Game Show Channel Gets Real with 'Joe,' 'Dog'

[TexasStooge]

LOS ANGELES, California (Hollywood Reporter) - GSN, the cable channel formerly known as Game Show Network, is going after the "Average Joe" and "Dog Eat Dog" demo as part of an overhaul of its programing strategy.

GSN has picked up the rerun rights to the two NBC reality series, which are expected to premiere on the cabler by late spring. The deal covers the first two seasons of "Dog Eat Dog," for a total of 26 episodes, and the first two installments of "Average Joe" plus an option on a third incarnation.

"These two acquisitions are perfectly suited for the expanded programing direction of GSN," said GSN president Rich Cronin, who has said the network is looking to expand its scope beyond traditional game shows and into the ever-growing reality-competition and matchmaking arenas.

"Dog Eat Dog," hosted by former "Baywatch" star Brooke Burns, pits contestants in a battle to top one another with outrageous stunts and other physical challenges.

"Average Joe" is a matchmaking vehicle that challenges a good-looking young woman to pick a mate from a pool of 16 average-looking guys. The finale of the first "Joe" series, which aired on NBC in the fall, drew more than 17 million viewers. The second incarnation, "Average Joe: Hawaii," which wrapped last week, also delivered strong young-adult demo ratings.

Melana Scantlin, the former cheerleader who starred in the first "Average Joe," will also be a regular presence on GSN as co-host of the cabler's entry into the burgeoning world of card-game TV, "The World Series of Blackjack From the Mohegan Sun," which bows Monday.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

[JCT777]

I am not so sure this a good move for GSN. I would rather watch re-runs of "Match Game" and "Lingo".

[msbee]

me too!

[wx247]

I agree...especially about Average Joe, although Dog Eat Dog could be considered a game show.

[Josephine96]

My favorite GSN shows were the 100,000 dollar Pyramid or Card Sharks ::)

[TexasStooge]

My most favorites are:

$100,000 Pyramid
Match Game
Press Your Luck/Whammy
Lingo
Classic Wheel Of Fortune
Hollywood Squares
Password, Password Plus & Super Password.

[wx247]

no whammies, no whammies!!! I love that game.

That and Match Game are great.

I used to love family feud.

[Josephine96]

"No whammies... STOP!" lol

[ColdFront77]

Too bad the Game Show Network doesn't show "Tic Tac Dough" (anymore) and "Chain Reaction" and the other 8 that USA Network used to rerun in the 1980's from Noon to 5:00 pm Eastern.

GSN is unfortunately not rebroadcasting classic game shows, but instead "rolling out" new ones such as (John mentioned) "Lingo," "Whammy! The All New Press Your Luck," "Russian Roulette," and "Friend and Foe."

I like "Match Game" too; but don't watch GSN the little I did (some days more than others) when I first received it a couple years ago.