As one who was there when this originally aired, take it from me that if VCRs had been common back then, I would have this show archived today. As it is, I think people are really missing a unique piece of Americana by not being able to pick this up at their local Blockbusters (which would not be too much trouble, as 13 episodes would only take a DVD or two, or six videotapes, at the most).
This came from the era of "trash sports" programming, when "Superstars", "Challenge of the Sexes", "Almost Anything Goes", "Battle of the Network Stars", etc. were competing with the real thing for airtime. Of these, I think "Games People Play" would reveal some unexpected charms in retrospect:
A) Main host Bryant Gumbel caught in the transition between NFL football coverage and NBC's "Today".
B) Arte Johnson
C) Johnny Bench and (I think) Cyndy Garvey co-hosting a "King of the Hill" competition with Cincinatti's "Kings Island" in the background, as contestants battled against elimination in foosball and mechanical bull competitions.
D) The actress playing the role of Debra Winger's friend in "Urban Cowboy" competing in the above-mentioned mechanical bull competition.
E) Arte Johnson.
F) A truly weird competition in which men competed busting through a door to a bar in the least time....
G) Nice bouncy score, particularly during the bumpers showing what was coming up....
If they have a category for offbeat TV shows (like "Plan 9 From Outer Space" has infamously been for bad movies), those who release videos should consider this a prime candidate for it.
