Post by usedletterboard on Jan 24, 2018 18:02:57 GMT -5
Admins/mods: If you feel that this thread is better suited for "Mr. Irrelevant" or another section on the board, please move it. Apologies in advance if this is the case.
Per a Facebook post by prolific game show announcer Randy West, Lin Bolen passed away last week at the age of 76. She was the Vice President of NBC daytime programming in the early-to-mid 1970s (the first female to hold that title), and was the chief force in commissioning Wheel of Fortune for the network in 1974, feeling that Jeopardy!'s audience was getting too old. Wheel instantly became an instant ratings hit and presented a real threat to its competition in Gambit and The Price is Right. In addition, Bolen was an influential figure in reshaping the appearance, style and general on-air characteristics of the game show host, vouching for fresh faces (or "studs", as Randy put it) such as Geoff Edwards, Jim McKrell, Alex Trebek and, of course, Chuck Woolery. Subsequently due to her overall input, NBC remained a ratings powerhouse, especially in the coveted 18-34 demographic among women.
As Randy West put it graciously: "Both loved by some, and reviled by others, Lin's success is undeniable as she broke through the glass ceiling and took control of a daypart that had languished and was becoming irrelevant to its target demographic."
My condolences go out to her friends and family.
Per a Facebook post by prolific game show announcer Randy West, Lin Bolen passed away last week at the age of 76. She was the Vice President of NBC daytime programming in the early-to-mid 1970s (the first female to hold that title), and was the chief force in commissioning Wheel of Fortune for the network in 1974, feeling that Jeopardy!'s audience was getting too old. Wheel instantly became an instant ratings hit and presented a real threat to its competition in Gambit and The Price is Right. In addition, Bolen was an influential figure in reshaping the appearance, style and general on-air characteristics of the game show host, vouching for fresh faces (or "studs", as Randy put it) such as Geoff Edwards, Jim McKrell, Alex Trebek and, of course, Chuck Woolery. Subsequently due to her overall input, NBC remained a ratings powerhouse, especially in the coveted 18-34 demographic among women.
As Randy West put it graciously: "Both loved by some, and reviled by others, Lin's success is undeniable as she broke through the glass ceiling and took control of a daypart that had languished and was becoming irrelevant to its target demographic."
My condolences go out to her friends and family.