Bob Stewart Productions: The Legacy of a Game Show Pioneer
Following his departure from Goodson-Todman, Bob Stewart embarked on a prolific journey as an independent producer. While the primetime version of The Price Is Right faced cancellation by ABC and daytime ratings were slipping, Stewart seized the opportunity to establish his own creative banner, Bob Stewart Productions. His work would eventually redefine the word-association genre and leave an indelible mark on American television history.
The Early Years and Initial Successes
Stewart's first venture under his own company was Eye Guess, a memory-based game that aired on NBC from January 3, 1966, to September 26, 1969, featuring his close friend Bill Cullen as the emcee. This set the stage for a series of celebrity-driven formats throughout the late 1960s.
- The Face Is Familiar: A CBS primetime celebrity show hosted by Jack Whitaker (May 7 – September 3, 1966).
- Personality: An NBC celebrity game hosted by Larry Blyden (1967–1969).
- You're Putting Me On: Hosted by Bill Leyden and later Larry Blyden (June–December 1969).
Entering the 1970s, Stewart found further moderate success with Three on a Match, again hosted by Bill Cullen, which ran on NBC from August 2, 1971, to June 28, 1974.
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The Rise of Pyramid and Basada, Inc.
Stewart's most significant achievement came through his second production company, Basada, Inc.—named after his sons Barry, Sande, and David. This company produced Pyramid, a word-association game originally hosted by Dick Clark. When it premiered on CBS on March 26, 1973, it offered the largest cash payoff seen on a quiz show since the 1963 series 100 Grand.
Pyramid became one of the most enduring franchises in television history, spanning 15 years of network runs with increasing prize money reflected in its titles. The show's prestige is highlighted by its nine Emmy awards for best game show, a feat surpassed only by the current version of Jeopardy!
The Evolution of the Pyramid Franchise
The show transitioned through various networks and formats over several decades:
- The $10,000 Pyramid: Aired on CBS until March 1974, then moved to ABC.
- The $20,000 Pyramid: Debuted on ABC in 1976.
- The $25,000 Pyramid: Aired on CBS from 1982 to 1987, and briefly in 1988.
- Syndicated Versions: Ran weekly (1974–1979) and daily (1981, 1985–1988, and 1991).
While Dick Clark hosted the majority of these versions, Bill Cullen hosted the weekly series and John Davidson hosted the 1991 series, both of which featured $100,000 quarterly tournaments. Later iterations include a Sony-packaged version (2002–2004) hosted by Donny Osmond, a GSN version (2012) hosted by Mike Richards, and the current ABC series, The $100,000 Pyramid, hosted by Michael Strahan.
Expansion and Relocation
Bob Stewart Productions was the last major game show company to move its operations from New York to Los Angeles. Although The Love Experts began full-time production in LA in 1978, Pyramid remained in New York until 1981. Stewart, a native New Yorker, initially resisted the move, valuing the specific energy and intelligence that New York contestants brought to his programs.
In a curious scheduling quirk during the first half of 1980, Stewart's New York-based Pyramid (ABC) competed in the same 12:00 noon Eastern time slot against his Los Angeles-based Chain Reaction (NBC). Both shows were canceled in June of that year.
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Other Notable Works and Later Ventures
Beyond his flagship hits, Stewart produced several word and puzzle-based games, including Winning Streak (1974–75), Blankety Blanks (1975), Shoot for the Stars (1977), Pass the Buck (1978), Go (1983–84), and Double Talk (1986).
In the mid-1980s, Stewart produced updated versions of Jackpot! and Chain Reaction for the USA Network. These were videotaped in Canada—Toronto and Montreal—through co-productions with the Global network and Champlain Productions. Chain Reaction has seen multiple revivals on GSN, including runs from 2006–2007 and 2015–2016, with a current version hosted by Dylan Lane that premiered on February 22, 2021.
Stewart also briefly stepped outside the game show genre in 1980 when he was hired to produce David Letterman's NBC daytime show. However, creative disagreements led to his departure just four days before the premiere.
Key Facts
- Most Successful Show: Pyramid, which won nine Emmy awards.
- Production Companies: Bob Stewart Productions and Basada, Inc.
- Notable Hosts: Dick Clark, Bill Cullen, and Michael Strahan.
- Industry Milestone: The last major game show production company to relocate from New York to Los Angeles.
- Genre Focus: Primarily word-association and puzzle-based formats.
| Show Title | Primary Network/Platform | Notable Host(s) | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pyramid | CBS, ABC, Syndication | Dick Clark, Michael Strahan | Word-association; 9 Emmys |
| Eye Guess | NBC | Bill Cullen | Memory game |
| Chain Reaction | NBC, USA Network, GSN | Dylan Lane, Geoff Edwards | Word-linkage puzzle |
| Three on a Match | NBC | Bill Cullen | Moderate early success |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Bob Stewart's most successful game show?
His biggest success was Pyramid, a word-association game that won nine Emmy awards and ran across multiple networks and syndicated versions for decades.
What does the name Basada, Inc. stand for?
Basada, Inc. was named after Bob Stewart's three sons: Barry, Sande, and David.
Why did Bob Stewart hesitate to move his production to Los Angeles?
As a native New Yorker, Stewart appreciated the intelligence and energy that contestants from New York City brought to his shows.
Did Bob Stewart produce anything other than game shows?
Yes, he was briefly hired to produce David Letterman's NBC daytime show in 1980, though he left the project four days before its premiere due to creative disagreements.
Which current show continues the legacy of Bob Stewart's work?
The $100,000 Pyramid currently airs on ABC as part of its Fun & Games series, hosted by Michael Strahan.