Interesting choice! Hopefully, he will do some tape study of Dick Clark, not to learn how to host, but how to successfully know the game.

Good job, Alex!

I think it COULD work in New York, and here's how. I think Bob Stewart's "concession" was based on that particular time. New York was also in a serious decline. As for television, there were more channels that delivered static than programming, so the "talent" pool was smaller compared to today.

Letterman, Fallon, Regis/Kelly, Martha Stewart, Jon Stewart, Colbert as well as the network morning shows all have no problem stocking their shows with talent. Yes, cross off the A-listers that show up, but there is still some talent available, and a NYC Pyramid could even poach some of these celebrities for a taping while they are in town. (Sesame Street also gets some guests, and they shoot in the same building that the Pyramid pilot did.)

Broadway also has some recognizable name talent who might be available ... and who will freely advertise their show to a national audience. And it is not uncommon in the game show world to have a celebrity with nothing to plug. (I remember several times when a performer was introduced without saying what show they were on, and wondering why they were there.)

There are also other programs that have local presence: SNL, 30 Rock come to mind. I know there are others.

Add in the cable universe and there are plenty of opportunities that can easily fill a 39-week roster.

It would be easier to get celebrity guests in LA, but it's not impossible to do it from the East Coast.

I remember seeing Larry Miller in 1990 on HBO. Very talented comedian, and I always thought he would become a household name rather quickly. Then again, I thought the same of Rondell Sheridan, who has drawn a decent TV paycheck, but has had to perform such hackneyed material that it obscures his talent. Perhaps Larry Miller has been shrewd with his choices.

Millionaire promoted a "Million Dollar moment" which was a loss, so I wouldn't read too much into it.

Is it just me? I wouldn't mind a grandfather clock. (Well, maybe after my children leave their destructive phase.)

[EDIT: Serves me right for being away from these parts for a few days. *Now* I see the context.]

Ah, dang! I was hoping they would keep this in NYC. Maybe it's just the pilot in LA? Ah, wishful thinking.

There was probably some feedback (as network execs are wont to do) on last year's pilot. The new pilot is probably incorporating those changes.

Nothing in the story indicates this is a West Coast production, other than the title of the publication containing the word "Hollywood":
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_displ...

Although it is just a presumption on my part, because there was nothing that said New York. I would assume that the pilot, at least, would be shot near Embassy Row's home base.

When I read this, I figured it was a pilot. I was surprised that the contestants were even competing for an actual prize (even if a paltry sum).

Sounds like the Endemol-Sony project is one of those cattle-call, 10-second auditions typical of the Deal Or No Deal casting.

It would seem if you are doing a trivia show, you would want to see if your players have some depth, not just bags of excitement. When I auditioned for Pyramid last summer, I at least played a mock game and did a quick interview -- and I was out on the street in 15 minutes (including signing release forms and waiting in the lobby).

Sorry, but I'm already skeptical.