Game Show Industry Secrets
It’s time to come on down and spin the wheel! You’re the next contestant on the Daily Double version of Who Wants to Be A Big Brother? See what we did there? Yep, game shows are equal parts ridiculous, campy fun, and full of glamorous prizes. No matter the channel, there’s always a buzzer and white-toothed host waiting to hold your attention for half an hour. Through all the glitz and glam these are just programs like everything else. The level of work that goes into them means weird things happening behind the cameras.
Tired models, tiny prizes, even odd filming times are enough to make game shows chock full of weird odds and bizarre situations.
That’s A Deal Breaker For Us
A game of Deal or No Deal can be pretty strenuous. There’s a lot of money potentially on the line. Nobody knows if you have $1 waiting for you or a cool million. All the excitement is enough to make you pass out! Okay, maybe not you. Some of the models holding the cases though? Yeah, they’re kind of known to take a tumble.
Apparently, the shoots last so long that they can’t all stand at attention. After a few hours, some have even been known to need more than just a quick foot rub. They must have some excellent insurance! That, or, maybe they have stock in some sort of shoe insert company to make up for the fainting.
It’s Like An Action Movie
Natural-born athletes are pretty impressive. These superhumans just seem to have abilities we can’t even imagine. Well, what do you do to test those strengths? Sure, the Olympics are an option. Those aren’t yearly. Why not audition for American Ninja Warrior? Oh, they’re full? There must be a ton of athletes competing! Wait, nope, never mind.
This isn’t some big break for undiscovered talent. This show is apparently just a playground for people who know what they’re doing. It’s a blast to see someone attain the goals and hit that buzzer. It takes a bit of the excitement out of it when it turns out these are professionals just exercising.
How Long Do We Wait?
Who doesn’t dream of winning it big on a game show? The thrill of changing our lives in thirty minutes flat is really exciting. Most people don’t even think about how they’ll get their prizes home. Even fewer think about when they’ll ever receive them. Sure, things like boats and trips sure make sense to take a while. A few days, maybe even a couple of weeks is fine.
However, a lot of shows actually take their sweet time delivering the goods. After you fill out all the paperwork and jump through hoops, you still have to play one more game. It’s called the waiting game. In fact, it can take months to get even the smallest of things you’ve won on national television.
Some pretty Xcellent Editing Here
Talent shows have been all the rage recently. The first-grade talent competition at Pearl Ridge Elementary was pretty fierce back in the nineties. As time went on people learned they could cash in big on these events. Eventually shows like American Idol, X-Factor, America’s Got Talent, and more were born. We think that’s how it all happened. We’re not sure. We’re still thinking about losing to someone singing a Disney song back in the first grade.
Either way, talent shows are fun, there’s money at stake, and famous people judge us. What more do you want? For one thing, it’d be nice for the celebrities they say are going to be there to actually show up. Not all acts get to see them, no matter what the tv says!
A Great Wardrobe Refresher Show
Nickelodeon had some pretty rad programming back in the day. Sponges, dog-cat hybrids, even shows about exercise were all awesome. They were the ones to beat for well over a decade. For a while there they even had their own clothes! Okay, not exactly. They did have enough cash that they could give spare clothes to slimed kids around the world.
One of the hallmarks of Nickelodeon is the radioactive-looking slime they used in tons of their older programs. This stuff was EVERYWHERE and left some pretty serious stains. As it turns out, this wasn’t a huge deal. A lot of slimed contestants walked away with a dry pair of duds. See? Losing is the new winning!
What A Practical Lifetime Supply
Some of the prizes on game shows are pretty out there. Dinette sets and cars are pretty standard. Cash is always a fan favorite. However, what about those super campy ones that we never think about? Did you know some people still \win lifetime supplies of stuff? Aside from diamonds and cereal, what would anyone want a lifetime supply of? Puppies?
What about water displacement spray? No, not a lifetime supply of shares in the company. We’re talking about an actual lifetime supply of the stuff, just for you! How much do you think that is? Fifty barrels? A thousand? It’s more like four. Always read the fine print on your prizes before getting your hopes up.
He’s Not Just Driving Around?
Calling a cab used to be almost a tradition in the Big Apple. There’s a fine art to it that not many can master quickly. When Cash Cab pulled up to the curb, tons of people thought they could hop on in. Then it’s a quick drive to Easy Street or wherever. Here’s the kicker: it’s not that simple. Sure, the idea of jumping into a cab and walking out with money is nice.
That’s not really super safe, though. Instead, you have to apply to get in the car and then hope it picks you up! That almost sounds like a ridiculous amount of steps. Rideshares are getting complicated. Besides, keeping your passengers safe is just as important as checking out the driver.
Maybe It’s A Regional Flavor
There were few things we wanted in life. During our childhoods all that mattered was Nick. His full name was Nickelodeon, and he had all the cool shows. The best part of these shows wasn’t the prizes. It definitely wasn’t the fantastic hosts or games. All we wanted was that green slime!
You know, that radioactive-looking mess always drenching contestants. Oh how badly we wanted to be those losers. They were more like the winners. The best part of the slime wasn’t the color. It was actually the flavor! From pineapple to vanilla, Nick always knew the best flavor of dessert to coat people in.
A Whole Season In One Go
Jeopardy will always have a soft spot in our hearts. Alex Trebek is a legend and he made us all feel smart and dumb at the same time. Every day we’d tune in just to see if we could get any of the questions correct. Most of the time we had no idea what was going on.
Every now and then we’d do great at Final Jeopardy and walk away with nothing (mainly because we were playing from home). Either way, multiple rounds surely take multiple days, right? No? Okay. How about this: What are multiple rounds are filmed in a single day? Did we get it right this time?
Who’s Gonna Be On Contestant’s Row?
Going from an audience member to a game show contestant is pretty life-changing. We don’t make the rules. That’s just how it goes. Imagine sitting around watching your favorite “fake sick from school day” show when all of a sudden you get to bid on some items? Yes, we’re talking about The Price is Right. Yes, we’re massive fans. No, we’ve never been on and probably never will be.
Apparently, just like with other game shows, there’s an application process! You don’t just get to be blessed to possibly play Plinko. You have to earn it. That makes the people who spin the Big Wheel that much more glamorous. One day we’ll be called to bid on overpriced bread and toothpaste, too.
It’s Not A Second Career
Family Feud is the least aggressive way to say your family is better than someone else’s. We’re not exactly sure why the Hatfields and McCoys couldn’t settle their differences. They probably didn’t have televisions or surveys to reference. Maybe that’s all it takes to settle disputes? Either way, sometimes the show brings people together (instead of tearing them apart). While game shows have a massive amount of taxes, you can still make some nice cash.
Some groups are just better at games than others. They can rack up a nice sum of winnings, too! That doesn’t mean the networks and ratings care. To keep things fresh they’ve got to cycle new contestants through. Might as well put a cap on success to keep the show running.
He Said, “Move That Show”!
Family Feud has had some pretty well-known hosts over the years. Each one has brought something new to the survey board. When Steve Harvey came onto the scene things practically got up and ran to success. A veritable King of Comedy, Harvey has a home base and likes to work within it as often as possible. To avoid disrupting his busy radio schedule, he had some suggestions after getting the job.
The host convinced the entire show to move closer and closer to Atlanta. Eventually, they were filming in Harvey’s hometown! When someone’s comfortable at work they’re more likely to stay. This sounds like a great move for everyone!
Try To Bicker In New Wheels
Money, money, money. It makes the world go round. It’s also the root of all sales and evil. However, we all need it. Since some people are better at games than others, it’s not always the best option to offer cash for winning. That’s how you get a monopoly! Okay, maybe not. That’s still a lot of money for one family over and over. That sounds like some sort of dystopian book being written.
To help curb all that success, the Family Feud crew had some ideas. If a family of champions keeps coming back you may have to add them to the payroll. Instead, avoid all that and start giving out prizes to help them drive away to make room for others.
That Won’t Pay For Your Fare
Television is an interesting thing. We love to watch it but it’s not always good for us. That doesn’t mean everything is factual. No, please don’t stop watching the news. We’re talking about game shows after the news not spitting all the facts. Take Cash Cab for example. People love the feeling of holding all that cash.
That’s just a thing we all enjoy. Cash Cab contestants especially love it. Maybe it’s because most taxis don’t hand out stacks of money. The show is no different. A lot of winners are seen jumping out with a handful of bills. As it turns out, it’s all just for show!
Does This Make Him a Knight?
Celebrities winning awards is nothing new. Celebrities getting a country’s Medal of Honor is something else entirely. Those are usually reserved for heroes, trailblazers, and super neat people. That’s probably why Alex Trebek was gifted a prestigious award in the Great White North. Oh, did we fail to mention this American treasure is Canadian? Not only do they have great Chinese food, but they produce incredible television hosts.
After some research, it turns out he may be a knight after all! Since the British Empire has a history with Canada, there are knights everywhere! If Trebek wasn’t one of Arthur’s modern Round Table groupies he definitely should have been. He slew the beast of boredom every day with those Daily Doubles.
Always Do Your Homework, Kids
Jeff Foxworthy is more than just a funny comedian! This Blue Collar Comedy Tour veteran is also a pretty cool game show host. How many here have seen “Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader”? Now how many actually think they could beat one in trivia? Yeah, some hands went down there. It’s okay, we’re not so sure we could win either.
These geniuses are more than just television personalities. They’re also savvy investors in their own futures. These tenacious trivia tykes all got savings bonds for school just for having interactive study hall on tv! Where was that when we were in school? Public education sure has changed.
Is There An In-School Laundry?
Not everyone enjoyed having a dress code in school. The uniforms were way too scratchy. They also didn’t fit quite right. Plus they stifled our wild creativity when we wanted to wear button-up t-shirts with obscure anime characters on them. However, consistency is also key. Whenever it was time for class on “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader” some schoolhouse rules kicked in.
Nobody was really in a certain uniform. However, they did have a consistent look for the entire season. Does this make them the Steve Jobs of game shows? They never really change their clothes, but always have something exciting to say.
Was It A Great Match?
Match Game is up there as a legendary game show. It transcends a specific genre and is frequently considered just fun television. Toss a bunch of celebrities onto a panel, grab some scotch, and allow them to say whatever. Now sprinkle some points and a couple of un-trained contestants and you have a culture milestone in game show history. One of the best parts wasn’t just the celebrity panelists.
Sometimes future stars competed before we knew who they were! Take acting legend Kirstie Alley. Before she booked commercials and movies she was on Match Game! Maybe it was an audition for her? That or she was really just hoping to win that sweet, sweet, tv cash.
Legend of the Empty Temple
Legends of the Hidden Temple was THE GAME SHOW to compete on in the nineties. Kids around the world wanted to run the temple and win a handheld tv or something. Just the idea of swimming across the moat in round one was exciting. Answering trivia was cool, too! Everyone’s favorite part was getting cheered on in the final round. The roar of the crowd while navigating an interactive maze was like being in a living video game.
Most of it was just great editing. As it turns out, these kids were pretty much on their own. These things take time to tape and you can’t keep an audience captive for too long. The contestants on the other hand were kind of running around for the cameras.
Temple Runs and Beer Runs
It took a whole crew of people to make Legends of the Hidden Temple. It must have sucked as an adult to watch the kids have all the fun. The temple looked like an absolute blast to run through. Who didn’t watch the Silver Snakes dominate and wonder if they could do it faster? The production crew knew they had an opportunity on their hands. All they had to do was wait until things shut down.
Then they were able to test their own prowess in the course. How many artifacts did they manage to grab between tapings? Who knows. What we also want to know is how many six-packs it takes to make the run in under three minutes.
That Explains The Product Placement
The world of marketing is a bizarre land full of smoke and mirrors. Back in the nineties, it was like the wild west when it came to products making their way into our homes. To stay on top of trends, some big names had even bigger ideas. What if there was a way to market snacks to kids while still having them run around? Exercise and snacks never seem to go hand-in-hand.
Slime and cookies make a bit more sense. Even without cookies in the picture, some shows are still great. Nickelodeon’s Double Dare is a great example of this. They had the chance to give us snacks, but instead, gave us a childhood of memories.
Sketch Comedy vs Campy Game Show
If you didn’t get to grow up watching classic Saturday Night Live we’re sorry. Characters like Door Shark and Dana Carvey’s Church Lady are absolute classics. If you’re not familiar with Carvey’s work, go take a look. We’ll wait. All caught up with comedy 101? Great, fantastic. All of those amazing sketches almost never happened. Back in the day, Dana was given two job offers.
One was to be a permanent cast member on Saturday Night Live (yay!) and the other was to host a kid’s game show (also yay!). We’re often curious about what would happen if he chose to host Double Dare! Could you imagine the witty quips that would’ve been thrown around?
Seasons Upon Seasons of Flavor
Grocery shopping doesn’t have to be boring. A simple mundane chore can be an adventure! That’s the fever dream someone had when Supermarket Sweep was developed. The world’s favorite supermarket-themed game show was about memorizing prices and running fast. It was an odd premise that just made sense somehow. The best part was when contestants shoplifted hundreds of dollars of groceries every episode.
That’s not a joke, just a fact. To ensure things were authentic, the food was mostly real! The production team also didn’t bother replacing the snacks either. If anything, the mold just added more value somehow. The nineties were a weird time, y’all.
Sounds Like A Nice Vacation
Reality shows with prizes are just game shows that run way too long. When the early 00’s hit a new wave of television took over the world. Survivor, Road Rules, and other classics were dominating the airwaves. They combined the fun of a game show with the thrill of real people having to push themselves to the limit. What most people don’t realize is that the shows all have stories planned out.
That means they need actors. Yep, now you’re thinkin’. All of these contestants are actors in a show! That means they have to get paid a little something for their time. Whether they sashay away or outlast the rest of the tribe, they all walk away with a paycheck.
Not Quite Fear Inducing Anymore
Fear Factor was and still is, an outlier for a game show. It combines the fun of reality tv drama, over-the-top action scenes, and a cash prize. The formula spat out a show that was equal parts fun and terrifying to watch. Some of the weirder challenges always involved forcing people to eat unconventional things. We’re not talking about brussel sprouts.
Cockroaches, old cheese, and nonsense like that were all consumed sometimes. We all have limits, but some people were willing to push them to the extreme for some cash. One of the weirder things never involved the food directly. It’s the fact that everything eaten was approved by the FDA!
Who Wants to Climb Cash Mountain?
We all have a favorite game show moment. They were weirdly important times in our lives. Sometimes just the name of a show is enough to take us back. Regardless of how much you knew the answers, we all wanted to be on “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire”. Name one person who didn’t want to sit across from Regis Philbin and phone a dumb friend?
The sheer thought of having a million dollars was mind-boggling! All of those fun memories almost never happened. Would tuning in to Cash Mountain have the same ring to it? Maybe, but thankfully we don’t have to roll those dice or even ask the audience what that would be like.
A Free Ride’s Still Free
Cash Cab is like a dream come true. You get a cool ride and possibly some money. You also end up at your destination! How could it be any better? Well, why not toss in the fact that your ride is totally free. To have some level of truth to the name, the Cash Cab is an actual taxi!
That means all the rides have to be logged like any other cab. Since charging people while they do trivia is dumb, the rides are just written off. Maybe that’s a great way to save some cash. Just start screaming trivia answers out the window while you travel around in taxis.
What If It’s Served On Fire?
Cooking competitions are a delicious way to make quick entertainment mouth-watering. The best ones involve non-chefs trying to make elaborate banquets in less than an hour. Multi-round contests full of stress like this boils our bisque in the best way. We also like to pretend we’re learning how to cook while we order pizza and scream at the tv.
All those hot dishes just warm us up on a cool winter’s night. But those steamy delights are all lies. Since it’s still tv, they often have to reshoot scenes and deal with technical stuff. That means a lot of the time the judges are eating cold food! That got to mess with the palette somehow.
Now Everyone Gets A Prize
Participation trophies weren’t always a thing. Sometimes the only awards you got for attending things was the joy of a good show. Even if you never got picked it was still probably a fun thing to watch. It also helps if you count being an audience member as a paid gig. Pretty and talented people are always needed on television for some reason.
If you have an inkling of any of that, or the nerve to just show up, you could be a professional audience member. That’s like a weird form of acting where all you do is show up and clap! We’re great at that! Where do we sign up for something like that?
Where In The World’s The Pacing?
Geography and game shows totally go hand in hand. Everyone’s favorite school subject and buzzers always make for a good time. Remember Carmen Sandiego? She was a globetrotter with a goal. Sure, her goal was to steal, but she also helped kids learn their landmarks. This iconic game show was 30 minutes of intrigue, puzzles, and trivia that was fun for the whole family. The problem was, it took a bit longer than half an hour to get all the shots.
The show lasted almost five years and had almost 300 episodes. That’s not weird. What’s weird is that they managed to take 6 months to shoot every episode! Apparently, some contestants lost interest in returning to the show due to the length of the break.
No Height Discrepancies Here
Have you ever noticed that game show contestants don’t quite mirror the people you see in real life? In reality, people can be vastly different in height, but on TV they all stand at the same level. It’s almost a bit unsettling once you notice it. But there’s a reason behind this trick on Wheel of Fortune, it’s not merely an aesthetic choice.
It’s been said that leveling the height allows everyone to have an equal spin. A shorter person might have a harder time reaching the wheel, which by the way is rumored to be super heavy. If you happen to get cast on this show your height won’t put you at a disadvantage (or advantage!).
Not the Easy Out You Thought it Was
Contestants on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire better be knowledgeable if they want to win, but they are given a certain freebie in case they don’t know the answer. Those who’ve seen the show are family with the lifeline, a feature that allows them to enlist help from one of their buddies. Seems like the perfect solution for someone who’s stumped, but there is a catch.
You might think to call your super-genius friend, the one who’s practically a walking encyclopedia. Problem is that the producers would never let you! These lifelines are vetted before the show, and they’re sure not to greenlight anyone who knows TOO much.
Super Creepy
While you don’t win any cash prizes or cars, dating games do offer you a shot at true love. Or at least that’s what they try to sell the audience on. In reality, the contestants probably end up with an awkward couple of hours and no call back. But one Cheryl Bradshaw rejected the winning bachelor, and it might’ve saved her life.
Obviously the producers had no way of knowing who Rodney Alcala would become, but it sure is creepy to watch him on-screen knowing what we know now. It must’ve been especially unsettling for Cheryl, who nearly went out with the guy! Her instincts were clearly correct in that situation.
Feels a Little Judgemental
It should come as no surprise that contestants in singing competitions are vetted before we see them on screen. Even the people auditioning on American Idol come from a larger pool of people who never got to meet Randy, Paula, and Simon. But it’s not just the performers that production carefully plans out, the audience is controlled, too.
“Control” is a strong word, but sorting them into different levels of attractiveness is pretty extreme. Would you be offended if you were put all the way in the back, or would you just be happy to be part of the experience? Chances are you wouldn’t be able to spot yourself once the episode airs! Doesn’t sound worth it to us.
Some Numbers Have Double Meanings
Jeopardy is one of the few game shows that feels somewhat educational. Though most of the time we feel a bit dense for not knowing the answers, there are moments when we triumph over the contestants. Not that it matters because we’re sitting in our living rooms and they’re on TV. By far the most exciting part of the experience is seeing what the players wager and how much they stand to win or lose.
Given that the show’s been airing since 1964, it’s likely that there have been more than a few smart alecks who attempted to bet a dirty or offensive number. Though we wonder if anyone tried to make these wagers or if they were banned pre-emptively.
He’s Not Just a Silhouette
Deal or No Deal doesn’t have your standard gameshow format. Sure there’s a host who communicates directly with the contestants, but you’ve got an above-average number of models plus one other interesting character. The banker is a shadowy figure who communicates solely with Howie Mandel, trying to get the contestant to drop out of the game as quickly as possible.
You might’ve thought that anyone could be the figure in that room, the producers could speak to Mandel directly while the character of the bank merely moved around and gestured. Turns out he was one guy all along! Actor Peter Abbay was the man behind the silhouette, he’s also appeared on House M.D. and Punk’d.
Her Closet Must Be Huge
Wheel of Fortune just wouldn’t be the same without Vanna White. While many game shows have used alternate models to showcase prizes or open suitcases, Vanna has remained a consistent figure on this program for the past two decades. And since 1997 she doesn’t need to physically turn the letters! But there’s one thing she’s kept doing since the start of the job.
Hey, if we were making over 34 grand per show we’d have a closet full of dresses, too! We wonder if she retires the outfits after the episode airs, or if she continues to wear them in her day-to-day life. Here’s another fun fact, Pat Sajak often tries to match his tie to Vanna’s dress!
A Pretty Tight Team
While watching Jeopardy you might ask yourself, “who the heck comes up with questions like these?”. Some of them are so obscure and specific you’d never guess them in a million years. There must be a team of dozens upon dozens of researchers who work tirelessly on coming up with these riddles. Turns out the team is a lot smaller than you’d think.
Imagine working behind the scenes of Jeopardy as a full-time job. We don’t doubt these writers and researchers are packed full of all kinds of knowledge. They’re probably not allowed on any game shows because of how much they know! Don’t even try to play Trivial Pursuit with these guys.
An Unexpected Tragedy
Typically game shows are filled with light-hearted fun and thrilling feats. We’re on the edge of our seats watching a contestant complete an obstacle course, or we’re laughing when they stumble and splash into the water. Sure we’d probably never compete in one of these shows ourselves, but they can’t be dangerous, right? Unfortunately, one contestant wasn’t so lucky when failing the course.
Makes you wonder what kind of vetting process is involved for a show like this. Wipeout originally aired in 2008 and was brought back in 2020. This was a sad way for the game to come back to TV, we hope tragedies like these won’t repeat in the show’s future.
Everyone Gets an Equal Cut
Anyone who’s ever watched Family Feud has wondered who they’d recruit for their team. Maybe you’ve got a brilliant aunt or quick-thinking sibling. More likely than not you’d have at least one family member piggy-backing on the success of the rest of the group. Most people probably try and prevent them from giving stupid answers, but at the end of the day, the prize is all shared.
It doesn’t matter who got the team the most dough, everyone gets an equal cut at the end of the day. It’s not unlike the group projects we had in school, everyone gets the same credit no matter how much work they put in. We guess that’s just a part of life!
Careful Who You Trust
If you’re not sure about an answer in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, you still have a couple of options. You could always phone a friend and get their advice, but if you want a larger sample size you can ask the audience. Makes sense, right? Polling a large group of people might result in getting the right answer…unless they’re working against you!
People in the audience are often the friends and family of the contestants that will go on if you lose. It’s in their best interest to trip you up so they can see their bestie take the stage. Moral of the story, people don’t always have your best interests at heart.
Making it More Difficult on Purpose
Here’s something you probably already figured out; the producers don’t actually want you to win big. Of course, they need to have the occasional champion to keep people’s spirits up, but if too many people walk away with big bucks they could go out of business. Generally, it’s in their best interest to make the game as difficult as possible.
If your weak spot is ancient Greek mythology, you can bet they’re going to throw a ton of questions about Zeus your way! Seems like the best thing to do would be to lie about your strengths and weaknesses. Keep that in mind for any future game show interviews!
Keeping it Transparent
If there’s one show that likes to play fair and square it’s Jeopardy. It’s been on for ages and features one of the greatest, if not THE greatest, hosts in game show history. We can’t imagine Alex Trebek taking part in something sketchy like rigging the game or helping contestants cheat. But just in case there were any doubts…
While this method might seem extreme, contestants could be sure that Trebek was being as honest as possible. We’re sure it was a bit of a letdown not to be able to chat with the famous host, but they probably got some time with him after taping was wrapped.
It’s Basically an Acting Gig
Ever notice that the “live” audiences are incredibly expressive on game shows? We’re sitting on our couch with a dead-eyed expression, meanwhile, they’re jumping out of their seats, cheering like it’s halftime at the SuperBowl. Turns out a lot of those reactions are for absolutely nothing. Production just needs enough shots when it comes time to edit the final product.
Of course this also means they can manipulate how the audience “reacts” to a contestant in post. Just keep in mind that the cringing or clapping might be totally staged. Honestly, the audience is more of a crowd of acting extras than an impartial group of viewers.
For Intellectuals Only
Certain game shows look for contestants with unique, out-going, or outlandish personalities. Others actually want to make sure the players will be able to hold their own in the competition. The screening for Jeopardy works to weed out those who won’t be knowledgeable enough to make it through the game. After all, it wouldn’t be very interesting to watch if a bunch of clueless people played.
We, clueless people, are very happy watching from home, thank you very much. But the pre-screening isn’t just to test your wits, it allows you to practice answering questions in real-time with a host. You’d be surprised how disorienting it can be to have a camera pointed right at you.
Don’t Say “Final Answer” Too Soon
Some people think game shows are all fun and games. In a way they are, after all it’s in the title of the genre! But in another way some things are taken super seriously. Production of a show, before, during, and after filming, can be highly complicated. Certain phrases help the crew understand what’s happening onstage.
“Final answer” isn’t a phrase to be taken lightly on this game show. You might think you’re being clever but you’re actually killing your chances of winning. There have been contestants who spoke too soon and deeply regretted their mistake seconds later. This isn’t a written test, you can’t recheck your work if you’re not sure!
Pure Slapstick
While shows like Jeopardy screen for intelligent and quick-thinking contestants, others just want someone who can provide entertainment value. Every show has its audience, and Wipeout viewers are specifically looking for people to, well, wipe out! It’s right there in the name, it isn’t rocket science. It makes sense that production would look for people willing to act stupid on TV.
Makes you question if you’d be willing to go on a show like that. We guess some people just like being on TV! Though watching people screw up time after time can get tedious. If you want to see people with real athletic ability you can switch over to America Ninja Warrior. Or just watch sports!
Don’t Rely on the Host
Most of us haven’t experienced the pressure of competing on television. It can be stressful enough to be filmed live, now imagine doing that while answering questions in front of a live audience. Oh, and there’s a whole lot of cash on the line. Situations like these can mess with people’s heads and make them see clues where there aren’t any.
According to several contestant confessions, it’s pretty common for people to look for subtle hints or cues in the host’s face. Production has to remind them that they actually have no idea what’s going on. The host is there to ask questions and be charismatic, that’s all.
Constant Positivity
Let’s face it, we don’t always get along with our family. Some people are crazy enough to go on TV with their folks and compete for cash prizes! They must have an excellent rapport with each other. We can easily imagine situations where family members get swept up in a screaming match. Funny enough, you don’t see much of this on Family Feud.
If your family member gave a dumb answer you’d probably tell them, right? Not on this game show. They’re promoting family togetherness by forcing everyone to cheer for their teammates, even if they’re tanking their chances of winning. Better practice your fake smile before getting on this game show!
Don’t Worry, There’s a Break!
The Weakest Link is a UK game show with an incredibly fast pace and a snarky yet witty judge. Watching it can be a super stressful experience, we can’t imagine what it’s like to actually participate! Unless you’re Anne, giving the questions and dismissing the losers, we bet it’s a hectic experience. But one contestant clued the internet in on a little secret.
They can take a little breather after each round, after answering (or failing to answer) the slew of questions. Sounds like just the thing they’d need. Nothing like a quick coffee and some sugary snacks to get you ready for game-time. Apparently this is also the time to appeal questions that might’ve been incorrectly judged!