Game showshave been a television staplefor years now.
Thats because its the easiest genre to get hooked on.
But if you pay attention, almost allTVgame shows are meant to be played in short-term, single-episode formats.
Image via NBC
So, stretching them out into a full-blown reality competition could be a worthwhile experiment.
The format ofThe Weakest Linkis pretty straightforward.
This combination of teamwork and ruthless backstabbing makes each round more entertaining than the last.
Image via BBC
A show like this could be theperfect combination ofSurvivorandThe Traitorsbut with an intellectual twist.
Hosted bythe charming Howie Mandel, the show thrived on a simple concept.
The originalDeal or No Dealran for eight seasons and was a game of luck and risk assessment.
At the start, each contestant gets a randomly assigned briefcase with no idea whats inside.
The Banker could take a more interactive roleand throw unexpected curveballs that force contestants to rethink their entire strategy.
Limited-time offers, hidden advantages, and secret deals made between players could all add new layers of suspense.
A single man or woman wouldpose a series of questions to three potential suitorsseated behind a partition.
Based on their answers, the contestant would pick a person to go on a date with.
As basic as it was, the show premiered in an era when dating apps hadnt been invented.
So, it felt like a fresh take on the idea of finding love itself.
Now, I know what youre thinking.
This wouldadd another element of decision-making,rather than just picking between three people.
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So, the possibilities are really endless here.
7’Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’
The most recent revival came in 2020, withJimmy Kimmel hosting a limited-run editionthat featured celebrity contestantsplaying for charity.
But what if the game show was reimagined as aSurvivor-style reality show?
Heres how it would work: Contestants would participate in high-pressure trivia challenges.
The lowest performers in each round would get eliminated either in a sudden-death battle or by voting.
This could introduce an element of strategic alliance formation in the game.
The game show follows the contestants as they answer trivia questions to earn spins on a giant game board.
Here, they can land on cash prizes, extra spins, or, of course, Whammy!
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And, of course, the Whammies in this format will be more relentless than in the original show.
5’The Newlywed Game'
(19661974)
The Newlywed Gamepractically defines the ’60s.
The show premiered in 1966 withBob Eubanksas its founding host.
As the name suggests, the show featurednewlyweds answering personal and often embarrassing questionsabout each other.
The couples competed to see who knew each other the best to win a prize.
ButThe Newlywed Gamecould capitalize on the element of nostalgia.
To add high-stakes drama,challenges could also include loyalty tests.
For example, one spouse might have to make a decision that affects their partners standing in the game.
The game leads up to the iconic Fast Money round, where one family can win the grand prize.
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With the shows continued success, its easy to see howFamily Feudcould evolve into a full-blown reality series.
And thats exactly what makes it so perfect for a reality TV adaptation.
They would then have to compete in a mix of Feud-style games and real-world family challenges.
The show was relaunched unsuccessfully in 1998 and was revived again in 2017 withAndy Cohen as the host.
After that, they are shown the audiences vote.
Honestly, I wish the show had run for longer than it did.
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They pick one person to go on a first blind date based purely on their personality.
Andthis is where the similarities withLove Is Blindend.After the first date takes place, the audience gets involved.
2’Legends of the Hidden Temple'
(19931995)
Hear me out.
You cant tell me that doesnt sound like a reality show like no other.
Depending on how many Mob members they manage to eliminate from the game, The One earns prize money.
However, one incorrect answer and all their winnings went to The Mob.
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While1 vs. 100had a respectable run, it was eventually canceled.
But you have to admit thatthe core concept still holds massive potentialasa reality TV competition.
The tension ofone player versus a massive group naturally creates drama.
Some may call that disorienting, but hey, thats what reality TV is all about.
Keep Reading:The 10 Best Game Shows of All Time, Ranked
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