Gene Rayburn Exposed All the Secrets of Match Game

Were you a fan of The Match Game? Host Gene Rayburn and his lovable cast of regulars (and guests alike) provided some of the most entertaining game show moments of the 1960s and ‘70s. But like any game show, there were also a lot of fun and interesting things going on behind the scenes.

▬Contents of this video▬
00:00 - Intro
00:39 - Rayburn’s Success Was Hard to Define
01:42 - Rayburn Liked Working With His Friends
03:24 - Marathon Filming
04:03 - A Connection To MAD Magazine
04:55 - Forbidden Words
05:36 - A Planned Out Seating Chart
06:27 - Easy on the Laughs
07:17 - Outro

In this video, we dive into some of the things you might never have heard about The Match Game. We talk about Gene Rayburn giving people a look behind the curtain when it came to the ways he was a great host. And how he developed a specific rapport with each of the Match Game regulars so that it basically became like watching your favorite family play each time. We dive into some behind-the-scenes things you might have never heard before, like the fact that the seating was very specifically planned out by a person and/or personality type, or how the producer once warned Gene Rayburn that he was getting too many laughs.

We talk about how there were certain words you couldn’t say on television in the 1960s and ‘70s, and how if you tried to push the envelope as a panelist, you were given a very stern ultimatum. And we talk about the crazy shooting schedule that the show adopted, and how it made for a very ‘loose’ set sometimes. And we also get into how the legendary MAD Magazine may very well have saved The Match Game from getting canceled in its first season. So check out this video today, to learn about all of the fun behind the scene secrets of The Match Game, and much more.

Gene Rayburn Exposed All the Secrets of Match Game

[JarlOfSwot]

I adored this show and all the stars. I used to run home from school as fast as I could to watch it with my mom. They don't make stars or shows like this anymore and that's a shame.

[jamesward]

The best game show ever. I still watch it today. Mr. Rayburn is the Master of Game show host. He, Brett, Charles Nelson Rilley and many of the guess, made the show fun to watch and be on. They made magic. I haven't seen a game show yet come close to that kind of magic. I will always prefer it over many of the new game shows today.

[kevinw]

I grew up with the Match game. Gene Rayburn was a perfect fit to the show's success.

[thisisme]

Remember "Match Game, " very well...it was one of my favorites and still is a favorite. Richard Dawson always captured my eye with his creative answers...not to mention, he was very easy on the 👀.

[shaneomacfan]

I was born in 1977, so I was unable to watch Match Game when it was at its height in the mid 70's, but thank goodness for Game Show Network, as I have been able to watch just about every episode from the 1973 to 1979 run. It is one of the things that I watch pretty much every day. (It is not on Saturday and Sunday.) I just love the camaraderie between the regulars.

[scottburton]

Gene Rayburn was the perfect host for "The Match Game"-He was both intelligent & charismatic.

[MG-sjem]

We used to gather and watch during 70's for the day show, we would laugh until we cried. It was the best game show ever!

[jimfisher]

Yes, I was a big fan.
There was a relaxed atmosphere of casual fun, and Gene Rayburn was what made it work.
Match game was one of those guilty pleasures, and a show you didn’t want to miss.

It didn’t seem like a carefully crafted production (although it obviously was) so much as a
group of friends having a lot of laughs.
Match Game from the early ‘70’s was fun, relaxed, risqué - and brings back a lot of fond memories...like Hollywood Squares.

[tjable]

I LOVE Match Game! (That's why I watched this video, LOL) The show was always fun and spontaneous. Thank you for covering it.

[Dion-rzfz]

This was always one of my favorite game shows. Gene Rayburn always seemed like someone you would like. He was likeable, funny, and had charm. The interaction with the regulars was always fun. Had a party feel to the show. Unlike shows like the Price is Right the prizes weren't really the reason for watching, it was just the fun of playing the game. And I liked that better.

[scottb]

I started watching this show with Match Game '73 when I was a kid and still enjoy it today...One of the best!

[leesashriber]

I watch this everyday!!! I loved it then and love it even more today. No game show will ever replace it. (Jeopardy being the exception)

[kirnpu]

When I was in college I scheduled my classes around The Price is Right and Match Game (73 on). As a student I dreamed of getting on TPIR and winning a car, which was wishful thinking. But my afternoons were spent laughing myself silly with Match Game. The chemistry of Gene and the panel was just off the charts! It's fun to see these clips because I haven't seen the show since the 70s. Match Game was truly the pinnacle of game shows!

[denicesanders]

My mother worked and I was ill very often, sometimes even when I wasn't. Mom made a bed up for me on the couch and I spent the day watching all of the game shows. Match Game was my favorite show!

[michaelcollette]

I ❤️Ed this show. I was a kid in the 60’s and as I watched it in my teens, my vocabulary grew (especially during the double entendres) I knew what they meant, and would watch my stepmothers reaction.
I wished they’d do a re-re-re boot of the show (I think I got all the reboots.)

[pammorris]

I love the Match Game! I been watching since the beginning. Loved Password, What’s my Line, etc. I miss the good old days!

[glenncheatham]

Now this lives on as the greatest challenge on DragRace as The SnatchGame!!

[brianmitchell]

Match Game was my favorite game show. I wasn't yet home from school when it was on, but my mom would tape record the audio for me sometimes. I like watching it on the Game Show Network now whenever I can. Gene Rayburn was a great host and I liked the voices he would do, like for 102-year-old Mr. Periwinkle plus his banter with the guest stars and the contestants.

[clapolla]

THE best game show in the history of game shows. Still watch it daily in 2022 - via DVR. Just as funny as it was back in it's prime.

[thomassmith]

I loved this show, and still enjoy it today! Thanks to YouTube!