Last Updated on 23 October 2023
I searched the Internet for lists of the best TV game shows of all time. Criteria included the shows being ranked, not just listed; covering all time, not just a decade; and generally created by groups, whether teams or committees or based on general public voting (like Ranker.com).
I was able to find 18 lists. I took the 18 lists and added all their content into a spreadsheet, noting the rank of every show. I ended up averaging the rankings each one got (there were 71 that were on at least 2 lists) and dividing that average by a factor of the number of lists that show was on. The lowest score meant a high ranking average on many lists. The complete spreadsheet is attached at the bottom.
The game shows that were on the most lists (out of 18) were:
- The Price Is Right (1956-1965, 1972-present) – all 18 lists
- Jeopardy! (1964-1975, 1978-1979, 1984-present) – 17 lists
- Wheel of Fortune (1975-present) – 17 lists
- Family Feud (1976-1985, 1988-1995, 1999-present) – 17 lists
- Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (1999-present) – 16 lists
- Match Game (1962-1982, 2016-2021) – 15 lists
- Let’s Make a Deal (1963-1986, 1990-1991, 2009-present) – 13 lists
- Hollywood Squares (1966-1989, 1998-2004) – 12 lists
- What’s My Line? (1950-1975) – 12 lists
- The Newlywed Game (1966-1980, 1985-1989, 2009-2013) – 12 lists
Here are links to the lists I used along with dates the lists were created:
- Ranker – 17 Oct 2023
- Giant Freakin’ Robot – 5 Jul 2023
- StudyFinds – 25 Apr 2023
- OtakuKart – 18 Jan 2023
- Entertainment Weekly – 22 May 2022
- MovieWeb – 4 Mar 2022
- TVovermind – 7 Sep 2021
- GoldDerby – 16 Feb 2021
- AARP – 20 Oct 2020
- Yardbarker – 17 Jul 2020
- Joe.ie – 4 Oct 2019
- Stacker – 19 Dec 2018
- OregonLive – 21 June 2016
- LogoTV – 14 Jun 2013
- TV Guide – 12 Jun 2013
- TopTenz – 20 Sep 2010
- Fandom – no date
- The Top Tens – no date