US Version Of Blankety Blank To Be Hosted By Alec Baldwin
‘Match Game,’ the classic American game show which was adapted into ‘Blankety Blank’ in the UK, has a somewhat unexpected new host.
Actor Alec Baldwin has broke the news, via Twitter, that he will be hosting the show for a series this summer on US network ABC:
Baldwin wrote, “Get ready to match the stars and laugh your BLANK off, because I’m hosting #MatchGame June 26 10|9c on ABC! @MatchGameABC“
He also noted, “the secret nearly made me BLANK!”
Given that in the UK, the game show is famed for being presented by comedians Les Dawson and later Paul O’Grady (in character as Lily Savage), this would seem a fairly drastic image change for the one-time Hollywood leading man.
Deadline report that, while Baldwin’s fee for the series is thought to be one of the largest in game show history, the actor says it will all go to his wife Hilaria’s charitable foundation.
Baldwin states, “Hilaria and I are thrilled to donate this fee to arts-related charities. And we look forward to having a lot of fun.”
‘Match Game’ was launched on US TV in the 1960s. It was adapted into ‘Blankety Blanks’ on Australian TV in the 1970s - and this in turn was adapted into ‘Blankety Blank’ on the BBC from 1979 onwards.
Initially presented by Terry Wogan, the show reached the peak of its popularity in the UK when Les Dawson hosted it from 1984 to its cancellation in 1990. It was later relaunched on ITV with Paul O’Grady.
Picture Credit: WENN, Twitter/Alec Baldwin, BBC
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