# Ten Best Game Shows Ever **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 7, 2006, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-best-game-shows-ever/347379 "2006-03-07T15:29:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2006, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-best-game-shows-ever/347379/1 "2006-03-07T15:29:37Z")
One of those argument-starting MSN lists can be found [here](http://tv.msn.com/news/article.aspx?news=216563>1=7850). My nominee for “how could you leave out…?” would be the original _Hollywood Squares_ – with Paul Lynde as the funniest square ever. ---
**Author:** ![Ensign\_Edison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ab992/32.png) [@Ensign\_Edison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ensign_Edison)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2006, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-best-game-shows-ever/347379/2 "2006-03-07T16:43:25Z")
Did they not count the old panel shows? I’d rather watch _What’s My Line_ or _I’ve Got A Secret_ all day than one episode of Love Connection or, gah, Tic Tac Dough. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2006, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-best-game-shows-ever/347379/3 "2006-03-07T16:53:25Z")
I’d add **You Bet You life** and **Name That tune**. ---
**Author:** ![\_Deep\_F\_ied](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/7cd45c/32.png) [@\_Deep\_F\_ied](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_Deep_F_ied)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2006, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-best-game-shows-ever/347379/4 "2006-03-07T18:00:59Z")
I agree with those mentioned already. I have a strange fondness for cheezey game shows and would have included \*Card Sharks[/] (higher! lower! higher! FREEZE!) Not to mention \*The Newylwed Game[/]. (In the butt Bob.) Maybe it is just a strange fondness for Bob Eubanks… ---
**Author:** ![\_Deep\_F\_ied](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/7cd45c/32.png) [@\_Deep\_F\_ied](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_Deep_F_ied)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2006, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-best-game-shows-ever/347379/5 "2006-03-07T18:03:52Z")
How in the _hell_ could I screw up the coding twice in one post? Perhaps Bob has cursed me. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2006, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-best-game-shows-ever/347379/6 "2006-03-07T18:12:22Z")
Dumbest. List. Ever. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2006, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-best-game-shows-ever/347379/7 "2006-03-07T18:23:47Z")
My own take? 1. Jeopardy! 2. I’ve Got a Secret 3. What’s My Line? 4. Pyramid 5. Weakest Link I can’t make a list of 10. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2006, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-best-game-shows-ever/347379/8 "2006-03-07T18:27:06Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > My own take? > > …4. Pyramid… Definitely a great game – one that rewarded the ability to think creatively, and not just either emote or spew trivia. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2006, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-best-game-shows-ever/347379/9 "2006-03-07T19:01:12Z")
_gak_ :eek: Am I deranged or was _Family Fucking Feud_ not on that list?!? I mean, COME ON, it was worth it just to see Dick Dawson molest every single female contestant, large and small! Plus, the whole “Survey Says!” “Chance to Steal!” This is the game show that gave Louis Anderson, Ray Combs, and Richard Karn a working gig! I would also add Distraction (the English version - it’s lost something in the translation) - but that’s because I love Jimmy Carr. Also, Survivor — I know it’s “reality TV,” but to me it’s technically a game show. You have contestants, one of them wins. And how about a gratuitous plug for Lingo and Debt? Chuck Woolery?! Wink Martingdale?! Sigh. The joy that is the Game Show Network! Great topic. - Peter Wiggen ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2006, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-best-game-shows-ever/347379/10 "2006-03-07T19:03:22Z")
Sorry to post back-to-back, but I meant to second What’s my Line and Card Sharks… but how could I forget? CLASSIC CONCENTRATION. 'Nuff said. - Peter Wiggen ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2006, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-best-game-shows-ever/347379/11 "2006-03-07T19:04:36Z")
> [@PeterWiggen](#): > > _gak_ :eek: > > Am I deranged or was _Family Fucking Feud_ not on that list?!? Good answer! Good answer! ---
**Author:** ![\_Deep\_F\_ied](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/7cd45c/32.png) [@\_Deep\_F\_ied](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_Deep_F_ied)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2006, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-best-game-shows-ever/347379/12 "2006-03-07T19:34:45Z")
I just remembered another classic: _Super Password_. (or was it _Password Plus_?) I used to tape a peice of paper over the spot on the TV where they would give you the word so I could play along. Good times. ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2006, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-best-game-shows-ever/347379/13 "2006-03-07T19:42:19Z")
_Press Your Luck_ Big bucks!! No whammies!! ---
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2006, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-best-game-shows-ever/347379/14 "2006-03-07T19:45:48Z")
[High Rollers](http://www.curtalliaume.com/highroll.html) is missing! Check out the link for cool photos of Alex Trebek. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2006, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-best-game-shows-ever/347379/15 "2006-03-07T19:51:08Z")
Press Your Luck; Let’s Make a Deal; Price is Right; Jeopardy; Classic Concentration; Match Game; Family Feud; Hmm… That’s a top 7, but I can’t think of any others I’d want to throw in there. I’ve never seen What’s My Line or You Bet Your Life, though. Hmm… maybe Name That Tune or Pyramid, just maybe… oh! Win Ben Stein’s Money. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2006, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-best-game-shows-ever/347379/16 "2006-03-07T19:53:32Z")
> [@Manduck](#): > > _Press Your Luck_ > > Big bucks!! No whammies!! Damn you, that’s what I was going to say! I used to love that game as a kid. ---
**Author:** ![mrunlucky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7993a0/32.png) [@mrunlucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrunlucky)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2006, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-best-game-shows-ever/347379/17 "2006-03-07T20:07:43Z")
_Beat the Clock_. I mean, this show from the beginning was so simple and wholesome. _What’s My Line_. Always fun. Someone needs to bring this back. The various _Pyramids_. And I would say _Pyramid_ as encompassing the _Password_ shows because it has the same guessing-with-limited-information sensibility but it’s more exciting. _Let’s Make a Deal_, my all time favorite. _The Price is Right_, my second all time favorite, and God forbid anything happen to Bob Barker because I don’t think anyone else will be able to carry the mantle. _Wheel of Fortune_. I know, it’s the game show for old people, but adapting Hangman and combining it with the basic roulette/carnival prize wheel just endures. _Family Feud_, specifically the Dawson one. They don’t make creepy and slimy game show hosts like that any more. That’s classic TV, Dawson making everyone woman give him a kiss, often to the woman’s chagrin! And who didn’t love _$1.98 Beauty Show_ or _Studs_? (Alright I’m probably the only one on here.) ---
**Author:** ![kelly5078](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6f9a4e/32.png) [@kelly5078](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kelly5078)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2006, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-best-game-shows-ever/347379/18 "2006-03-07T20:15:38Z")
Greatness. Game shows. Greatness. Gameshows. Greatness. Gameshows. Head…exploding. ---
**Author:** ![\_Deep\_F\_ied](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/7cd45c/32.png) [@\_Deep\_F\_ied](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_Deep_F_ied)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2006, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-best-game-shows-ever/347379/19 "2006-03-07T20:57:16Z")
> [@mrunlucky](#): > > [ > And who didn’t love _$1.98 Beauty Show_ or _Studs_? (Alright I’m probably the only one on here.) Oh ya! I totally forgot about _$1.98 Beauty Show_! That was awesome. Does anyone remember a gameshow where kids had to play video games to win? The stand up arcade style ones. I forgot the name of that but I remember getting up extra early to watch it on Saturday mornings. ---
**Author:** ![Odinoneeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/97f17d/32.png) [@Odinoneeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odinoneeye)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2006, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-best-game-shows-ever/347379/20 "2006-03-07T21:32:25Z")
> [@«Ðëëp¤F®ïêd»™](#): > > Does anyone remember a gameshow where kids had to play video games to win? > The stand up arcade style ones. I forgot the name of that but I remember getting up extra early to watch it on Saturday mornings. Starcade. I know Geoff Edwards hosted it at one point but I think someone else did too. Jeopardy has always been my favorite. Rapid fire questions and answers has always appealed to me. I would have liked The Weakest Link better if it weren’t for the dull voting off parts, and Millionaire just went too slow. Now for a personal favorite that hasn’t been mentioned yet, was Comedy Central’s Beat the Geeks. The better episodes were the ones where I knew something abou the guest geek’s area of knowledge. Trivia: Both the music geek and the TV geek had appeared on Greed before this series started. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-best-game-shows-ever/347379.md?page=2)