Didi Conn is a well-known actress who has appeared in many films and TV shows, but one of her most memorable roles was as Frenchy in the musical Grease. However, Conn also had a knack for comedy and game shows, and she proved it by being a frequent panelist on Match Game 78, one of the most popular and funniest versions of the classic game show.
What is Match Game 78?
Match Game 78 was a syndicated game show that aired from 1973 to 1982, hosted by Gene Rayburn. The show featured two contestants who tried to match the answers of six celebrity panelists to fill-in-the-blank questions. The questions were often humorous, suggestive, or absurd, and the panelists were encouraged to be witty and creative with their responses. The show was known for its risqué humor, double entendres, and innuendos, as well as the chemistry and banter between Rayburn and the panelists.
When did Didi Conn appear on Match Game 78?
Didi Conn made her debut as a panelist on Match Game 78 in January 1978, and she appeared on 10 episodes that month. She was paired with David Doyle, another actor who was best known for playing Bosley on Charlie’s Angels. Conn and Doyle had a great rapport and often matched each other’s answers. They also had a lot of fun with the questions and the host, and they were well-liked by the audience and the other panelists.
What were some of the highlights of Didi Conn’s appearances on Match Game 78?
Didi Conn had many memorable moments on Match Game 78, but here are some of the highlights:
- In one episode, the question was “The doctor said to the nurse, ‘This man needs a transfusion, stat! Get me a pint of _______.’” Conn’s answer was “Grease”, which matched Doyle’s answer and made Rayburn laugh.
- In another episode, the question was “Dumb Dora was so dumb, she thought a _______ was a male goose.” Conn’s answer was “Mongoose”, which was a clever and unexpected response that impressed Rayburn and the audience.
- In yet another episode, the question was “Harry said, ‘My wife is the world’s worst cook. Yesterday, she made me a BLT sandwich. That’s bacon, lettuce, and _______.’” Conn’s answer was “Tapioca”, which was a hilarious and original answer that cracked up Rayburn and the panelists.
- In one of her last episodes, the question was “Weird Willie is really weird. He likes to put _______ on his cornflakes.” Conn’s answer was “Ketchup”, which matched Doyle’s answer and made them both winners.
Why was Didi Conn a great panelist on Match Game 78?
Didi Conn was a great panelist on Match Game 78 because she had a lot of personality, charm, and humor. She was not afraid to be silly, creative, and spontaneous with her answers, and she often matched the contestants and the other panelists. She also had a good sense of timing, delivery, and interaction with Rayburn and the audience. She was a delight to watch and a joy to play with.
According to Wikipedia, Conn appeared as a celebrity guest on other game shows like The $20,000, $25,000, $50,000, and $100,000 Pyramids, Whew!, Chain Reaction, and Go. She also continued her acting career in films and TV shows like Grease 2, Benson, Shining Time Station, and Dancing on Ice. She is also an activist for autism awareness and research, as her adopted son Daniel has autism. She is married to composer David Shire since 1984