Wink Martindale

Game Show Host

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In his three-and-a-half hour interview, Wink Martindale talks about his early years and being a DJ in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was the first DJ to play a record by Elvis Presley. He describes hosting several local Memphis television shows like Mars Patrol and Top Ten, as well as making the move to Los Angeles and hosting P.O.P. Dance Party on KTLA. He details his first national game shows including Dream Girl of ’67, How’s Your Mother-in-Law?, and Las Vegas Gambit. Martindale describes in detail hosting the hit game show Tic Tac Dough, and discusses the popularity of the show and the show’s record breaking, long-running contestant Thom McKee. He recalls hosting various other game shows including High Rollers, Trivial Pursuit, and Debt. He concludes by summing up his long career, and offering advice to aspiring game show hosts. John Dalton conducted the interview on April 11, 2017 in North Hollywood, CA.

"A good host is a person who loves people. If you’re a people person, you’re naturally going to be attracted to contestants and it's easy for you to be able to interact with those people."

People Talking About ...

Wink Martindale

Highlights

Wink Martindale on becoming the host of Tic Tac Dough, and on the early broadcast history of the show

Wink Martindale on how he got the name "Wink"

Wink Martindale on meeting Elvis Presley, and his friendship with Elvis

Wink Martindale on hosting Las Vegas Gambit, and on appearing on The Hollywood Squares

Wink Martindale on retiring from hosting, and on acting on The Bold and the Beautiful

Wink Martindale on record breaking Tic Tac Dough contestant Thom McKee

Full Interview

Chapter 1

On how he got the name "Wink"; on his early life and influences; on getting into radio at a station owned by Gene Autry

On hosting the radio show "Clockwatchers" on WHBQ out of Memphis, Tennessee; on meeting Elvis Presley, and his friendship with Elvis; on the first time he saw television, and early shows he watched

On hosting a children's show, Mars Patrol, on a local Memphis television station; on hosting his local dance show Top Ten out of Memphis, and on doing Elvis Presley's first filmed interview; on Dick Clark

On singing in the movie "Let's Rock"; on his hit song "Deck of Cards," and on performing it on The Ed Sullivan Show; on hosting P.O.P. Dance Party on KTLA

On appearing on both television and radio on a daily basis in the 1950s; on what makes a good game show host, and on game show hosts he admires like Bill Cullen; on announcing for Everybody's Talking, and on hosting Dream Girl of '67, and How's Your Mother-in-Law?

Chapter 2

On hosting Can You Top This produced by Morey Amsterdam; on hosting Las Vegas Gambit, and on appearing on The Hollywood Squares; on becoming a game show host

On becoming the host of Tic Tac Dough, and on the early broadcast history of the show; on various aspects of hosting Tic Tack Dough, and on long running contestant Thom McKee

On creating and hosting Headline Chasers; on hosting High Rollers; on executive producing game shows, and on his production company

On hosting Trivial Pursuit; on the advent of Game Show Network; on hosting Debt

On hosting Second Honeymoon and Bumper Stumpers; on retiring from hosting, and on acting on The Bold and the Beautiful

Chapter 3

On being a contestant on Tattletales, and on his later friendship with Elvis Presley; on being a celebrity contestant on Password and The Hollywood Squares; on the craft of game show hosting

On Tic Tac Dough being his favorite show, and on his enjoyment of hosting Gambit; on how game shows have changed since he started, and on the future of game shows; on mentors in his career

On his wife, Sandy Martindale, and on his longevity; on career regrets and how he'd like to be remembered

Shows

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Wink Martindale

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Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Bold and the Beautiful, The

Bumper Stumpers

Can You Top This

Debt

Dream Girl of '67

Ed Sullivan Show, The aka Toast of the Town

Everybody's Talking

Headline Chasers

High Rollers

Hollywood Squares, The

How's Your Mother In Law?

Las Vegas Gambit

Password

Second Honeymoon

Tattletales

Tic Tac Dough

Trivial Pursuit

Zoom

Creative Influences and Inspiration

Industry Crossroads

Network Creation

Pivotal Career Moments

Quiz Show Scandals

Television Industry

Game Show Host

Hosts

Daytime/Primetime Serials

Game Shows

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

Morey Amsterdam

Jack Barry

Dick Clark

Bill Cullen

Dan Enright

Merv Griffin

Elvis Presley

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