Anything You Can Do (game show)
Encyclopedia
Anything You Can Do was a Canadian
stunt-based game show
that aired on that country's CTV
network and in syndication in the United States
from 1971–1974. The host in the show's first season was Gene Wood
, who at the time was also the announcer on Beat the Clock
. For the last two seasons Don Harron
was the host. Bill Luxton was the announcer.
The game was billed as a "battle of the sexes
" and was played by two teams of three, men against women.
There was also a "mental challenge" about midway through the show; the teams would have to complete some activity such as unscrambling a word, reciting a tongue twister, etc. The time taken to complete the task was added to the team's overall time.
said he left the show after the first season because producer Don Reid
had assured him that all the stunts were completely safe – which proved not to be the case. On one episode, a woman choosing the occupation of "newspaper carrier" was required to ride a bicycle
down a narrow yellow line (without veering from it) and throw several newspapers at targets. She lost control of the bicycle, fell to the studio floor, and apparently broke a bone. Wood mentioned other contestants being injured as well.
In September 1972, Wood became host of Beat the Clock
while Canadian actor Don Harron
(best known to American viewers as Charlie Farquharson on Hee Haw
) took over on Anything You Can Do.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
stunt-based game show
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
that aired on that country's CTV
CTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
network and in syndication in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
from 1971–1974. The host in the show's first season was Gene Wood
Gene Wood
Eugene Edward "Gene" Wood was an American television personality, known primarily for his work as an announcer on various game shows. From the 1960s to the 1990s, he announced many game shows, primarily Mark Goodson–Bill Todman productions such as Family Feud, Card Sharks, Password, and Beat the...
, who at the time was also the announcer on Beat the Clock
Beat the Clock
Beat the Clock is a Goodson-Todman game show which has aired on American television in several versions since 1950.The original show, hosted by Bud Collyer, ran on CBS from 1950–1958 and ABC from 1958–1961. The show was revived in syndication as The New Beat the Clock from 1969–1974, with Jack Narz...
. For the last two seasons Don Harron
Don Harron
Donald H. Harron, is a Canadian comedian, actor, director, journalist, author and composer.- Charlie Farquharson :...
was the host. Bill Luxton was the announcer.
The game was billed as a "battle of the sexes
Battle of the sexes
-Films:*The Battle of the Sexes , American film directed by D. W. Griffith*The Battle of the Sexes , American remake of the above, also directed by D. W. Griffith...
" and was played by two teams of three, men against women.
Rules
Two teams of three, men against women, competed. Center stage was a board containing the names of occupations that are (or were, at the time) generally performed by men, and occupations generally performed by women. The men picked from the women's side of the board; the women, from the men's. The object was to complete a stunt related to the chosen occupation in 90 seconds or less. The time required to complete the stunt was added to the times for completing previous stunts; the team with the least total time at the end of the show won and received prizes; the losing team received prizes of lesser value.There was also a "mental challenge" about midway through the show; the teams would have to complete some activity such as unscrambling a word, reciting a tongue twister, etc. The time taken to complete the task was added to the team's overall time.
Controversy
In an interview, original host Gene WoodGene Wood
Eugene Edward "Gene" Wood was an American television personality, known primarily for his work as an announcer on various game shows. From the 1960s to the 1990s, he announced many game shows, primarily Mark Goodson–Bill Todman productions such as Family Feud, Card Sharks, Password, and Beat the...
said he left the show after the first season because producer Don Reid
Don Reid
Don Reid is an American former professional basketball player who was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the 2nd round of the 1995 NBA Draft. In his career, Reid played for the Pistons, Washington Wizards and Orlando Magic in 8 NBA seasons...
had assured him that all the stunts were completely safe – which proved not to be the case. On one episode, a woman choosing the occupation of "newspaper carrier" was required to ride a bicycle
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
down a narrow yellow line (without veering from it) and throw several newspapers at targets. She lost control of the bicycle, fell to the studio floor, and apparently broke a bone. Wood mentioned other contestants being injured as well.
In September 1972, Wood became host of Beat the Clock
Beat the Clock
Beat the Clock is a Goodson-Todman game show which has aired on American television in several versions since 1950.The original show, hosted by Bud Collyer, ran on CBS from 1950–1958 and ABC from 1958–1961. The show was revived in syndication as The New Beat the Clock from 1969–1974, with Jack Narz...
while Canadian actor Don Harron
Don Harron
Donald H. Harron, is a Canadian comedian, actor, director, journalist, author and composer.- Charlie Farquharson :...
(best known to American viewers as Charlie Farquharson on Hee Haw
Hee Haw
Hee Haw is an American television variety show featuring country music and humor with fictional rural Kornfield Kounty as a backdrop. It aired on CBS-TV from 1969–1971 before a 20-year run in local syndication. The show was inspired by Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, the major difference being...
) took over on Anything You Can Do.