Game shows are a unique genre that provides entertainment for the whole family. Never mind what your favorite show is; everyone likes a good game show. There’s nothing quite as exciting as seeing the host unveil the prizes, the neon-lit excitement in the room, and the thrill of competition. You might think that some popular game shows are recent, but a lot of the most popular shows are actually decades older than you think. We’re here today to explore some of the oldest gameshows that have paved the way for more to come and remain iconic to this day.
#1: Match Game (1962)
The Match Game that we know and love from the 1970s was not always so funny. Back when it premiered on NBC in 1962, the show was a tame, straight-up game. The host, Gene Rayburn, had two contestants try to match answers with a six-person panel of celebrities. The questions were simple, but as time went on, they became more of a vehicle for jokes–and by the 1970s, the show was famous for its innuendos and celebrity antics.
Match Game went on to become one of America’s favorite game shows of all time. Whether you recall laughing at the zany answers or trying to guess what the stars would say, Match Game was always entertaining. Honestly, though, those 1970s episodes? They show the pure, unmitigated craziness of the era. And that’s okay.