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| "BLOCKBUSTERS" COMPARISON Two great pages - one for each version. The original by Mike Klauss can be found here. And Caleb Craig Nelson provides a tribute to the revival here. Stats - "Blockbusters" Broadcast history: NBC Daytime October 27, 1980 - April 23, 1982 Host: Bill Cullen Announcer: Bob Hilton, Johnny Olson, Rich Jeffries Stats - "Blockbusters" Broadcast history: NBC Daytime January 5, 1987 - May 1, 1987 Host: Bill Rafferty Announcer: Rich Jeffries HOST Bill Cullen was a great host. He interjected humor at perfect times, and read questions to perfection. Bill Rafferty had these qualities, but less so. ADVANTAGE: "Blockbusters" '80 (1-0) ANNOUNCER Bob Hilton was the primary announcer of "Blockbusters" in its original run. Rich Jeffries did a somewhat lackluster job in the revival compared to his previous shows. ADVANTAGE: "Blockbusters" '80 (2-0) GAME PLAY The original version had a family pair, while the second had a one-on-one format. Had they altered the game to cater more to the one versus one, I would've given it the edge. But, it was kept the same (save for a third round, if needed) and I personally thought that two vs. one format was neat. ADVANTAGE: "Blockbusters" '80 (3-0) BONUS ROUND The gold run. Good, but they gave the contestants too much time in both versions. In the second run, it was made harder. Also, it was given a growing jackpot. Both of these things give the advantage to the revival. ADVANTAGE: "Blockbusters" '87 (3-1) THE SET The first version had several transparent hexagaons and a slide-projected board. The second had moving contestant podiums, the same hexagons, only solid, and a chyron board. First set has the advantage. Less cramped. ADVANTAGE: "Blockbusters" '80 (4-1) MUSIC The first version had a brassier theme done by game show music stalwart Bob Cobert. Another stalwart of the genre, Edd Kalehoff did the second version. I usually like instruments over synth, and this is no exception. ADVANTAGE: "Blockbusters" '80 (5-1) MISCELLANY The logo for the first version was a block font logo, while the second version had a jazzier font. I think the first logo looked better, especially when on stage. ADVANTAGE: "Blockbusters" '80 (6-1) And the winner is... "Blockbusters" '80 - 6 "Blockbusters" '87 - 1 "Blockbusters" '80!!! With the "dean of game show hosts," how could you go wrong? Rafferty's version was a good attempt at reviving the original, staying true to most of the game. But, in comparison, lacked certain qualities the original had. BACK |
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