One of the interesting things in working for Merv Griffin was getting to see how his success in game shows was something he couldn’t have avoided if he tried. He was obsessed with games. He used to read five newspapers every morning just to get the five different crossword puzzles. Word play was a favorite of his, often riffing jokes about names, or twisting words into different meanings. In a meeting I set up between Merv and Endemol USA‘s then Chairman/CEO David Goldberg to see if we could find synergy between Merv’s brand and Edemol’s global reach, the first thing out of Merv’s mouth to Goldberg was, “Why do you want to end them all?” Goldberg didn’t answer. Merv continued, “End-them-all….End-’em-all…Your company name is…Endemol“. Meetings with Merv were never boring, and you always had to keep up with the wry wit.
“Why don’t we just give them the answers, and see if they can come up with the question?“
Life was a big game, and Merv loved to make others play. He told me about how he and family friends would go to Vegas, walk into a casino, he’d hand each of them a thousand dollars, then tell them they have an hour to see who can win the most or lose the least. He’d give the winner a larger wad of cash. But one of the most interesting stories he told was how the idea for Jeopardy was conceived. On a plane ride back from New York with his wife Julann, Merv was cooking up ideas for game shows when she took a cue from the recent quiz show scandals, and asked Merv, “Why don’t we just give them the answers, and see if they can come up with the question?” And the game play began… “5,280“…”How many feet in a mile“… “Trigger“…”Who is the Lone Ranger’s horse?“… and on and on during the cross-country flight. He went straight to NBC with the idea and it was bought in the room and ordered without any pilot produced. Not too long after, two ambitious young businessmen, Michael and Roger King, saw an opportunity in Jeopardy when regulations limiting Network monopolies on programming opened up opportunities for independent programming. Merv described Michael King as sweating with hand shaking when writing a check for $50,000 asking him for the rights to the new game show Jeopardy. Merv believed in their strategy, and put the future of Jeopardy in the hands of the soon to be legendary King brothers. Region by region, station group by station group, Jeopardy was sold in a structure that was the blueprint for what we now know as television syndication. And a King was born…KingWorld to be exact… and of course game show magnate Merv.
“Things aren’t as clear in today’s programming. But I say- that fog forms a blank canvas, against which a breakout hit will shine.“
I share these stories to show that even during what was a simpler time for entertainment, it was those simple yet brilliant twists, flipping an approach to something, that created groundbreaking and entertaining results. We’re now living in a thousand channel universe with hybrids of all genres for shows. Things aren’t as clear in today’s programming. But I say- that fog forms a blank canvas, against which a breakout hit will shine. When you’re inspired to create a new idea for a TV game show, don’t let the format become confused within itself. A game is simple at its core, and that core game will naturally allow other entertaining and fun wrinkles in the format that still serve its core concept. Maintain a playful perspective on life and the things around you. You may then find that diamond in the rough idea for a show that becomes the next big game changer.
KEYS TO CREATING GAME SHOW FORMATS:
- Some things are fun to play, and some things are fun to watch. For television you need both.
- Look at your game format not just as a structure, but as a story.
- Today in television, game shows need to key on human emotion, personal scenarios and experiences.
- Don’t think it has to be an in-studio show. Settings and challenges that cross-over into “reality” are fine, but keep the action in a self-contained locale for easy coverage in production.
- Each episode must have a unique structure of play that resolves itself in that one episode.
- Be as detailed and unique as possible with the various elements of your game so that your format is original.
ORIGINALITY:
A Network is only going to launch an original Game Show format to audiences if they know they have a truly original show with content viewers haven’t seen before. It doesn’t mean that there aren’t elements that we’re already familiar with, but it means that they’re looking for the overall experience and hook to be original. What I’ve always kept as my touchstone when developing any format is that anything and everything within that format serves the concept or hook that is the signature of the show. You’re creating a puzzle that requires all parts to fit and fuel one another, and when working together in unison it delivers your vision of the game we’re watching unfold. Challenge yourself to “see” the critical scenarios in the game, and then to know that it would be entertaining to watch.
If you want to be a break-through creator of any television format it is important to make a conscious effort at letting go of pre-programmed instincts that have been ingrained in us by having seen dozens and dozens of shows over so many years that tell us “this is what a game show is”. Stamp your own passport and say to yourself “no, THIS is what a game show is.” Let go of traditional ideas and invent new ways of bringing entertaining games to an audience.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on game show programming today, and answer any questions you have about developing ideas in the comments section below. I’ll expand the discussion to help us all wrap our minds around what I believe to be one of the most exciting genres to create and develop for television.
Creating & Pitching For Today's TV/Film Industry 
HI,
Like many people in the above comments, I have created a game show that has yet to be done. I have everything in place to pitch it, but have had no success in connecting with a production company who will give me a chance. The Food Network won’t let you pitch unless you forward your idea with no protection from them taking it. So, how does one get an opportunity to pitch their show, when no one will give you a chance?
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Hi Karen-
Thanks for asking about pitch game shows. I think everyone understands your feelings about this. I actually created our pitch platform at https://www.tvwritersvault.com which established a nuetral platform where executives could safely scout and be exposed to materail, and new writers and creatives could safely pitch their projects and receive “proof of review/access” by any executive or producer scouting. Regarding the Food Network… you really don’t want to show up without having a company already attached with your project who’s delivered series and has working relations there. Focus on production companies who deliver for that network, and then also understand why they need release forms that protect their company. I wrote an article that explains a bit of that dynamic… the tug of war between both parties needing protection, with a section explaining why networks require it. https://www.tvwritersvault.com/creating/how-to-protect-movie-tv-show-ideas-scripts.asp
I hope that helps!
-Scott
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Hi I am a college student and I have came up with a great idea for a game show. I feel lost in the process of creating my game show, it’s like I have the idea but I don’t think I have enough knowledge on game shows to pitch the idea yet. Are there any other articles you recommend that talk about budgets for game shows, how to choose prizes or how do you know when you’re project is complete, like set in stone to pitch. I think I might be overthinking it
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Hello Nya-
Thank you for reaching out about creating and pitching game shows. The article here has what I believe to be the most important information on creating a viable format, but to answer your questions more specifically, I can say this- Don’t worry about budgets or how to choose prizes. You need to start from the inside and work out to those things. The only way you have a shot at attracting a production company or a studio to take on your format is to have something that at its core is so highly unique and clever that they believe in the entertainment value it holds. Budgets and prizes have nothing to do with that. Focus on the format. Have fun with it!
-Scott
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Hi Scott- I have a question? I developed a TV game show. How do local TV markets order the show with television distribution ad-sales?
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Hi-
It would be a licensing deal with the company who owns the show, set up through the distribution company. Ad sales is the stream of revenue they would earn when airing the ads during the episodes.
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I have a good idea for a game show that would work during covid. It’s cheap to produce as it’s mostly web based but could work at least as a limited series if not something that can be converted to a studio once this is all over. I just have no idea if someone has thought about it already or how to even get someone to listen to me.
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Hi Scott-
That’s the challenge of every producer. They can’t read minds or know what others are creating, so it’s more about studying the marketplace and making a format that is highly original. If it’s fun to watch and fun to play, get it out there.
Best,
Scott
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I am looking so simply sell a game show idea. I have the entire structure written out. The pitch drawn up from the base concept, al the way to how it can progress in the future. I have looked everywhere and cannot find a single way to set up a situation where I can really pitch this idea to anybody. How do you even do that? Nobody will give me a straight answer. Its like they really don’t want people to.
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Hi Jacob-
Thanks for reaching out about creating and pitching game show formats.
As you mentioned “Setting up a situation where I can really pitch this idea to anybody”, that’s the process of networking to create direct contacts in the industry. TV industry conferences like Natpe and Realscreen, or social settings related to film festivals (they cover both TV and film) are good opportunities to expand connections.
Specifically for game formats, you really want to work to involve a brand within the concept. The title and hook for the game need to be highly original, and both entertaining to watch and to play.
My background is in development of such, so I’ve put out a bit of information on the subject.
Take a read of this article and it may shed some light.
https://www.tvwritersvault.com/creating/creatinggameshows.asp
Kind Regards,
Scott
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I have created the game #############. I always believed everybody has a story to tell. When my children were young we played this game, and over the years I added to the game format! I have tested it out on all ages; the college kids, grade school ages and adults love the game. It’s funny because not only is it fun to play but people enjoy watching it being played . Audiences can be involved too. The best thing about it is it’s unique and can be set up as a family game, as well as an age game set up! So really any type of network could use and play the game differently according to age or format used. I was wondering what it costs for you to help pitch this game show idea I have, and do you still offer writing/development services for a cost.
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Hi Lori-
Thanks for reaching out. Sounds like you’ve had fun with the game format over the years. Yes, I do offer writing services for producers and writers to work out the format for a television pitch. You can visit the link to review and secure services. Also feel free to open a support ticket at http://www.tvwritersvault.com and we can discuss details. https://www.tvwritersvault.com/entervault/scottmanville-development.asp
Have a great weekend.
Best,
Scott
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