Media post: Is It Time to Bring Back Cars as Prizes in British Game Shows?
There was once a time when cars were a staple of British game shows. Players would compete for the star prizes, which were often shiny new motors presented on rotating platforms in the centre of the studio.
In recent years, though, cars have faded from the spotlight and have been almost completely replaced by cash prizes. Car fans may be feeling a little left out now, as they no longer get to have the fantasy of winning a flashy set of wheels.
Cars Used to Be Top Prizes in Classic Game Shows
Back in the day, game shows used to feature a wide range of physical prizes for players to try to win. These added to the magic of the show and arguably had more of an impact than the monetary values that exist today. Viewers could easily see the difference in value between the various prizes, and enjoyed imagining winning the top offerings. These often came in the form of the best cars of the time, but these prizes sometimes stretched to houses as well.
The Price Is Right was one of the most famous game shows to use cars as prizes, with players having to guess as close to the exact price as possible. Other shows, such as Family Fortunes, occasionally included cars as well, with these prizes feeling more tangible than a cheque.
Imagining a Car Version of Deal or No Deal or Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
There are a few British game shows that could easily get a makeover with cars as prizes, and this could even lead to a renewed interest in them. Deal or No Deal is one game show that is famous for expanding in diverse ways. There was the recent spinoff, Deal or No Deal Island, for instance, which offered a fresh take on the format. The brand has also expanded into bingo sites UK, with Deal or No Deal-themed bingo rooms.
This suggests that fans would be open to a different way to enjoy the television game show, with the cash values potentially being replaced by cars. For example, the small cash prizes could be replaced with broken-down old bangers, while the top offerings could be luxury Mercedes or BMWs. The same thing could happen with Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, with players getting the chance to win better cars, the higher they climb up the ladder.
Aside from there rarely being cars as prizes in game shows, there’s now a distinct lack of motoring shows in general. Some are even saying that the BBC and other channels are no longer friends of the motorist, so it’s high time that cars were brought back to our screens.
It’s fair to say that television game shows have become too focused on monetary prizes, and not on the great things that can be bought with that money. Having swanky cars on display can add to the excitement, and it would also help to bring back car lovers to these shows.
