Match Game 101: A Backstage History of Match Game

I enjoyed the book. Giving only 4 stars as I noticed a number of typos throughout the book, but is a good read.

This book is very interesting and a lot of fun to read. If you loved The Match Game you’ll really enjoy this book.

I was a HUGE fan of the Match Game in its 1970s run. I used to watch it most days after school (until they moved it to the mornings). I also lived not too far from Television City so I was able to attend quite a few tapings- I spent lots of time waiting in line outside of Studio 33. I really enjoyed the book and it was interesting to read the interviews with some of the celebrities and the production staff. I do, however, have a couple of observations. The book was clearly not proofread by anyone. There are numerous spelling errors. In addition, there are quotes from several people that simply don't make sense because either words were left out or the wrong word was inserted. There are also places where the same information is repeated in the book. It's an interesting read but some effort should've been put in to proofreading to clean it up.

As a huge game show fan, particularly of Match Game in its many incarnations, I was very much forward to obtaining and reading this book. Once I started, I could not put it down. I was very impressed at how many people from the original 1960s "The Match Game" were included in the book, and since very few episodes of that series still exist, it was particularly wonderful to hear their recollections of the show. There are also lovely interviews with many participants from the 1970s-80s version, and sadly many of those people are no longer with us, so it was like visiting with old friends hearing them talk about the show one more time. This is truly one of the best books I've ever read about a classic TV show. Highly recommended.

A. Ashley Hoff has written a thorough and comprehensive history of all the incarnations of "Match Game" with plenty of photos and rare glimpses into the set design and camerawork. The interviews and insights from many of the staff and celebrity panelists involved with the show makes this more of an enjoyable "live account" rather than a dry encyclopedia of "Match Game." Most importantly, this is a fun read that was written with love for the show, a love that echoes throughout the many personal stories and interviews contained in this book.

I haven’t finished the book yet and while I’m enjoying the subject matter, it doesn’t seem like the book was edited very well. While I know some misspellings can happen, this is over the top. There are a lot of misspelled words that should have been easily caught upon review. Also in the index card question chapter, two of the pictures are repeated. I want to enjoy the book more but it’s seriously taking me out of the book.

As people like me would expect, it is a history of Match Game as a whole. However, I have to take a page out of BobbySherman's "playbook" on the Alphabetics round from Password Plus and dock this book two stars, based on the fact thatwhen I got to reading about Richard Dawson's exit from Match Game in '78, that's about when I noticed some spelling &other errors that were so obvious, they seem to have slipped by the proofreaders. Oops!!! For example, they mistakenlyreferred to Ray Combs as "Roy" Combs. Another shining example of a spelling blooper was where the author spelledGene Rayburn's first name as "G-E-N-A" not once, but twice. For the section on Blankety Blanks in Australia, the authorkinda blooped his way through the spelling of Daryl Somers' last name, spelling it correctly the first time he mentionedit, then spelling it as "S-U-M-M-E-R-S" the second time. Then, in talking about the MG-HS Hour, he got Gene Wood'slast name right the first time, then for some reason, added an 's' the second time. I do like the idea of the author andpublisher putting in a picture of the camera shop on Wilshire Blvd. in L.A. that inspired the set for Match Game '90,though. I have yet to finish the book, but I'm sure it's still a good read.

If you're looking for an entertaining comprehensive look at one of the most popular and successful game show franchises in television history, look no further than Match Game 101. Seriously, stop looking and start purchasing. Mr. Hoff has amassed an impressive amount of quotes from various interviews that will tell you everything you need to know about a show many of us grew up on, whether on CBS or GSN in reruns. Facts you knew, facts you didn't know, and Howard Cosell.

Virtually nothing in this book that isn't available already online and through YouTube. Quite a few editing and spelling mistakes as other reviewers had identified. I didn't realize how distracting these errors were until I started reading it. If you're looking for a "behind the scenes" look into the beloved Match Game show, you'll find only superficial information here. Final annoyance, there is a pandering reference to Allison Arngrim (so wonderfully played Nellie on Little House on the Prairie) who's podcast the author went on to plug his book. Apparently they've been friends for years. While I think Arngrim is great (Google her podcast, it's amazing) I find this is just one more example of wasting readers time with information that isn't at all relevant or significant. This book might be worth $10 to $12... absolutely NOT worth $45. Return to sender.

This was a fun read. Fans of the original show will appreciate this nostalgic dive into the production and stars of the show. Photos throughout the book are b&w only. Light reading but lots of fun. The book binding is not the best quality but will hold up nicely with proper care & handling. Definitely a good buy; glad I picked it up.