A trend has emerged on television in the past few years. Classic game shows that were once a staple on network morning lineups are suddenly becoming vouge again.
Yes, these new television shows have a different time slot, preferring the once-a-week, primetime slot rather than the five-day-a-week, morning slot these shows were made for, but the premise has remained almost exactly the same. The producers of the new game shows aren't aiming for a reboot like in years past, but re-creating its original counterpart.
With so many new, retro game shows on the air, we think it's time to rank all of the classic game shows on the air today, from the worst to the best.
Card Sharks
Card Sharks first premiered on NBC in 1978, and while it continues to have a lasting run in syndication, ABC decided that the time was right for a reboot, since it has nearly rebooted every classic game show. The premise hasn't changed, acting as a glorified guessing game to see which card is the highest, but the new host, Joel McHale, doesn't carry that same charisma as Jim Perry or Bob Eubanks did in the show's heyday.
The $100,000 Pyramid
The Pyramid has long been one of the game show's most highly-rated franchises, so it was long due for a reboot. Like most classic game shows that have received a jolt of modern freshness, The $100,000 Pyramid hasn't changed in its premise, and Michael Strahan does an irable job of hosting the show. But, it doesn't feel quite the same without Dick Clark, who brought a sense of humor and talkative spirit to the show that Strahan doesn't at times.
To Tell The Truth
There are a lot of viewers who aren't too familiar with this show's format, but it's up there with some of the classics in the genre. The premise revolves around a group of ists that consist of two "imposters" who lie and one who tells the truth. The job of the contestant is to pick out the "central character" who tells the truth. This reboot had the potential to be a dud, but Anthony Anderson brings life to the series, and the ists seem to enjoy being part of the show, which makes for an enjoyable viewing experience.
Match Game
The Match Game has long been an iconic game show, but it's been on-and-off the air since its original run on NBC from 1962 until 1984. The new version began on ABC in 2016, tapping Alec Baldwin to do his best Gene Rayburn impression in steering the show's premise that requires contestants to match the answers of a celebrity .
The Match Game has always been known for the off-beat candor and wacky, humorous double entendres, and it's great to see that they haven't lost that spirit in the new version. Granted, no one will replace the legendary Rayburn, but Baldwin was a great choice to carry on the legacy of this game show.
Press Your Luck
In 1983, Press Your Luck debuted on CBS and became an immediate hit. Since the original went off the air in 1986, it had one reboot in 2000 but received the ABC-treatment in 2019, reverting back to much of the original gameplay format and tapping the hilarious Elizabeth Banks as host. Banks really brings it with Press Your Luck, flowing well with the fast and suspenseful drama that the game is known for. Among the reboots, this is one of the best as it goes through with a snappy and fun pace that keeps viewers hooked and entertained. Press Your Luck has long proven that it should be a weekly staple, not just a summer-time fling.
Supermarket Sweep
This is a new entry into the fun, chaotic spirit to the game that Bill Malone (the original host) and Ruprecht never really brought. It makes for a great time seeing Jones interact with the teams and bring a fresh vitality to this classic game.
The Joker's Wild
As good as the ABC reboots are, there is one game show that has trumped them all: The Joker's Wild. First premiering in 1972, Snoop Dogg helped bring the classic game back to the airwaves in 2017 and it's been a staple on cable television since. The way Snoop presents the show (he also serves as a co-executive producer) is unlike anything in the show's entire run, and that's for the better. Snoop doesn't host The Joker's Wild as agame show reboot on television right now.