The Name's The Same (ABC Primetime Special; Episode 2)

[billmcdee]

Mr. X, did you also have a brother who was a game show emcee?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Mr. X: Wellllll.

(buzz) (inaudible dialogue from the judge)

Doug: Oh now you earn your keep. (a few laughs from the crowd) Bill, we don't know a *whole* lot about Mr. X's namesake's family history. We know enough that our guest's namesake didn't have a sibling that followed in his footsteps or vice versa.

Doug: So Bill, you're down to four questions. Ask another or pass to Hunter?

[billmcdee]

Okay, so that rules out Tom Kennedy then...I'll continue questioning.


Mr. X, did you primarily host game shows that were on between the years 1970 and 1985?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Mr. X: Well, Bill, I just hosted one show in that time period -- not counting unsold pilots.

Doug: Perhaps some vital info. Bill, keep playing or pass?

[billmcdee]

I shall pass to Hunter at this time.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Bill's gonna pass. Hunter, your first time to question Mr. X.

This is probably a good time to recap what we know so far. Mr. X shares his first and last name with a former game show host. This former host has other on-camera credits. To the *best* of our knowledge, he didn't host a show for Mark Goodson or the Heatter-Quigley team -- including any unsold pilots. His best known game show involves celebrities. He is still with us. No sibling of his tried his or her hand hosting another game show. And Mr. X just disclosed he hosted one show between 1970 and 1985 inclusive.

So with that, Hunter, the floor's yours.

[Deleted]

Did you host the original version of "The Gong Show"?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Mr. X: Oh no!

(a few laughs from the crowd)

[billmcdee]

Okay that's scary because I was thinking it was him too!!!  :-o

[Deleted]

Okay, you're not Chuck Barris. Was your program a Barry and Enright production?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Mr. X: Nope. I didn't get to work for them.

[Deleted]

I'll take a risk and ask another question. Did you get to work for Australian TV game show producer Reg Grundy? (He did a few shows here in the states, like Sale of the Century and Scrabble, so that's why i ask.)

[dougmorrisontheair]

Mr. X: Why -- yes I did.

Doug: Hunter may be on to something. Hunter, you may ask another question or pass -- but you can't ask the audience.

(a few laughs from the crowd)

[Deleted]

I know this game show doesn't involve celebrities, but did you host "Time Machine"?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Mr. X: No -- sorry.

[Deleted]

I'd better pass. I don't wanna lose my $5,000 check (St. Jude's could really use the money) but i wanna save my questions for if it comes back to me.

[dougmorrisontheair]

All right. Greg, it's back to you. Four questions left in your bank. The others three each.

[palmer7]

Let's see, you've never worked for Mark Goodson or Heatter-Quigley, but you have worked for Reg Grundy and your game show involves celebrities. Did you ever host a show called "Missing Links"? I believe that was Goodson-Todman.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Mr. X: (shakes head) No, I'm afraid not.

Doug: Everyone now down to three questions. This is a good time to note we are including unsold pilots Mr. X's namesake hosted. Greg, continue or pass?

[palmer7]

Well, so much for Dick Clark. Did you ever work for Merv Griffin, Mr. X?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Mr. X: (trying his best to impersonate Merv) Oooooh.

(scattered laughter)

Mr. X: Didn't get to work for Mr. Griffin. That's a no.

[palmer7]

Well, so much for Chuck Woolery. Wild guess here, are you Jim Perry?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Mr. X: I'm familiar with his work.









































Mr. X: But I'm not Jim Perry.

(scattered groans)

Doug: All right, Greg, you're down to your last question. Ask one more question or pass to Bill, who has three questions at his disposal?

[palmer7]

Pass.

[billmcdee]

Okay, let me try a different line here...

Mr. X, did you wear glasses while hosting?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Mr. X: No glasses for me.

Doug: We're getting close to the end one way or the other. Another recap is in order.

Mr. X shares his first and last name with a former game show host. This former host has other on-camera credits. To the *best* of our knowledge, he didn't host a show for Mark Goodson, Merv Griffin, Chuck Barris, Barry and Enright or the Heatter-Quigley team -- including any unsold pilots. He has hosted a project for Reg Grundy.

Mr. X has disclosed he hosted one show between 1970 and 1985 inclusive. His best known game show involves celebrities. He is still with us. No sibling of his tried his or her hand hosting another game show.

And no glasses for Mr. X. Bill, care to proceed or pass?

[billmcdee]

(imitating Paul Lynde)....Did you wear contacts?



Just kidding!


Mr. X., did you host this show in the United States?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Mr. X: Oh yes.

Doug: In fact, if I may, all game show projects Mr. X hosted were in the U.S. Our sources do not indicate any game show hosting outside of the U.S.

Doug: So with that -- you're down to one question, Bill. Ask it and perhaps try to name Mr. X -- or pass or Hunter?

[billmcdee]

I pass to Hunter.

[dougmorrisontheair]

All right, Hunter. Three questions. Try to make good of them.