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Television Game Shows: A History
There is nothing more satisfying than watching someone just like you win on television. Perhaps the satisfaction we feel is a reflection of our own desires to win easy money or have our time in the spotlight. Whatever the reason, televised game shows have a long and steady presence in the entertainment industry.
Origination
Game shows originated in the 1950s along with the introduction of television into most American homes. They almost immediately fell out of favor due to scandals surrounding the legitimacy of the winning contestants, but did eventually return in full force.
Beginning in the 1960s, television game shows began to offer prizes worth relatively small cash amounts and refocus on simple questions or physical challenges. These shows quickly gained back the popularity lost by the scandals of the 1950s, and continued to grow in favor among mainstream America.
Development
New concepts began to emerge in the late 1960s and 1970s. The precursors of reality television were introduced in the form of dating shows, talent competition and particularly scandalous programming quizzing newlyweds. These marriage shows even occasionally led to divorces among contestants. While this particular style of show has all but faded from modern television, other styles of shows from this era live on.
The golden age of game shows developed in the 1970s alongside the reality style shows. The most popular shows of this time involved spinning giant wheels or playing guessing games to try and find the correct price or match. Often the production sets of these shows involved bright flashing lights that entranced audiences. During this time, the classical elements of game shows, such as lights, display boards, and musical elements were introduced.
Modern Times
Game shows enjoyed a resurgence of popularity beginning in the early twenty-first century. Entirely new genres of game shows have been introduced, most often closely aligning themselves to reality television. Survival games or challenges involving racing other teams around the globe led this trend, while game shows designed to insultingly eliminate contestants based on disapproval votes flourished.
Other shows developed around various card games including poker and blackjack, but these programs are drawing controversy over their true identity. Many believe casino style games are not authentic game shows.
Some shows, primarily those in Asian countries absolutely defy categorization. These shows can involve huge physical challenges and even potential bodily harm. For example, in one game show, contestants drank beer while sitting on blocks of ice. The first contestant to leave his icy seat and go to the restroom was declared the loser and left behind in the icy region for a certain period of time. Other shows are overtly provocative, such as a game show where a naked woman is behind a screen, hidden by strips of paper. Every time she answers a question wrong, a strip of the paper is removed.
The sheer number of game shows throughout recent history gives a clear indication of what is to come. Human nature drives us to watch others succeed and fail. Game shows will continue in one format or another so long as there are individuals sitting in front of their television set clamoring to watch them.
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