History Series / MervGriffinsCrosswords

* StudioAudience: None whatsoever, and nobody really knows why, hence the occasional LaughTrack. Producers claimed the studio was too small to have an audience.

Unfortunately, ''Crosswords'' didn't live up to the high hopes of Merv Griffin (whose original pilot involved three contestants building a cash jackpot that the day's winner would play for at the end) or his syndicated crown jewels ''Series/{{Jeopardy}}'' and ''Series/WheelOfFortune'', and wound up being canned after one season. The show continually aired OutOfOrder due to poor ratings in syndication, and its screwed-up gameplay format and what many felt a lack of charisma in Ty's performance also contributed to its very short run. For better or worse, Merv was unable to see the aftermath of it all, [[AuthorExistenceFailure as he died just five weeks before its debut]].

!!GameShowTropes in use:

* GameShowWinningsCap: One-and-done which, considering the show's budget, wasn't the best idea. "Undefeated" "champions" ended up "retiring" with [[BlatantLies huge]] winnings of less than $1,000 (the minimum guaranteed by Merv's other two games). You know you're in trouble when a "big winner" '''owes you $250'''.
** [[https://www.nexttv.com/amp/news/natpe-program-partners-merv-griffin-play-crosswords-30004 This January 2007 article]] from ''Broadcasting & Cable'' states that the show was, at that stage of development, going to use returning champs. Even [[https://web.archive.org/web/20070324011951/http://www.programpartners.com/program_sub.php?thisType=Overview&thisProgramID=19 the show's synopsis on Program Partners' official website]] claims to use returning champs!

* HomeGame: Despite the show's failure, various tie-in products were produced, including branded crossword puzzle books, a video game version, and a board game rendition. Sadly, the video games boast a slightly improved format and ''much'' higher payouts than the actual show, with the Bonus Round worth a vacation and $25,000.
** The board game doesn't even try to tie into the show, despite using the logo and Ty's picture on the cover. The box instead describes ''Crosswords'' as "the social wordplay game".

* Personnel:
** TheAnnouncer: Edd Hall, formerly of ''Series/TheTonightShow''.
** GameShowHost: Ty Treadway, a bodybuilder and ''[=SoapTalk=]'' host who also played on ''Series/OneLifeToLive'' from 2001-04. Hosting this, he showed none of those muscles and was way too peppy.
** StudioAudience: None whatsoever, and nobody really knows why, hence the occasional LaughTrack. Producers claimed the studio was too small to have an audience.

* RulesSpiel: Even ''that'' barely changed, and then only to clarify that "some answers may contain two or three words".
----
!!This show provides examples of:
* CatchPhrase: Pretty much everything Ty said, including his RulesSpiel, since he spoke ''the exact same way every time''.
** "Welcome to ''Merv Griffin's Crosswords''!"
** "Five letters, $200..."
** "Say hello to [y]our Spoilers!"
** "[Name] with a chance to spoil!"
** "You're going home our champion with $[amount]!"
* CrosswordPuzzle: Uh, duh?
* DarkHorseVictory: The whole "A Spoiler can win on the final clue despite having done nothing beforehand" bit of the game.
* EpicFail:
** October 2, 2007: "Banana. B-A-N-A...oh."
** January 30, 2008. '''Five''' bad contestants, and the winner entered the BonusRound with ''minus $250''...and proceeded to lose said bonus round (instead getting the Croton watch).
-->'''Ty:''' [[CaptainObvious You've got no money]], but [[BlatantLies you have your pride]].
* {{Expy}}: Of ''Series/TheCrossWits'', minus the celebrities, [[LovelyAssistant the hostess]], and most of the prize budget.
* LaughTrack: The studio was apparently too small to have an actual audience, yet considering the rest of this page it seems a ''bit'' more likely that the staff didn't want anybody criticizing their lame format.
* LuckBasedMission: Performance in the BonusRound often depended on how much of the puzzle was empty; some days, it was just plain impossible to fill the whole thing in.
* MacguffinDeliveryService: What the show frequently wound up becoming, as noted above at GoldenSnitch and DarkHorseVictory.
* ObviousBeta: The first taped episodes (which were ''not'' the first to air) used Crossword Extras which weren't part of the puzzle, worth $300 in Round 1 and $600 in Round 2. It also gave Bonus Round winners a trip (offered throughout the run) and $100 per word, the latter typically adding up to less than $2,000 (the amount offered for victory in the first aired episodes).
* ObviousRulePatch: The ousting of the Crossword Getaway, which removed the two "shelves" from the front-row podiums.
* RearrangeTheSong: Even the TitleThemeTune was done on the cheap, it was a re-working of the 1980s ''Wheel'' car cue "Buzzword". Yeah, the ''Jeopardy!'' sample is still in there.

** [[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/107316-NATPE_Program_Partners_Merv_Griffin_To_Play_Crosswords.php This January 2007 article]] from ''Broadcasting & Cable'' states that the show was, at that stage of development, going to use returning champs. Even [[https://web.archive.org/web/20070324011951/http://www.programpartners.com/program_sub.php?thisType=Overview&thisProgramID=19 the show's synopsis on Program Partners' official website]] claims to use returning champs!

** [[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/107316-NATPE_Program_Partners_Merv_Griffin_To_Play_Crosswords.php This January 2007 article]] from ''Broadcasting & Cable'' states that the show was, at that stage of development, going to use returning champs. Even [[http://www.programpartners.com/program_sub.php?thisType=Overview&thisProgramID=19 the show's synopsis on Program Partners' official website]] claims to use returning champs!

* ProductPlacement: The Croton watches were always there, but for a time ([[OutOfOrder nobody really knows how long]]), Microsoft sponsored the show to promote the HomeGame coming out for Xbox Live Arcade. The Extra was renamed the "Crossword UsefulNotes/Xbox360 Extra", and an Xbox 360 console was added to the bonus prize package.

** '''Microsoft-Sponsored:''' ...$5,000 ''and'' an Xbox 360 game package.

* BonusSpace: The Crossword Extra (basically this show's equivalent of the Daily Double) and the Crossword Getaway (get this right and you won a trip). The latter was removed after the first two months (but [[OutOfOrder returned sporadically during the rest of the run]]) in favor of a few more Extras.

** GameShowHost: Ty Treadway, a bodybuilder and ''[=SoapTalk=]'' host who also played on ''Series/OneLifeToLive'' from 2001-04. Hosting this, he showed none of the muscles and was way too peppy.

* DarkHorseVictory: The whole "Spoiler can win on the final clue despite having done nothing beforehand" bit of the game.

* {{Expy}}: Of ''Series/TheCrossWits''...minus the celebrities, the hostess, and most of the prize budget.

* MacguffinDeliveryService: What the show frequently wound up becoming; see GoldenSnitch and DarkHorseVictory, above.

* RearrangeTheSong: Even the TitleThemeTune was done on the cheap, specifically a re-working of the 1980s ''Wheel'' car cue "Buzzword". Yeah, the ''Jeopardy!'' sample is still in there.

'''''Merv Griffin's Crosswords''''' wsd a GameShow created by [[Creator/MervGriffin that guy]] who created [[ComicallyMissingThePoint such hits]] as ''Series/{{Monopoly}}'', which involved host Ty Treadway trying to be interesting while asking two contestants to solve crossword clues on the buzzer. The words were worth various amounts depending on their length (in Round 1, $50 for a 3-letter word, $100 for 4-6 letters, and $150 for 7+ letters).

Unfortunately, ''Crosswords'' didn't live up to the high hopes of Merv Griffin (whose original pilot involved three contestants building a cash jackpot that the day's winner would play for at the end) or his syndicated crown jewels ''Series/{{Jeopardy}}'' and ''Series/WheelOfFortune'', and wound up being canned after one season. The show continually aired OutOfOrder due to poor ratings in syndication, and its screwed-up gameplay format and what many felt a lack of charisma in Ty's performance also contributed to its very short run. For better or worse, Merv was unable to see the aftermath of it all — [[AuthorExistenceFailure he died just five weeks before its debut]].

* BonusRound: Here's 90 seconds, now finish the rest of the crossword. Victory awarded a trip and...
** '''First Taped Episodes:''' $100 per word solved.
** '''First Aired Episodes:''' $2,000.
** '''Post-Getaway, Pre-Microsoft:''' $5,000.
** '''Microsoft-Sponsored:''' $5,000 ''and'' an Xbox 360 game package.
* BonusSpace: The Crossword Extra (basically their version of a Daily Double) and the Crossword Getaway (get this right and you won a trip). The latter was removed after the first two months (but [[OutOfOrder returned sporadically during the rest of the run]]) in favor of a few more Extras.

* ObviousBeta: The first taped episodes (''not'' the first to air) used Crossword Extras which weren't part of the puzzle, worth $300 in Round 1 and $600 in Round 2. It also gave Bonus Round winners a trip (offered throughout the run) and $100 per word, the latter typically adding up to less than $2,000 (the amount offered for victory in the first aired episodes).

'''''Merv Griffin's Crosswords''''' wsd a GameShow created by [[Creator/MervGriffin that guy]] who created such hits as ''Series/{{Monopoly}}'', which involved host Ty Treadway trying to be interesting while asking two contestants to solve crossword clues on the buzzer. The words were worth various amounts depending on their length (in Round 1, $50 for a 3-letter word, $100 for 4-6 letters, and $150 for 7+ letters).

'''''Merv Griffin's Crosswords''''' is a GameShow from [[Creator/MervGriffin that guy]] who created ''Series/{{Jeopardy}}'' and ''Series/WheelOfFortune'', which involved host Ty Treadway trying to be interesting while asking two contestants to solve crossword clues on the buzzer. The words were worth various amounts depending on their length (in Round 1, $50 for a 3-letter word, $100 for 4-6 letters, and $150 for 7+ letters).

Unfortunately, ''Crosswords'' didn't live up to the high hopes of Merv Griffin (whose original pilot involved three contestants building a cash jackpot that the day's winner would play for at the end), and wound up being canned after one season. The show continually aired OutOfOrder due to poor ratings in syndication, and its screwed-up gameplay format and what many felt a lack of charisma in Ty's performance also contributed to its very short run. For better or worse, Merv was unable to see the aftermath of it all — [[AuthorExistenceFailure he died just five weeks before its debut]].

Unfortunately, ''Crosswords'' didn't live up to the high hopes of Merv Griffin (whose original pilot involved three contestants building a cash jackpot that would be split evenly at the end), and wound up being canned after one season. The show continually aired OutOfOrder due to poor ratings in syndication, and its screwed-up gameplay format and what many felt a lack of charisma in Ty's performance also contributed to its very short run. For better or worse, Merv was unable to see the aftermath of it all — [[AuthorExistenceFailure he died just five weeks before its debut]].

* ProductPlacement: The Croton watches were always there, but for a time ([[OutOfOrder nobody really knows how long]]), Microsoft sponsored the show to promote the HomeGame coming out for Xbox Live Arcade. The Extra was renamed the "Crossword {{Xbox 360}} Extra", and an Xbox 360 console was added to the bonus prize package.

** GameShowHost: Ty Treadway, a bodybuilder and ''[=SoapTalk=]'' host who also played on ''OneLifeToLive'' from 2001-04. Hosting this, he showed none of the muscles and was way too peppy.

Unfortunately, ''Crosswords'' didn't live up to the high hopes of Merv Griffin (whose original pilot involved three contestants building a cash jackpot that would be split evenly at the end), and wound up being canned after one season. The show continually aired OutOfOrder due to poor ratings in syndication, and its screwed-up gameplay format and what many felt a lack of charisma in Ty's performance also contributed to its very short run. For better or worse, Merv was unable to see the aftermath of it all — [[AuthorExistanceFailure he died just five weeks before its debut]].

* CatchPhrase: Pretty much everything Ty said, including his RulesSpiel, since he spoke '''the exact same way every time'''.

GameShow from [[Creator/MervGriffin that guy]] who created ''Series/{{Jeopardy}}'' and ''Series/WheelOfFortune'' which involved Ty Treadway trying to be interesting while asking two contestants to solve crossword clues on the buzzer, the words worth various amounts depending on their length (in Round 1, $50 for a 3-letter word, $100 for 4-6 letters, and $150 for 7+ letters).

In the end, however, ''Crosswords'' didn't live up to the high hopes of Merv Griffin (whose original pilot involved three contestants building a cash jackpot that would be split evenly at the end) and was canned after one season. For better or worse, Merv was unable to see the aftermath of it all — he died just five weeks before its debut.

** StudioAudience: None whatsoever, and nobody really knows why. Producers claimed the studio was too small to have an audience.

* OutOfOrder: Why a lot of this page and its other tabs are a bit vague, and the most likely reason for the show's ratings (hovering around a 1.0). ''Crosswords'' eschewed returning champions, and the airings basically played "format hopscotch" beginning in mid-December 2007. Repeats were seen in both single- and double-run markets, to the point where [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment a particular episode was shown twice in a double-run slot]]. The kicker? A staggering '''225''' episodes had been recorded, which ''should'' have prevented something like this from coming anywhere near close to happening. The double kicker? It was ''the entire point'' of doing so many in the first place!
** The show debuted on September 10, 2007 with the ''27th'' episode recorded; the first taped episodes, using a format that somehow managed to be ''even cheaper'', aired later on. The out-of-order airings were so bad, nobody is sure which episode was the ''last'' one taped.

** TheAnnouncer: Edd Hall, formerly of ''TheTonightShow''.

GameShow from [[Creator/MervGriffin that guy]] who created ''Series/{{Jeopardy}}'' and ''Series/WheelOfFortune'' which involved Ty Treadway trying to be interesting while asking two contestants to solve crossword clues on the buzzer. To make the simple-looking game more confusing, a musical-chairs mechanic involving three "Spoiler" contestants was used for Rounds 2 and 3. The Spoilers could steal questions missed by the two main players and literally switch places with them if successful, cash and all.

* ConsolationPrize: A Croton watch with the show's logo on it, the plug for which changed a bit in some episodes.

* EpicFail: January 30, 2008. '''Five''' bad contestants, and the winner entered the BonusRound with ''minus $250''...and proceeded to lose said bonus round (instead getting the Croton watch).

* NoBudget: Boy, it certainly felt that way sometimes, didn't it?

GameShow from [[MervGriffin that guy]] who created ''Series/{{Jeopardy}}'' and ''WheelOfFortune'' whose premise involved Ty Treadway trying to be interesting while asking two contestants to solve crossword clues on the buzzer. To make the simple-looking game more confusing, a musical-chairs mechanic involving three "Spoiler" contestants was used for Rounds 2 and 3. The Spoilers could steal questions missed by the two main players and literally switch places with them if successful, cash and all.

!!GameShow Tropes in use:

** StudioAudience: None whatsoever, and nobody really knows why. Producers did claim the studio was too small to have an audience.

-->'''Ty''': [[CaptainObvious You've got no money]], but [[BlatantLies you have your pride]].

* RearrangeTheSong: Even the TitleThemeTune was done on the cheap, specifically a re-working of the 1980s ''WheelOfFortune'' car cue "Buzzword". Yeah, the ''Series/{{Jeopardy}}'' sample is still in there.

* UnexpectedlyObscureAnswer: Some clues were rather vague, and some answers equally obscure. Sure, real crossword puzzles can be like that, but this is a game show with low payouts!

* AuthorExistenceFailure: Merv Griffin, who was in the middle of tweaking the format from the pilot (and ''hopefully'' into a good format), died five weeks before the premiere. Whether this led to the hoopla you see on this page and its YMMV tab is unknown — yes, the resulting format ''may'' have been Merv's intention, but based on said hoopla it appears that the staff ran with a half-finished concept.

* EpicFail: January 30, 2008. '''Five''' bad contestants, and the winner entered the BonusRound with ''minus $250''...and proceeded to lose said bonus round (instead getting the Croton watch). From a [[YourMileageMayVary different viewpoint]], this may be the show's defining FunnyMoment.

** From the fans' viewpoint, this trainwreck is the biggest example of ''everything'' wrong with the format...and later, when Program Partners put the show on hiatus due to "high production costs" (see the Trivia tab), the shining example of just how that couldn't ''possibly'' have been the case.

* AuthorExistenceFailure: Merv Griffin, who was in the middle of tweaking the format from the pilot (and ''hopefully'' into a good format), died five weeks before the premiere. Whether this led to the hoopla you see on this page and its YMMV tab is unknown — yes, the resulting format ''may'' have been Merv's intention, but based on said hoopla it appears that the staff ran with a half-finished concept.
* BoredOnBoard: Sort of. Although Ty was always peppy, he was also rather robotic in his presentation and, from what can be gathered, never improved in his role as host. This brought comparisons to [[WheelOfFortune Rolf Benirschke]] (another of Merv's "dark horse picks"), but this is generally unfair to Rolf.
** Benirschke began on ''Wheel'' as a stiff, uncomfortable individual who, although clearly a nice guy, had simply never been on television before; his tenure is a pretty clear example of someone growing into his role, and by the end of his run he had more or less justified Merv's choice. On the other hand, Treadway had quite a bit of prior television experience and did over 100 more episodes than Rolf, but was "all-smiles" and somewhat distant to contestants.

* BonusRound: Here's 90 seconds, now finish the rest of the crossword. Victory awarded a trip and...
** '''First Taped Episodes:''' $100 per word solved.
** '''First Aired Episodes:''' $2,000.
** '''Post-Getaway, Pre-Microsoft:''' $5,000.
** '''Microsoft-Sponsored:''' $5,000 ''and'' an Xbox 360 game package.
* BonusSpace: The Crossword Extra (basically their version of a Daily Double) and the Crossword Getaway (get this right and you won a trip). The latter was removed after the first two months (but [[OutOfOrder returned sporadically during the rest of the run]]) in favor of a few more Extras.
* GameShowWinningsCap: One-and-done which, considering the show's budget, wasn't the best idea. "Undefeated" "champions" ended up "retiring" with [[BlatantLies huge]] winnings of less than $1,000 (the minimum guaranteed by Merv's other two games). You know you're in trouble when a "big winner" '''owes you $250'''.
** [[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/107316-NATPE_Program_Partners_Merv_Griffin_To_Play_Crosswords.php This January 2007 article]] from ''Broadcasting & Cable'' states that the show was, at that stage of development, going to use returning champs. Even [[http://www.programpartners.com/program_sub.php?thisType=Overview&thisProgramID=19 the show's synopsis on Program Partners' official website]] claims to use returning champs!
* ConsolationPrize: A Croton watch with the show's logo on it, the plug for which changed a bit in some episodes.
* GoldenSnitch: Since cash and trips stayed at a podium no matter what, a Spoiler could win the main game on the last clue. Several times, the winning Spoiler did absolutely ''nothing'' otherwise.
* HomeGame: Despite the show's failure, various tie-in products were produced, including branded crossword puzzle books, a video game version, and a board game rendition. Sadly, the video games boast a slightly improved format and ''much'' higher payouts than the actual show, with the Bonus Round worth a vacation and $25,000.
* Personnel:
** TheAnnouncer: Edd Hall, formerly of ''TheTonightShow''.
** GameShowHost: Ty Treadway, a bodybuilder and ''SoapTalk'' host who also played on ''OneLifeToLive'' from 2001-04. Hosting this, he showed none of the muscles and was way too peppy.
** StudioAudience: None whatsoever, and nobody really knows why. Producers did claim the studio was too small to have an audience.
* ProductPlacement: The Croton watches were always there, but for a time ([[OutOfOrder nobody is exactly certain as to how long]]), {{Microsoft}} sponsored the show in a way to promote the HomeGame coming out for Xbox Live Arcade. The Extra was renamed the "Crossword {{Xbox 360}} Extra", and an Xbox 360 console was added to the bonus prize package.
* RulesSpiel: Even ''that'' barely changed, and then only to clarify that "some answers may contain two or three words".
* UnexpectedlyObscureAnswer: Some clues were rather vague, and some answers equally obscure. Sure, real crossword puzzles can be like that, but this is a game show with low payouts!

* AuthorExistenceFailure: Merv Griffin, who was in the middle of tweaking the format from the pilot (and ''hopefully'' into a good format), died five weeks before the premiere. Whether this led to the hoopla you see on this page and its YMMV tab is unknown — yes, the resulting format ''may'' have been Merv's intention, but based on said hoopla it appears that the staff ran with a half-finished concept.
* BoredOnBoard: Sort of. Although Ty was always peppy, he was also rather robotic in his presentation and, from what can be gathered, never improved in his role as host. This brought comparisons to [[WheelOfFortune Rolf Benirschke]] (another of Merv's "dark horse picks"), but this is generally unfair to Rolf.
** Benirschke began on ''Wheel'' as a stiff, uncomfortable individual who, although clearly a nice guy, had simply never been on television before; his tenure is a pretty clear example of someone growing into his role, and by the end of his run he had more or less justified Merv's choice. On the other hand, Treadway had quite a bit of prior television experience and did over 100 more episodes than Rolf, but was "all-smiles" and somewhat distant to contestants.
* CatchPhrase: Pretty much everything Ty said, including his RulesSpiel, since he spoke '''the exact same way every time'''.
** "Welcome to ''Merv Griffin's Crosswords''!"
** "Five letters, $200..."
** "Say hello to [y]our Spoilers!"
** "[Name] with a chance to spoil!"
** "You're going home our champion with $[amount]!"
* CrosswordPuzzle: Uh, duh?
* DarkHorseVictory: The whole "Spoiler can win on the final clue despite having done nothing beforehand" bit of the game.
* EpicFail: January 30, 2008. '''Five''' bad contestants, and the winner entered the BonusRound with ''minus $250''...and proceeded to lose said bonus round (instead getting the Croton watch). From a [[YourMileageMayVary different viewpoint]], this may be the show's defining FunnyMoment.

** From the fans' viewpoint, this trainwreck is the biggest example of ''everything'' wrong with the format...and later, when Program Partners put the show on hiatus due to "high production costs" (see the Trivia tab), the shining example of just how that couldn't ''possibly'' have been the case.
* {{Expy}}: Of ''Series/TheCrossWits''...minus the celebrities, the hostess, and most of the prize budget.
* LaughTrack: The studio was apparently too small to have an actual audience, yet considering the rest of this page it seems a ''bit'' more likely that the staff didn't want anybody criticizing their lame format.
* LuckBasedMission: Performance in the BonusRound often depended on how much of the puzzle was empty; some days, it was just plain impossible to fill the whole thing in.
* MacguffinDeliveryService: What the show frequently wound up becoming; see GoldenSnitch and DarkHorseVictory, above.
* NoBudget: Boy, it certainly felt that way sometimes, didn't it?
* ObviousBeta: The first taped episodes (''not'' the first to air) used Crossword Extras which weren't part of the puzzle, worth $300 in Round 1 and $600 in Round 2. It also gave Bonus Round winners a trip (offered throughout the run) and $100 per word, the latter typically adding up to less than $2,000 (the amount offered for victory in the first aired episodes).
* ObviousRulePatch: The ousting of the Crossword Getaway, which removed the two "shelves" from the front-row podiums.
* OutOfOrder: Why a lot of this page and its YMMV tab are a bit vague, and the most likely reason for the show's ratings (hovering around a 1.0). ''Crosswords'' eschewed returning champions, and the airings basically played "format hopscotch" beginning in mid-December 2007. Repeats were seen in both single- and double-run markets, to the point where [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment a particular episode was shown twice in a double-run slot]]. The kicker? A staggering '''225''' episodes had been recorded, which ''should'' have prevented something like this from coming anywhere near close to happening. The double kicker? It was ''the entire point'' of doing so many in the first place!
** The show debuted on September 10, 2007 with the ''27th'' episode recorded; the first taped episodes, using a format that somehow managed to be ''even cheaper'', aired later on. The out-of-order airings were so bad, nobody is sure which episode was the ''last'' one taped.
* RearrangeTheSong: Even the TitleThemeTune was a cheap re-working of an old ''WheelOfFortune'' prize cue called "Buzzword". The ''Series/{{Jeopardy}}'' sample is still in there.

* {{Expy}}: Of ''[[{{Ptitledpytwfxl}} The Cross-Wits]]''...minus the celebrities, the hostess, and most of the prize budget.