Michael T. Mondak speaks: 40 til 40 day 19

It’s the 19th day of the 40 til 40 series of blog entries about anything and everything relevant to the number 40 leading up to my 40th birthday on July 10.

In my last entry I spoke about Milton Shapp, the 40th governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  In this entry I will speak about the game shows that thrived (and died) 40 years ago, in 1985.

The Price is Right:  Thrived on CBS and still going strong, with a concurrent syndicated version launched in fall 1985.

Wheel of Fortune:  Thrived both in daytime and nighttime.  Still going strong in syndication.

Jeopardy!:  Became the number two highest rated syndicated game show behind only Wheel of Fortune.  Still going strong.

Family Feud:  Was cancelled in both daytime and syndication in 1985 thanks to Wheel of Fortune.  Thrives today after its 1999 revival.

The Joker’s Wild:  Bill Cullen was hosting and the final season began in September.

Tic Tac Dough:  Wink Martindale left the show in May 1985 and was replaced by Jim Caldwell.  Recently revived.

Love Connection:  Continued to thrive in 1985 and became the third highest rated syndicated game show behind Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!

Super Password:  Started its run strong thanks to independent stations who were willing to air the show at noon in markets where the NBC station aired local noon newscasts.

Sale of the Century:  Strong ratings in the daytime led to a concurrent syndicated version that launched in January 1985.

Scrabble:  Thrived thanks to the loyal viewers and the charm of host Chuck Woolery.  Revived in 2024.

The Big Spin:  Debuted in 1985 in weekly syndication across California and enjoyed a memorable 24 year run.

Body Language:  Ratings fell leading to its demise in January 1986.

Press Your Luck:  Ratings began to fall in 1985.  Thrives today on ABC since 2019.

Time Machine:  Died a slow death in 1985.

All-Star Blitz:  Died a short death in 1985.

Break the Bank:  Suffered from host turnover.

Anything for Money:  Failed to find an audience.

Your Number’s Up:  Died a short death by the end of 1985.

The All-New Let’s Make a Deal:  Ratings fell leading to cancellation after two seasons.

Catchphrase:  Died a slow death by January 1986.

Every Second Counts:  Failed to find an audience on Group W-owned stations (including KDKA in Pittsburgh).

The New $100,000 Name That Tune:  Died in spring 1985.

The Video Game:  Never found a youth-oriented audience on Saturday mornings.

Headline Chasers:  According to Wink Martindale in his book Winking at Life, the show failed to find an audience due to the difficult material.

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