In the modern age, the concept of scheduled television programing and traditional viewing has become increasingly redundant.

This is thanks to the unprecedented rise of live streaming and video-on-demand, which is available through services such as Netflix and enables viewers to set their own viewing schedule.

While this has been well-received and is gradually changing the nature of the entertainment industry, the evolution of viewing habits is also tinged with sadness. We may never see the type of game shows that distinguished our childhoods, for example, as the demand for these innovative shows as part of fixed viewing schedules continues to dwindle.

While TV’s many classic game shows are entirely different from one another, they are all bound by a uniquely innovative outlook and a relatively simplistic formula. There are many that stand out from the late ’70s and ’80s, although we have managed to select our three favourites…

 

Bullseye

If you tuned into the recent BDO World Darts Championship at the Lakeside, the lure and appeal of the sport will be easy to understand. This immense popularity came to the fore during the 1980’s and it provided the catalyst for the ITV game show Bullseye.

Shown every Sunday evening, Bullseye was unique in that it combined darts with general knowledge while it also delivered relatively good prizes at the end. This game as also been immortalised through the latest online slots at Royal Vegas Canada, where there sits a mobile incarnation of this cult classic.

 

Supermarket Sweep

Perhaps the most bizarre game show of all time, Supermarket Sweep became a fixture of weekday television during the early 1990’s. Hosted by the perennially upbeat and perma-tanned Dale Winton, contestants were often seen haring around a faux-supermarket set in an attempt to gather as many items as possible before the time ran out.

Fusing the crucial elements of human competition and energetic gameplay, Supermarket Sweep became a cult favourite among housewives and seniors nationwide while also propelling Winton to national stardom. The embodiment of game show carnage, this remains one of our favourites to this day.

 

Blankety Blank

This game was so good (and yet so simple) the producers were even able to offer a mere pen as the main prize available to contestants. This was indicative of a minimalist approach to gameplay, while general knowledge across a range of subjects determined success or failure for those fortunate enough to participate.

Make no mistake; however, the main reason behind the popularisation of this game is the enigmatic host Les Dawson. His presence and unique sense of humour transcended the show, and elevated Blankety Blank into the realms of cult status. Without him, this game show may have been little more than a footnote in television history rather a reference point for hilarious, family fun!