The Game Show Forum > The Big Board
Have Game Shows Jumped the Shark?
beatlefreak84:
Wow; I've definitely seen some quite interesting comments! :)
Just to give my opinion, I definitely agree with the end of the network game show (save for TPIR) that game shows seemed to "jump the shark." When a network gives a show backing, it means that there is a lot of available money to put into the development of the set, the format, and, of course, getting a good host. When a show is syndicated, however, people have to sell their show to a lot of stations, and, suddenly, people may find themselves skimping on some of the developmental issues in order to try and get an idea sold.
We have certainly seen our share of great shows and dismal failures, both on network and in syndication. But, look at nowadays: Almost EVERY new show has been syndicated, and they make sure to just take the game out of the show and just make it a bunch of celebrities making comments or contestants acting stupid. There are obvious exceptions, but look at network shows in comparison: When ABC did WWTBAM, NBC did 21, CBS did "Winning Lines," and FOX did "Greed," all were well-executed and had fantastic layouts; it's a shame that the latter three didn't last longer than they did.
I think the only drawback now with major networks is that they're looking for a quick fix in terms of ratings; if something doesn't take off immediately, it's gone. Do you think CBS would've left IGAS on after its initial six weeks now? Remember that it would've been canceled, but it was eventually left on and ran for almost 15 years! Surely there have been many examples from the last few years that could've definitely prospered if they had more time to flourish!
In short, it seems that the change of focus from the network to syndication has not only robbed game shows of a sound base of financial help, but also a sense of even having a game since a syndicated show MUST be pitched time and time again; development seems to come later, in that respect.
"Of course, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong."
Anthony
trainman:
[quote name=\'SRIV94\' date=\'Oct 23 2003, 07:58 PM\'] So the question is, does anyone recall actually seeing CAESAR'S CHALLENGE in 1998 in this fashion (as opposed to a tape trade, etc.)? Or was this a dubious listing? [/quote]
Definitely a dubious listing...looks like TV Guide didn't delete it from their database when NBC returned the time slot to the affiliates.
From late 1997 to early 1999, I was working in a facility where the main NBC feed was being monitored from 5:00 A.M. to 2:05 A.M. (Eastern) each weekday. I'm sure I would have noticed if I'd seen "Caesar's Challenge" show up on NBC at some point.
Jimmy Owen:
[quote name=\'trainman\' date=\'Oct 24 2003, 10:34 PM\'] [quote name=\'SRIV94\' date=\'Oct 23 2003, 07:58 PM\'] So the question is, does anyone recall actually seeing CAESAR'S CHALLENGE in 1998 in this fashion (as opposed to a tape trade, etc.)? Or was this a dubious listing? [/quote]
Definitely a dubious listing...looks like TV Guide didn't delete it from their database when NBC returned the time slot to the affiliates.
From late 1997 to early 1999, I was working in a facility where the main NBC feed was being monitored from 5:00 A.M. to 2:05 A.M. (Eastern) each weekday. I'm sure I would have noticed if I'd seen "Caesar's Challenge" show up on NBC at some point. [/quote]
Feeding old shows is not unprecedented for NBC though, up until the start of "Last Call," they were showing 15-20 year old reruns of SCTV. Remember "Jumping for Dollars"?
geno57:
I haven't read all of the entries to this topic yet, so excuse me if someone's already made this point.
I find most of the question-and-answer quizzes totally boring. There's very little real "game" to them.
Gimme something with a twist, or at least a board to look at.
chris319:
--- Quote ---I find most of the question-and-answer quizzes totally boring. There's very little real "game" to them.
--- End quote ---
I find the quiz material of Millionaire compelling enough to make the show watchable. Weakest Link fell into the rut you described and Greed was a hopeless lost cause. Unrigged Twenty One was the same train wreck it was in 1956 sans the novelty of big-money winners, territory which Millionaire had staked out first. Weakest Link and Greed were alluded to in the initial post as gimmickry over game.
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