Password is a highly acclaimed television game show that has been revived multiple times on different networks over the past six decades. Hosted by Keke Palmer on NBC, the current reboot of the show is eligible for consideration at this year’s Primetime Emmys in the outstanding game show and game show host categories, which are now part of the Primetime Emmys instead of the Daytime Emmys.
The original version of Password first aired on CBS in 1961. The game involves two teams, each consisting of a celebrity and a civilian, competing to guess a hidden word. The teams are given a one-word clue and race against the clock to guess the Password and earn points towards a cash prize. Allen Ludden was the original host of the show and also hosted the ABC reboot from 1971 to 1975. In 1974, Password won the outstanding game show category at the first Daytime Emmy Awards. To commemorate the occasion, an Emmy statue was displayed on the set for several months. Ludden later hosted another updated version of the show called Password Plus on NBC. In 1976, he won a Daytime Emmy for best game show host. Ludden’s famous opening line on the show, “Hi, doll,” was a nod to Tess White, the mother of his wife Betty White, whom he met on Password in the 1960s when she was a celebrity guest.
Ludden continued to host Password until 1980, when he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Sadly, he passed away in 1981. Betty White, who is also a television icon, appeared as a contestant on a later reboot of the show called Million Dollar Password on CBS in 2008. The Hollywood Reporter’s review of the show praised White’s appearance, stating that she was a veteran player and the widow of Ludden, making her participation in the show a highlight of the six-episode run. In a 2010 interview on Larry King Live, White was asked if she would ever remarry. Her response was, “When you’ve had the best, who needs the rest?”
The enduring popularity of Password throughout the years speaks to its status as one of the greatest game shows of all time. Its ability to capture the attention and excitement of viewers has led to its revival on multiple networks over the decades. The show’s format, which combines celebrity involvement with word-guessing challenges, continues to captivate audiences and provide engaging entertainment. Hosted by Keke Palmer on the latest reboot, Password is once again in the running for recognition at the Primetime Emmys, a testament to its enduring appeal.
In conclusion, Password is a game show that has stood the test of time, being revived numerous times throughout its 60-year history. With its iconic format and engaging gameplay, the show has earned its place as one of the greatest game shows of all time. The current reboot hosted by Keke Palmer on NBC is eligible for this year’s Primetime Emmys, marking the first time the outstanding game show and game show host categories will be part of the Primetime Emmys instead of the Daytime Emmys. Password’s legacy lives on, attracting generations of viewers with its exciting word-guessing challenges and celebrity participation.