Game Show Tropes

"Describe for your partner these Tropes Associated With Game Shows. You need six to get into the Winner's Circle. Ready? ...Stand by. Ready? GO!"


 * All or Nothing
 * One wrong move and you walk away with bupkis.
 * Audience Participation
 * Come On Down! You're the next contestant on The Trope Is Hung!
 * Big Win Sirens
 * Clang-clang-clang (whoop, WHOOP, WHOOOOOOP!!!).
 * Bonus Round
 * You've won the game, now here's your chance to make some more money!
 * Bonus Space
 * Stop at Get $5,000 Regardless Of Outcome!
 * Carried By the Host
 * There really isn't much of a game here, so let's get a really solid host who can make drying paint entertaining.
 * Celebrity Edition
 * Hey, it's that guy! And he's playing for charity! (Producers who value their handiwork should not use this full-time on a game usually played by civilians. It's been tried several times, and on every occasion the show in question was canned within a year.)
 * Confetti Drop
 * Let's dump a bunch of stuff on the winner!
 * Consolation Prize
 * Well, you just had bad luck today, but you're not leaving empty-handed — you'll receive a supply of Rice-A-Roni, the San Francisco Treat! (ding-ding!)
 * Covered in Gunge
 * If you can find the flag in this giant snot-filled nose, you win a car! (Not limited to game shows, but was a staple of children's game shows and their spinoffs in the late 1980s-mid 1990s.)
 * Deadly Game
 * This one's a real killer.
 * Double the Dollars
 * It's time for Round 2, where all the prizes and penalties are doubled.
 * Extra Turn
 * Stop at $5,000 + One Spin! (Not explicitly a game show trope, but still very common on them.)
 * Game Show Appearance
 * When game shows collide with fiction. Usually makes no difference in the characters and keeps the Status Quo intact, but occasionally will set up a plot thread or change a character for the better (or worse).
 * Game Show Winnings Cap
 * You can only win so much, or stay for so long. Be wary of shows that could very well make you a one-and-done champion with -$250.
 * Golden Snitch
 * What, you think you have an advantage just because you won the first nine rounds out of ten? (Shows up outside of game shows as well.)
 * Home Game
 * All the fun of the game (hopefully), without the fear of cameras or a large audience. Or the pleasure of actually boosting your bank account.
 * Home Participation Sweepstakes
 * Call, send in postcards, or go to our website for your chance to win!
 * Let's Just See What Would Have Happened
 * This has absolutely no bearing on the outcome of the game, but we're gonna do it anyway because we have to fill a half-hour. Or an hour, sometimes. Or two hours.
 * Lifelines
 * Don't know the answer? Call someone who does!
 * Losing Horns
 * BZZZZZZZZZZ! Ba-bum-da-bummmm...AWWWWWWWWWWWW.
 * Mystery Box
 * Could be something good, could be a Klunk, could be $25,000 in cash... (Most commonly recognized from its use in Deal Or No Deal, although it certainly wasn't the first game to use the idea.)
 * Personnel:
 * The Announcer
 * Introduces the host (and sometimes contestants), describes everything you could win, and describes everything you've won. Typically the first to be heard and the last to speak.
 * Game Show Host
 * Asks questions, hands out money, and (if you're lucky) makes fun of bad contestants.
 * Lovely Assistant
 * Shows off the toasters, cars, and swimsuits. Or maybe just stands around as something to make sitting through the horrible format/emcee/contestants worthwhile.
 * Studio Audience
 * Smile! Laugh! Applaud!
 * Product Placement
 * You've landed on the Hot Pockets JACKPOT space, brought to you by Hot Pockets!
 * Progressive Jackpot
 * You lost today, but if you win tomorrow it'll be worth even more!
 * Promotional Consideration
 * HeadOn, apply directly to the forehead!
 * Retired Game Show Element
 * Professor Price is gonna help you all he can, and that's good because he has all the answers.
 * Rules Spiel
 * Here's how we play the game...
 * Show the Folks At Home
 * Let's reveal who today's Secret Square is...
 * Sound Proof Booth
 * Your partner is offstage, where they can't see or hear your answers.
 * Speed Round
 * This will decide the game. Put 60 seconds on the clock, please. (ding) Time starts...now.
 * Thing O Meter
 * How much did the audience like your handiwork? Most notably seen on Queen For A Day (Applause Meter), although a few other games used similar ideas.
 * Think Music
 * While you ponder on an answer to the question we just asked, here's your musical timer. (Most notably used on Jeopardy!, although it's hardly unique.)
 * Undesirable Prize
 * What the hell is that thing, anyway? Did they really think someone would want this?
 * Unexpectedly Obscure Answer
 * What the hell is Liederkranz?!
 * Whammy
 * I cannot tell a lie — you lose!
 * Who Wants to Be Who Wants To Be A Millionaire
 * How many different ways can you say "Is that your final answer?"
 * Zonk
 * And let's show you what's behind Curtain #3, it's a live raccoon!

"This is Tropey McGregious speaking for Game Show Tropes — a TV Tropes Production! This program was edited for broadcast."