Lingo tweaks and twists

Said I would look for a review of the Lingo tapings with Bill Engvall, and I'm true to my word. The sometimes reliable Hollywood Junket has posted their account of the tapings. They weren't overly impressed, citing a "lack of enthusiasm" from both the host and the contestants.

Swell. The review also says that Engvall flies solo with no female co-host, similar to Chuck Woolery's effort during the first two seasons. Is GSN that cheap or is Drew sopping up too much of the budget?

Gameplay has been tweaked a bit, with Engvall giving clues to the five-letter words. One contestant tried "penis" in response to "it comes with cream." Hey, the show might need all the humor it can get.

There are also three rounds in the front game with increasing dollar values, plus prize balls to go along with the stoppers. The bonus round now runs through five puzzles in sixty seconds, with front-game winnings doubling on each solve. Nail all five and you win a hundred grand. Hm, maybe that's where the money for the co-host went.

No clues in the bonus round, though. Let's just hope the tweaks work. Lingo is only GSN's best original ever and that includes everything.