Don't Forget the Lyrics! (American game show)

Last updated
Don't Forget the Lyrics!
Dontforgetthelyrics2022revival.jpg
Genre Game show
Created byJeff Apploff
Directed by
  • Ron de Moraes (2007–11)
  • Ashley S. Gorman (2022)
  • John Adams (2023)
Presented by
Narrated by
Theme music composer The Doobie Brothers (2007–09)
Opening theme
Composers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons
  • 4 (Fox, 2007–09, 2022–)
  • 1 (Syndication, 2010–11)
No. of episodes
  • 79 (Fox, 2007–09, 2022–)
  • 160 (Syndication, 2010–11)
Production
Executive producers
  • Brad Lachman (2007–09)
  • Jeff Apploff
  • Chris Coelen (2007–11)
  • Greg Goldman (2007–09)
  • Tony Yates (2010–11)
  • Julie Pizzi (2022–)
  • Rupert Dobson (2022–)
  • Garry Bormet (2022–)
  • Niecy Nash (2022–)
  • Pat Kiely (2023)
  • Sean O'Riordan (2023)
Production companies
  • Apploff Entertainment
  • Brad Lachman Productions (2007–09)
  • RDF USA (2007–11)
  • Bunim/Murray Productions (2022–)
  • BiggerStage (2023)
Original release
Network Fox
ReleaseJuly 11, 2007 (2007-07-11) 
June 19, 2009 (2009-06-19)
Network Syndicated
ReleaseSeptember 20, 2010 (2010-09-20) 
May 27, 2011 (2011-05-27)
NetworkFox
ReleaseMay 23, 2022 (2022-05-23) 
present

Don't Forget the Lyrics! is an American television game show in which contestants compete to win $1 million by correctly recalling song lyrics from a variety of genres. [1] The program originally aired on Fox from July 11, 2007, to June 19, 2009, hosted by Wayne Brady and produced by RDF USA, part of RDF Media. The premiere of the show prompted NBC to move up the premiere of their similar game show, The Singing Bee . [2]

Contents

On January 25, 2010, 20th Television announced the debut of a new syndicated version with Sugar Ray lead singer Mark McGrath as host. The show premiered in daytime syndication and in primetime on VH1 on Monday, September 20, 2010. It premiered in primetime on MyNetworkTV on October 5, 2010. On March 24, 2011, the show was canceled along with Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? due to low ratings. [3]

On April 28, 2021, Fox announced that it had ordered a revival of Don't Forget the Lyrics! with actress and comedian Niecy Nash as host. [4] It premiered on May 23, 2022. [5] On March 4, 2024, the revival was renewed for a third season, which will premiere on May 23. [6] [7]

Gameplay

Logo used on Fox's website for the original show's page. Dontforgetthelyricslogo.png
Logo used on Fox's website for the original show's page.

A contestant is presented with nine categories representing different genres, time periods, artists, or themes. Each category contains two songs to choose from. In each round, the contestant selects a category and song, and then begins a karaoke performance to a portion of the selected song as the lyrics are displayed on a screen. Eventually, the music stops and the screen displays a group of blanks, representing words that the contestant must attempt to supply.

After the performance, the contestant may review, amend, and lock in their guess, or use one of their "backups" to assist them in figuring out the correct lyric:

Contestants progress up a money ladder for each correct answer given, ranging from $2,500 to $500,000 ($250,000 on the 2022 revival). As long as the contestant has not locked in lyrics for the current song, they may choose to walk away with their winnings so far. If the contestant locks in with an incorrect answer, the game ends and they lose any winnings they have accrued. If the contestant makes it past the fourth song, they are guaranteed to leave with no less than $25,000.

If the contestant makes it past all nine categories, they become eligible to play the final "Million-Dollar Song"; the song is always a number-one hit that falls within one of the nine categories, but is not revealed to the contestant in advance. The contestant may either end the game with their winnings up to that point, or risk it for a chance at the $1,000,000 top prize. Unlike the other rounds, the contestant is only allowed to use the Backup Singer, and cannot freely walk away: if they answer incorrectly or walk away, their winnings are reduced to the guaranteed $25,000. Later episodes of the original primetime run also added a $100,000 milestone.

Syndicated version

The syndicated version of the series uses a modified format: in each episode, a contestant plays four songs from four categories. Each correct answer progresses the contestant up a money ladder, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000; unlike the primetime version, answering incorrectly does not end the game, but does prevent the contestant from reaching the higher amounts. The contestant receives only one backup, Three Lines (referred to as the "Backup").

After four songs, the contestant is given the option to play a double or nothing "Encore" song: if the encore song is answered correctly, the contestant's winnings from the main game are doubled. If answered incorrectly, the contestant loses their winnings, and receives a portable music player as a consolation prize. If all four songs in the main game are answered correctly, the Encore is instead played for the top prize of $50,000, with a consolation prize of $1,000.

Money ladder

As contestants sing correct lyrics, contestants move up the progressive money ladder and their winnings increases; upon reaching a certain point in the game, their money is guaranteed and contestants keep their amount if they got any lyrics wrong, which indicated in bold.

Ratings

In its 2007 debut, Don't Forget the Lyrics! averaged a 3.4 rating in adults 18-49. [8]

The 2022 version premiered to 2.08 million viewers with a 0.4/3 rating/share. [9]

Notable contestants

Guest appearances

Winners and losers

Penultimate song correct

Fox version (original)

  • Dottie Harris (first civilian contestant to win $500,000)
  • Boyz II Men (February 21, 2008; first celebrity contestant and first team to win $500,000)
  • Asia Craft (October 10, 2008)
  • Mark Weiser and J'Nae Fincannon (December 19, 2008)
  • Meat Loaf and Pearl Aday (May 22, 2009)

Final song incorrect

Fox version (original)

  • Kimberley Locke (April 17, 2008) - You're Sixteen - Ringo Starr 1974
  • Diana Drake (May 15, 2008) - Blame it on the Rain - Milli Vanilli 1989

Top prize winners

Syndicated version

  • Karina Buettgenbach (October 4, 2010 [11] )
  • Bo Bice (October 12, 2010 [12] )
  • Sandra Benton (October 26, 2010[ citation needed ])
  • Regan Rothery (December 31, 2010)
  • Felice Schaeffer (January 11, 2011)

International versions

In addition to the basic show in the United States, there were many affiliated international versions of the show in many countries including Australia, Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Quebec (Canada), Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Taiwan, United Kingdom and Vietnam.

See also

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References

  1. Fox Announces New Game Show "Don't Forget the Lyrics" Archived 2007-06-26 at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved on 24 June 2007
  2. Karaoke Wars: NBC Rushes 'Singing Bee' - Show moved up to beat FOX's 'Lyrics' to air. Archived 2007-06-26 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 24 June 2007.
  3. ""Don't Forget the Lyrics!" and "Fifth Grader" Canceled". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
  4. Schneider, Michael (2021-04-28). "Niecy Nash to Host 'Don't Forget the Lyrics' Musical Game Show Revival for Fox". Variety . Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  5. Del Rosario, Alexandra (April 5, 2022). "Fox Sets Summer Premiere Dates For 'So You Think You Can Dance', 'MasterChef', 'Lego Masters', 'Fantasy Island' & More". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  6. "FOX Gets Pumped for Summer and Goes Balls to the Wall with New and Returning Unscripted Series" (Press release). Fox. March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 4, 2024 via The Futon Critic.
  7. "Season Three of Musical Game Show "Don't Forget the Lyrics" Hosted by Emmy Award-Winner Niecy Nash Premieres Thursday, May 23 at 9/8c on FOX and the Next Day on Hulu" (Press release). Fox. April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024 via The Futon Critic.
  8. "Hot too: Fox's 'Don't Forget the Lyrics'". Media Life Magazine . Archived from the original on September 27, 2007.
  9. Mitch Salem (May 24, 2022). "Monday 5.23.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily . Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  10. "Shamari Berkley". IMDb.
  11. "Don't Forget the Lyrics!: Karina Buettgenbach". zap2it.com. Archived from the original on 2011-04-29. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  12. "Bo Bice Wins 'Don't Forget The Lyrics'". top40charts.com. 2010-10-16. Retrieved 2010-11-23.