With game shows gaining in popularity in the ratings, major networks are ordering and producing new shows in record numbers this season. There are lots of shows to look forward to, so let's take a look at what's coming up.
Ba Ba Boom
From the same people who brought us Deal or No Deal comes Ba Ba Boom. Ten models place their hands on a table. Under two of these hands are hidden coins, and the object of the game is for the contestant to eliminate all of the hands without coins.
Ba Ba Boom has been picked up by Endemol, but no network or air date information is yet available.
Catch 21
Catch 21 is based on the card game Black Jack. Contestants try to get to a score of 21 with cards, which they earn by answering trivia questions. This one will be hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro.
Catch 21 premieres July 21st on GSN.
The Dating Game and The Newlywed Game
Embassy Row, the production company behind Who Wants to be a Millionaire? and Wife Swap, is bringing back both of these shows! Casting is currently underway, but there's no word yet on air dates.
The Dating Game and The Newlywed Game will air on GSN.
Deal or No Deal (syndicated version)
It's the same Deal or No Deal you've grown to love, but tweaked to fit a half-hour time slot. The prize board will feature lower dollar amounts, with the top prize being $250,000, so there will be fewer cases to help speed up the game. The models, Howie Mandel, and the Banker will all be there for this version of the show, which will air weeknights on local affiliate networks.
Deal or No Deal in syndication will begin September 8th 2008.
Do You Trust Me?
Originally titled Who Do You Trust?, Do You Trust Me? has been in development since last spring, and is not yet scheduled to air. Hosted by bow-tie-sporting pundit Tucker Carlson, the show teams up two strangers who must work together to earn over one million dollars. The trust factor comes into play when Carlson reveals secrets from each contestant's past, influencing how much trust their teammate may have.
Do You Trust Me? will air on CBS.
Family Trust
Family Trust takes a family of five and gives them a one million dollar trust. This money is then theirs to keep or lose, based on how well they work together to answer quiz questions. The focus of the show is both on the game, and on the family dynamic. Family Trust is owned by Fox Television Studios, and has filmed a pilot episode to be shopped internationally.
Game Show in My Head
Ashton Kutcher's production company is behind this game show, which takes ordinary people and puts them out on the street wearing ear pieces. Contestants get instructions through these ear pieces and must do funny, wild, or just plain odd things in public in order to earn cash. Game Show in My Head is currently casting, but no premiere date has been set.
Game Show in My Head will air on CBS.
The Gong Show
It's back! Comedy Central is currently in production with an updated version of The Gong Show, the classic variety/game show from the 70s. The host will be comedian Dave Attell.
The Gong Show will premiere July 17th at 10:30pm Eastern.
Hole in the Wall
Hole in the Wall is a Japanese game show that is called a "human Tetris" game. Contestants must contort their bodies to fit through a hole in an advancing wall, or be knocked into a pool of water. Casting is currently underway, but no premiere date has been set.
Hurl!
Hurl! is just as the name implies. Contestants must eat copious amounts of traditional American comfort food, then compete in physical challenges without throwing up.
Hurl! will air on G4, premiering July 15th 2008.
Interrogator
Interrogator is loosely based on a Dutch game show. Five bank safes contain different amounts of cash, with one holding the jackpot. Five contestants then battle it out, trying to bluff one another and gain access to the safes and win big money. Interrogator is created by J.D. Roth, who is also the man behind The Biggest Loser and the short-lived reality series Unan1mous.
Interrogator will air on NBC.
Make My Day
Make My Day comes from Michael Davies, the man behind Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and Power of 10. The idea is for people to nominate their friends or relatives for a hidden camera type of show, in which the surprised contestant will experience the "best day of their lives."
Make My Day is in development and not yet committed to any network.
Mr. and Mrs.
Mr. and Mrs. is a great game show that originates in the UK. The show was popular in the 1970s, and has recently been made into an "All Star" version that features celebrity couples. The basic premise is that three married couples compete by answering trivia questions to win money. Even with D-list celebs though, it could be a lot of fun.
All Star Mr. and Mrs. is currently being shopped to networks in the U.S.
