Co-Host of the 1979-1984 NBC series "Real People" with Sarah Purcell, John Barbour, Byron Allen, Fred Willard, Mark Russell, Skip Stephenson, and Peter Billingsley. The show profiled various eccentric people living in the US.
Rafferty also hosted the tv game shows "Blockbusters" (1987), "Card Sharks"-syndicated (1986-1987), and "Every Second Counts" (1985).
Re: Bill Rafferty of "Real People" dies at 68
[In reply to]
I really enjoyed watching his version of Card Sharks on GSN a few years back, and I really liked his version of Blockbusters ten times more than that of Bill Cullen's version, despite having a much shorter run. Bill Rafferty was also noted for coining the terms "dual implication" on Blockbusters (meaning that any of the players can win on that letter) and "the land of parting gifts" on at least Blockbusters and Card Sharks. Episodes of Rafferty's Card Sharks are being uploaded at times, but Rafferty's Blockbusters episodes are uploaded rarely.
Rafferty's last TV appearance was on Retired & Wired on Retirement Living TV, or GSN Live during an interview.
Bill Rafferty was perhaps one of the best underrated game show hosts ever, and he is in "the land of parting gifts" in heaven now. He'll be missed for sure.
Re: Bill Rafferty of "Real People" dies at 68
[In reply to]
Rafferty's "Blockbusters" ran from January to April 1987 on NBC before being replaced by "Classic Concentration" with Alex Trebek. The 1987 "Blockbusters" featured one contestant versus another rather than the 1980-1982 Bill Cullen "Blockbusters" format with one contestant battling a team of two family members.
The UK "Blockbusters" series with Bob Holness as the host had a long run...utilizing the one contestant vs a two member team format.
Rafferty's "Card Sharks" premiered in syndication the same time as the CBS network version in 1986 hosted by Bob Eubanks. Rafferty's "Card Sharks" ran for one season while Eubanks' network version ran until 1989 and being replaced by the revived "Now You See It" game show hosted by Chuck Henry.
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"Don't chew gum on camera. Don't whistle. You may kiss Bob Barker but please don't kill him." -announcer Johnny Olson briefing the audience of potential contestants for "The Price is Right"
(This post was edited by artytoons on Sep 12, 2012, 7:49 PM)
