Match Game

I saw some of the reviews on IMDb for the new Match Game on ABC and they were very negative, which shocked me. For the first time since the 70s/80s era one went off the air, it feels like they finally got it right. I love that they kept the old theme song, I like that the set, while modernized, is very similar to the 70s era set. The panel I thought was pretty strong, with Rosie O'Donnell and Ian Michael Black in particular looking like potential regulars. Alec Baldwin was fine as host, not terrific, definitely not Gene Rayburn, but he did a good job all things considered. There were certain moments of awkwardness and creepiness, but not too bad. I even loved the skinny microphone! I thought the questions were written with some provocative nature, but not over the top sleaze (Steve Harvey Family Feud, I'm looking at you). Sure, the Costco one was a bit much, but compare this to the failed late 90s remake of Match Game and this one is more tame and not as difficult to watch. The celebration after the audience match seemed a bit excessive and over the top. That should only happen after a successful Super Match. Overall, I thought this remake was pretty well done. Not perfect, but much better than some of the reviewers think.

I was excited to see my favorite childhood game show making a return. I have great memories watching with my Grandma, Rayburn, Brett, Dawson, Charles Nelson, and others. Too many questions now have sexual references. The show can be funny and entertaining without this. If ABC is trying to appeal to us "boomers", they should try to make the show similar to what made it good in the 60s and 70s.

One of the worst piles of manure on TV. Typical of today's remakes and hosted by a horrible, unfunny, classless loser. A panel of no-names making unfunny, rude, vulgar, political and just low-brow jokes. This follows basically all other TV game show remakes of the modern era. A truly sad commentary on society, comedy and the culture today. Poor Gene Rayburn and his wonderful cast of comedians must be spinning in their graves.

This show was perfect when Alec hosted. It was funny and everyone looked like they had good times.

I had high hope when it returns with Martin Short as host. Even though Martin managed quite well, many things just don't work. Martin forgot the rules several times. The stand holding the questions didn't work properly. Some guests are not funny (especially Selena Gomez, even though she's very lovely.)

And the questions! The writers should have come up with better questions. Most of the time, the question did not give hints to what answers should be in general, leading to almost non-matching answers. The questions in Alec Baldwin's shows were funny because they often had double-entendre and witty answers. I had great fun watching it but these new shows in 2025 paled in comparison.

The original was lots of fun, with mostly clever jokes steering occasionally into naughty territory.

This version is just loud, obnoxious, and crude. Sad, because I was looking forward to a Match Game revival. Until I saw the show, I thought maybe Baldwin could pull it off.

He can't.

The celebrities don't really seem to be trying to find answers that will match the contestants. If they can't even get into the spirit of the game, why bother?

Just avoid this mess.