Review: Did GSN’s “The Pyramid” Live Up to the Hype?
When GSN announced that The Pyramid was on their list of upcoming premieres, three questions went through my mind: Will this live up to the expectations of the original? Will this be a good show standing by itself? And will this be a show that I, along with the general, casual game show fan will want to tune in to repeatedly? To be fair, we did only see one episode as part of GSN’s promotional “sneak peek” of The Pyramid and there are still 39 more to go. But based on this week’s taste of game show goodness, I think all three questions can be answered with a resounding “yes!”
If you’ve missed the previous coverage on the show, here’s a brief rundown on how the show differs from its predecessors. Players begin with $10,000 in their Winner’s Circle bank at the beginning of each round. Every time they earn 7 out of 7 in 30 seconds, they add $5,000 to their bank and earn $500 in bonus cash to keep no matter their result in the rest of the program. When you pass a word in the game, it is out of play but if time remains, you are allowed to come back to it once you get through the rest of the list. If it is someone’s last turn at the game but only three are needed to tie and four to win, they will still be allowed to play up to all seven to earn another bonus and add to the Winner’s Circle bank. Everything else is as you remember it from Pyramids past and it is executed very well.
Mike Richards as host was very competent, leaning towards good. He kept the game flowing at a very speedy pace. He was engaging with the contestants, making humorous comments with their stories, making them feel at ease. My favorite part is his adoption of the post-Winner’s Circle “perfect clue” reveal that Dick Clark was famous for – he’s good at it too. Chandra Wilson and Jai Rodriguez, the celebrity contestants for this episode, were good for the most part. Jai had a habit of being too wordy with his clues but, hey, so did Ed Begley in the ’80s and he was a regularly invited player. The contestants had a great handle of how to play as well. If the other episodes follow the pattern of this one, it will be clear that the participants’ ability to play the game was a high priority as it should be.
The overall presentation of the show was good. It was reported that the theme song from the ’80s was present in this version, but instead the show chose to go with a tropical-style remake of the theme which is still not bad. The original winner’s circle clock sound effects and the buzzer came along for this one, along with the “cuckoo” for an illegal clue which we heard a couple of times. My biggest complaint with the effects is the new timer in the front game. By itself it’s a good backing track but I feel like it’s too loud and has a tendency to be more in the foreground than the actual game. Turn the dial down a couple of notches on its volume and it would be perfect.
Included in the presentation is the new set and directing of the show. The directing mixes the ’80s style (keeping a single shot during gameplay), the 2000s (coming in and out from the commercial break) and some originality (zoom into the category chosen, zoom into Mike). Some of the zooming can get annoying but other than that, the directing is what it needs to be. I wish some of the editing on the show was a little cleaner, but that seems to be the status quo on shows today. The set design is very beautiful. The desks look great changing colors depending on the team’s situation, the pyramid screens are very nice and the dramatic lights-down effect during the Winner’s Circle is great. Outside of that, the show is bright and flashy like a game show really should be. DirecTV, my provider, does not carry the program in HD but I can only imagine it’s even better like that.
My one biggest gripe with the show comes for a pretty important part: the writing. Some categories are going to be more difficult than others and that is expected. However, I think some of the phrases in a category like “jobs near an airport” are difficult to achieve. “Air traffic controller” and “baggage handler” were two consecutive phrases in the game. Probably a good rule of thumb to use is if you have to squish the on-screen font to use it, it’s probably a smidge too complicated. Also, it appears that the show will take forms of the word in the main game, something the Clark versions didn’t often do. (“Happy/happiness”, etc.) As long as that’s consistent, I don’t mind. This area could use some work, but both of the Winner’s Circle rounds were well-constructed and well-judged, so I will not complain too much.
I think, if you compare this to other revivals of older game shows that have been done in the last 15 years, this is the primer on how to do it right. It is absolutely a tough task to come near the legacy of a beloved program like Pyramid but this show absolutely does it. I really hope it gets the eyeballs it deserves and enjoys a healthy run to make many new Pyramid fans. There’s no doubt that, for me, the show passed the muster and is now appointment viewing for me. Well done GSN, Embassy Row, Michael Davies, Mike Richards and everyone else involved in the production of the show. You did it right.
Kkeep your comments coming on how you thought the show did! Don’t forget, if you really enjoyed the program, to tune in to the “real” series when it starts this Monday at 6 PM ET on GSN. As a note, any comments made before 11:40 PM ET on August 30 come from a live discussion here about the show as it aired.
100 comments so far but I’ve read none of them, although I certainly will. I just want to share my own thoughts before reading the thoughts of other fans… I just watched the sneak peek episode. I am thrilled… so very true to the original in directing and staging and sound effects and judging criteria. The set and camera shots are tight and precise, beautifully replicating the original. Mike Garguilo hopefully is proud. I saw the “original” production in person at the Elysee Theater at age 16. Of course the “true original” was at the Ed Sullivan Theatre, but that’s beside the point. What I wanted most to survive in this remake was what I will call the “AFTER-CHAT” in The Winner’s Circle. The first round on this sneak peek episode didn’t offer any, which was a let down after that excellent player won the $20,000. Thankfully the second round rectified that missing element of the show. Mike did a great job of “talking it out” with possible clues, just as Dick always did. The new set is beyond beautiful. I always thought the Television City set was a cheap-looking knock-off the the New York set. I must say this new set constructed by GSN somehow indeed brings back the original intimacy of the New York production. After I saw the production at the Elysee Theater I built a detailed 1:24 scale model of the stage and set in my bedroom. I kept it until just a few years ago when it became very dilapidated. Seeing The Pyramid in person in New York in 1978 as a teenager affected my life forever. It inspired me in my career which continues to this day, and I’m now 50! I’m so proud of everybody at GSN involved in this production; you have created such a beautiful show, unquestionably the best in the history of the network. This show is a masterpiece and a tribute. Congratulations to all who work on this show and thank you. May this show continue producing new episodes for many years to come…!
I was pleasantly surprised at how good The Pyramid was. See below for individual scores and review:
Set: The Pyramid does a nice job of taking the classic set and giving it some modern touch ups. It’s colorful, bright, and seems a lot more put together than the CBS Daytime set. The contestant tables have the traditional pyramid scoreboard and clue-giving monitors. The category board is cool in that it’s electronic, but has a turning animation, referencing the old style category board. The Winner’s Circle looks very much like the one from the classic days of Pyramid. Very nicely done. Score: 10/10
Host: Mike Richards is not Dick Clark, and no one expects him to be, but he does a very nice job as host. He keeps the game moving, makes witty remarks when necessary, and encourages the contestants. I don’t get a fake or phoney vibe from him at all. He’s a heck of a lot more authentic than Donny Osmond or John Davidson. My biggest gripe with Mike is the fact that he comes across somewhat stiff. I think that’s more due to the fact that he’s new to hosting this program. I’m sure after a few episodes are in his belt he’ll be comfortable. Richards is well along his way of joining Clark and Bill Cullen as a great host of this program. Score: 8/10
Music: The classic theme song is given a slightly modern remix. It’s not bad, but it’s not the classic theme everyone knows and loves. Still, it’s better than the bland Donny Osmond theme. Score: 6.5/10
Sounds: The cuckoo is back! Awesome! The countdown timer in the Winner’s Circle is back! Awesome! The buzzer when the clock hits zero is back! Awesome! The one sound I don’t like is the clock during the main game. It’s loud and somewhat distracting. Turn the volume down on that and the game will be even better. Score: 8.5/10
Game Play: Wisely The Pyramid returns to the 7/30 scoring format instead of the 6/20 abomination that was used in the Donny Osmond version. Also, the categories return to being straightforward and normal, instead of the annoying puns and humorous joke ones used during the Donny Osmond version. The game is fast paced and the contestants and celebs seem to know what to do. I’ll talk more about the bonuses and Winner’s Circle below. Score: 9.5/10
Bonuses: I take off a half a point above due to the disappearance of the bonus cards. I always enjoyed the Mystery 7/7-11, but the $500 cash prize for going 7 out of 7 in any category is a good replacement and I’m sure with time I’ll get used to it. Score: 8/10
Grand Prize: This might be my favorite addition to this version. The building up the cash bank by going 7 out of 7 adds suspense to every round of gameplay. In the Clark version, a lot of times a contestant would only need 2 or 3 right in a final round to go to the Winner’s Circle, killing a lot of the tension. In this version, even if the contestant only needs to get a couple points to win, it’s still exciting to watch the whole round play out and see if they can add to their potential grand prize. Great, great addition to this version. Score: 10/10
Winner’s Circle: It stays very true to the classic form, from how challenging it is to the level of judging from the judges, to even Mike Richards giving out clues like Clark did to losing contestants. Only thing I’d like to see, and this is a small change, but I’d like the audience to come up on stage during WC wins and celebrate like they did on the Clark version, but again, a small thing. Score: 9/10
Returning Champions: GSN shows typically don’t have returning champions, and this is no exception. I prefer returning champions, but it’s not the end of the world.
Tournament: I haven’t heard anything about a tournament, but I hope they have something tournament like sometime during this show. It could add a wrinkle of excitement.
Announcer: J.D. Roberto does a competent job taking the reigns from Bob Clayton, Johnny Gilbert, Jack Clark, Charlie O’Donnell and the other group of announcers from the program. Score: 7/10
Overall: Bravo GSN for putting together potentially the best original you’ve ever created. Small hiccups here and there, but overall this show looks awesome. Score: 9/10
For anyone wondering, they had the sound for an illegal WC clue on today’s episode. It’s a quick double buzz instead of the regular buzzer.
So far the show is pretty good but as a die hard fan of the old show it could use a tweak here and there but over time hopefully that will happen.
I agree about the lack of returning champs, that’s a viewer magnet since if you like the champ you’re going to tune back in to see how they do the next day and the day after. And this business of adding money into the end game rather than having them seek the 7/11 and Lucky 7 is not as exciting, those added an extra edge to the front game that is missing now.
One area that really needs work is the editing, it is terribly choppy and can break the flow of the show and in a game like this the feeling of continuity is so important in keeping the viewer engaged.
Mike Richards is okay, probably as close as you can get to Dick Clark but he is irreplaceable.
My other quibble is one that is a variable and always will be, the celebrity players. The first weeks two are adequate, nothing more, they aren’t adept at giving clues that might lead the player to the answer in a roundabout way. It would be terrific if they would bring back some of the most expert players like Teresa Ganzel, Adrienne Barbeau or the best player ever Shelley Smith.
Still it is miles ahead of that awful redo that Donny Osmond did, although I wish they had left the theme music alone.
I’m sorry…on all fronts this is one of the biggest let downs since the Michael Berger Match Game…Mike Richards STINKS, he’s just reading off of cue cards which, sadly, is the way all game shows operate these days(with the exception of maybe Wheel and The Price is Right)….”no prepositions”?? WTF is that? Why does every game have to follow a script? Back in the day, the hosts just talked, like they were people….I’ve watched 5 episodes of the dreck and I can already repeat just about everything he says word for word…this is not entertainment….and so far, the contestants and celebrities have been MORONS…of course with categories like “describe these alternative uses for cell phones”, it may not be all their fault….I’ll stick to the Dick Clark Pyramid, they may be 30 years old or more but at least they knew how to do it….if they want this game to be successful, the first step would be to get rid of Mike Richards and get someone who can do more than just read a teleprompter, get rid of the convoluted nonsense for categories and stick to what worked for 30+ years….and no the “give them time” argument doesn’t work…stop trying to be clever and stick to what works….thank you for letting me rant….take care
First, feel free to rant all you want…but jeez!
If you catch the first season of The $10,000 Pyramid, Dick Clark was working off of a script.
“You are only allowed to give a list of the things that fit the subject. If you use a description, give a clue or part of the answer, you’ll hear this sound. (BUZZ) That means you’ve given up the chance at $10,000.” In later years, they added “if you use your hands”.
Dick recited the script before every Winner’s Circle round for the first couple of years. As did Bill Cullen in the nighttime version. Repetition is important to allow the host, and the audience, to learn the rules of the game. As he was “given time” to become more familiar with the script, then he was able to start putting the rules in his own words. In time, so will Mike Richards.
Nearly everyone connected with The Pyramid is new to it. So yeah…give them time.
I think they’re off to a great start! Comparing it to Michael Berger’s Match Game is pretty harsh. (though, I think he was a good host.)
I’ll give it maybe one season…sorry, maybe if it was a brand new, never before done game(like when Dick Clark and Bill Cullen first started)…but anyone watching this and anyone having to do with this has been watching the reruns on GSN for a while, I’m sure….this is an all too big a problem with modern game shows, they don’t let the host just be a person….when they look like they’re reading the prompter, if they just read a script, it doesn’t work for me. I hope this guy starts to loosen up and just be himself but I have a funny feeling that he won’t be allowed to….even Steve Harvey follows a set script but at least his personality comes out as the game’s being played….At least they didn’t fiddle with the format too much like Osmond’s version….I’m surprised that even lasted 2 seasons…and yes, maybe comparing it to Match Game is harsh but I’m not that far off…Honestly though, why do people watch GSN? I’d say it’s mostly nostalgia…if they stick to what worked before, it can very likely work again…that’s all I’m saying.
Having been a local game show producer, I can bet that there aren’t many producers who will let a host off the leash and ad lib the rules in the first few weeks of a show…let alone right off the bat. Heck, I worked with a host who had been with the show 9 years before I took over. He read the rules of the games off prompter EVERY TIME. You can’t assume that everyone watching the show knows the rules…even one that has been on the air for nearly 40 years.
And one factor in the lack of ad lib banter is probably simply a matter of time. The Pyramid has much more commercial time in it than The $10,000 Pyramid did…but they’re trying to squeeze in the same amount of game. I’d bet that a lot of good banter has been edited out for time.
So c’mon, T…cut Mike some slack. He’ll get more comfortable. Would YOU want to be judged and dismissed after just one week on the job?
I never made the assumption that everyone watching knows the rules…all I’m saying is teleprompters are for politicians and anchormen…learn the game and make it your own…and yes, when you have a pedigree to live up to, you gotta be on the game from jumpstreet….I don’t care so much about the banter but this is someone who’s supposed to have been in the business for a long time so yes, I think he should be held to a higher standard, first week on the job or not….given the same opportunity, I may have done it differently, not saying at all that I’d be better but I’d love to have the chance…
For those complaining that Mike follows a set script too much, watch early episodes of TPIR, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, the three longest game shows around. Bob on the early episodes of TPIR was very scripted and stiff. It took a little time for him to be the ad-libbing master that he became. Same with Alex on Jeopardy! He came off much more of a salesman making a pitch in early episodes than the host he is today. Pat Sajak the same thing. It takes time for hosts to get comfortable and for shows to get some sense of structure.
“Honestly though, why do people watch GSN? I’d say it’s mostly nostalgia…if they stick to what worked before, it can very likely work again…that’s all I’m saying.”
So you think *everything* about the GSN of today is bad, do you?
If you do, then how wrong you are.
Like most other people, I agree that *most* things about it are bad (too much Karn Feud, Engvall Lingo, GSN Live et cetera).
But now and again, some good things *do* come about… and this latest version of the Pyramid is one of them.
Feel free to disagree if you want – but seriously, do not automatically think that because it is GSN means that it is rubbish.
And I just noticed that you didn’t answer Myke’s last question:
“Would YOU want to be judged and dismissed after just one week on the job?”
I’m not sure whether or not you *deliberately* avoided answering that question – but if you did, then I’m sorry, but that makes you a bit of a coward…
The way that Jim Perry explained the rules of the Money Cards on the original NBC “CS”: was that a script? Even if it was, I still like the way he did it: “$200 of new money, these three cards, bet them as you will. Move up to the second level, another $200 of betting money, 3 more cards. Remember, your minimum bets [player's name] $50, till you get to the top card, the Big Bet, and there, you must risk at least half the money.”
I thought Pyramid was way better than I expected, but it was mainly due to one of the contestants, “Irv.” He was very quick-witted, clever, and funny. I think Irv should be doing Mike’s job — here he’s a contestant and he was not nearly as stiff as Mike. I say, bring back Irv!
I was terribly disappointed in the new Pyramid. My main dislike for the new show results from the way the people seem to be in a state of panic when giving clues or guessing answers. They are out of control and give terrible clues or guess absurd answers. I really liked the previous versions of the Pyramid but will not waste my time watching the new Pyramic.
Maybe you shouldn’t waste your time watching *any* game shows, then…
Don’t you know that it’s not at all unusual for contestants – already famous or not – to panic and give absurd answers, clues, prices etc?!
Happens all the time on WoF, Feud, Jeopardy, TPiR – and it happened on the Clark versions of the Pyramid, too…
And *why* do they panic, you might ask? Simple! The cameras, the big lights, the knowledge that this will be/is going out to millions of viewers…
My only complaint is no returning champ. I agree with everything else.
People, it’s the same great game show as before. It’s the same, with differences due to time/revenue issues in modern television. I’ve seen the same WC categories in the morning and then on the new show. They’ve corrected everything wrong with Donnie Pyramid. Any of the quibbles here will be corrected in future tapings. Some of us have been watching since 1973 and, no doubt, Dick would be proud. IT’S PYRAMID! GOOD PYRAMID!
or they would, if they had any. It’s drawing fewer viewers than “Dog Eat Dog”.
This is not even close to the original pyramid show with Dick Clark. The categories are stupid as well as the celebrities and contestants who are always in a state of panic when they give clues. Why don’t they watch old episodes of the original pyramid shows so they can learn how it’s properly played? Overall it needs good writers and celebrities.
While the Dick Clark hosted version has it great celebrities and contestants, it also had its duds. Yea, we tend to forget those episodes.
And there certainly have been a few good teams in this remake, getting 20 points out of 21.
This show is just PAINFUL to watch!! I loved the original shows and was looking forward to the new shows. However, the ones that I’ve seen so far are just plain painful. Can the ‘celebrities’ be so dense/dumb??? It’s like they’re in la-la land – don’t have a clue as to the category being played. They pull clues and particularly answers from out of nowhere. I agree with the person who said everyone seems to be manic or in a state of panic. I’m actually embarrassed for them! I’d love to see some quick thinking celebrities, ones who could give good clues. Get more than 2 or 3 points for the categories. Otherwise, I think the show is going to end up in the can.
Gail, you are SOOOOO right!
IMO… the guest stars, for the most part, suck at the game. You need to get “stars” that can really play the game. I mean, some only manage 7 or 8 points out of 21. SAD, so sad.
This ia a disgrace to the original and all others pyramid. Who are the celebrities and contestants. They know nothing.
It’s funny…I chimed in on another write-up for Pyramid (http://buzzerblog.com/2012/10/ratings-report-pyramid/) and I just ran across this article and it is AMAZING how some of my fellow posters have used the same adjectives I have to describe the new Pyramid – “painful, panic, dumb, dense”. I watched one episode where a “Joysey (jersey)”-accented celebrity was so pathetic he was passing just about every other word. And when you pass words in the first part of the game, you can’t go back to do them over. I pity the contestants who get these not-with-it celebrities. And I agree, they need to bring these celebrities in a few days in advance and sit them down to watch classic episodes so they know how to play the game properly with a high enough degree of proficiency to ensure that contestants have the best chances to win. Some of these celebrities are so flip about there dismal performance that their lack of shame is shameful in and of itself. I’ve started writing a letter to GSN execs pleading that they take this show off the air. I know many are defending this show to the hilt with the line “we’ve waited so long for this revival, don’t kill it/trash it now”; but I have to say, some revivals just miss the mark and should’ve never been tried. Unfortunately, this new Pyramid is one of those examples. I’m including in my letter some ideas GSN can explore. “Revive” some of the simpler game shows – Card Sharks, Match Game, Joker’s Wild.
PS: One criticism that really is blatant to me – the monitors that players view to see the word they are describing. Have you noticed how bulky they are? I mean, the screens from the 80′s seemed smaller than those. With our ‘advanced’ screen technology, why not have a smaller, sleeker, cooler looking screen – maybe a 13″ MacBook or something. Ohh, and the handles on the winner’s circle chair to keep you from using your hands to give clues – step backward. At least the 80′s handles were much more comfy as they were padded. These new straps look like they could cut into your wrists.
I think the worst thing about this show is the stupidity of the celebrities and the frantically panicked way they play. It’s horrible, painful to watch. The celebrities are so dumb I want to smack them.
Note to justai: I think the celeb you referred to is Nicholas Turturro–definitely the dumbest person on the face of the earth!