Gameshow Marathon was an American television program, based on the UK's television program of the same name. It is a retro-themed/celebrity game miniseries that debuted on American television network CBS and Canadian television network CTV on May 31, 2006 as a television special that aired through the entire month of June. It is based on Ant & Dec's Gameshow Marathon, which aired in 2005 on the UK's ITV as part of the network's 50th anniversary. A second series is currently running in the UK, however the new series is presented by Vernon Kay.
The first (and thus far only) season was produced by FremantleMedia North America and Granada America, hosted by Ricki Lake, and announced by Rich Fields. Todd Newton hosted the "prize delivery" segments, in which he appeared at the homes of the play-at-home winners. There is no plan, as of now, of a second series.
Gameshow Marathon is a British game show, broadcasted from 17 September, 2005 to 26 May, 2007 on ITV.
After a quick retrospective look at the history of the particular show, the show itself is recreated. This involved recreating the original set and using original opening programme titles, including the appropriate producer ident. All participants are celebrities, and any prizes won go into a "Viewer Prize Mountain" which is awarded to a viewer via a phone-in competition.
Helped spark off a re-interest in game-shows in the UK, with no less than three of the shows featured ("Bullseye" (1981), "Price Is Right, The" (1984), and "Family Fortunes" (1980)) revived the following year.
