Great Big Game Show Washington Reviews

Okay, let's talk game shows. Specifically, game shows set in Washington, or heavily themed around it. Ready to rumble?

The Evergreen State of…Boredom?

I'm going to say it. Some of these Washington-themed game show episodes? Snooze-fests. Don't get me wrong, I love the Pacific Northwest. But turning Mount Rainier into a trivia question? Not exactly thrilling television.

I watched one where the prize was a year's supply of smoked salmon. Great for the winner, sure. The rest of us? Just hungry and vaguely smelling of fish.

Pike Place Predictability

And don't even get me started on the challenges around Pike Place Market. Yes, it's a landmark. Yes, they throw fish. But how many different ways can you incorporate that into a game show?

Apparently, dozens. All equally predictable. I've seen more suspense waiting in line for Beecher's Handmade Cheese.

Speaking of cheese, I swear, every Washington-themed game show has to feature cheese. Or coffee. Or apples. Are we more than just our stereotypes?

"Washington Wackiness" – Is it Really That Wacky?

They always hype up the "Washington Wackiness!" But the "wackiness" usually involves someone mispronouncing "Spokane." Or confusing Seattle with Olympia.

Come on! We can do better. I want to see a game show where contestants have to navigate Seattle traffic during rush hour. That's real Washington wackiness.

Or maybe a challenge where they have to decipher what a tech worker is actually saying during a meeting. The prize? Stock options in a failing startup.

The Accent Agony

And the accents! Oh, the accents. Every time a contestant attempts a "Pacific Northwest" accent, a bald eagle sheds a tear. It's usually some weird mix of Canadian and…I don't even know.

It's less "Fargo" and more "fantastically fake." Please, producers, just let them speak normally. Our natural cadence is interesting enough!

Or at least get an actual Washingtonian to coach them. We exist! We’re mostly drinking coffee. And silently judging your accent attempts.

Let’s Talk Hosts

The hosts are usually perky. Too perky. Like, "just drank a gallon of espresso and is ready to climb Mount Si" perky. It’s exhausting.

I need a host who understands the quiet contemplation of the Olympic Peninsula. Someone who appreciates a good gray day. Someone who knows the best place to find wild mushrooms.

Instead, we get someone yelling about "the amazing opportunity to win a trip to Leavenworth!" Okay, Leavenworth is cute. But it's also incredibly touristy.

Prize Problems

And the prizes! They're always the same. Trips to wineries. Tickets to the Space Needle. Another year's supply of smoked salmon (seriously?).

How about a kayak tour of the San Juan Islands? A weekend backpacking in the Cascades? A lifetime supply of microbrews?

Something, anything, that reflects the true spirit of the Pacific Northwest. Beyond the tourist traps and the salmon obsession.

Unpopular Opinion Time:

Here it is: most Washington-themed game shows are just…boring. They rely on tired tropes and predictable challenges.

They feel more like a promotional video for the state than actual entertainment. I want more substance. I want more surprises.

Give me a game show that actually understands the complexities of Washington. The beauty, the weirdness, the tech boom angst. Then, I’ll be hooked.

Until then, I'll stick to watching reruns of Jeopardy! Alex Trebek never made me cringe with a fake Washington accent.

He probably knew more about the state than most of these game show contestants, too.

And that, my friends, is my (probably controversial) review of Great Big Game Show Washington! Please don't send me angry emails.