Ripe bananas

On a news-free Sunday let’s watch my all-time favorite clip from my all-time favorite game show, Match Game 1973-82. This "bananas" clip has become almost legendary among us aficionados. Early on Allen Ludden warns: "This show's bananas." Everybody then proves the point. Insanity takes over.

Amid the loony rubble there's a nice bit of gameplay, as the civvie cops the five grand prize. That's 1975 money, or about twenty grand today. But the "silly" gameplay, to use Gene Rayburn's own term, is never the point. Instead, cast and crew improvise inspired comedy. Even the guys in the booth chip in some unusual belly-dancing music.

After GSN's lame try at improv with Drew Carey and his bunch, it's a relief to see the masters at work. Richard Dawson is already turning a little moody by 1975, but the other crazies pick up the slack. At least Richard helps the civvie win the big money.