Family Feud (Ray Combs, CBS & Syndicated, 1988-1994) - Blu-ray Forum

Scoot79 · 06-02-2018, 02:28 PM

Ray Combs (April 3, 1956 - June 2, 1996) hosted Family Feud for a total of six years, from July 4, 1988 to May 27, 1994, on CBS and in syndication. He died 22 years ago today. (Suicide by hanging at the age of 40) Being that Combs' era of Family Feud is one of my most favorite game shows, I'm posting this thread.

http://wvxu.org/post/comedian-ray-co...today#stream/0

July 4, 1988 - CBS premiere

September 19, 1988 - syndicated premiere

(Ray begins using the handheld cordless microphone in mid/late 1990)

June 29, 1992 - The CBS edition expands to one hour, adds the Bullseye round, and is known as Family Feud Challenge

September 14, 1992 - The syndicated edition adds the Bullseye round and becomes known as The New Family Feud (and remains a half hour show)

March 26, 1993 - The final new/first run episode of Family Feud Challenge airs on CBS

March 29, 1993 - Reruns of Family Feud Challenge begin airing on CBS

(During the Summer of 1993, Family Feud traveled to Opryland USA in Nashville, Tennessee and taped three or four weeks of episodes that began airing in first run syndication in September 1993 to open the show's sixth season with Ray Combs as host)

September 10, 1993 - After being canceled, the final episode (rerun) of Family Feud Challenge airs on CBS

May 27, 1994 - The final syndicated episode with Ray Combs (Combs' last episode of Feud) airs in first run syndication

redxrebellion · 06-02-2018, 03:54 PM

Could never really accept Combs as the host. I grew up with Dawson, he will always be king for me. Combs seemed too bush league with not much charisma. Sorry to speak ill of the dead but that’s my opinion and most others I know, especially during his run.

Scoot79 · 06-02-2018, 06:40 PM

I like Richard Dawson too, but if I'm going to watch a Dawson episode, I prefer the 1994-1995 syndicated episodes to the 1976-1985 ABC and syndicated Dawson shows.

Maybe Combs is my favorite because that's the edition I remember watching as a child. I've always loved Ray's comedic style and wit. Had he not killed himself in 1996, I would have loved to see him succeed Bob Barker as host of The Price Is Right in 2007. Instead, we got Drew Carey. Ugh.

For me, Family Feud died for good in 1995 when it was canceled a second time with Dawson. Every version and host that has come since has been a waste. Especially Louie Anderson.

redxrebellion · 06-02-2018, 07:45 PM

I don’t mind Steve Harvey. He’s actually pretty funny.

Michael24 · 06-02-2018, 08:02 PM

The Combs era of Family Feud was the first I saw as a kid. I never knew there had been an earlier version with a different host. I remember watching The Running Man and saying the guy playing the villain would make a great game show host, and my dad was like "He is one." Haha! I've only seen bits and pieces of the original, and I did see the second run with Dawson in the mid-90s. I never had a problem with Combs but I can see why people prefer Dawson.

Of the subsequent hosts, I enjoyed Richard Karn, John O'Hurley and Steve Harvey. I thought Louie Anderson was a poor host, although at the time I was a fan of him as a comedian in general. I remember just thinking he never seemed that into the gig the way the others were.

BagheeraMcGee · 06-03-2018, 12:27 AM

Family Feud with Richard Dawson completely shitfaced and hitting on all the female contestants is the best Family Feud, but I liked Ray Combs well enough. Haven't watched much of it since then.

JamesOttoSweetHeart · 06-03-2018, 01:36 AM

My most favorite host is Richard Karn who of course was Al from the Home Improvement show.

God bless you and him always!!!

Holly

shinobipopcorn · 06-03-2018, 01:54 AM

I thought Combs was a good host. Dawson was fine as a Match Game panelist, but here he was almost too lecherous.

The show in its current incarnation with Harvey is a lot more risque than the other versions, but I guess they have to do that in order to keep viewers. (Plus it's on opposite Jeopardy here.)

Monterey Jack · 06-03-2018, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redxrebellion

I don’t mind Steve Harvey. He’s actually pretty funny.

Uhhhh, no, he's not.

I find Family Feud almost unwatchable since he's started hosting it.

MosHighDef · 06-03-2018, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

Uhhhh, no, he's not.

I find Family Feud almost unwatchable since he's started hosting it.

Especially the inappropriate survey questions always about sexual things we asked people.... Harvey also tries way to hard to come up with stuff on people. Nothing feels natural.

Petey Parker · 06-03-2018, 02:22 AM

I used to watch this all the time with my grandmom.

He was only 40 when he died? Jeeze, he looked older than that in the 1988 episodes.

Jim Pez · 06-03-2018, 05:22 AM

I remember watching him on family feud and the show he did on nickelodeon

Wildcat2000 · 06-03-2018, 05:46 AM

I love game shows. Family Feud being one of them. I have not seen every episode of every version though. I’ve seen most of the Karn, O Hurley and Harvey eras. From what I’ve seen Combs was ok but he seemed to force his humor at times imo.

I agree some of the questions are purposely sexual in the current Steve Harvey era. Obviously to rile up jokes. Still not all of them are. I think he’s funny with the general stuff too.

I guess my least favorite would be Dawson. I know I’m in a minority but the kissing and playing up to all the women is annoying imo. I’m sure he was a nice guy but it made him seem conceited sometimes.

About the sexual stuff. Match Game was/is similar. I like the concept but it’s just portrayed as one big excuse for celebrity banter. It’s not taken seriously.

Funny You Should Ask is exactly the same way. As anyone seen it? It’s worse actually. The celebrities are only there to make sarcastic remarks and sex jokes. The questions are literally setups to punchlines.

It’s like they saw Match Game and stripped away the game part. Players can technically lose but only by chance or their own stupidity.

shinobipopcorn · 06-03-2018, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MosHighDef

Especially the inappropriate survey questions always about sexual things we asked people.... Harvey also tries way to hard to come up with stuff on people. Nothing feels natural.

He must be good at playing dumb, though, because sometimes contestants will give reasonable answers and he won't have any idea what the hell they just said.

There was a question that involved answers about the Pinocchio and Snow White movies, he had no idea what they were talking about. Same with Berenstain Bears and Pinky and the Brain, he didn't know what they were. Did he not have kids?

meremortal · 06-03-2018, 06:37 AM

Combs-era Family Feud was my favorite era of the show and the one I grew up with as a child. He always made me laugh and had sharp wit and some really funny banter with the contestants. It was always hilarious when the first family member of the fast money round had a 'clean sweep' of the board and scored all 200 points alone. Then they'd party on stage for a moment and then call the other contestant out only for Ray to ask them five of the most absurd questions like "what was the name of Little Orphan Annie's dog?" In retrospect, he definitely didn't have the mainstream look or charisma of Dawson but I was a big fan of his style of comedy and what he brought to the show.

Scoot79 · 06-03-2018, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim1174

I remember watching him on family feud and the show he did on nickelodeon

Ray Combs did host another game show after Family Feud, but it wasn't on Nickelodeon. The show was Family Challenge (not to be confused with Family Feud Challenge) and it aired from 1995-1996 on The Family Channel (later known as Fox Family Channel, ABC Family, and now, Freeform). After Combs' suicide on June 2, 1996, the show did return for one more season (1996-1997) as The New Family Challenge with new host Michael Burger. Gene Wood was the announcer during the 1995-1996 season of Family Challenge with Ray Combs. Wood previously was the announcer during Combs' six year tenure (1988-1994) on Family Feud as well as both Richard Dawson eras (1976-1985 and 1994-1995) of Family Feud. When The New Family Challenge began in the Fall of 1996 (after Combs' suicide), Gene Wood did not return as announcer and was replaced by Charlie Glaize.

Family Challenge was essentially a low budget version of Nickelodeon's Double Dare - which ran from 1986 to 1994 and was hosted by Marc Summers.

Scoot79 · 06-03-2018, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petey Parker

I used to watch this all the time with my grandmom.

He was only 40 when he died? Jeeze, he looked older than that in the 1988 episodes.

Yes, he was 40 when he died in 1996. When he started hosting Family Feud in 1988, he was 32.

Scoot79 · 06-03-2018, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meremortal

Combs-era Family Feud was my favorite era of the show and the one I grew up with as a child. He always made me laugh and had sharp wit and some really funny banter with the contestants. It was always hilarious when the first family member of the fast money round had a 'clean sweep' of the board and scored all 200 points alone. Then they'd party on stage for a moment and then call the other contestant out only for Ray to ask them five of the most absurd questions like "what was the name of Little Orphan Annie's dog?" In retrospect, he definitely didn't have the mainstream look or charisma of Dawson but I was a big fan of his style of comedy and what he brought to the show.

One of Ray's joke questions in Fast Money was, "On the moon, there are over 2,000 lunar lakes. Name one."

Scoot79 · 06-03-2018, 01:42 PM

Louie Anderson was so bad on Family Feud that MAD TV took notice.

meremortal · 06-03-2018, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoot79

One of Ray's joke questions in Fast Money was, "On the moon, there are over 2,000 lunar lakes. Name one."

Family Feud - Prank - YouTube

Family Feud - All-Star "Joke" Fast Money - YouTube

Great clips. Thanks for posting, bud. I remember seeing those as they happened and was laughing for several minutes straight when I was a kid.

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06-02-2018, 03:54 PM	#2
redxrebellion Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Nov 2011 4K collection:344 Blu-ray collection:1885 DVD collection:295 Trading Score:11	Could never really accept Combs as the host. I grew up with Dawson, he will always be king for me. Combs seemed too bush league with not much charisma. Sorry to speak ill of the dead but that’s my opinion and most others I know, especially during his run.

06-02-2018, 06:40 PM	#3
Scoot79 Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Sep 2011 4K collection:346 Blu-ray collection:1618 DVD collection:147 Trading Score:2	I like Richard Dawson too, but if I'm going to watch a Dawson episode, I prefer the 1994-1995 syndicated episodes to the 1976-1985 ABC and syndicated Dawson shows. Maybe Combs is my favorite because that's the edition I remember watching as a child. I've always loved Ray's comedic style and wit. Had he not killed himself in 1996, I would have loved to see him succeed Bob Barker as host of The Price Is Right in 2007. Instead, we got Drew Carey. Ugh. For me, Family Feud died for good in 1995 when it was canceled a second time with Dawson. Every version and host that has come since has been a waste. Especially Louie Anderson.

06-02-2018, 07:45 PM	#4
redxrebellion Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Nov 2011 4K collection:344 Blu-ray collection:1885 DVD collection:295 Trading Score:11	I don’t mind Steve Harvey. He’s actually pretty funny.

06-02-2018, 08:02 PM	#5
Michael24 Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Nov 2009 Location:California 4K collection:11 Blu-ray collection:559 DVD collection:164 Trading Score:2	The Combs era of Family Feud was the first I saw as a kid. I never knew there had been an earlier version with a different host. I remember watching The Running Man and saying the guy playing the villain would make a great game show host, and my dad was like "He is one." Haha! I've only seen bits and pieces of the original, and I did see the second run with Dawson in the mid-90s. I never had a problem with Combs but I can see why people prefer Dawson. Of the subsequent hosts, I enjoyed Richard Karn, John O'Hurley and Steve Harvey. I thought Louie Anderson was a poor host, although at the time I was a fan of him as a comedian in general. I remember just thinking he never seemed that into the gig the way the others were.

06-03-2018, 12:27 AM	#6
BagheeraMcGee Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2014 Location:Back in the Pacific Northwest 4K collection:441 Blu-ray collection:4650 DVD collection:290 Trading Score:1	Family Feud with Richard Dawson completely shitfaced and hitting on all the female contestants is the best Family Feud, but I liked Ray Combs well enough. Haven't watched much of it since then.

06-03-2018, 01:36 AM	#7
JamesOttoSweetHeart Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Oct 2012 Location:East Tennessee	My most favorite host is Richard Karn who of course was Al from the Home Improvement show. God bless you and him always!!! Holly

06-03-2018, 01:54 AM	#8
shinobipopcorn Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Jan 2017 Location:Cow Country Home Theater Gallery:11 4K collection:75 Blu-ray collection:438 DVD collection:304 MA collection:266 Digital collection:303 iTunes collection:238 Blu-ray reviews: 30 Trading Score:6	I thought Combs was a good host. Dawson was fine as a Match Game panelist, but here he was almost too lecherous. The show in its current incarnation with Harvey is a lot more risque than the other versions, but I guess they have to do that in order to keep viewers. (Plus it's on opposite Jeopardy here.)

06-03-2018, 02:22 AM	#11
Petey Parker Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Oct 2008 4K collection:178 Blu-ray collection:1629 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	I used to watch this all the time with my grandmom. He was only 40 when he died? Jeeze, he looked older than that in the 1988 episodes.

06-03-2018, 05:22 AM	#12
Jim Pez Senior Member Member since:Aug 2016 4K collection:285 Blu-ray collection:760 DVD collection:6	I remember watching him on family feud and the show he did on nickelodeon

06-03-2018, 05:46 AM	#13
Wildcat2000 Power Member Member since:Jan 2017 Location:USA Blu-ray collection:9	I love game shows. Family Feud being one of them. I have not seen every episode of every version though. I’ve seen most of the Karn, O Hurley and Harvey eras. From what I’ve seen Combs was ok but he seemed to force his humor at times imo. I agree some of the questions are purposely sexual in the current Steve Harvey era. Obviously to rile up jokes. Still not all of them are. I think he’s funny with the general stuff too. I guess my least favorite would be Dawson. I know I’m in a minority but the kissing and playing up to all the women is annoying imo. I’m sure he was a nice guy but it made him seem conceited sometimes. About the sexual stuff. Match Game was/is similar. I like the concept but it’s just portrayed as one big excuse for celebrity banter. It’s not taken seriously. Funny You Should Ask is exactly the same way. As anyone seen it? It’s worse actually. The celebrities are only there to make sarcastic remarks and sex jokes. The questions are literally setups to punchlines. It’s like they saw Match Game and stripped away the game part. Players can technically lose but only by chance or their own stupidity.

06-03-2018, 06:37 AM	#15
meremortal Blu-ray Champion Member since:Jan 2012 Location:Bedford Falls Trading Score:258	Combs-era Family Feud was my favorite era of the show and the one I grew up with as a child. He always made me laugh and had sharp wit and some really funny banter with the contestants. It was always hilarious when the first family member of the fast money round had a 'clean sweep' of the board and scored all 200 points alone. Then they'd party on stage for a moment and then call the other contestant out only for Ray to ask them five of the most absurd questions like "what was the name of Little Orphan Annie's dog?" In retrospect, he definitely didn't have the mainstream look or charisma of Dawson but I was a big fan of his style of comedy and what he brought to the show.

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