R.I.P. Game Show Producer Ralph Andrews

Ralph Andrews

Ralph Andrews, a prolific game show producer whose credits include NBC’s wildly popular You Don’t Say! of the 1960s, died Friday of complications from Alzheimer’s disease, his son, Matthew, said.

He was 87, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

His son said Andrews produced the second-most game shows in history, rivaled only by Mark Goodson.

You Don’t Say, which in its original incarnation was hosted by Tom Kennedy, aired on NBC in daytime from 1963 through 1969, routinely achieving a 40-plus share in the ratings.

Andrews also had a hand in such network or syndicated game shows as I’ll Bet, hosted by Jack Narz, Wedding Party (Alan Hamel), The Family Game (Bob Barker), It Takes Two (Vin Scully), It’s Your Bet (Hal March), Liar’s Club (Rod Serling and later Allen Ludden), Celebrity Sweepstakes (Jim McKrell) and 50 Grand Slam (Kennedy).

Andrews was raised in Saginaw, Mich., where he began his career as an announcer, disc jockey and salesman for radio stations. He moved to California, landed a page job at NBC and discovered his calling in television.