Game shows have been a television staple for years now. That’s because it’s the easiest genre to get hooked on. With game shows, you don’t need to catch up on seasons of backstories, and there’s no long-term commitment. All you have to do is kick back and enjoy hours upon hours of fast-paced competition that is sure to keep you entertained. Whether it’s trivia, physical challenges, or luck-based competitions, you can’t deny that we all take some kind of second-hand pleasure in watching others take big risks, make hilariously incorrect guesses, and pull off shocking wins.

But if you pay attention, almost all TV game shows are meant to be played in short-term, single-episode formats. While that’s great for momentary entertainment, some of these game shows could be even better if they played out over a longer period in the form of a reality series. Instead of wrapping everything up in half an hour, contestants could stay in the game for even weeks or days, as audiences got to know them better. Most game shows already have high-stake formats that can naturally lead to drama and tension. So, stretching them out into a full-blown reality competition could be a worthwhile experiment. And if done right, these reimagined game shows could make for some of the most entertaining reality series of all time.

10

‘The Weakest Link’

(2000–2017)

Hosted by the iconic Anne Robinson, BBC’s The Weakest Link was a pretty intense game show. But can you imagine all the tension if it was to become a reality show? The format of The Weakest Link is pretty straightforward. You have a group of contestants working together to build up a prize pot by answering trivia questions. Every time they get an answer wrong, they risk losing money. So, at the end of each round, the team votes to eliminate one of their own, the person they consider to be the weakest link in the group. This combination of teamwork and ruthless backstabbing makes each round more entertaining than the last. Not to mention Anne’s signature, cold dismissal of the eliminated contestants as she says: “You are the weakest link. Goodbye.”

The show came to an end in March 2012, and a reality revival might be exactly what the fans need! If The Weakest Link is adapted to a reality series, the game would obviously expand beyond the contestants answering trivia questions. The reality show could take place in a number of high-pressure environments, such as a deserted island, a haunted house, or a corporate office, where contestants have to work together to solve puzzles and complete logic-based challenges. Just like in the game show, the moment a player fails to rise up to the challenge, the rest of the group turns on them. A show like this could be the perfect combination of Survivor and The Traitors but with an intellectual twist.

The Weakest Link

Release Date

September 29, 2020

Network

NBC

Directors

Barbara Wiltshire

Writers

Aiden Spackman

9

‘Deal or No Deal’

(2005–2019)

Deal or No Deal premiered in 2005 and was an instant hit with the audience. Hosted by the charming Howie Mandel, the show thrived on a simple concept. The contestants would pick a briefcase containing a hidden cash value. Then, they have to eliminate the remaining briefcases to narrow down the possible value of their chosen cake with the ultimate goal of walking away with the biggest prize. However, the twist came when the anonymous Banker came in with tempting offers to get the players to let go of their chosen briefcase as they debated whether to take his deal or risk it all for a bigger prize.

The original Deal or No Deal ran for eight seasons and was a game of luck and risk assessment. In 2024, the show was reimagined as Deal or No Deal Island, hosted by Joe Manganiello. The show features a group of contestants stranded on an island where they compete for briefcases and try to outlast their opponents. But I think the format just isn’t utilizing the game to its maximum potential. Instead of an island survival format, I imagine a Deal or No Deal reality series to take on the shape of a heist where contestants have to strategize, form alliances, and negotiate for the best deals. At the start, each contestant gets a randomly assigned briefcase with no idea what’s inside. Over multiple rounds, they then compete in different challenges to earn the right to peek inside their case, swap with another player, or even steal someone else’s briefcase.

The Banker could take a more interactive role and throw unexpected curveballs that force contestants to rethink their entire strategy. Limited-time offers, hidden advantages, and secret deals made between players could all add new layers of suspense. All in all, this version of the game would really highlight the risk and suspense that the fans associate with the original game show. What’s not to love about that?

8

‘The Dating Game’

(1965–1986)

Way before dating reality shows took over, The Dating Game set the blueprint for finding love on TV. The show premiered in 1965 and was one of the first televised programs that turned matchmaking into entertainment. Compared to reality dating shows as we now know them, the premise of The Dating Game was fairly simple. A single man or woman would pose a series of questions to three potential suitors seated behind a partition. Based on their answers, the contestant would pick a person to go on a date with. As basic as it was, the show premiered in an era when dating apps hadn’t been invented. So, it felt like a fresh take on the idea of finding love itself. Even celebrities such as Farrah Fawcett, Leif Garrett, Tom Selleck, and Lee Majors participated in the show to try and find their perfect match.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. With so many other dating reality series to choose from, would it even be worth it to turn The Dating Game into one? The basic premise of The Dating Game reality show would be similar to Love Is Blind, where contestants have to form connections without seeing each other. But because this is a game show to a reality TV adaptation, you need to have a few challenges thrown in! At the end of each round of questions, the contestant would have the choice to eliminate one contestant for someone new. This would add another element of decision-making, rather than just picking between three people.

Not to mention that the show could also incorporate audience participation, with viewers voting on surprise twists, mystery dates, or even forcing contestants to swap their matches. When a contestant picks their ultimate three matches, the finalists could also be made to perform in a series of compatibility challenges. So, the possibilities are really endless here.

7

‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’

(1998–)

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? was a British quiz show that originally aired from September 1998 to February 2014 and was presented by Chris Tarrant. Because of its massive success, the show

was quickly adapted for American audiences in 1999, where it became a cultural phenomenon overnight. Hosted by Regis Philbin, the U.S. version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? followed the same engaging format of its British counterpart. Contestants answered a series of 15 increasingly difficult multiple-choice questions to reach the million-dollar jackpot. Along the way, they could rely on three lifelines, including 50/50, Phone a Friend, and Ask the Audience, to help them navigate tough questions. Unlike most other game shows, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? was meant to be slow, as the audience watched each contestant ponder over their options before answering a question.

The most recent revival came in 2020, with Jimmy Kimmel hosting a limited-run edition that featured celebrity contestants playing for charity. But what if the game show was reimagined as a Survivor-style reality show? Here’s how it would work: Contestants would participate in high-pressure trivia challenges. But instead of taking the hot seat one by one, the game would pit multiple contestants against each other as they attempt to reach the hot seat. The lowest performers in each round would get eliminated either in a sudden-death battle or by voting. This could introduce an element of strategic alliance formation in the game. The strongest contestants would get their shot at the Millionaire hot seat, and their starting amounts would be different based on their past performance.

When it comes to the lifelines, instead of the usual options, contestants would have to rely on rivals for help. But would the player offer real support, or will they sabotage their competitor with a misleading answer? The potential for betrayal and drama in a format like this will only add to the already-engaging format of the game show and take it into the direction of psychological warfare where knowledge alone can’t guarantee anything.

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire

Release Date

September 4, 1998

Network

ITV1

• 

  Chris Tarrant

  Self – Host

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6

‘Press Your Luck’

(1983–2003)

Press Your Luck is one of the most unpredictable and bizarre game shows in TV history. The show originally aired on CBS between 1983 and 1986 before being revived in 2019 with Elizabeth Banks as the host. Press Your Luck centers on a cartoon creature known as Whammy, who can wipe out a contestant’s entire earnings in an instant. The game show follows the contestants as they answer trivia questions to earn spins on a giant game board. Here, they can land on cash prizes, extra spins, or, of course, Whammy! Now, the contestants can press their luck and keep spinning to grow their winnings, but the more they spin, the higher the risk of losing everything.

A reality adaptation of the show could take the risk and unpredictability of the original game to a whole new level and a much larger scale. Rather than having the contestants appear on a single episode, they could participate in a season-long competition where they are up against others in mental and physical challenges to earn spins. Instead of just answering trivia, the contestants have to strategize and even make alliances to gain more chances to win money. And, of course, the Whammies in this format will be more relentless than in the original show. If a contestant lands on a Whammy, they won’t just lose money, they could lose a key advantage, get temporarily suspended from the game, or be forced to betray their allies. All in all, Press Your Luck is the perfect game show to be reimagined as a reality TV series simply because of the built-in suspense and potential for turning into a high-stakes battle.

Press Your Luck

Release Date

1983 – 2002

Network

CBS

• 

  Charlie O’Donnell

  Uncredited

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5

‘The Newlywed Game’

(1966–1974)

The Newlywed Game practically defines the ’60s. The show premiered in 1966 with Bob Eubanks as its founding host. As the name suggests, the show featured newlyweds answering personal and often embarrassing questions about each other. The couples competed to see who knew each other the best to win a prize. Now, while the game is fairly straightforward, I can already see it being adapted into a successful reality show where relationships are tested in high-pressure situations. We already have shows such as Temptation Island and The Ultimatum that push couples to their breaking points. But The Newlywed Game could capitalize on the element of nostalgia.

The way I see it, multiple newlywed couples would move into a house together and compete in relationship challenges to prove that their marriage is the strongest. Instead of just answering pre-written questions like in the original game, this reality version would put newlyweds in real-world scenarios where they must predict each other’s decisions under pressure. To add high-stakes drama, challenges could also include loyalty tests. For example, one spouse might have to make a decision that affects their partner’s standing in the game. These moments would reveal the couple’s true priorities and lead to fun twists that we all love when it comes to reality TV.

4

‘Family Feud’

(1976–1985)

Family Feud originally ran from 1976 to 1985 and was hosted by Richard Dawson. The show hit its second golden age in 2010 when Steve Harvey took over as the host and breathed new life into the game with his unmatched comedic timing. Family Feud pits two families against each other as they guess the most accurate answers to survey questions. The game leads up to the iconic Fast Money round, where one family can win the grand prize. With the show’s continued success, it’s easy to see how Family Feud could evolve into a full-blown reality series. For starters, family dynamics are naturally entertaining, so even the original format of the game is built for drama and comedy. And that’s exactly what makes it so perfect for a reality TV adaptation.

The reality version of Family Feud could feature two families moving into the same home and living together, similar to the format of Big Brother. They would then have to compete in a mix of Feud-style games and real-world family challenges. So, the families would still compete in survey-based rounds, but winning them would earn them advantages for the next stage of the competition. The game could also include challenges such as testing the teams’ decision-making skills by giving them a limited amount of money to use for the entire week. These emotional and strategic challenges would actually test which one of the two families can function as a well-oiled machine and bring in a completely new element to the familiar game of Family Feud.

Family Feud

Release Date

January 1, 1977

Network

Seven Network

Directors

Paul Alter

3

‘Love Connection’

(1983–1998)

Hosted by Chuck Woolery, Love Connection originally premiered in September 1983 and ran till July 1994. The show was relaunched unsuccessfully in 1998 and was revived again in 2017 with Andy Cohen as the host. The show featured contestants choosing one of three dates after watching a series of videotaped profiles. The audience would simultaneously vote on which one of the three options they found the most suitable. The contestant would then go on a date with their selected match and return to the show to share their experience with the audience. After that, they are shown the audience’s vote. If the audience’s selection wasn’t the same as the contestant’s original pick, they were given the option to either stick with their chosen date or take the show’s offer to go on a second date with the person the audience had selected.

If you ask me, the premise of the show was pretty interesting because the contestants had to decide whether to trust their own instincts or take a chance on the majority’s choice. Since the dates happened off-camera, the real entertainment came from the unfiltered and often brutally honest retellings of what happened. Honestly, I wish the show had run for longer than it did. But maybe a reality TV revival could be the much-needed modern twist it needs. The reality Love Connection would feature a contestant embarking on a multi-episode dating experiment.

Just like the original game, they will initially be presented with the profiles of three potential matches without any photos. They pick one person to go on a first blind date based purely on their personality. And this is where the similarities with Love Is Blind end. After the first date takes place, the audience gets involved. The show could really expand the viewers’ role in the reality show and get them to vote on whether the contestant should go on a second date with the same person or switch to someone else. This way, the audience could save doomed connections, introduce last-minute twists, or force a contestant to rethink what they want from a relationship. At the end of this experiment, the contestant would have a final decision to make: stick with their initially chosen match or pick the person the audience thinks is the best for them.

2

‘Legends of the Hidden Temple’

(1993–1995)

Hear me out. I know Legends of the Hidden Temple was originally meant to be an adventure game show for kids, but a reality TV reboot of the show could take its concept to a whole new level. Hosted by Kirk Fogg, Legends of the Hidden Temple ran from 1993 to 1995 on Nickelodeon. Each episode featured six teams of two contestants competing in physical challenges and solving themed puzzles to navigate the Mayan history and mythology-inspired temple while dodging the dreaded Temple Guards. With the mysterious talking stone head Olmec, and a set design straight out of a movie, the show became an instant cult classic.

The thrill of racing against the clock and dodging all kinds of obstacles made this show a hit, not just with the kids but with adults too! So, expanding the idea to a multi-week reality series where contestants live and compete inside a similar “hidden temple” environment sounds pretty exciting to me. The show would be a Suvivor-style competition, but the contestants would require a deep knowledge of history and mythology to outlast the competition. The Temple Guards could remain an important part of the show, but this time around, they could actually set traps and ambush players to throw them off.

Of course, the grand finale would be an expanded, higher-stakes version of the Temple Run, where the remaining contestants must retrieve an artifact, avoid hidden dangers, and navigate a multi-level obstacle course while being pursued by the Temple Guards. You can’t tell me that doesn’t sound like a reality show like no other.

1

‘1 vs 100’

(2006–2008)

Based on the Dutch game show Eén tegen 100, 1 vs 100 ran from 2006 to 2008 with Bob Saget as the host. The game revolves around a single player, known as The One, competing against a hundred other contestants, known as The Mob, in a trivia match. Depending on how many Mob members they manage to eliminate from the game, The One earns prize money. However, one incorrect answer and all their winnings went to The Mob. While 1 vs. 100 had a respectable run, it was eventually canceled. But you have to admit that the core concept still holds massive potential as a reality TV competition.

The tension of one player versus a massive group naturally creates drama. But instead of a one-off trivia battle, a reality reboot of the show would play out over multiple weeks, with the tension slowly rising. Unlike the original, where one contestant played until they lost, the reality show could have a different “The One” every week. To earn that right, though, the contestants would have to compete in different challenges, including trivia rounds. This constant shift in power dynamics would mean that every contestant stays on edge at all times. Some may call that disorienting, but hey, that’s what reality TV is all about.

In this format, The Mob wouldn’t just be trivia opponents, they would be an important part of the overall gameplay. Mob members could form alliances, work against stronger players, or even earn advantages that would make it harder for The One to win. By introducing secret individual offers or elimination rounds, the reality series could make things even more unpredictable and fun to watch.

Keep Reading: The 10 Best Game Shows of All Time, Ranked