The Game Show Article

Introduction​

This alternate/revised history article focuses on the history and trivia about game shows. It focuses on four game show franchises: Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, The Price is Right, and the Password franchise.

Wheel of Fortune​

Changes in 2011​

• The returning champions format ends in 1998, but is brought back in 2011, with a maximum of five appearances for each returning champion prior to retirement.
• Toss-up puzzles are discontinued, and the process of drawing numbers to see which contestant goes 1st, 2nd, and 3rd is brought back.

Notes on Charlie O’Donnell​

• Charlie O’Donnell (August 12, 1932 – November 4, 2023) is known for being the original announcer for Wheel of Fortune, and announced for current hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White from the end of the 1980s until he retired in 2023, dying several months later.
  • As a side note, Charlie is given a 13-year extension on his lifespan. In the current version of history, he dies in 2010 during his announcing career in the 2010-11 season of Wheel before it’s possible to retire.

Jeopardy!​

Change in 2011​

• To coincide with Wheel of Fortune implementing, in 2011, a maximum of five appearances per contestant prior to retirement, Jeopardy! follows suit. This ends the practice of a contestant having no set limit on appearances until being defeated.

Additional Notes​

• Johnny Gilbert (born July 13, 1928) is known for being the announcer on Jeopardy! for Alex Trebek (born July 22, 1940) from 1984 until retiring in 2025. Gilbert lives on for at least 8 more years.
  • In the current version of history, Alex Trebek, the host of Jeopardy! from 1984, dies from pancreatic cancer in 2020. However, in this revision, Trebek lives well past 2020, and continues to host Jeopardy! until retiring in 2030. Alex Trebek lives on for at least 7 more years after that.

The Price is Right​

Notes on Johnny Olson​

• Johnny Olson (May 22, 1910 – November 7, 2012) announced for Bob Barker on The Price is Right until retiring in 2005. He was succeeded by Rich Fields.
  • In the current version of history, Johnny Olson dies from a cerebral hemorrhage in 1985, in the middle of his announcing career. But as can be seen in the next version, Olson’s announcing career is given a 20-year extension; and he lives on for 7 years after his retirement.

Notes on Bob Barker​

• Bob Barker (born December 12, 1923) hosted The Price is Right from 1972 to his retirement in 2009, when he was succeeded by comedian Drew Carey.
  • In the current version of history, Bob Barker retires in 2007; and he dies in 2023, just shy of his 100th birthday. But in the next version, having retired in 2009, Barker doesn’t die until 2026. Thus, Bob Barker has a 1-year extension on his retirement, a 2-year extension on his career as host of The Price is Right, and a 3-year extension on his life. So, living from 1923 to 2026 will make Bob Barker a centenarian game show host!

Password franchise​

Password Plus​

• In this revision of history, Password Plus runs from January 8, 1979 to September 20, 1991, hosted by Allen Ludden (October 5, 1917 – December 24, 2000) throughout its run.
• In the original version of history, Ludden is prematurely forced to step down as the host of Password Plus in 1980, dying from cancer the following year; and he is succeeded by Tom Kennedy, who hosts the game show until it ends in 1982.
• But in the revision, Allen Ludden doesn't step down from hosting Password until he retires in 1991; this marks the end of Password Plus. And Ludden lives on until dying from cancer in 2000, making his retirement 9 years in length.
• Changing Allen Ludden's death year to 2000 gives him a 19-year extension on his life. And hosting Password until 1991 gives Ludden an 11-year extension on his career.

Super Password​

• In this revision of history, Super Password immediately succeeds Password Plus, and it runs from September 23, 1991 to July 26, 1996, hosted by Bert Convy (July 23, 1933 – July 15, 1998) throughout its run. Convy is best known for being the host of Tattletales, another TV game show.
• In the original version of history, Super Password lasts from 1984 to 1989, with Bert Convy dying from cancer in 1991.
• But in the revision, Super Password obviously can't begin in 1984 due to Password Plus still running and Allen Ludden still alive! So production on Super Password has to be held back for 7 years.
• Thus, it's only fair that Bert Convy is historically maintained as the host of Super Password throughout its run. And so it's also fair that Convy doesn't die from cancer until 1998; this would extend his life for 7 years.