What is "game show"

game show \game" show`\ (g[=a]m"sh[=o]`), n. a television program in which contestants compete for awards. The contestants are members of the public selected to participate on the show, and not employed by the producer of the show.

n. (context games broadcasting English) A radio or television programme or an episode of the programme that involves members of the public or celebrities, whether as individuals or as part of a team, playing a game, especially involving the answering of quiz questions, for cash or prizes.

n. a television or radio program in which contestants compete for awards [syn: giveaway]

A game show is a type of radio, television, or internet programming genre in which contestants, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes. Alternatively, a gameshow can be a demonstrative program about a game (while usually retaining the spirit of an awards ceremony). In the former, contestants may be invited from a pool of public applicants. On some shows, contestants compete against other players or another team, while other shows involve contestants playing alone for a reward or a high score. Game shows often reward players with prizes such as cash, trips and goods and services provided by the show's sponsor prize suppliers, who in turn usually do so for the purposes of product placement. One of the reasons that television broadcasters make game shows is because they are substantially less costly than producing scripted drama shows. Some TV game shows fall under the category of reality television.