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List of Famous Game Shows
Jan 29, 2026 11:56 PM

  

List of Famous Game Shows1

  Twenty-One Host Jack Barry standing at the podium while contestant Charles Van Doren (right) ponders a question during the television quiz show Twenty-One. (more) List of Famous Game Shows Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/List-of-Famous-Game-Shows Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

  External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written by Laura Payne Laura Payne is a freelance writer whose work covers many topics. She is a former Wayne State University linguistics instructor. Laura Payne Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Jan 24, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot a Question { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What was the scandal involving the game show Twenty-One? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "In August 1958 former contestant Herbert Stempel revealed that Twenty-One was rigged. A federal investigation followed, and Charles Van Doren admitted to participating in the sham during a congressional hearing in 1959." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is the format of The Chase? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The Chase is a quiz-based game show in which a team of four players competes against a u201Cchaser.u201D Players answer questions to earn money and face the chaser to win more. The final round involves answering more questions than the chaser to win the cash." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How did Jeopardy! originate? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Jeopardy! was created by Merv Griffin in 1964 after a conversation with his wife, who suggested giving contestants the answers and having them come up with the questions. The show became a cultural staple and was hosted by Alex Trebek from 1984 until his death in 2020." } } ] } Top Questions What was the scandal involving the game show Twenty-One? In August 1958 former contestant Herbert Stempel revealed that Twenty-One was rigged. A federal investigation followed, and Charles Van Doren admitted to participating in the sham during a congressional hearing in 1959.

  What is the format of The Chase? The Chase is a quiz-based game show in which a team of four players competes against a “chaser.” Players answer questions to earn money and face the chaser to win more. The final round involves answering more questions than the chaser to win the cash.

  How did Jeopardy! originate? Jeopardy! was created by Merv Griffin in 1964 after a conversation with his wife, who suggested giving contestants the answers and having them come up with the questions. The show became a cultural staple and was hosted by Alex Trebek from 1984 until his death in 2020.

  Game shows were first introduced to audiences on radio broadcasts in the mid-1930s, and they have been captivating television viewers since the first one aired on the BBC in May 1938. The blend of entertainment, competition, and suspense, combined with the ability to play along from home, continues to attract viewers to the genre. (There is an entire television network—aptly named the Game Show Network, founded in 1994—devoted to airing reruns of classic game shows as well as new entries.) Game shows are produced around the world and come in various types, including quiz, puzzle, and reality shows. Some have ...(100 of 975 words)

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