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When I was kid growing up in the ‘80s, I would spend hours watching game shows on television — even some of the more obscure ones like Sale of the Century and low-budget Canadian ones. Bumper Stumpers, anyone?

Call me a sucker. I loved the blinking lights, the cheesy jingles, the audience participation, the B-list celebrities, and the anticipation in the bonus round — the escapism of it all.

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While other kids were watching cartoons, I’d be thinking up concepts for my own game show — even going so far as to record theme songs on the piano. In my imaginary world, I was the announcer, host and contestant.

After dinner, I’d make my poor dad sit at the kitchen table so we could play theThe Price is Right board game. When we got to the “Showcase Showdown,” I’d reveal the prizes with my best Johnny Olson-announcer impersonation. “It’s a brand new carrrrrr!”

The daytime television landscape in those days was awash with game shows. For the most part, their hosts ranked high on the likability scale and each brought a unique style: Bob Barker oozed charisma and had an uncanny ability to put contestants at ease; Chuck Woolery had the silky, smooth voice; Dick Clark was the unflappable statesman; Richard Dawson was the folksy charmer (though with a bit of an “ick” factor in the way he kissed female contestants); and Bert Convy just seemed like an all-round fun guy.