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I think he hosted Split Second, a dumb game show we used to watch during summer vacation. When he went to commercial he’d say stuff like, Come back, we’ve got a lot more seconds to split! We found that hilarious.
I was watching old Tic Tac Dough reruns last year and there was a contestant who was a tall, big guy and Wink asked him how much he weighed. I was thinking that I’m glad that’s one form of evolution for the better these days. He’d never be allowed to ask that now.
I met him at a NYC Toy Fair I attended back in the 90s. I forget what he was there to promote, probably an at home version of one of the tv game shows he hosted.
In 1991 I lived in Santa Monica CA. on Camden Ave. 1/2 block from Santa Monica blvd.. I walked to the liquor store on the corner of Camden and Santa Monica and there’s ole Wink Martindale himself! I looked at him for a second trying to figure out who he was when he said to me “Wink Martindale” I said hi, bought my smokes and went home.
My favorite story. David Letterman, early on, had a daytime show on NBC. It was great, but the ratings weren’t. It was canceled, to be replaced with a game show hosted by Wink MartinDale. At the final airing of Dave’s show most of the live audience members were holding up signs that said “Kill Wink!”
I remember him saying, “YOU CAN WIN A BRAND NEW CAR!!!!!!!” like you were gonna get a Cadillac or a Jaguar and the camera would cut to a shot of a plastic model of a Gremlin on a mirrored, rotating cake plate–trying to look like a real car on a spinning showroom floor. Even as a kid I thought that was pretty lame.
Great Why not say, “You get the absolute cheapest car in America!”
I enjoyed him as a host. I’m one to always give a game show a try. I’ve enjoyed numerous ones and still watch game show channels. RIP for WM and condolences for his loved ones.
I listened to KMPC every day after school. Wink had a contest for free tickets to Disney on Parade (a precursor of Disney on Ice) had to write why I deserved to go. Being a huge Disney nerd, my writing WON and I got the tickets! I watched him on the game shows (meh), but he was my Man on the Radio (along with Gary Owens, Dick Whittinghill, et al) Nowadays KMPC is a Korean station, but when I was in high school these guys were the BEST!
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I remember Wink. He seemed jovial and had that plastic Game Show Hair.
Mostly just watching him host Tic Tac Dough.
He was in a 1969 short movie about the year 1999. Some things were correct.
Archetype of a game show host.
I think he hosted Split Second, a dumb game show we used to watch during summer vacation. When he went to commercial he’d say stuff like, Come back, we’ve got a lot more seconds to split! We found that hilarious.
He was what you thought of when someone said game show host.
I am 53. The name does not ring a bell. Maybe if I saw a photo I would know who he is.
I was watching old Tic Tac Dough reruns last year and there was a contestant who was a tall, big guy and Wink asked him how much he weighed. I was thinking that I’m glad that’s one form of evolution for the better these days. He’d never be allowed to ask that now.
He was handsome ❤️
Wink had TV Anchor helmet hair and overly white teeth.
Good host. Seemed like a genuinely nice guy. I think he also did AM radio in LA on KFI. I vaguely remember hearing him.
I met him at a NYC Toy Fair I attended back in the 90s. I forget what he was there to promote, probably an at home version of one of the tv game shows he hosted.
Avoid the dragon!
Articulate smooth game show emcee.
It must be the Mandela effect but I swear he was the host of joker’s wild
Huge smile
My mom went to high school with him
In 1991 I lived in Santa Monica CA. on Camden Ave. 1/2 block from Santa Monica blvd.. I walked to the liquor store on the corner of Camden and Santa Monica and there’s ole Wink Martindale himself! I looked at him for a second trying to figure out who he was when he said to me “Wink Martindale” I said hi, bought my smokes and went home.
My favorite story. David Letterman, early on, had a daytime show on NBC. It was great, but the ratings weren’t. It was canceled, to be replaced with a game show hosted by Wink MartinDale. At the final airing of Dave’s show most of the live audience members were holding up signs that said “Kill Wink!”
I remember him saying that Wink was short for Winston.
They called him Win Martindale when he first started Gambit.
Vertical cheek dimples.
Yup. Back when he was young (and so was I).
Who?
I liked Wink and always watched Tic-Tac-Dough before going out for the night.
I was a Gambit fan, way back when.
I remember him saying, “YOU CAN WIN A BRAND NEW CAR!!!!!!!” like you were gonna get a Cadillac or a Jaguar and the camera would cut to a shot of a plastic model of a Gremlin on a mirrored, rotating cake plate–trying to look like a real car on a spinning showroom floor. Even as a kid I thought that was pretty lame.
Great Why not say, “You get the absolute cheapest car in America!”
I used to watch his game show but only remember him now because his name is odd. And Margot Martindale is his daughter.
He was a generous lover. Sensual, but not too timid. Aggressive in one moment, and then gentle in the next. He always met my needs and so much more.
I confuse him with Guy Smiley.
He was someone sad retired people watched.
Wow. Blast from the past. Long life, hope it was a happy one.
He was the epitome of game show hosts.
Oh, goodness, RIP, I thought he died years ago. I just remember that he was a game show host.
I enjoyed him as a host. I’m one to always give a game show a try. I’ve enjoyed numerous ones and still watch game show channels. RIP for WM and condolences for his loved ones.
Coach for the cheatingest cheaters in college football. /s
Although I admit I heard the name, in my 73 years on this Earth I do not believe I have ever watched any television show involving that person.
Looked like he had a hanger in his mouth-always smiling.
Getting drunk with a fake ID at his Memphis restaurant.
There’s tic, there’s tac, and there’s the dragon!
Who?
All I remember about Wink on TTD is, where did this guy come from? Most of those game show hosts had at least a bit of a career. John Davidson anyone?
One of the greats.
Nudge nudge, wink wink
>Martindale died one day after the revival of Tic-Tac-Dough premiered on Game Show Network, which occurred on April 14, 2025
“My work here is done.”
Now that’s a mic drop.
just another game show host with endless game shows on tv
I listened to KMPC every day after school. Wink had a contest for free tickets to Disney on Parade (a precursor of Disney on Ice) had to write why I deserved to go. Being a huge Disney nerd, my writing WON and I got the tickets! I watched him on the game shows (meh), but he was my Man on the Radio (along with Gary Owens, Dick Whittinghill, et al) Nowadays KMPC is a Korean station, but when I was in high school these guys were the BEST!
Used to call him “Tink Wink-in-dink” and pretend to boink an eye out with his thin little microphone.
He would have played a good televangelist in a made for TV movie. Probably would have won an Emmy.