Match Game, the show that requires contestants to match their answers with a celebrity panel for the chance to win $25,000, is returning to ABC for a new season. There are already some noticeable differences, as the network has announced a new host: Martin Short. This is not the first time Match Game has made a comeback; it aired for the first time in 1962 and was previously revived in 2016 for five seasons, with Alec Baldwin at the helm.

The last episode of Match Game aired in July 2021. But what can fans expect from the new season in 2025?

Fans React To The News Of ‘Match Game’ Returning With Martin Short

The news was also shared on social media. An official Instagram account for Match Game posted an announcement about Short’s casting. The photo shows Short with a big grin, and the caption informs fans that Match Game will be back this summer (although an official premiere date has yet to be confirmed). “You will ____ this big news! Comedy legend Martin Short hosts #MatchGame, coming this summer to ABC & Hulu!” the caption reads.

Fans have reacted to the news, with some disappointed that Baldwin will not be rejoining the show, while others have celebrated the casting of the Only Murders in the Building actor. “Love me some Martin Short,” a fan wrote. “OMG This Is The Best News I Could Have Gotten Regarding The Show!!!” another shared. “I Can’t Wait For It To Return, And I Can’t Wait To Have Fun Watching It Again!!!”

Other reactions include, “I’m so excited to see this news, I must say!,” “I love this show and am excited for its return,” and “Best news! One of my favorite game shows with one of my favorite celebrities.” The official ABC Instagram account also commented on the post, writing, “so ready for this!!”

Stars Who Have Been A Part Of ‘Match Game’

Before the announcement that Martin Short would host Match Game for its 2025 revival, it was believed that Sarah Jessica Parker was in talks to be involved in the project, per Deadline. Short will also serve as executive producer on the show.

As fans wait to see what Match Game will be like under Short’s direction, it is worth reflecting on some of the comments Alec Baldwin previously made about his time on the show. In an interview with TVLine in 2019, Baldin joked about the celebrity panel and his one rule: “Don’t bring any of my brothers on the show. That’s the critical rule here,” he said. “Bring on people named Baldwin, but none of my three brothers.”

He continued, “But in all seriousness, we have great casting people, and we have great returning people who I love and some of whom are dear friends, but we also have people who I get to learn about, people I don’t know. I don’t watch a lot of TV — I watch some — so I’ll say [to producers], ‘Who’s Bob so-and-so?’ Well, he’s in his fifth season of this white-hot comedy that I’ve never heard of. This gives me a chance to learn about people who are out there in the whole constellation, and it’s been fun.”

Could the Baldwin brothers be in with a shot at starring in the show as part of the new revival?

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