1. FOX's Low-Rated Game Shows
Last summer, FOX aired Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, Boom!, and Bullseye. Officially, there is currently no word on official cancelations, but Boom! and Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? did so poorly in the ratings that it wasn't even put on this season's summer schedule.
But I'll give these unscripted shows the benefit of the doubt. FOX suffered a ratings collapse and the effects were felt on veteran dance competition show So You Think You Can Dance?. The only success from the FOX lineup was Home Free, which was renewed for a second season via a FOX press release. Home Free returns on June 16, replacing American Grit.
2. 500 Questions' Abysmal Ratings, Plus Fun & Games Sunday on ABC
The 500 Questions season premiere was down from last season. Then ratings plummeted on Friday and Saturday. The most recent installment was at Wicked City level numbers. Is it too soon to call it an over-saturation of primetime quiz shows? Perhaps. But I think that airing the show on Saturday signals that the network doesn't have much faith in the second season show.
ABC is attempting a game show night with Celebrity Family Feud, The $100,000 Pyramid, and Match Game on Sunday, which means that BattleBots is moving to Thursdays, starting June 23. Will this attempt help or hurt ABC's unscripted average? Stay tuned.
Overall, right now, it's way too soon to tell if there is an over-saturation of game shows. I'll come back in July where I'll know for sure.
