‘PYRAMID’ THEME
ABC’s ‘$100,000’ man Strahan: ‘The game is the star’
M ICHAEL Strahan returns to host the second season of “$ 100,000 Pyramid” premiering Sunday (9 p.m.) on ABC.
Last season, “Pyramid” joined “Match Game” and “To Tell the Truth” as ABC’s entree into the nighttime game-show genre; the network’s list grows this summer with “Steve
Harvey’s Funderdome” (June 11) and “The Gong Show” (June 22). Strahan, 45, answered some questions about the new season of “Pyramid,” which he shot over a two-week period while juggling his co-hosting gig on “Good Morning America.”
What was your schedule like while shooting “Pyramid”?
The most [shows] we ever shot on one day was four, on a Saturday, because I didn’t work that day [on ‘GMA’]. On the other days, I would shoot ‘GMA,’ leave, and go to the gym and shower and get set to start shooting ‘Pyramid.’ We’d shoot two episodes, take a break and have lunch, and shoot another episode. It’s important for us to keep the energy up for each show.
Did you make any adjustments for Season 2?
I think the biggest adjustment — and it’s not even really an adjustment — but I think the thing that’s probably noticeable in Season 2 is that it’s a much funnier season. I think I’m more comfortable and the crew is more comfortable and ... we just go in and have fun. The show is very energetic and that’s what I love about this season.
Any changes to the game itself?
The game is pretty much the same as it was last season. In the past, we had Dick Clark hosting [‘Pyramid’] and then a few other times they brought the game back but got away from the true essence of the game. That’s what we always want to preserve — the true feeling and meaning of the game. It doesn’t require for you to get too fancy. The game is the star, and we don’t want to tamper with the star.
Why do you think prime time game shows are so popular?
I have no idea. Honestly, I think that everything has its cycle and run, and these shows have always been there. They’re something familiar from when we were kids. They’re safe, and most of all they’re something you can do with your family. As a parent you may not want to watch a kid’s show and as a kid you probably don’t want to watch a big, serious adult show. Here’s something you can watch together.
Your production company [SMAC Entertainment] is expanding.
Our newest project is [the game show] “The Joker’s Wild.” Snoop Dogg is actually hosting that one, if you can believe it. That comes up in August [on TBS]. Snoop came on “Pyramid” last year and said his favorite show as a kid was “The Joker’s Wild,” that he remembered watching it with his grandmother. He said, “I’d love to do that show” and we talked to Sony about that and they were receptive and it was bought.