“Beauty and the Geek” Host Mike Richards Named Host of GSN’s “The Pyramid”
GSN’s upcoming revival of the classic game show The Pyramid has its host. Mike Richards, the former host of The WB’s Beauty and the Geek in addition to the executive producer of The Price is Right and Emmy-nominated Let’s Make A Deal, has inked a deal with GSN to helm the revival. The Pyramid is being produced by Michael Davies and Maureen FitzPatrick. Former hosts include Dick Clark, Bill Cullen, John Davidson, and Donny Osmond. The pilot will tape this Saturday in Los Angeles.
“We are thrilled to have found a talent in Mike Richards, who not only has great hosting ability, but whose vast producing experience makes him an expert in all that is game show,” said Amy Introcaso-Davis, Executive Vice President of Programming and Development, GSN. “We feel Mike is the perfect choice to carry on the tradition of THE PYRAMID, one of America’s most beloved television franchises.”
“I am honored to join the GSN family as host of THE PYRAMID,” said Richards. “I was fortunate to work alongside Dick Clark for many years. Not only was he one of the most respected game show hosts of all time, but he served as my mentor and it’s an honor to follow in his footsteps. This is an iconic game show that I grew up watching. I’m looking forward to introducing viewers to this fresh new version.”
Congratulations to Mike Richards. I like him, he’s been good to us, and he’s a good producer and host. We wish him nothing the best and we can picture him doing well. I’m, personally, looking forward to the revival a lot. Mike has great respect for the original and worked with Mr. Clark. He knows what he’s doing.
Eh, I’ll just take the “wait and see” approach. It’s worked well for me in the past… most of the time.
Interesting news. I know most of the Die Hard Price fans are upset, but we do not know Mike’s abilities as a Game Show Host. I’m willing to see how the Pilot goes, before I get too upset. Frankly, I’m far more concerned about whether the format will stay true to Classic Pyramid, above all.
Let’s hope they shoot a good Pilot. Good Luck to all involved.
I’m with you, Andy G. If it does stays true to the Classic Pyramid that we all know and love, then it will turn out fine, just as long as they don’t tweek the Tournament format like they did Osmond’s version.
So if he wasn’t as nice to you, would you still be positive about his hosting? Someone saw him tryout as host of TPIR, and lets just say there’s a reason he’s behind the camera of that show.
BTW, Mike Richards and Good Producer just don’t sound right together. And no I’m not a hater of everything that has happened to TPIR over the past couple of years, I just don’t think Price is the right show for him to produce.
I’m disappointed that there’s no dollar amount in the title. I hope we’re not going to see any $5,000 trips to the Winners Circle like in The $50K Pyramid.
Not a fan of either of his shows, but not going to judge his hosting abilities on that. Hope this turns out well for GSN.
Is that the official logo, it looks kinda bland. Not just because it doesn’t have a dollar but that bottom blank trapezoid kinda stands out like it’s begging for something to be put in it.
I remember a logo being floated for “The $500,000 Pyramid” about this time last year when TBS was shooting pilots. It kinda looks like that.
No one was a fan of Mark Walberg either. Then came Russian Roulette and boom. Game changer. We can only hope for and wish for the best. The show is in good hands.
I think the top prize on “Catch 21,” a GSN show, is $25,000, and GSN shows one episode of $25K on weekday mornings, plus a marathon on Fridays. Not sure how the host will do, but I am really looking forward to it. If GSN uses decent prize amount, and makes only minor changes, this one may have a chance.
Wonder If they will use the classic music?
Wonder If they will use the classic music? I hope they make it as close to the Dick Clark version as possible
GREAT NEWS – This is from the Press Release – seems like much of the Classic Pyramid format will (hopefully) remain intact :
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Santa Monica, CA – June 15, 2012 – GSN announced today that it has signed television executive producer and host Mike Richards (“Beauty and the Geek”) to host the pilot of the network’s new original half-hour game show, THE PYRAMID. GSN will shoot the pilot later this month.
Executive produced by prolific game show producer Michael Davies (“The Newlywed Game,” “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”) and Maureen FitzPatrick (“Donny & Marie,” “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”), THE PYRAMID is GSN’s contemporary take on one of television’s most beloved, fast paced, word-guessing game-shows. The celebrities, the Pyramid game board, the Winner’s Circle: everything viewers know and love about the iconic format is returning in GSN’s lively new version. The winner of nine Daytime Emmy® Awards during its storied 40-year career, Pyramid holds a special place in the hearts of generations of fans.
If you would like to read the entire GSN Press Release, here’s a link :
http://www.deadline.com/2012/06/gsn-inks-deal-with-mike-richards-to-host-pyramid/
Part of me thinks the bottom part of the new logo used to hold “Pyramid”, with the middle used for a dollar amount.
Also, Mike Richards? Hosting “Beauty & The Geek” doesn’t necessarily mean he can host a traditional game show. Honestly, I get the feeling Davies/GSN chose him specifically for the controversy factor.
And just because folks (myself included) don’t like his producing of TPiR means he’ll suck as a host.
And please elaborate on what’s “controversial” about the guy? Because the diehard game show fans disapprove of his work at TPiR is not controversy.
I dunno, I guess this is nitpicky but I really dislike the name “The Pyramid.” If they’re not going to use a dollar amount in there, it should just be called “Pyramid.” I guess this may bring back bad memories of the Osmond version for some (nothing against Donny personally, but everything else about the show seemed to have been designed with the rule “do everything different for no reason” in mind) but I’d like to think most people outside of the diehards have forgotten about that version anyways.
Hopefully this is only a placeholder title, maybe because they haven’t even finalized what the top prize is going to be yet?
I dunno, Pyramad. If a dollar amount isn’t part of the title, then calling it “The Pyramid” works for me. That little article makes the big Pyramid a character…kinda gives it a personality. Players will “Face The Pyramid” and “Go up against The Pyramid.” The “The” makes it seem more like a foe that must be defeated.
Hope it doesn’t stick too rigidly in terms of style to the old shows. Was never that much of a fan of the old theme or set, to be honest. I do hope they use trilons, though. I always liked trilons for some reason.
All I can say is this, he better be good as host; otherwise, I won’t be watching it at all.
I doubt trilons will be in place for this revival, simply because it’s much more cost-effective to go digital. I think if they get rid of the music that played with the timer, and not make the studio so dark (i.e. more bright and glitzy colours instead of the purple, blue, and black from Donnymid), I’ll enjoy it more. :)
Mr. Davies commented on the trilons back when they were doing pilots for CBS. He said he preferred the trilons over video monitors. They would make The Pyramid seem more animated. But as we’ve seen on Family Feud the last few years, animation has come a long way. They can certainly simulate a 3D trilon turn better these days. I guess we’ll see which way they went soon when pictures of the set are posted.
Frankly, I LOVE the idea. If Mike Richards was mentored by Dick Clark, I think it could do well.
Also, Dick Clark, himself, often called it “The Pyramid” (as a nickname, of course). So, why not?
Plus, this might open doors to different amounts. For example, “Super Password” always had a building jackpot. That could work for this show (imo).
But…yes…bring back a version of the classic set (“The $1,000,000 Pyramid, anyone?).
And…I would LOVE to hear one of the classic themes. I kind of liked Donny’s version (in some ways) but I didn’t like that theme. Personally, I prefer the original theme ($10,000, $20,000 and $50,000)…but, I’ll be happy with either.
Just…PLEASE…7 in 30…PLEASE!!! And keep the discussions before and after the game…not during. PLEASE!
In general…I’m excited!
If Mike Richards has any say about how the show is run…which is entirely possible even if he’s not producing it himself…this could definitely work. I really like TPIR and LMAD nowadays!
I’m keeping my bar nice and low. I’m expecting disappointing-even-for-cable stakes, no celebrities, a relatively dark and barren set, uninspired music, a patently unfair and incoherent tournament format and generally incompetent game play and hosting. That way anything good or even passable can be considered a pleasant surprise. Ahhhh, pessimism.
Mike Richards is a Guy Who Knows How To Host & Perduce Game Shows I Love Pyrmaid Will allways Be Known For Dick Clark & Bob Stewart Tommy
All I’ll ask for is a competently run show, maximum $25,000 prize, celebrity guests that want to be there (even C list) and can play reasonably well, and the tournament. As a bonus, I don’t care how the set looks, but I’d love to have the sound of the Winner’s Circle clock come back–that added to the tension, for me. Even an average host will do if the rest of the show runs well.
I’ve actually got some celebrities in mind for this one, although it’s mostly wishful thinking with GSN. #1 would definitely have to be Betty White (of course!), Vicki Lawrence, Regis Philbin, and (gasp!) Rosie O’Donnell (she’s enthusiastic about game shows and, unlike most of the celebrity game show players today, actually takes them seriously). Once again it’s a dream list that I’m hoping against hope actually comes to fruition.
I don’t think a tournament is strictly necessary. The Clark $25KP had been running for three years without a tournament, or any kind of special programming at all, by the time the $100K started. It did have returning players, though, and that borders on necessity.
Ok, I can see what you’re saying. Now that I think about it, returning players is more important.
It’s being produced by Michael Davies from Who Wants to be a Millionaire and being hosted by Mike Richards, executive producer of The Price Is Right and Let’s Make a Deal.
In other words, we’ve got two people who actually know a thing or two about game shows, producing and hosting The Pyramid. If that’s not a good sign, I don’t know what is.
But like with any program, it actually needs to be picked up into a series before I will get excited about it. For all we know, the pilot could just disappear, not going anywhere.
My only hope is that they keep the rules the same and hopefully tack on a $100,000 top prize. With GSN’s 2012 budget, I’m sure they could afford a top prize of $100k for every episode (see 1 VS 100, Lingo (2011) and American Bible Challenge). The only issue, of course, is setting the difficulty high enough so that it’s not impossible to win it, but at the same time, it’s not a piece of cake either. We’ll see how this one goes.
I should disagree with the host. The host of the show has to be Drew Carey from The Price Is Right. Make the show most exciting by adding bonus bells and whistles heard on The Price Is Right followed by a balloon drop and some confetti on the show every time there’s a big money win at the Winner’s Circle Bonus Round. I would like to see the balloons and confetti to fall down on the show.
screw the barker fan boys