Is the game show genre dying?--(Part II: Concentrate, now)

In a previous gripe, I talked about the possible demise of the daytime game show in the light of the recently announced Daytime Emmy nominations...in fact, game shows in general, whether it be daytime or nighttime.

We have a further problem here...one called NBC, a network that's languishing in 4th place in the ratings. I mean, here is a network that somehow helped to revive the nighttime game show with "Weakest Link", "Deal or No Deal", "1 vs. 100", etc. But what could possibly be done to raise the Peacock network's ratings?

This year, NBC is poised to do something in the ratings. They have the Beijing Olympics coming this summer, and next February, Super Bowl XLIII. Now, what new show could possibly top the latter, if not follow it?

Well, you see, there's this property that NBC has been sitting on for the past 15 years, a game show they themselves own the rights to. It was created by Jack Barry, a game show pioneer whose own career was nearly destroyed by the game show scandals of the 1950s, but redeemed in the '70s when he created "Joker's Wild", a show he hosted until his death in 1984.

It's a game show built upon a simple children's game idea of matching and remembering, then solving a rebus puzzle in order to win prizes. Too old to remember, "Concentration"?

The original version ran from 1958 through 1973, with hosts ranging from Hugh Downs to Ed McMahon to the late Bob Clayton. A mere few months later two other legendary game show pioneers, Mark Goodson and Bill Todman, brought the show back in syndication, with new elements added but retaining the spirit of the original show (yes, I remember vividly that version with Jack Narz). And finally, in 1987, "Classic Concentration" (made by the same Goodson/Todman production team) made its debut with Alex Trebek, who by that time was in his third year hosting "Jeopardy". But yet again, new elements were added but without destroying the spirit of the original.

This year happens to be the 50th anniversary of the debut of the original "Concentration". Having seen all three versions of this in my lifetime, I can tell you this is one of the greatest game shows ever on television, and one that was ahead of its time.

Since the last version of "Concentration" went off the air in 1991, NBC has made several attempts to bring the show back, but to no avail. And yet, "Concentration" fever is out there, its spirit remaining in all new board games, hand-held games, and even on the Internet.

Now, having said all of that, the question is, don't you think the time is right for NBC to finally update this show to the high standards of game shows of today, such as "Deal or No Deal", or even "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire"?

I think so. Here's how the new "Concentration" might be like: of course, you have to start with two contestants playing the classic game. To save time, put 20 squares on the board instead of 30 (for the earlier versions) or 25 (for "Classic"). Of course, add prizes like trips or cars, or even cash. The winner of the first game will meet the winner of the second. Then, here's where it gets exciting...the end games would have no tiles to match, but a "Weakest Link"-type end game where whoever solves the most puzzles goes on to something like "The Final Match" for a grand prize of $100, 000!!! Won't be surprised if this new format gets to a "million dollar tournament". Now that would really raise NBC's ratings.

Who would NBC have in mind for a producer? I can think of two...the producer/creator of "American Idol", Simon Fuller, and the man who unsuccessfully brought "Weakest Link" to the U.S. (also on NBC), Phil Gurin (who, incidentally, has since gone on to produce more successful shows and specials).

The format? One hour long, of course, beginning with ten episodes just to keep in line with the budget.

And the host...I'll give you a hint...she (yes, she!--watch out, Anne Robinson) would be the perfect host for the new version, one who won "American Idol" herself, and the first such winner to win all three major music awards. I won't mention her name, but...

...you guys figure out all the rest. As for the guys at NBC, take note of this blog!!! You might just have the ultimate revival of a classic. Will "Concentration" return in 2009? It's up to you, NBC/Universal.

Note in passing: NBC (or, in a sense, Universal Media Studios) owns the format rights to "Concentration", having obtained them from Barry and Enright after the legendary game show scandals of the 1950s.

P.S. If what I just said comes to pass, can anyone give me tickets to the premiere?