In February I did an interview with David Zinkin who is the master of the Game Show Boards. One of them that is. Unfortunantly he loss his battle with cancer on August 13, 2008. 

 

The ones in Bold Letters is David Zinkin.

 

 

How long have you been a game show fan?
As far back as I can remember.  I think I watched more of "The 
Joker's Wild" than "Sesame Street" as a kid.

What is your favorite game show, and some game shows that you don't 
like?

I have several favorites: Hollywood Squares (preferably Marshall, but 
I like them all), The Joker's Wild, Pyramid (all versions except 
Osmond), and Password (all versions, but especially Password Plus). 
The shows I like least are the Chuck Barris shows, particularly The 
Newlywed Game.

Have you actually tried out for a game show?

Yes, I tried out for "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" several years 
ago.  I was turned down.

What do you think is the best game show around currently?
Jeopardy!

Who do you think is the best game show around Past and/or Present?

Difficult question... if I had to pick I'd say Password Plus, but the 
others I mentioned above are close behind.

Do you own some game show memoribilia, such as Board Games, 
autographs, tickets?

I don't have a big collection but I have a few tickets and board 
games.  Probably the oddest item I have is a "Zingers from the 
Hollywood Squares" album signed by John Davidson.

What game show do you think is the hardest around, past or present 
and the easiest around?
No question -- Jeopardy! is the hardest, and Wheel of Fortune is the 
easiest.

Of course you know that "The Price is Right" has been around for a 
very long time. What pricing game that many viewers liked that you 
actually don't care for?
I'm going to get complaints about this, but it's Plinko.

What retired pricing game do you think they should bring back, and 
what pricing game that is in current rotation should be retired?
Super Ball and 1/2 Off.

What do you think was one of the saddest moments on "The Price is 
Right"?

I think that the saddest moment is any time someone screws up "Ten 
Chances" by not understanding how it works -- which seems to be all 
too often nowadays.

Oh by the way what is your favorite Pricing game on that show? Mine 
is Three Strikes.

For me, Safe Crackers.
 

What historic moment do you think was the best yet, during a pricing 
game?

Probably the first time a contestant got all five prices right on the 
first try in Switcheroo.  You can see it on Tony Harrison's site.

Now back to the game show topic.
On "Match Game" there was a moment entitled "The Match Game School 
Riot". Do you think that the judges were being a little picky about 
the answers on that particular episode?
Not so much picky as inconsistent.  If they took one answer that 
included "School," why not another?

Who was your favorite panelist on "Match Game"?
Charles Nelson Reilly.

What cult classic game show don't you like?
Press Your Luck.

And one final question on this particular topic, have you ever been 
to a taping to a game show. If you have tell me your the show and 
your experience.

I attended several of the tapings for the Jeopardy! Tournament of 
Champions in Atlanta in 2000, including Eddie Timanus's games and the 
final two games in the tournament.  I also attended a taping of Who 
Wants to Be a Millionaire (prime time version) in New York several 
years ago.

I heard on your site you have Chron's Disease, can you tell me what 
is Chron's Disease and  is there a way we can help with the disease?

It's a disease in which the intestine gets inflamed and basically 
attacks itself.  It also can spread to other parts of the body in 
certain cases.

For more information, and to find out how you can help, go here...
http://www.ccfa.org
 

According to your website, you are a news junkie, and a Law & Order 
fan.

What other shows do you watch other than game shows, the news and Law 
& Order?
My site does need updating, doesn't it? I also have become a big 
fan of South Park and CSI, and I also watch Everybody Hates Chris, 
Criminal Minds, and NCIS.

What do you do for your spare time?
In what little spare time I have, I like to watch TV and to read, 
particularly political books and biographies.

One last question before I leave.
What do you have to say to all of us?
Just one thing: I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance by 
switching to GEICO.

Well take care.

You too, sir!

 

 

 

David Zinkin (1970-2008)