Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune have long dominated the world of syndicated game shows, thanks in part to lack of competition and in part to their steady 7-8 p.m. block on many affiliates. But a new day is dawning — a new day focused less on a trivia and puzzles, and more on coming up with funny names for butts and such. That’s right, Family Feud, the long-running also-ran that got an innuendo-laden bump under new host Steve Harvey, has overtaken both shows to become America’s new most popular game show.
And the Feud‘s newfound dominance goes even further. This week’s debut of Celebrity Family Feud was the most popular prime-time series in the 18-49 demo, and the original version, in addition to taking down Jeopardy and Wheel, also knocked off Judge Judy.
Family Feud had tied Jeopardy once before, but last week marked the first time since the advent of Nielsen People-Meters in 1987 that it had caught or surpassed Wheel of Fortune as the most-popular game show in syndication. And it also had to fend off Judge Judy (6.0), as the long-running court show typically stands as No. 1 overall in the household ratings derby.
There’s something comforting, and almost patriotic, about the most popular game show in the country being one where a contestant — who is apparently a pastor — can say “a lady’s boobs” on television and have his answer be (a) the correct one that clinches the round for his team, and (b) immediately outdone by the terminology the show uses on its official board. America remains a great and proud nation.
(Via Variety)
