How to Be a Game Show Fan

Can you recite the top 10 game show winners of all time order of their winnings? Can you name at least 20 different Whammy's from the 1980s hit "Press Your Luck"? And do you know at last 15 of the models' names on "Deal or No Deal"? Many people like game shows; but a loyal few are true game show fans. If you want to take your game show fandom to the next level, read on.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Equip yourself with a healthy dose of camp. You simply can't take game show conventions too seriously--whether it's a scantily clad woman draping herself over a refrigerator, or a contestant screaming in ecstasy over the nirvana of a new car.

2. Watch lots of GSN (formerly known as the Game Show Network) for a healthy dose of classic and new game show programming. Be sure to tune in to the late night showings of old black-and-white episodes of fabulous programs such What's My Line.

3. Read up on the history of this classic TV (and radio) genre. A good place to start is The Encyclopedia of TV Game Shows. (See Additional Resources below).

4. For everything you need to know about specific shows, game show trivia, how to become a contestant or get tickets, check out Carrie Grosvenor's About Game Shows website (see Additional Resources below).

5. If you dream of becoming a game show contestant, take advantage of the wide selection of realistic games on DVD! Choices include The Price is Right, Press Your Luck, Family Feud, $100,000 Pyramid, Wheel of Fortune, and more.

6. For information of how to become a contestant, a variety of helpful articles are available on eHow (see Related Articles).

Tips & Warnings

• Want to be a Deal or No Deal model, but lack the supermodel body of the intricate briefcase-opening skills? Purchase a black purse that looks a little like a briefcase and engrave it with your favorite model's number.
• Love Press Your Luck? Dress like a Whammy for Halloween!
• Game shows are an international institution, so get to know game shows from around the world.
• Ignore the taunts of those who think your obsession with game shows is silly. Is this any sillier than memorizing Star Trek episodes or NFL stats?

Resources

• GSN Website
• The Encyclopedia of TV Game Shows
• Game Shows at About.com

[stevemar2]

on 6/2/2009 I am a huge game show fan. I like current and classic game shows. I don't like GSN much anymore though because they keep showing their GSN originals and they're getting old. I'd like it if they showed game show episodes from the 70's and 80's.