Game Shows

6 Pages 1377 Words

Game Shows


While watching television in the United States one can say many things about “American Culture.” There are all types of shows that appeal to every type of person. The main goal of TV shows is making money. “Television executives have subjected Americans to a relentless wave of banal programming designed more to generate income than to stimulate thought.” (Signs of Life, pg. 238). While TV producers are trying to make money, the US economy thrives on every individual’s goal for one day to be rich. These days TV is littered with “Reality” TV shows, game shows, and shows that supposedly portray the “normal” person’s life. “Like other popular forms of programming, these shows also mirrored their times.” (Signs of life, 245) Game shows are the closest reality there is when it comes to trying to accurately portray the average Americans personality. Game shows portray the greed, and pursuit of wealth that Americans so desperately thrive for.
Game shows have been on TV since close to the beginning of the “tube”. And currently there is an entire channel devoted to game shows called “The Game Show Network.” This station usually broadcasts old shows that people don’t get to see anymore. With all of the interest in the game show world it seems as if there is a new show every week. The most popular game shows on TV, and my personal favorites, are “The Price is Right,” and “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.” Although these shows have there differences, they still capture the main idea of a game show.
“Who Want’s to be a Millionaire” is a game show that is open to the public to try to get on. Viewers must call into the show and answer questions that the telephone operator asks them. If they are selected from the millions, they get to be one of the ten that may get to play the game. At the beginning of the show all the possible players are introduced. They then are aske...