13 Game Shows That Disappeared Overnight
These game shows once lit up TV screens, but vanished so quickly you might wonder if they were just a dream.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
TV game shows come and go, but some burn out faster than others; often without warning. Whether due to poor ratings, awkward formats, or just plain bad luck, these shows didn’t get a second chance. Here are 13 game shows that made a brief splash before disappearing into TV history.
1. The Chamber (2002)
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Contestants were quizzed while enduring extreme temperatures, shaking seats, and strong winds. Audiences and critics alike found it more torture than entertainment.
2. Million Dollar Money Drop (2010)
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This high-stakes quiz show had players start with a million in cash, only to lose it by placing bets on multiple-choice answers. A controversial error in one episode led to a PR nightmare.
3. Temptation (2007)
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A reboot of the classic Sale of the Century, it tried to blend shopping with trivia but couldn’t strike the right tone. The flashy prizes weren’t enough to hook viewers.
4. Greed (1999–2000)
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Fox launched this show to rival Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, complete with dramatic lighting and escalating prizes. Despite initial buzz, it couldn’t keep up.
5. Set for Life (2007)
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Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, this show offered a chance to win monthly checks for years, if you could stand the suspense. But its slow pacing bored viewers. The “lifetime” promise didn’t even last a season.
6. Legends of the Hidden Temple (2021 Reboot)
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The adult version of the beloved ‘90s kids’ show promised nostalgia but delivered disappointment. Slow editing and low-budget sets turned fans off.
7. You Deserve It (2011)
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Contestants answered questions to win money, not for themselves, but for someone else in need. Sweet idea, but the format dragged and viewers didn’t connect.
8. It’s Worth What? (2011)
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Hosted by Cedric the Entertainer, the show challenged contestants to guess the price of rare or bizarre items. The concept was fresh, but audiences weren’t buying it, literally or figuratively.
9. Show Me the Money (2006)
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William Shatner led this chaotic trivia show that featured dramatic dancing and surprise cash reveals. Critics were confused, and viewers even more so.
10. The Rich List (2006)
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This show challenged players to build long lists of items in certain categories, but the format was too dry for prime time. It lasted a single episode in the U.S. before getting yanked.
11. Power of 10 (2007–2008)
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Hosted by Drew Carey before The Price Is Right, it asked contestants to guess how Americans answered poll questions. Despite solid ratings at first, the show stalled and CBS quietly canceled it.
12. Opportunity Knocks (2008)
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A family-based game show that took place at contestants’ homes, testing how well they knew one another. The idea sounded wholesome, but the execution felt awkward.
13. Ballbreaker (2005)
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A billiards-based game show on GSN, it mixed pool shots with quiz rounds in a smoky nightclub setting. It aimed for edgy but landed flat.