By DELANIA TRIGG, Register Staff Writer
Known for slightly racy anecdotes, psychedelic fashions and ridiculous scrabbles between contestants, the Newlywed Game -- a television staple of the 1960s and 70s -- has lived on in reruns for decades.
The show was known for its silly catch phrase, “When was the last time you made whoopee?” and other euphemisms which pushed the limits of censorship.
It also reportedly caused a few divorces.
Supporters of the Butterfield Stage Players hope their version, called the Not-So Newlywed game, sparks just as many laughs — without the breakups.
The show is set for 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 13 at the Butterfield Theater.
The television show was designed to test how much recently married couples knew about each other.
Producers separated the husbands from the wives and asked the contestants a series of questions about their spouses. Contestants wrote their answers on cards.
Later, the couples were reunited to compare answers.
Butterfield’s Not-So Newly Wed game will have the same format, said Butterfield Executive director Tamera Broyles.
Broyles said she expects the fundraiser to be light-hearted fun for adults.
“This is going to be a blast from the past and a unique way to (celebrate) Valentine’s Day. I expect it to be completely unpredictable,” she said.
In addition to the game show, guests will also have a chance to partake of fancy desserts made by the Center Stage Circle and Sandy Geyer, she added.
Four local couples have agreed to participate in the game.
As the show’s name implies, none of the couples are newlyweds.
“We’re looking forward to the event,” said Boogie Cullum.
Cullum said she and her husband Wally “have no idea what questions we will be asked.”
She said when Broyles approached her with the idea of staging a newly wed-style show in Gainesville she was all for it.
Her husband required a bit more persuasion she said.
In the end, Wally agreed to be a contestant.
“We have always supported Butterfield behind the scenes,” she said. “We have never been in any Butterfield productions, so this should be fun. I hope there’s a good showing. I think this will be a fun night for everybody. That’s the whole idea, to make people laugh,” she said.
Louise Mahnich plans to team up with her husband Frank.
“We’ve been married long enough to think we know everything about each other, but probably not,” Mahnich said. “I think the other couples have been married long enough to know each other, too. But no matter how long you’ve been married, it’s always a learning experience.”
Mahnich said many of the couples’ friend will not be surprised that they decided to participate in the show.
“WE’ve been involved with Butterfield for years, and Everybody knows we are always full of opinions,” she said.
John and Kim Noblitt also plan to join the contestant panel that night.
Kim Noblitt said she and John agreed to take the hotseat to help support Butterfield.
She also said she and Broyles are close friends.
The event set for Valentine’s Day weekend should be a hit, she said.
“I think it’s a great idea for Valentine’s Day and that a fun time will be had by all,” she said.
Noblitt said her husband has been kidding her about the fund raiser event for days now.
“John keeps telling me all the things he’s going to say to embarrass me, and I keep reminding him of a quote we learned in our Sunday School class a long time ago. It says, “I married him. I’m not responsible for him,” she said.
Noblitt said she hopes the show is a huge success.
“I hope everybody will come out and see us make fools of ourselves,” she said, laughing.
Tickets are $30.
For more information visit www.butterfieldstage.com or call the ticket office at 665-8152.
The Butterfield Stage is located at 201 S. Denton Street.
