The next few days will be a bit strange around here. I’m going to Los Angeles to visit GSN Live, potenetially Family Feud, as well as a few other things, so I think this debate may keep you happy for a bit. We’ve been doing the preparation work for BuzzerBlog’s Top 10 of 2008 and we want to get you in the voting spirit this year.
We’ll have two polls, but here’s the first: what was the best new game show of 2008? We had a lot. And a lot of those weren’t too good (at least in my eyes). I’m looking at the list and not many of them are sticking around. But that doesn’t mean there weren’t good. Vote and tell us what you think the best new game show of 2008 was, as well as leave a comment here or on the poll if you choose to back up your answer. We’ll have the results at the end of the month.
In a week or so we’ll have one more poll, the best game show of 2008, so be on the lookout.
46 Responses
The Mole isn’t new in the strictest sense…but then again if I say a new Mole after like 2 years without one isn’t new, then American Gladiators, Daytime DoND, and Million Dollar Password aren’t really new, so hey what can you do.
Posted on December 12th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Hey Alex, why are you going to visit GSN Live?
Posted on December 12th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Okay, just to be devil’s advocate…
THINK LIKE A CAT! that is the best show EVER. I mean EVER.
Who cares about ANY show, even Melrose Place? Think Like a Cat rocks out with it’s socks out!
And Sanjaya should have won American Idol.
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 12:20 am
I don’t see why we can’t vote for either Cha$e or Estate of Panic – both of which STILL haven’t been covered on this site! I know Estate’s season is nearly over, so I’ll assume Cha$e is similar. Of all of the truly new shows, I think they’re the best of the year. But The Mole HAD to get my vote… probably the last time I vote for anything having to do with ABC.
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 12:25 am
I’m visiting GSN Live because I’m a big fan, I’ve known a few staff members since they worked on I’ve Got A Secret, and it looks like fun.
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 12:31 am
What, no I Survived A Japanese Game Show?
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 12:40 am
What? No “Majide?” What a nutty marvelous concept. Daily (NOT Daytime) DOND would have been a close second, though it’s far and away an improvement over NBC’s version. Password: nice update, strong contender. Same for another show left off the list – Cha$e. Talk about taking a game of “Tag” to the next level. Great stuff. Sci Fi’s got to bring that show back.
The rest…yeah.
(Even worse, I realize the error of my ways. I took briefcases over Big Balls! NOOOOO!!!)
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 3:12 am
I’m glad some other people are talking Cha$e and Estate of Panic. I really like both of those shows. Judging by what people here are saying, they are done? That kinda sucks. Of the both, I would choose Cha$e over Estate, but I am entertained by both!
The Mole got my vote too. I loved that show!
I guess Duel is officially last year, huh? That’s a disappointment, too.
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 3:32 am
It really does suck that Estate of Panic isn’t on this list.. that is, by far, my personal #1 game show this year. It’s nice to see something like Fear Factor back on the air.
I voted for Wipeout, which was also pretty good, in my opinion. The family liked it too. ^_^
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 5:05 am
The Mole! I love that show, can’t get enough of it…hope it comes back, but I’m not holding my breath.
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
I really think that Million Dollar Password is the best show to come out of 2008. It retains most of the classic gameplay (minus the puzzles, which were kind of overrated anyway). put in a great host who actually knows how to keep a show fun and entertaining, grabs some celebrity partners that are actually famous and not totally inept, and throws it all together in a cool set with nice music. Plus, the end game is incredibly tense: anyone remember when the guy went for $250,000 and lost? Heartbreaking.
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
I have no idea why I didn’t choose The Mole. I think in the back of my mind, I made the mental decision that “it wasn’t new, therefore no vote.” And I probably would have picked Cha$e, mostly for the same reason why I would have picked The Mole. But instead, I settled on DDOND, which in retrospect, isn’t new either, just a reworking. D’oh! I fail for the day.
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Million Dollar Password by far. Seeing Betty White back to doing what she does best just amazed me and Regis Philbin was an incredible host. The show in total was overflowing with win.
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
If Estate of Panic were included, I would vote for it. Constantly. I just saw last weeks’, and the final round and vault were awesome. I was worried they were running out of ideas, but the fear factor guys clearly have plenty more up their sleeves. I can’t see SciFi NOT renewing it, unless the cost is proving too much vs. the audience they get vs. other shows in the time slot (South Park).
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Million Dollar Password hands down. I’m so glad Fremantle didn’t screw with what Bob Stewart created. And seeing Betty White again only added to the win.
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Million Dollar Password by a mile. Best classic remake in a long time, updated and frsh for the times, yet very, very smart. Great host, great gameplay, which will only improve this season. And a GREAT home game — The Target version is an exclusive with 60% more category rounds.
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
On general principles, I didn’t want to vote for something that’s not really a new show. Unforunately, that left only three shows I’d seen that could possibly be considered new: HMIE, Catch 21 and Bingo America. I voted for MDP rather than any of those.
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
The Mole.
‘Nuff said.
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I voted for Wipeout. Of the above shows it was the only one that I wanted to watch every week. Although I liked the reworking of MDP and DDonD, I can live without them.
Also, not saying it would get any votes at all but something else was left off the list…the infamous…
HOLE IN THE WALL!!!
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
I voted for Million Dollar Password/Pyramid. By far, the best new/remake of 2008. I have my personal top 10, and they are (from 10-1):
10. Moment of Truth. Reason? all year I’ve been ranting my dislike for this show.
9. The Mole. ABC should’ve killed it when Ahmad Rashad hosted it.
8. Think Like a Cat. Why 8? sympathy points for GSN.
7. How Much Is Enough?. Would’ve been great for the Big Three nets in the ’80s, but not for GSN in 2008.
6. Amne$ia. Anyone has one of those Men In Black devices that wipes out memories so I could forget this show even existed?
5. Bingo America. Good show. Wish I could win just once.
4. Trivial Pursuit: America Plays. Another good show. Too bad viewers don’t agree with me.
3. Wipeout. Excellent concept, not to mention funny.
2. (Daytime) Deal or No Deal. A very close second to…….
1. Million Dollar Password. CBS, you have a good thing. Don’t blow it like you did Power of 10.
Honorable Mention:
Wanna Bet?
My Family’s got GUTS
American Gladiators
I Survived A Japanese Game Show
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
The Mole should not even be on the list. It is not a new show.
In my opinion, the Daytime Deal or no Deal is the best of the new crop of shows.
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
How is Daytime DOND not on the best new game show of 2008? It’s a lot better than the soon-to-be-outta-here primetime version. It’s fast paced, the contestants are not emotional, and best of all, the contestant has no support group when making a decision.
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
It was on the best game show of 2008. My fault.
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Here are some more Honorable Mention that I forgot about:
Cha$e (or as I like to call it Extreme Tag)
Catch 21
Hole In the Wall
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
I’m surprised that “I survived a Japanese Game Show” isn’t on the shortlist.
booo-urns!
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
If I had to pick top three, it’d be MDP number one, Wipeout #2, and I think Cha$e number three.
There’s not a lot of watchable on that list.
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Julia, I think DayDoND is as “new” as season 5 of The Mole. At least in each go-round of “The Mole” they have to make new challenges and tasks.
Posted on December 14th, 2008 at 1:06 am
Ok, not to be repetitive or anything, but I MUST agree with many of the above commenters about Estate of Panic. When I first heard about the concept, I thought it was simple and genius. I wasn’t disappointed! If the list contained this show, I would’ve voted for it, but for now, I chose Million Dollar Password :D
Posted on December 14th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I’m a little surprised no one’s mentioned trivial pursuit, I immensely enjoy it, the questions are about middle, some are a few too easy but that’s alright, great playalong potential with a simple format, Christopher Knight’s doing a better job as hsot hen I expected and the prize money’s not bad, it’s certainly better than the budget crosswords had.
Posted on December 15th, 2008 at 3:14 am
See, I find Trivial Pursuit to be boring. I like the ‘America Plays’ concept, but it doesn’t feel like there are enough questions in the show. I’ll still watch it from time to time, but I think it could/should be better.
Posted on December 15th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
I agree with Tim Tender. It’s a really boring show – you can tell that Christopher Knight – who I think does a more than respectable job with what he’s given – has a light he has to watch for that means “stall.” The format itself is interesting, although questions for me tend to fall squarely into “you know it” or “you don’t” – very little potential to guess it right, but the execution with needing only 6 right answers to win is just the pits. I’d rather see something closer to (can’t believe I’m saying this) Bingo America, where contestants try to fill up a full pie. Maybe switch it to two players as well – there always seems to be one really dumb one. As it is, the show feels less like a full 30 minute game show, and more like something you’d see sandwiched between a real program.
Posted on December 15th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Deff The Mole. Yeah, it’s been around since 2001, but it hasn’t had new episodes since 2004. I am part of the SAVEtheMOLE movement cuz The Mole is one of the very few shows where people at home can play along with the show and guess who it is. (The only other show I can think of that you can play along with is Murder in Small Town X, but that show has been canceled sadly as it was well put together with a great story line and tons of twist and turns). I hope ABC notices that The Mole is a great show and keep it around for many years.
Posted on December 15th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
To Marc Power: Apparently you haven’t read my post. It was #4 on my personal Top 10 list. And……..
To those who find the show boring: Granted, it’s dull and kind of slow for game show standards, but, it’s fun to watch and play along. And Marc Power’s right, Chris is doing a good job as host (considering the fact that he got the job a month before the show actually premiered), and the budget is a lot better than Crosswords or Temptation. I’m thought of a way to boost the show’s ratings…….can you say Tournament of Champions?
Posted on December 15th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Catch 21, hands down.
Posted on December 15th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
I also am voting for MILLION Dollar Password! Classic Show updated for today. Great host and, I hope we see some bigger winners as well, we will I hope.
The New GSN shows are good too. Nice to see good new shows, but ARRRGGGHH, when will be see THE MONEY LIST?! The Mole, nice to see that back, too.
Bet you The Money List will be a contender for 2009, though.
Posted on December 15th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Million Dollar Password is easily the winner here. It’s not just the best game show this year, it’s the best game show in a loooong time. Regis is great, the set and music package are fabulous, and the game is as fun as ever.
Posted on December 16th, 2008 at 1:22 am
Pat!!! ‘Murder in Smalltown X’ was an amazing show. I’d love to see that again. It’s sad that it didn’t make the cut. I’m right there with you for ‘The Mole,’ too.
Posted on December 16th, 2008 at 3:23 am
I voted for daytime DOND because the show moves along faster and so far we haven’t had to worry about all the gimmicks of the primetime version. Many of the shows that can be voted for I thought would be fun to play but are definately boring to watch and some of them were down right stupid (MYIBTYD, TLAC, HMIE things of that nature). Personally I stick with the classics cause there’s not been very many shows made since 2000 that I’ve liked. I believe that the quality of game shows has taken on a downhill approach.
Posted on December 16th, 2008 at 4:54 am
I’m surprised no one mentioned “The Gong Show” (not even your poll, Alex). Then again, I’m not sure if very many people tuned in when it was on, anyway.
It was a tough decision, but I went with “Wipeout”, only because watching overweight (and overconfident) people slip and fall on the Big Balls never gets old. (That, and I still haven’t forgiven Fremantle Media for ruining a number of revivals, dating back to Card Sharks ‘01. I’d like to see the Fremantle’s upper management forced to run the Wipeout gauntlet, if only because I’d get great pleasure out of watching Syd Vinneage (sp?) plummet on the Big Balls.)
Posted on December 19th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
My top 5:
5. How Much is Enough? – Great format, but got boring after about 5 minutes. Corbin Bernsen suffered a little bit from Dylan Lane Syndrome
4. My Family’s Got GUTS – Well-done revival by Nick. One of their best shows in a while.
3. Million Dollar Password – Again, great format, but points off for putting a safe haven at the $250,000 level guaranteeing a shot at the million.
2. American Gladiators – Season 1 left something to be desired, and they fixed that in Season 2 by bringing back some of the best events from the original series (Atlasphere to name one). Would’ve been number 1 if not for…
1. WIPEOUT – The format is incredible. On paper, the show could get old very fast, however, like Russian Roulette, seeing people fall off giant rubber balls into a pool of water is hilarious every time (except maybe for Jacob Mann). The Johns (Anderson & Henson) are funny as heck, the sideline reporter Jill Wagner is always laughing at the contestants, in all the show looks like a parody of reality shows in general. Top marks!!
Posted on December 20th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
If a show has a great format, how or why does it get boring so quickly? There’s nothing great about that.
And for Million Dollar Password, since only one person has attempted the quarter million, why is guaranteeing a free shot at a million a bad thing?
Posted on December 20th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
I forgot about “The Gong Show”. Granted, the 2008 version is not the same as the Chuck Berris version, but it’s still entertaining.
Posted on December 20th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Mike: HMIE?’s format looked good on paper, is what I mean, and as far as MDP is concerned, a free shot at the million isn’t exciting. A player gets the $250k, I think there should be some sort of risk involved. Maybe a safe haven at $100k would work better.
Posted on December 20th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
OK, you’re on drugs, Whammy. How Much is Enough? is a game of chicken. There’s very little strategy to it and the first person to hit a button in the final round wins. It was a train wreck, plain and simple.
Re: MDP, you’re telling me someone going for a million dollars isn’t exciting, where the contestant and celebrity must have an absolutely perfect round with killer words? If the words were “cat”, “dog”, “apple”, “baby”, and “water”, agreed, too easy. Once you start pulling out the higher level words like “barricade” and “fiasco”, both people have to be on their A-game in order to even come close to sniffing the million.
Posted on December 21st, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Someone going for a million on any game show is exciting, Mike, agree. How Much is Enough kind of reminds me of a reverse version of the Any Number game (i hope I got the game right) on The Price is Right (not to say that that’s a good thing).
Posted on December 21st, 2008 at 5:37 pm
DeVares: I think you’re thinking of Magic Number.
Mike: I agree with you that HMIE was terrible, and I retract my earlier comment that the format looked good on paper. However, I still stand by my comment that a $100,000 guarantee would work better than a free shot at a million bucks. There should be some risk involved.
Posted on December 22nd, 2008 at 6:11 pm
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