I love watching game shows on TV. They are a brilliant way of connecting with loved ones, while around the lounge – all of this, while they share useful information as knowledge through entertainment. TV.shows offer mostly good content, are family-friendly and offer genuine entertainment. Family Feud is a popular game show that began in the US in 1976 and has seen an illustrious run since then. It’s also one of my favorite game shows on TV.

It is the brainchild of Mark Goodson. The show has three separate runs namely, the first one being from 1976 to 1985 on ABC with Richard Dawson as host. Secondly, from 1988 until 1994 on CBS with Ray Combs as host. Lastly, in 1999, it was revived with four different hosts – Louise Anderson, Richard Karn, John O’Hurley and Steve Harvey respectively. Harvey took on the reigns from 2010 onwards.

It has shown an evolution and has stood the test of time. Steve Harvey is also one ideal host for the show to see it through its transition to where it is now. He brings the right amount of flair, wit and charm as he interacts with the contestants on a variety of topics. He is relatable and has a good range in interacting on the different topics that are discussed in the show. His tenure has also seen the show explore Africa where Family Feud has been aired in South Africa, Botswana, Nigeria and Ghana. The show provides a beautiful cross between different nations and serves as an introduction to the African culture for the host and audience – an entertaining learning experience it is.

Back home, how I wish the likes of ‘Jam Alley‘ which was hosted by the late Vinolia ‘V-mash’ Mashego and many others and ‘Zama Zama’ TV Show hosted by the legendary TV hostess Nomsa Nene would have also stood the similar test. These TV shows were fantastic and occupied a huge part of our childhood in the 1990s. V-mash was a celebrated South African actress and TV presenter who passed on at the age of 56 in 2020. V-mash will always be remembered for her energetic nature, and her memorable nuances when she hosted the long-running music quiz show. Nomsa Nene is a celebrated South African actress and TV icon who made a return to TV in 2017 on the Etv telenovela ‘Broken Vows’. She was vivacious, vibrant and colourful as host on Zama Zama TV show where contestants won prizes that ranged from appliances, cash prizes to a ‘booby’ prize. Do you recall her catchy opening line? Nene is now into properties.

Family Feud brings together two different families of five members each, taking turns to battle on interesting general questions and topics that have been asked prior as part of a survey to participants. The aim is for one family to get as many points as possible by guessing the popular answers that would have been given as responses, for the said family to make it to the final round. The final round is a popular one, also available as inserts on YouTube and is called “Fast Money”

This is all in the name of fun.

Family Feud as a franchise has grown to even include versions that have seen Steve Harvey visit African countries including Mzansi, to tap into our side and style of culture. Each version is unique and speaks to the different cultures and experiences that each country has to offer and it is beautiful to see how the show’s principles of bringing together two different families in a fun environment are maintained and upheld many years later. Steve Harvey also gets to learn different African cultures and languages from the different parts of the continent through this popular show that is loved and followed globally. The model simply works and never gets old or boring.

While having plenty of laughs and guesses one episode after another, I do at times find myself asking some questions about the show that I often ponder the answers to. And that’s what this piece is all about and I am hoping that some of you may assist or highlight if you resonate with these also if you are also a fan.

Here are the ten questions I have in my head each time I watch and think of Family Feud. They are in no particular order.

1. I always wonder about the surveys conducted which are critical to the show. How and when are they conducted?  What’s the selection process and how soon before the show airs are they done? How many of them are done?  How is the auditing process done to get us the results as revealed on the show?

2. Who chooses the participants and how are they selected? Are people randomly selected to conduct these online or in-person at a particular place or region to take part?

3. Is it different participants per question or a similar set of participants for all questions in a season or episode?

4. Who were the very first contestants to be asked a question in the show? Both for the versions abroad and for the one done in Africa?

5. Who was the first contestant in the history of the show to score the highest points on Fast Money round one?

6. Has there ever been an instance where a contestant scores a full set of zeros on any of the fast money rounds?

7. Who are the youngest and oldest contestants on record to ever take part in the show?

8. Who is the history record-holder for the funniest answer to ever be given in the show on any round?

9. How does the host know how many points are left after each answer is revealed on the fast money round? Is it mental calculations or are there people behind the scenes tasked with that work? The host also does a great job in tallying the points for viewers during the first round with the multiplications that are applied to produce the winning family that moves on to the next round. That does take a lot of mental thought and thinking on one’s feet. How is that done so well?

10. Has there ever been an instance when the family that got the highest answer on the score board after providing an answer to the host, chose to pass on the round to the other family first? This always come to mind as I have never seen an episode where a family passes on this when they win the buzzer round, even when the question appears difficult. Well, what I have noticed with not passing at this stage is that it offers the other team ample time to think of the most correct answer to give when the family that plays hits three strikes.

The show is a beautiful way of bringing families together and having while at it. It easily comes through on-screen and is a tradition that keeps family viewing intact in most homes as it is a family-friendly show that brings everyone together around the TV. That is what I love most about the show. Maybe one day, I will get some answers to these questions that always come to my mind but for now I shall enjoy more family feud.

What’s your favorite part about Family Feud?