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As ABC prepares to reboot Match Game with Alec Baldwin leading the charge, we’re revisiting the original series—a time when strict Standards and Practices made even the mildest innuendo that slipped through censorship hilariously shocking. Gene Rayburn frequently engaged the audience directly, wardrobe mishaps were as daring as a glimpse of undergarments, and Rayburn’s microphone became a Freudian symbol of fascination.
Match Game, the top-rated daytime program for four consecutive years, was, in the words of Charles Nelson Reilly, more of a lively social gathering than a traditional game show.
1. IT ALL STARTED IN A BOARDROOM.
In the early 1960s, during a brainstorming session at Goodson-Todman, Frank Wayne came up with an idea. He suggested to his colleagues, “Write down something about an elephant—and try to guess what others will write.” Responses varied, with some saying “it’s grey” or “it’s big,” but two participants wrote “it has a trunk.” Mark Goodson was captivated by the idea of a game where there were no correct or incorrect answers—only matching responses earned points. This led to the creation of The Match Game.
2. ITS INITIAL TECHNOLOGY WAS FAR FROM PERFECT.
The Match Game premiered in December 1962, hosted by Gene Rayburn and featuring Bert Kaempfert’s lively theme song, “A Swingin’ Safari.” The format involved two teams of three (one celebrity and two civilians) competing to match answers for points. Despite having electronic displays to show matches and scores, the technology was rudimentary, requiring players to raise their hands to signal they were ready to reveal their answers.
3. A MAD WRITER’S “SAUCE” QUESTION ADDED SPICE TO THE GAME.
Dick DeBartolo, a writer for MAD Magazine and The Match Game, was approached by Goodson after 10 months on air due to declining ratings and the threat of cancellation. DeBartolo proposed adding a humorous, MAD-style twist to the questions. For example, he suggested, “Mary likes to pour gravy on John’s ___.” While answers like “mashed potatoes” or “meatloaf” were expected, the implied humor resonated with audiences. Goodson began including one or two such playful questions per episode, leading to a steady rise in ratings.
4. THE SHOW ATTRACTED TOP-TIER CELEBRITY FANS.
As the show gained popularity, contracts were extended, and a host of A-list celebrities eagerly joined in. The Match Game was filmed in New York, making it convenient for Broadway actors to participate during their off days. Stars like Lauren Bacall, Gloria Swanson, and Jayne Mansfield were among the notable team captains during the show’s initial run from 1962 to 1969.
5. THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER DIDN’T AIM FOR COMEDY.
When the revamped Match Game returned in 1973 (after the original ended in 1969), it featured a larger set, more celebrities, and bigger prizes. While the gameplay remained similar to the 1960s version—with straightforward prompts like “Name a red flower”—executive producer Mark Goodson maintained strict adherence to rules. He once reprimanded Gene Rayburn in a detailed memo for being too humorous and “seeking laughs.” Despite this, the writers occasionally included playful, double-meaning questions.
6. CERTAIN WORDS WERE OFF-LIMITS.
In the 1970s, certain words were off-limits on television. Contestants and panelists on Match Game were cautioned before taping that terms like “urinate” or “pee” were unacceptable—only “tinkle” was allowed. Similarly, anatomically correct terms for private body parts were forbidden. Fannie Flagg learned this the hard way when she wrote “genitalia” on her card. Director Ira Skutch confronted her during a break, issuing a stern warning that any repeat offense would result in her permanent removal from the show.
7. THE SHOW’S SUCCESS DEPENDED ON STRATEGIC CASTING.
During its initial weeks back on air, the show experimented with a rotating roster of celebrity panelists. Producers realized that having a few consistent panelists would help Gene Rayburn build chemistry and keep audiences engaged. Jack Klugman, who initially appeared reluctantly, suggested his then-wife, Brett Somers, for future episodes. “Brett is eager to get out of the house; you’d be doing me a favor,” he told Skutch. Somers, with her distinctive voice and bold glasses, became a fan favorite and one of the show’s three regulars.
Charles Nelson Reilly, a longtime friend of Rayburn from their Broadway days in Bye, Bye Birdie, joined the panel, bringing his sharp wit and vibrant personality. Richard Dawson, a British actor and comedian, added sarcasm, quick thinking, and charm, making him a standout player. Together, the trio evolved into distinct “characters”—Somers and Reilly as the quarreling pair, and Dawson as the suave, kiss-giving heartthrob.
8. THE SEATING ARRANGEMENT WAS STRATEGICALLY DESIGNED.
Somers and Reilly were seated in the middle and end chairs of the top row, while Dawson occupied the center chair in the bottom row. The remaining spots were rotated among various celebrities, some of whom became semi-regulars. The first seat on the top row was typically reserved for a male comedian or sitcom star. The fourth seat, known as the “dummy seat” behind the scenes, was always filled by a bubbly, blonde personality like Loni Anderson or Suzanne Somers. The sixth seat, considered the most challenging, required originality as the previous panelists had already used the best material. This spot often went to sharp-witted stars like Betty White, Marcia Wallace, or Fannie Flagg.
9. EPISODES WERE FILMED IN A MARATHON SESSION OVER ONE WEEKEND.
It’s no surprise the panelists sometimes appeared slightly tipsy as their answers grew wilder—they often were. Rayburn, who lived on Cape Cod, flew to Los Angeles every two weeks, and the team taped 12 episodes in a single weekend. With such a grueling schedule, the panelists and host often enjoyed drinks during breaks. (The Styrofoam cups they sipped from sometimes contained vodka instead of water.) Dawson, however, stuck to coffee. While no one appeared outright drunk, their relaxed demeanor was evident in certain episodes.
10. THE PANELISTS ONCE REBELLED AGAINST A JUDGE’S DECISION.
Despite their playful antics, the panelists remained focused on helping civilian contestants win money. During a 1977 episode, when the judge made a questionable ruling on the acceptability of “college” versus “finishing school,” the panelists staged a full protest. Such spontaneous moments, which would likely be edited out today, added to the show’s charm and kept audiences hooked.
11. SOME CONTESTANTS ROSE TO FAME AFTER THE SHOW.
Brianne Leary, who later starred in ChiPs, competed in a 1976 episode and won over $9000. (She returned as a celebrity panelist three years later, the only former contestant to do so.) Kirstie Alley, then a struggling actress from Wichita, Kansas, listed her job as “interior designer” and supported herself by appearing on game shows. In 1979, she won a significant amount on Match Game, earning both cash and a playful grin from Rayburn.
Additional Source:The Real Match Game Story: Behind the Blank
