The Game Show Show

Last updated

The Game Show Show
TheGameShowShowLogo.png
Genre Documentary
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes4
Production
Executive producers
  • David Brady
  • Kate Harrison Karman
  • Sarah Gibson
  • John Ealer
  • David Sloan
  • Victoria Thompson
Running time42 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network ABC
ReleaseMay 10 (2023-05-10) –
May 30, 2023 (2023-05-30)

The Game Show Show is an American television documentary miniseries about the history of game shows. It premiered on ABC on May 10, 2023. [1] The series features interviews from former and current game show hosts.

Contents

Episodes

No.Title  [2] [3] Original air date  [2] [3] Prod.
code  [2] 		U.S. viewers
(millions)		 Rating
(18-49)
1"Chapter One: The Answer Is..."May 10, 2023 (2023-05-10)1012.73 [4] 0.3/3 [4]
2"Chapter Two: Show Me The Money"May 17, 2023 (2023-05-17)1022.07 [5] 0.3/3 [5]
3"Chapter Three: Over The Top"May 24, 2023 (2023-05-24)1031.47 [6] 0.2/2 [6]
4"Chapter Four: Sex, Love or Money?"May 30, 2023 (2023-05-30)1041.78 [7] 0.2/3 [7]

Chapter One: The Answer Is...

The first episode, which aired on May 10, 2023, discusses the early history of game shows from the 1950s quiz scandals to the introduction of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire in 1999, a show which changed the landscape of television and brought a revival of game show interest. [8] The show also mentions the origins of Jeopardy!, which was created as a direct result of the quiz show scandals. [9] In the 1950s, television networks decided to rig game shows in an attempt to boost their ratings, but eventually failed once contestants came forward saying that the shows were rigged. [10] As a result, laws were introduced to prevent game shows from future rigging. The most notable being the Prohibited Practices in Contests of Knowledge, Skill, or Chance law, which bars television or radio stations from rigging game shows. If law is broken, stations may face a $10,000 fine or one year in prison for those responsible for cheating. [11]

Chapter Two: Show Me The Money

The second episode, which aired on May 17, talks about the history of "Big Money" game shows going back to the 1950s. The episode goes into how networks needed a new format for game shows after the quiz show scandals of the 1950s. [12] The episode begins with the original NBC version of The Price Is Right before moving on to the 1972 revival of the series with a look at the scandal of Ted Slauson who was able to make a perfect bid on the Showcase Round thanks to his research of the show and its infrequent use of new prizes and the similar scandal with Michael Larson who was able to win the largest ever single-day amount of money on the show Press Your Luck. [13] The show then talks about how the shows were immune to the same scandal involving quiz shows because the games just involved playing with the goal of winning as much money as possible. The series also moves to Wheel of Fortune and daytime TV show Let's Make a Deal before it ends with a look at the primetime show Deal or No Deal and how the show is popular simply because of its simple gameplay that does not require a lot of learning or strategy. [14]

Chapter Three: Over The Top

Airing on May 24, this episode looks at the history of competition game shows as well as "reality game shows" where members of the audience directly participate in on-screen activities. The episode begins with the original contest show Truth or Consequences and then looks back at the groundbreaking popularity of American Ninja Warrior before going into the boom of reality contest shows of the 1990s and 2000s. It looks briefly at game shows from the network Nickelodeon such as Double Dare which put children into physical gameplay challenges. [15] Afterwards it digs into reality contest shows of the 1990s including Big Brother , Survivor , The Amazing Race . [16] The show then moves to the 2000s with a look at stunt shows such as Fear Factor along with the controversy that led to its cancellation, music and talent shows including American Idol . [17] [18] The episode ends with a look at the business contest series The Celebrity Apprentice and how Donald Trump was able to use the money and viewership from the series to save his businesses and run for President. [19]

Chapter 4: Sex, Love, or Money?

The final episode aired on May 30 focuses on dating contest shows. The episode begins by explaining that network executives wanted a new format of game show that would attract younger audiences, and decided on the idea of shows about dating. The show introduces the idea of dating shows with a look back at the The Dating Game as well as The Newlywed Game and Love Connection . [20] The show also moves to the MTV series Singled Out and how it revamped the dating show with a younger image and allowing for queer relationships. The last half of the episode focuses on reality dating shows, namely The Bachelor and its spinoff The Bachelorette . [21] [22]

Reception

Critical response

The show received a generally positive reception, receiving an overall rating of 6.9 on IMDb. [23] One critic described it as "more informative for the casual fan" but that those very knowledgeable about game shows may not learn much. [24]

Related Research Articles

<i>Farmer Wants a Wife</i> (American TV series) American reality TV show

Farmer Wants a Wife is an American reality television series, based on the British show of the same name, in which a bachelor farmer chooses a potential romantic partner among a group of 10 single city women.

<i>Penn & Teller: Fool Us</i> American magic competition television series

Penn & Teller: Fool Us is a magic competition television series in which magicians perform tricks in front of American magician-comedian duo Penn & Teller. Its first two seasons were hosted by Jonathan Ross, the third through ninth seasons were hosted by Alyson Hannigan and the tenth season by Brooke Burke. Fool Us was filmed at Fountain Studios in London, England and the Penn & Teller Theater at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, located in Las Vegas. After each performance, if Penn & Teller cannot figure out how a trick was done, the magician(s) who performed it win a Fool Us trophy and a five-star trip to Las Vegas to perform as the opening act in Penn & Teller's show, also at the Rio Hotel & Casino.

<i>Miz & Mrs.</i> American reality television series

Miz & Mrs. is an American reality television series that premiered on July 24, 2018 on USA Network. The series, a spin-off of Total Divas, follows the lives of Mike "The Miz" Mizanin and Maryse Mizanin in and out of the wrestling ring. The show includes fifty 30-minute episodes. Season 1 follows the couple leading up to the birth of their first child. Mike and Maryse also serve as executive producers of the show. In April 2019, USA Network renewed the series for a second season which premiered on January 29, 2020. The show was renewed for a third season in October 2021, which premiered on June 6, 2022.

<i>I Can See Your Voice</i> (American game show) American television game show

I Can See Your Voice is an American television mystery music game show series based on the South Korean program of the same name. Since the show's premiere on September 23, 2020, it has aired three seasons on Fox.

<i>BBQ Brawl</i> American food reality television series

BBQ Brawl is an American cooking reality competition television series that airs on Food Network.

<i>CSI: Vegas</i> American crime drama television series

CSI: Vegas is an American crime drama television series that debuted on CBS on October 6, 2021. It is a revival of the 2000–2015 series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and the fifth and final series in the CSI franchise. The series stars Paula Newsome, Matt Lauria, Mandeep Dhillon, and Mel Rodriguez as new characters. William Petersen and Jorja Fox reprised their roles from CSI: Crime Scene Investigation as Gil Grissom and Sara Sidle during the first season before departing, while Marg Helgenberger reprises her CSI: Crime Scene Investigation role as Catherine Willows beginning with season two. Wallace Langham, Paul Guilfoyle and Eric Szmanda also reprise their roles as David Hodges, Jim Brass and Greg Sanders, in a guest capacity.

<i>Home Economics</i> (TV series) American sitcom

Home Economics is an American television sitcom created by Michael Colton and John Aboud that aired on ABC from April 7, 2021 to January 18, 2023. In May 2021, the series was renewed for a second season which premiered on September 22, 2021. In May 2022, the series was renewed for a third and final season which premiered on September 21, 2022. In September 2023, the series was canceled after three seasons.

<i>Crime Scene Kitchen</i> American reality TV series (2021– )

Crime Scene Kitchen is an American reality television series that premiered on Fox on May 26, 2021. The series is hosted by Joel McHale with Yolanda Gampp and Curtis Stone serving as judges.

<i>Next Level Chef</i> (American TV series) American reality television series

Next Level Chef is an American culinary reality competition television series that premiered January 2, 2022, on Fox, with judges Gordon Ramsay, Nyesha Arrington, and Richard Blais. The third season began in January 2024, with a confirmed renewal for a fourth season.

<i>Chicago P.D.</i> season 10 Season of television series

The tenth season of the American police procedural television series Chicago P.D. premiered on September 21, 2022, on NBC, for the 2022–23 television season. The season concluded on May 24, 2023. The season contained 22 episodes.

<i>Celebrity Jeopardy!</i> (2022 game show) American television quiz show

Celebrity Jeopardy! is an American game show that consists of 13-episode tournaments - each played by 27 celebrities. Their winnings in the tournaments are donated to a charity of their choice.

Teen Mom: The Next Chapter is an American reality television series broadcast by MTV. It premiered on September 6, 2022. The series was first announced in May 2022, after the cancellation of both Teen Mom OG and Teen Mom 2.

<i>Jeopardy! Masters</i> American television quiz show

Jeopardy! Masters is an American game show hosted by Ken Jennings on ABC. Its first season featured six recent notable Jeopardy! champions competing against each other in a "Champions League-style" format. It premiered on May 8, 2023. In February 2024, it was announced that the show would be renewed for a second season which premiered on May 1, 2024.

References

  1. ↑ "ABC News Studios and Cream Productions Debut "The Game Show Show" Wednesday, May 10, on ABC" (Press release). ABC. April 21, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023– via The Futon Critic.
  2. 1 2 3 "The Game Show Show Episode Listings". The Futon Critic.
  3. 1 2 "The Game Show Show Episode Guide". Zap2it.
  4. 1 2 Mitch Metcalf (May 11, 2023). "Wednesday 5.10.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily . Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Mitch Salem (May 18, 2023). "Wednesday 5.17.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily . Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  6. 1 2 Mitch Metcalf (May 25, 2023). "Wednesday 5.24.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily . Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  7. 1 2 Mitch Metcalf (June 5, 2023). "Tuesday 5.30.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily . Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  8. ↑ Lowry, Brian (August 14, 2019). "'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' turns 20". CNN. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  9. ↑ "The Rigged Quiz Shows That Gave Birth to 'Jeopardy!'". HISTORY. April 18, 2019. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  10. ↑ "ABC News Studios Sets The Game Show Show Special (Exclusive)". April 21, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  11. ↑ "47 U.S. Code § 509 - Prohibited practices in contests of knowledge, skill, or chance". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  12. ↑ "The Aftermath of the Quiz Show Scandal | American Experience | PBS". www.pbs.org. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  13. ↑ Higgins, Bill (June 11, 2019). "Hollywood Flashback: An Ice Cream Man Hacked 'Press Your Luck' in 1984". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  14. ↑ Lealos, Shawn S.; Merrill, Allison McClain; Barker, Stephen (May 10, 2020). "Deal Or No Deal: 11 Interesting Facts You Need To Know About The Banker". ScreenRant. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  15. ↑ Collins, Glenn (July 25, 1987). "Children's Game Show Captures Audiences". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  16. ↑ "What a Trip: The Complete Oral History of The Amazing Race". E! Online. September 5, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  17. ↑ Planas-Arteaga, Sheehan (March 12, 2020). "11 Little Known Facts About Fear Factor". ScreenRant. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  18. ↑ "How 'American Idol' changed music, television". Christian Science Monitor. ISSN   0882-7729 . Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  19. ↑ Poniewozik, James (September 28, 2020). "Donald Trump Was the Real Winner of 'The Apprentice'". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  20. ↑ Daire, Amy. "The wacky 52-year-long evolution of dating shows on TV". Business Insider. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  21. ↑ "A History of The Bachelor, by the People Who Lived It". The Cut. January 4, 2016. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  22. ↑ Rothman, Lily (May 18, 2015). "The Surprisingly Feminist Roots of 'The Bachelorette'". TIME. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  23. ↑ The Game Show Show (TV Mini Series 2023) - Ratings - IMDb , retrieved October 20, 2023
  24. ↑ "'The Game Show Show' ABC Review: Stream It Or Skip It?" . Retrieved October 20, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.