ABC’s focus on “fun and games” during the summer months has certainly paid off for the network making ABC the most-watched network last summer. And it should be no surprise that new game shows will be popping up on NBC, CBS and FOX during the next month or so as well. Beginning this week marks the return of Holey Moley, Celebrity Family Feud, Match Game, Press Your Luck, To Tell the Truth and one new show, Don’t. Suspiciously absent from the list is Card Sharks and $25,000 Pyramid, but the network is still saying that both will return sometime in 2020.
Holey Moley
This first-of-its-kind miniature golf competition show was a huge hit last year and is the first to return with new obstacles for competitors to overcome. I don’t remember if the show ran for six or eight weeks last summer, but either way, ABC will be airing 13 episodes of the show this year. ABC says that the show will be “bringing more drama, trick shots and hysterically impressive wipeouts.” Stephen Curry continues to serve as an executive producer of the show as well as the resident golf pro. Rob Riggle and Joe Tessitore will return as color and play-by-play commentators, respectively, while Jeannie Mai will resume her role as sideline correspondent. Holey Moley debuts on Thursday, May 21 at 9 p.m.
To Tell the Truth
It’s hard to believe that this old faithful gameshow will be airing it’s fifth season in it’s current form with Anthony Anderson serving as host. Though “reimagined,” To Tell the Truth is pretty much the same as it was when it aired for the first time in the 1950’s. Three people come up and claim to be the same person and a panal of four stars (plus Anderson’s mother) fire off questions to see who the two imposters are and who is the one really telling the truth. Some of thos panelists this season include Ashanti, Brad Garrett, Michael Strahan, Mark Duplass, Mike Tyson, Patti LaBelle, Rita Moreno, Yara Shahidi, and many more. To Tell the Truth premieres on Thursday, May 21 at 10 p.m.
Celebrity Family Feud
Although fairly innocent in it’s concept, Celebrity Family Feud is often raunchier than the classic series and judging by the guests appearing during the show’s six season, we are bound to get more of the same. Hosted by Steve Harvey, this summer’s guests include the original cast of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy vs. the current cast of the updated show; the cast of Jersey Shore vs. the cast of The Hills; the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills vs. Andy Cohen and more. Celebrity Family Feud begins its season on Sunday, May 31 at 8 p.m.
Press Your Luck
Nobody is more surprised than me that this game show got a second season. It’s pretty much all chance or luck to win and the audience can’t really play along except to say “No whammies!” loudly at the TV screen. With three players hoping to win the $1 million dollar prize, the show is once hosted by Elizabeth Banks. Press Your Luck premieres on Sunday, May 31 at 9 p.m.
Match Game
The most risque of the bunch returns with a special themed episode with host Alec Baldwin dressed as a prison inmate and a panel of stars who appeared on TV crime shows over the years including Mario Cantone, Jennifer Esposito, Adam Rodriguez, Angie Harmon, Michael Chiklis and Melissa Fumero. The star’s job on Match Game is to match their answers with the two contestants. Other stars set to appear on the show during season 5 include Amy Sedaris, Bob Saget, Christie Brinkley, Fred Armisen, Jane Krakowski, Padma Lakshmi and Vivica A. Fox, among many others. Match Game premieres on Sunday, May 24 at 10 p.m.
Don’t
Next to Jeopardy, Don’t is probably the shortest title of game shows ever. It is from the twisted mind of Ryan Reynolds and is unlike anything you’ve seen in the past. Don’t is described as a “comedic physical game show where doing nothing is what it takes to win (finally!).” I In each episode, members of a four-person team strive to accomplish various challenges, such as “Don’t Blink,” “Don’t Look Back” and “Don’t Play Ball in the House,” as they work together to build their bank. If they fail a challenge, they don’t earn money and suffer ridiculous consequences. Along the way, they’ll have the choice to take risks by pushing the “Don’t Push” button or taking a chance on a “Don’t You Dare, You.” In the end, whatever money they have left in their bank – if anything – is theirs to keep. (Contestants are given the opportunity to earn up to $100,000.) Don’t doesn’t premiere until Thursday, June 11 at 9 p.m.
(Main image: ABC)
Writer of Pop Culture 
Leave a Reply