GSN history lesson

The older-is-better bunch on the GSN boards waxes nostalgic for the 2008 schedule. I offer a different perspective...

Other poster: Looking back at the 2008 schedule, the network had a huge variety of classics, and also Catch 21, Poker and Bingo America in their prime time lineup. With classics not being aired 2-3 times a morning like now, viewers were happier.

Some viewers may have been happier, some definitely weren't. The big story on GSN in 2008 was the fate of the poker shows, as Reuters recounted. David Goldhill had taken over the year before and there was massive turnover among GSN's top staffers. Nobody knew what would happen to GSN's poker shows as a result, even though they were among the network's top performers in the 18-49 demo. Lingo, another good 18-49 show but a holdover from the Rich Cronin era, was cancelled.

Well, we all know what eventually happened. World Poker Tour left for Fox Sports, High Stakes Poker finally got renewed for a few more seasons but expired after a long run, and Lingo returned in 2011 with a new host.

2008 was a blah year for GSN ratings. They bumped along at pretty much the same as 2007's so-so levels, as GSN really didn't roll out any particular ratings winners. The next big Nielsen splash wouldn't happen until June, 2009 when Howie showed up at the network. He blew the doors off (by GSN standards) and quickly took over the schedule. The next splash after him was Jerry, who did much the same with Baggage in 2010. The Newlywed Game remake performed pretty well, too, though GSN's relationship with Carnie soon turned less than friendly.

Really, the biggest thing that's happened to GSN numbers since then may be 5th Grader, which has racked up notable ratings on Sunday. And Karn-O'Hurley Family Feud may be doing the same on Monday night. Otherwise, the Nielsen news has been bland at best for GSN.