“Dancing with the Stars” is a bit different from some of the other examples that crowd this list, being kind of a cross between an idol show and “American Ninja Warrior,” but it still counts. It’s a show that has a lot of moving parts – and we’re not even counting the dancers.
Anyway, it’s fun to see that the stars get to have friends and family in the audience for their dances. Not only does it make them feel appreciated, but it also probably keeps them a little relaxed. Friends have that effect.
They Want You to Win?
You might think that a game show would be all about not letting people take home the grand prize. A million bucks is a bundle of money no matter who you are. For most of the time, you'd be right. However, as this story relates, game shows really do want you to win.
As long as it isn't every time. Just think – how many people tuned into “Jeopardy!” to watch Ken Jennings's amazing winning streak? Of course, if the episode is never aired, you don't get anything. It's a common clause in any game show contract.
Yeah, uh, Duh
Look, we're really sorry to have to break it to you this way, but just because you think a TV is live and real, doesn't mean it is. You know how shows like “The Office” are scripted? That's almost always true of reality shows or game shows, too.
Especially the ones like beauty contests, which are made to appeal to the lowest common denominator, and have to be edited to stay that way. Good thing we still have the news, which is definitely not ever edited or framed in a way that is misleading at all...
The Fake-Cash Cab?
It's true – the next time you hail a cab in a big city, you could end up answering trivia questions for money. It's not totally random, but it's still going to be a surprise for the person who gets into the backseat. And, yes, obviously it's a game show.
You might get lucky and win a wad of cash – which is actually fake! Giving away real money wouldn't be all that safe, as shady types would be on the hunt for the cash cab, but not because they want to answer trivia questions.
Don't Go Yet
They may have begun with more generous thoughts in mind – actually finding people with talent that audiences would like to see – but now these talent game shows have devolved into a spectacle, and not exactly the good kind.
Just as soon as these “idol” shows began, producers realized people would be tuning in not to see the talent, but to see the lack of it. Your Derek Stillings, your Mary Roach, your Sarah Goldberg. What's worse, if the audience hates an act, they have to stand around until they get all the shots the producers need. For what? Mockery?
Well, the Illusion Is Shattered Now
Is anything real? Santa is gone, the Easter Bunny didn't last past age ten, and now you're telling us that they don't make you wait until the next day to finish filming if your episode of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” takes too long? Just change and come back out – we have plenty of episodes to film today, and we can't wait until the sun rises again.
That would just be silly. Hit the changing room, smart guy, and let's keep rolling. Onto the next question!
Sounds Like a Good Time
A lot of game shows are quite different from how we see them on our TVs. Smiling faces are staged, winners are picked beforehand, and the “villains” of the shows turn out to be good people twisted by editing.
Thankfully, “Let's Make a Deal” doesn't go that route, with real reactions, no scripting, and actual costumes that people are encouraged to wear. That's one way to make a name for your show. The person who told this story was on the show and did win something!
Well, the Secret Is Out Now
Conan O'Brien is much-loved for reasons that we don't have the time or space to list here. It turns out that there is another item to add to the list — he used to belt out a secret song after the taping of every episode of his talk show.
It's quite possible that he did this every time, though we're sure there were days when time didn't allow it. It turns out this talk-show host has a pretty nice set of pipes, and if you're one of the people who have been able to listen to this song, you're very lucky!
Somehow It's Very Wholesome
Ah, “The Great British Bake-Off.” Truly a classic of our age. Amateur bakers are brought into a big tent and told to bake their little tootsies off.
It's rather subdued, but there are still periods of high stress and boiling-over tensions. The hosts, good people that they are, don't want these sorry moments making it into the finished product, so they do whatever they can to get the cameras off of people who are breaking down. This includes lots of very vile curse words and product names that producers don't want to pay the rights for.
Everything Is Smaller on TV?
It should come as no surprise that bigger things cost more money. TV shows don't want to spend any more money than possible, so they do what TV has done since the dawn of the age: tricky camera angles.
If you take the camera lower to the ground, it makes things look taller, since we assume the camera is at the height of our eyes. It's just a psychological thing. Drew Carey got his start on comedy in “The Drew Carey Show” and “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” before moving on to game shows, but he still has the chops.
Headphones? Yes, Music? No.
Well, at least she got something out of it – and that new ink is going to last forever, which is a lot longer than whatever music she wanted to listen to. Hopefully, that's not a bad thing.
Yes, there's quite a lot of work that goes into the right tattoo. It's far more than just showing up with a picture and saying you want that one. That's how you get a misspelling or that one picture of Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft. Extra work will end up requiring extra cash and a lot of extra time, but for a lot of people, that's more than worth it.
You Don't Hear That Kind of Thing Twice
It's always nice to hear that some game show host, or any other celebrity, for that matter, is a class act. Andrew O'Keefe, though we've never met him, puts forth his best for the contestants that let him pay his mortgage. When you think about it, if there are no contestants, there's no game show. Second, who in their right mind would think that dolphins lay eggs?
Actually, you know what, we can see the train of thought. Fish lay eggs, don't they? Fish are in the water. Dolphins are also in the water. The math checks out!
Not Just One, But Many Big Brothers
“Big Brother” was one of the front-runners when it came to our current reality TV era. It has a bunch of hotheaded twenty-somethings stuck in a house together, with plenty of make-outs, fights, and stupid conversations. It turns out the crew can peep into any of the rooms at any given moment! Creepy.
If this story is at all true, getting kicked out of this house actually sounds like a dream. You get your privacy back, and you don't have to be around all the other stupid people who are trying to win the show.
Edited for Your Enjoyment
Even people who swear by “The Bachelor” or “The Bachelorette” are probably fully aware that what they're seeing isn't how it went in real life at all. Shots are edited together or pulled apart, and that's to say nothing of the relationships themselves, which might as well be pure fiction most of the time.
This story relates that even the reactions you're seeing from the audience are taken from other moments, all to create the kind of story or emotions that the producers want – and ninety percent of the time it's to make the show more dramatic.
Rules for Contestants
It shouldn't come as a surprise that there are some complicated rules for how contestants work on some of these game shows. If an episode of “Jeopardy!” doesn't have three contestants, then it's not like they can film an episode, can they? Thankfully, after a few decades, they have the details figured out, and even have things in place to account for problems that might arise.
It turns out the contestants that haven't started yet sit in the front rows of the audience and are even given lunch! Once you're done playing, though, you have to leave.
Robot Wars Are Real
This story contained plenty of information about the show, which is loved by mechanics, adrenaline junkies, and kids everywhere. How could it not be? It's like something out of science fiction! It turns out the robots are smaller than they appear, though still have quite the destructive power.
The arena and the work pits are right next to each other, and there's plenty of time between matches, so the place employs a radio host to keep audience members entertained – the breaks can be for up to thirty minutes between matches!
You Gotta Have Style
In “Deal or No Deal” you pick a case, and your fate is sealed! You can still try to negotiate a good price for the case that you hold, based on its average value, which means you could walk away with much more than the case actually holds.
If you've watched the show, you know that the people chosen have a certain vibe to them. Energy. Moxie. The people who are picked are always the most jazzed to be there, and that's just what the show wants. You have to be jazzed.
Have Clothing Options Ready
When winning cash on a reality show, you have to pay taxes on any sum over $600. The name of the clause comes from a 'Survivor: Borneo' winner, who found out he had to pay a lot to the IRS when he was sentenced to tax evasion.
He sued the producers since they had neglected to tell him this very critical information, thus giving us the Richard Hatch Clause. Now they make sure you know. It's also fairly common for game shows to ask you to bring multiple clothes, so they can create the best set.
Never Out of Sight
If you ever want to fall down a ridiculous rabbit hole, game show scandals are a great one. People figured out incredible ways to cheat, walking away with millions of dollars in money and prizes. Sometimes these methods were the game show equivalent of counting cards, others were more illicit.
To combat these things, the contestants are under an eagle eye the entire time they're competing. If you're in more than one episode, you have to change your clothes, and apparently, back in the day, it required specific colors and outfits, too. Thankfully, things are better in that department now.
Just Do It Once
This story had a little more to it, but it was too blue to post here – which isn't something that should surprise you if you're familiar with “Jerry Springer.” The show already seems like the drama is played up way past its breaking point, but it turns out there's even more trickery to be had.
However, we weren't clued in on what that trickery was. Also, have you ever gotten tired from just clapping? We bet it takes quite a while as long as you're healthy. Go ahead and do it once, but don't worry about repeat viewings.
Doing Damage to a Person's Character
You can still look this clip up if you want. There are lots of social media reactions to it, including by chefs themselves. However, the person in question never actually said the line – it was edited to appear that way.
“Frankenbiting” is when producers take sound bites and mix them up to make a totally new line. Boring stuff doesn't keep people entertained, and most people are mostly boring, and that just doesn't work on television. It's amazing that the lady was able to laugh it off after all this time.
Save Money Where You Can
If you can build something cheap on a game show, go for it. You can always fix it in post. Some nice paint, decorations, and metal hardware can make any filming set look like it will last through Armageddon. This person has seen the sausage get made from a couple of different places, both as an employee and as a contestant.
Producers want things to be perfect, so a lot of work goes into re-doing things. Even the sets themselves. Of course, there are laws about that sort of thing. You want it shifted one foot? Shift it yourself.
That Doesn't Seem Very Fair
Yes, it's a show, which means it's supposed to be there to be entertaining, but also it is still supposed to be a fair game for the contestants. At least a little bit. It turns out “Price is Right” does what it can to make sure the show makes for good TV, even if we at home don't get to see the dirty secrets lurking behind the curtain.
Those Showcase Showdowns are worth a hefty amount of cash, so getting to have a second chance at guessing the correct price – and thus win the entire episode – seems like an unfair shake. Did the other contestant get to rebid as well?
Define "Lifetime Supply"
Now, we all love a nice candy bar. As a kid, if you got a “lifetime supply” of Butterfingers, it would be a dream come true. As adults, we of course know that we'd get sick of them really fast, and this story bears out that truth.
The first week or month would be great, but after that, you'll start to hate any candy bar wrapped in any color. We still can't eat Kentucky Fried Chicken, thanks to a month-long event that served way too many crispy chicks for free.
At the Pinnacle
When it comes to classic TV icons, it's hard to get more classic than Dick Clark himself, who hosted “American Bandstand” for more than thirty years and is responsible for giving many musical artists their first taste of fame. He also hosted a few game shows, such as this one.
This person even began a regular correspondence with Clark, which must have come as a bit of surprise – getting to meet an icon is one thing, but most of us wouldn't expect to be friends. All in all, a good time for this game show contestant.
The Wheel of Filming Forever
This is a fairly common occurrence when it comes to game shows. They aren't scripted so there's no reason not to film a big handful all in one day when the crew is already there. We're glad to hear that Sajak is a good guy because he seems like one. After doing that job for so long, he's probably plenty aware that nicer is better.
Also, if you've ever wondered why the wheel doesn't spin all that much, or why the contestants are so weak, they aren't – the wheel is weighed down for safety reasons.
One of the Weirder Areas of TV
Television can get strange sometimes. From obstacle courses to reality TV, and finally to whatever this kind of show is. “Judge Judy” was the front-runner, and now there are lots of copycat courtroom shows.
This story gives us a look behind the scenes – the cases are real, and mostly small-claims cases from the Los Angeles area. It's actually kinda nice that the show doesn't make you pay if you've been ruled guilty or at fault or whatever. You even get paid. Sure, there's some humiliation, but it's no surprise there are people still willing to go on the show.
Laugh! Laugh Harder!
Comedy specials are one of the more realistic “live” TV shows that you'll see, since the jokes are all from one single performance. They might be able to cut to different performances that happen on different nights, but it would have to be planned beforehand because the stage and outfit would have to be identical.
Otherwise, it risks giving the game away, which takes people out of the humor. Still, it seems producers for these kinds of shows have a couple of tricks up their sleeves, such as pre-taping audience reactions to splice into the performances!
Speak Now or Be Legally Bound to Forever Hold Your Peace
“unReal” was a fictional TV show that focused on a reality show staff that did everything they could to drum up viewership. We don't know anything else about this person's time on “Married at First Sight,” but we can't help but agree that it seems like it would be a rough way to get a start with your new wife or husband.
The fact that this show found it necessary to pay out even years afterward doesn't reflect well on the show as a whole. Plus, imagine going on a show and then needing counseling, yikes!
You Can Afford It
If there's something that fans and even non-fans remember about “Jeopardy!” it's almost certainly the amazing run that Ken Jennings had during the midst of 2004. Jennings holds not only the record for the highest number of consecutive games won, but he also has the highest winnings of regular season-play and is second in the all-time winnings list including tournaments.
Amazingly, he isn't even at the top of the single-game winnings list, which is dominated by the name James Holzhauer. Still, Jennings has earned all that money and can't find the dime to pay back this guy? Seems kinda strange.
Is a Racing Show a Game Show?
At the very least, “Top Gear” does things a little differently, putting people near the front that have trouble seeing or deserve to have a good view, but in the end, it's still all for TV – remember, the hosts are looking at the cameras, not at the audience.
Despite the different format, the odd things that you see, and the hilarious hosts, it's still TV that has a studio audience, which means they're picking people they want to be visible to create a show that people will want to watch!
Vanna With the Good Advice
The story goes that some directors taught lucky contestants how to project their voices and properly answer questions. The audition takes place in a convention room in Brooklyn with eighty people playing a few rounds of the game.
From there, the number got narrowed down to eighteen, who were flown out to participate in a marathon filming session. Dressed-down Vanna White reminded everybody that they needed to buy vowels. This contestant won a trip, but you still have to pay taxes on prizes, so it was like an eighty-five-percent-off trip.
The Difference an Ocean Makes
This might be kind of going out on a limb, but it seems like the shows that are from the United Kingdom have a better track record than the American varieties. Is it because of the culture?
Did drama overtake the idea of a fun game show? Even for long-running franchises like “The Price is Right,” there's so much deception and editing that what we're seeing on the screen isn't anything like what really happened. It's impossible for us to say, but we'd be interested in finding out where the divide is.
Lots of Clothing
We guess a surprising amount of work goes into the outfits and clothing of the host, on-screen personalities, and contestants of these game shows. Really, it's just like any other show.
Clothes make the man, after all. If all of these stories are true, it kind of seems like “Pointless” is one of the better shows to be on, with a more relaxed attitude, more fun, and better hosts. Plus, they don't have to stage as much. Of course, they still edit things down for time reasons, but they also make the game show a real competition. BALL BAG BALL BAG!
It Isn't All Fun and Games
Even on a game show that made its name by offering up amazing prizes, there are some things that just aren't feasible. They can't offer you movie tickets, because you have to choose a movie, a theater, and a showing time – it just doesn't make sense. So, they offer a cash value instead.
Which actually seems nice – if you aren't a movie-goer you can spend the money on some DVDs instead. Also, the car that they show to great excitement isn't the one you win – you get a similar car hot off the assembly line.
60-Minute Competition, 60-Hour Judging
Cooking shows have come into vogue in a big way. People who have honed their craft and pushed themselves to the breaking point, all gather to try and create the most flawless perfect meal.
It turns out that “Iron Chef America” really does keep contestants to sixty minutes of work, and if you do a lot of cooking you know that the minutes just fly by. But while the chefs only have a limited amount of time, the judges get to take their sour, sweet, or salty time. They wouldn't want to make a rash decision!
Turn the Temperature Down
What's the problem with 62 degrees? It's a perfectly reasonable temperature, especially if the alternative is a lot of hot lights and heavy clothing. Game show hosts are well-dressed most of the time, and Alec Baldwin is a big fancy Hollywood movie star, so he probably wants to make sure that he looks good.
Sure, you might get some shivers, but being out of your comfort zone a little bit is good for you. It toughens you up. Grows your willpower. You can do it – we believe in you.
We Can't Have a Tie!
Games need winners. Game shows are, usually, games. Thus, through math, we understand that game shows need winners. But what happens if two players have exactly the same amount at the end? Simple – a tiebreaker.
Sometimes they make for good TV, sometimes they don't, so they'll just be held while the audience is waiting around for the final winning shot. The funny part about this story is it kind of seems like it went for quite a long time since it was required that one of them got a question wrong. Must have been a couple of wise guys.
Actually Ruining a Person's Life
Think about stories you enjoy. The best ones almost always have a hero and a villain. Harry Potter and Voldemort. Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. Simba and Scar.
So it goes with reality TV, just like any other kind of show. Let it be known – if you're on the show, even if you're the kindest, sweetest person in the world, there are enough clips and shots of you doing different things to make you out to be the bad guy. This includes someone who had elements of her actual life hurt quite badly, including her real-life career.
The Loser in the Middle
As much as the game shows try to make sure everything is even and equal for all of the contestants, it's pretty hard to make a game that doesn't have SOME disparity. Heck, getting to go first in Monopoly might as well just make you the winner. For some complicated game-theory reason, being the middle of the three players on “Wheel of Fortune” makes it harder for you to win.
It has to do with guessing more – it seems like it would be a good thing, but there are some downsides, too. It probably isn't a huge difference, but every bit helps.
Good at Geography
This story had plenty more to it, including that host Greg Lee apparently had really bad breath. The stage director also wanted this contestant to smile bigger. This show was all about knowing the countries, cities, and geography of the world, so no doubt a middle-school student who knew what Eritrea was, and that it had just become an independent country, is going to get in.
For those of you who haven't even heard of Eritrea — it's in Eastern Africa. There are about six million people in it, and it has some very pretty mountains.
The Unluckiest Link
“Weakest Link” was a game show that ran for more than ten years in the United Kingdom, making the jump across the pond in a similar format. At the end of each round of trivia questions, contestants voted for each other – the person with the most votes was the weakest link, and left the stage.
However, it was all for TV. Contestants are also asked about their best and worst subjects and often given questions about their worst subjects. Some have suspected that this is the show's way of giving their favorite contestants a better chance.
Cackles That Shine Go to the First Line!
It was a 10% game show and a 90% check out these funny videos, but AFV was still a favorite for lots of families. Nowadays you can go online and check out enough funny videos to make your head hurt, but back in the day, it was this or nothing. While the videos were the big draw, there still had to be an audience to laugh and cheer, and of course, that meant moving people around.
If you're still surprised that audience members are picked and manipulated to create the best effect, we have a bridge to sell you.
We All Have Our Breaking Point
Think that game shows are simple? Think again, as they don't always go as planned. Case in point: this story, which was a show that didn't even make it to double-digit episodes.
Technical issues aren't what you usually expect to tank a show, but for something that relies on the tech, it can be a deal-breaker. It can also break the host, who started out willing to chat, but quickly lost his patience as the breakdowns mounted. Trust us, the number of shows that never get off the ground is pretty high.
Keeping Your Clothes Clean
We didn't exactly expect a show called “Slime Time Live” to be a show where people spend the entire time in pristine outfits. Still, it's nice to see that the producers made sure they had extra clothes to wear during the messy parts of the show.
Sadly, this story-teller didn't last long in the competition, but she and her family did get to enjoy the rest of the taping in the audience. They might not have won much, but it's still a fun time to remember. And their nice duds didn't get all slimed, either.
A Man of the People
Alex Trebek was one of the big draws to this famous trivia show. He seemed prepared for every instance, liked getting to know people, and was the consummate professional. After decades of working on the show, he probably had some tales to tell the audience and contestants during breaks in the filming. Wait, aren't these things filmed beforehand?
Why did they have to stop for commercial breaks? Are there specific bumpers that the show has to film that will go in place before and after breaks? And do they have to film them in order?
Terrible Experiences
The behind-the-scenes of game shows seem to go in one of two different directions. They either are some of the best experiences of a person's life, or they're the absolute worst. This show, which was on Disney+, was the latter.
It was March of 2020, and the production of the show kept getting pushed back. Eventually, it was just canceled, and everybody involved was thrilled that they wouldn't have to go back for more suffering. Having to spend your own money on clothes to appear on TV should be a no-go from the start.
Tyra Banks Had No Wardrobe Budget!
When people are on TV, they very rarely look like themselves. Most of the time it's because they're acting, but even talk shows or the like will do a lot to make the guests better for the camera. Whether that's with their personality or their personal style, what you see on the screen isn't accurate a lot of the time.
As this story tells us, they even loan them clothes that still have the tags on them. Why? So they can return them to the store and make it look like they've never been worn! We thought that Tyra Banks doesn't have to stoop to that sort of penny-pinching!
Sweet, Sweet... Slime?!
If you have ever seen a Nickelodeon game show, such as “You Can't Do That on Television,” you're familiar with the foamy, sticky slime that gets dumped over losers. Or winners. Or everybody, hey, why the hell not?
Now, not everybody loves pineapple, but there are lots and lots of things that would taste a lot worse. Heck, just leaving it unflavored would probably be stomach-turning. Of course, the question on everybody's mind is: why did this person taste it? Some reality show secrets will forever remain, well, secretive.
Cheer Factor?
It's possible this person is making a little joke, but there's no such thing as a stunt degree. If there was, it would immediately become the most sought-after degree in the history of higher education. Kids who have been in stunt families are highly-trained and incredibly talented at testing things out and making sure people stay safe because they've been around it all their lives.
We're still thinking about a stunt degree. What kind of classes would there be? What kind of tests? How do you fail? Actually, we think we know how you would fail, and it isn't pretty.
Sabotaging a Potential Millionaire
You may have always wondered why so many simple questions get wrong answers when contestants ask the audience. Well, this is why – they want the current schlub to lose so that they can see their family member or friend in the hot seat.
The audience is basically a collection of people who are trying to sabotage the current player! It's not certain if this is true in all the versions around the world – the French version only allows one person per contestant in the stands, and there's a law officer on set to curb cheating.
She Gets the Good Water
Anne Robinson played the terse host of this mile-a-minute game show, and while she wasn't as sharp-tongued in real life as she was during the competition, she still needed her alone time. At the very least, she was able to congratulate the winner. And, of course, she had to stay hydrated and Anne had to get the good water!
To be fair, she does most of the talking during an episode, had to be clear and concise, and didn't want to waste any more of her day – if one episode takes that long, she probably has quite the schedule.
No X-Factor Whatsoever
There are lots of problems with singing audition shows, one of them being that there seems to be a new one every single month. You as the audience can either be shocked by someone's talent or by someone's lack of awareness. Still, wouldn't you think the producers should tell the poor people who can't sing how bad they are before they put them on the air for all of us to laugh at?
Those goofballs who don't belong anywhere near a microphone were let through, certainly on purpose. Remember that they're not trying to find real talent – they're making a TV show.
The Modeling Industry Is Fake? Say It Ain't So!
Here's an important fact to remember when it comes to reality shows. They aren't trying to find the right winner – they're trying to create something people will want to watch and talk about.
A lot of people who watched the famous Tyra Banks product “Next Top Model” might not want to admit it, but some ANTM winners made them suspect it was all an elaborate hoax. The fact that the winner was picked out beforehand is a bit of a shock, but that's how TV goes, baby.
Pre-Planned and Cut Down
“House Hunters” is one of the stranger pieces of reality TV. We don't really know if it's a game show or not. A couple looks at a bunch of homes and struggles over which one they're going to buy as their new living quarters. But, as this story relates, it's all fake.
They bought the house before filming even began, and it's simple to tell which one is going to end up as theirs at the end of the episodes since there's nothing inside!
Late Night Viewing
Getting to watch trained competitors take on amazing obstacles and challenges is a joy for all of us, even as we sit and munch on Doritos. It turns out that even being a spectator to this athletic game show takes hard work, since it has to happen at night, and we mean NIGHT.
Not eight P.M. night – we're talking the witching hour here. When spirits are out. And, also, American Ninja Warrior is filming. Still, it seems like it was a good experience, even if they did police your clothing a lot.
They're All Made Into Losers or Villians
Having your words and actions twisted into becoming the villain seems like the kind of thing that only the bad guys would do. Now then, let's talk about TV producers. Even a reality game show like “Big Brother” is more or less scripted, even if the people in the shows don't have scripts.
It doesn't matter if you're the nicest guy in the house, those cameras can make you into the evilest person around. TV producers seem dedicated to twisting and warping the public's perception of people on their shows, even if it means painting someone in a bad color.
Okay, Now Everybody Look Half Disgusted and Half Relieved
If you think this is bad, imagine being a movie actor who has to come back weeks or months after filming a scene because something was just barely off, meaning you have to reshoot the entire scene.
That means getting back into character, getting into the emotions, and maybe even getting back into shape. Makes filming reactions separate from everything else not seem that bad, doesn't it? Still, it must be annoying, since these shows are supposed to be realistic and more natural than sitcoms or drama television.
So What Do I Do With It?
Yeah, Plinko! Everybody loves Plinko, despite it being almost one hundred percent luck. Sure, there's probably a little bit of science that helps you find the perfect way to drop it or spin it or something, but only someone who really obsessively studies the game could ever learn a thing like that.
Also, we'd like to know what the teacher did with a prize that he literally could not use at all. You can choose not to accept a prize, but you aren't promised anything in return, which means he might have been out of luck.
MasterChef Dishes Are Always Served Cold!
Cooking shows are one of the types of game shows that have come into favor with lots of people. They're exciting, they're creative, they feature lots of tasty food, and you might learn something too.
But, of course, the TV format makes things a little difficult, and serving food hours after it was warm and ready for eating is one of the struggles for these kinds of competitions. Thus, the judges make their move during the creation itself to make sure they have a good baseline.
Chasing Down the Tech Guy
Yeah, computers, huh? There's no need to be worried about machines taking over, like in “Terminator” – if one thing crashes it will all be over. And those hot, hot studio lights aren't going to be a friend to somebody who isn't accustomed to them. Even little stage lights are much brighter than you expect – lighting for TV is going to be even brighter.
At least Brooke Burns made everything better, and it turns out she has a pretty good memory, too. That's the kind of thing that will help you go a long way as a game show host.
Well, That's Nice
“Dancing with the Stars” is a bit different from some of the other examples that crowd this list, being kind of a cross between an idol show and “American Ninja Warrior,” but it still counts. It's a show that has a lot of moving parts – and we're not even counting the dancers.
Anyway, it's fun to see that the stars get to have friends and family in the audience for their dances. Not only does it make them feel appreciated, but it also probably keeps them a little relaxed. Friends have that effect.
C'mon, People, Keep It Moving
One of the more interesting facts that come out of this list is how often game shows will film episode after episode in a single day or a single week, then, it takes weeks to edit and work on the actual production.
So when you see the contestants gather with the host as the credits are rolling, remind yourself that they're about to be shunted off the stage like yesterday's recycling. Not unkindly, we hope – they have to get ready for the next episode, and all the contestants want is to get back to their homes to enjoy their prizes.
The Price Is Right Is Not as Random as You'd Think
“The Price is Right” is a long-running show that has given all of us a chance to watch people win some fabulous prizes – and the producers have the formula down to a science. Though it seems like you have a random chance of making it onto the show, in truth, everyone is interviewed beforehand, and the contestants are selected in a non-random manner.
There are multiple possible reasons for this: there's a good mix of guys and gals, there aren't any crazy people getting too close to national treasure Drew Carey, and they can also pick the most photogenic people.
Rule Number One of TV: No Shiny Heads
Can't be having that, the glare would be all kinds of distracting. It would have the audience, the viewers, the other contestants, and even the host doing nothing but staring at this guy's shiny head. We imagine he's bald, but that's never actually mentioned.
To be quite fair, the bright lights of television are all kinds of warm, and anybody who isn't as cold as possible is going to end up sweating it out. Makeup professionals are paid the big bucks for a good reason. Otherwise, everybody on TV would just be a big ball of sweat.
We Need More, Man!
We don't know when this story is from, what game show it was, who the host was, or even what KIND of game show it was – all we know is it had a comedian come out during breaks to keep the audience happy when the host disappeared.
There are lots of stories about game show hosts being talkative with the audience, so it's almost weird to see one that has the host straight-up disappear without any interaction at all. We wish we could know who it was that refused to mingle, but this is all we have.
It's a Lot of Work Looking Pretty
You might be perfectly happy with your job most of the time, but every day, you still can't wait to get home, change into sweats, cook up some stir-fry, and watch TV.
Even people who are paid to look their best and stand next to fabulous prizes have their off-days. They have a lot of changing outfits and big smiles on their plates, and we are unironically calling that hard work. Maybe not the HARDEST work, but it will wear you down.
Rules for Getting Picked
While it seems like “The Price is Right” is the kind of show that will have everybody, there are some things that make it difficult. Drew Carey having to pronounce difficult names could be embarrassing, take up time, or impede filming.
Also, the producers don't want there to be any confusion when your name gets called out, so if you and someone else have the exact same name, it's a no-go. And it should be simple to see why: if your name gets called, and you rise just as someone else does, it could end up in a fistfight!
It's Like a Variety Show
Hopefully you, dear reader, are aware that TV shows are edited to fit inside a thirty/sixty-minute time frame (and also have space for ads). Depending on how hard or easy it is for the producers and director to film something, they might do them in an order that isn't the same as when it's aired.
Still, it sounds like this time was a lot of fun – but what kind of family game show has musical performances and interviews? Not one we've ever heard of.
Not Pointless
If you've never heard of “Pointless,” the UK television quiz show, it's sort of a combo of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” and “Family Feud,” using surveys and trivia questions to achieve the lowest score. It seems the show is pretty relaxed when it comes to the rules since the first people answering a question get more time to think of a proper answer.
It seems unfair at first, but remember that all the other pairs of contestants get that same time, too. And it should come as no surprise that Richard Osman has big hands – he's six-foot-seven, and that means all-around big.
Asking the Smart Questions
For a long time, “Jeopardy” was the game show for the brainy sort, requiring you to know everything from history to geography to science to literature – and even puns. The people writing the questions apparently really have to know their stuff, as this person from the Polish version relates.
Sure, the people writing the questions have to know their stuff, but why do they need such advanced degrees? It could be because producers want to avoid as much confusion as possible, so they need experts who know the material front and back.
Yeah, Taxes Are Complicated. Always.
Weddings are super expensive, as anyone who is trying to get married or has gotten married will tell you. Some people will try and shoot the moon by appearing on game shows such as this one, and this lucky couple actually won...and ended up paying even more than they planned thanks to tax laws.
Yeah, it turns out game show winnings are usually taxed. Some of the shows throw a little extra in to make sure the contestants aren't caught holding the short end of the stick, but not all of them.
Why Wear Anything at All Underneath?
Heck, there's no reason to even go that far. If the camera isn't going to see anything below the waist, you could show up in sweatpants or boxers.
Unprofessional, yes, but it also affords an unparalleled level of comfort on those hot, sweaty TV sets. We don't know Jeremy Paxman from Adam, but we wouldn't be surprised if he does occasionally wear a full suit. Sometimes, though, he wears pants that don't match. He's going to be there all day, sometimes comfort is more important than looking good when you aren't on TV.
Stay Away
If your 9-5 job was to act like the biggest, toughest guy in the ring to an arena full of crazed fans, the last thing you want to do is have to put on the act when you're destressing backstage, too.
It turns out if you're backstage at one of these production companies, just stay in your lane and don't bother people who might be working on other productions. If one of them strikes up a conversation, that's fine, but they have their own work to do.
Your Prize Is... WD40?
Yeah, that seems a little bit like a cheap prize, but a can of WD-40 is always handy to have around. Just last month, we had to use some to loosen up a rusty screw. It didn't actually help, but we're sure it would have if the screw wasn't stripped. It's a handy tool to have around, even if you aren't using it every day.
We would like to point out that at its current price, a lifetime's supply of WD-40 is worth about forty dollars. We think the big wheel could have done better than that.
Baiting the Hook
The host of this game show, Anne Robinson, is notoriously mean. It seems like the show is built around utilizing this as a feature, not a bug, since they don't let the contestants meet her before filming. We're sure she's a perfectly nice person in real life.
It's good to take a look at your methods and see if there are ways to reduce time – you might find that you have more free time in your life than you thought if you do things in the right order.
That's How You Get Good TV
A big part of game shows or competition shows is the drama and action of it all. Whether it's cooking, shopping, or building Legos, lots of the shows are on a time crunch. Of course, as long as you have some time management skills, it won't be an issue.
That's not what the producers want, however, so they'll sometimes have people run around to collect supplies, so they can film that and make it look like things were a lot more intense. Would we enjoy the shows as much as we do if they didn't take this tactic? We can't say.
Getting the Timing Right
When you're a kid, you might think that all television, even fictional shows, are filmed live – that's if you understand that they're fictional, of course. As you grow a little, you might think that they're filmed between when the last show came out and the next one, with a week to do all the work.
Finally, once your brain has settled, you realize it's all filmed months in advance to leave plenty of time for editing and post-production. This creates one of the few reasons why somebody might dress up as Santa during the warmest months of the year.
Repping the Little Guys
The line between game shows, talk shows, and reality shows just keeps on getting blurred. As people try to find a format that will give long-lasting appeal, things get murkier and murkier.
Conan has only really been a talk show host, but we'll still count it. It turns out he plays some underground music when the cameras are off – the alt-rock and indie scene has exploded in recent years, so there's no telling which banger he's spinning to keep the audience occupied between segments.
Let There Be Equality
People are at different heights. Just look around you – even if you're not in a very public place, it probably won't be too hard to find someone above six feet, and someone barely over five, even if there are only adults.
We guess that game shows don't want this obvious fact to be too distracting, so they use risers on platforms to help make things look a little more equal for the cameras.