Games People Play (1980)

Country

United States

Length

1 season, 1 episode

Rating

8.0 of 10 from 1 voters

Elsewhere

IMDb

How it feels

This reality series from the early 1980s hosted by Bryant Gumbel showcased odd and amusing competitions like beer chugging and belly flop contests. Celebrities and athletes often took part in the events, and the show is remembered for featuring Mr. T before his breakout movie role.

lightheartedplayfulcompetitivesillyenergeticquirkynostalgic

What happens

Games People Play is an NBC reality television series that ran from 1980 to 1981, hosted by Bryant Gumbel, with celebrity and athlete co-hosts such as Cyndy Garvey, Mike Adamle, and Johnny Bench. The format centers on unusual sports competitions, including guzzling beer, a belly flop contest and a taxicab demolition derby. Celebrities of film, TV, and sports were frequent guest participants on the show as well. Originally previewed in April 1980 as The Sunday Games, the format was inspired by another NBC show Real People, which had recurring segments featuring similar competitions and displays of unusual skills. The series is noted for popularizing Mr. T, who won the "America's Best Bouncer" (sometimes reported as "World's Toughest Bouncer") competition twice on the show, donating his $3000 prize to charity. Mr. T was subsequently cast by Sylvester Stallone as Clubber Lang, the villain in Rocky III. The title of the show is a play on the title of Games People Play, a popular psychology book from the 1960s about mind games and interactions within relationships. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

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