Win, Lose, or Draw is back! The show may be new to most of its viewers, but it has a long history with the Disney Company. The game show originally premiered in 1987 in two different versions; a NBC Daytime edition hosted by Vicki Lawrence and a nighttime syndicated edition hosted by Bert Convy. The show was produced by host Bert Convy and Burt Reynolds. In fact, the show was inspired by games Burt played at home (think the original Hollywood Game Night). That is why the set was modeled after Mr. Reynolds own living room.
The show featured two gender-locked team with two celebrities and one “regular joe”. The original celebrities to play in the pilot were Burt Reynolds, Tony Danza, Loni Anderson, and Disney Legend Betty White. This edition lasted until 1990 with reruns airing through 1992. It should be noted that one of those “regular joes” turned out to be Lee Unkrich who directed Toy Story 3.
In 1989 a Disney Channel spinoff entitled Teen Win, Lose or Draw began on Disney Channel. A neat fact is that the first season of the show was filmed at Disney-MGM Studios prior to the park’s official opening. The show was hosted by Marc Price who was best known as Alex Keaton’s best friend Skippy on Family Ties. During the first season The New Mickey Mouse Club cast members Brandy Brown, Chase Hampton, and Tiffini Hale announced the show. When the show moved to Hollywood for the second season, the game show was announced by Mark L. Walberg who became known for hosting game shows and Antiques Roadshow. This edition featured teen stars like Star Trek’s Wil Wheaton competing in a backyard set. Teen Win, Lose or Draw ended in 1992 like the show it was spun-off from and many felt the franchise was dead for good.
Out of nowhere, Disney Channel announced they were bringing the show back last summer. This time, the stars are from the Disney Channel and Disney XD stable such as Dove Cameron, Leo Howard, and Olivia Holt. In this modern version, the pace is a little more frantic and the participants have exchanged drawing pads for next-gen tablets. The show host, illusionist Justin Willman from Cupcake Wars, guides the contestants through some interesting twists on the classic game play. Imagine drawing while going through an obstacle course or trying to illustrate while the tablet keeps spinning.
I enjoyed the show. The game-play’s pace has been picked up, as most things are these days, which causes us to not get to know the contestants and celebrities as well as I would like. But the twists keep the show fresh as each round is different so it doesn’t get stale.
This show is a perfect afternoon show for the channel. It is a great before-homework show that allows kids to take a break once they get home, before they hit the books. The Disney Afternoon and The Mickey Mouse Club were this show for a previous generation. It’s something to look forward to while sitting on the school bus or in the back seat of your parent’s car. And since a return of The Disney Afternoon and The Mickey Mouse Club does not seem likely at this juncture, I will take a revival of an old Disney Channel classic.
You can catch the new Win, Lose,or Draw Monday through Thursday at 5/4c on Disney Channel