‘Feud’ Redux and Battle Mania

The category: Name something you blow up. The answer: a doctor’s rubber glove?

“Where would a person get that?” wondered Louie Anderson, talking about one of the contestants on an episode of “Family Feud,” which is being revived with the 46-year-old stand-up comedian as host.

The new version of the game show, which premieres Monday on KCAL and airs weeknights at 7 and 7:30, features comedian Anderson in a role made famous by Richard Dawson, who created a style all his own--thanks to his pinstriped suits, deliberate stage manner and his habit of smooching contestants.

Anderson says he won’t be kissing anyone.

“I’m interested to see, as much as anyone, if I can reinvent it,” he says.

“Family Feud” joins the annual fall parade of first-run syndicated shows--so-called because the programs are sold market by market to individual TV stations across the country--that are debuting this month and next. Other notable programs include new talk shows from comedian Martin Short and singer-actress Queen Latifah, a wish-fulfillment show from fitness fanatic Richard Simmons called “Dream Maker” and new original action shows such as “Relic Hunter” and “Peter Benchley’s Amazon.”

As for “Family Feud,” the show continues a recent trend in first-run syndication of resurrecting popular game shows, including “The Hollywood Squares” and “The Match Game.”

Anderson, 46, who has spent the past two decades talking about his own family histrionics in his comedy, won’t exactly go for the congenial tone of Dawson or the late Ray Combs, who hosted a “Family Feud” revival in 1988.

Instead, he says, he’ll heckle contestants who give bad answers, telling them: “You’re out of the family.”

In addition to hosting “Family Feud,” Anderson, whose children’s cartoon, “Life With Louie,” formerly aired on the Fox Children’s Network, says he has a new book coming out in February. It’s about his relationship with his older brother, Kent, whom Anderson describes as a former career criminal.

“It’s about why did he become a criminal, and why did I become a comedian?” Anderson said.

Here are some of the other new first-run syndicated series on local broadcast stations this fall:

“National Enquirer TV”: Gossipmonger Mike Walker takes his act to television with a new half-hour show based on items from the trashy tabloid National Enquirer. Weekdays 3 p.m. (repeated at 12:30 a.m.) on KCAL. Already premiered.

“Battle Dome”: Tae Bo guru Billy Blanks is listed as athletic consultant on a show that pits amateur athletes and hard-core “warriors” in a series of physically demanding games. Sunday nights at 9 beginning tonight on KCOP.

“Divorce Court”: Los Angeles family law attorney Mablean Ephriam mediates real-life courtroom divorce battles, bringing tough love to the world of marital discord. Weekday mornings at 9 on KTTV. Already premiered.

“The Martin Short Show”: Adding sketch comedy to the mix, actor-comedian Short tries not to go where Chevy Chase, Dennis Miller and Howie Mandel, among others, have gone before. Weeknights at 11 p.m. on KCOP. Already premiered.

“Queen Latifah”: The music star-turned-actress takes on issues of the day in her self-styled talk show, pitched as a single-issue, personality-driven offering a la “Oprah.” Weekdays at 10 a.m. on KTTV. Premieres Monday.

“Richard Simmons Dream Maker”: As if he hasn’t done enough for the people of this nation, diet meal guru Richard Simmons makes people’s dreams come true--from coordinating dream weddings to paying for a couple’s in vitro fertilization. Weekdays at 10 a.m. on KTLA. Premieres Monday.

“Peter Benchley’s Amazon”: A plane crashes in the Amazon jungle, and a small group of survivors begin the search for a way out. The series co-stars C. Thomas Howell and model Carol Alt. Saturdays at 4 p.m. on KCOP. Premieres Saturday.

“Relic Hunter”: Tia Carrere plays the adventurer-explorer of the show’s title, an Indiana Jones type searching each week for a different lost relic. Saturdays at 5 p.m. on KCOP. Premieres Saturday.

“Beastmaster: The Legend Continues”: Based on the popular “Beastmaster” movies of the past decade, this series picks up with Dar, who is the last survivor of a village sacked by bandits, while the evil Zad rules the throne. Saturdays at 4 p.m. on KTLA. Premieres Oct. 9.

“Your Big Break”: An Americanization of a talent-show format that has been airing in Europe, this show combines elements of karaoke and “Star Search,” with contestants given the chance to sing a song from one of their favorite musical acts. Hosted by Christopher Reid, formerly of the rap duo Kid-n-Play. Saturdays at 7 p.m. on KCOP. Premieres Saturday.