Income. It can be slow and steady, or as irregular as they come. Once in a while, our income can take a lucky jump, and that’s where game shows come in. Hate them or love them, game shows have been around for the longest of times. They offer that once-in-a-lifetime chance to have a go at a fun-filled life. Whether it’s through trips, exorbitant and simple prizes, or hard cash, they have changed many lives. Because of the tight-knit reward system, most game shows come with strict rules. For example, on Wheels of Fortune, no contestant is allowed to participate twice. Game shows are therefore a good way to make some quick money, but the chances of winning are one in a million.
All over the world, people have won crazy amounts of money, trips overseas, household goods, you name it. All they had to do was pray that they get in, solve a couple of puzzles, and voila! That said, here are some game shows that have lasted for extremely long periods of time, although some are now off-air.
10 The Tunnels, Thanks To Everyone (Japan): 21 Years
The show, whose name translates to Tonneruzu no Minasan no Okage deshita in Japanese, began in 1997 and was one of Japan’s longest-running shows. It aired on Fuji television and featured owarai duo, Tunnels. The game show doubled as a variety show and featured some fun segments including quizzes, comedy, and confrontation. The final episode aired in 2018. It is credited as the show that birthed the Japanese franchise, Brain Wall, which continues to air worldwide.
9 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? (Britain): 22 Years
Simply known as Millionaire, the show debuted on the ITV network in 1998. Contestants on the show are required to answer multiple-choice questions, to determine who wins a prize. Each question is attached to a currency value. Following the success of its model, the show has been duplicated all over the world, and the original Brit version that now includes celebrities has been renewed for more seasons.
8 Noot vir Noot (South Africa): 30 Years
The title of the South African game show translates to ‘Note for Note’ in English. As its Afrikaans name suggests, the show is musically themed and runs on SABC 2. It began in 1991 and was hosted by Johan Stemmet, who retired and was replaced in 2019. On the show, four contestants interpret music clues. To mark its 39th season, a newer format was established that incorporates technology. It has been so successful, that a board game version has been made available.
7 Family Feud (USA): 45 Years
Family Feud first aired on ABC in 1976. The show was then syndicated. Its concept remodeled game shows by allowing it to be a family affair. One of the show’s biggest fans is rapper Kanye West who appeared on Celebrity Family Feud alongside his soon-to-be-divorced wife, Kim Kardashian. The show airs in various countries around the world. In 2020, an African version of the show was introduced that includes South Africa and Ghana and is hosted by comedian Steve Harvey.
6 Wheel Of Fortune (USA): 46 Years
American game show Wheel of Fortune first went on air in 1975. The show uses word puzzles and a giant spinning wheel to determine how contestants win prizes that range between hard cash and exotic trips. It began on NBC and later moved to CBS. With over 7000 episodes aired, it holds the record as one of the longest-running syndicated game shows in the United States.
5 Truth Or Consequences (USA): 48 Years
The game show originally premiered on NBC radio in 1940. It was hosted by Edwards for the better part of its time on radio and during the formative years of its syndication. Contestants on the show were given limited time to answer a trivia question. A buzzer was used to signal that time was up. The show also incorporated the spirit of a family by surprising contestants with long-lost relatives. It ended in 1988, having had one of the longest runs.
4 A Question of Sport (Britain): 50 Years
The British show is regarded as one of the world’s longest-running sports quiz shows. It features a couple of segments, including a picture board, sports action, and an observation round. The first edition of the show premiered in 1970 and has run since, with only two short breaks. The show has had several presenters and captains over the years and marked its 50th anniversary in 2020.
3 Sábado Gigante (Chile & USA): 53 Years
The Spanish show, whose name translates to ‘Great Saturday’, originated from Chile, under the name Show Dominical. It was a variety show that included live entertainment, comedy segments, car games, and animal-related contests to mention a few. During its reign, the three-hour-long program was aired every Saturday. In 1986, the show was introduced to the US, through Univision and aired until 2015.
2 Jeopardy (USA): 57 Years
Jeopardy is a game show based on general knowledge questions. It debuted on NBC in 1964 and aired until 1974 when it was syndicated. It has been around for 37 seasons and counting. Through the time it’s been on the air, the show has had a change of hosts. In its 57-year run, Jeopardy has won a record 39 Daytime Emmy Awards. Its time on-air has seen spinoffs like Sports Jeopardy emerge.
1 The Price Is Right (USA):65 Years
The American game show is believed to be the world’s longest. The very first version of The Price is Right was aired on NBC in 1956. It was hosted by Bill Cullen, who has since passed away. The show later moved to ABC and went through a series of changes. While it began as part of daytime TV, it proved to be successful and landed a primetime slot. In 1972, the version that is currently on air was developed. The year also marked its first syndication. The show’s longest-serving host, Bob Barker, held the job for a record 35 years.