Sitcom Characters Who Appear On Game Shows
Jeopardy host Alex Trebek has a contract that runs through 2018, but this season could be his very last. Possible replacements have been suggested, even though the producers of the show have given no indication who the successor will be.
Anderson Cooper and Matt Lauer are two prominent names that have come up, as has sports anchor Dan Patrick. Another interesting name to arise is Ty Burrell, the star of ABC’s Modern Family.
Burrell would probably be the most entertaining of the four names mentioned above, and he would give the show a touch of humor. His work as patriarch Phil Dumfee in the current popular sitcom has already made him a household name, a flawed but adorable dad along the lines of Al Bundy, Archie Bunker, or even Homer Simpson.
Although Burrell’s character has never appeared in an actual game show on Modern Family, other sitcoms have had their regulars participate in a variety of real or made-up game shows. Here are nine of those sitcoms.
Full House
Joey (played by Dave Coulier) hosts a show called “Perfect Couple” where the competitors are a dating couple (DJ and Steve), an engaged couple (Danny and Vicky) and a married couple (Jesse and Becky).
Flintstones
Barney Rubble, Fred’s friend and neighbor, is a guest on “The Prize Is Priced” in this early episode from the popular animated series.
Married with Children
Bud (played by David Faustimo) appears in a take off of “The Dating Game” called You Can’t Miss, which is hosted by Bill Maher. Bid, of course, does not win the date with the beautiful girl.
Family Guy
Peter and Lois and the rest of the Griffin clan win on “Family Feud” in an episode called “Big Man on Hippocampus.”
The Simpsons
Homer and Marge and their three children compete in a Japanese game show called “Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo.”
Golden Girls
“Grab That Dough” invites the ladies (played by Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, Beatrice Arthur, and Betty White) to Hollywood, but they end up vying against one another.
The Monkees
After performing for Captain Crocodile, the rock quartet (Davy Jones, Peter Tork, Mickey Dolenz, and Mike Nesmith) take part in a spoof of “To Tell the Truth.”
Friends
Joey (played by Matt Leblanc) hosts a series called “Bamboozled” in an episode with the same title.
Fresh Prince of Bel Air
Will (played by Will Smith) appears in a TV game called “Eyes on the Prize.”