Richard Dawson's uncanny gift at Match Game

At one point in my second novel, Cover Girl Confidential, Addison McGhee is trying to salvage of stagnating career by appearing on Hollywood Squares.

Addison is nothing if not determined and upbeat. So even though this is a low point in her career, she gives herself a pep talk. She vows to be a favorite of the contestants. She is going to be like Richard Dawson, she says. "Only without the unfortunate smoking habit."

With this background, you can understand how delighted I was to recently find a documentary about Match Game, in which a large portion of the program was devoted to other celebrities venting their petty resentment of Dawson and his special connection with the contestants.

It's a sad glimpse into human nature, I guess. Because watching Match Game.... well, it's obvious to anyone that Richard Dawson had a gift. If you wanted to win money, you'd pick Dawson.

I suppose I can understand that this would get old to Brett Sommers. But the facts are the facts. He was better at this than she was. I don't know that it speaks badly of her, particularly. She was quite a bit better than most of the celebrities. And besides, I'm not sure this skill that he had would even count as a skill in any context other than the game.

After all, being a bold, creative and original thinker is actually a drawback on that show. You need to give the most obvious answer possible.

Which Dawson did at a remarkably high rate -- and managed to look smart doing it. Good for him!