Netflix has pretty much pushed prime-time television closer to obsolescence. Today’s TV no longer gives us the same level of excitement old shows used to, leaving us with a longing for the timeless classics that new productions can’t seem to satisfy.
For those who love digging up the past, let’s take some time to remember the early 2000s game shows we used to love. Whether they’re remakes or originals, these five game shows will always remain iconic and have yet to be topped.
1| Digital LG Quiz
Hosted by Paolo Bediones and Regine Tolentino, Digital LG Quiz saw its first run in 1999 on GMA Network. Its contestants were high school sophomores and juniors from all around the Philippines.
The show was subdivided into five different games: Password, Picture Puzzle, Think-Tac-Toe, Blockbusters, and Megabytes. Players start with 100 points each, which can either go up or down depending on whether or not they are able to answer the questions correctly.
In 2003, the game show underwent a format revamp and was renamed Digital LG Challenge. Only a year later in 2004, the show aired for the last time. Nonetheless, it was awarded the Best Game Show title in the 15th PMPC Star Awards for Television in 2001.
2| Pilipinas, Game Ka Na Ba?
Pilipinas, Game Ka Na Ba?, also known as Game KNB?, first aired in 2001 with Kris Aquino as its host. The ABS-CBN game show had three teams of five answering trivia questions on Filipino culture, history, food, and entertainment for a cash prize. The contestants are gradually eliminated until one player remains to fight for the grand prize.
The finalist is assured of a P100,000 peso cash prize in the final round, which is split into three multiple-choice sub-rounds and one identification-type sub-round. As each sub-round has a corresponding cash prize, the contestant has the choice to walk away with it or gun for the ultimate P1 million cash prize. If they fail to answer the last sub-round’s question correctly, their winnings drop back to the P100,000 they were earlier guaranteed.
Game KNB? followed a grand total of 10 different formats for its first incarnation, which ran until 2009.
Thirteen years later in 2020, the well-loved game show was revived by Jeepney TV and the Kumu app, with Robi Domingo serving as its new host. In this incarnation, Kumu users must answer five multiple-choice trivia questions on the app to be able to each take home P10,000.
3| Pinoy Fear Factor
As its title suggests, this game show hosted by Ryan Agoncillo had its contestants facing their biggest fears head-on in exchange for an ultimate cash prize of P2 million and a house and lot. Derived from the Dutch game show Now or Neverland, Pinoy Fear Factor’s short-lived TV stint lasted for only three months from November 2008 to February 2009.
Challenges spanned from eating sheep's brains and eyes to escaping from a coffin buried in heavy sand. As the game took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, each round’s worst performer was eliminated and sent back to the Philippines.
Its first and only winner was Jommy Teotico, who was jailed in 2014 for marijuana use—a violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. While Teotico explained that marijuana was prescribed by his psychiatrist for his ADHD, the Pinoy Fear Factor alum still spent years behind bars. Today, he stands as a staunch advocate of the legalization of medical cannabis in the Philippines.
4| The Singing Bee
Since Filipinos are known to be stellar singers, what better way to celebrate this talent than through a karaoke game show like ABS-CBN’s The Singing Bee?
A spin-off of the original American show of the same title, The Singing Bee, hosted by Cesar Montano, aired from 2008 to 2010. The mechanics are simple: correctly finish the lyrics to the songs and win a grand cash prize of P1 million.
Rachel Alejandro was one of the first season’s back-to-back champions but later gave up her title. Similarly, Ice Seguerra won the P 1million cash prize twice but chose to forfeit his second win’s earnings to give others a shot at victory.
The Singing Bee returned three years later in 2013 with new hosts comedians Amy Perez and Roderick Paulate. It ran until 2015 before being discontinued.
5| Twist and Shout
Yet another singing game show, ABS-CBN’s Twist and Shout hosted by OPM greats Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera had celebrities form two teams to compete in a sing-off. But there’s a catch—the contestants must survive three rounds of singing classic Filipino hits for two whole minutes while being hampered by different distractions.
A panel of three judges then decides at the end of every round which team delivered the better performance. The team that racks up the highest total score is given the chance to play at The Turntable. For every second the team maintains their balance while singing on the turntable, they win P1,000. If the team successfully completes two minutes at the turntable, they all go home with the P200,000 jackpot.
In this clip, Bugoy Drilon attempts to maintain his composure as he belts out his own single Hindi Na Bale while standing on a volcano that sporadically belches hot smoke onto his face.
Meanwhile, Juris counters him on the same battleground as she performs her own rendition of Swing Out Sister’s Am I The Same Girl. Two out of three judges ended up voting in favor of the MYMP frontwoman.
The show was based on the Sing if You Can franchise from France and aired from July to October 2010.
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