The Hustler (American game show)

Last updated

The Hustler
TheHustlerLogo.png
Genre Game show
Created by Richard Bacon
Directed byRyan Polito
Presented by Craig Ferguson
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes19
Production
Executive producers
Production companies
Original release
Network ABC
ReleaseJanuary 4 (2021-01-04) –
September 23, 2021 (2021-09-23)

The Hustler is an American television game show that aired on ABC from January 4 to September 23, 2021. Hosted by Craig Ferguson, it follows five contestants who collaborate to build up a cash prize by answering a series of trivia questions. One of the contestants is secretly designated as the Hustler beforehand and given the answers to all the questions. By the end of the game, two of the honest contestants have been eliminated; the other two must correctly choose the Hustler in order to stop them from winning the entire prize.

Contents

In April 2022, it was reported that the series was cancelled.

Gameplay

The game consists of a total of 10 questions, each with four multiple-choice options. All of the questions are themed after the Hustler's personal life and interests. A hint about the Hustler is revealed on each turn, and the question is related to it. For example, if the clue indicates the Hustler is a fan of a television show, the question might concern a detail about that show. [1]

The team is given 60 seconds to discuss the question and decide on an answer. The Hustler has been given all the correct answers ahead of time and may use this knowledge as desired throughout the game. If the players do not reach a consensus before time runs out, they are given a few extra seconds to choose a response; a failure to do so forfeits the money for that turn. Each of the first nine questions adds $10,000 to the bank for a correct answer, while the last question doubles the entire total for a correct answer or cuts it in half for an incorrect answer. The team can bank up to $180,000 over the course of the game.[ citation needed ]

Eliminations

The Hustler eliminates one honest contestant each after the third and sixth questions. To protect their identity, every contestant is given a ballot with all five names and must mark one of them. The contestants place their ballots in envelopes and give them to the host, who sends them out of the studio via pneumatic tube capsule. The honest contestants' votes are discarded, and the Hustler's choice is eliminated with no winnings and must leave the studio through an exit concealed in a bookcase. [1]

Final vote

After the tenth question, the three remaining contestants each declare their guess at the Hustler's identity by placing cards with that person's name in front of their chairs. They are then given two minutes to debate the issue and may change their votes as desired during this period.[ citation needed ]

The true Hustler then stands up. If both of the honest contestants have voted correctly, they split the bank. Otherwise, the Hustler wins the entire bank.[ citation needed ]

Episodes

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1 8January 4, 2021 (2021-01-04)February 25, 2021 (2021-02-25)
2 11June 17, 2021 (2021-06-17)September 23, 2021 (2021-09-23)

Season 1 (2021)

No.
overall		No. in
season		Title  [2] [3] Original air date  [2] [3] Prod.
code  [2] 		U.S. viewers
(millions)
11"A Puzzle, Wrapped In An Enigma, Tattooed In Mystery"January 4, 2021 (2021-01-04)1052.08 [4]
22"Have You Ever Stabbed a Melon?"January 7, 2021 (2021-01-07)1033.99 [5]
33"The Ultimate Game of Deception"January 14, 2021 (2021-01-14)1013.29 [6]
44"Watch Out for the Quiet Ones"January 21, 2021 (2021-01-21)1042.81 [7]
55"How To Spot a Liar"January 28, 2021 (2021-01-28)1063.05 [8]
66"Sweet Deceit, Salty Insinuations, Spicy Revelations"February 11, 2021 (2021-02-11)1022.56 [9]
77"Every Tic Could Be a Tell"February 18, 2021 (2021-02-18)1082.67 [10]
88"A Little Bit of Finger Pointing"February 25, 2021 (2021-02-25)1072.66 [11]

Season 2 (2021)

No.
overall		No. in
season		Title  [2] [12] Original air date  [2] [12] Prod.
code  [2] 		U.S. viewers
(millions)
91"The Most Diabolical Game on Television"June 17, 2021 (2021-06-17)2052.00 [13]
102"Next Level Hustle"June 24, 2021 (2021-06-24)2011.99 [14]
113"Pick the Weird Stuff"July 1, 2021 (2021-07-01)2061.95 [15]
124"That's A Lot of Whips"July 15, 2021 (2021-07-15)2041.86 [16]
135"It's Not Shame, It's Just The Game"July 22, 2021 (2021-07-22)2071.70 [17]
146"Teamwork, HUZZAH!"August 12, 2021 (2021-08-12)2031.60 [18]
157"You're Overcompensating!"August 19, 2021 (2021-08-19)2111.71 [19]
168"A Real Imposter At Work"September 9, 2021 (2021-09-09)2081.29 [20]
179"Who's Twitchy Here?"September 16, 2021 (2021-09-16)2021.59 [21]
1810"Connive and Strive"September 23, 2021 (2021-09-23)2091.85 [22]
1911"A Little of This, A Little of That"September 23, 2021 (2021-09-23)2101.66 [22]

Production

The series was picked up by ABC on October 12, 2019, and began production during late fall. [23] [24] The series premiered as a sneak preview on January 4, 2021, [25] before moving to its regular timeslot on January 7, 2021. [26] On April 7, 2021, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on June 17, 2021. [27]

On April 1, 2022, it was reported that the series was cancelled after two seasons. [28]

Reception

Ratings

Season 1

Viewership and ratings per episode of The Hustler
No.TitleAir date Rating
(18–49)		Viewers
(millions)		DVR
(18–49)		DVR viewers
(millions)		Total
(18–49)		Total viewers
(millions)
1"A Puzzle, Wrapped In An Enigma, Tattooed In Mystery"January 4, 20210.52.08 [4] —0.71—2.79 [29]
2"Have You Ever Stabbed a Melon?"January 7, 20210.73.99 [5] 0.20.740.94.73 [29]
3"The Ultimate Game of Deception"January 14, 20210.63.29 [6] —0.75—4.04 [30]
4"Watch Out for the Quiet Ones"January 21, 20210.52.81 [7] —0.59—3.40 [31] [lower-alpha 1]
5"How to Spot a Liar"January 28, 20210.53.05 [8] ————
6"Sweet Deceit, Salty Insinuations, Spicy Revelations"February 11, 20210.52.56 [9] ————
7"Every Tic Could Be a Tell"February 18, 20210.52.67 [10] —0.61—3.28 [32] [lower-alpha 1]
8"A Little Bit of Finger Pointing"February 25, 20210.42.66 [11] —0.54—3.19 [33] [lower-alpha 1]

Season 2

Viewership and ratings per episode of The Hustler
No.TitleAir date Rating
(18–49)		Viewers
(millions)		DVR
(18–49)		DVR viewers
(millions)		Total
(18–49)		Total viewers
(millions)
1"The Most Diabolical Game on Television"June 17, 20210.32.00 [13] 0.10.740.52.74 [13]
2"Next Level Hustle"June 24, 20210.41.99 [14] 0.10.590.52.58 [14]
3"Pick the Weird Stuff"July 1, 20210.31.95 [15] 0.10.530.42.48 [15]
4"That's A Lot of Whips"July 15, 20210.41.86 [16] 0.10.460.42.32 [16]
5"It's Not Shame, It's Just The Game"July 22, 20210.31.70 [17] 0.10.440.42.14 [17]
6"Teamwork, HUZZAH!"August 12, 20210.31.60 [18] 0.10.540.32.14 [34]
7"You're Overcompensating!"August 19, 20210.31.71 [19] 0.10.570.42.29 [35]
8"A Real Imposter At Work"September 9, 20210.21.29 [20] ————
9"Who's Twitchy Here?"September 16, 20210.21.59 [21] ————
10"Connive and Strive"September 23, 20210.31.85 [22] 0.10.380.42.23 [36] [lower-alpha 1]
11"A Little of This, A Little of That"September 23, 20210.31.66 [22] 0.10.360.42.03 [36] [lower-alpha 1]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Live+7 ratings were not available, so Live+3 ratings have been used instead.

Related Research Articles

<i>Tacoma FD</i> American television sitcom (2019–2023)

Tacoma FD is an American television sitcom set in a firehouse in Tacoma, Washington. The series premiered on March 28, 2019, on truTV. In November 2021, the series was renewed for a fourth season, premiering on July 20, 2023. In February 2024, the series was canceled after four seasons.

Mental Samurai is an American television game show that aired from March 19, 2019, to July 20, 2021, on Fox. Described as an "obstacle course for the mind", the show features contestants answering knowledge-based questions while being moved around by a large robot arm in the show's specially designed capsule that can rotate 360°. The show is hosted and produced by Rob Lowe.

Christina on the Coast is an American home renovation television series featuring Christina Hall, centered around properties in Southern California. In June 2018, HGTV announced that Hall would be receiving her own Flip or Flop spin-off series. The series premiere focused on Hall renovating her new home following her divorce; with the remaining seven episodes focusing on her fixing up other people's homes. Filming began in fall 2018, for a spring 2019 premiere. On February 13, 2019, it was announced that the series would premiere on May 23, 2019.

<i>Holey Moley</i> Minigolf gameshow

Holey Moley is an American sports reality competition television series created for ABC by Chris Culvenor. The series is produced by Eureka Productions and Unanimous Media, with Culvenor, Paul Franklin, Wesley Dening, Stephen Curry, Jeron Smith, Erick Peyton, Charles Wachter, and Michael O'Sullivan serving as executive producers.

<i>Call Me Kat</i> American television sitcom (2021–2023)

Call Me Kat is an American television sitcom largely based on the British sitcom Miranda by Miranda Hart that aired on Fox from January 3, 2021, to May 4, 2023. The series stars Mayim Bialik as Kat, and includes Cheyenne Jackson, Kyla Pratt, Julian Gant, and Swoosie Kurtz. Leslie Jordan was also featured until his death on October 24, 2022. The series was developed by Darlene Hunt. In May 2023, the show was canceled after three seasons.

<i>Walker</i> (TV series) 2021 American action television series

Walker is an American action crime drama television series developed by Anna Fricke for The CW. It is a reboot of the 1990s western drama television series Walker, Texas Ranger. The series was ordered straight to series in 2020, with Jared Padalecki portraying the title role and serving as an executive producer. It premiered on January 21, 2021.

Lego Masters is an American reality competition television series that premiered on Fox on February 5, 2020. The series is based on the British series of the same name. Each episode features teams of two building Lego projects from a vast array of bricks and parts to meet both creative and practical goals set by the challenge for a particular episode. The show is hosted and executive produced by Will Arnett, with Lego Group creative designers Amy Corbett and Jamie Berard serving as the show's judges. Various guest stars have also served as hosts and judges.

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

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

<i>Wipeout</i> (2021 game show) American television game show

Wipeout is an American television game show based on an obstacle course, hosted by John Cena, Nicole Byer, and Camille Kostek which premiered on TBS on April 1, 2021. It is a reboot of ABC's Wipeout which ran from 2008 to 2014. The series was renewed for a second season in May 2021.

<i>Mom</i> season 8 Season of television series

The eighth and final season of the sitcom Mom premiered November 5, 2020 on CBS in the United States. The season is produced by Chuck Lorre Productions and Warner Bros. Television, with series creators Chuck Lorre, Eddie Gorodetsky and Gemma Baker serving as executive producer. This is the only season not to feature Anna Faris.

<i>CSI: Vegas</i> American crime 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.

Secret Celebrity Renovation is an American reality television series that premiered on CBS on July 9, 2021. The series is hosted by Nischelle Turner of Entertainment Tonight, who is accompanied by a design team initially consisting of interior designer Sabrina Soto and home improvement contractor Jason Cameron; for the series' second season, Cameron was replaced by "Boston Rob" Mariano, a general contractor and former contestant on multiple seasons of the reality competition series Survivor, who had previously appeared on SCR as the featured celebrity in the season 1 finale.

<i>Generation Gap</i> (game show) American game show

Generation Gap is an American game show that premiered on ABC on July 7, 2022. The series is hosted by Kelly Ripa.

<i>Mysteries Decoded</i> 2019 television documentary series

Mysteries Decoded is an American television documentary series that premiered on January 10, 2019 on The CW. The show is hosted by Jennifer Marshall, a United States Navy veteran turned private investigator.

References

  1. 1 2 "The Hustler: Craig Ferguson is the best part of an ill-conceived game". January 5, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The Hustler Episode Listings". The Futon Critic.
  3. 1 2 "The Hustler Season 1 Episode Guide". Zap2it.
  4. 1 2 Metcalf, Mitch (January 6, 2021). "Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.4.2021". Showbuzz Daily . Archived from the original on January 6, 2021.
  5. 1 2 Metcalf, Mitch (January 11, 2021). "Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.7.2021". Showbuzz Daily . Archived from the original on January 11, 2021.
  6. 1 2 Metcalf, Mitch (January 15, 2021). "Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.14.2021". Showbuzz Daily . Archived from the original on January 15, 2021.
  7. 1 2 Salem, Mitch (January 25, 2021). "Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.21.2021". Showbuzz Daily . Archived from the original on January 25, 2021.
  8. 1 2 Metcalf, Mitch (January 29, 2021). "Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.28.2021". Showbuzz Daily . Archived from the original on January 29, 2021.
  9. 1 2 Metcalf, Mitch (February 12, 2021). "Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.11.2021". Showbuzz Daily . Archived from the original on February 12, 2021.
  10. 1 2 Metcalf, Mitch (February 22, 2021). "Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.18.2021". Showbuzz Daily . Archived from the original on February 22, 2021.
  11. 1 2 Metcalf, Mitch (February 26, 2021). "Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.25.2021". Showbuzz Daily . Archived from the original on February 26, 2021.
  12. 1 2 "The Hustler Season 2 Episode Guide". Zap2it.
  13. 1 2 3 Berman, Marc (June 18, 2021). "Thursday Ratings: Modest Returns for Holey Moley and The Hustler on ABC". Programming Insider. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  14. 1 2 3 Berman, Marc (June 25, 2021). "Thursday Ratings: NBC Combination of Making It and Good Girls Left at the Starting Gate". Programming Insider. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  15. 1 2 3 Berman, Marc (July 2, 2021). "Thursday Ratings: Under 9-Million Viewers For the 5 Broadcast Networks Combined". Programming Insider. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  16. 1 2 3 Berman, Marc (July 16, 2021). "Thursday Ratings: Big Brother Leads CBS to Modest Victory". Programming Insider. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  17. 1 2 3 Berman, Marc (July 23, 2021). "Thursday Ratings: Summer Staple Big Brother Lifts CBS to Victory". Programming Insider. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  18. 1 2 Metcalf, Mitch (August 13, 2021). "Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.12.2021". Showbuzz Daily . Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  19. 1 2 Metcalf, Mitch (August 20, 2021). "Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.19.2021". Showbuzz Daily . Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  20. 1 2 Metcalf, Mitch (September 10, 2021). "Thursday 9.9.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily . Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  21. 1 2 Metcalf, Mitch (September 17, 2021). "Thursday 9.16.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily . Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  22. 1 2 3 4 Metcalf, Mitch (September 24, 2021). "Thursday 9.23.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily . Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  23. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (October 14, 2019). "The Hustler: Craig Ferguson-Hosted 'Mystery' Game Show Snags ABC Order". TVLine .
  24. ↑ "New Craig Ferguson-Hosted Game Show, ABC's "The Hustler", Challenges Viewers to Hone Their Detective Skills". The Futon Critic . October 14, 2019.
  25. ↑ The Hustler [@TheHustlerABC] (December 28, 2020). "He may have sensitive eyes, but does he have eyes to spot #TheHustler? 👀 Join us for a sneak preview after #TheBachelor premiere on Monday, January 4" (Tweet). Retrieved July 23, 2021– via Twitter.
  26. ↑ "ABC Announces Early 2021 Unscripted Premiere Dates". The Futon Critic . November 10, 2020.
  27. ↑ White, Peter (April 7, 2021). "'The Chase' & 'The Hustler' Renewed At ABC As Network Unveils Summer Unscripted Schedule With Shows Including 'Bachelor In Paradise'". Deadline Hollywood .
  28. ↑ Michael Schneider (April 1, 2022). "Alec Baldwin's Match Game Canceled at ABC, Along With Card Sharks and More as Network Firms Up Summer Plans (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  29. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (January 21, 2021). "Live+7 Weekly Ratings: 'This Is Us' Winter Return on NBC Tops Overall Raw Lifts". Programming Insider.
  30. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (January 27, 2021). "NBC Dramas are Four of the Top Five Gainers Among Adults 18-49". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021.
  31. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (January 31, 2021). "Live+3 Weekly Ratings: '9-1-1' and '9-1-1: Lone Star' Season Premieres Are Two of the Top Three Adults 18-49 Gainers". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on February 9, 2021.
  32. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (March 1, 2021). "Live+3 Weekly Ratings: ABC Is No. 1 Net for 2nd Straight Week Among Adults 18-49 with 'Bachelor' as Week's No. 1 Show". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  33. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (March 14, 2021). "Live+3 Weekly Ratings: 'Resident Alien' Tops Cable's Viewer Gainers, 'The Challenge' and 'The Walking Dead' Among Cable Leaders in 18-49 Gains". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  34. ↑ Berman, Marc (August 13, 2021). "Thursday Ratings: Field of Dreams Baseball Game Lifts Fox to Victory". Programming Insider. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  35. ↑ Berman, Marc (August 20, 2021). "Thursday Ratings: Big Brother on CBS Tops Evening; Quiet Return for CW Drama Coroner". Programming Insider. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  36. 1 2 Berman, Marc (September 24, 2021). "Thursday Ratings: Law & Order: SVU and Law & Order: Organized Crime Leads NBC to Victory". Programming Insider. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
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.