If you love to watch Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? or Family Feud, you have television’s original game shows to thank for the popular host and contestant format. Here are two of the very first game shows to appear TV screens:
Truth or Consequences
Truth or Consequences began as a radio program, and it first aired on television in 1950. Its contestants had to answer trivia questions in no more than two seconds (the show’s "Truth" portion), but the questions were almost always ridiculous or incredibly difficult. Once the contestant inevitably could not answer, they were faced with a "Consequence," typically an embarrassing stunt or physical activity. Truth or Consequences was particularly beloved for its sentimental surprise appearances, often a long-lost family member or a son returning from Vietnam.
What’s My Line?
This 1950 panel-style game show featured a panel of celebrities who had to question contestants about their professions. The contestants could only respond with “yes” or “no” answers, and the panelists aimed to guess the contestant’s occupation based on the obtained answers. Occasionally a celebrity mystery guest appeared on the show, in which case the panel attempted to guess the person’s identity instead. What’s My Line? eventually spawned international versions and, later on, U.S. revivals, a radio version, and even a live stage version.
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