Game shows for stress relief

We like to win. There’s a human drive to compete and beat the pants off of an opponent. For some it’s showing off, feeding their egos. For others, it’s a way to engage, to meet and socialize with new people and old friends. For a few, it’s a way to let off steam in a safe way. Game shows built themselves into a robust industry for decades on this premise.

Game shows started with the beginning of television. Some have persisted into the 21st century.  One of my favorites as a kid was “Let’s Make a Deal” with Monty Hall. “I’ll take door number 3” is a catch phrase that evolved from the game. Hobo purses and other huge shoulder bags were a benefit for audience members at the show. If the owner could produce whatever Monty named from the depths of their purse, they won a chance at being a contestant and picking a door for their prize. “The Price is Right” is sort of a spin off of that game. “Password” with Allen Ludden was also a favorite. Betty White was one of the celebrity clue-givers. She and Allen famously fell in love on the show and married. It was an unexpected bonus to viewers to be privy to the budding and blooming of their romance. (Sigh)

“Jeopardy” potentially raised the intellect level of its audience. “Matchgame” was wildly popular in the 70s and early 80s when Gene Rayburn and later Richard Dawson hosted it. “Family Feud” followed with Richard Dawson taking the helm. There were many others. “The Dating Game” was made into a board game. “The Newlywed Game” probably instigated a few divorces. “The Gong Show” was sort of a down and dirty “America’s Got Talent.” “Wheel of Fortune” with Vanna White elegantly turning letters reigned for several years. Point is, these shows dominated weekday afternoon and early evening television. They were fun to watch, fast-paced and engaging. 

Cable and Satellite TV killed the dominance of that programming. With all the options that came with streaming services, game shows, for the most part, became passe. “Jeopardy” and “Wheel of Fortune” survived on the major networks. Some went to cable channels. Reruns are available here and there. But, they aren’t “forced” on viewers like they were when there were only three or four channels to watch on TV. With a couple hundred live channels and thousands of on-demand shows to choose from, game shows no longer held sway. Well, “AGT” and “The Masked Singer” have a following, as does “Dancing with the Stars.” 

There’s lots of competition for viewers’ attention. News channels are on 24/7. Premium streaming channels have current movies for purchase or rent, so you don’t even have to go to the theater to see the newest movies. Video games on Xbox and PlayStation have usurped the gaming market. You don’t even have to own a television. With the mobile app, you can watch shows and play games on your tablet, phone or computer. Don’t even get me started on social media and the hours we spend absorbed in that.

How’s a fun or goofy game show supposed to win and hold interest up against that sort of competition? It used to be a way to decompress. The news wasn’t on in those time slots. It was game shows and reruns of “Andy Griffith,” “MacGyver” and “MASH.” Americans could let down while they made dinner, did homework or slouched on the couch after work or school. I think, as a whole, we did better as a society with that bit of mindless fun infusing our day. Our psyches had a moment to heal from the stress of the day’s turmoil. We were forced to take a beat and stand down before the news programs took the stage for their time slots – a half hour of world news followed by a half hour of local news divided between news, weather and sports. It was a simpler, easier time.  All around.

One last thing. There was one contestant’s bit from “The Gong Show” I thought was genius. This scruffy cowboy came out on stage wearing a cowboy hat, jean jacket, jeans and boots, dragging a saddle with one hand. He sang:  “It gets lonely in the saddle when your horse dies.”  He dropped the saddle and walked back off stage. He got three gongs (the lowest score). But I loved it. I laughed and laughed. It stuck with me. Humor. It leaves a mark.