Match Mates
| Company type | Television program |
|---|---|
| Industry | Children's television, Game show |
| Founded | July 1981 |
| Defunct | 1982 |
| Fate | Ended |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Parent | Reg Grundy Organisation |
Match Mates was a children's television game show from Australia that aired on the Nine Network between 1981 and 1982. The program, produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation for Nine Network's Children's Programming division, featured actor David Waters as its host.
History
Debuting in July 1981, the series was designed primarily for children aged 10 to 14, though it also garnered interest from younger preschool audiences. Production was a collaboration between the Grundy Organisation and Penny Spence, who served as Nine Network's vice president of Children's Programmes.
Object
The competition involved four children playing a game that blended aspects of adult game shows such as Concentration, Sale of the Century, and Hot Streak.
Rounds One and Two
Each round featured a head-to-head contest between two children.
Toss-Up Question (Ripper Rhyme)
The host presented a "ripper rhyme," a general knowledge question delivered in rhyming couplets with the final word omitted. The first contestant to buzz in with the correct missing word earned control over the puzzle segment.
Rebus Puzzle
Contestants viewed a board consisting of twenty numbered squares, each concealing an image and a portion of a rebus puzzle. The host offered a hint connected to the "ripper rhyme." Beginning with the player who won the toss-up, contestants alternately selected two numbers to reveal pictures. To "match," the images needed to be related; successful matches uncovered parts of the rebus and granted an opportunity to solve it. If a player guessed incorrectly or failed to solve, control shifted to their opponent. The first contestant to correctly solve the puzzle moved on to Round Three.
Sound Effect
One particular square, identified by an ear symbol, played an audio cue related to one of the puzzle pictures.
Catch-a-Clue
Marked by a butterfly net icon, this square contained a verbal hint delivered by the announcer pertaining to an item on the board.
Round Three
The winners from the initial two rounds faced off against each other.
Toss-Up Question (Who/What/Where am I?)
Contestants were shown a series of clues about a person, place, or object through videotaped children providing hints. The first to buzz with the correct identification gained control of the puzzle.
Super Word Puzzle
The puzzle board displayed twenty squares divided into two groups: numbers 1 through 10 featured pictures at the top, while squares 11 through 20 contained scrambled words below. Each square concealed part of a spaced-out "super word" related to the toss-up answer. Starting with the toss-up winner, players took turns selecting one picture and one scrambled word. A "match" occurred when these corresponded, revealing letters or spaces within the super word and allowing an attempt at solving it. Failure transferred control to the opponent. The first player to solve this puzzle won the round, secured victory in the game, and received a $50(AUS) savings account prize. Those finishing second were awarded consolation items such as toys and games.
Round Four
All four contestants participated in a final observational challenge.
Match a Mime
One child acted out a scenario demonstrated by the host through pantomime and then passed it sequentially to each other player, who repeated the mime. At conclusion, each participant identified what had been mimed in reverse order. Winners then selected a toy or game from those available on set.
Trivia
- Contestants made their entrance onto the stage through playground slides located at the rear, including the host at the beginning of the program.
- Prior to commercial breaks, the audience participated by responding to questions—ranging from sound identification to multiple-choice formats—with the correct answers disclosed afterward.
Educational Consultant
Dr. Millicent Poole, a professor specializing in education with experience in both Australia and New Zealand, served as the program’s educational advisor.
Reception
The Sydney Morning Herald commended Match Mates for its entertaining nature, highlighting that it proved children's television can be simultaneously "lighthearted, enjoyable and instructive."
References