Match Game is a long-running American television game show that originally premiered in 1962 on NBC before gaining major popularity with its 1973 CBS revival. The format has returned multiple times across different networks over the decades, including three stints on ABC: from 1990 to 1991, 2016 to 2021, and, most recently, in 2025. The current ABC version reintroduced the classic comedy-driven panel format to a new generation of viewers.
The game centers on contestants as they attempt to match humorous fill-in-the-blank answers provided by a panel of six celebrities. Questions are often playful or suggestive, encouraging witty and comedic responses. The contestant who earns the most matches advances to a bonus round for a chance to win a cash prize. The show’s appeal lies in its unpredictable humor and the chemistry between panelists.
The ABC revival maintained the core structure of the 1970s version while updating the set design and prize values. Celebrity guests have included actors, comedians, athletes, and television personalities, with rotating panels each episode. The show continues to rely heavily on improvisation and personality-driven comedy rather than pure trivia or strategy.
The current version of Match Game on ABC is hosted by Canadian comedian and actor Martin Short, who also serves as the executive producer. The show was previously hosted by Alec Baldwin from 2016 through 2021. Other notable hosts include Gene Rayburn, who led the popular 1970s CBS version, and Ross Shafer and Michael Burger, who featured in later revivals.
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