Showing the country the Bowling Capital of the World, Downriver-style
By 1979, "Bowling For Dollars" was but a memory, and is likely known as the opening salvo in the eventual dissolution of local programming on the network level. But to its end, the Detroit version with a Downriver flavor still became the showpiece of the franchise wherever it was shown, and it was partly due to Bob Allison's forthsight.
Nostalgic remembrances of this classic were answered in 2013 when Detroit independent station WADL announced a revival of Bowling For Dollars, the only market that has ever attempted a 21st century re-boot of the franchise to date. And once again, Bob Allison was tapped to be the host of the initial one-hour retrospective, with Thunderbowl Lanes again named the site; at the time they sported an all-new look to the Arena (which had replaced a nightclub which in turn stood on top of the original Arena surface).
After one season on WADL, Bowling For Dollars faded from memory again, not as likely to be recalled to memory many years from now as its 1970s predecessor. But there was literally no way to compare the two versions, nor was there any way to compare the Motor City's version with others around the country.
From 1973 to 1979, Detroit got it right... with a generous assist from Thunderbowl Lanes... a Downriver institution.
After one season on WADL, Bowling For Dollars faded from memory again, not as likely to be recalled to memory many years from now as its 1970s predecessor. But there was literally no way to compare the two versions, nor was there any way to compare the Motor City's version with others around the country.
From 1973 to 1979, Detroit got it right... with a generous assist from Thunderbowl Lanes... a Downriver institution.