There’s a new Match Game in the works…

Posted by Maximum Fun on 1st February 2008

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There’s a new version of the TV game show classic Match Game in the works. The producers, FreeMantle Media, are only now putting together the team who will run the show, and haven’t yet begun casting.

As you may know, I’m a huge fan of comedian Jimmy Pardo. One of the reasons is his amazing live version of the Match Game, which has been runnning the past couple of years at the UCB Theater in Los Angeles. I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say it’s the funniest live event I’ve ever attended. Theresa and I go every month.

Jimmy is a truly gifted host. Most comics are standups first, and hosts second, but Jimmy is quite the opposite. He’s at his funniest when he’s making other people funnier, and he is an expert at keeping the show moving at just the right pace. I think Jimmy is the perfect host for the sort of silly controlled mayhem that makes the format so wonderful. No one else could do what he does.

More and more, recently, these games have gone with celebrities (Drew Carey) rather than hosts. Jimmy certainly has the credentials as a host (he hosted “National Lampoon’s Funny Money” and “Movies at our House” on AMC), but I’d hate for him to be looked over in favor of some second-string castmember of Becker.

Some fans of the live Match Game have already signed an online petition to ask that the producers consider Jimmy for the slot. I urge you to do as I did and sign it.

Photo by Megan Berru