Success and failure

A couple comments on the GSN General board got me reflecting on how easy it is for a TV show to flop. This is not huge news, but it helps to keep some perspective...

Other poster: Look at GSN's history, and it is clear to see that all of the ratings blockbusters on the network have been GAME SHOWS: Deal or No Deal, Newlywed Game, Baggage, Millionaire, Lingo.

High Stakes Poker used to be the network's highest-rated show both overall and in 18-49, and it lasted seven seasons over six years. While HSP was a competition show with interesting gameplay, it was not a traditional studio game show. Other non-traditional series have enjoyed at least some success on GSN, including World Poker Tour, Celebrity Blackjack, World Series of Blackjack and Extreme Dodgeball.

Other poster: On the other hand, all ratings failures have been NON-GAME SHOWS: Carnie Unstapled, Improv-a-Ganza, Instant Recall, Love Triangle, etc.

Lots of traditional studio game shows have flopped on GSN. Camouflage, Funny Money, Late Night Liars, Starface, Money List, 20Q, How Much is Enough have come and gone in a single season. And those are just some originals. Many traditional game show acquisitions, like Win Ben Stein's Money, have crapped out with GSN's audience.

Success on any network is relatively rare, failure all too common. A traditional game show format is no guarantee of success on GSN, and a non-traditional format does not mean inevitable failure.