top of page

DOUBLE DARE

Double Dare was a popular Nickelodeon gameshow franchise that started in 1986, which has seen various iterations in many countries over the course of 20 years.  Nickelodeon executives had reportedly wanted to build a gameshow around around the network's signature green slime.  After much testing, the network devised the the format, and a classic was born.  The show proved to be so popular, that the format was sold to a number of networks in other countries, including Canada, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, and Australia.

​

FORMAT

Although this gameshow has been reworked in many iterations, the basic format remains the same.  The first two rounds see a combination of trivia questions and physical challenges as two teams (red vs. blue) battle it out for the chance to run the obstacle course and win prizes.  

​

SUPER SLOPPY DOUBLE DARE

Starting in 1987, Nickelodeon began producing a messier version of its game show, but with the same format:  Two teams of two would compete in a series of questions and physical challenges to win the right to run through an even sloppier obstacle course.  By the end of this series, production had moved to a larger studio facility in Orlando, Florida, where it would remain for all subsequent versions.

SSDD.jpg
Double Dare: About

FAMILY DOUBLE DARE

In 1990, the network rolled out a new version of the show, again hosted by Marc Summers, but this time with four-player teams (generally parents and two kids on each team).  Family Double Dare was produced from 1990 - 1993, but continued in reruns for a few years following.  The first three series of Double Dare (1986 - 1993) was comprised of 482 episodes.

FDD - 2.jpg
Double Dare: About

DOUBLE DARE 2000

Starting in January of 2000, Nickelodeon began airing a new version, retaining the same format as Family Double Dare, but with a new host, Jason Harris.  A new, optional "triple-dare challenge" was added, which offered winners three times the dollars, but made challenges unnecessarily difficult.  The obstacle course was renamed "the slopstacle course."  This version is notable for introducing the new messy substance "goooze," which was also marketed and sold as a toy.  67 episodes were produced, but this version didn't have the magic of the original series, and only lasted one season.

​

2018 REVIVAL

A new version was broadcast from 2018 - 2019, again with a new host, but this time returning to the original series' format of two, two-player teams.  Original host Marc Summers returned as announcer.  The final series lasted for two seasons, with a total of 61 episodes.

​

FINAL THOUGHTS

Double Dare was the gameshow that put emerging network Nickelodeon on the map, and ushered in an era of similarly themed messy gameshows.  It had plenty of humor, iconic set designs, and memorable music.  Back in the day, all of your friends knew exactly what show you were referencing when you uttered the words, "On your mark, get set...   GOOOOOO!!!!!!!!"

Double Dare: About
  • YouTube
bottom of page