News In A Flash!: Quick Game Show Updates #41

Good evening, game show fans! Today's article will be highlighting some of the latest game show news and updates this week in 200 characters or less, from an iconic game show host closing shop along with his show to game show hosts and contestants getting dressed for the Halloween holiday next week. All ratings for syndicated game shows are from the week of October 13.

“It’s time to take a break.”: This is what host Chris Tarrant said when he announced that he will be stepping down as the host of U.K.’s Millionaire. The show will be ending after his final show. 

The U.S. version of Millionaire saw the biggest week-to-week growth among all syndicated game shows for the week of October 7 (5% Households, 20% A18-49, 8% Total Viewers, 14% A25-54 and 10% W25-54) 

The series premiere of TBS's Trust Me, I'm A Game Show brought in 1.17 million viewers. The show ranked 63rd among the top 100 cable shows among Adults 25-54.

ITV2’s new horror-themed game show Release The Hounds will debut on the week of Halloween on October 28 at 10:00pm GMT. 

Popular celebrity game show panelist Marcia Wallace died on Friday due to problems related to breast cancer. Wallace, 70, made appearances on several shows including Super Password and Match Game.

The first season of GSN’s Minute To Win It will be coming to a close on Tuesday, October 28 at 8:00pm EST. 

Halloween Spooktacular: Let’s Ask America, The Price Is Right and Let’s Make A Deal will be airing special Halloween-themed episodes on October 30 (Let’s Ask America only) and October 31. 

FremantleMedia’s The Great Christmas Light Fight will be premiering Dec. 9 at 8:00pm EST on ABC, where families decorate their homes with Christmas decor for a $50,000 cash prize. 

Moving on to syndicated game shows, the first- and second-ranked Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy both declined in ratings, as the former fell 4% down to a 6.4 and the latter dropped 2% down to a 5.9. 

As I have previously mentioned, Millionaire improved 5% from the prior week, up to a 2.1, and Family Feud finished the week 2% higher at a 4.3 rating. 

Sources: Daily Mail, The Futon Critic, Deadline Hollywood, Chicago Tribune, Broadcasting & Cable, TV By The Numbers