1. The Press Your Luck Scandal of ‘84
Michael Larson pulled off one of the greatest game show heists in history when he cracked the pattern of Press Your Luck’s supposedly random game board. While most contestants relied on luck to land on cash prizes and avoid Whammies, Larson spent months studying VHS recordings of the show, memorizing the board’s sequences. When he finally got his chance, he stunned everyone by racking up an unprecedented $110,237, the largest one-day total in game show history at the time. His flawless gameplay went on for so long that the episode had to be split into two parts, a first for the show. The producers were baffled, but they couldn’t prove he had cheated—he had simply outsmarted the system. CBS reviewed the footage frame by frame, hoping to find wrongdoing, but Larson had done nothing against the rules says The Daily Beast.
However, his win wasn’t a fairy tale ending. Larson took his winnings home in cash, fearing banks would freeze his account, only to have much of it stolen in a home burglary. He later got involved in shady business schemes and eventually fled the law, passing away in 1999 with little to his name. Meanwhile, his game show performance became legendary, inspiring debates about strategy versus cheating. His winnings held the record for nearly 20 years, and his story was even turned into a documentary. The show itself never fully recovered from the controversy, and producers later changed the board to prevent anyone else from exploiting it. To this day, Larson’s name sparks conversation among game show fans, proving that sometimes, the smartest person in the room isn’t always the luckiest in life.
2. Ken Jennings’ Jeopardy! Reign Finally Ends
For 74 games, Ken Jennings seemed unbeatable on Jeopardy!, setting a record-breaking winning streak that had never been seen before. He dominated the buzzer, mastered categories with ease, and even charmed viewers with his dry wit. Week after week, fans tuned in to see if anyone could finally dethrone him, but challenger after challenger failed. That all changed on November 30, ‘04, when Nancy Zerg, a relatively quiet and unassuming contestant, pulled off the impossible. In a shocking upset, Jennings got Final Jeopardy wrong, and Zerg’s correct answer secured her the win. The audience gasped, and even Alex Trebek seemed momentarily stunned. After months of seeing Jennings at the podium, his loss felt surreal.
Despite the loss, Jennings walked away with $2.52 million, cementing his place as a game show legend. His run changed Jeopardy! forever, proving that a contestant with deep knowledge and buzzer skills could go the distance. The show later lifted its five-game win limit, leading to more streaks—but none as iconic as Jennings’. Zerg, meanwhile, only won one more game before losing herself, proving just how tough it was to stay on top. Jennings went on to become a Jeopardy! staple, eventually returning as a host after Trebek’s passing. His legacy is still unmatched, and his streak remains one of the greatest moments in game show history according to The Atlantic.
3. The Family Feud Contestant Who Blew $10,000
During a Family Feud Fast Money round, a contestant named Eve was just a few points away from winning $10,000 for her team. All she needed was a handful of points in the final question, and victory was hers. The question? “Name a three-letter animal.” Sounds simple, right? The pressure must have been too much, because Eve panicked and confidently blurted out, “Alligator.” The audience groaned, and even host Richard Dawson looked momentarily speechless before composing himself. Her family, standing behind her, couldn’t believe it says Buzzfeed.
The mistake became one of the most infamous game show blunders of all time. It was replayed in blooper reels, late-night talk shows, and even by future Family Feud hosts who couldn’t resist poking fun at it. Some fans speculated that nerves had gotten the best of her, while others argued that her brain simply short-circuited under pressure. Whatever the case, “Alligator” became a legendary wrong answer, up there with the worst in game show history. It’s a reminder that even the simplest questions can turn into disasters when the cameras are rolling.
4. The Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Cheating Scandal
One of the biggest scandals in game show history happened in ‘01 when Charles Ingram won the top prize on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?—but something didn’t add up. Throughout the game, Ingram seemed uncertain, changing answers at the last second in ways that felt odd. Host Chris Tarrant played along, but behind the scenes, producers grew suspicious. After reviewing the footage, they discovered that Ingram’s wife and a fellow contestant were coughing at key moments to signal the correct answers. The scheme was as bold as it was ridiculous, and it didn’t take long for investigators to catch on.
The win was revoked, and Ingram faced criminal charges along with his wife and accomplice. The scandal rocked the show, leading to tighter security measures for future contestants. The story became so infamous that it was later turned into a TV drama called Quiz. Even today, the “Coughing Major” remains one of the most notorious figures in game show history. It was a stark reminder that trying to cheat the system rarely ends well. Where is he now? Hello Magazine found out.
5. The Wheel of Fortune Puzzle That Took Way Too Long
In ‘14, a Wheel of Fortune contestant named Julian had a chance to solve a nearly completed puzzle. The board read “Mythological Hero A_ _ _ _ _ _.” It seemed obvious to most viewers—“Achilles.” But Julian hesitated and then guessed, “Aykilles?” Host Pat Sajak looked stunned, the audience groaned, and the mistake quickly went viral. He lost his turn, and another contestant immediately solved it correctly.
The internet had a field day, turning Julian’s mispronunciation into a meme. Some viewers felt bad for him, knowing that nerves can make even the smartest people freeze under pressure. Others couldn’t believe that he missed such an easy answer. Sajak, known for his dry humor, joked that he wanted to “crawl into a hole.” The moment became one of the most painful yet hilarious blunders in Wheel of Fortune history.
6. When The Price Is Right Contestant Guessed the Exact Showcase Price
In ‘08, something happened on The Price Is Right that left everyone, including host Drew Carey, completely stunned. During the Showcase Showdown, contestant Terry Kniess made a bid that seemed too perfect to be real. His showcase was worth exactly $23,743, and when Carey revealed that his guess was spot on, the studio went silent. There was no confetti, no excited reaction from the host—just an awkward pause. Carey, usually full of enthusiasm, barely reacted, later admitting that he thought something shady had happened.
Behind the scenes, producers scrambled to figure out if Kniess had cheated, but as it turned out, he had simply done his homework. He and his wife had watched the show religiously and noticed that many of the prizes repeated. Using his memory and an educated guess, he pulled off the most precise bid in Price Is Right history. Afterward, the show made adjustments to prevent contestants from memorizing past prices too easily. Kniess’ win remains a controversial moment, with fans still debating whether it was pure genius or just too good to be true.
7. The Infamous Jeopardy! “What Is a Hoe?” Answer
One of the most awkward yet hilarious moments in Jeopardy! history came when a contestant, Ken, was given the clue, “This term for a long-handled gardening tool can also mean an immoral pleasure seeker.” Without hesitation, Ken buzzed in and confidently said, “What is a hoe?” The studio erupted in laughter, and even host Alex Trebek smirked as he gently corrected him: “No. The correct response is ‘What is a rake?’” Ken’s expression shifted from confidence to embarrassment in a matter of seconds, and the clip instantly became a classic.
The moment took on a life of its own, appearing in blooper reels, talk shows, and viral compilations of game show fails. Even years later, fans still reference it as one of the funniest missteps in Jeopardy! history. To Ken’s credit, it was an honest mistake—technically, a hoe is a gardening tool, but the double meaning threw him off. The moment highlighted how Jeopardy!‘s wordplay can sometimes trip up even the smartest contestants.
8. The Deal or No Deal Contestant Who Turned Down $400,000—and Lost Everything
It’s the kind of gut-wrenching moment that Deal or No Deal was built for. One contestant, Richard, had an incredible run and was offered a whopping $400,000 to walk away. But he got caught up in the excitement and felt lucky, thinking his briefcase contained an even bigger prize. Ignoring the pleas of his family, he refused the offer, choosing to risk it all. The audience held its breath as his case was opened—and it contained just $5.
The heartbreak was immediate, and even host Howie Mandel seemed at a loss for words. Richard had gone from the high of nearly half a million dollars to the crushing reality of winning pocket change. It was a brutal lesson in greed versus security, and it left viewers debating whether they would have taken the deal or gone for broke like he did.
9. The Wheel of Fortune Contestant Who Guessed “Magic Wand” Instead of “Magic Hand”
On Wheel of Fortune, one wrong guess can cost you everything, and that’s exactly what happened to Kevin. He was just one letter away from solving the puzzle, which read: “Magic _and.” With confidence, he guessed, “Magic Wand,” thinking it was a sure win. The buzzer sounded, indicating it was wrong, and the next contestant immediately solved it with “Magic Hand.”
The moment became an instant classic, as fans couldn’t believe he had come so close only to lose. His blunder joined the ranks of Wheel of Fortune‘s most frustrating near-misses. It was a painful reminder that sometimes, even the most confident answer can be the wrong one.
10. The Time The Newlywed Game Had the Most Awkward Answer Ever
Host Bob Eubanks asked a newlywed wife, “Where’s the strangest place you and your husband have ever made whoopee?” Without hesitation, she blurted out, “In the butt.” The audience gasped, Eubanks nearly choked, and her husband turned bright red.
The clip became legendary, despite debates over whether it was real or an urban legend. Even Eubanks confirmed it happened, though slightly differently than people remember.
11. The Weakest Link Contestant Who Got Every Question Wrong
On The Weakest Link, George managed to get every single question wrong. He fumbled trivia, mispronounced names, and couldn’t answer even simple math problems. Host Anne Robinson was almost speechless.
His disastrous performance became legendary, cementing him as possibly the worst contestant ever. Even years later, his appearance remains one of the most memorably awful performances in game show history.
12. The $100,000 Pyramid Contestant Who Swore on Air
On $100,000 Pyramid, a contestant was so close to victory that they could taste it. But as time ticked down, their partner just couldn’t guess the answer. In a fit of frustration, they blurted out, “Oh, for f—’s sake!” The studio went silent.
The moment became infamous, showing just how high the pressure can get. While the contestant apologized, their frustration was understandable.
13. The Match Game Answer That Made Everyone Lose It
Match Game was known for its risqué humor, but one contestant’s answer took things to another level. The question was, “Mary was shocked when she walked in on her husband BLANKING the maid.”
When host Gene Rayburn finally showed the contestant’s answer, the audience lost it. Even the normally unflappable celebrities were crying with laughter, making it one of the most unforgettable game show moments ever.