10 Forgotten TV Game Shows Worth Remembering

First up on our list of forgotten TV game shows is Lingo. This TV game show aired during three distinct periods. CBS first broadcast the show from 1987 to 1988. Later, it had a longer run on GSN from 2002 to 2007. Again, GSN brought it back briefly in 2011. In 2022, CBS announced that there would be yet another a revival of Lingo, which premiered in early 2023.

The show’s format combined word-guessing with Bingo elements. Contestants had to deduce five-letter words. Correct guesses allowed them to draw numbered balls, which corresponded to spots on a Lingo card. Players aimed to complete a line on their card to win the game.

Different hosts led Lingo during each of it’s runs. Michael Reagan, son of President Ronald Reagan, hosted the original 1987 version. Chuck Woolery became the face of the show during its popular 2002-2007 revival. In the 2011 version, comedian Bill Engvall took over as the host. Most recently, the newest revival of the show featured RuPaul as host and executive producer,

Despite its intermittent TV presence, the show had a dedicated fanbase. Viewers appreciated its unique blend of word skills and chance, earning it a place on our list of forgotten TV game shows worth remembering.

Hollywood Squares was a celebrity-filled tic-tac-toe game that entertained American audiences from 1966 to 1980, with revivals running until 2004.

The show featured nine celebrities seated in a giant tic-tac-toe board. Contestants chose a square and had to determine if the celebrity’s answer to a trivia question was true or false to claim that space. This format led to memorable jokes, with stars like Paul Lynde and Whoopi Goldberg becoming famous for their witty responses.

Despite its long run and impact on comedy, Hollywood Squares often gets overlooked in discussions of classic game shows. However, its mix of game play and comedy influenced many later shows, earning it a special place in game show history.

Next, Password was a popular word-guessing game show that entertained audiences on CBS from 1961–1967, then later on ABC from 1971–1975 until 2022, when it went back to NBC. The show featured two teams, each consisting of a celebrity and a contestant, competing to guess secret words based on one-word clues.

In each round, one player would give a one-word clue to their partner, who then attempted to guess the secret word. The game’s simplicity and reliance on wordplay made it accessible and engaging for viewers at home. Notable celebrity participants included Betty White, who met her husband Allen Ludden (the show’s host) while appearing as a contestant.

Password‘s format led to many memorable moments, with celebrities and contestants alike showcasing their vocabulary and quick thinking. The show’s success led to several variations, including “Password Plus” and “Super Password,” each adding new elements to the core gameplay.

Despite its long run and influence on the game show genre, Password is still often overshadowed by flashier programs in discussions of classic TV. However, its timeless appeal and ability to showcase both celebrity wit and everyday contestants’ skills make it stand out.

Scrabble, the forgotten TV game show, aired from 1984 to 1990 and briefly again in 1993, hosted by Chuck Woolery. Based on the classic board game, it adapted the concept into a fast-paced TV format.

The show featured two contestants competing to solve word puzzles by filling in missing letters. Players took turns selecting numbered tiles to reveal letters and then guessing the word. The game incorporated elements of both word knowledge and luck, as some tiles contained “Stoppers” that could end a player’s turn.

Scrabble’s TV adaptation maintained the essence of the board game while adding the excitement of time pressure and head-to-head competition. Woolery’s charismatic hosting style contributed to the show’s appeal, making it a popular daytime TV staple during its run. Ultimately, Scrabble stood out for successfully translating a beloved board game into a TV format, entertaining viewers with a mix of vocabulary skills and game show drama.

Another forgotten TV game show is Concentration. Concentration was a popular memory-based game show that aired on NBC from 1958 to 1973, with various revivals running until 1991.

The show’s premise was based on the classic children’s game of matching pairs. The game featured a large board with 30 numbered squares, behind which were hidden prizes and parts of a rebus puzzle. Contestants took turns selecting two numbers, hoping to match prizes and solve the puzzle. The show’s challenge came from remembering the locations of previously revealed prizes and piecing together the picture puzzle.

It was hosted by Hugh Downs, and later by Jack Narz and Alex Trebek in its revivals. Concentration became known for its “Wild Card” feature, which could be used to match any prize on the board. Ultimately, Concentration stood out for its blend of memory skills, prize winning, and puzzle solving.

Legends of the Hidden Temple was a unique action-adventure game show that aired on Nickelodeon from 1993 to 1995. A revival with adult contestants also aired for a single season from in 2021 on The CW. Hosted by Kirk Fogg alongside the Olmec head, it featured six teams of children competing in physical and mental challenges.

The show’s format included crossing a moat, answering trivia questions, and competing in themed games. The highlight was the Temple Run, where the winning team navigated a multi-room temple filled with obstacles to retrieve an artifact. To us, it remains significant for creating a distinctive game show experience that captivated audiences with its mix of adventure, history, and challenging gameplay.

Next, Shop ‘Til You Drop was a lively game show that aired from 1991 to 2005. Set in a mock shopping mall, it put two teams against each other in consumer-related trivia and comedic stunts. Contestants answered questions and performed tasks at various storefronts to earn money or prizes.

The show’s highlight was the final “Shop ‘Til You Drop” round. Winning teams run through the mall, grabbing prizes within a time limit. This frantic shopping race became the show’s signature. Hosted by personalities like Pat Finn and JD Roberto, it entertained audiences with its unique retail-themed challenges. To us, Shop ‘Til You Drop stood out for its novel blend of consumer knowledge and physical comedy.

Double Dare was a messy Nickelodeon game show that captured the hearts of 90s kids. This iconic program ran from 1976 to 1977 on CBS. Hosted by the energetic Marc Summers, Double Dare kept viewers on the edge of their seats.

In this show, contestants answered trivia questions to earn chances to take on the infamous obstacle course. But, like many classic Nickelodeon shows, what really drew in the audience was the slime. What kid didn’t want to take a slime shower on national television? At the end of the obstacle course, a gigantic nose filled with ooey-gooey slime would douse the losing team. Lastly, the final showdown, the titular Double Dare obstacle course, determined the champions of the episode.

Without a doubt, the show’s stunts and challenges appealed to every child’s wildest dream, but today is forgotten by many. It allowed kids to live vicariously through the competitors on screen, earning a spot on our list of forgotten TV game shows worth remembering.

Next, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? was a popular quiz show that aired from 2007 to 2015, with a brief revival in 2019. Hosted by Jeff Foxworthy, it challenged adult contestants with elementary school subjects, with the help of a panel of actual fifth graders.

The show’s premise of adults struggling with children’s education topics created both entertaining and humbling moments. Its tagline became a pop culture catchphrase, prompting viewers to test their own knowledge. Despite a shorter run than some classic game shows, it made a notable impact by highlighting the value of elementary education, especially when many adults lacked knowlege of these topics.

Capping our list of forgotten TV game shows is Name That Tune. This musical game show has been on American screens since 1953, with multiple revivals keeping the show alive through 2021.

At its core, Name That Tune dared contestants to identify songs from just a few notes, creating a thrilling test of musical knowledge. The show’s “Bid-a-Note” round became legendary, with players dramatically claiming they could name a tune in as little as one note. Sometimes my friends and I even play our own version of this game, shuffling songs by our favorite artists.

Despite its unique musical concept and star-studded host lineup – from George DeWitt to Jane Krakowski – Name That Tune is often among the forgotten TV game shows. Ultimately, it stands out on our list for its timeless appeal and ability to turn musical trivia into must-see TV.

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