AOL TV http://www.aoltv.com http://www.aoltv.com/media/feedlogo.gif AOL TV http://www.aoltv.com en-us Copyright 2012 Blogsmith, LLC. The contents of this headlines and excerpts feed are available for limited commercial distribution. You may repost this feed to your site provided you link back to the original story, do not edit the material, and do not remove this copyright notice. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ ABC Picks Up New Game Show 'The Six' http://www.aoltv.com/2010/04/29/abc-picks-up-new-game-show-the-six/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/04/29/abc-picks-up-new-game-show-the-six/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/04/29/abc-picks-up-new-game-show-the-six/#comments Filed under: , , , ,


ABC logoLooks like ABC wants more and more game shows, eh? They already have 'Wipeout,' and several months ago they picked up 'Trust Me, I'm A Game Show Host.' Then they got the game where they throw you off a building if you get a question wrong and now they're picking up six episodes of an American version of a long-running Russian show where players get together to solve puzzles.

The original title of the game show was 'What? Where? When?' and I like that title better than the new one they've given the show, 'The Six.' Networks love having numbers in the title of TV shows for some reason. The premise: teams of players have to get together to solve a puzzle in one minute for a lot of cash. No idea how much money is involved yet but I bet it's at least $500. Merv Griffin Entertainment ('Wheel of Fortune' and 'Jeopardy') is producing the show.

Continue Reading]]> abcgame showreality-freethe sixwhat where when Bob Sassone 2010-04-29T12:02:00+00:00 Five Creepy Game Show Hosts http://www.aoltv.com/2010/04/22/five-creepy-game-show-hosts/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/04/22/five-creepy-game-show-hosts/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/04/22/five-creepy-game-show-hosts/#comments Filed under: , , , , , ,


Fergie Olver, host of the game show Game show hosts by their very job description creep me down to the bone. It's just in their nature. They have to go out of their way to make ordinary people look comfortable, even though they have never been on television.

Some housewife from Minnesota who is one number away from owning a new Ford Focus is so nervous, she could fly into an eye-bleeding seizure at any moment. Enter the host. He has to step in and calm her down before that happens.

However, there is a fine line between comforting someone and invading their personal space with the force of a German infantry. These are the hosts who put that creepy feeling you get whenever you hear the phrase, "Come on down!"

Continue Reading]]> 3s a crowd3sACrowdattack of the showAttackOfTheShowbillionairebob barkerBobBarkercreepy game show hostsCreepyGameShowHostsfamily feudFamilyFeudfergie olverFergieOlvergame showsGameShowsjim peckJimPeckjust like momJustLikeMomkevin pereiraKevinPereiraolivia munnOliviaMunnpervy game show hostsPervyGameShowHostsreality-freerichard dawsonRichardDawsonthe price is rightThePriceIsRightthrees a crowdThreesACrowd Danny Gallagher 2010-04-22T14:02:00+00:00 How to Win at Nine 'Price is Right' Games http://www.aoltv.com/2010/04/19/how-to-win-at-nine-price-is-right-games/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/04/19/how-to-win-at-nine-price-is-right-games/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/04/19/how-to-win-at-nine-price-is-right-games/#comments Filed under: , , , ,


Drew CareyI love 'The Price is Right.' If I were to pick my 20 favorite TV shows of all-time, it would be on that list. But that doesn't mean it doesn't anger me. Actually, the contestants who play 'Price Is Right' anger me.

You'd think that anyone who attends a taping of the show would be familiar with its games, but you'd be amazed at the number of people who have never seen the one they're about to play or have seen it yet still completely screw it up. The contestants on 'Wheel of Fortune' often make me sad, but at least they seem to know how to play (even if you often wonder "why can't they guess this?" and "why are they still buying vowels?!").

What follows is a guide to winning seven popular games on 'The Price Is Right.' I didn't include games like Squeeze Play or Pick-A-Number or One Away or Switch? or a half dozen others because those games really just involve luck.

Continue Reading]]> cbsgame showsGameShowsreality-freethe price is right Bob Sassone 2010-04-19T15:06:00+00:00 'Jeopardy!' and 'Wheel' Extended Through 2014 -- It Should Be Longer http://www.aoltv.com/2010/04/09/jeopardy-and-wheel-extended-through-2014-it-should-be-lo/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/04/09/jeopardy-and-wheel-extended-through-2014-it-should-be-lo/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/04/09/jeopardy-and-wheel-extended-through-2014-it-should-be-lo/#comments Filed under: , , , ,


Earlier this week, both 'Jeopardy!' and 'Wheel of Fortune' stay on the air through 2014 thanks to a new contract agreement between ABC and CBS Television Distribution. It also keeps hosts Alex Trebek and Pat Sajak in their respective chairs through the same time period.

Ho-hum, I know. Most test patterns have had shorter runs on TV than 'Jeopardy!' and 'Wheel.' How is that news?

It just got me thinking: what would the world of TV and really the world itself be like without daily doses of America's favorite quiz show and America's favorite wheel spinning and letter guessing show?

Continue Reading]]> alex trebekAlexTrebekgame showgame showsGameShowGameShowsjeopardypat sajackPatSajackrenewedrenewed showsRenewedShowssigns of the apocalypseSignsOfTheApocalypsevanna whiteVannaWhitewheel of fortunWheelOfFortun Danny Gallagher 2010-04-09T19:31:00+00:00 Six Game Shows that Used Actual Torture http://www.aoltv.com/2010/04/08/six-game-shows-that-used-actual-torture/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/04/08/six-game-shows-that-used-actual-torture/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/04/08/six-game-shows-that-used-actual-torture/#comments Filed under: , , ,


An act of torture during the InquisitionIf you were shocked to hear about ABC's 'Downfall,' a game show that drops people off of buildings for our amusement, you clearly don't watch enough TV and lead a rich, fulfilling life.

Television's long and storied history is filled with game and competition shows that pit their contestants in a physical, psychological and gastrointestinal showdown, most of which were lost to the ravages of obscurity. Well, it's "filled" if you only look at the last few years or so when the economy tanked and people turned to humiliating themselves in the national media to keep from having to hunt small rodents for sustenance. That's how 'The View' got started.

These are the shows that not only tortured contestants, but also their viewing audience unless Dick Cheney happened to be watching any of them.

Continue Reading]]> cramdistractionDownfallfear factorFearFactorgame showsgame shows that could end humanityGameShowsGameShowsThatCouldEndHumanityjoe roganJoeRoganken oberKenObermtvs remote controlMtvsRemoteControlreality showsRealityShowsremote controlRemoteControlthe chamberthe enduranceTheChamberTheEndurancetortureza gamanZaGaman Danny Gallagher 2010-04-08T16:00:00+00:00 ABC Orders a Game Show Where People Plunge Off a Skyscraper http://www.aoltv.com/2010/04/06/abc-orders-a-game-show-where-people-plunge-off-a-skyscraper/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/04/06/abc-orders-a-game-show-where-people-plunge-off-a-skyscraper/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/04/06/abc-orders-a-game-show-where-people-plunge-off-a-skyscraper/#comments Filed under: , , , ,


ABC logoIt looks like the networks have run out of ideas for reality shows and game shows that are set on the ground, so now they're thinking vertically. ABC has ordered a game show titled 'Downfall,' where contestants vie for $1 million by answering trivia questions on top of a skyscraper. If they miss a question, the money flies off the side of the building to the street below.

The part of the game that will get the most attention from viewers and the ABC legal department? Players might take a plunge off of the building too (wearing a harness, of course).

Continue Reading]]> abcdownfallgame showone million dollarsplungeskyscrapertrivia Bob Sassone 2010-04-06T12:10:00+00:00 NBC Renews 'Marriage Ref' and Two Other Shows You Don't Care About http://www.aoltv.com/2010/04/05/nbc-renews-marriage-ref-and-two-other-shows-you-dont-care-abo/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/04/05/nbc-renews-marriage-ref-and-two-other-shows-you-dont-care-abo/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/04/05/nbc-renews-marriage-ref-and-two-other-shows-you-dont-care-abo/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , , ,


Marriage Ref
To paraphrase a Jerry Seinfeld routine, what's the deal with NBC? Here's the latest: they have given the green light to another season of three new shows: the celeb-filled 'Marriage Ref,' the Guy Fieri game show 'Minute To Win It,' and Lisa Kudrow's genealogy reality show 'Who Do You Think You Are?' Yup, all three shows will be back on your TV come this fall.

Is it too late to ask Jay Leno to come back to the 10PM slot?

Continue Reading]]> guy fierijerry seinfeldlisa kudrowmarriage refminute to win itnbcnbc renews three showstom papawho do you think you are Bob Sassone 2010-04-05T17:31:00+00:00 Mimi Bobeck Takes Over 'The Price is Right' For April Fool's Day http://www.aoltv.com/2010/04/01/mimi-bobeck-takes-over-the-price-is-right-for-april-fools-day/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/04/01/mimi-bobeck-takes-over-the-price-is-right-for-april-fools-day/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/04/01/mimi-bobeck-takes-over-the-price-is-right-for-april-fools-day/#comments Filed under: , , , , , ,


Kathy Kinney and Drew Carey on the April Fool's Day Episode of 'The Price is Right'
It's tough to pull off an April Fool's Day prank and not look like a complete tool. Believe me, we've tried it more than once here at TV Squad. Either the joke is so subtle no one gets it, or it's so obvious and over the top that people start to think we've had our senses of humor surgically removed.

I wanted to give that caveat before I talk about what Drew Carey and the folks at 'The Price is Right' did to celebrate April Fool's Day today. If you didn't see it, Kathy Kinney made her second appearance on the show as her old 'Drew Carey Show' character Mimi Bobeck. This time, Mimi has been given the reins of the show by the folks at CBS, and she not only has made a few changes, but she's watching her arch-nemesis Drew's every move.

The gag worked in places. But the problem with carrying a gag like this through an hour-long game show is that you actually have to play the games in a straightforward manner. And that's where things broke down. Video of Drew's and Mimi's intro is after the jump.

Continue Reading]]> drew careyDrewCareykathy kinneyKathyKinneymimi bobeckMimiBobeckrich fieldsRichFieldsthe price is rightThePriceIsRight Joel Keller 2010-04-01T17:31:00+00:00 Is Game Show Hostdom Dead? http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/26/is-game-show-hostdom-dead/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/26/is-game-show-hostdom-dead/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/26/is-game-show-hostdom-dead/#comments Filed under: , , ,


Game show hosts Drew Carey, Wayne Brady and Guy Fieri
Game shows used to flood the dial of my TV back in the 1980s and '90s. And that was when my TV could only pick up eight channels, three depending on the weather.

Back then, almost everything from daytime fare to the occasional prime time bit of airtime starred game show hosts. Their purpose on television was solely to wear smart suits, make sure their teeth reached the optimum level of whiteness and keep the game moving but entertaining.

Now that game shows are making a slow but steady return to television, it seems the traditional role of "host" has turned away from the traditional "game" emcee like Chuck Woolery, Wink Martindale, Bob Barker and Art Fleming and more towards lively hosting personalities from other walks of entertainment life like Drew Carey, Wayne Brady, Howie Mandel and Guy Fieri. Does this mean that the role of the traditional TV game show has gone to that great big "Curtain No. 2" in the sky?

Continue Reading]]> Art FlemingArtFlemingbob barkerbob barker retiresbob barkers retirementbob eubanksBobBarkerBobBarkerRetiresBobBarkersRetirementBobEubankscarnie wilsonCarnieWilsonchuck wooleryChuckWooleryDrew CareyDrewCareyfeaturedgame showgame show awardsgame show hostgame show hostsGame Show in My HeadGame Show Marathongame show networkgame show scandalsgame showsgame shows they want to come backGameShowGameShowAwardsGameShowHostGameShowHostsGameShowInMyHeadGameShowMarathonGameShowNetworkGameShowsGameShowScandalsGameShowsTheyWantToComeBackguy fieriGuyFierijeopardyjimmy kimmelJimmyKimmellets make a dealLetsMakeADealminute to win itMinuteToWinItmomentumteeth bleachingTeethBleachingThe Newlywed Gamethe price is rightTheNewlywedGameThePriceIsRighttodd newtonToddNewtonwayne bradyWayneBradywheel of fortuneWheelOfFortunewilliam shatnerWilliamShatnerwin ben steins moneyWinBenSteinsMoneywink martindaleWinkMartindale Danny Gallagher 2010-03-26T15:10:00+00:00 Japan Still Has The Craziest Game Shows http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/25/japan-still-has-the-craziest-game-shows/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/25/japan-still-has-the-craziest-game-shows/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/25/japan-still-has-the-craziest-game-shows/#comments Filed under: , , ,


I think we can all agree that Japan still controls the market in WTF game shows. Sure, we can laugh about how "crazy" 'Wipeout' is, but Japanese game shows make that show and 'Minute To Win It' seem like 'Jeopardy.'

PopCrunch has the ten most insane moments from Japanese TV, and most of them are from game shows. Here are two of my favorite choices (probably NSFW).



Continue Reading]]> crazy game showsgame showsjapanjapanese game showjapanese tvmost insane game show moments Bob Sassone 2010-03-25T14:00:00+00:00 Fake Game Show Physically and Psychologically Tests Their Contestants http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/22/fake-game-show-physically-and-psychologically-tests-their-contes/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/22/fake-game-show-physically-and-psychologically-tests-their-contes/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/22/fake-game-show-physically-and-psychologically-tests-their-contes/#comments Filed under: , ,


If you had the chance to take home thousands of dollars and all you had to do was inflict teeth wrenching pain on a fellow human being, would you do it?

In France, a documentary posing as a fake TV game show posed just that question and the results may surprise you. They won't if you're a cynical bastard with no hope for humanity.

The concept for the experiment is based in part from the work of Stanley Milgram, a social psychologist who sought to understand the psychological actions of the Third Reich and the Nazi regime and how authority influenced their actions.



[via Neatorama]

]]> apAssociated PressAssociatedPresselectrocuteelectrocutedelectrocutionfrancefrench tvFrenchTvneatoramastanley milgramStanleyMilgramtorture game showTortureGameShow Danny Gallagher 2010-03-22T20:09:00+00:00 Jerry Springer to Host New Game Show on GSN http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/22/jerry-springer-to-host-new-game-show-on-gsn/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/22/jerry-springer-to-host-new-game-show-on-gsn/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/22/jerry-springer-to-host-new-game-show-on-gsn/#comments Filed under: , , , ,


GSN logoJerry Springer has signed to do a new game show on GSN called 'Baggage.' It's described as "an non-dating dating show for non-single singles," which I think means it's about married couples who engage in orgies. OK, maybe I'm wrong about that, but I have no idea what the set-up of the show will be.

I'm happy that this show doesn't involve people throwing chairs each other or women sleeping with their grandfathers, but couldn't Springer have just done a normal, regular, traditional game show? Why does it have to have this dating/reality show vibe, this..."ick" factor? (Hey, there's a title for a game show.)

The best part of the BuzzerBlog story above is that it says that GSN is bringing back both 'Card Sharks' and 'Million Dollar Password' to the network next month.

]]> baggagedating showgame show networkgsnjerry springer Bob Sassone 2010-03-22T17:07:00+00:00 'Wipeout' Getting Down and Dirty with Nintendo http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/19/wipeout-getting-down-and-dirty-with-nintendo/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/19/wipeout-getting-down-and-dirty-with-nintendo/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/19/wipeout-getting-down-and-dirty-with-nintendo/#comments Filed under: , ,


ABC's Do you want to experience the awesome majesty of the 'Wipeout' obstacle course but without having to endure the painful humiliation of having to sacrifice your dignity on national television? Nintendo has the answer.

A video game version of the popular ABC game show is headed to the Nintendo Wii and the DS. An official release date has not yet been set.

David Oxford of Activision Publishing said in a released statement, "Watching ABC's 'Wipeout' on TV is outrageous fun, and viewers can't help but dream of trying the obstacles themselves. We designed the video game with this in mind. 'Wipeout: The Game' brings all of the challenge and laugh-out-loud hilarity without the pain."

I assume he means the emotional pain and not the physical, unless of course someone catches you playing it in public.

]]> abcgame showgame showsGameShowGameShowsjohn andersonJohn Hensonjohn henson wipeoutJohnAndersonJohnHensonJohnHensonWipeoutnintendoNintendo DSnintendo dsinintendo wiinintendo-dsiNintendoDsNintendoDsiNintendoDsLiteNintendoWiiwipeout-hd Danny Gallagher 2010-03-19T20:05:00+00:00 The Most Epic 'Press Your Luck' Moment You'll See Today http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/17/the-most-epic-press-your-luck-moment-youll-see-today/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/17/the-most-epic-press-your-luck-moment-youll-see-today/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/17/the-most-epic-press-your-luck-moment-youll-see-today/#comments Filed under: , , ,


The cult hit CBS game show 'Press Your Luck' has long been a hotbed of television legends from the pre-celebrity appearances by the likes of talk shot hostess Jenny Jones and Myke Horton aka 'American Gladiator's' Gemini to the unstoppable force that was ice cream truck driver Michael Larson.

One that seems to have fallen under the radar is this epic "spin battle" between two contestants in the final throes of the episode. Both of these mighty Whammy warriors bring their scores to an astronomical amount that could rival the majesty of Mount Olympus, only to come crashing down to game show doom.

Check out this bit of "Game Show Thunderdome" where two women enter, but only one leaves ... and then, technically, the other but without any money or sense of personal dignity.



]]> CBSgame showgame show networkgame showsGameShowGameShowNetworkGameShowspeter tomarkenPeterTomarkenpress your luckPressYourLuckspin battleSpinBattlewhammiesWhammy Danny Gallagher 2010-03-17T18:30:00+00:00 Convicted Serial Killer Appeared on 'The Dating Game' http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/15/convicted-serial-killer-appeared-on-the-dating-game/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/15/convicted-serial-killer-appeared-on-the-dating-game/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/15/convicted-serial-killer-appeared-on-the-dating-game/#comments Filed under: , , ,


This just in from our "Department of Stories That Will Keep You Up at Night By Reminding You that the World Can Be an Awful, Horrible, Rotten Place." We probably need to rework the title.

Rodney Alcala, a serial killer convicted for the deaths of four women and a child, appeared as "Bachelor No. 1" on a 1978 episode of 'The Dating Game' hosted by Jim Lange. And here's the most f-ed up part, he won!

Buzzerblog found the actual episode on YouTube, that never-ending fountain of "Keyboard Cat" entertainment, of Alcala competing for the heart of one Cheryl Bradshaw. CNN also talked to one of his fellow bachelors who described him as "obnoxious" and "creepy," which incidentally is how most people describe what it feels like to watch a full episode of 'The Dating Game.'



]]> buzzerblogcnngame showsGameShowsjim langeJimLangerodney alcalaRodneyAlcalaserial killerserial killer convictedserial killersSerialKillerSerialKillerConvictedSerialKillersthe dating gameTheDatingGame Danny Gallagher 2010-03-15T20:02:00+00:00 Can Primetime Game Shows Stop With the 'Millionaire' Look Already? http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/15/can-primetime-game-shows-stop-with-the-millionaire-look-alrea/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/15/can-primetime-game-shows-stop-with-the-millionaire-look-alrea/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/15/can-primetime-game-shows-stop-with-the-millionaire-look-alrea/#comments Filed under: , , ,


Episode one of 'Minute to Win It'
I've been a game show fan for as long as I can remember. I can recall obscure games from the '70s like 'The Better Sex' and I revel in the classics, from 'Match Game' all the way up to 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire.' So I'll watch any new game show at least once.

All of this is how I explain to myself how I blew two hours watching the first two episodes of NBC's 'Minute to Win It' last night. It's a pretty straightforward game: complete ten physical games, win a million bucks. The games themselves use everyday household items, and variations of them could be found at carnivals, state fairs and church festivals around the country. In fact, there was a game show on for years called 'Beat the Clock' that had a very similar premise.

But 'Minute to Win It' was important. Why? Because of the dark, space-station set and swirling lights. Because of the female British voice that felt vaguely futuristic. In fact, the show felt a lot more like 'Millionaire' than a carnival game. And it was so not necessary.

Continue Reading]]> 1 vs 1001Vs100deal or no dealDealOrNoDealguy fieriGuyFieriminute to win itMinuteToWinItprimetime game showsPrimetimeGameShowswho wants to be a millionaireWhoWantsToBeAMillionaire Joel Keller 2010-03-15T16:23:00+00:00 Jackie Gleason Apologizes For Bad Show (Why Don't More People Do This?) http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/14/jackie-gleason-apologizes-for-bad-show-why-dont-more-people-do/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/14/jackie-gleason-apologizes-for-bad-show-why-dont-more-people-do/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/14/jackie-gleason-apologizes-for-bad-show-why-dont-more-people-do/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,


'You're in the Picture' was one of those rare TV shows that only last one episode. It was a CBS game show hosted by Jackie Gleason where celebrities would stick their heads through carnival cardboard cutouts and panelists had guess what the scene was. The following week, instead of the next episode, Gleason came out in a chair and just talked to the audience, apologizing for the show. The following week he turned it into a talk show.

More people on TV should apologize like this. And I think more people should smoke on TV again too.


[via Ken Levine]



]]> 1961cbsgame showsjackie gleasonshows that last one episodeyoure in the picture Bob Sassone 2010-03-14T15:30:00+00:00 'Instant Recall' Won't Go Down In History As One of the Great Game Shows http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/05/instant-recall-wont-go-down-in-history-as-one-of-the-great-ga/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/05/instant-recall-wont-go-down-in-history-as-one-of-the-great-ga/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/05/instant-recall-wont-go-down-in-history-as-one-of-the-great-ga/#comments Filed under: , , , , , ,


Wink Martindale
I'm a traditionalist when it comes to game shows. I don't really like anything that's too bizarre or wanders too far from the studio audience/stage/host with a mic/play a game format. So I didn't really like the new GSN show 'Instant Recall,' even if there were a few things that I found amusing.

The concept: host Wink Martindale and his crew stage a phony set-up to con someone into playing a game. This first episode featured two people who thought they were at a "love seminar" and a guy who found himself at a party that turned into an intervention for a woman he'd never met before (Wink and the sexy model are in another room as the con unfolds). So yeah, this is 'Candid Camera' with a twist. When it's time to let the victims off the hook, Wink comes in, introduces himself, and they play the game, which is to see if the contestants can remember what just happened to them.

Continue Reading]]> game showgame show networkgsnhidden camerainstant recallipodnew game shownew showtwitterwink martindale Bob Sassone 2010-03-05T11:30:00+00:00 Sneak Peek: NBC's New Game Show 'Minute To Win It' http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/03/sneak-peek-nbcs-new-game-show-minute-to-win-it/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/03/sneak-peek-nbcs-new-game-show-minute-to-win-it/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/03/03/sneak-peek-nbcs-new-game-show-minute-to-win-it/#comments Filed under: , , ,


Because I love game shows, I'll give 'Minute To Win It' a shot when it premieres March 14, but I can already see something I hate about it: the damn lighting and music! It's the same suspenseful lighting used on 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire,' 'The Weakest Link,' and 'Deal Or No Deal,' and the same kind of set too. This show also seems to have over-the-top, bigger-than-life contestants (where did they come from, anyway?) and throws in smoke for good measure.

This clip is from a game called "Bite Me." Other games on the show have names like "This Blows," "The Nutstacker," "Hanky Panky," and "Don't Blow The Joker." Make of that what you will.



]]> bite megame showsguy fieriminute to win itnbcnew game shownew shows Bob Sassone 2010-03-03T15:29:00+00:00 FCC Gets Involved in 'Our Little Genius' Investigation http://www.aoltv.com/2010/02/22/fcc-gets-involved-in-our-little-genius-investigation/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/02/22/fcc-gets-involved-in-our-little-genius-investigation/ http://www.aoltv.com/2010/02/22/fcc-gets-involved-in-our-little-genius-investigation/#comments Filed under: , ,


Mark BurnettWho says that quiz show scandals don't happen anymore? In the 1950s, shows and sponsors got in trouble for supplying game show contestants with answers to questions. Now it looks like it might be happening again, and the FCC is getting involved.

Questions arose several months ago about FOX's new game show 'Our Little Genius.' At first it seemed like the show was just going to reshoot the first episodes because there might have been a problem with contestants hearing the answers to the questions (or at least in the way the young kids were coached). Then the show was put on the shelf completely.

Now the FCC is investigating the matter. According to The Los Angeles Times, the father of one of the contestants tipped off the FCC about how producer Mark Burnett and his staff were running the show. One of the aspects of the show was that, at the very least, the kids knew what topics the questions would cover.

This would be dumb on so many levels. One, we don't need game shows/reality shows to be rigged or even slightly tampered with (for obvious reasons), and two, it involved kids aged six to twelve. Gah. I wonder if this could lead to investigations of other reality and/or game shows?

]]> fccfoxmark burnettour little geniusquiz show scandals Bob Sassone 2010-02-22T14:29:00+00:00