The Match Game

In this panel game show, contestants try to match answers given by six celebrities to humorous and often risque fill-in-the-blank questions.

The Match Game (1962-1963) is a United States national-television panel game show created by Frank Wayne, Mark Goodson, and Bill Todman for NBC. Hosted by Gene Rayburn, with announcer Johnny Olson and sub-announcer Wayne Howell handling the on-air patter, the show runs on a simple engine: contestants attempt to guess the answers that a rotating bench of celebrity panelists gave to humorous, often risque fill-in-the-blank questions. Guest panelists such as Arlene Francis, Skitch Henderson, Abe Burrows, Peggy Cass, and Carol Lawrence bring quick wit and playful rivalry to each round, so the fun lies in the gap between what the stars say and what the contestants expect them to say. Its single season of 174 episodes was built as a light, brisk weekday format rather than a continuing story, so every episode stands alone. The tone is breezy, cheeky, and warm, with the sly double meanings of its questions giving the show a mischievous edge that feels very much of its time. Set in the television studio of early 1960s America, it is a classic golden age panel quiz with a nostalgic charm. Fans of Password, What's My Line?, and To Tell the Truth will find a familiar pleasure here in celebrity banter and mid-century game show wit.

• Password (1961)shared celebrity panel quiz format with punchline driven fill-in-the-blank humor
• What's My Line?shared panel game show structure with celebrity guests and playful banter
• To Tell the Truthshared mid-century American panel game show tone and host-led banter

Created by

Frank Wayne, Mark Goodson, Bill Todman

Release Date

1962-12-31

Episode runtime

25 min

Rating

7.5 / 10 (10)

What is The Match Game about?

A 1960s NBC panel game show where contestants try to match the risque fill-in-the-blank answers of six celebrities.

What is The Match Game like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Match Game as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is The Match Game violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Match Game.

Which shows are like The Match Game?

Shows with a similar feel include Password (1961), What's My Line?, and To Tell the Truth.

How long is The Match Game?

The Match Game: 1 season, 174 episodes.

Is The Match Game still running?

No, The Match Game was canceled.