BuzzerBlog’s Top 10 of 2008: Best New Show of 2008
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.
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.
Hey Alex, why are you going to visit GSN Live?
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.
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.
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.
What, no I Survived A Japanese Game Show?
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$e. Talk about taking a game of “Tag” to the next level. Great stuff. Sci Fi’s got to bring that show back.
The rest…yeah.
(Even worse, I realize the error of my ways. I took briefcases over Big Balls! NOOOOO!!!)
I’m glad some other people are talking Cha$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.
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. ^_^
The Mole! I love that show, can’t get enough of it…hope it comes back, but I’m not holding my breath.
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 $250,000 and lost? Heartbreaking.
I have no idea why I didn’t choose The Mole. I think in the back of my mind, I made the mental decision that “it wasn’t new, therefore no vote.” And I probably would have picked Cha$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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
The Mole.
‘Nuff said.
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!!!
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$ia. Anyone has one of those Men In Black devices that wipes out memories so I could forget this show even existed?
5. Bingo America. Good show. Wish I could win just once.
4. Trivial Pursuit: America Plays. Another good show. Too bad viewers don’t agree with me.
3. Wipeout. Excellent concept, not to mention funny.
2. (Daytime) Deal or No Deal. A very close second to…….
1. Million Dollar Password. CBS, you have a good thing. Don’t blow it like you did Power of 10.
Honorable Mention:
Wanna Bet?
My Family’s got GUTS
American Gladiators
I Survived A Japanese Game Show
The Mole should not even be on the list. It is not a new show.
In my opinion, the Daytime Deal or no Deal is the best of the new crop of shows.
How is Daytime DOND not on the best new game show of 2008? It’s a lot better than the soon-to-be-outta-here primetime version. It’s fast paced, the contestants are not emotional, and best of all, the contestant has no support group when making a decision.
It was on the best game show of 2008. My fault.
Here are some more Honorable Mention that I forgot about:
Cha$e (or as I like to call it Extreme Tag)
Catch 21
Hole In the Wall
I’m surprised that “I survived a Japanese Game Show” isn’t on the shortlist.
booo-urns!
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.
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.
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
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.
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.