Blockbusters (1980–1982) User Reviews

Hurt by a Low Rated Time Slot

[hfan77 · 8/10 · 15 June 2012]

I remember Blockbusters, one of the few quiz shows from Mark Goodson that debuted in 1980. It was a show that pitted a solo player against a family pair to prove that "two heads are better than one." It was a simple game that the home audience could play along and even better, Bill Cullen as host. He added a lot to the show and added plenty of humor to the game.

But NBC put Blockbusters into a time slot that was held by one of the disastrous attempts for something different in daytime, a talk show starring David Letterman. After four months of lousy ratings, it was canceled and replaced in the first half hour by a revival of Gambit that was taped in Las Vegas. The Wink Martindale-hosted show, leading into Blockbusters had to rebuild the time slot which suffered from not only low ratings but diminishing clearances by affiliates who opted syndicated talk shows such as the popular Phil Donahue Show.

Other than clearance problems and rebuilding a fallen time slot, Blockbusters was a show that people could learn something and the question structure in the main game was a lot like another Bill Cullen game show that aired on NBC, Winning Streak.

Not the usual brainless game show fare...

[Poseidon-3 · 21 April 2005]

What was great about this show, apart from it's rather unique concept of the game board, was the difficulty level of the game for the single player and the IQ required of a single person to remain champion. Very few, if any other, game shows have pitted a solitary player against a family pair of two. A good family pair, with areas of expertise that are contrasting, could be next to impossible to beat. Still, a single player with a wide array of knowledge could do it (as the virtually unstoppable Leland did. He was retired after winning too many times!) There were some impressive family pairs as well, but too often they were led by one very strong player with a tag-a-long relative who barely helped out (i.e.- the brother/sister team in which the Army officer answered nearly every question on his own while his ditzy blonde sister grabbed his arm every time in amazement and scarcely got anything out of her mouth through their entire reign!) Host Cullen is an invaluable part of TV game show history and was an endearing, if not so telegenic, presence. His sometimes corny jokes and tendency to overstate the status of the game are faint detractions from his ability to smoothly operate the game in a very genial, reliable way. They don't make 'em like him anymore. It's a shame that the show was as short-lived as it was because it was indeed a cut above the rest in terms of challenge and taste, but that's not necessarily what the majority of people want to see. Dig the groovy opening them music! A tacky, dumb-downed version surfaced about five or so years later.

Fun game show

[Catherine_Grace_Zeh · 9/10 · 17 July 2006]

First off, I must say that this is a fun game show. Also, since I'm 24, I haven't seen every episode. However, I do know the show very well. Every time I've watched it, I've had a lot of fun playing along and watching. Despite the fact that it's finished its run, this makes me long to be a contestant. The thing I like most about it are the questions. Even though I don't know that many answers, I still have fun playing along. I hope the Game Show Network keeps it on so I can keep playing along and watching. If that happens, I will be really happy. Before I wrap this up, I'd like to say that I'll always remember this show in my memory forever. Now, in conclusion, I hope that you catch it one day before it goes off the air for good.

No, this is NOT a film-related game show...

[sethn172 · 10/10 · 13 September 2006]

It's actually a game of skill, thought, race, blocking, etc.!!!!!

"Blockbusters" was the game show that ran on NBC in the early 80s. The set looked like we were in a huge honeybee colony. The object of this game is like what a mole does digging across the dirt: we, being a solo player vs. a family team (two people), had to answer word questions. Solo is red; family is white. The least red can get is four, while the least white can get is five. Questions can range from easy to hard, like this memorable moment:

Host (he had a hearing problem, BTW): What "E" does the doctor look at with his stethoscope?

Leland (in white): Ear?

Host: Nope; the ear!

Leland: That's what I said!!!!!

Host: Oh! I thought you said "liver." Because, liver would be correct if the stethoscope was long enough; "Ear" is right...etc.

The winning team after two rounds goes on to play for $5000!!!!! The host, with a push of a button, brings forth the podium. This is more challenging; there are multiple words or phrases for the answer, and 60 seconds is needed. Here's another funny moment:

Host: What "MB" is a play about a Salvation Army girl?

Contestant: Myra Breckinridge?

Host: Nope!

After that, it was just funny!!!!!

Anyways, GSN plays this every day at 9 or 9:30 in the morning. Watch this for these and more funny moments on "Blockbusters!!!!!"

10 stars

It is really a great game show

[ENDING-MAN · 16 November 2004]

It's very sad that a show with challenging questions, creative elements (the hexagonal pattern), and Bill Cullen's hosting talent all had to go away when this show went off the air. It's even more sad that it's not as celebrated as Card Sharks, The Price is Right, Press Your Luck, Wheel Of Fortune, not to mention Jeopardy. Not these shows are worse than Blockbusters, but Blockbusters certainly deserves just as equal attention. Although the music is not as simple as those game shows, it is nonetheless upbeat and great to listen to. In my opinion, this show should be, even, just as Press Your Luck has been, brought back.

Let me sum it all up: It is really a great game show.

Fun to watch, bet's it's even more fun to play

[asherjdoak · 21 January 2003]

This was a good show when it was on, and the concept of the game was very original. And they couldn't have picked a better host for this show than game show great Bill Cullen. It's also one of those shows you wish you could bring back, and if it ever did come back on, I think Richard Karn (Al on "Home Improvement" & current host of "Family Feud") would be a good host.

A fun game show

[cosmos80 · 20 February 2002]

This wasn't a bad game show. It was this game show, that got veteran game show host, Bill Cullen, his first and only emmy award, and he was great in this, too.

The concept of this puzzle game was great and original. I would recommend this to any game show fan. I hope they will make a modern update of Blockbusters.