Reviewer's Bias*
Loves: Old game shows
Likes: Match Game, Gene Rayburn, Richard Dawson
Dislikes: That sixth celeb who seemed to have wandered into the studio
Hates: How dramatic game shows have gotten

The Show
Once upon a time, celebrities took time out from their busy schedule of fornicating and cashing checks to gather together on game shows, allowing them to promote their projects, let down their hair and have a bit of fun. Though plenty of shows used the star panel format, no game show utilized the celebrity guest to better effect than "Match Game."

Six celebrities of varying relevance sit on a uniquely '70s-style set, playing what is essentially a grown-up game of Mad Libs, with two contestants trying to guess what the celebs will say. Most of the questions have an obvious sexual connotation, like "Bob's wife always cleans his (blank) before he goes golfing," but they rarely follow through to the punchline, sharing a big knowing wink with the audience.

The show, hosted by Gene Rayburn, at his "dirty uncle" best, works on several levels, the least of which is the game itself, which is so simplistic and bereft of any kind of strategy, skill or game play, that a five-year-old could win. In fact, as you watch, you start rooting against the players, either out of disgust or pity, or just because you want them and their awful flower prints and wide collars off the screen.

It's not surprising that people who would wear such clothes would be absolute morons, and many of the answers you hear confirm it. The only advantage a player can have in "Match Game" is common sense, and it was either less common in the '70s or weakened by drugs and corduroy. That's the only way to explain hearing someone complete the phrase "Georgie Porgie kissed the girls and made them cry. Horrible Hilda kissed the boys and made them [blank]" with "run." The answer was obviously "cry," but obvious rarely raises its head in the Match Game universe.

But that's not really important, since you're really tuning in to see the celebrities, led by future "Family Feud" front man Richard Dawson. World weary and undeniably cool, Dawson is obviously the star here, and easily the best player, as he's consistently chosen by the winning contestant for the one-on-one bonus round. If you took him out of the mix, the show wouldn't have been nearly as enjoyable, a theory that eventually played itself out to an obvious end when he took his pimp-hand on to "Family Feud" fame.

Dawson's supporting cast was anchored by a pair of over-the-top nutbars in Charles Nelson Reilly and Brett Somers. They add a needed campy feel to the show, and provide plenty of energy, playing up an adversarial relationship that works with their "acts" to give the show personality. To be honest, this series is why I know this wacky duo (though I do enjoy Cannonball Run II), making this their pinnacle in my eyes. They kept the show alive once Dawson left, though they couldn't bring that necessary element of cool to the circus.

The frequently rotated guest stars included memorable names like William Shatner, Jack Klugman and Betty White, and plenty of recognizable faces, such as Radar from "M.A.S.H" and one of the Catwomen, but a good deal of the "celebrities" are barely recognized by their mothers, no less you. That's really just part of the fun in looking back like this, as it makes you wonder who of today's celebrities will be similarly forgotten. Unfortunately, we don't have a "Match Game" to immortalize them.

There are plenty of memorable moments in the 30 episodes included in this set, most of which are provoked by Rayburn or Dawson. The host was something of a loose cannon, who refused to be restrained by things like decency or professional broadcasting standings. Frequently, he would just leave the set to assault a cameraman, once getting bopped on the head with a lens in response. I don't think any game show host had the fun Rayburn had, and it came across in the show's tone.

The targets of Dawson's jokes and jabs were more often his fellow panelists, especially the lovely ladies that somehow end up on both sides of him, including the lovely Jo Anne Pflug, whose little beer-maiden outfit must have driven teen boys nuts back then. The best guests could keep up with the fun, like Fannie Flagg or Rita Moreno, but if Dawson was on the set, they couldn't help but be entertaining.

There's no "in the [bleep]" type moments, a la "The Newlywed Game," here, but there are some interesting bits, like Kirstie Alley's turn as a contestant, appearances by other game show titans such as Bob Barker and Bert Convey, and an oddly unsupportive husband of one of the players. Is there enough to get through 30 episodes? Maybe if you're a hardcore fan, who actually can identify anyone from "Vega$." It might be a few too many for the casual observers.

Thankfully, it seems like any bumpers, including info about ordering tickets to the show, and in-show commercials (i.e. promotional consideration) have been left in, which gives the set added nostalgic value. If only the commercial breaks could have been included.

The DVD
The 30 episodes are split over four discs, which are packed in a digipak, inside a holofoil slipcase. The four-tray digipak is a bit odd, as it opens up like a book, but the four trays are in two stacks on the inner panels, with each stack held together by a spine of tape. Unfortunately, it's not the strongest binding, as the fourth tray was hanging by a thread upon opening the set. In a pocket on the fourth panel is a small booklet that lists the episodes and all the stars on each one.

The discs feature static full-frame main menus, which list the episodes and any bonus features. There are no language options, no subtitles and no closed captioning.

The Quality
The full-frame transfers on these episodes are as good as I've ever seen them, and I've watched a lot of "Match Game." Though they are loaded with the quality issues that plague old TV, like color that blurs and bad visual effect, these episodes are stunningly crisp for their age and free of the kind of dirt and damage you would expect. Color is good, and usually quite vivid, which is great considering the time frame, and the level of detail is surprisingly high. I've seen shows from the past decade that don't look this good, with the exception of some distortion around the edges of the frame that were likely in the source material, due to the limited technology.

The show's audio is presented with simple Dolby Digital 1.0 tracks that are clean and clear, though the mic recordings during the show drop out at times. It doesn't seem to be a DVD issue, as you'll hear the sound from other microphones while one is lower.

The Extras
Each disc features approximately 12 to 22 minutes of "Best 'Match Game' Moments," hosted by Somers. I'm not sure why, but despite addressing the audience, she doesn't look at the camera. It's actually a bit disconcerting. These aren't so much "great moments," but highlights of the episodes on that particular disc. Consider them to be something of a guide to the show. Somers' personality is still there, though she's not quite as quick as she once was. It's nice to have her as a part of the retrospective, though it would have been nice to hear from Reilly or Dawson, since Rayburn has passed.

The rest of the extras are on Disc Four, starting with the show's original pilot from 1962. It's incredible how much the show changed from the '62 pilot to the '73 debut, with changes in society certainly being one of the motivating factors. This is a great historical document, and one that game show fans and TV history buffs will want to see. Two words: Bromo Quinine.

An all-too-brief tribute to Gene Rayburn checks in just shy of seven minutes, and features a touching remembrance by Somers, with still photos and video of the man himself. Can't say anything bad about something like this. It's followed with a candid Q&A with Somers that runs over 15 minutes in length, and touches on many topics, including on-set drinking and guests she didn't get along with. An excellent inclusion for the show's fanbase.

The disc wraps with a manual photo gallery, that's only so-so, as the 17 images aren't full-frame. The only real disappointment here though, is that "Behind the Blank," the recent GSN special about the series, wasn't included. That would have made for the perfect collection.

The Bottom Line
"Match Game" really needs to make a comeback, and I think George Clooney's the guy to do it. Just sit him down with this set so he can see how much fun celebrities can have hanging out and drinking on TV. He can appreciate the solid quality and check out the decent selection of extras. If you happen to not be George Clooney, still feel free to check this set out, though ownership of a month's worth of episodes will probably fit the hardcore fans best.

Follow him on Twitter

*The Reviewer's Bias section is an attempt to help readers use the review to its best effect. By knowing where the reviewer's biases lie on the film's subject matter, one can read the review with the right mindset.