Television series

Match Game

Name: Match Game
Genre: Comedy
Released: 2016
Cast: Alec Baldwin, Martin Short, Donovan Corneetz, Steve French

Comedy
Light-hearted
Dip in and out

The 2016 revival of Match Game, hosted by Alec Baldwin and Martin Short, brings back the simple pleasure of a celebrity panel guessing game. Contestants fill in missing words to match celebrity answers, creating unpredictable and often hilarious moments. It's lightweight, warmly funny, and designed for easy watching with friends or family. The chemistry between hosts matters more than strategy.

TVMaze rating

3.5

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you love game shows where the fun comes from quick banter between hosts and contestants, and the comedic chemistry of two veteran performers riffing on silly answers.

Skip it if you want a tight, fast-moving format, since this is a loose hour-long ride where the banter often wanders and the game itself can feel like a backdrop.

What it asks of you: A sprawling hour that rewards patience and a taste for improvised detours, with the pleasure in the tangents as much as the scoring.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

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The same DNA as Match Game—celebrities guessing what a word or phrase might be—but with elegant simplicity. Hosted with genuine warmth by Kathy Griffin and Michael Urie, it feels like an evening with witty friends.

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The $10,000 Pyramid1973

A pyramid of clues instead of a blank to fill: celebrities and contestants work together rather than in opposition. The competitive stakes feel higher, and the teamwork creates better moments of genuine connection.

But The rules take a moment to grasp, which can be frustrating if you just want quick laughs. Pacing stumbles when the host has to explain.

Celebrity Family Feud2015

Another panel show built on surprising answers from ordinary people. The unpredictability creates real comedy—you're laughing at what humans actually think, not at jokes. Richard Dawson or Steve Harvey versions both worth your time.

But Some episodes feel repetitive, and the answer pool is knowable enough that surprises wear off. Celebrity guest editions work better than standard family rounds.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Match Game

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

QI2003

Both live or die by celebrity wit and unpredictable answers. Neither cares if you know the 'right' answer—they want you entertained by how a clever person thinks.

A British panel show where Stephen Fry (or Sandi Toksvig) asks impossibly obscure questions, and the show rewards clever lateral thinking and funny answers over correct ones. It's Match Game's witty, educated cousin—less about filling blanks, more about surprising observations.

But Some UK references and intellectual in-jokes won't land for American audiences. The show can feel self-satisfied, and Fry's dominance occasionally swallows the other panelists.

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The format is almost identical to Celebrity Squares, but the Whoopi Goldberg-era version has a particular sparkle. The celebrities seem genuinely delighted to be there, and the jokes feel fresher than in later revivals.

But Some of the humor is locked in late-90s sensibility. Guest stars vary wildly in quality, and weak panels drag noticeably.

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A risk-reward trivia game where contestants press their luck for money or face a random 'Whammy' that wipes them out. The format creates genuine drama and memorable moments of triumph and heartbreak. Elizabeth Banks' version feels appropriately high-energy.

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Whose Line Is It Anyway?1998

Both are vehicles for personality and quick thinking. The game is secondary to watching smart, funny people riff in front of an audience.

Improvisational comedy games with no script, no wrong answers, and points that don't matter. Hosted by Aisha Tyler, it's pure creative chaos—comedians making each other and the audience laugh in real-time. Match Game for people who want to watch funny people play rather than guess.

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Both are framed as competition but work because the panel's banter and personalities matter more than the outcome. Watching people enjoy watching others do something well, together.

Bakers compete in timed challenges while judges taste and critique. It sounds like a competition show, but it's actually a panel show about watching humans under pressure and celebrating small wins. The chemistry between judges mirrors Match Game's panel dynamic.

But If you don't care about baking, entire episodes can feel low-stakes. American versions lack the gentle warmth of the original UK version. It's long—each episode is feature-length.