Every Summer Game Show Rated and Reviewed 2024
The last time I talked about game shows, it was for, of all things, a game show convention.
Love it or Hate it you have to admit - the Whammy was there!
Anyway, like Olivia Rodrigo ‘s “vampire” from last year, I continue to be the internet's blood sucker, fame fucker (dream crusher if it's the radio edit)
I wanted to talk about all these game shows on Game Shows I Suppose, but again, being Away From Keyboard (with proper microphone and recording software) is not possible.
So instead here's a long winded episode, that's typed out, with all the run-ons and syntax errors to upset a Middle School English teacher.
SO RECENTLY I SAW AN ARTICLE…
A list of the 13 Summer Game Shows returning and ranked on USA Today
https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2024/07/20/summer-tv-game-shows-ranked/74410944007/
And from this list, I learned a few things.
1) Nobody watches Lingo.
It's a summer series, CBS still spends money on it, but not even USA Today gives the nudge
2) Reality TV makes up a good chunk of the summer series as well.
From “Big Brother” to “Claim to Fame”, and even “American Ninja Warrior” and “America's Got Talent” and even “The Bachelorette”, it seems we have to divide reality with game show more and more. It's all formats to me.
It's a big world of game shows, this is where Big Brother super fans will talk about AINSLEY, this is where people somehow remember “The Mole” is rebooted, and everybody else is filming the Christmas Specials in the middle of record breaking heatwaves.
So first let's go through a few reviews of shows that aren't listed. And just keep going.
Beat the Bridge just debuted on game show network, and remember all the good positive things I've said about “Bridge of Lies” with it's ticking clock and it's stressful maze-like show that's like Wipeout and Whew?
What if they just decided to throw it out and think the game is all about multiple choice answers on a giant LCD screen? It loses so much of the important parts of the show, including this “lonesome urgency” that it feels more claustrophobic than most.
It's a bit disappointing, there are other shows like this. ⭐⭐
The Mole returns on Netflix, and they finally brought back the gay journalist! Well, it isn't Anderson Cooper, but they got somebody just as fun with Ari Shapiro.
This season is better than last year's “$10,000 or Exemption” marathon, by having the mere concept of “Jokers” aka “Corrections” in this game, but halfway through the series decided to say “fuck it” and go back to the three pot-sinks to win exemptions.
⭐⭐🌜🌜🌜
I Literally Just Told You has returned on Channel 4, and it's still this really great cerebral comedy game show. I really enjoyed the decision to make “Lights Out” it's own segment now.
Nothing new to report still fun.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Deal or No Deal Australia has found it's way on the Deal or No Deal Universe YouTube Channel globally, but I will say it again since my birthday episode - this is the fastest, funniest version of the show.
When it came to Deal or No Deal Revivals….
America decided to make it a reality show on an island, which only had one great act, the final end game with Howie as The Banker.
The UK revived it but had to lower it's cash price to £100,000 but also have a very awkward board that ultimately ends up being £1000 or £2000 with the offer of £1200, yet they still have amazing casting of contestants, and Stephen Mulhern doing a fantastic job of making the show his own from Noel
But this version? The Grant Denyer reboot? It's the best of everything, audience members get $250 for correct guesses (yes, it's less from the reboot), however, going from 26 cases to 22 and having a very fair prize board means that even though $100,000 is the top prize, you'll most likely see a $1,000 vs $20,000 swing versus what the UK had.
It's also quick, like super super fast, almost like they intentionally got the race car driver for a reason.
Denyer is everything, he's bombastic, he's loud, he sometimes gets intense, he's scared, it's the most “game show host” I've ever seen on television, and that's including Wink Yahoo and Wink Martindale.
If you hate the fact it's a show that stretches picking numbers for an hour, this is the version for you, and it's a really good bright spot in recent television.
⭐⭐⭐⭐🌜🌜
The Getaway is this nebula original series from the team behind Jet Lag: The Game.
If Jet Lag was the YouTube version of Amazing Race, this is their attempt at The Mole/The Traitors
Six content creators go on a mini cross country adventure, to go through challenges to keep money in the pot, while avoiding giving it to “The Snitch Stash”. (It's Killer Camp logic)
While the rules say the contestants MUST vote out the snitch before the end of the game or the Snitch wins and takes home their pot, the big twist is shown to the audience - all the contestants are the snitch.
So as the contestants decide to play this Mole-like game, it actually becomes this game of Contestants vs Production that actually is the real show. Can you outsmart Sam, Adam and Ben?
⭐⭐⭐🌜🌜
Battle in the Box is a brand new comedy game show format on Dave (now U& Dave) that is hoping to find their next Taskmaster.
Hosted by Jimmy Carr (in voice over, because I don't blame him) two comedians fight against each other inside a giant box set in silly contests, but that's about it.
Essentially a head-to-head rubber chicken basketball game with comedians who can't really do jokes, and not much stakes in the game. It only works based on who's playing and that's a major Your mileage may very.
⭐⭐🌜
Just your constant reminder to get Dropout.
While Game Charger did end before the summer started. This season had amazing episodes from “Bingo” to “Ratfish” that is a funny tribute to game shows.
Um Actually returns with new host Ify Nwadiwe, with more pedantic corrections about pop culture IP.
Make Some Noise returned recently with more fun improv games.
And two new shows happened, Thousandaires that's the ultimate game of Show and Tell with $1,000.
And Smartypants in which comedians tell you something they really love and talk about it.
This week saw the debut of Monét's Slumber Party which isn't really a game show, but worth talking about just in it's chaotic good gay representation.
Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM REICH!
Lingo is still around. Yep. That's nice
Truthfully, I think RuPaul is a great host, but the format itself is very stagnant, and somehow duller than the GSN version with Chuck Woolery.
⭐🌜🌜🌜
Mr Beast also has become the king of YouTube. And i do think there is this generation gap among weirdos in the game show community on if he's a game show host or not
SPOILER: he is.
Jimmy “Dat Dude Reviews” Donaldson has a big reality show coming up on Amazon called Beast Games (I can't wait to watch it) with 5,000 people and $5,000,000.
His main channel has had 50 YouTube People play for $1,000,000 in a SINGLE VIDEO (most shows would stretch this to twelve episodes or because of budgets these days only give away $50,000)
While it's also obnoxious at times, it's loud and vibrant energy is what keeps people entertained and continue to watch his next videos.
It's worth the watch. Mostly because it feels like a mystery bag of competition.
But Jimmy, if you're reading this, PLEASE STOP DOING THE SQUID GAMES COOKIE THING... PLEASE!
You used to have basketball on a Ferris Wheel. And trying to eat food on a roller coaster, it's possible.
And now a bunch of others going on that I vaguely remember going on at the moment.
Pop Culture Jeopardy is still casting, I have no friends so I can't play. Boo.
All the Fox Daytime shows - 25 People Places or Pictionary is moved to Atlanta.
Trivial Pursuit and Scrabble are coming soon to prime time.
And The Floor is returning with 100 people and Raid the Cage is coming back soon.
Ludwig, has a Taskmaster -like show called Unpaid Intern
https://youtu.be/wUQtL7Ve9dA?si=aVGohTsowl0c9Xm8
I did finally get around to watching Taskmaster Australia season 2 and Guy Montgomery's Guy Mont Spelling Bee and they were both a bunch of fun! Please find them, wherever you are!
And now it's time for the rankings…
13. I Can See Your Voice
I understand Fox really loves it's music shows, however. This is essentially just a way for Cheryl Hines to get a paycheck, out of fear of being First Lady of the United States.
This is hardly a game show, the contestant must pick “good and bad singers”. However, as the game is essentially predetermined by the producers in the amount of good and bad singers, (4 good 2 bad? 3 good 3 bad?) it doesn't really become an actual game until the very end of the show when the Contestant decides to walk away with $15,000 times Bad Singers Pre Determined or go for a risk the producers added a good singer.
⭐🌜
12. Lucky 13
I am so disappointed by this show. Essentially, the quick explanation of the game
Contestant gets asked 13 true or false questions
Then they get asked what their range is, based on their confidence of how many correct answers there are.
1-3 $5,000
4-6 $15,000
7-9 $25,000
10-12 $100,000
13 - $1,000,000
If the contestant picks a range amount they then pick a spot to have as their “lucky number” for a $25,000 bonus
(So 30k, 40k, 50k, 125k)
So, even though the tagline is”you can win by being wrong” it's still technically a consolation prize as getting 0 out of 13, which is still as remarkable of a feat on a coin flip quiz, as 13 out of 13, means you get nothing.
HEY GUYS.
It's REALLY tough to watch a MILLION DOLLAR game show, if at the beginning of the show, the contestant decides, because it's the only way to actually win any money on the show, that they'll play for $25,000 instead.
You don't have a million dollar game, you have a $25,000 game with all the trappings of a million dollar game show.
To make it worse. If the Contestant is ever overconfident and gets MORE RIGHT than their contract, they lose everything and leave with nothing.
So it's very possible you can win $0 just for being smart but getting 10 right instead of 9, which I'm guessing will be a common occurrence.
If it was me, AND HEY, IT'S ME.
I would have tried to make this way different. I'd keep it a casino, but make it feel like a quiz casino, with a physical game table instead of a TV screen.
Here are 13 “statements” drawn from physical cards (you don't have to random draw or anything)
And then have the contestant move it to “true” or “false” as the physical lock-in.
THEN you do your “wager” like it's a game of Craps or Baccarat where the aim is the contestant to “hit” that number of correct answers, and instead of a range they have THREE CHANCES to win money.
Here's a very crude attempt at the board. The 3 “Main” choices are
0 & 13
And of course LUCKY 7 (ha like 13, it's a known lucky number)
The Lucky 7 is a progressive jackpot that starts at $50,000 and goes up $5,000 each game it isn't won.
And then the closer to the extremes you get, the more money you aim to win. So, yes, you could win only getting ONE THING RIGHT ALL GAME
And then you have different values.
1 & 12 are worth $200,000
2 & 11 are worth $100,000
3 & 10 are worth $50,000
And everything else a different amount (4/5/6/8/9) $5,000 $10,000 $15000 $20000 $25000
That is shuffled randomly.
This means contestants can sacrifice one of the “win spaces” for the million, keeping it always in play, for audience to watch.
Or, they can create their own range.
Maybe 6/7/8 giving them $15,000 JACKPOT And $25,000 but with all the true false questions in the game, that luck and random element shakes the game up to offer a big risk on each question.
Otherwise, you are just giving Shaq a shoulder shimmy as he presses a button.
you want to make it feel like you can win BY being wrong just as much.
⭐⭐🌜🌜
11. The Quiz With Balls
No, you aren't seeing double, the top is the American set, the bottom is the set that's in other countries.
I'm tired of spaceship, please give us “funny beach ball pier”. It at least fits the summer vibe.
The game show itself isn't really bad, families stand on answers, if they stand on a wrong answer and one of them will, a big rubber ball will hit then into the water, and that is the ONLY WAY TO LEAVE A GAME SHOW.
While I appreciate the show not going overboard (ha ha) with the HE HE THEY FELL IN THE WATER, like a hole in the wall or Wipeout, this is just essentially another variant of the “trap door quiz” style that we've seen with ELLEN'S GAME OF GAMES and WHO'S STILL STANDING, but instead of a net or foam, it's a shallow pool of water and a hunky Australian lifeguard.
Jay is not bad of a host, however as a core mechanic is as less family members stay in the game, the more incorrect answers there are to make the questions harder. It does not try and rubber band the game to make it close. In the event everybody in a family is out before the game ends. The winning team still has to survive any remaining questions to win more money in their bank.
I still prefer million dollar money drop if that's the aim, or what about boom? Remember boom? With the wire cutting and the chocolate pudding bomb that made it look like the contestants got covered in literal dookie?
It's still an okay format, but not one to go out of your way towards.
⭐⭐🌜🌜🌜
10. The Wall
I honestly forgot the wall was still on the air. Million Dollar Plinko is still hosted by Chris Hardwick, and every time some couple signs the contract for $200,000 instead of the $1.9 million or so, they get upset and tell me “always tear up the contract”, but considering these aren't game show contestants, but rather people who got nominated, and some of the time they crash out, and tear up that $200,000 contract to win nothing.
It's still ultimately a game of confidence in your own correct answers over the course of the game. Sign if you felt stupid.
Anyway, I'm sure it feels good. But I just can't handle another somber speech, I just can't. I keep falling asleep watching this show, and it just feels outdated in a 2024 environment.
⭐⭐
9. Name That Tune
I think it's a good thing they went back to Civilians over the last couple years of celebrities. It still follows the “two games an hour” which is still very smart, the gimmick round, bid a note and Golden Medley.
However, bid-a-note clues are very easy to figure out sometimes if the blue is “Elish gives a villain speech” it's most likely “Bad Guy”, duh.
I'm almost confident I could probably win the show off bid-a-note round alone, before getting none of the songs right in Polyphonic Ringtone Golden Medley
But Randy Jackson is still looking great, best co-host you could get for this. And also, really enjoy Jane Krakowski just for her occasional off scripts.
⭐⭐🌜🌜
8. Let's Make a Deal
It really pains me to put this show this low on the list. I REALLY love Let's Make a Deal in Prime Time. When they have a prize budget that is more than just “gold rush for a chance at $10,000” (it used to be a car)
It actually feels like a much better show. Wayne Brady is still one of the quickest improvisors in the world (along with Jonathan Magnum, who might be second) and then you have live music from Cat Gray and Tiffany Coyne, the game show model who actually talks and hosts!
It feels like this big environment, but the show needs that big bump in some capacity. Having a $500 or envelope is not really an exciting hour of television, however, make it $5,000 or an envelope, and that envelope had a $20,000 cruise? Now we're talking!
⭐⭐⭐⭐🌜
7. Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?
To age myself, I was 10 when Millionaire debuted with Regis, I had that CD ROM game, I was ecstatic about that busted McDonald's game. It was my jam.
It's one of the rare game shows I would love to apply for, knowing I'm a big dumb idiot.
However, this reboot of millionaire was pretty much cursed. COVID got rid of the audience days before the first season was going to film.
Every version was some celebrity version (with the exception of First Responders, which was actually nice)
So the show was and continues to be celebrities waste time for the first ten questions because they are guaranteed $32,000 so it only becomes stressful when it's the final questions.
I don't know if it's because ABC wants to keep it's contract and the show for as long as possible, but it desperately needs a fastest finger with civilians playing. Everything about it feels like a cheaper version to the days of when they flew all the contestants to New York to play.
Will those days ever happen again? Probably not, but if they figure out how to bring it back to “intense quiz show” it could work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐🌜🌜
6. Don't Forget The Lyrics
Sorry USA Today, but this is not the best game show this summer.
I trust you with the news at my hotel room, but not really in game shows.
Granted, NIECY NASH IS AMAZING, she has made the show her own, making passive turn when contestants need space to think, and there to give the help when needed.
Yes, it's better than millionaire because, even though both have a money tree, this show actually has civilians playing the game instead of celebrities, always a major plus.
This is also such a guilty pleasure game show of mine, because while I am not the best at music trivia, the show all about a really fun night of karaoke still remains enjoyable.
Granted, like many reboots, the money tree has gotten “cheap” (no more $350,000 $500,000 at the end, it's little $50,000 bumps essentially until the $250,000 at the top before playing for the million)
This is the show I watch just because I live the vibe and want to play along, and sing along and guess along.
The only downside is, again, an incorrect answer hinges on partibles. Oh, you said I've instead of I'm out They instead of We're.
And that is always a let down compared to just ‘yeah I'm taking a bow”
But have I been watching every episode? Absolutely!
⭐⭐🌜
5. Beat Shazam
FOX really loves music shows and Gordon Ramsay and eventually those paths will eventually cross with something like NOW WERE COOKIN’ with Ramsay and will.i.am
But for now, Beat Shazam remains, in my opinion, that “summer game show” that let's me know it's time to party.
I might be wrong, but I think Beat Shazam has had more Million Dollar Winners than every show on this list (including millionaire, but just the Kimmel version)
When people first saw the show they just thought “oh, it's name that tune”, however, they have name that tune, and I don't think anybody has yet to call it “a beat Shazam ripoff”
The show finally found it's footing with the contestants and rounds, Shazam Shuffle, That's My Jam, Corrine’s Choice, Without Words and of course the bonus round Beat Shazam where if you get 6 out of 6 right, you win $1,000,000.
I find myself loving this show, because it is the longest running game show on FOX, but with good reasoning - Jamie Foxx and Corinne are a great team, the music selection updates every year, and it's limited number of episodes a season does it actually justice.
It's really simple to just boot up Spotify and play along to this game, while every other version, requires you to grab official lyrics sheets, or to get a house band to do a good enough cover of “I Saw The Sign” by Ace of Base.
And plus it has its own catch phrases like AND THE MONEY IS GOING UP, and IT'S THE FAST TRACK.
It is possibly the rare game show where there is something for everybody when it comes to the gameplay. 70s Music to Rap to Country to 2020s Pop. It's all there and it shows it's longevity.
Plus, a feasible million dollar prize.
⭐⭐⭐🌜
4. The 1% Club
This is a new game show in America, and has been a hit in UK, with Lee Mack, and in Australia with Jim Jefferies.
This version is hosted by Patton Oswalt, who most will remember from Ratatouille or AP Bio, or from his stand up routine about Star Wars.
The show isn't any different than other versions, there are brain teaser questions that test how you think.
So if you're really good at detective skills or escape rooms, you have the best chance of winning
FUN FACT
most of the puzzles requires spelling, counting letters or counting spaces in the Alphabet.
So if the question is Logically who lives here?
2 - Barry
10 - ???
18 - Richard
With the choices
A - Arnold
B - Greg
C - Jordan
You should pick C, Jordan because Jordan is the 10th letter of the Alphabet.
Anyway, it's top prize is up to $100,000 but if people bail out or keep it until the end, it'll never reach that amount, so it's more likely $94,000.
And, absolutely, I will say I have gotten 95% of the questions correct on this show. If this gets a season two, I'll probably apply and lose on the second question.
However, because I know a good chunk of the hooks of the show, sometimes the show does get boring. However, it's play along is there.
Plus, there are two versions.
The Amazon Version, has more banter with Patton to the Contestants, more jokes during the questions, essentially the UK presentation, with more 1 vs 100 elimination thuds.
And the FOX version, which is FASTER PACED, if you are there to answer the questions and don't care who wins, it's the better version. It feels tighter, but somehow less intense. Which is my preferred version. (This version is on Hulu/Disney+)
⭐⭐⭐🌜
3. Celebrity Family Feud
This has to be the most likely “best game show of the summer” to most people. From Megan Thee Stallion to The Cast of Drag Race to Contractually Obligated ABC Stars from The Bachelorette.
It's the game show, I bet most Americans will watch, even if it's just a clip on YouTube.
Steve Harvey has become the longest reigning host of Family Feud, surpassing the great Richard Dawson. And found it's footing with the “Penis Steve” reactions.
It is such a simple game show that anybody could understand, and play along with, and the incorrect answers becoming just as much fun in watching.
While most of the celebrity versions are set to easy mode, this version tries to make it simple enough, and yet, they still somehow give baffling answers.
It's a must watch, wherever it is.
⭐⭐⭐⭐🌜🌜
2. Password
The reboot of password has been the most pleasant surprise in quite a while. Keke Palmer recently won the Emmy for Best Game Show Host, and I wonder if it's because she knows how to color coordinate her glasses with her outfits
Or if it's having something very rare in game shows - a signature pose. (The cup the elbow as the other arm does the “thinking emoji”)
While the top prize of $25,000 is basically nothing (and reminds me of Hollywood Game Night), it's celebrity selection of Jimmy Fallon and Friend of Jimmy Fallon has become actually a noble idea.
Things like standing ovations have become Mainstays, while new ideas like Password Prizes (to plug Universal Studios) or SHOOT THE MOON for a chance at 8 points instead of the usual 6, has made the game better.
(Also, if anybody from the show is watching, can you create a sound effect for next season of somebody attempts to shoot the moon and absolutely beefs it, it might give password a signature sfx like the Bankrupt slide whistle or the Price is Right losing horns)
And changing the Tie Breaker from a Super Password Homage to having an emergency envelope for Keke to break open and play was a great touch.
So far, my only negative has been putting categories in round two, while I enjoy the concept (and most likely Pyramid has ended), I do feel it's a little unfair to switch the game when you switch the celebrities.
I could easily see it so you have two “category rounds” in future seasons, but I'm still a stickler to just having no categories and having it be a grab bag of words
I know people do miss that Super Password style puzzle game, however, to me, I'm just excited about ALPHABETICS in the final round, and just how good Jimmy Fallon is at this game, but not enough that he is just going to win every game ever.
But the biggest highlight to the game is the casting, absolutely the funniest, lovable contestants you could find. The kind of people you would love to have over at a game night, fantastic ad libs and very quirky.
⭐⭐⭐⭐🌜
Press Your Luck
How could I not? Press Your Luck is currently my “favorite game show of 2024” and this summer run has just started.
From it's really fun trivia questions about hot dog condiments to its wild prizes like Cinnamon Toast Crunch For Life and Statue of Yourself and even a SOFT SERVE ICE CREAM MACHINE (I do like to munch)
It's a game show that's trailer made for my own silly. To make it better, THEY added a bonus round compared to the original 80s version, where contestants can win WAY MORE than Larson’s $110,237.
Somewhat like Deal or No Deal, the bonus game offers personalized prizes that get us to know another layer to this game show contestant. Maybe they have a small business and really want to jump start with an office suite, or it's a gym teacher and they really want equipment for the school they teach at, or it's a mom who hasn't seen her parents from another country in years and want to take their kids to see them. It's as heartfelt and wild as you can imagine, and the possibility of $1,000,000 if anybody is lucky enough and risky enough to try and get it.
To me, this “stop and go” aspect actually does a better job than deal or no deal in this regard. Because for most Deal or No Deal contestants, they aim for like $100-200,000 and then stop. But on this show, that could be already in your bank within round one or two, so it becomes this real risk of do you want to play in, for possibly your dream car?
While I will probably gag if Cybertruck is a dream prize this year, the fact somebody wants that and why, continues to be the reason I continue to watch this show, besides the multi talented Elizabeth Banks.
From directing Cocaine Bear to starring in that live action Power Rangers movie to a multitude of other roles, from Acting to Directing to Producing.
It's wild nobody sees how great of a host she is at Press Your Luck, she is really excited for these contestants, has that Tomarken-like sarcasm when a Whammy gets hit, and has good lines when it comes to questions about how many out of five cat owners have eaten cat food?
It has the highest of highs, the crashes are the lowest of lows, but somehow it's one of the happiest game shows on television.
The only other one I could think of that equals to it, will be The Price is Right
Which reminds me, are they not doing any Price is Right at Night specials this summer? I know they have some planned for the fall but, it is also such a delightful show)
Anyway, go watch press your luck. It's so much fun!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
That's it with my list, are there any shows I missed? Do you think I should've put a show higher or lower on the list? Let me know in the comments.
LOL JUST KIDDING
I have a Discord. Nobody ever joins or goes there.
Anyway, that's about it with this text based version of Game Shows I Suppose.
See you next time!