ABC is reviving Match Game and has signed Alec Baldwin as host.
The network has ordered 10 hourlong episodes of the game show from FremantleMedia North America, with plans to debut the revival this summer. Baldwin also will executive produce the show with Jennifer Mullin of FMNA.
The show will air at 10 p.m. on Sundays as part of a new three-hour game show block launching June 26. The block also will include the return of Celebrity Family Feud, hosted by Steve Harvey, along with the previously announced $100,000 Pyramid revival hosted by Michael Strahan.
The original Match Game was hosted by Gene Rayburn. It featured two contestants who provided answers to “fill in the blank” questions and matched their responses with a panel of celebrities that included Brett Somers, Charles Nelson Reilly, Richard Dawson and other revolving guest stars. The responses often resulted in funny answers due to the potentially suggestive nature of the questions.
NBC first launched the Match Game format in 1962, but when CBS re-launched the show in 1973, producers decided to add more humor into the show. That version aired from 1973-79 before moving to syndication.
Since the original Match Game, which found new life in repeats airing on GSN, there have been several iterations of the game show. For its part, ABC previously revived the show in daytime in 1990.
As part of the pact, Baldwin will donate his appearance fee to the Hilaria and Alec Baldwin Foundation.
