Two broadcast networks, ABC and NBC, put on game show reruns last Saturday night. It was Saturday, it was a holiday weekend, so why not fill a few hours with penny-pinching retreads?With the somber image of Arthur Charles Nielsen staring at us, the game shows - Wipeout and Minute To Win It - got about the same (small) numbers as most everything else on the night. Wipeout even topped the 18-49 ratings for a half-hour.
The broadcast nets long ago gave up on Saturday night. They never waste expensive scripted shows there, because the ratings just don't justify the dollars. Game shows remain blessedly cheap, so they make natural Saturday fodder. I wonder if there's a trend a-comin'.
As a game show fanatic, I like any extra exposure our little genre can get. Cheap is good for the broadcasters on a night when cheap is essential. And low cost has always been a built-in advantage for game shows. So let 'em rip on Saturday. You can even try some first-runs instead of reruns.
Odd note: Google tells me that A.C. Nielsen was elected to the tennis hall of fame. Wouldn't you know, tennis rarely gets good ratings on TV any more.
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