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Boomers were coming of age along with the era of home televisions. And as the popularity of televisions grew, so did television programming. One niche in particular that garnered rapid popularity among American viewers was game shows.
Below are some of the most popular game shows to grace TV screens all across America over the last 85+ years. Some have enjoyed extensive runs and massive popularity, while others only endured for a scant 2-3 years. Some, even, endured scandals that blanketed news headlines. Which of these shows did you grow up watching, and do you remember the scandals?
23. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
- Debuted on: August 16, 1999
- Aired on: ABC
- Hosted by: Regis Philbin during the original series
- During its syndication run, hosts included Meredith Vieira, Cedric the Entertainer, Terry Crew, Chris Harrison and Jimmy Kimmel
22. Win, Lose or Draw
Bert Convy, circa 1978. (Photo by Getty Images)
- Debuted on: September 7, 1987
- Aired on: NBC
- Ran through: August 31, 1990
- Hosted by: Bert Convy during its original run
- Vicki Lawrence hosted its time in syndication
21. Super Password
- Debuted on: September 24, 1984
- Aired on: NBC
- Hosted by: Bert Convy
- Ran till: 1989
20. Press Your Luck
- Debuted on: September 19, 1983
- Aired on: CBS
- Originally hosted by: Peter Tomarken
- Contestant Michael Larson was accused by the network of cheating
- He memorized the pattern of the game board and won $110,237
- Show has enjoyed several revivals since its original debut
19. Card Sharks
- Debuted on: April 24, 1978
- Aired on: NBC
- Originally hosted by: Jim Perry and ran till 1981
- Has enjoyed several revivals since
18. Wheel of Fortune
- Debuted on: January 6, 1975
- Originally aired on: NBC
- Originally hosted by: Chuck Woolery and Susan Stafford
- Since 1981, has been hosted by Pat Sajak
- In 1982, Vanna White replaced Susan Stafford
- Ryan Seacrest replaced Pat Sajak, who retired after 40 years
17. Family Feud
- Debuted on: July 12, 1976
- Aired on: ABC
- Originally hosted by: Richard Dawson
- Additional hosts have included Ray Combs, Louie Anderson, Richard Karn, John O'Hurley and Steve Harvey
16. The Price is Right
- Debuted on: September 4, 1972
- Aired on: CBS
- Hosted by: Bob Barker for 35 years
- Drew Carey has hosted since 2007
15. The Newlywed Game
HOLLYWOOD - JUNE 17: Game show host Bob Eubanks attends the Just Married Obstacle Course Competition in celebration of the June 17, 2003 DVD & Video release of the film Just Married on June 17, 2003 in Hollywood, California. The event was sponsored by Twentieth Century Fox and Sandals Resort giving couples a chance to make new honeymoon memories by competing on an obstacle course. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
- Debuted on: July 11, 1966
- Aired on: ABC
- Hosted by: Bob Eubanks
- Known for its catchphrase "making whoopee"
- Final episode aired on February 14, 2013
14. Hollywood Squares
LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 1: Celebrities attend the taping of the Hollywood Squares game show at the CBS Television City Studios on February 1, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. The show will air in March 2003. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
- Debuted on: October 17, 1966
- Aired on: NBC
- Originally hosted by: Peter Marshall
- Additional hosts include John Davidson and Tom Bergeron
- Has enjoyed several revivals and will be revived again in 2025 and hosted by Drew Barrymore
13. The Dating Game
- Debuted on: December 20, 1965
- Aired on: ABC through July 6, 1973
- Hosted by: Jim Lange
- Picked up in syndication and was revived several times in different formats
- Cancelled for good in April 2022
12. Jeopardy
- Debuted on: March 30, 1964
- Aired on: NBC, originally hosted by Art Fleming
- Alex Trebek began hosting during its syndication run starting in 1984
- Currently hosted by all-time winningest Jeopardy contestant Ken Jennings
11. Match Game
- Debuted on: December 31, 1962
- Aired on: NBC
- Hosted by: Gene Rayburn
- Ran until 1969 but has been revived several times since
10. Concentration
1961: American television host Hugh Downs posing with his arms crossed on the set of the NBC game show 'Concentration,' which he hosted. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
- Debuted on: August 25, 1958
- Aired on: NBC
- First hosted by: Hugh Downs
- Ran until 1973
9. To Tell the Truth
- Debuted on: December 18, 1956
- Aired on: CBS
- Hosted by: Bud Collyer from 1956-68
- Garry Moore hosted the syndication run from 1969-1978
8. I've Got a Secret
- Debuted on: June 19, 1952
- Aired on: CBS
- Began in black and white and switched to color in 1966
- Three hosts during its run were Garry Moore, Steve Allen and Bill Cullen
- Final episode was April 3, 1967
7. What's My Line?
- Debuted on: February 2, 1950
- Aired on: CBS
- Hosted by: John Daly
- Won Emmy and Golden Globe Awards
- Final episode aired in 1967
6. The $64,000 Question
Unidentified man and woman hold suggestion box for the television series 'The $64,000 Question', 1955. (Photo by CBS/Getty Images)
- Aired on: June 7, 1955
- The show was determined to be "rigged" to boost ratings
- Final episode aired on November 2, 1958
5. Twenty-One
Host Jack Barry stands at the podium as Columbia English professor and contestant Charles Van Doren (R) ponders an answer during a broadcast of the television game show, 'Twenty-One,' circa 1957. Van Doren later admitted to having answers fed to him by the show's producers. (Photo by NBC Television/Courtesy of Getty Images)
- Debuted: September 12, 1956
- Aired on: NBC
- Hosted by: Jack Barry
- Endured a cheating scandal in 1957 when Charles Von Doren (pictured at right) admitted to being provided answers from show producers
- Ended in 1958
4. You Bet Your Life
- Debuted on TV on: October 4, 1950
- Had previously been a radio game show
- Aired on: NBC
- Hosted by: Groucho Marx
- Ended in 1961
3. Truth or Consequences
- Debuted on: September 7, 1950
- Was first a CBS Radio show and later was on NBC TV
- Hosts during its run included Ralph Edwards, Jack Bailey, Bob Barker, Bob Hilton, and Larry Anderson
- Final episode aired in 1988
2. CBS Television Quiz
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 06: Director Frances Buss attends the She Made It: Women Creating Television and Radio event held at The Paley Center For Media on December 6, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
- Debuted on: July 2, 1941
- Aired on: CBS
- Hosted by: Gil Fates
- Frances Buss (pictured in 2007) kept score
- Final episode was January 7, 1943
1. Spelling Bee
Finnish art historian Professor Tancred Borenius (1885 - 1948, left) is interviewed by Freddie Grisewood (1888 - 1972) for the BBC radio programme 'The World Goes By', on Finnish Independence Day, 6th December 1939. (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
- Debuted on: May 31, 1938
- The very first television game show to appear on American TV
- Transmitted via BBC Television
- Hosted by: Freddie Grisewood (pictured, right)
- Adapted from U.S. school spelling bees
- Final episode aired on September 1, 1938