"SURVEY SAYS"...RICHARD DAWSON, WE MISS YOU!

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     One of the nicest people I ever had the pleasure of meeting...and working with...was television personality and actor, Richard Dawson.  Today - June 2nd, 2017 - is the fifth anniversary of Richard's death.  He died of esophageal cancer on June 2nd, 2012 at the age of 79. So with this column, I'm paying tribute to one of Hollywood's good guys.

     Best known as the longtime, original host of Family Feud... Richard's charm, wit, grace, class, sophistication and dapper attire made him a TV icon and one of the most admired and acclaimed emcees ever to helm a game show.

     Richard Dawson will also be remembered for spending six years - from 1965 to 1971 - at Stalag 13...as he portrayed Corporal Peter Newkirk in the top-rated, World War II sitcom, Hogan's Heroes.  In addition, Richard was everybody's favorite panelist - for five years, from 1973 to 1978 - on another popular game show...Match Game. 
   

     But it's Family Feud that skyrocketed Richard Dawson to super-stardom.  Therefore, as I salute him today, I do so with fond memories.

   

     One of the reasons that Family Feud was unparalleled right from the start - beyond the brilliance of the game itself by legendary game show executive producer and creative genius, Mark Goodson - was because Richard Dawson...along with his producer (later executive producer) Howard Felsher... spearheaded that which had not been done in previous game shows until Family Feud did it.  And that was to invite contestants of all ages, shapes, sizes, colors and ethnic heritages.  Family Feud also made their program available to people with disabilities...thus encouraging fans of the show who were sight or hearing impaired... or unable to walk...to become contestants with their families.  Family Feud opened the door to individuals in wheelchairs to play the game.  And, over the years, I recall there being companion dogs...in the studio...laying down at the side of numerous contestants.  A toast, therefore, to Richard Dawson...who deserves the initial credit...as it was he who believed everyone is equal to participate on Family Feud... no matter what they looked like or whether they were physically challenged in some way.

     It was my honor and privilege to share conversations with Richard while we were both at ABC in Hollywood.  We worked together on The Toni Tennille (Talk) Show when Richard was a guest.  And he was delightful.  But it was the many times after that...when I would stop by to visit with Richard in his Family Feud studio...when his engaging presence was truly appreciated.

     Family Feud starring Richard Dawson premiered on ABC on July 12th, 1976 as part of the network's daytime programming schedule.  It went off the air on June 14th, 1985.  Richard also hosted the syndicated series between 1977 and 1985.  He returned for one more year between 1994 and 1995 at the end of Family Feud's second run in syndication.  After that...he permanently retired from the show...despite it's comeback in 1999 and it's continued success. 

     On Richard's final episode of his nine-year stint on ABC, he captivated his studio audience and the viewers at home with a meaningful story...explaining why it was important that he welcome families from all walks of life...and all colors of "a rainbow."

     Warm accolades were not the only form of sentiments received by Richard Dawson.  On that last Family Feud show on ABC, Richard remarked that some people, over the years, had criticized him when he would hug and embrace people who were not of the Caucasian race.  But Richard recalled what his mother taught him on D-Day - June 6th, 1944 - when, for the first time in his life, young eleven-and-a-half year old Colin Lionel Emm (his birth name) saw military men..."boys"...of all colors... leaving his hometown in England...to join the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II...which began the liberation of German-occupied Europe...and freedom from the Nazis.

     As Richard reminisced on the air, he celebrated and applauded his mother who taught the little boy "Colin" a valuable lesson...that all of God's children are the same.  His childhood observation of people who were not white...triggered this question to his mother.  "Is there something wrong?"  Richard said his mom replied, "No.  God makes people.  You understand that, don't you?"  "Yeah," he answered. Richard's mother then asked her son, "Who makes a rainbow?"  The prepubescent lad responded, "God."  And then in this televised public setting, Richard communicated his mom's noteworthy message with loving homage to her.  He repeated her words of wisdom from 41 years earlier.  "I'd never presume to tell anyone who could make a rainbow...what color to make children."  With heartfelt sincerity, Richard praised his mother.  "She changed my whole life with that statement."

     Bigotry should never be tolerated.  Richard Dawson's mom knew it...and so does my mom.  As a tiny tot myself, my mother taught me to look at people the same way...no matter what they looked like...no matter what country they came from... who they prayed to...or for any other reason that they appeared in some way to be different from me.  Although another person's skin color might not match my pale complexion...we all bleed red.  And inside...we are all the same.

     As people...we are a planet of one species of life.  We are humans.  We all breathe the same air.  We all laugh when we are happy.  And we all cry when we are sad.  It's, therefore, tragic...that so many millions of people around the world are filled with hate...and that they want to hurt others simply because they look different.

     I hope that someday in my lifetime...everyone on Earth...especially every American...will recognize as truth...what Richard Dawson's mother told him.  We are ALL God's children.  We should love one another.  We should be kind to one another...not hate or harm each other because of differences in skin color or religious beliefs.

     When Richard bid farewell from his ABC Family Feud program, he expressed with disappointment that there were some people who got upset...and complained to the network...when he made a point to kiss every woman on his show.  Richard declared, "I kissed them for luck and love.  That's what my mother did."

     Signing off Family Feud sparked genuine emotion from Richard Dawson.  The Emmy Award winning host choked-up on camera...and with honest tears in his eyes, Richard poured his heart out to all of us watching.  "This has been a very special... nine years of my life.  If I never do another thing...I've met the good, sweet people of the world."

     As I paint this literary portrait of a distinguished and masterful entertainment luminary...I acknowledge the happiness that Richard Dawson brought me...on screen and off. But Richard gave bountiful joy to generations of people throughout the United States of America and around the globe.  And through the wonders of television and technology...he will continue to do so.  "Survey says"...we miss you, Richard Dawson.  You made us smile.  And you too...were one of the good, sweet people of the world.

     And that's The Controversy for today.

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

     "We'll talk again."

The Controversy is a publication of GBD Productions.  Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Controversy is Gary B. Duglin.

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Photo credits: celebritynetworth.com, vz.cnwimg.com, ABC Television Network, Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions, FremantleMedia and Game Show Network (Richard Dawson #1), The Scott Rollins Film and TV Trivia Blog, CBS Television Network, Bing Crosby Productions and Bob Crane Productions (Richard Dawson #2), Brandon's TV Blog, ABC Television Network, Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions, FremantleMedia and Game Show Network (Richard Dawson #3), Quotes Gram, ABC Television Network, Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions, FremantleMedia and Game Show Network (Richard Dawson #4), The Gameological Society, ABC Television Network, Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions, FremantleMedia and Game Show Network (Richard Dawson #5), NWI Times, ABC Television Network, Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions, FremantleMedia and Game Show Network (Richard Dawson #6), CNN, ABC Television Network, Mark Goodson-BillTodman Productions, FremantleMedia and Game Show Network (Richard Dawson #7) and IMBD, Amazon.com and Pinterest.com (Richard Dawson #8)

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