The Game Show Forum

The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: Jeremy Nelson on August 21, 2019, 10:44:16 PM

Title: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: Jeremy Nelson on August 21, 2019, 10:44:16 PM
I’d never seen an episode of Set For Life until a friend shared one with me last week. My first thought was “this feels like a fake game show a sitcom created as a plot device.”

Are there other game shows you’ve seen that feel the same way to you?
Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: BrandonFG on August 21, 2019, 11:08:09 PM
I forget who I was discussing this with, but ever since they told me America Says feels like a game show on a sitcom that couldn't afford to use Family Feud, it's stuck with me.
Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: Joe Mello on August 21, 2019, 11:23:06 PM
The current Press Your Luck rotating the board mid-segment gave me a better appreciation for the Numberwang gag.
Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: TLEberle on August 21, 2019, 11:50:00 PM
I forget who I was discussing this with, but ever since they told me America Says feels like a game show on a sitcom that couldn't afford to use Family Feud, it's stuck with me.
John Michael Higgins was the game show host for the (magnificent and fantastic) "Mr. Monk and the Game Show" episode, which 1) you should watch if you have Amazon Prime and 2) is on my personal medal podium of "fictional meta- game shows."
Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: chrisholland03 on August 22, 2019, 07:28:35 AM
How Much is Enough

Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: WilliamPorygon on August 22, 2019, 10:06:45 AM
Heads or Tails (UK)
Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: Jeremy Nelson on August 22, 2019, 11:11:34 AM
I forget who I was discussing this with, but ever since they told me America Says feels like a game show on a sitcom that couldn't afford to use Family Feud, it's stuck with me.
It doesn’t help that John Michael Higgins is in that category of “guy you don’t really know, but you’ve seen him play parts on a dozen different shows”.
Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: Loogaroo on August 22, 2019, 01:00:13 PM
Face the Music and Bruce Forsyth's Hot Streak come to mind.
Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: Mr. Armadillo on August 22, 2019, 03:29:12 PM
I tried watching an episode of The Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour when that first resurfaced earlier this year, but my mind absolutely could not process it.  Largely because of all the time I've associated that theme with The Price is Right, but also because I just couldn't believe that set was designed less than two years after the previous Match Game was finally taken off the air.  Obviously that time frame means nothing to me now - it was all before I was born, and only know the 70's Match Game from the endless reruns - but it just seems so incongruent to me now.
Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: Stackertosh on August 22, 2019, 05:07:39 PM
The Colour of money (UK)
Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: BrandonFG on August 22, 2019, 10:18:44 PM
I forget who I was discussing this with, but ever since they told me America Says feels like a game show on a sitcom that couldn't afford to use Family Feud, it's stuck with me.
It doesn’t help that John Michael Higgins is in that category of “guy you don’t really know, but you’ve seen him play parts on a dozen different shows”.
Case in point: I don't think I ever processed that he played David Letterman in The Late Shift.
Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: TimK2003 on August 22, 2019, 11:01:50 PM
I’d never seen an episode of Set For Life until a friend shared one with me last week. My first thought was “this feels like a fake game show a sitcom created as a plot device.”

Are there other game shows you’ve seen that feel the same way to you?

Burt Luddin's Love Buf....., wait a minute...
Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: SuperMatch93 on August 22, 2019, 11:10:53 PM
Debt always seemed like one to me, but they were trying to make it purposely kitschy so that's probably why.
Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: Dbacksfan12 on August 22, 2019, 11:43:49 PM
The Great Getaway Game.  Complete with a cheesy host!
Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: trainman on August 24, 2019, 03:03:49 AM
USA Network's "Quicksilver" and "Free 4 All." Maybe the latter more than the former.
Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: whewfan on August 24, 2019, 09:14:19 AM
I'm not sure if this would qualify, but Treasure Hunt sort of had a "sketch comedy" feel. The contestant only has to make one decision, then just about anything can happen as the cast of regulars act out a sketch or Geoff engages in a roller coaster of teases and fakes. My favorite moment, I don't recall ever seeing it on the air, but perhaps it was something that was edited out... A cast member regular, dressed as a witch, comes out with a pie. Normally, the contestant only has to watch what's going on and is only involved if Geoff engages the player in some way. In this case, the contestant, sensing the pie might be intended for her, grabs the witches hand causing the witch to pie herself in the face! Geoff is laughing uncontrollably.
Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: Bob Zager on August 24, 2019, 11:05:23 AM
GSN's Burt Luddin's Love Buffet, featuring what was like a continuing comedy story, was introduced with the disclaimer (by Charlie O'Donnell), "The following is a real game show with real contestants and real prizes."

Chuck Barris' "Gong Show," and $1.98 Beauty Show" were presented more for entertainment .

How about Chris Bearde's "The Cheap Show?"

Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: TimK2003 on August 24, 2019, 03:23:58 PM
I would also list the David Sparks version of The Cross Wits -- if only for the game show hosts episode in the viewing circuit.   

Having a sitcom episode with the main character wanting to become a game show host.  That CW episode would be the dream sequence.
Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: Kevin Prather on August 24, 2019, 03:39:13 PM
"You Don't Know Jack" and "Distraction" come to mind.
Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: BrandonFG on August 24, 2019, 04:51:27 PM
I know it was a Match Game knockoff, but I'd add Hollywood Connection. Big Deal was so over-the-top, I'd say it had games that you'd only see in a sitcom game show.

"You Don't Know Jack" and "Distraction" come to mind.
I always felt YDKJ missed the point of what made the computer game so fun. The computer game was the antithesis of a game show, executed without the blatant wink-and-nod that the ABC version did every five minutes, all the way down to having Paul Reubens play an obnoxious, smarmy host. I thought Idiot Savants pulled off the smart ass, irreverent game show format much better.

I second Jim's Free 4 All. I've seen that show's setup in quite a few sitcoms...a Wayans Bros. episode with Fred Willard as the host comes to mind.

I'm not sure if this would qualify, but Treasure Hunt sort of had a "sketch comedy" feel. The contestant only has to make one decision, then just about anything can happen as the cast of regulars act out a sketch or Geoff engages in a roller coaster of teases and fakes.
I'd say no, mainly because a lot of Chuck Barris's formats were already razor thin or were like a satirical commentary of the genre. I mean, how many sitcoms have episodes with someone appearing on a Dating or Newlywed Game-type show?
Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: whewfan on August 24, 2019, 07:12:13 PM
GSN's Burt Luddin's Love Buffet, featuring what was like a continuing comedy story, was introduced with the disclaimer (by Charlie O'Donnell), "The following is a real game show with real contestants and real prizes."

Chuck Barris' "Gong Show," and $1.98 Beauty Show" were presented more for entertainment .

How about Chris Bearde's "The Cheap Show?"

The Cheap Show was definitely a parody of a game show that was at the same time an actual game show. For those that haven't seen it, the game has two contestants and two celebs. A question is asked of both celebs. One celeb gives a truthful answer, the other, a lie. The contestant has to pick who told the right answer. The first two questions are worth 1 point, but the third question is worth 20 points, so obviously the first two questions hardly matter. If the contestant should answer wrong, that person gets a "penalty", which usually involves a pie in the face or some other thing that involves getting messy.

The show had a number of gags. One running gag is that there's a third celeb that's a "no show". Two such no shows were President Nixon and Henry Ford. There's also chintzy, junky prizes modeled by a... homely looking lady. Janelle Price, as Wanda, was Dick's co-host, who acted quite similarly to the Tea Time Lady on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. The show's logo and sign would also come crashing down.

The bonus round involved a large spinning wheel with 10 wedges with large holes, and Oscar the Wonder Rodent. The player picked the hole he thought Oscar would enter first, and if he was right, he won a car. Otherwise, the player would win a consolation prize.

The credits also had gags in it, much like the Zucker Brothers films Airplane! and Naked Gun.

Bob Newhart apparently loved the show and asked to be on it frequently.

When I saw the only rotating episode, I'll admit I found it amusing, but if they do the exact same jokes show for show, I don't think I'd find it too funny after a few shows. I liked Holey Moley for the first couple shows, wondering if it too was a "one joke show" and for me, I did lose interest as it wasn't so funny watching contestants get whacked by a windmill or falling into water over and over.

On Match Game, Gene asked Dick Martin if The Cheap Show was still on, and he said "I hope not!"

So, yes, I can see a show like this being a subject of a very bad sitcom. With due respect to Geoff Edwards, the Double Dare-like game show he hosted on Small Wonder was definitely cheap laughs. Geoff told me years ago that he was allowed to provide some of his own lines as the writers didn't really know how to write for a game show host.  He ad-libbed the line "Sorry I'm late, but someone stole my BRAND NEW CAR!"
Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: Mike Tennant on August 25, 2019, 08:24:13 AM
With due respect to Geoff Edwards, the Double Dare-like game show he hosted on Small Wonder was definitely cheap laughs. Geoff told me years ago that he was allowed to provide some of his own lines as the writers didn't really know how to write for a game show host.
FTFY
Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: That Don Guy on August 25, 2019, 05:04:41 PM
GSN's Burt Luddin's Love Buffet, featuring what was like a continuing comedy story, was introduced with the disclaimer (by Charlie O'Donnell), "The following is a real game show with real contestants and real prizes."

Chuck Barris' "Gong Show," and $1.98 Beauty Show" were presented more for entertainment .

How about Chris Bearde's "The Cheap Show?"

The Cheap Show was definitely a parody of a game show that was at the same time an actual game show. For those that haven't seen it, the game has two contestants and two celebs. A question is asked of both celebs. One celeb gives a truthful answer, the other, a lie. The contestant has to pick who told the right answer. The first two questions are worth 1 point, but the third question is worth 20 points, so obviously the first two questions hardly matter. If the contestant should answer wrong, that person gets a "penalty", which usually involves a pie in the face or some other thing that involves getting messy.

The show had a number of gags. One running gag is that there's a third celeb that's a "no show". Two such no shows were President Nixon and Henry Ford. There's also chintzy, junky prizes modeled by a... homely looking lady. Janelle Price, as Wanda, was Dick's co-host, who acted quite similarly to the Tea Time Lady on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. The show's logo and sign would also come crashing down.

The bonus round involved a large spinning wheel with 10 wedges with large holes, and Oscar the Wonder Rodent. The player picked the hole he thought Oscar would enter first, and if he was right, he won a car. Otherwise, the player would win a consolation prize.

The credits also had gags in it, much like the Zucker Brothers films Airplane! and Naked Gun.

Bob Newhart apparently loved the show and asked to be on it frequently.

When I saw the only rotating episode, I'll admit I found it amusing, but if they do the exact same jokes show for show, I don't think I'd find it too funny after a few shows. I liked Holey Moley for the first couple shows, wondering if it too was a "one joke show" and for me, I did lose interest as it wasn't so funny watching contestants get whacked by a windmill or falling into water over and over.

On Match Game, Gene asked Dick Martin if The Cheap Show was still on, and he said "I hope not!"

So, yes, I can see a show like this being a subject of a very bad sitcom. With due respect to Geoff Edwards, the Double Dare-like game show he hosted on Small Wonder was definitely cheap laughs. Geoff told me years ago that he was allowed to provide some of his own lines as the writers didn't really know how to write for a game show host.  He ad-libbed the line "Sorry I'm late, but someone stole my BRAND NEW CAR!"

Pardon me for being pedantic, but there are a couple of minor corrections needed to your description.

First of all, each contestant had a partner; the two partners sat in "the punishment pit" and had stuff dropped on them - if the contestant answering the question got it right, the opponent's partner got punished; otherwise, the answering player's partner got punished. The cheap prizes you mentioned went to the contestant whose partner didn't get punished.

Second, there were 12 numbers in the bonus round, and the "consolation prizes" were actually two prizes, that Wanda would read as if it was a single prize. For example, "It's a Refrigerator Trip to Hawaii!"
Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: Mr. Armadillo on August 26, 2019, 10:37:19 AM
"You Don't Know Jack" and "Distraction" come to mind.
I'd throw "Oblivious" into this category as well.
Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: whewfan on August 26, 2019, 05:08:30 PM
GSN's Burt Luddin's Love Buffet, featuring what was like a continuing comedy story, was introduced with the disclaimer (by Charlie O'Donnell), "The following is a real game show with real contestants and real prizes."

Chuck Barris' "Gong Show," and $1.98 Beauty Show" were presented more for entertainment .

How about Chris Bearde's "The Cheap Show?"

The Cheap Show was definitely a parody of a game show that was at the same time an actual game show. For those that haven't seen it, the game has two contestants and two celebs. A question is asked of both celebs. One celeb gives a truthful answer, the other, a lie. The contestant has to pick who told the right answer. The first two questions are worth 1 point, but the third question is worth 20 points, so obviously the first two questions hardly matter. If the contestant should answer wrong, that person gets a "penalty", which usually involves a pie in the face or some other thing that involves getting messy.

The show had a number of gags. One running gag is that there's a third celeb that's a "no show". Two such no shows were President Nixon and Henry Ford. There's also chintzy, junky prizes modeled by a... homely looking lady. Janelle Price, as Wanda, was Dick's co-host, who acted quite similarly to the Tea Time Lady on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. The show's logo and sign would also come crashing down.

The bonus round involved a large spinning wheel with 10 wedges with large holes, and Oscar the Wonder Rodent. The player picked the hole he thought Oscar would enter first, and if he was right, he won a car. Otherwise, the player would win a consolation prize.

The credits also had gags in it, much like the Zucker Brothers films Airplane! and Naked Gun.

Bob Newhart apparently loved the show and asked to be on it frequently.

When I saw the only rotating episode, I'll admit I found it amusing, but if they do the exact same jokes show for show, I don't think I'd find it too funny after a few shows. I liked Holey Moley for the first couple shows, wondering if it too was a "one joke show" and for me, I did lose interest as it wasn't so funny watching contestants get whacked by a windmill or falling into water over and over.

On Match Game, Gene asked Dick Martin if The Cheap Show was still on, and he said "I hope not!"

So, yes, I can see a show like this being a subject of a very bad sitcom. With due respect to Geoff Edwards, the Double Dare-like game show he hosted on Small Wonder was definitely cheap laughs. Geoff told me years ago that he was allowed to provide some of his own lines as the writers didn't really know how to write for a game show host.  He ad-libbed the line "Sorry I'm late, but someone stole my BRAND NEW CAR!"

Pardon me for being pedantic, but there are a couple of minor corrections needed to your description.

First of all, each contestant had a partner; the two partners sat in "the punishment pit" and had stuff dropped on them - if the contestant answering the question got it right, the opponent's partner got punished; otherwise, the answering player's partner got punished. The cheap prizes you mentioned went to the contestant whose partner didn't get punished.

Second, there were 12 numbers in the bonus round, and the "consolation prizes" were actually two prizes, that Wanda would read as if it was a single prize. For example, "It's a Refrigerator Trip to Hawaii!"

Thanks! That's what I get for not re-watching the show to be sure I've got everything straight.
Title: Re: Actual game shows that seem like fake ones
Post by: Long live Jeopardy! on August 29, 2019, 04:52:08 PM
Shop 'til You Drop (Roberto 2003-05 version)