‘The Match Game’, NBC Studio 8H…Photo 1 of 5

On March 11, 2014 - TV History

‘The Match Game’, NBC Studio 8H…Photo 1 of 5

This is the debut of an exclusive series of photos which have never been seen before. The TK41 on the left was operated by Bob Batche (this was his usual position), but on this day in December of 1968, he had his “other” camera with him. There were three other cameras in 8H and in this photo, we see a stand in for Gene Rayburn in rehearsal…wait…rehearsal? Who knew there were rehearsals? Be sure to watch the History Of The Match Game in the next post. Enjoy and share!

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14 Comments

  1. Chuck Cook March 14, 2014

    I’ll betcha the picture of the clock on the easel was a prize plug. The joys of pre-computer on-air graphics…

  2. Dan Rosenbaum March 14, 2014

    Was 8H smaller then? It’s where they do SNL now, and it’s a huge space for a game show…

  3. Darrell M. Davis March 14, 2014

    THAT is TOO cool!!!!!!!!!!!

  4. Dick DeBartolo March 14, 2014

    Eh gads, that’s me at Gene’s desk. Early on Gene did the rehearsals, but then the producers turned them over to me so Gene could get a bit more rest time. I see I have hair on top of my head back then, which has now moved down to become my ‘stache.

  5. Michael Haskins March 12, 2014

    Is this the new set design ? The entrance design is different. I saw the show with the new set in 1969,the last year.

  6. Bob Batsche March 11, 2014

    Those were the days my friends, I thought they would never end! I can still hear Stage Manager Bob Van Rye yell out MIDDLE BREAK! (that’s half way through the show–double commercial time)

  7. Gene Christianson March 11, 2014

    This was my absolute favorite when I was a kid … and I never got to see the updated set in color. (Loved the older woody one.)

  8. Bob Batsche March 11, 2014

    The rehearsals were for the contestants/guests so that they would know how the show ran during taping. Very different from watching the Show from home. In today’s 5 show tapings in one day, do they still have a run through for contestants? Or just go for it?

  9. Gary Walters March 11, 2014

    Studio 8-H had to be really busy then. First, the November 1968 Presidential Election, then Match Game tapings, then turned around for Apollo 8 coverage.

  10. Craig Harper March 11, 2014

    Awesome.

  11. David Johnson March 11, 2014

    Actually, the theme music by December 1968 might have been the later tune composed especially for this series.

  12. Ian Bartlett March 11, 2014

    Sweet photo…….sad that all that exists of the show today [that I know of—-UCLA or someone may prove me wrong] are B&W kinescopes. I bet that set looked sweet on color TV!

    Crazy guess here, but I *think* that might be Dick DeBartolo in Gene’s seat.

  13. Peter King March 11, 2014

    This is gold! And yes, I am humming swinging Safari right now!

  14. Bobby Reyes March 11, 2014

    …this is very cool ! ! ..betcha I know what the original opening theme song was !