Although fall doesn’t officially start for at least a couple more weeks, the television fall season has arrived as several shows return with new episodes, including veteran syndicated and CBS daytime game shows. This morning’s article previews each game show that’s returning this fall starting today. This week alone marks the season debuts of Family Feud, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! Also – although it doesn’t fit within the parameters of the headline – game show fans will be treated to reruns of Classic Concentration starting in October, courtesy of BUZZR. Here’s what else will be in store within the next few weeks for fall game show premieres.
Family Feud
Season 20 (Syndication)
September 10
Although the syndicated version of the survey-based game show will still bring the same hilarious episodes filled with energetic families, big money and brand new cars at stake, outrageous answers and amusing reactions from Steve Harvey, who is entering his ninth year of hosting the long-running series. Outside the questions and the aesthetic graphic and set changes, I don’t think we will see anything new this season outside the norm. Feud is heading into the 2018-19 television season as the highest rated syndicated game show for two consecutive seasons, toppling longtime syndie powerhouses Wheel and Jeopardy!, and as one of the top three highest shows in overall syndication. Check out an exclusive sneak peek of the new season below and stay tuned!
Jeopardy!
Season 35 (Syndication)
September 10
Speaking of syndie powerhouses, Jeopardy! returns for its 35th year since the show first debuted in syndication in 1983. We have a few events to look forward to this season including last season’s returning champion Rick Terpstra, an aspiring English teach from Havertown, Penn. who has won two games and $39,800, to defend his title, host Alex Trebek holding on to his hiatus beard (at least for the first few shows possibly) and the show holding its first-ever All-Star Games Tournament.
From February 20-March 5, 2019, some of best former champions return to compete in a special six-team tournament format for a chance to win $1 million. Jeopardy! juggernauts Austin Rogers, Julia Collins, Brad Rutter, Ken Jennings, Colby Burnett and Buzzy Cohen will take lead as team captains selecting from a pool of 12 most memorable recent Jeopardy! champions. On September 22 at 1:00pm ET, the show will hold a live draft on Facebook Live moderated by Trebek. You can read more about the special event on J! Buzz. I haven’t been this excited to watch a Jeopardy! tourney since the Battle of The Decades tournament in 2013 or the Ultimate Tournament of Champions in 2005.
Wheel of Fortune
Season 36 (Syndication)
September 10
Jeopardy‘s sister show will also return today with new episodes. Pat Sajak and Vanna White return to Wheel with new contestants ready to solve puzzles and win thousands of dollars in cash and prizes. The 36th season kicks off with Teachers Week along with the reveal of the new bonus round minimum grand prize of $36,000. The only new feature this season is the show will now display the letters contestants have called out on the screen to enable viewers to enjoy the show sans sound. It would be even cooler for home viewers to have more of a glimpse of what it’s like to be a contestant on the show if a used letter board graphic were displayed on the screen, by I digress. (I guess that would be too overwhelming from a visual standpoint.) Aside from that, no new changes this season. Wheel Watchers Club members will still have a chance to win cash from home via the Mystery Wedge $10K Giveaway.
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
Season 17 (Syndication)
September 10
Named its “biggest season yet”, Millionaire returns to try to give away its ever-elusive million-dollar top prize to one or more of this year’s smart and clever contestants. This season, the show crosses an important milestone in giving away over $100 million in total winnings to hundreds of contestants. Recently Daytime Emmy-nominated host Chris Harrison returns to host the series.
The biggest change we will see this season is the show’s major renovation to its graphics package. The logo, money tree, question and lifeline graphics have all been altered to a more sleek and slender parallelogram design while maintaining the blue accent. Throughout the summer, you may have seen blurbs of the new graphics on the show’s Instagram or Twitter feeds. You will have a chance to see the changes in action starting this week.
This season also features various returning theme weeks, including Celebrity Week: Las Vegas and Victories For Veterans, and new speciality weeks, including Shark Tank Week and Celebrity Judge Week.
The Price Is Right
Season 47 (CBS)
September 17
In two weeks, the longest-running American daytime game show returns to CBS for its 47th year. Drew Carey and the rest of the TPIR cast return to guide contestants on the path of riches filled with tens of thousands of dollars in cash and prizes. So far, there’s no word yet on whether or not we will see a new pricing game this season. However, we will see several theme shows throughout the season, including a Breast Cancer Awareness special (October 1), a Halloween special (October 31), a Family Reunion special on Christmas Eve and the return of Kids Week in March 2019. I’m shocked to see the absence of a Big Money Week this season on the taping schedule.
Let’s Make A Deal
Season 10 (CBS)
September 17
The wonderful and comedic cast of Wayne Brady, Jonathan Mangum, Tiffany Coyne and musician Cat Gray return for the show’s 10th season on CBS. Among the new episodes and specials airing this season, you should mark your calendars for the 52nd birthday celebration of Star Trek in February 2019 and a tribute episode giving former contestants from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s era of the show another chance to strike it rich. The latter episode will be filming September 27 and you can head to On Camera Audiences to obtain a ticket to attend the special taping.
Classic Concentration
BUZZR
October 1
Although this isn’t a show returning with new episodes, it is a HUGE addition to BUZZR’s schedule considering the show’s reruns have not aired since the mid-’90s on NBC and USA Network. Classic Concentration originally ran on NBC from 1987-1991 with Alex Trebek hosting. This show will air Monday-Friday at 1:00pm and 1:30pm. Tattletales, To Tell The Truth (1973 Moore version), What’s My Line (1972 Blyden version) and Password (1966 Ludden version) will also join BUZZR’s new lineup.
Here are a few more game show events and competitive series to look forward to in the next couple of months:
Dancing With The Stars (ABC): September 24 at 8:00pm-10:00pm ET
The Voice (NBC): September 24 at 8:00pm-10:00pm ET
Survivor (CBS): September 26 at 8:00pm-9:00pm ET
BUZZR’s Lost & Found: September 29-30 at 4:00pm-8:00pm ET
Dancing With The Stars: Juniors (ABC): October 7 at 8:00pm-9:00pm ET
American Ninja Warrior Junior (Universal Kids): October 13 at 7:00pm-8:00pm ET
Double Dare (Nickelodeon): New episodes starting September 30 at 7:00pm ET