#4: Password (1961)
Password might seem like the most banal TV idea of our time, but sometimes, that’s all you need to make a good show. Aired in 1961 and hosted by gameshow veteran Allen Ludden, the premise was simple: On each team, one celebrity and one contestant took turns giving and guessing one-word clues to arrive at a secret password that both players must know. The catch? The clues had to be just right, or else you’d lead your partner down the garden path.
The program was an immediate success, leading to several revivals and spin-offs over the years. It was the kind of quiz show that lended itself to being played at home, and it became a favorite among viewers. Password was one of those shows that was both mentally stimulating and a real hoot. It made low-hanging fruit like ‘eaves’ and ‘lip’ into an intellectual challenge and proved that, sometimes, less is more.