Consolation prizes

[CoreyFox]

In the early days of game shows, the losing contestant would usually walk away with some kind of parting gift, mainly the home version of the game show they appear on. But this century, they raised the stakes by not giving consolation prizes away anymore.

Wheel of Fortune contestants get to walk away with whatever amount of money they accumulated, and if they haven't earned any money, they are given $1,000. But on shows like Identity and 1 vs. 100, the host brings up numerous times, "You'll leave with nothing if you're wrong." Fear Factor and the Weakest Link didn't even award money to the runners-up.

Me and my mom are really bugged by this, but i need your opinions. So tell me, should the game show industry bring back the consolation prize?

[Dr. Dos]

I refuse to vote until I find out if I get a consolation prize should I vote for the wrong answer.

[Bocaj Claw]

Would you even want a consolation prize from a show like "Are you smarter than a fifth grader?" I mean, talk about rubbing sulferic acid into a gaping wound.

[Doc Sigma]

I WANT MY TAN BROYHILL FURNITURE

[Bocaj Claw]

Not yours. Can't has.

[Tom Flapwell]

Unlike Jerry Seinfeld, I'd feel more like first loser if I didn't get a silver medal.

[TyVulpine]

Shows like "5th Grader" have "base levels" so that once you reach a certain cash level, you're guaranteed to leave with at that much. Shows like TPIR still do that I think (if you don't get to play a game but still get to Contestant Row, you still get a consolation prize) I'm not sure about Jeopardy! though.

[Doc Sigma]

Shows like "5th Grader" have "base levels" so that once you reach a certain cash level, you're guaranteed to leave with at that much. Shows like TPIR still do that I think (if you don't get to play a game but still get to Contestant Row, you still get a consolation prize) I'm not sure about Jeopardy! though.

Yeah, in TPiR if you listen near the end they say "Contestants not appearing on stage will recieve..."

Jeopardy used to give consolation prizes to 2nd and 3rd place, and they were quite nice (2nd prize was usually a vacation). Now, I believe that 2nd place gets a flat $1000 and 3rd place gets a flat $500. I'm a game show NUT so PLEASE correct me if I am wrong!!!

But on shows like Identity and 1 vs. 100, the host brings up numerous times, "You'll leave with nothing if you're wrong." Fear Factor and the Weakest Link didn't even award money to the runners-up.

The worst offender in this category was a mid-90s GSN show called Inquizition. It was an awesome show, except for the fact that the winner got a flat $500 and the two losers got nothing. Prize money wasn't even mentioned during the main show, it just got a passing nod during the closing credits. It was tons of fun to watch though, the host was known only as "the Inquisitor" and you never saw his face.

[Priest_Revan]

If you lose, you lose. I don't think a person who just sucked at the game should get anything from the show.

...

My that's just my screwed up opinion.

[Hanging Tree]

The consolation for Deal or No Deal should be either a boxed set of Bobby's World dvds or Howie Mandell does that thing where he puts a glove on his head and blows it up. Contestant's choice.

[CoreyFox]

Actually, on Deal Or No Deal, contestants always walk away with an amount of money. Even if they walk away with the penny, at least that's something.

[TravisFox]

I voted yes, on the condition that the "prize" is a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

[BladeRaptor]

I think the question isn't really suited to a straight "yes or no" answer. I see it as more of a case-by-case thing. It depends on the the rules of the individual game show. Not having a consolation prize works for some shows but not for others. Like the ones where it's you vs. the Host and "You'll leave with nothing if you're wrong", part of the game is deciding whether or not you're willing to take that risk, and having a consolation prize would remove that risk. In others where you're competing against other contesetants, a consolation prize makes more sense, even if it is just the equivalent of your score in cash.

[Zaaphod]

The consolation for Deal or No Deal should be either a boxed set of Bobby's World dvds

If that's what the second-place person wins I imagine the third-place person wins two copies.

[Hanging Tree]

Third place person gets a signed copy of Little Monsters.