2008 Game Show Changes Roundup

23 Jul

Posted by Alex Davis as CBS, Syndication, The Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

Wow, are there a lot of changes going in 2008 to game shows or what? Right now we have two new shows coming into syndication, at least two being prepared for next season’s syndicated track, GSN has two revivals coming out as well Catch 21 just starting and a cat game show later in the year, networks are gearing up their new game shows, and at least three established shows will be receiving some major changes. It’s a lot to keep up on; I’m even having issues. Because of that, I figured it might be best to go through some of the changes we are absolutely positive about right now.

And remember. Game Shows in Fall 2008: Remain Cautiously Optimistic.

*Wheel of Fortune will be adding a million dollar wedge which takes the place of the $10,000 space during the first three rounds. If you land on it and call a correct letter, you get the wedge. If you can make it to the end of the game with the wedge a $1,000,000 envelope will replace the $100,000 top prize.

*Who Wants to be a Millionaire? will have some form of changes that are unknown right now. All we are certain of is that it’s the biggest evolution since ABC’s Super Millionaire and it’s not been done in any other country.

*All the Price is Right whiners can be quiet for just a bit as the season premiere has taped and some of the changes as of now are known. For starters, the big wheel got a makeover so it actually fits with the rest of the set, so that’s a welcome change. Bonus spin values are new, though. A bonus spin of $0.05 or $0.15 gives you $10,000. However, if you spin the dollar again on your bonus spin, you’re getting $25,000. Nice to see some cash updates, but there are many other games which quite frankly could have used it first, like the Punchboard or Grand Game. More changes will probably come, but for now, the fear mongering that the people who claim they have insider connections really created alarm for that group of fans for absolutely no reason as of now.

Coming up this week is our promised interview with Wheel of Fortune executive producer Harry Friedman as well as a nice long video preview of syndicated Deal or No Deal.

6 Responses

DB25
1
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:47 am

I heard the “painting” of the wheel on Price was an accident and was going to be painted back to it’s previous look soon. Who knows the truth to that rumour…
Todd
2
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:35 am

Actually, Alex, the season premiere of Price HASN’T been taped yet.
Shon
3
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:01 pm

Well so far with the exception of the time limit on WWTBAM I am “Cautiously Optimistic”.

I knew fremantle wouldn’t mess with the format of a classic and the changes they are going to make to the set I’m sure will be a welcome change. I’m also happy that they are increasing the winning amounts for the showcase showdown. It’s been a long time coming.

I realize that the $1,000,000 wedge in wheel is more of a gimmick but it still works. I’d say someone will win it once every six to twelve months.
Intelligentfan777
4
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:51 pm

WOW! That is a lot to follow! But, this is an exciting, as well as very anxious, time to be a game show fan. Still, it’s a lot fun, isn’t it?
devares
5
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:01 pm

2008 looks to be the year of the game show, with changes to Millionaire, Wheel of Fortune having contestants play for $1 million, and the bonus spin spin prize changes. Not to mention to arrival of Trivial Pursuit and daytime Deal or No Deal, and I’m not getting started on GSN. It’s a great year to be a game show fan.
AEI
6
July 26th, 2008 at 7:20 pm

Actually, since the wheel is played twice per day, while Punchboard and Grand Game show up at most once every week or so, I’d rather see the extra money go to the Big Wheel.

Also, if there’s a game that needs updating, it’s Clock Game. They need to change the bonus to $5K or $10K for winning, so that it’s not the cheapest of all the games out there.