Many people who were alive during the ‘90s feel that these days, there’s nothing unique or creative about the game shows aired on TV. Though this sentiment might not be entirely correct, it's actually tough for any modern TV show to compete with the game shows from the past.
In the past, TV time used to be a joyous and social affair. With everyone gathered around one screen, it was so much fun to laugh together and poke fun at the show’s contestants and comical moments. Sadly, although we can't bring those days back, we can definitely take you on a quick journey back in time to your younger years.
#1 - “The Weakest Link”
Imagine your reaction when someone informed you with a straight face that you were knocked out out of a particular game where you had the chance of making an absolute fortune. It would be devastating, right? That's how most eliminated contestants felt when “The Weakest Link” host Anne Robinson said, "You are the weakest link. Goodbye!" But you have to admit, that also kept audience members (and the contestants!) on the edge of their seats all the way to, in some cases, the bitter end.
#2 - “Pyramid”
Hosted by Dick Clark, “Pyramid” and its various other formats never failed to win the audience over. Though it was similar to “Password,” the intense atmosphere tended to bring out the competitive side of every participant. For instance, players who managed to reach the final round were seated inside the winner's circle, where they had to play for cash and awesome prizes. And so, when any of the players failed to guess correctly, the audience present at the set and the ones watching on TV would both would go absolutely bonkers.
#3 - “Baggage”
Ever wished you could reveal a nasty person’s deepest, darkest secret in public? Well, you could do just that on this show! Though “Baggage” definitely wasn't family material, it included instances and interactions so hilarious that people literally had to move away from their TV set to stop laughing. Plus, listening to someone's "not so flattering" moments had a weird sense of humor attached to it.
#4 - “Double Dare”
Haven't you ever dared your friends and siblings to do something dangerous? If you have, you'll enjoy this game, especially the parents’ version. The game featured a head-to-head showdown between two teams, with each team answering trivia questions and completing messy tasks to win the cash or prizes. The parents’ version featured a similar format, only instead of kids, it was their parents who competed to win the prize.
#5 - “Lingo”
Imagine the clock ticking as you desperately rack your brain to guess the correct keyword that would take you one step closer to amazing prizes. It would be quite a daunting prospect, right!? Well, that's exactly how contestants playing “Lingo” felt. However, it was tremendously fun to see youngsters shout out inappropriate words under pressure just to increase their points tally on the board.
Summing up
No matter how much we grow or where we are in life, there will always be things that we look back upon with a smile, and for the previous generation, game shows were just that thing.