Game shows have been a popular form of entertainment since the beginning of radio and television broadcasting. They feature individual or team players competing for prizes, often donated by commercial sponsors. Celebrity appearances are common, and game shows can require solving puzzles, reciting knowledge, or demonstrating strength. They also provide an advertising vehicle for promoting commercial products.
Game shows provide fun diversions. The quiz game is as old as the beginning of radio and television broadcasting, and many of us grew up watching the occasional game show, only to imagine winning all those wonderful prizes. Whether it’s old time favorites like Queen for a Day and Password; or the more modern Deal or No Deal and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?; game shows are a guilty pleasure that many people indulge in from time to time.
The idea of games in broadcasting started in the early radios. The first game show, called the Spelling Bee, debuted in 1938, and commercial advertisers rallied to support it. Several other games quickly followed, including the famous $64,000 question, and the popularity of game shows was well established. The pioneers of American television knew that television audiences would faithfully tune in to see their favorite quiz shows, and in 1951, the television version of What’s My Line was born.
Celebrity appearances are a popular way to draw a TV audience, and Hollywood Squares likely took the cake with at least nine celebrities in attendance at every game. Another popular celebrity game show was $10,000 Pyramid, where contestants were matched with stars who often had questionable gaming talent. Several well-known stars have appeared on The Dating Game, including Michael Jackson, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sally Field. Since its television debut in 1965, The Dating Game has paved the way for singles game shows such as MTV’s Love Connection and The Bachelor.
Players can be individuals, as in the reality show, Survivor; or players can form teams, as in the Family Feud show, where family members compete against other family groups. Video game players can be chosen at random from the audience, as in the show The Price Is Right; or they can be preselected for their ability to play, as in the television show Jeopardy. Game shows may require players to solve a puzzle, such as in Wheel of Fortune; recite knowledge of facts, as in Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?; or win by sheer strength and determination, as in American Gladiators.
Game shows provide the perfect advertising vehicle for promoting commercial products within the shows themselves. The format of a game show always includes prizes, often donated by a willing commercial sponsor. Kitchen appliances, furniture, holidays, and cash are among some of the favorite gifts that game show players can compete for. Even the underdogs are usually given a treasure trove of going away gifts, another way for TV show makers to generate excitement among audience members and promote more commercial products.
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