan Enright discovered Ray Combs before Mark Goodson did? At 11:15 the way Jim gets excited and shouts "you did it!" reminds me of Ray Combs saying "you got the cash!" and "bullseye!" on his run of Family Feud.

[@jwgreek8606]

Or BAM! Move over emeril! Ray Combs popularized Bam!

[@zachhoran]

The previous set became dated for 1985, although the computer technology was dated in 1985 compared to what Jeopardy, Scrabble, and Catch Phrase was using at the time.

[@Rlotpir1972]

They could improve the game board by adding 26" Sony monitors instead of the 19"s.

[@ericsamuelson5656]

The previous set dated for 1985 dates back to 1978

[@damienchance2622]

The audience and the folks at home asking... what happened to Wink Martindale???

[@lakebay972]

Headline Chasers

[@paullarue2010]

Jim Caldwell hosted a few game shows.

[@zachhoran]

Top Card on TNN after this, and the pilot for the Travel Channel's Great Getaway Game, which Wink ended up hosting(he also co-produced the show)

[@paullarue2010]

Jim Caldwell was named as host, after Wink Martindale left the show.

[@paullarue2010]

Jim knew about the Center box, because it was a 2-part question.

[@paullarue2010]

Awful dragon growl or roar.

[@cutemimi25]

@@paullarue2010 Agreed, the 90s and original growl/roar were better.

[@mitchellries256]

Peter Tomarken would've been my first choice as Wink's replacement personally.

[@christopherslappey1681]

@@mitchellries256 He Was Still Doing Press Your Luck At The Time So He Was Unavailable.

[@bluebear1985]

Here's what aired in primetime: ABC- Hardcastle & McCormick (She May Not Be Deep, But She Sure Is Fast), NFL Monday Night Football (Rams at Seahawks) CBS- Scarecrow & Mrs. King (A Lovely Little Affair), Movie (Izzy & Moe) NBC- TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes, Family Ties (Vacation)

[@PREGO1966]

What does this have to do with game shows?

[@jwgreek8606]

Master charge changed it's name to MasterCard in 1979.

[@mitchellries256]

Sometimes you had perfect replacements for game shows like Tom Kennedy taking over Password Plus for Allen Ludden. And sometimes you have this guy.

[@PREGO1966]

Tom Kennedy was Allen Ludden's best friend. He wanted "Jim Tom" to bail him out.

[@johnmiller8496]

"HEY is that gene-rayburn's sony ecm-51 stick telescopic microphone from match-game" 🇺🇸📺🎤🤔🎤🤔⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐📹.

[@juliusmay8712]

I wonder did the host changes and the bad ratings caused WPVI channel 6 to drop tic Tac Dough and Joker's wild in favor of Jeopardy and Wheel Of Fortune

[@cevancarr]

Likely. Some stations moved them to mornings/afternoons and aired Wheel/J! at night while in other markets they switched affiliates (often but not always to low-budget independent stations). Also it seems I've seen more markets pick up TTD in 1985-86 but not TJW. Some affiliates like WFTV and I think WLKY had all four (WLKY at least had TTD). WWL in New Orleans may have been another.

[@IvoryM1986]

Another red box category introduced this season, Number Please, is what became Over/Under in Round 2 of the first 2 seasons of Stump the Schwab. Now for the episode that began with Jacqueline vs. The Dragon, if that episode took place before Ted Scott, then we're guaranteed to see the Choice Shows versions of the 10-second ads. Episodes with Ted Scott did have the TV Game Show Magazine fee plug in it.

[@zachhoran]

Number Please also played like the Educated Guess question on Eubanks Card Sharks

[@markjones1184]

I wish he had finished reading the one question

[@StudioZ7]

Caldwell wasn't as fast a talker as Wink Martindale was, but of course Wink was a veteran top-40 disc jockey. With the change in the appearance of the show I'm surprised they didn't change the music as well, maybe to something more syntho-dance that would have screamed 1985.

[@marctaylor3114]

Why did Wink Martindale leave Tic Tac Dough ?

[@mitchellries256]

He wanted to try other things. He hosted his own syndicated show called Headline Chasers after this. Unfortunately it wasn't a success.

[@marctaylor3114]

Thanks for the info

[@fornitegood122jr6]

@@mitchellries256 I wish wink would help you.

[@mitchellries256]

@@fornitegood122jr6 What do you mean?

[@ErikFlores-mo3fs]

@@mitchellries256who’s going to be new host named please

[@ABCEasyas--]

A rare “dual implication” on TTD.

[@jonathanmitchell9886]

The '80s aesthetic was just so weird. "Hey, how about a little pallid bubblegum pink for ya? Surrounded by a thick wall of formless grey? Makes you feel downright sick, doesn't it? Yeah, you bet it does." If the goal was to make game shows (whose colors are, it seems to me, inherently vivid and should never be washed out) less fun, they certainly succeeded in the mid-'80s.

[@cevancarr]

Pepto Bismol pink

[@jonathanmitchell9886]

@@cevancarr Yep. They had the same color scheme on *Facts of Life* during its last two seasons.

[@cevancarr]

@jonathanmitchell9886 the guy that designed the set (Dennis Roof) also designed Blockbusters 1980 and 1987, Card Sharks 86, Hollywood Squares 86 and Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour. This wasn't awful but not his finest work either (his best were Squares 86, Card Sharks and Blockbusters - especially 87)

[@megamanj2004X]

Jim Caldwell did a decent job given the circumstances although he sometimes has a nagging tendency to frequently mention the red boxes a little too much at times. But at least he wasn’t terrible like a certain Mr. “YOOOUUUUUUUU WIIIIIINNNNNNNN!!” 4-5 years later.

[@marcpower4167]

I think Jim was nervous succeeding Wink and that may have affected him early on. He got better with time.

[@drummingdanny84]

@@marcpower4167 The show and Jim could have be given another year (1986-87). “Tic Tac Dough” running into the late-’80’s? That would’ve been interesting.

[@marcpower4167]

I think Wheel and Jeopardy were blowing ttd and joker's wild away by this point.

[@mitchellries256]

I personally would've gone with Peter Tomarken as Wink's replacement. He has more hosting experience and his energy and enthusiasm on Press Your Luck would've been perfect for this show to.

[@paulnguyen8910]

And the ratings began to plummet, and this & six other game shows were shown the door come next year.

[@mitchellries256]

I think Martindale leaving this show was a mistake not just for the show which did bad with Caldwell but also because Headline Chasers (the show in which Martindale had left for) was never a success.

[@usa02]

That's also because then newly syndicated rivals "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy!" began to sweep the ratings in many markets causing the cancellations of not only "Tic Tac Dough" but including "The Joker's Wild" and the long running, "Family Feud" which ended in 1985.

[@paulnguyen8910]

Others included: "Break The Bank", "Catch Phrase", "Price Is Right", "Sale of Century".

[@someguy23475]

Ratings were falling before Caldwell took over.

[@johnmiller8338]

"The kaufman-astoria studios stage-c the joker's-wild stage-d tic tac dough stage-g tv-ontario's today's-special stage-h 321-contact & stage-j sesame-street circa 1985-1986".

[@zachhoran]

Gisele lost on daytime $ale a year later. This was the last time Play or Pass and Jump-In category would be seen on the show. Those two, Double or Nothing, and Bonus Category, didn't appear in 1985-86.

[@Eminem200183]

dumb boyiam Gotta thank good ol’ Enright for the changes of the Red Boxes meaning Special Categories. Wtf would you make a Red Box category It’s A Dilemma. It was compare to The Joker’s Wild’s How Long Will You Go

[@schmolik1]

Gisele lost the game and the car choosing Number Please.

[@paullarue2010]

Archie Lange was a tough contender.

[@scootover7]

I thought Jim did a great job. I do have a what if thought though, would Tic Tac Dough lasted longer if Wink was still the host.

[@AustinLaPlante]

Going to be honest, I'm very neutral on Jim Caldwell's hosting abilities...

[@mitchellries256]

I would've gone with Peter Tomarken as Wink's replacement but whatever.

[@mitchellries256]

I think Peter Tomarken would've been a much better replacement instead of this guy. Tomarken had plenty of experience as a host and his energy and enthusiasm on Press Your Luck would've been perfect for this show to.

[@TLEberle]

He was also busy.

[@mitchellries256]

@@TLEberle Yeah with Press Your Luck. But I've seen people host shows on Daytime TV and syndication at the same time.

[@SullenMorbius]

No Wink, no Dough. This dude looks like Tucker Carlson.

[@benschlechter]

Jim Caldwell did well, but neither he nor Patrick Wayne could top Wink.

[@Rlotpir1972]

Many of the questions were so easy, a three-year-old could answer.

[@JasonDelarosa2000]

TTD set _Kaylie's Story_ style...

[@robertblack2752]

Jim Caldwell was really bad here, they should have kept Wink

[@StudioZ7]

Wink chose to leave.

[@mitchellries256]

In all fairness, they should've chose someone wih more hosting experience like Peter Tomarken or Jim Peck.

[@marctaylor3114]

@@mitchellries256 , I agree Jim Peck should have been Wink's replacement.

[@cevancarr]

@@marctaylor3114 yeah but after Dan Enright screwed him out of the Joker job if he was offered Tic Tac I wouldn't blame him turning it down. Peck would have been great for the Card Sharks revivals or Classic Concentration (would have been his first show for Mark Goodson). Or the Daytime Wheel of Fortune when Sajak stepped down on NBC. However Bob Eubanks, Bill Rafferty and Alex Trebek respectively were also great!

[@fornitegood122jr6]

@@StudioZ7 because he's have to go.

[@MrWildcat2009]

I didn’t like this version, which must explain why this show got the can at the end of the season.

[@benschlechter]

You should've seen Patrick Wayne's short-lived revival in 1990. It lasted one season.

[@FreestyleAllTheWay-ik4gm]

This version was really lousy and the new pastel like set was really lousy. I really loved the wood grain set.

[@samuraicrunchbird]

So...much...PASTEL!! 🤮🤮

[@FreestyleAllTheWay-ik4gm]

Jim Caldwell was lousy and annoying. Wink Martindale was a million times better. I really love the wood grain set and it was really lousy when they changed it from wood grain to a pastel like environment.

[@cevancarr]

Unfortunately I heard years ago the wood-grain set looked like it was being eaten by termites in its later years.

[@FreestyleAllTheWay-ik4gm]

@@cevancarr yes by human termites. Nevertheless, I really loved the wood grain set on Tic Tac Dough.

[@cevancarr]

@@FreestyleAllTheWay-ik4gm 😂🤣😅😆

[@marquelcherry9524]

Why on Earth is a dragon on this game show tic tac dough? dragons not real at all