Buzz
Many of America’s beloved game show hosts, such as Alex Trebek, Monty Hall, and Alan Thicke, actually originated from Canada. However, the Canadian game show scene has introduced some truly peculiar and cringe-inducing formats for contestants to earn a quick Loonie. Here’s a look at some of the most awkward Canadian game shows ever created.
1. Anything You Can Do
Airing in the early 1970s, this show challenged men and women to compete against each other in physical, mental, and other unconventional tasks. The most cringe-worthy aspect was the physical stunts, where contestants had to act out stereotypical gender roles, such as a “paperboy” or “chorus girl” (the latter requiring participants to don panty hose and garters while performing synchronized kicks). Host Gene Wood departed after a contestant was injured during a paperboy stunt, and Don Harron from Hee Haw took over. Check out this clip from an early episode to witness the painfully awkward gender dynamics of 1970s television.
2. Beyond Reason
This psychic-themed game show had a brief three-year run beginning in 1977. According to the CBC, "The panel featured an astrologer, a graphologist, and a clairvoyant. Using only a birth chart, a handwriting sample, and a personal item, the psychic panel attempted to uncover the identity of hidden guests." Points were awarded for each accurate guess. Despite the potential for manipulation, the panel often struggled to identify the guests, making their cold readings both amusing and cringe-worthy. Here’s an example of one such exchange:
Graphologist: "In November 1931, you joined a service and remained active until November 1949." Guest: "Um. No. Well, in a way, yes." [Later] Graphologist: "You’ve experienced issues with your shoulders and head area." Guest: "No."
WATCH THIS (seriously, at least stay until you see the panelists in action):
3. You Bet Your Ass
This quirky and slightly risqué game show masqueraded as a trivia quiz but with a twist—every round was themed around, well, asses. Rounds included "Piece of Ass," "Up Your Ass," and "Ass on the Line." It aired on Canada’s Comedy Network. Check out this clip to see it in action:
4. Talk About
Talk About had a brief run in Canada, airing for just one season from 1989 to 1990. The show closely resembled the 1986 board game Outburst: teams were given a topic and had to discuss it, aiming to mention specific keywords. The more keywords they hit, the more money they earned. One of the most memorable aspects of this show is how it disproves the stereotype that Canadians say "aboot." Don’t miss the iconic shoulder pads in this clip:
5. Headline Hunters
Running from the 1970s to the early 1980s, Headline Hunters was hosted by Jim Perry. The game involved three players attempting to guess a word based on fabricated news headlines related to it. Similar to Jeopardy but with a unique twist, the show added tension with a clattering teletype sound as contestants listened to the headlines. Note: this should not be confused with Headline Chasers, hosted by Wink Martindale.
Skip to 1:10 to dive straight into the show, or start from the beginning to enjoy some vintage Canadian commercials.
6. Second Honeymoon
A unique spin on The Newlywed Game, the 1987 show Second Honeymoon featured three married couples and their children, placing most of the pressure on the kids. Host Wayne Cox quizzed the children on how they thought their parents answered a series of questions. Points were skewed heavily toward the kids' knowledge of their fathers, and in the final round, mothers joined in for a high-stakes attempt to predict the patriarch’s thoughts. The final question about the father was worth more than all the mother-related questions combined. The winning family earned a literal second honeymoon, while the others left in uncomfortable silence.
7. This is the Law
This 1970s game show had a bizarre premise: short films depicted a character named The Lawbreaker violating obscure Canadian laws. Contestants had to identify which law was broken. The Lawbreaker was portrayed by Paul Soles, famous for voicing Hermey the Elf in Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer. However, his voice is unrecognizable here, as The Lawbreaker’s films were dialogue-free. Truly strange:
8. Strategy
In 1969, Alex Trebek hosted this short-lived "human board game" show. Since no clips are available online, here’s a description from Wikipedia (emphasis added):
Teams of couples competed on a large circular maze covering the studio floor. Their objective was to reach the center by answering questions correctly during their turns. Opponents could block their progress or trigger hidden booby traps on the maze. The winning team was either the first to reach the center or the closest to it when time ran out. Unlike typical American game shows, winners did not return for subsequent episodes or a championship series. Prizes included high-value items like furniture and appliances, which were unusually lavish for Canadian game shows.
Let’s go win some furniture and appliances, honey!
9. Supermarket Sweep Canada
During the 1990s, Canada had its own version of Supermarket Sweep, which ran for three years. Similar to the American original (a daytime TV favorite in the U.S.), the Canadian version featured a smaller supermarket. Check out this hilariously over-the-top bonus round:
10. The Moneymakers (aka Bingo at Home)
In 1969, Jim Perry, known for Card Sharks and previously mentioned for Headline Hunters, hosted this bingo-inspired game show. It combined math, trivia, and home phone numbers. After a round of bingo, Perry would announce, "If 7799 are the last four digits of your phone number, listen closely to find out how you can win Bingo at Home!" Wikipedia notes the bonus round included a moving decimal point, adding a layer of mathematical complexity.
11. Just Like Mom
Running for five years starting in 1980, Just Like Mom featured mothers and their children answering questions, spinning a prize wheel, and—yes—baking. The show’s middle round involved a 60-second bake-off where kids prepared dishes from recipes, and mothers had to taste the often-disastrous results. Adding to the oddity, some "moms" were actually aunts or even dads. Prepare for some cringe-worthy moments:
