The 25 Stupidest Ideas For Game Shows

There are no winners with these lame concepts.

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Complex Original

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How much will people do for a few dollars and fleeting television fame? Quite a lot. No matter how stupid a game show's concept, you can be sure that there are folks eager to get on the series for their chance at winning prizes and cash on national television.

Take Syfy's Total Blackout, for instance. The series, hosted by Jaleel White, is based on a game show from Denmark of the same name and same concept: Producers place contestants in pitch black rooms, where they must compete in challenges, smelling and feeling unidentified objects to try to guess what they are. It doesn't sound so bad, but since this is a form of reality television, the game loves to torture its contestants for the sake of the sadistic viewer—oftentimes, the contestant will be smelling another man's ass or feeling a gigantic spider.

You've gotta wonder why people would continue to appear on a show that puts its contestants through so humiliation, but when the dollar signs are behind their eyes and the possibility of fame is blocking their vision, it's tough to see clearly. What's worse is, Total Blackout isn't even the most brutal concept of the game shows out there. In honor of the season two premiere of Total Blackout, here are our picks for the 25 Stupidest Ideas for Game Shows.

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Written by Tanya Ghahremani (@tanyaghahremani)

25. Bridalplasty (E!, 2010-2011)

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The concept of this short-lived E! game show was as follows: Stick 12 brides-to-be in a house for four months and have them compete in challenges. The prize? An all-expenses-paid wedding and unlimited plastic surgery. Because, let’s be real, why learn to love yourself for who you are when you can just compete for a trip to one of Beverly Hills’ many plastic surgeons? This is the 21st century! With cosmetic procedures that are enough to turn a girl into a human Barbie doll, we don’t need self-respect.

24. Amne$ia (NBC, 2008)

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23. My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad (NBC, 2008)

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22. Click (Syndicated, 1997-1999)

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21. Oh Sit! (The CW, 2012-Present)

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20. Downfall (ABC, 2010)

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19. The Chair (ABC, 2002)

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18. The Chamber (Fox, 2002)

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17. Solitary (Fox Reality Channel, 2006-2010)

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16. Queen for a Day (Mutual Radio Network, 1945-1957/NBC, 1956–1960/ABC, 1960–1964/Syndicated, 1969–1970)

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15. Distraction (Comedy Central, 2005-2006)

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14. Pictionary (Syndication, 1997-1998)

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13. Win, Lose, or Draw (NBC, 1987–1989/Syndicated, 1987–1990)

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12. Do You Trust Your Wife?/Who Do You Trust? (ABC, 1956–1963)

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11. Moment of Truth (Fox, 2008-2009)

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10. Set for Life (ABC, 2007)

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9. Let's Play Post Office (NBC, 1965-1966)

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8. Who Wants to Be a Superhero? (Sci Fi Channel, 2006-2007)

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7. Late Night Liars (GSN, 2010)

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6. Dough Re Mi (NBC, 1958–1960)

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5. Identity (NBC, 2006-2007)

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4. 101 Ways to Leave a Game Show (ABC, 2011)

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3. Lip Service (MTV, 1992-1994)

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2. Hurl! (G4, 2008)

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1. Hole in the Wall (Fox, 2008–2009/Cartoon Network, 2010–2012)

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