Match Game 2026

I sit in the contestant's chair on the set of a game show from my childhood.  Familiar theme music vamps. 

"Doot.  Doo.  Do-da-doot-da-doodle.  Doot.  Doo.  Do-da-doot-da-doodle..." 

Johnny Olson's voice rings out, "Get ready to match the stars!"  Not real Johnny.  He died forty years ago.  Ai Johnny.  

"Squidward!"  Do-da-doot-da-doodle...

"Velma!"  Do-da-doot-da-doodle...

"Peppa Pig!"  Do-da-doot-da-doodle...

"Minnie Mouse!"  Do-da-doot-da-doodle...

"Krusty the Clown!"  Do-da-doot-da-doodle.... 

"And Penny Proud!  As we play the star-studded Match Game 2026!  And now your host, Geeeeene Rayburn!"

Longtime host Gene Rayburn bows.  Also Ai, also longtime dead.  The theme music fades under fake audience applause.   Ai Gene circa 1975 clutches a long, thin microphone.  His two hands become three, then hooves, then salamis. He introduces me, reading from an Ai index card that alternates between card and conch shell.

Maya's Bracelet

Maya's mom is my very dear friend.  When I was working on Shimmer & Shine back in 2017,  she would send photos or videos of little Maya dressed up as one of the genies.  So cute.  It was Maya's favorite show back then.  On occasion, I'd send Shimmer & Shine swag with a little note from "the genies".  I even got the actress who played Shimmer (or was it Shine?) to record a special voice message for her.

When I heard Maya was becoming a bat mitzvah, I couldn't believe it.  Poof!  She grew up.  I couldn't attend the event, but wanted to get her something special.   This is where Chloe Kono comes in.

I met Chloe at a group art show last year.  She had an assortment of whimsical jewelry made from precious metals and gems.  I found her to be a kindred spirit, and we became fast friends.  I'd been wanting to create something with her.  Maya's bat mitzvah is where these two paths would meet.