Performing Pastimes
Since the 1950s, television has dominated popular culture. A genre of board games based on various television shows has built upon the medium’s popularity. These games range in content from the ridiculous and banal to the educational, and attempt to approximate the televised game for contestants at home. At the same time, millions participate in these games as spectators at home rather than in the studio. The board games extend this broad audience further.
Gumby Play Set. Ramsey, New York: Colorforms, 1988.
One of the first artists to use clay in animations, Art Clokey conceived Pokey and Gumby as imaginary characters in stories he told his children at bedtime. Although Gumby and Pokey first aired in 1956, they are still enduring family entertainment figures today, providing lessons for children with their supportive characters.
The Newlywed Game. Pawtucket, Rhode Island: Hasbro, Hassenfeld Bros., 1967.
Game shows targeted at adults are still very much in vogue today. Contrary to the reality of demographics in the United States, the hosts of TV game shows are predominantly middle aged or older white males. Female coordinators are typically younger and play supporting or decorative roles. Other racial groups are noticeably absent from either role. Contestants may better reflect the demographics of the population, with the exception of the elderly. Producers of game shows in other countries don’t follow this model. Women host almost fifty percent of Latin American game shows, and co-host most Japanese shows. ABC's Newlywed Game first aired in 1966 and ran until 1999. More recent versions of the board game are still available, but the tone of these questions reflects gender stereotyping more typical of the 1950s than the 1990s.
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids Game. Springfield, Massachusetts: Milton Bradley Company, 1973.
Bill Cosby based the Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids cartoon show on his own childhood experiences in Philadelphia. Intelligently designed as an educational tool, the show dealt with the basic social issues confronting urban youth: family problems, illiteracy, substance abuse, violence. The show also urged acceptance of those with physical disabilities and promoted racial tolerance.
Sams, David R., and Robert L. Shook. Wheel of Fortune. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1987.
Kurt Peer Collection of TV Tie-in Books
Bowles, Jerry. The Gong Show Book. New York: Dunlap, 1977.
Kurt Peer Collection of TV Tie-in Books