pat sajak

The Game Show Network will have a special tribute to Merv Griffin, who died earlier this week of cancer at age 82.

On Saturday and Sunday, August 18 and 19, GSN will run two different Griffin marathons, from 10am to 3pm. The shows included in the marathons will include a Chuck Woolery-hosted episode of Wheel Of Fortune and the first episode that featured Vanna White. We'll also see the first NYC-based episode of Wheel (not sure why this is so special, but I guess I'll wait and see) and a Jeopardy Masters Tournament of Champions. On Sunday night we'll see a 1960 episode of Play Your Hunch, a game show Griffin hosted, and then at 3:30am we'll see a To Tell The Truth episode that Griffin guest hosted.

That's a lot better than their tribute to Kitty Carlisle earlier this year, when they ran her game show appearances in the wee hours of the morning and that was it.

With the popularity of shows like Deal or No Deal and Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader it has become clear that the days of Ken Jennings are over. It is no longer necessary to be educated to be on a gameshow. All you need is a personality or at least the appearance of one.

Time was, ratings for a gameshow spiked considerably whenever someone got on a winning streak. Now all producers have to do is manufacture a load of tension and viewers become glued to the set, even when the tension stems from whether or not they should open a briefcase.

Now, I am the first to admit that I love seeing idiots blow their big chance on a gameshow. One of the best parts of Beat the Geeks was being able to laugh out loud when a contestant missed an easy question, but some of these contestants are so stupid that I can't see how they even made it on the show in the first place.

Regis Philbin, the iron man of daytime television and entertainment in general, looks to be on the mend after having triple-bypass surgery last month. The New York Post reports that not only is he walking again, but he's actually taking shopping trips with wife Joy, and told reporters that he was feeling well.

Originally he was supposed to be out for five weeks, but it's possible he could be back a little earlier than that (though it's already been three weeks, so I doubt he'll be back until the five weeks are up). He didn't ask me, but Regis? Take your time coming back. We know you're in great shape and a workhorse and all that, but really, you're 75 years old and just had major surgery. You don't need to be all excited listening to Kelly's stories about her kids and all those screaming fans.

On Monday, Martin Short will be the guest host on Live with Regis & Kelly, and then Pat Sajak takes over for the rest of the week. The following week, Jeff Probst is the guest host.

Anna told you yesterday about Regis Philbin's surprise announcement that he will undergo a heart bypass procedure this week. Philbin's last day for at least five weeks was yesterday, and the show has announced who will fill in for him while he's recuperating.

Today and tomorrow, CNN's Anderson Cooper, who has guest-hosted the show before, will take over for Regis in the chair next to Kelly Ripa. Then on Thursday and Friday, MTV's Damien Fahey will fill in. Then there will be a rotating group of celebs who will take over, and that list includes Jeff Probst, Martin Short, Donald Trump, Neil Patrick Harris, Howie Mandel, and Pat Sajak.

Wait a sec...no women? I know they like to have that male/female dynamic on the show, but come, who wouldn't watch Kathie Lee Gifford sit next to Kelly Ripa for a few days?

What probably comes as no surprise to anyone, both Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune have been renewed for two more years. That means that the two top-ranked syndicated game shows will remain on the air through the 2011-2012 season.

Currently, Wheel is the number one show in syndication, averaging 8.3 million households. Jeopardy is number three with an average viewing audience of 6.5 million households. By the time the 2012 season ends Wheel will have been on the air for an impressive 29 seasons while Jeopardy will have been on for an equally impressive 28.

One can only assume that Alex Trebek, Pat Sajak and Vanna White will remain with their respective shows. Then again, assuming is a bad thing. Heck, for all I know Howard Stern could be hosting the final two seasons of Jeopardy. Ratings may pick up then if the 'Daily Double' features half-naked lesbians giving out answers.

Now, before you get mad at me, those are his words, not mine.

I'm a fan of Esquire's monthly "What I've Learned" feature, where they have celebrities, politicians, and other people of note explain what they've learned in life. Griffin, the creator of both Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, starts off by saying he's "just plain nosy," and goes on to explain, among other things, that he smokes, he drinks, doesn't exercise, why he'll never retire, what he thinks of American Idol, and what diet doctors he has outlived.

He also names the only guest he had on his talk show that intimidated him.

Alex Tebek and Pat Sajak in Hi-Def. That's a scary thought, isn't it? Well, if you think it is, then don't bother to watch Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune this season, because both will be offered in HD for the first time ever. According to TV Week, the sets of both shows have undergone extensive renovations in preparation, making them wider, more detailed, and more colorful, and episodes for fall have begun to be shot by both King World-distributed shows. Also, the signature J! gameboard of individual video screens has been replaced by a video wall, similar to what's used when the show goes on the road. They are both the first syndicated and first game shows to go HD.

I still think they should follow Ken Jennings' suggestion and add physical challenges to J! But that's just a personal preference. Oh, and what are the odds Vanna White had some "work" done in preparation for the more-detailed broadcast this season?

While you're watching CBS' summer show, Game Show Marathon, think of this funny list over at McSweeneys: Less Popular Game Show Catchphrases.

The most disturbing might be "So...do you want to pump it, lick it, or tickle it?" I don't ever want to hear Bob Barker or Pat Sajak or Alex Trebek say those words. Though if that girl who types things on Lingo wants to say them...

My favorite? "TIME TO FIND THE CASHEW!" I think I'd watch that game show.