Better Luck Than Chuck

In an effort to just write something, anything, for the blog. And to try and see if I still want to continue writing about game shows. Please take this as a bit of a half-sample of what I want to be writing about, but of course with a YouTube Link, which won’t actually be in any print, unless somehow books became more interactive.

When this article comes out, it should be on, or around Halloween.

Game Shows are currently going through “a phase” as it were, where I feel we are heading in all sorts of directions. Some are trying to treat game shows as IP, and we will eventually get a reboot of Supermarket Sweep again. Some treat it as a “cost-saver” so we are getting the cheapest-quality product where the heart simply isn’t there (HINT: Single, Double, Bullshit Catch Up Round, Winner Gets $1,000 with a chance at $10,000)

And when you have reviewed over 600 different game shows, it gets grating on you. You feel hopeless. Your best bet in the future in game shows rests in the hands of Dropout and Nebula in the hopes Game Changer and Jet Lag are enough.

TURNS OUT - THAT IS NOT TRUE.

This year, a brand new game show came out. And it turns out - it is insanely fun to watch! It is called “BETTER LUCK THAN CHUCK” and it is available on YouTube.

“Better Luck Than Chuck” comes from a Chicago-Based production house, where the premise is very simple - get three horror movie nerds to answer questions about horror movies and win horror-movie themed prizes.

The show is hosted by “The Widow and Charlie” from the short-form sitcom “True Love Never Dies”, this is not really needed to know to watch, but obviously, the premise is Charlie and The Widow were a couple. Charlie has become a zombie (and a bit braindead) and The Widow is still putting up with Charlie, even after his death, The Widow is also a witch, so she has some mystical powers as well. It is not horror-jump scare, but that fun horror that you miss when it came to Halloween. I would say it’s a cross between Bewitched, I Dream of Jeanie and Married with Children in it’s theming and writing, which is excellent.

So now, they turned this premise somewhat into a game show. The Widow is now the host of a game show inside her house, and Charlie is the sidekick of the show.

The Widow invites 3 contestants into the living room to play this game, with a simple premise - there are 5 categories related to horror, If you ring in with the correct answer you get 10 points. Some questions have a bonus follow-up for 10, and others have video questions with special guests, like the screenwriter for Clayface, Mike Flanagan.

There is no penalty for an incorrect answer, however, at certain points during the proceeding, he will start to heckle the contestants for some of their mistakes. The Widow will downplay the situation and make a comeback, and continue to root for the players. There is however, only one true rule to the game - DON’T INTERRUPT THE WIDOW. If a contestant rings in before the question is read in full, that question is thrown out for all players.

Round 2, does have the points double, and five new categories, however there is no bullshit catch-up round, this is it. 20 points per correct answer. Whoever has the most points wins the game and goes to the bonus round, runners-up do get Horror Movie prizes and then vanishes from a Widow’s Kiss.

In the bonus round, the contestant has 90 seconds to find 6 horror movie props in “Charlie’s Workshop” in a round that is very reminiscent of Finders Keepers. However, because there are sharp objects in the room, the contestants get to wear gloves for their protection, which are very cartoonishly fun and furry.

“The time will start once I finish reading the first question, I wish you better luck than chuck….”

The more they get right the more prizes they win, with whoever scored the most going to a Tournament of Champions to play for a trip to Halloween Horror Nights at either Hollywood or Orlando.

After this round, regardless of performance - the winner goes to the couch to have a drink with The Widow and Charlie. Chuck tries to get one last dig at the winner, but we get a wonderful compliment from Widow before she signs off with a kiss.

Depending on if you have time - they have a recap podcast with “The Deadbeats” - Will and JT and that ends the episode.

AND I WAS BLOWN AWAY

Clearly, this was made with a love of Horror Movies, in mind, but they actually had an amazing looking set. It’s clear they had very skilled writers for the questions on this show, and it goes to show you - YOU DON’T NEED TO PLAY BY NUMBERS. YOU CAN HAVE FUN!

I really love how many movie and horror-themed companies lent their sponsorship to the production, from Trick or Treat Studios, Severin Films and Adam’s Artbox to (I assume) Universal for Halloween Horror Nights.

The Widow, played by Alexis Allotta, deserves so much credit. When people have to play game show host, or quizmaster, they want to default as this “always on” hype-man, but Alexis had to keep doing this entire show while in her character AND still host. The Widow is reserved, somewhat flirty, but delivers perfect one-liners, that are very much improvized.

With Charlie/Chuck (Adam Michaels) he has to also remain in character, but most of the time, he just does not want any of the contestants to win, so it’s just meant to heckle these people. Adam gets time to think of something funny. And we end up learning to love Chuck, who has to play both a Homer Simpson-esque simpleton, and this really sharp smartass.

JUST the fact runner-ups get consolation prizes and advertised gifts is something that used to be common, and now comes across as novel, and PERFECT. These days you have people flying out to Los Angeles or Atlanta and only one person gets something, and the rest, maybe they can get a granola bar from the catering table.

There is plenty of play-along if you are a huge fan of horror movies, obviously, if you aren’t, you might not play along that much, However, the breaking-up between the quiz and the comedy is paced enough that you can still watch and enjoy this.

IF IT WAS ME THOUGH….

I think I would have just made two different rules (and it might be budget killers)

I would have the lowest scoring player in Round 1 get eliminated, so its just 2 players in Round 2. Just so everybody gets a little bit of time with Charlie and the Widow.

And instead of a Tournament of Champions game - I would just have the Halloween Horror Nights Prize be for somebody who manages to get 6 out of 6 in the final round. Not to spoil anything - it's possible, but it was not done in Season 1. No need to invite “the top 3 players” - just have it be all self-contained.

In it’s place, for the “final episode of the season” - get a celebrity edition of the show. Find 3 Actors/Writers or even YouTubers/Podcasters to play the final episode out, for something fun like charity (Even if it’s like $100 per item in the finale)

They only had a small amount of episodes for this season, but watching it every week, as a countdown to Halloween was super exciting. I hope the show gets more buzz to warrant that Season 2, because - THIS IS WHAT THE FUTURE OF GAME SHOWS SHOULD BE

Productions made from the heart, built to cultivate that niche audience, but also have some variety to keep people going. Crew members that don’t feel burnt out. Talented cast, and well-cast contestants. You don’t need to give away $100,000 or have a $20,000,000 Netflix Deal. Sometimes, something as simple as remembering “Who Directed Re-Animator” for the prize of some Movie Soundtracks is actually sufficient. When you put your heart in this show, it can be boosted across the stratosphere.

On the surface level - A 1960s Witch and a Guy in a Zombie Costume Play Horror Movie Trivia, but when they managed to actually give a fuck, and build a set, and get sponsors - it makes it feel less like a skit, and more like an honest to goodness game show for everybody to enjoy.

Please give it a watch, maybe binge it for Halloween!