Wink Martindale, iconic host of 'Tic-Tac-Dough' and 'Gambit,' dies at 91
Wink Martindale, the legendary game show host known for classics like Tic-Tac-Dough, Gambit, and High Rollers, has died at the age of 91.
The news was confirmed on Tuesday via his official Facebook page, with a tribute calling him 'amazing, funny and talented. Truly a LEGEND!'
With a career spanning more than seven decades, Martindale was a major figure in both radio and television. He began his journey as a radio DJ at age 17, rising to prominence at Memphis station WHBQ. In 1954, he played a pivotal role in Elvis Presley's early career, calling Elvis' mother after hearing his debut track and helping arrange one of the singer's first interviews.
Martindale also had a brief but successful music career of his own. His spoken-word single Deck of Cards reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over a million copies.
In the 1960s, he transitioned to television in Los Angeles, working with KHJ and several other major radio stations before landing his first TV hosting job in 1964 with What's This Song?. His game show career took off with hits like Gambit, Words and Music, and Tic-Tac-Dough, where his charm and signature voice made him a household name.
He also hosted other shows including The Last Word, Headline Chasers, Trivial Pursuit, and The Great Getaway Game, cementing his legacy as a staple of American game show history.
Martindale is remembered as a pioneering entertainer who helped define a genre that captivated generations.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
27-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Morgan Wallen's new album dominates Billboard with ‘What I Want' featuring Tate McRae at No. 1
Morgan Wallen's latest track, What I Want, featuring Tate McRae, has made a huge splash by debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The pop ballad, which sees Wallen and McRae harmonizing about an on-again, off-again relationship, helped propel Wallen's new album, I'm The Problem, to the top of the Billboard 200 as well. The album's success marks a major milestone for the country artist, whose release garnered 31.2 million streams in its opening week and claimed the largest debut of 2025 with 493,000 units earned, surpassing The Weeknd's January album launch. What I Want marks Wallen's fourth Hot 100 No. 1 hit, while it is McRae's first time at the top, following her successful track 'Greedy' that peaked at No. 3 earlier this year. The song is part of Wallen's two-hour-long album, which also features other chart-toppers like Just in Case and I'm The Problem. The overwhelming success of the album comes on the back of record-breaking numbers for streaming, where it leads the year with 462.63 million on-demand streams. -Instagram. Despite the massive success of What I Want, Tate McRae's collaboration with Wallen was initially met with a lukewarm response from some of her fans. When McRae hinted at the pairing with Wallen on Instagram, the news quickly drew attention, with social media reactions questioning her decision to team up with a controversial figure like Wallen. this might not be a career suicide but this is reputation suicide — anshi ! ANGIE DAY (@httpxsour) April 15, 2025 His past run-ins with the law and controversies over his use of racial slurs and reckless behavior have raised eyebrows, with some fans expressing their disappointment over the collaboration. tate mcrae when we said we wanted more collabs we meant with olivia rodrigo & that finished tyla scrap, NOT m*rgan w*llen. — ash (@2H4NDS) April 15, 2025 While the collaboration may have sparked some backlash, it has done little to dampen the chart success of What I Want, further cementing Wallen's place at the top of the Billboard charts this year.
Express Tribune
21-05-2025
- Express Tribune
SZA urges child to ditch whippets for selfie as she criticises drug targeting on social media
SZA has shared a personal moment of concern and action after persuading a young person to give up a nitrous oxide canister in exchange for a selfie. The singer took to Instagram to recount the drive-through encounter, where she noticed the child using 'whippet' drugs and offered a picture and video instead. Sharing a photo of herself holding the colourful canister, SZA wrote, 'Literally talked a CHILD into throwing away his whippet drugs in exchange for a picture/video at the in n out drive through.' 'Sad but if I can stop this shit for even a second imma try,' she continued. Photo: Instagram Nitrous oxide, often called 'laughing gas,' is inhaled recreationally and can cause brief euphoria but poses serious health risks, including lung damage and oxygen deprivation. While SZA's post highlighted the troubling drug use among youth, her week also brought career highs. Her hit song Luther, in collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, has now spent 13 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single, which samples Luther Vandross, is Kendrick's sixth and SZA's third chart-topper. The duo recently performed Luther and other collaborations at the Super Bowl halftime show and on their Grand National tour. Their Seattle show at Lumen Field sold over 60,000 tickets and grossed $14.8 million, setting a new hip-hop concert record.
Express Tribune
12-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Rapper That Mexican OT injured after bull strikes repeatedly during PBR Rodeo
That Mexican OT sustained injuries after being struck several times by a bull during the PBR Rodeo in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 11. The 26-year-old rapper, known for incorporating bullfighting elements into his performances, entered the arena during the event and was hit in the torso before being thrown to the ground. Footage from the event shows a bullfighter attempting to intervene, but the animal continued its charge, making contact with the rapper again. Rapper Mexican OT was hit by a bull at the PBR Rodeo 😳 — FearBuck (@FearedBuck) May 11, 2025 The Texas native later shared clips of the encounter on social media. His engagement with the rodeo was part of a themed appearance following the release of his recent track, 'Baby Mad at Me,' a collaboration with Lil Wayne. The single, produced by Bankroll Got It and Chris Townsend, dropped just days before the event. In reference to the rodeo, That Mexican OT modified the song's promotional artwork to read 'Bull Mad at Me,' aligning with the weekend performance. The creative spin was shared across his social channels ahead of the Fort Worth appearance. That Mexican OT gained national attention in 2023 with the single 'Johnny Dang,' featuring Paul Wall and Drodi. The track charted on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 65, and established him as a rising name in Southern hip-hop. After the event, he posted a photo on Instagram Stories showing a bruise on his body with the caption, 'Felt good,' indicating he was in stable condition and a light-hearted mood. Photo: Instagram
