1976-1985

Host: Richard Dawson
Announcer: Gene Wood
Sub Announcer: Johnny Gilbert

GAME PLAY
Two families of five competed. A question asked to one hundred people was posed to a player from each team at the podium. One player buzzed-in and gave a response. If at least two people said it in the survey, the answer appeared on the board and one dollar was put into the bank for each person who gave that answer. There could be anywhere from three to twelve answers for a question. If the first to buzz-in did not get the most popular answer, the other player could give an answer. Whichever team had the most popular answer had the option of playing the question or passing it. Then the family in control gave answers one-by-one. An answer not on the board was a "strike" and three "strikes" passed control to the other team. They discussed and gave one answer. If it was on the board, they won all the money in the bank. If not, the opposing family did. If a family got all the answers, they also won the bank. More rounds were played, the third round and on worth double dollars, until one family reached two-hundred points. That family went to the bonus round.

In the bonus round, "Fast Money", two members of the family played. One was sent into isolation. Five questions were asked in fifteen seconds. After they gave their answers, they were revealed on the board. They earned a point for each person that gave that answer. Then their partner came out and had twenty seconds to answer the same five questions. They could not duplicate answers. If they earned two-hundred points or more they won $5,000 or on the syndicated version, $10,000. If they lost, they won $5 a point. Families could return until they won $25,000.

Over the run the game structure changed numerous times. At one point they played up to three hundred and then to four hundred with various combinations of rounds.

1988-1995

Host(s): Ray Combs, Richard Dawson
Announcer: Gene Wood
Sub Announcer(s): Art James, Rod Roddy

GAME PLAY
Gameplay remained the same, except the play or pass option was eliminated. Families played up to three-hundred points. $5,000 was earned for a bonus win, $10,000 on the syndicated version. Periodically, "Winner Take All" championships were held. An opening jackpot of $25,000 (double that in syndication) was put up and two championship families faced off. Another pair took on each other. In these games, whatever was won in Fast Money got added to the jackpot. Each winning team went to the finals playing a 400-point game (the same structure used in the final years of Richard Dawson's run) for all the contents in the jackpot. Numerous championships were held over time.

In 1992, the daytime format was changed. It was now a one-hour show entitled the "Family Feud Challenge." In the first half, two new families were introduced. They played "Bullseye" at the top of the show. Each family was given $2,500 in their bank. A question for $500 was posed to the first member of each family. If they gave the number one answer, the money was added to their bank. This continued down the line for $1,000 the second time, $1,500 the third and so on up to $2,500 for a potential stake of $10,000. Then the game was played up to three-hundred with a single value, double value and triple value structure. For "Fast Money" the family played for their bank. In the second half, the returning champions from the day before played the winning family from the first half. Everything in "Bullseye" was doubled, for a top prize of $20,000. This was added to the syndicated version around the same time, only it remained a half-hour and they played the $20,000 "Bullseye" format.

In 1994, Richard Dawson returned to the syndicated show. Ray Combs was dropped from both versions. Now families only had four members. To begin, one member of each family played "Bankroll." $2,500 was put into their bank to begin. The rules were that of "Bullseye" except one person answered all questions and the values were changed. Now it was three questions worth $500, $1,500 and $2,500 respectively. Like "Challenge" the winners of the first half played in the second, only this time they played champions from Dawson's original version. Stakes in "Bankroll" were doubled. Also, the time frames for "Fast Money" changed to twenty and twenty-five seconds.

1999-present

Host(s): Louie Anderson, Richard Karn
Announcer(s): Burton Richardson

GAME PLAY
Now families of five returned. Play is structured with three single value rounds and the fourth triple. In the fourth round, only one strike is allowed. After the fourth round, the highest scoring family goes to "Fast Money" for $10,000.

For the third season, the stake was doubled to $20,000. Also Family Circle sponsored a Tournament of Champions, structured similarly to Ray Combs' version, but with bigger stakes.

In season four, families could return for five days - and win up to $100,000. In season five, the old play-to-a-goal format returned with two single rounds, one double and the fourth triple. First family to 300 won. If nobody won after round four, a "Bullseye" question was played with the winner of that question winning the game.

NOTES
Original host Richard Dawson had been known as Peter Newkirk on "Hogan's Heroes." He went on to be a regular on the "Match Game" from 1973-1978. He left on bad terms following "Feud"s monster success. When he returned to host in 1994, he was a big ratings grabber. The O.J. Simpson trial pre-empted "Feud" in a lot of markers, and the show was cancelled after one season with Dawson back.

Geoff Edwards was reportedly up for "Family Feud" but had to pass due to a committment to producer Bob Stewart (the pilot for "Shoot for the Stars").

The 1976 pilot had Johnny Olson behind the mike, and a slightly different format. Heads of families played every face off and the game was played to 200 points with only single valued questions.

Ray Combs started off in Hollywood as a warm-up comedian for various sitcoms, like "Amen." He appeared on the "Tonight Show" in the mid-80s and recieved a standing ovation. This appearance landed him the gig on "Feud," which was originally for football star Joe Namath. After "Feud," Ray got in a car accident and had months of rehabilitation. He went on to host "Family Challenge" in 1995 for the Family Channel. However, he had been using drugs, his marriage was falling apart, and he later checked in to a mental hospital. It was there that Ray tragically commited suicide by hanging himself in a closet. He was 40 years old.

Louie Anderson is a popular stand-up comedian. He appeared as part of "Comic Relief" and had his own FOX kids' series "Life with Louie" which depicted Louie as a child.

In the years between the 1995 cancellation and 1999 return, a pilot was shot with Dolly Parton as host. Her show was passed, but according to E's True Hollywood Story, the pilot that sold the new version was simply Louie playing the game with his own family at a Vegas show.

Richard Karn is best known for his role as Al Borland on "Home Improvement." With the new host came a new set, which brought back a large area to display the family name - only this time, it's a video wall.

Late into the Dawson run, "Lollipop trees" were installed next to the podiums. When Richard reached the fifth member of the family, they pulled a sucker from the tree. If the handle was black, they won $100.





Celebrity matches were often a part of "Family Feud." Matches from the original run include: Mrs. Americas v. Ms. Americas, two teams of game show hosts facing off, Soap Opera face-offs and many more. Often cast members of different TV shows squared off. All-Star one hour specials were often formatted like a tournament. Two celebrity teams played a regular game and Fast Money for $5,000. Another pair faced off in a similar game. The winners then played an abbreviated game where the winners played the bonus for 10-grand. Another highlight was the "Hatfield v. McCoy" week. The families competed for a pig and the buzz-in sound was changed to gunfire.

In the Combs era, the celebrity games included: Price is Right v. Young and the Restless (they ran back to back in daytime), WWF Wrestlers vs. WBF Bodybuilders, Los Angeles lifeguards v. cast of "Baywatch" and many more.

In the Anderson era, the celebrity games included: WCW Wrestlers vs. Playboy bunnies, "Freeks & Geeks" versus "Popular" (two television series - remember?) and more. Following September 11th, a special week of benefit games were held with the money benefitting various 9/11 charities. Anderson's version also featured a "Return of the Losers" special.

Old Navy clothing store had a campaign called "Family Fleece" done on a parody of Ray Combs' set using remixed theme music. Because of this, the 1988 theme remix was reinstituted to coincide with the campaign. The old 1999 theme was brought back upon its end.

Home versions were released by Milton Bradley and Pressman. Multiple video games were released throughout the years, and even a Louie Anderson appeared in video form in a 2000 PC release. Recently a version was made called "Family Feud DVD" where two teams write down their answers trying to match the fully-revealed results to a survey.

During Louie Anderson's tenure, a "Dumb Answer of the Day" trophy was awarded spontaneously to players whose answers Louie deemed unacceptable.

MY THOUGHTS
I've always loved the "Feud." One of my all-time favorites. Very high play-along factor, the music was good and Richard - the reason it lasted for so long.

JAY SAYS...
Cast - 2.0
Game - 1.5
Bells and Whistles - 1.5
Prize - 2.0
Tilt - 2.0

[ 09.0 ]

Some points off for the set, which had no true common color scheme throughout it. The game started off on a bit of a sour note, playing to 200 in episodes that draaaaggeeed along. However, as time went on, this improved to varying tastes. I liked the healthy mix of comedy and game in the 300 format, and the pure speed and amount of questions in 400. (Four single rounds were played, followed by a double and triple)

I guess I'm partial to Ray Combs because I grew up watching his version. Big nods to the set which is the same as before, but with a solid color scheme. Some other minor changes which I had no problem with: a sound effect added during "Fast Money," also when a family gets to steal each gives an individual answer instead of all screaming out.

JAY SAYS...
Cast - 2.0
Game - 1.0
Bells and Whistles - 2.0
Prizes - 2.0
Tilt - 1.5

[ 08.5 ]

One thing I did not like - synthesized drums were added to the music, which was especially obnoxious and noticable in the opening. "Bullseye" was an interesting idea to up the stakes, but it cut in to time playing the actual game. The $5,000 was a bit dinky by 1992 though, so this did correct that "problem." Minor points off for a reliance on celebrities during the syndicated years.

---

It was interesting to see Richard back in 1994. The set got bland, and the gameplay more bland. But, the ratings told a different story - initial ratings were pretty good. Richard was decent, but he mumbled and told less jokes. Maybe the jokes were a time issue, who knows...

JAY SAYS...
Cast - 1.5
Game - 0.5
Bells and Whistles - 1.0
Prizes - 1.0
Tilt - 2.0

[ 06.0 ]

The prizes were cheapened. As much I hate Bankroll/Bullseye, there should've been a more even money distribution.

---

As with "Double Dare 2000" I was excited to hear of the revival. You can still play along with the show, the set is tolerable, but there are problems elsewhere. The theme is pretty generic and Louie is annoying and repetitive. He was a decent host at best, but he didn't ad lib very often. Surprising considering he was a comedian.

JAY SAYS...
Cast - 1.0
Game - 0.0
Bells and Whistles - 1.0
Prizes - 2.0
Tilt - 1.0

[ 05.0 ]

The biggest problem of all is the structure. The whole game lies on round four. So very often, a team had zero going into round four, won the question therefore winning the game.

---

After three years with Louie, Richard Karn is a fresh breath of air. Bland, unfunny air...but different air. The whole set gives off a mood of at-home comfort, flashy game, and the old '76 set. Reinstituting returning champs and the play-to-300 format was a huge step, but why the slapped-on 5th round "tiebreaker?"

JAY SAYS...
Cast - 1.0
Game - 1.5
Bells and Whistles - 2.0
Prizes - 2.0
Tilt - 0.5

[ 07.0 ]

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