Game shows aren’t a new invention; they’ve been around for decades. However, the game show culture has evolved over different eras and has been influenced by unique trends. In the 1980s, celebrity panels where people interacted with celebs while competing for prizes were popular. In this article, we’ll highlight five of the most famous game shows of the 80s.
Jeopardy!
This game show was an intellectual and captivating source of entertainment for people in the 1980s. The host, Alex Trebek, showcases his encyclopedic knowledge and wit as contestants compete for cash prizes.
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Jeopardy! had an interestingly twisted format that kept viewers glued to their seats. Trebek stated answers, and the competing contestants had to compose responses in the form of questions.
Double Dare
From the name of this game show, you already know it was action-packed. The game was an exciting combination of shocking physical challenges and trivia questions- so it was about physical agility and intellectual ability.
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Hosted by Marc Summers, Double Dare was a ‘messy’ game depicting childhood fun’s thrill. Contestants raced against the clock as they dived into whipped cream, slime, and other gooey substances.
Press Your Luck
This game show was one of the most famous in the 80s; everyone loved the thrilling uncertainty that the contestants faced. Hosted by Peter Tomarken, Press Your Luck combined humor, strategy, and, of course, luck.
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As contestants tried to gather prizes and cash, they had to avoid the terrible ‘Whammies.’ The entertaining game show made viewers laugh in some moments and hold their breaths in anticipation in others.
Scrabble
Of course, scrabble existed for a long time before this game show made it to TV. However, Scrabble redefined the crossword game genre with its puzzle-solving challenge and typical gameplay.
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Hosted by Chuck Woolery, this television version of the popular tile-based word game was a hit with the 80s audiences. It involved contestants racing to solve puzzles in crossword style for points.
Win, Lose or Draw
This game show was also a household favorite in the late 80s. Win, Lose or Draw entertained its audience with teamwork, creativity, and humor- nothing beat the game’s unexpected twists.
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Celebrities had to team up with contestants to guess drawings sketched on a large pad. Hosted by Bert Convy and later by Robb Weller, this game show stood out for being unique.
