The Staff of Game Show Newsnet

Meredith Vieira, Donny Osmond, Gary Kroeger, and Chuck Woolery all have new entries into the game show foray this fall. All four are revivals of previously aired series, but will any of them revive the spirit of their original counterparts? In this edition of Newsnet Extra, we'll break each new production down and see just that.

The panel of judges include GSNN Webmaster Jason Elliott and senior editors Gordon Pepper and Chico Alexander. The four shows are judged by three criteria: gameplay (the standard elements that make the game work), creativity (does it present anything new to the fold?), and presentation (are the aesthetics visually stunning?)

Host: Donny Osmond
Announcer: John Cramer
EP: Stephen Brown
Packagers/Distributors: Sony Pictures Television

The game remains as it was since 1972's "$10,000 Pyramid," with some minor exceptions. Trilons are replaced by HDTVs, "Seven subjects in 30 seconds" is replaced by "six subjects in 20 seconds" and Dick Clark is replaced by Donny Osmond. But it harkens back to the 70s era of the Pyramid.

Jason: Gameplay... 9 points. I prefer the 6 in :20 challenge more than 7 in :30. It makes it tougher to attain. 7 in :30 became pretty easy as time went on during the classic series. The judging occasionally bothers me, but it's a new century and a new show; different rules are possible. Let's not hinder change when it's not all that bad.

Creativity...3 points. It's somewhat like the original, but has just enough update for a new show. The 'screen drop' before the Winner's Circle is kinda cool.

Presentation...2 points. Sound effects are lacking, and again, I'd rather see an on-podium scoreboard. Some semi-shining star celebs have already emerged after just a few days.

Verdict: 14 - B.

Chico: Gameplay. It's Pyramid. Plain and simple. 7 in 30, 6 in 20. You can paint a rock gold, but it's still a rock. Stephen Brown did a fantastic job staying true to the formula that made the original a success. As far as I'm concerned, this is a textbook case of KISS. I only hope that it holds true to that philosophy. Deduct half a point for the slight easing of the categories. I'll mark it at 9.5.

Creativity. I'll admit. Pyramid is my favorite franchise. The thing about it is that it's never static. It hold to one thing, but at the same time, it doesn't, like all revivals do. I like the increase in camera angles (from one to ... well, three). And Jason's right, that screen drop's cool. And I like the graphics, thank you very much. I guess that's the technocrat in me. I'll jot down a 4.

Presentation. I really don't have much of a problem with the lack of onbard score displays. Admittedly, Donny has some big shoes to fill. But he seems to be waddling around just fine so far. Although I have to deduct a point due to clueless celebs and half a point for them getting top billing over the game. But overall, this show does justice to the original with never-ending suspense and high-speed action. I'll mark it at 3.5.

Verdict: 17 - A-

Gordon: Game Play - The extra time from decreasing the clock to give clues goes to Donny chit-chatting with the celebrities. The Mystery 7 is replaced with a 'Super 6' for both rounds (no 7-11) with prizes
being offered in each section. The tie-breaker (words starting with the same letter) also stays intact. The 'Winner's Circle' round stays as is, but the money is a little different. The only major change is the deduction of one clue and ten seconds. I must therefore deduct one point for putting promotion of stars over playing of the game, and 1 point for the fact that there are no returning champions, but everything else, thankfully, is intact. Rating = 8

Creativity - The shows categories are just as creative as the original (Whatever You Do, Don't Pick This Category; Peter, RuPaul, and Mary; The Cheap Shall Inherit the Earth) and the categories even more so (Describe things that Mrs. Potato Head could win in a divorce; Describe things that are scratched but not always sniffed). The Mystery prizes also stay in the vein as the original (Trip to Mexico, Surround Sound Stereo). The Winner's Circle categories are much easier - think Pyramid Lite. They didn't add anything
spectacular to the show, but they didn't royally screw around with it either, and that can be just as important. Rating = 4

Presentation - NO REVIVAL OF THE PYRAMID THEME!!!!! BLASPHEMY!!!!!!! All of the the new music is forgettable. I do like the 20th century set, the background and the New Pyramid screens (I know some people may not like it, but the electronic look is cool and is set up in the traditional Pyramid
pattern instead of being original and goofy, Ie. Whammy!). I have the same visual gripe with this as I do with Lingo - why can we not have a normal scoreboard instead of a superimposed electronic scoreboard? That and the table having a laptop instead of clues ingrained on the side of the score panel makes the table section look UGLY. Donny Osmond does a solid job of hosting (and he gets bonus points for the Dick Clark-esque answers after the Winner Circle Rounds). The celebrities, a vital part of the game, have to be good - and for the most part - Ed Begley Jr, Kathy Najimy, and Peter Paige - they are. As for Estelle Harris...let's just say I'll add her to number 11 of people I would not want as a celebrity partner. Rating = 3

Verdict - This is definately Pyramid Lite, and a few shades under the original (the changes, for the most part, hurt the show). However, the core of the game is still there, Donny Osmond is a worthy successor to Dick Clark, and Pyramid is a very strong show in it's own right - strong enough for me
to keep my audition date.

Verdict: 15 - B

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