| 10. |
Match
Game |
1962-69, 70s. Host: Gene
Rayburn. Two contestants had to match the words a celebrity panel
used to fill in the blanks. Sexual innuendo and hilarious answers
made this one a classic. |
| 9. |
To
Tell the Truth |
1950s, 2001+. Hosts: incl. Bud
Collyer & Alex Trebek.
Three contestants claim to be the same person. A celebrity panel asks
them questions, and must guess who's telling the truth. Made famous
the phrase, "Will the real ____ please stand up." (No, it
wasn't Eminem.) |
| 8. |
Masquerade
Party |
1950s, 70s. Host: incl. Bud
Collyer & Richard Dawson.
Celebrities disguised themselves with silly masks and costumes. Contestants
had to guess their true identities. |
| 7. |
Who
Wants to Be a Millionaire |
1999+. Host: Regis
Philbin. Contestants answer a series of progressively harder trivia
questions, one their way up to winning a million bucks. Based on the
original in the U.K., Millionaire sparked a revival of high-tech prime-time
game shows. |
| 6. |
$25,000 Pyramid |
1973-85. Host: Dick
Clark. Contestants paired with celebrities had to communicate
seven words to their partner using word association. The first Pyramid
was worth $10,000; by 1985, the prize was $100,000. |
| 5. |
What's
My Line? |
1950-67. This prime-time show had celebrity
panelists guessing the occupation of the contestants. Each "no"
answer earned the contestant $5. Witty celebrity regulars included
Steve Allen and Arlene
Francis. |
| 4. |
Password |
1960s. Host: Allen
Ludden. Celebrities such as Carol Burnett and Vicki
Lawrence teamed up with contestants, using word association to
guess the secret word. |
| 3. |
G.
E. College Bowl |
1960s. Host: Allen
Ludden. Two teams of undergrads competed for scholarships by answering
science, literature, and math questions. The first game show to receive
a Peabody award for excellence in broadcasting. |
| 2. |
Jeopardy! |
1964+. Hosts: Art
Fleming, Alex Trebek. This
show's twist: players are given the answers, and have to come up with
the questions. With tough subjects and low prize amounts, Jeopardy
is more a matter of prestige for its contestants. |
| 1. |
The
Price Is Right |
1956+. Host: Bob
Barker. The longest-running game show in history is still going
strong. No brainiacs need apply; contestants just need to know the
prices of everyday items. Contestants are chosen from the studio audience,
presumably for their level of enthusiasm. Ever-changing mini games
and beautiful models add
to the show's lasting appeal. |
Were you or
someone you know a contestant on a
classic game show? Send me your name,
the contestant's name (if different
from yours), the name of the game
show, and any other information you
have (date of appearance, what it
was like to be on the show). I'll
post your story here for the world
to see! Email me at submit@gameshowfame.com.
*** NOTE: Before you send me
an email asking if I can find a specific
copy of a
show your relative appeared on,
PLEASE READ THIS
***
