Family Feud (1988–1995) User Reviews

The last episode of "The New Family Feud" with Ray Combs was both funny and a little sad

[tavm · 7/10 · 8 September 2010]

I previously reviewed the original Richard Dawson run of "Family Feud", then the first episode of the 2nd run with Ray Combs. Now, I'm reviewing the very last one hosted by him with the returning champs the Beckwiths competing against the Trans. Combs seemed to be a little more excited than I remember him being when I watched his hosting stint in first-run syndication and CBS back then. Anyway, the Trans end up in the Fast Money round with the second contestant getting 0 points-of which he passed on three of the questions-leaving Ray to say "I've been doing this for 6 years now and this is the first time I've had someone who got no points. I'd say it's a damn fine way to go out. I thought I was a loser till you came in and made me feel like a man." Apparently, however, it wasn't better enough for him to stay to talk to the two families like he usually did when the show ends as he left just after saying, "See you next time" as there wouldn't be one. Two years later, after getting in an accident, losing his comedy club businesses, and then his wife and kids leaving him-and despite hosting a new game show called "Family Challenge", Ray Combs would hang himself in a mental hospital. What a sad end to what seemed to be a charmed life during his run on "Family Feud". One hopes he didn't suffer too badly when he made the decision...

Very Good Show!!

[rbj1985 · 8/10 · 29 December 2006]

This was the "Family Feud" show that I grew up with. Unlike the previous version, this version seemed to have more life and enthusiasm in it. I particularly liked Ray's sense of humor and making the contestants feel at home. He didn't belittle them if they gave a wrong answer, sometimes he would make a funny joke out of it. I loved the format of the show, with the three strikes, and that 'clang' sound when the answers flipped. I don't remember seeing too many of the 'Bullseye' episodes, I must have been in school at the time (I was home-schooled during the early years of the show). However, "Family Feud" stands out in my mind as one of the greatest game shows (probably the greatest show besides "The Price Is Right") ever!

Ray Combs Beloved and Missed

[shelbythuylinh · 8/10 · 12 December 2021]

Really the show picked up where it left off in 1988 and in how that the late Ray Combs came on in and in that over in the refreshed the show a bit.

Having no ego to begin with but it was an insult to injury when the producers replaced him with original host Richard Dawson as in the finale of the show, he walked off instead of mingling with the family.

He died a broken heart due to financial, personal, and professional problems at the age of only 40 in 1996 due to suicide. RIP.

Fun game show

[Catherine_Grace_Zeh · 10/10 · 14 July 2006]

First off, I must say that this is a fun game show. Also, I'm not sure if I've seen every episode. However, I do know the show very well. Every time I've watched it, I've had a lot of fun playing along and watching. While it was still in production, this made me long to be a contestant. The thing I like most about it are the questions. Despite the fact that I don't know that many answers, I still have fun playing along. I hope the Game Show Network keeps it on so I can play along and watch for years to come. If that happens, I will be really happy. Before I wrap this up, I'd like to say that I'll always remember this show in my memory forever. Now, in conclusion, I hope that you catch it one day before it goes off the air for good.

"Survey says, Ray Combs is #1."

[dellt · 17 April 2000]

I have always thought that Ray Combs was the best host for "Family Feud" and I always will. Ray gave the show much more energy and excitement and he was always very funny. Anyway, this was the second incarnation of "Family Feud." It premiered on July 4th, 1988 on CBS with Ray Combs as host. The show was recorded in Studio 33, (now The Bob Barker Studio), at CBS Television City in Los Angeles, California and remained very similar to the original version. The only really noticeable differences, (besides replacing Richard Dawson with Ray Combs), were color changes to the set and some minor revisions of props. On September 19th, 1988 a syndicated version of "Family Feud" premiered. This version was also hosted by Ray Combs. Both versions of the show remained very popular for the next four years. In 1992 the CBS daytime version expanded from thirty minutes to one hour. The "Bullseye" round was added to the mix and the show was renamed "Family Feud Challenge." "Bullseye" was also added to the half hour syndicated version a few months later and it was renamed "The New Family Feud." Sadly, the ratings began to drop around this time and the one hour CBS daytime "Family Feud Challenge" was ultimately cancelled in 1993. The syndicated half hour version of "The New Family Feud" continued for one year longer until mid 1994. After six great years of "Family Feud" with Ray Combs it was no more. In the fall of 1994 the syndicated version of "Family Feud" was completely overhauled to reflect a more modern look. The "Bullseye" round became the "Bankroll" round, the show was expanded from thirty minutes to one hour, (just like the CBS version was in 1992), and the set was completely renovated, but the biggest "shock" was that Richard Dawson was back as the show's host. (Why, oh why was Ray Combs fired?) Despite the producers' hopes to increase ratings by updating the set and bringing back Dawson, the show bombed and was cancelled in mid 1995. Although this version of Feud was okay to watch it was nowhere near as great as the 1988-1994 Ray Combs era. As I said before, the reason I think the Ray Combs version of "Family Feud" is the best is because Ray was so energetic and funny. He did some of the funniest things on that show. For example, whenever the first player got all 200 points by himself/herself in "Fast Money", Ray would bring the second player on stage, (after everyone had finished celebrating), and say something like, '... your partner only came up with 18 points. You need 182 points to win the cash.' Ray would then, (very seriously), proceed to read "joke questions" to the second player such as, 'There were three stooges. Name Curly's wife.' or 'Pick a number between 3 and 5.' Also, when contestants gave stupid answers or if it seemed that they were in a "daze" Ray would often, (very gently), hit that contestant over the head with his handheld cordless mic, (1990-1994 episodes only). Ray was a really great person and emcee who understood and followed the rules of the game, but also had a very good time along the way. He is deeply missed and "Family Feud" will never be the same without him. Ray, you were, (and still are), truly one of the best.

Comparing the show over the years

[minerals · 10/10 · 10 September 2006]

You know I have watched this game show over the years and i have found several things out. One thing The show was a whole lot better with Richard Dawson on it than it was with Ray Combs. One thing I found out from an official message that was on the Mark Goodson productions website is that the real reason Ray Combs replaced Richard Dawson is because Richard had gotten into an argument with Mark Goodson. What it says that they were yelling at each other over is how Mark forced Richard to stop kissing the Female Contestants and when that happened the popularity of the show went downhill then Mark comes along yelling at Richard wanting him to start kissing them again so the show can be popular again. Well the two got into that fight and then that is when Ray Combs came on the show. Then after Mark Goodson died and his son took over it is said that Ray Combs had a bad wreck in his car and doctors said he would be laid up for over a year. So Mark Goodson's son had Richard Dawson come back. Well Ray got healed up in less time than the doctors said it would take. When Ray came to work he was told that he had to wait for Richard's two year contract to run out. Well Ray's wife had stated that her husband started getting suicidal because of how Richard was on the show instead of him. Then when his wife had the doctors put him in a mental institution they made the mistake of putting him in a room that the closet had a hanging bar strong enough to hold Ray up and so Ray killed himself by making a hangman noose out of a sheet off of the bed. When Richard heard that Ray had killed himself he refused to sign a new contract after the two year contract ran out. So right there is what i know is the real history of the events of the game show

Not as good as the first, but not bad!

[stargazer24 · 28 July 2001]

Being a child of the 80s, I grew up on this version and enjoyed it very much. It was a fun game and Ray was an entertaining host. Then last year I got Game Show Network, started watching Richard's version, and thought it was better. However, I still don't think this was a bad second version; Ray ranks up there with Bert Convy (on Super Password) as one of the best replacement hosts. The only thing that bugs me is that sometimes Ray gets hung up on being funny and not concentrating on the game, but it's not that annoying. You want annoying? Check out the Louie Anderson version.

This version of a truly classic game show is definitely worth watching. It's too bad Mr. Combs decided to take his own life; I've always wanted to see a hosting duel between he and Richard. Who'd win????

No more Ray Combs!

[jmder · 19 June 2003]

Family feud is one of my favourite tv show. I'm a huge fan of "family feud" and I enjoyed every version, though, I never saw the one hour expansion of the feud when they added the bullseye round and when Richard Dawson returned as host. These episodes will air on gameshownetwork in the future. I especially enjoyed watching Ray Combs' airings of family feud, he was a really great host for family feud and used his energy to make the show as exciting as possible. He made everyone laugh and brought excitement to many people. I feel sorry that he took his own life and he is very missed. I've been watching him on the gameshownetwork and have really enjoyed his era episodes. Game show network allowed me to watch more of Ray Combs' and the Richard Dawson's episodes. "Who knows what the future of family feud will bring without Ray Combs" Every time I see him on G.S.N, he is always fun to watch and entertaining. One thing for sure, Ray was a hard working and funny guy. I currently, enjoy watching the Richard Karn version of family feud, because I like the set design, the music etc. Perhaps, Richard Karn was probably the right person to be chosen for the show cause I think he's a great replacement for Ray Combs and the theme song has returned and it is a great fit for the show. I also heard the updated version of the Comb's theme song that will be used next season, it is a great addition with added drums etc. I thought Louie Anderson did a great job of hosting family feud as well. In the end, may God bless Ray Combs and I hope he rests with peace and I will never forget him for such a great time he offered.

family feud DVD game

[szwytnas · 7 November 2004]

Wow, was I excited to see the DVD version of the family feud game out in the stores. I always had this great idea about being able to play family feud on the TV with my family the same way it is played on TV.

After playing the game, I think the game lacks the excitement that the television shows really pull off. For game shows like Wheel Of Fortune, Jeopardy!, and Pyramid, they hit the nail very well on board games. The family feud game really has had different variations whenever it came to the board game phase. Yet, Family Feud also has had that over 25 years with hosts like Ray Combs, Richard Dawson, Louie Anderson and Richard Karn. Yet, the way this game show has been put to DVD is really a surprise to what the survey says.

The Family Feud "Survey Says" DVD game is really quite different from the longtime successful game show. The DVD game features Richard Karn, the current Family Feud host. The game features 800 questions which does provide a lot of fun, but the game really isn't like how the longtime game show is played. The game deals with 2 players at home, trying to match all the Top 5 answers on the survey, with a twist. Both players must try to out score the opponent by scoring the most points on each question round. With a pair of duel question rounds where both must answer the same survey question, and the fast money question round where both are given separate questions to answer, and match the surveys.

I would really like to find out who makes the games and recommend some ideas of how I would like to play the game at home with my family. With the new technology that we have today, I don't understand why we aren't able to find a way to connect TV and keyboard where one of the the family members can play the host have all of the answers and type the answer in. Kind of like the girl who co host in the game show Lingo. She sits at the table and types in the answers of the players on the big screen. I would really love to see that be available for family feud. I wouldn't mind paying a couple hundred of dollars to play something advanced and fun like the game family feud at home. I would be the coolest one on the block! Would that be a very difficult process?

Sincerely, very eager to play family feud the original way at home with my family