The Name Of The Game: Three Times Cooler Than Other TV Shows

Before anthology series became fashionable, The Name Of The Game was already blazing its own trail. Airing from 1968 to 1971, this ambitious NBC drama rotated between three leading men—Gene Barry, Tony Franciosa, and Robert Stack—each starring in his own recurring stories under the umbrella of a powerful publishing empire. It was television unlike anything audiences had seen before. On this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom looks back at one of the most expensive and innovative series of its era, examining how The Name Of The Game blended mystery, journalism, action, and social commentary while attracting some of Hollywood’s biggest guest stars and directors. From Steven Spielberg’s early work behind the camera to the unique rotating format that influenced later television, this forgotten classic deserves another look. Why did NBC take such a gamble? Why did the series disappear from popular memory despite critical acclaim? And why do television historians still consider it one of the most fascinating experiments of the late 1960s? Join Tom for a deep dive into one of TV's most ambitious dramas and discover why The Name Of The Game remains a remarkable piece of television history. #TheNameOfTheGame #ClassicTV #GeneBarry #TonyFranciosa #RobertStack #NBC #TelevisionHistory #ClassicTelevision #StevenSpielberg #TomGulleyShow thetomgulleyshow.com