The What’s That Show game works anytime. It’s similar to the game What’s That Movie, but this recurring game is about TV shows. It’s fun to play on team shows or solo shows and it is a great interactive game.
Before you begin, follow the guidelines for playing games in the Game Strategy section here.
Then, choose the best method to play this game based on your show and how you’ll use the game.
What’s That Show
Challenge contestants to identify an iconic TV special based on trivia questions and/or audio samples. If you don’t want to play the audio, it works to describe the show with clues, but the audio makes it more exciting.
What’s That Show fits contemporary stations (focus on new movies) and stations with a retro feel (go with the classics).
The game is also easy to adapt with special themes by category (sitcoms, cartoons, cop shows, etc.).
Here are several ways to phrase the questions:
Provide the show’s tagline (if there is one). The contestant guesses the show.
Give a famous line or catchphrase. The contestant guesses the show.
Play a couple of lines from a scene from one episode. They guess the show.
Reveal the show, then quote a line or two of dialogue. They have to add the next line or fill in a blank.
List the actors and/or characters.
Describe the show without mentioning any names, titles, or actors.
Provide the name of (or play part of) the theme song. The contestant guesses the show it’s from.
To make the game easier, play a longer segment of dialogue from the show, then bleep out a word or phrase. The contestant must fill in the bleeped- out part.
You could also edit highlights into a very fast montage of sounds, quotes, and music the way you would a music montage to guess the song hooks. Take calls until one person guesses the show. Then, play another montage and continue or start another game episode the following day.
For difficult questions, consider offering multiple-choice options.
Sample Questions
Here are some questions to get you started. Notice the different types of questions asked. Use this as a model when creating your questions. Pick and choose shows from the most appropriate era for your brand.
This sitcom features six friends living in New York City. Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, and Ross were always there for each other. What’s that show? Friends
Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, Raj, and Penny starred in this comedy about a group of geeky scientists and their neighbor. What’s that show? The Big Bang Theory
In this medical drama, Dr. Derek Shepherd and Dr. Meredith Grey had an on-again, off-again romance at Seattle Grace Hospital. What’s that show? Grey’s Anatomy
Walter White, Jesse Pinkman, and “Better Call Saul!” What’s that show? Breaking Bad
Jerry Seinfeld, George Costanza, Elaine Benes, and Cosmo Kramer got into hilariously awkward situations every week. What’s that show? Seinfeld
This show followed the Forrester family and their fashion design business in Los Angeles. Ridge, Brooke, Taylor, Stephanie, and Eric were some of the main characters. What’s that show? The Bold and the Beautiful
“Bazinga!” Scientist Sheldon Cooper didn’t understand sarcasm, but his friends Leonard, Penny, and Amy helped explain social cues to him. What’s that show? The Big Bang Theory
Rachel Green, Monica Geller, Phoebe Buffay, Joey Tribbiani, Chandler Bing, Ross Geller. What’s that show? Friends
Captain Jean-Luc Picard commanded which science fiction TV show on a starship called the Enterprise? Star Trek: The Next Generation
This show followed the Crawley family’s and their servants’ lives during early 20th century Britain. What’s that show? Downton Abbey
“Winter is coming.” This popular HBO drama was set in the fictional land of Westeros. What’s that show? Game of Thrones
Ted Mosby narrated the story of how he met his children’s mother to his kids on this sitcom. What’s that show? How I Met Your Mother
Mulder and Scully investigated paranormal events and UFOs for which government agency on this sci-fi series? The X-Files
The Bunkers and the Jeffersons were neighbors in this 1970s comedy focused on racial issues. What’s that show? All in the Family
This medical drama was set in a Seattle hospital. Meredith Grey, Cristina Yang, Alex Karev, and Izzie Stevens were surgical interns. What’s that show? Grey’s Anatomy
“Yadda, yadda, yadda!” This phrase was commonly said by which character on which 1990s sitcom? Seinfeld, Elaine Benes
“Doh!” is a famous catchphrase uttered by which animated character? Homer Simpson from The Simpsons
“How you doin’?” was this character’s pick-up line on which sitcom? Joey Tribbiani on Friends
Which sitcom followed the lives of three men and their housekeeper, Alice? The Brady Bunch
“Beam me up, Scotty” was a catchphrase on which classic sci-fi series? Star Trek
Who killed Laura Palmer on Twin Peaks? Her father, Leland Palmer
What character’s catchphrase was, “Yo, bitch!”? Jesse Pinkman on Breaking Bad
What was the name of the high school in Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Sunnydale High
What was the name of the apartment building in New Girl? The Loft
What was the name of the backward-talking character played by Sabastian Pigott on Growing Pains? Uknaj Nosrep
What was the last name of the family in Family Matters? Winslow
What was the name of the alien race Captain Kirk fought most on Star Trek? The Klingons
What was the name of the theme song to Friends? I’ll Be There For You by The Rembrandts
What was the name of the high school in Saved by the Bell?
Bayside High
What was the name of Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor’s home improvement show within the sitcom Home Improvement? Tool Time
“Lucy, you got some ‘splainin to do!” Which red-haired actress delivered this famous line as Lucy in a 1950s sitcom? Lucille Ball as Lucy Ricardo on I Love Lucy
Who killed J.R. Ewing on Dallas? Kristin Shepard
What was Jesse Katsopolis’ nickname on Full House? Uncle Jesse
What was the name of the high school hangout on Happy Days? Arnold’s (later renamed Al’s)
What was the name of the building superintendent on Three’s Company? Ralph Furley
What was the nickname Ross gave himself due to his rage issues on Friends? The Hulk
What was the name of the fictional town where Stranger Things took place? Hawkins, Indiana
What was the name of the alien hunter in the 1987 sci-fi movie and TV series, Predator?
The Predator
Who was the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air? Will Smith
