Card Sharks

Another game show that needs to be brought back, i still watch the reruns. Its fun for those that gamble and those who dont. Everything hanging on the turn of the cards.

Whether you're watching the original version hosted by Jim Perry or the second one with Bob Eubanks, "Card Sharks" doesn't disappoint. Some of the survey questions, particularly the ones they ask to married people, are pretty funny. And whenever I watch this show, if a contestant comes across anything from a 5 to a 10, I keep hoping they'll stop there but they never do. I especially like the episodes where they have kids on the show because some of the things they say are a hoot. If I could host a game show, I would definitely want to bring this back on.

One night, I had a deck of cards. I shuffled them up. I would create a game in a similar fashion to "It's In The Bag," with a little bit of "Card Game" thrown in there, on "The Price Is Right." I pulled out one card, where I had to guess "Higher or Lower," then pull out five more. Hopefully, I would be correct through all five of them.

Now, I have seen the tail end of this show on the old GSN back in 2000, but haven't seen how the game actually worked until just recently. It's amazing how I could find an actual game similar to one of my own creation: "Card Sharks." This was not only a great thing to watch daily back in the late 70s, but, well, it's a terrific show!!!!! (And you might want to try my game idea out, too!!!!!)

10/10

In 1978, we got the debut of Card Sharks, with the objective being to predict what the next card holds, and if you'll go home rich or broke.

The host for the 1978 version on NBC was Jim Perry, who was an underrated game show host and fit the role as host perfectly. In addition to Perry, we also get the models who decked out the cards for each round, which includes Ann Pennington, Janice Baker, Lois Areno and Markie Post, before she starred in The Fall Guy as Terri and as Christine Sullivan in Night Court.

The show did end on NBC in 1981, but got revived by CBS in 1986 with new host Bob Eubanks, who is known for hosting The Newlywed Game. The lovely Lacey Pemberton and Suzanna Williams were the models for this version. Pretty much, it's mostly the same game, but later added different things to keep it fresh.

So, whether you're a fan of the Jim Perry and/or the Bob Eubanks versions (personally preferred the latter), watch Card Sharks and play your cards right!

...and mostly because of the facts that a)there's a four-and-a-half year gap between versions(the original,Jim Perry-hosted show ran from September,1978 thru October,1981;the Eubanks show bowed in January,1986)b)there are distinctly different hostesses and sets and c)it was different networks,with somewhat different producers and probably different staff.(Perry's was NBC,Eubanks' was on CBS,and was paired with a syndicated version hosted by Bill Raferty)

As to the game itself,it was actually so easy to watch and smoothly and effortlessly made that one forgets that Mr.Perry(and to a lesser degree,Mr.Eubanks)does an exceptional job shifting from amiable emcee to near cheerleader-like fan of each contestant's quest for money(which could sometimes top over $30,000;while always a good chunk of change,for the late '70s and even into the '80s would be an impressive haul). Also a catchy theme,very attractive models(one of them would go on to have an decent steady career as an actress:Markie Post)and some nifty little diddy poems to open the game would make this one of the gems of daytime of its era. Every so often,you can catch the re-runs on GSN. DVR or stay up late if you like!