MESSY GAMESHOWS

A BRIEF HISTORY

The messy gameshow was a television genre that emerged in the 1980s and remained a popular trend throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Shows varied from quiz-type shows, to physical challenges and stunts, or some combination thereof. Although the genre thrived in the US and UK, at its peak in popularity, there were similar shows in many countries across the globe.

INCEPTION TO PRESENT

From the early years of television in the 1950s, American game shows like Beat the Clock (1950) and Choose Up Sides (1954) sometimes featured messy or slapstick stunts. By the 1980s, runaway hit Double Dare (1986) spawned a trend for game shows centered around mess, especially Nickelodeon's signature green slime. The trend would remain popular for many years, especially on children's TV.

In the UK, anarchic Saturday morning kids' shows like TISWAS (1974) set the groundwork for future British game shows centered around gunge and mess. By the 1990s, messy game shows had become popular on television in many countries across the world.

By the late 2000s, however, the genre had sharply declined in popularity, with many shows never to be repeated. Although production trends have moved on, these shows will be fondly remembered by the generation that grew up watching them, and represent the spirit of a lost era.

EXAMPLES

Following are some examples of popular game shows from the US and UK featuring some regular element of mess.

UNITED STATES

• Double Dare

• Fun House

• Wild & Crazy Kids

• What Would You Do?

• Wild Animal Games

• Family Challenge

• Slime Time Live

• SPLAT!

• Figure it Out