Time for the exact thing that nobody asked for: my (admittedly knee-jerk) review of the new Snoop-hosted version of “The Joker’s Wild”.
+ It’s fun.
– The show feels like it was built in the editing room rather than on the set. Which actually is no surprise coming from Vin Rubino (“Power of 10,” “Million Dollar Password”) and Rich DiPirro (“Deal or No Deal,” “1 vs. 100”). This is probably evidence of my geezer status (and game show nerd status) but it seems off to have a Jack Barry/Dan Enright property feel so obviously shaped, given Barry & Enright’s history of rigging with “Twenty One” (as told in “Quiz Show”). It’s very possible that few others share this objection.
+ Jeannie Mai as “Lady Luck”. No mere eye candy, she. Mai assumes most of the duties of giving rules throughout the game. Great choice, given that Snoop’s persona doesn’t jibe with the role of rules-enforcer.
– The theme. Before the premiere, much was made of the fact that Snoop produced the theme. As heard on the air, though, it doesn’t much sound like anything to me. (Possibly due to this aging viewer’s perspective.) I would have loved it if he had included a nod to the original theme, Hal Hidey’s “The Savers”, whether that be lifting the melody or even just sampling sounds from it.
+ Snoop as host. As a kid I always found Jack Barry a little off-putting, especially when he acted put-upon by having to work with contestants. Snoop’s having fun, and it carries.
– Questions. Too many are ridiculously easy, or purely luck-based, such as guessing who (a pre-recorded) Seth Rogen says he might want to smoke with.
+ Pre-recorded questions. The first pilot from 1969 included celebrities on-set, one for each category. (Pat Paulsen for politics, etc.) The instant access available through digital video means that many categories can have guests, and the clips can be flown in more easily than with video tape. Given that recording questions in advance requires less of a time commitment (along with Snoop’s presence) means it’s more likely to keep happening.
– Simplified game play. On the original show, if one player answered incorrectly, the other player had a chance to answer, and get the money. However, there was an element of strategy. A player who was very far ahead could intentionally ask for a question to be worth less money. If that player got the question wrong, the lower value would keep the opponent from taking the lead. Further, if one or more jokers were spun, a contestant could “go off the board” and ask for a question from another category. If an opponent had done poorly in, say, Shakespeare, a player could go off the board and pick that category, figuring “if I can’t answer this question, I’m pretty sure this bozo can’t either.” All of these elements are lost in the new show, and not to its benefit.
+ Other question innovations have run, such as a version of the “Match Game” Head to Head Match, or rolling a die to determine how many clues will be given in a question. Adding freshness while keeping the format intact. Eager to see what’s next.
– The weed jokes. Yes, I know. Snoop’s reputation as a smoker seems deserved. I don’t mind pot humor, in and of itself (longtime listener to “Doug Loves Movies”) but it feels as if it’s outrageous for outrage’s sake. It started feeling old and predictable to me, and that’s after only two episodes.
Verdict: Would definitely watch again, but not at all appointment TV.