13 Game Shows That Disappeared Overnight

Game shows come and go, but some vanish so quickly that viewers barely notice they were ever there. Whether due to low ratings, confusing formats, or plain bad luck, these game shows seemed to disappear almost as fast as they debuted.

Tricia Quitales
September 12, 2025
5 min read

13 Game Shows That Disappeared Overnight — Tessy Agbonome on Pexels

Television history is filled with game shows that never got a fair shot. Some launched with hype but fizzled out before building an audience. Others failed to connect with viewers due to odd concepts, awkward hosting, or production issues. These 13 game shows came and went with surprising speed, leaving only a brief blip in pop culture memory.

1. The Million Second Quiz

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NBC heavily promoted The Million Second Quiz in 2013, calling it the future of game shows. With a complex format and live streaming elements, it aimed to be a groundbreaking event. Unfortunately, viewers found the rules confusing and the pacing too slow. Despite being hosted by Ryan Seacrest, the show failed to build momentum. It quietly ended after two weeks and was never revived.

2. You Deserve It

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Hosted by Chris Harrison, You Deserve It aimed to reward contestants playing for loved ones in need. The emotional angle was compelling, but the gameplay felt drawn-out and unclear. Only a handful of episodes aired in 2011 before the show was pulled. Critics praised the concept but not the execution. It vanished without much of a farewell.

3. Set for Life

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Set for Life, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, offered contestants a chance to win monthly payments instead of a lump sum. The format was unique but failed to hold viewers’ attention. It aired briefly in 2007 and was quickly canceled due to low ratings. The slow pacing didn’t help its chances. Few remember it even existed.

4. My Generation

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This 1998 show aired on VH1 and featured contestants from different generations competing in pop culture trivia. Despite the fun premise and upbeat vibe, it didn’t attract enough viewers. Hosted by Craig Shoemaker, it lasted for one season. VH1 quietly removed it from their schedule. It became one of many game shows lost to the late ’90s shuffle.

5. Amnesia

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Premiering in 2008, Amnesia had contestants answer personal questions from their own lives. Hosted by Dennis Miller, the show tried to blend humor with heart. Unfortunately, it didn’t resonate with audiences and was canceled within weeks. The concept was clever, but the delivery fell flat. It faded quickly from public memory.

6. Power of 10

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Power of 10 featured Drew Carey and centered on predicting how Americans answered survey questions. The stakes were high with a ten-million-dollar prize, but the format lacked excitement. It aired briefly in 2007 and was shelved soon after. Despite Carey’s charm, it couldn’t compete with other quiz shows. Viewers barely noticed when it disappeared.

7. Who’s Still Standing?

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This NBC show featured trivia contestants standing on trap doors that opened if they answered incorrectly. The visual gimmick was fun but couldn’t carry the show. Hosted by Ben Bailey, it aired for just one season starting in 2011. Ratings dropped quickly, and the show was never renewed. It’s remembered more for its floor drops than its gameplay.

8. I’m the Answer

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A short-lived quiz show from 1977, I’m the Answer had contestants guessing the identity of famous people based on clues. The show failed to find an audience and disappeared quickly. Even at the time, it struggled against stronger competition in its time slot. Little footage remains, making it something of a forgotten relic. It never received a second chance.

9. The Rich List (US version)

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Fox’s The Rich List was canceled after just one episode in 2006. The format, which asked contestants to name items in a category back and forth, had promise. However, poor scheduling and a lack of promotion led to its instant disappearance. It remains one of the fastest cancellations in TV history. Few even got to see it live.

10. Three’s a Crowd

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This controversial show from the late ’70s asked wives and secretaries to answer questions about the same man. The premise was scandalous and widely criticized. Protests and viewer backlash led to its cancellation within weeks. The host, Jim Peck, later admitted the concept was doomed from the start. It vanished almost as soon as it arrived.

11. Opportunity Knocks

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Opportunity Knocks sent a game show crew to contestants’ homes to quiz families about each other. Despite its heartwarming tone and mobile format, the show failed to find a consistent audience. ABC canceled it after just three episodes. Critics felt the questions lacked depth, and the pacing was uneven. It quietly exited with little fanfare.

12. It’s Worth What?

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Hosted by Cedric the Entertainer in 2011, this game show asked players to guess the value of unusual items. The concept was quirky but couldn’t maintain viewers’ interest. Airing during the summer, it failed to stand out in a crowded schedule. Ratings were poor, and no second season followed. It slipped away without much attention.

13. National Bingo Night

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ABC tried to mix home play with studio bingo in this 2007 show. Viewers could download cards and play along, but technical issues and a clunky format hurt its success. Critics panned it, and audiences tuned out quickly. The show was pulled after a few episodes. It remains a reminder that not every innovation lands.