Top Game Show Moments of 2009
Monday November 9, 2009
It may be hard to believe, but it's getting close to the end of 2009, and time to take a look back at the year in game shows. We've had lots of memorable moments this year, some good and some bad of course.In compiling the list of the ten most memorable moments of 2009, lots of things come to mind. Some of them include:
- Regis Philbin returning to the hot seat to celebrate ten years of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
- Deal or No Deal getting the axe in prime time
- The addition of Let's Make a Deal to the daytime game show lineup (at the expense, perhaps, of Pyramid)
- George Smoot winning the million on Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
- The Price is Right hits episode 7000
- Jeff Kirby appears for the second time on Jeopardy!
- Wheel of Fortune kills off the Free Spin wedge, replacing it with Free Play
I'd like to know what your most memorable moments have been from this past year. Was there a new show that wowed you, or a cancellation that had you scratching your head? Did a specific contestant make a big impression, either good or bad? Did your favorite game show announce a change in game play that drastically altered your enjoyment of the game? Let us know what your top moments of 2009 have been in the comments. Once I've narrowed down the top ten, I'll put them to a vote, and you, the readers (and viewers) will decide which one had the most impact.
Photo courtesy ABC
Comments
The fact that Drew Carey is now “THE HOST” of The Price is Right! Instead of being “THE STARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR” of The Price is Right, like Bob Barker was billed for 37 years!
Big Saturday Night… the event that wasn’t.
Ken Basin’s thing is the most significant to me, considering I was in the audience when it all happened.
Millionaire jumps the shark–questions as easy as 5th Grader for the return of Regis
Millionaire does a double jump–Tournament of 10
Can it be…Millionaire does a triple jump–changes money tree
How can this happen…Millionaire does a quadruple jump–announces end of PAF lifeline
Do you believe in miracles…Millionaire does a QUINTUPLE SHARK JUMP–celebrities will waste time asking questions, won’t be long before they scrape the bottom of the barrel of celebritydom and decide they need flight attendant #3 from The Wedding Singer (why not, Million Dollar Password used her).
CBS expanding the game show lineup was the most significant move for the genre. If LMAD continues to do well…at least, well enough to be profitable… it’ll open the door for others to follow.
Personally, the time I devoted to debating the merits of production time management this year was significant. (Looking at all you clock-hating Millionaire fans!)
Wayne, sorry about your first comment not posting until much later – there was apparently a glitch in the system holding things up. I deleted the first one so it’s not repeated.
Chico, good call. I do wish ‘The Money List’ had survived that debacle though.
Myke, once again I agree with you. CBS adding another daytime game show is likely the most significant thing that’s happened this year. With all the talk of Oprah moving to cable and other soaps not faring well, there may well be more to celebrate in 2010.
Patricia Heaton. There is absolutely no excuse here. She knew she was coming on Millionaire and obviously didn’t study. If you can’t do math, please stay away and let other celebrities have a chance.
When you see celebrities who don’t know how to play Jeopardy!, you’ll get it. A – if you don’t know how to play Jeopardy!, you’re probably dead, and B – ever heard of studying? I’m sick of people not studying for general-knowledge game shows.
If you knew there was a test coming up which would earn you a million dollars if you aced it, wouldn’t you study? Everyone on Jeopardy! does it. How do you think Ken Jennings won 74 games? But NO, rather than longtime fans who deserve to win in every way, we get these. You’re not supporting your charity – YOU’RE EMBARRASING IT.
Since I didn’t really want to just leave a post with complaints in this time of reflection…what I am happy for:
CBS adding to the daytime game show lineup. As much as I like Pyramid better, I think they made the right choice–especially since they insisted on a one hour show.
The attempt at $1M Pyramid, sure was exciting. Also happy I got to audition for the pilot, that was a lot of fun. It was nice to play the game with a complete stranger and STILL kick butt!
Passing my 26th game show test (one of these days, I’ll finally make it).
Happy that TPIR is in safe hands (maybe not the hands I most want it to be in, but they are safe hands compared to many of the names that were tossed about).
GSN showing the desire to try something different and on a Saturday night–what that channel lacks in execution they sure make up for in guts.