My Tribute to Ray Combs

Well, I was traumatized today by the news that Ray Combs, host of "Family Feud (Challenge)" and "Family Challenge" had died. As I posted on the group today, I will never forget the day when Family Feud returned to the air, on Independence Day in 1988. Channel 69, an independent affiliate, had picked it up at a great 4:30 p.m. time slot, and I was excited from the minute I read in TV Guide that it was returning. I was only ten at the time, but I had vague memories of the original Feud, and I loved that version so much that I was more than ready to watch it again!

So at 4:30 p.m. that day, I saw Ray's first day of hosting Family Feud. I loved how the set had remained basically the same, and that the great theme had stayed too. I'll never forget Ray's first words on the set:

"Welcome to the return of Family Feud on CBS...you know, I've been studying the CBS game shows for a long time now, so I think I'm ready...let's have the first item up for bids!"

I cracked a smile, realizing that although it was a bit corny, that this guy could work.

And he did.

As the months passed on, I grew and watched Ray grow with the show. In September, a syndicated version of Ray's Feud premiered, and I had more than one reason now to watch. Ray's humor was impeccable; unlike Richard, his sarcastic moments seemed less biting, and he seemed to have a genuine care for the families on the program. I liked his overall style, and even the specific things, like the way he would deftly read a question, or how he would permit a contestant to have more time in the Fast Money round when he bumbled over a question. He truly was a part of the Family Feud, and although we all remember Richard's original hosting style, we shall never forget that Ray was a class act himself.

When Ray left the show in 1994, I was saddened to hear that he had a life-threatening accident with a car, but was glad to see that he'd come back with Family Challenge on FAM. Although I, like many die-hard game show fans, was not a regular watcher of Family Challenge, you could still see his great hosting qualities shine through, and although the prizes were somewhat cheaper, Ray still used his quick comedic wit to make the hour a worthwhile one.

Ray, we'll miss you a lot. I grew up watching you, from age 10 to now, and I somehow feel that I am better because of you. God bless.