Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Salute Your Matches

Began the day with work. I spent my entire shift outside with the carts, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. For one thing, the weather was amazing today. The sun was shining, the wind gentled down to a breeze, the sky was a searing blue, and the air smelled fresh and clean, even in the parking lot. There's also the simple fact that the last place I want to be is in the store, dealing with frustrated and panicky workers and people who are angry that we're out of many items and limiting others.

Went straight home after work and right into the next Match Game marathon. Gary Burgoff is today best-known for playing Radar, the youngest and most naive member of the 4077th Squadron on MASH, but on Match Game he's probably best-remembered for replacing his former acting teacher Charles Nelson Reilly from late '74 through mid-'75.

He could get as wild as fellow MASH alumni McLean Stevenson, chasing Gene around the studio at least twice and running out to kiss contestants and imitate Price Is Right players. As a follow-up to the episode in 1977 where Gene brought in his toddler daughter Gina and Patti Deustch's little son Max, Gene came in carrying him and Patti imitating their children. Another time in '78, Gene told Gary to go into a "time out" under his desk after giving a particularly bad answer.

Gary continued to appear on the show into the middle of the syndicated run, even after he left MASH. He joined the others in feeling the soft fabric on Charles' shirt in one classic episode. (This is also the one where Charles held up the "boring" sign that is often used in memes.) In another, he teased Charles and Brett about their perpetual arguing.

Here's the entire marathon, so you can salute this Emmy-winner and teddy bear lover! Keep an eye on the MatchGameProductions channel tomorrow, as the next marathon will be devoted to glamorous, husband-gathering Hungarian comedienne Eva Gabor.

The Best of Gary Burgoff on Match Game Marathon 1974 - 1981

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