Game shows have been the background of family dinners and sick days for generations. This One Gotta Go card puts four favorites on the same stage: Jeopardy!, Wheel of Fortune, Family Feud and Deal or No Deal.
Three stay on the air and one is gone for good. Think about which show you shout answers at, which one your grandparents never missed and which one you could change the channel on. Then make your pick, and be ready to hear about the time someone in your group solved the puzzle before the contestants did.
Jeopardy! vs Wheel of Fortune vs Family Feud vs Deal or No Deal
A. Jeopardy!
Jeopardy! asks contestants to answer in the form of a question, and it has been a trivia institution for decades, with Alex Trebek hosting from 1984 until 2020. It is smart and satisfying. It can also make you feel like you know nothing, which is not everyone's idea of fun.
Keep it if: You keep score at home, you love trivia and you still think about Alex Trebek every time you watch.
B. Wheel of Fortune
Wheel of Fortune is all about solving word puzzles, spinning the wheel and buying vowels, with Vanna White by the board. It is relaxing and easy to play along with. Some people find it slow, which makes it an easy cut for viewers who want more energy.
Keep it if: You solve the puzzle before the contestants and love the calm, familiar rhythm of each episode.
C. Family Feud
Family Feud asks teams to guess the most popular answers to survey questions, and Steve Harvey's reactions have turned it into a viral hit. It is loud and funny. If you prefer real competition over comedy, Feud might be the one you let go.
Keep it if: You love shouting answers with your whole family and Steve Harvey's faces make you laugh every time.
D. Deal or No Deal
Deal or No Deal turned briefcases and a mysterious banker into high drama, with Howie Mandel hosting. It is tense and simple. The case against it is that there is no skill involved at all, so some viewers find it harder to stay interested.
Keep it if: You love the tension of each case opening and you always know exactly when you would take the deal.
Our take
We would cut Deal or No Deal. It has great tension, but the other three let you play along at home, and that is what turns a game show into a family tradition. The most fun debate is usually Jeopardy! against Family Feud, since one rewards knowing facts and the other rewards guessing what everyone else thinks. Try playing a round of each with your group before you vote. Loser picks the next show you all watch together.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which game show host made the show what it is?
- Which game show would you do best on?
- Is Family Feud harder than it looks?
- What game show would you add to this card?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
Game Shows: quick answers
How long did Alex Trebek host Jeopardy?
Alex Trebek hosted the modern version of Jeopardy! from 1984 until his death in 2020. During that time he became one of the most respected figures in TV, and he won several Emmy Awards for his work as host.
Who hosts Family Feud?
Steve Harvey has hosted Family Feud since 2010, and his reactions to funny answers have made the show a hit online. Earlier hosts included Richard Dawson, Louie Anderson and Richard Karn, among others. Each host brought a different energy to the same simple format.
