The excitement of game shows and their unpredictable nature always seem to reach right out of our screens and pull us into the fun from our living rooms.
One series that never fails to provide plenty of wacky hi-jinx: Family Feud. Since its start in 1976, guests have baffled the hosts with their bizarre responses to the categories brought before them. Of course, part of what makes it such a delight is seeing the way folks attempt to supply silly answers without embarrassing themselves in front of their closest loved ones.
However, if you look at the show's history versus other similar series, like The Price Is Right, you probably notice how often their hosts have changed. Though they seem to have finally found a solid choice in funnyman Steve Harvey, the string of bad luck in the original two broadcasts have led several viewers to believe a curse loomed over anyone who took the job.
Take a look below to see the dark moments that overshadowed Family Feud's earlier days.
Did we miss any tragic secrets from the classic series? Let us know in the comments and be sure to SHARE with your friends and family.
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1. Richard Dawson's Excessive Affection
As the first host for 9 years, Dawson had a peculiar habit of always giving every female contestant a big smooch right on the lips. This not only made some of the women extremely uncomfortable, but it put him at odds with the show's creator and producer, Mark Goodson.
2. Over Indulging
Dawson's antics have been largely attributed to the fact that he was often under the influence of excessive amounts of alcohol.
3. Ray Combs' Awkward Entrance
Three years after Dawson's final episode, the game was revived when affable comedian Ray Combs made his debut to backlash from the studio and audience for his lackluster personality in stark contrast to the former host.
4. Dismal Ratings
Despite four years of success, with the show expanding to an hour-long program during the day and a half hour version at night, Combs' seven-year contract came into question when viewership declined in 1992, even after his attempts at promoting the series on tours across the country.
Even their syndicated reruns with Dawson at the helm were under threat of being canceled as advertisers began to slip away.
5. Death Of The Show's Creator
Goodson was a veteran of highly successful television game shows, and after butting heads with Dawson frequently on the original, he staunchly stood behind Combs as the host for the revival.
Unfortunately, when he passed away in 1992, his son took over the production company and felt that a drastic change was needed to boost ratings.
6. Combs' Heartbreaking Goodbye
When the producers decided to bring back Dawson in an attempt to regain their original audience numbers, Combs filmed his final episode, which included a family who earned zero points — something he had never seen occur in his years as host, which he commented on, saying:
"You know, I've done this show for six years, and this is the first time I had a person that actually got no points, and I think it's a damn fine way to go out. Thought I was a loser until you walked up here, you made me feel like a man!"
Before the closing credits even finished, Combs walked off set stone-faced and left the studio without acknowledging anyone.
7. Return Of Richard
On September 12, 1994, Dawson reluctantly returned and was noticeably less spirited at the age of 62, having packed on a few extra pounds over the years.
He also abandoned his ritual of kissing every female contestant, citing his daughter's request that he only kiss her mother, who he met while her family was competing on the show. In reality, the network put him on a short leash and forbade him from continuing his amorous tradition.
The hope that he would regenerate the former glory of the series flopped before the end season.
8. Death Of Ray Combs
Two years after wrapping up his stint on the series, Combs also suffered from marital issues and sank into a deep depression. Then, he was involuntarily admitted into the Glendale Adventist Medical Center by police.
While under the 72-hour observation, Combs committed suicide by fashioning a noose out of his bed sheets.
9. Dawson's Cancer Diagnosis
After decades of heavy cigarette smoking, the retired host was struck with a painful form of esophageal cancer that ultimately took his life in 2012.
Did we miss any tragic curses that loomed over the classic family game show? Let us know below and be sure to SHARE with your friends.
