Why Do We Enjoy a Good Game Show?

Of all the different types of TV shows out there, there is no denying that game shows are one of the most popular. No matter what country you are in, if you switch on the TV, there is a chance that you will be able to find some form of game show to watch. Why do we enjoy a game show so much? Let’s take a look.

The Chance to Play Along at Home

Game shows are often very inclusive, so you have the chance to play along at home. The hosts will play to the audience at home as much as they would to one in the studio. Anyone who has been to a TV show taping knows how difficult and important this is, but it is something that most hosts can do with ease.

Most game shows revolve around some sort of question-and-answer set-up. This allows a viewer to put forward their own answer and see if they are right. Even if the game show does not use a quiz system, a discussion about how each viewer would go about the given task instead.

You could even try one of the many games inspired by game shows if you want to try playing along in a slightly different way. Game shows are inclusive, and there is always a way for people to get involved no matter how far from the studios they might be.

Variation

Game shows are also incredibly popular because they have a wide variation between the shows and the tasks. If you want a quiz show that is general knowledge, you will be able to find half a dozen to choose from. Likewise, you could find political game shows that can also serve as a good means of catching up on current events.

There are also the more physical game shows, such as the wonder that is Japan’s Takeshi’s Castle and the various spin offs of Ninja Warrior. These can put the contestants into crazy scenarios that can require some quick thinking. Unfortunately for the contestants, their failures are often more entertaining than their successes!

Charismatic Hosts   

The charisma of the hosts of these shows is often one of the most important parts of any game show. A good host will become a household name simply by their ability to control the show and offer quips while things play out.

A great example of how the charisma of the hosts can play out in a show can be found in the UK game show Taskmaster. The hosts, Greg Davies and Alex Horne, are comedians and well-known in their own right. However, their comedic schtick and personalities on the show has become one of the features that people enjoy the most while watching. The way that they play off each other is something that the other variations of Taskmaster have failed to capture.

Light and Entertaining

At the end of the day, a game show is always going to be a light and entertaining show. People watch them because they want to have a laugh. Even if they are quiz shows that require a lot of specialized knowledge to progress through, you will often find that there are plenty of light-hearted moments around them that create some of the most memorable moments of the show.

Game shows are a massive part of TV culture. They can produce fantastic moments that we will always remember. If you want to know more about a country and its viewing habits, you really need to look no further than what their most popular game show looks like. There are some amazing shows out there to discover – and you might not always need to understand their language to fully appreciate what is happening in the show.