Throwback Thursday: Ellen’s Game of Games (2017-Present)

TV game shows are a dime a dozen. A part of the television landscape since the beginning of the medium, the variety of programming within this genre is nearly endless.

Ellen’s Game of Games has been part of the NBC schedule since 2017. Hosted by Ellen Degeneres, the games the contestants play are an outsized version of the games that are played on her daytime talk show. As per the standard structure of this type of program, the participants are put through their paces in hopes of walking away with a cash prize by the end of the episode.

Obviously, there is enough of an audience that has kept this show on for a few years. But I have yet to find it appealing. I can’t put my finger on it, but I just don’t enjoy it.

Do I recommend it? Not really.

Advertisement

Throwback Thursday: The Weakest Link (2001-2003)

If you watch enough television, you know what to expect when watching a game show.

Between 2001 and 2003, The Weakest Link changed all that. Imported from Britain and hosted by Anne Robinson, the format of the program is as follows: a group of contestants answer a series of random trivia questions. Along the way, they earn money that will eventually become a cash prize. After each round, each contestant is eliminated until one is announced as the winner.

Though it only ran in the States for two years, it was a great two years. From my perspective, there are two reasons why it was successful. The first was adding a Survivor like competition to what we think of the traditional television game show. The other is Anne Robinson. When we think of a game show host, we usually think of a man who is charming and amiable. Robinson, on the other hand, was a woman who was not above cutting down one of the players with a snarky insult.

Do I recommend it? Yes.

P.S. The current reboot with Jane Lynch as host is worth watching.

The Weakest Link Review

Game shows, especially trivia game shows, are a dime a dozen on television. It takes a unique program to stand out and last.

The reboot of the early aughts’ game show, The Weakest Link, premiered tonight on NBC. Hosted by Jane Lynch (taking over from the original host, Anne Robinson), the format of the program is the same as its predecessor. Eight contestants are quizzed on a variety of subjects, their goal is to be the winner and walk away with a financial prize. One by one, each one is eliminated (aka labelled The Weakest Link), until the final contestant is announced as the winner.

I loved it. The problem with some reboots and re-makes is that it is easy to copy, but the new edition is empty compared to its forerunner. That is not the case with this show. Jane Lynch is the perfect host, with just enough biting wit and smarminess to elicit a chuckle from both the audience and those in the studio.

I absolutely recommend it.

The Weakest Link airs on Tuesday night at 8:00PM on NBC.