Game shows have been a staple of television entertainment for decades, captivating audiences with their mix of excitement, competition, and the chance to win big prizes. Many of us have fond memories of watching our favorite game shows, cheering for contestants, and even dreaming of competing ourselves.
But behind the glitz and glamour of these entertaining spectacles lies a world of surprising facts and hidden truths. In this blog post, I will reveal 17 details about game shows that might change how you see them forever.
Contestants are pre-selected for personality
Game show producers don’t just pick contestants at random. They carefully choose people who are energetic, outgoing, and likely to be entertaining on camera. This means that even if you make it to the audition stage, you might not be selected if you’re too calm or quiet. The producers are looking for big personalities to keep viewers engaged and entertained throughout the show.
Many prizes come with hefty taxes
Winning a car or vacation on a game show might seem like a dream come true, but the reality can be less exciting. In many countries, game show winnings are treated as income and are subject to taxes. This means that contestants often have to pay a significant portion of their prize value to the government.
Audience reactions are often fake
Those enthusiastic cheers and gasps you hear from the audience? They’re not always genuine. Many game shows use ‘laugh tracks’ or pre-recorded audience reactions to enhance the atmosphere. Sometimes, the studio audience is even instructed to react in certain ways at specific times. This artificial enhancement is used to make the show seem more exciting and engaging to viewers at home.
Contestants sign strict confidentiality agreements
If you ever make it onto a game show, don’t expect to share the results with your friends and family right away. Contestants are usually required to sign strict confidentiality agreements that prevent them from revealing the outcome of the show until after it airs. Breaking these agreements can result in serious legal consequences and may even lead to forfeiting any prizes won on the show.
Some shows are filmed months in advance
While some game shows are broadcast live, many are actually filmed months before they air. This allows producers to edit the footage, add special effects, and create multiple episodes in a single day of filming. It also means that by the time you see a contestant win big on TV, they may have already spent their prize money or dealt with any associated complications.
Not all contestants keep their winnings
In some cases, contestants don’t actually get to keep everything they win on the show. Some prizes may be sponsored items that are only provided for a limited time. In other instances, contestants might be given the cash equivalent of a prize instead of the actual item. This is particularly common with car prizes, as the logistics of giving away vehicles can be complicated.
Game show hosts don’t always know the answers
Contrary to popular belief, many game show hosts aren’t given the answers to questions in advance. They often learn the correct responses at the same time as the contestants and viewers. This helps to keep their reactions genuine and adds to the suspense of the show. However, hosts are usually well-briefed on the rules and format of the game to ensure smooth gameplay.
Buzzer timing is crucial
In quiz shows where contestants need to buzz in to answer, timing is everything. Many shows use sophisticated systems that lock out other contestants once the first person buzzes in. This means that even if you know the answer, you might not get a chance to respond if you’re a fraction of a second too slow. Some contestants spend hours practicing their buzzer skills to gain an edge in these situations.
Consolation prizes aren’t always great
While the main prizes on game shows can be impressive, consolation prizes are often less exciting. These can include small amounts of cash, branded merchandise, or even just a copy of the home game version of the show. Some contestants have reported receiving damaged or outdated items as consolation prizes, which can be a disappointing end to their game show experience.
Many shows use plants in the audience
Those excited audience members who get called down to compete? They might not be as random as you think. Some game shows use ‘plants’ or pre-selected individuals in the audience who are guaranteed to be called down to play. This ensures that the show has energetic and camera-ready contestants, but it also means that your chances of being randomly selected from the audience are lower than you might expect.
Winning streaks can be cut short
Even if a contestant is on a winning streak, producers may decide to end their run for the sake of the show. This is often done to maintain viewer interest or to give other contestants a chance. Some shows have implemented official limits on how many times a contestant can return, partly in response to past contestants who dominated for extended periods.
The ‘Phone a Friend’ option isn’t as simple as it seems
In shows that offer a ‘Phone a Friend’ lifeline, the process is more complicated than just making a quick call. Friends who might be called are usually briefed in advance and required to be available during filming. They’re often monitored to ensure they don’t use the internet or other resources to help answer the question. This means the spontaneity of the call is somewhat staged.
Some contestants are actors
Occasionally, game shows will use actors as contestants. This might be done to fill slots when real contestants drop out, or to ensure a certain type of personality or demographic is represented on the show. While this practice isn’t common, it does happen, especially in shows that focus more on entertainment than pure competition.
Many shows use subtle psychological tricks
Game show producers often employ psychological tactics to influence contestants’ behavior and decision-making. This might include using certain colors to evoke specific emotions, playing particular background music to increase tension, or even manipulating the temperature in the studio to affect contestants’ comfort levels. These subtle techniques can impact how contestants perform and react, adding an extra layer of manipulation to the game.
Wardrobe choices are carefully controlled
Game show contestants don’t have free rein when it comes to their outfits. Many shows have strict guidelines about what contestants can wear, often to ensure that clothing doesn’t clash with the set or distract from the gameplay. Some shows even provide wardrobe options or require contestants to bring multiple outfit choices for approval.
Not all games are fair
Some game shows are designed in ways that give certain contestants advantages or disadvantages. This might be done to create more drama or to influence the outcome of the game. For example, the order in which contestants play or the categories of questions they receive can significantly impact their chances of winning.
Behind-the-scenes drama is common
The polished final product you see on TV often hides a lot of behind-the-scenes tension. Technical difficulties, contestant meltdowns, or disagreements between producers and participants are not uncommon. Sometimes, entire segments need to be re-filmed due to errors or issues, which can make for very long and stressful days for everyone involved in the production.
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