Match Game '78

Different episode from that week

Match Game '78
CBS
April 29, 1978
Game Show
DVD
B-

Gene gets so tired of Brett and Charles bickering that he rips out CNR's chair and has him move downstairs.  And Elaine Joyce manages not to annoy me.  This is it for MG '78, but the Best Of collection has quite a bit for '79.

Match Game '77

Match Game '77
CBS
February 29, 1977 [sic]
Game Show
DVD
B

Obviously there was no Leap Day that year, and since this aired on a Friday, the date was more likely the 25th, but the DVD packaging says the 29th, so we'll go along with it.  And if that seems arbitrary, it's nothing compared to the infamous "school riot."  Judge (and producer) Ira Skutch decides that "college" matches "school," and so does "scuba diving school" but not "finishing school" or (arguably the best match) a frightened Patty's "night school.  Richard and Debralee are understandably upset, and the audience rebels, too.  After the commercial break, Brett and Charles make peace through humor, although there's still a bitter aftertaste.  (Luckily, just about everyone says "hooker" for the next question.)

Match Game '77

Match Game '77
CBS
February 5, 1977
Game Show
DVD
B

This has one of the classic moments of the show, when the lower tier, with the help of a few props, imitates the upper tier.  Richard and Fannie spar and tease affectionately, like Brett and Charles, with additional mannerisms, like Brett's drinking and Charles's smoking.  The real surprise here is Jo Ann's twinkly-eyed, grinning version of Dick G.  Brett isn't the only one who enjoys this all thoroughly.

Match Game '77

A calmer moment

Match Game '77
CBS
February 5, 1977
Game Show
DVD
B-

In which the men trade neckware, Preparation H is a winning match, and Gene attacks a camera.  Also memorable for an early example of the face mash-up thing.  Note that both this and the succeeding episode supposedly aired on a Saturday (according to the DVD packaging), which seems unlikely.  From what I recall as a studio audience member in the later '70s through mid '80s, a week's worth of a game show would be done in one day, generally a weekday, and they would all air on weekdays.

Match Game '76

Yes, Nancy Kulp was in what
someone called "the bimbo seat."

Match Game '76
CBS
October 27, 1976
Game Show
DVD
B-

Mostly notable for more ties than usual, starting with a tie-breaker and ending with the winner tied with someone else.  Oh, and an old lady gets kissed by Richard and Gene.

Match Game '75

Match Game '75
CBS
July 28, 1975
Game Show
DVD
B-

Patty Deutsch is the most entertaining one here, although Charles does zing Gene, and it is interesting to see Joan Collins at that time.

Match Game PM

Match Game PM
CBS
July 13, 1975
Game Show
DVD
C+

I would've gone with another B- but Elaine Joyce was too annoying.  Yes, this episode has the same airdate as the last one I reviewed, but it's listed as "0004" rather than "0003" on the DVD.

Match Game PM

I matched him and some of the others.

Match Game PM
CBS
July 13, 1975
Game Show
DVD
B- 

Insults fly in many directions, especially when bad answers are given.  Note the very '70s answers of "Morris" and "Fritz" for "_____ the Cat."  ("Felix" is timeless though.)

Hong Kong Phooey: Dr. Disguiso / The Incredible Mr. Shrink

Hong Kong Phooey: Dr. Disguiso / The Incredible Mr. Shrink
ABC
December 14, 1974
Cartoon
DVD
B-

This is one of the better episodes, with the first villain passing himself off as not only HKP and Penry, but also Penry's three co-workers.  In the second adventure, the villain's pet cat Glamorpuss distracts Spot.

Hong Kong Phooey: Mr. Tornado / The Little Crook Who Wasn't There

Hong Kong Phooey: Mr. Tornado / The Little Crook Who Wasn't There
ABC
December 7, 1974
Cartoon
DVD
C+

Instead of the vague big-city environment the show is usually set in, this time there are adventures that take place partially in London, England and Venice, Italy.  There's also a skiing sight gag stolen from Charles Addams.

Hong Kong Phooey: The Great Choo Choo Robbery / Patty Cake, Patty Cake, Bakery Man

Hong Kong Phooey: The Great Choo Choo Robbery / Patty Cake, Patty Cake, Bakery Man
ABC
November 30, 1974
Cartoon
DVD
C

Other than the information that the Sarge wears a toupee, this is a pretty forgettable episode.

Hong Kong Phooey: From Bad to Verse (Rotten Rhymer) / Kong and the Counterfeiters

Hong Kong Phooey: From Bad to Verse (Rotten Rhymer) / Kong and the Counterfeiters
ABC
November 23, 1974
Cartoon
DVD
C+

The first adventure has a Carrollian/Baumian escape and a string of "-ooey" rhymes (including in French), while the second has Penry/ HKP switching back and forth between identities and fooling the adoring Rosemary.  (He calls her beautiful, so I guess it's mutual.  And, yes, I know, it's a human and a dog, but blame Hanna-Barbera.)

Hong Kong Phooey: Goldfisher / Green Thumb

Hong Kong Phooey: Goldfisher / Green Thumb
ABC
November 16, 1974
Cartoon
DVD
C

While I like the touch of the first villain and his sidekicks looking like fish, and the second villain's sidekick being part bush, I had to mark this down because the writers really don't understand how allergies work.  If Green Thumb is allergic to plants, a doctor's mask isn't going to protect him, especially if it doesn't cover his nose.