Different eps. of $25K Pyramid coming?

[MMM717]

Watching those two Osmond era episodes where Dick was a contestant a couple of weeks ago reminded me of why I didn't like his version - he did a good enough job hosting, but the shows felt rushed. I really don't like the 6/20 format of the non-winners circle rounds - the game was perfect to begin with. I also think the set looked sterile, but that's another thing...

I wouldn't have a problem seeing it on the schedule for some variety, but not in place of any of the Clark episodes - just as a supplement. I wouldn't put much effort in to watch it though. It's insane that there's about 2,000 Clark hosted episodes available known to exist, and we're stuck with repeats of a thin slice of these. Not only that, with such a limited selection, the same episode is now being repeated within a given day, which is sure to further lower ratings of each time slot (who's going to watch the same episode twice in the same day?). However, instead of doing some actual good programming by actually utilizing all the Clark episodes available, they instead insert an inferior substitute. I don't get it, at all.

[ryan22184]

I'm going to guess it's just a placeholder. If we are led to believe that the "new" listings on the PDFs were just for Osmond's version, then GSN would have just listed his version. GSN might be testing the waters to see if it would do well on the regular schedule. I could rant all day about how I would love to see the $20,000 version back on the regular schedule for the first time in 14 years, but I digress. Dick's version is consistently the top ratings winner for classics, so I doubt they'd ditch it save for Friday nights. Seeing as the "new" listings also appeared days before the tribute was planned, that cancels out the idea that Osmond's version was the planned show to take that time slot in the first place. GSN could still be converting episodes for all we know at this point. It's just a matter of seeing what happens within the next two weeks.

Ryan

[pzimm7778]

This comes off like a network that really has no idea what it's doing. They are just going to run Osmonds Pyramid for a week for the heck of it? That's their explanation? Someone with power needs to seriously look at this schedule and overhaul it. I've said before any time they replace a show with something else it feels like they are just band aiding it rather than stepping back, looking at the schedule as a whole, and thinking what would be a good fit for what's around it. Now they are substituting versions of it for other versions with no rhyme or reason?

[matchgame74fan]

Even with my gripes about Donnymid (which I thought had some of the worst judgment calls on a game show ever), I felt it had really enjoyable celebs and Donny was a good host, save for the shouting after a failed winner's circle round. And I'm not against it being on GSN. I'm glad they got something reasonably fresh out of the vault; always nice to see different episodes of a show. But I agree, you think they'd try and get a Clark lease considering. Hoping this is indeed just a placeholder and maybe they can put Donnymid on another slot.

[Chameleonwhammy]

I've got a gut feeling The $25,000 Pyramid is a goner. I think a lease expired, and I am expecting something to replace it on Friday nights.

At least Donnymid is a welcome change in my book.

[phimat37]

Yeah and then I have to hear Donnymid for the rest of my life.

But seriously, IF GSN does have the rights to Card Sharks (Perry) that should go back to 10:00am while they have it since it did well, then at 10:30am Password Plus. At 1:00pm and 1:30pm should be Donnymid. It could succeed fine there. I mean, I haven't been paying attention to the 1pm Deal or No Deal ratings but, has DoND actually been doing fine there? Plus, do we really need DoND there? It's past it's prime.

If The $25,000 Pyramid is a goner, I won't be happy, really. That's probably my favorite classic on GSN right now. But, honestly, Donnymid isn't too bad.

[CaseyAbell]

I put the new pdf for May 7-13 on the blog. Alex said the Donnymid run is for one week only because that's what the accompanying GSN e-mail said. But if Donnymid does decent numbers, it will probably stay on the schedule. The 25K Pyramid block is still on Friday night in the new pdf, despite abysmal ratings.

The Donnymid celebs are Liza Snyder and Diedrich Bader (Mon-Wed) and Scott Cohen and Nancy O'Dell (Thu-Fri), by the way. According to the Donnymid episode guide, these eps date from the show's first season.

[gsguy12]

I put the new pdf for May 7-13 on the blog. The reason Alex said the Donnymid run is for one week only is because that's what the accompanying GSN e-mail said about the change. But if Donnymid does decent numbers, it will probably stay on the schedule. The 25K Pyramid block is still on Friday night in the new pdf, despite abysmal ratings.

See, I think GSN has it backwards. They should try Donny on Friday nights, and keep Dick Clark on daytime at 10:30, where he still does well. I could be wrong, but I don't think Donny will do so well in the middle of daytime. Remember a few years ago when they tried a bunch of modern shows in daytime? Bingo America, Whammy!, Hollywood Squares, Jeopardy, etc... all these shows couldn't last a few months (and Bingo/Whammy! just two weeks) before they got replaced.

We will see though. But you can't deny there are other under preforming hours in daytime where they could put Donny. Like 12pm, for example, replacing one Lingo.

[CaseyAbell]

See, I think GSN has it backwards. They should try Donny on Friday nights, and keep Dick Clark on daytime at 10:30, where he still does well.

In the latest published week (April 23-29) 25K Pyramid averaged 218K viewers at 10:30AM. That's not horrible but it's hardly spectacular. And I don't want to think about the demos. Everything on GSN skews old but the pre-1990 shows skew ancient.

Frankly, I think GSN would like to shake up mornings with Harvey Feud. But they're already running that show for all it's worth in early fringe, prime time, and late night. So they'll try Donnymid for a week in the morning and see what happens. There's no doubt the 25K Pyramid block on Friday night has to perform better or it's gone soon.

It's now up to The Nielsen Company...he said portentously.

Crossposted to the blog with a screenshot of, who else, Donny Osmond on Pyramid.

[phimat37]

Like 12pm, for example, replacing one Lingo.

That is one time slot that couldn't hurt since, I don't think Lingo performs well there. But I like Lingo at Noon, myself. I would really like GSN to air Donnymid at 1pm replacing Deal or No Deal. I keep saying that, I'm sorry but I'm just saying.

[billycw]

I think what they are doing here is limiting 25k Pyramid to Friday nights only, to perhaps get better ratings. So, if you want to watch 25k, you have to watch Friday nights now, no other option. That is my best guess on this. Even though daytime ratings have been solid, and the Friday night numbers have been so-so at best. Don't know if this will work, but we'll see.

Probably...but this after Clark's recent death? Timing....

[billycw]

I've got a gut feeling The $25,000 Pyramid is a goner. I think a lease expired, and I am expecting something to replace it on Friday nights.

At least Donnymid is a welcome change in my book.

If Donnymid replaces 25 K in AM....isn't that another chop off the classic tree? In essence, no new ep's of MG, Feud or Pyramid since 2009. Passwords for CS's.Friday night Clark negated by Donnymid...

[wayne3924]

Get used to that chopping of the tree; it's probably only going to intensify soon.

And Casey mentioned GSN probably wants Harvey Feud in the morning, but that they're already running it hard. That hasn't stopped them in the past. I'll say they'll give Harvey the 9-10 slot eventually (classics and Karn be darned).

[jhshifris]

So, we'll be seeing some more of Donny's Pyramid sometime soon?

[phimat37]

So, we'll be seeing some more of Donny's Pyramid sometime soon?

Probably yes and GSN will quickly tune me out.