Game shows have always been a popular form of entertainment for audiences around the world. For many, they can either be a great way to bridge the gap between the afternoon and early evening TV viewing, or they can be a way to enjoy a Saturday night in front of the box and enjoy some light fun.
Given the widespread appeal of many of the shows to have been created, there have been versions that have been adapted for certain national audiences. They have been a hit in one location, which has led to producers tailoring them to other destinations to increase their appeal and attraction of them.
Canada is one such country that has had huge success when it comes to TV game shows, with the Great White North having had its fair share of programs being broadcast to its national audience. With a population consisting of 38+ million in 2021 (and rising at a steady rate), there are a lot of potential eyes on them.
What Game Shows were iconic across Canada?
Despite the fact that there have been numerous TV Game Shows to have been developed and shown across Canada, there are a few that will stand out as being among the most iconic.
Canadian Idol – a spin-off of the UK’s Pop Idol and America’s American Idol – was a hit singing contest show that took place between 2003 and 2008. It would see musical performers compete against each other as they looked to sing their way to stardom and become a popstar. Carly Rae Jepsen is arguably the biggest act to have come out of the show, with the singer having had hits globally with songs including “Call Me Maybe”.
Another show that had done the rounds globally and was easy to adapt to a Canadian audience was Supermarket Sweep. The game became iconic worldwide, and Canadians took it to their hearts, too. Contestants would have to rush around a supermarket looking for items that matched the clues that were provided to complete their shopping lists. It was such a success and an iconic show, that it was revived!
One show that gained iconic status – for the wrong reasons – was Pitfall. It only lasted a short time (1981-82), but it gained notoriety because of how difficult and overly elaborate it was. The game show was described as being chaotic, as players would have to try and predict how the studio audience would answer certain questions. They would then have to try and cross a bridge of eight sections by answering questions themselves, but three of those sections were pitfalls.
What makes a TV Game Show iconic?
TV Game Shows have always been a well-liked form of viewing entertainment, as they provide a lot of fun and excitement for those who watch, let alone participate. They have grown in popularity over the years, and they have even become popular with other industries, too. The iGaming and casino industry has taken strides to capitalize on the number of people who like them, with software providers creating live casino titles that can replicate the experience and give players the chance to enjoy them from their homes!
There are numerous reasons that help to make a game show iconic, with many of them identified with those that achieved the status across Canada.
Some become iconic because of their global reception and how they have performed elsewhere or the stars that they managed to create as a result of their concept, while others become memorable for the wrong reasons. Nonetheless, they remain remembered and hold a place in TV Game Show history. Some shows simply obtain an iconic status because they provide something new and revolutionize the entertainment form.
TV Game Shows will be around forever
TV Game Shows are part and parcel of any TV viewing experience nowadays, with it almost guaranteed that one will be broadcast at any moment of any day. They attract millions of people because they provide a light-hearted amount of entertainment while also making for feel-good television.
The shows also offer contestants the chance to win and be on TV, and with so many in the world wanting their 15 minutes of fame, there is no denying that these programs are often the best way for them to achieve that. The moments that can be created are often TV gold and become iconic in their own right, too.
