Jamie Dyer discusses the new UK interpretation of Password, introducing a new generation to the American game show classic. But have they done it justice?
I was thrilled to discover that ITV would broadcast a new British version of the game show Password. This American classic, often adapted for British TV, has long been a favourite of mine. The latest 30-minute iteration airs on Saturday evenings on ITV1, with Stephen Mangan at the helm. Actress and Writer Daisy May Cooper and Comedian Alan Carr feature as the consistent celebrity panelists.
My introduction to Password came in 2018 through Buzzr’s offerings on UK Amazon Prime. They featured numerous episodes of Password Plus for streaming, which I eagerly watched. Initially unaware of the show’s extensive history, I turned to YouTube and discovered an entirely new dimension to it.
The History of Password
The Beginning
The original version of Password debuted in 1961 on CBS, produced by Goodson-Todman Productions. Hosted by the late, great Alan Ludden, the show was notably formal for an American game show, yet it was interspersed with moments of levity. The show was notable for the plethora of celebrity guests, including many a-listers of the time; the game of Password was seemingly very popular at Hollywood parties and get togethers. Initially a daytime program, a nighttime edition was later added.
The format of the game is straightforward: it’s a word-based game. Two teams compete, each made up of two individuals, with one celebrity on each team. The host discloses a password to the audience, visible also to the players giving clues. Players alternate turns, with one trying to prompt their teammate to guess the password by offering an associated word. The player that guesses the password wins an allocated number of points for their team depending on how many tries it took. A certain amount of points clocked up won the game.
In the final round, a celebrity and the winning public contestant participated in the “lightning round,” which involved racing through five passwords within a 60-second time frame. These words were presented using a toaster-like device, where each word popped up and then down, visible only to the celebrity and the audience.
The original version of Password was cancelled in 1967 after 1756 episodes. It was later revived on ABC between 1971 and 1975, running for 1099 editions. The show was featured on an episode of sitcom The Odd Couple in 1972.
American Tweaks
Password Plus, which first aired in 1979 on NBC, underwent format changes. The main game remained the same, but a series of passwords now comprised an overall password that connected them together. In this version, another addition was the game called “Alphabetics.” In this end game, players had to guess several passwords in sequential alphabetical order within a certain time limit. This variation changed the original endgame and added even more excitement.
After Alan Ludden passed away, the show ended a year later with American Game Show legend Tom Kennedy as the host. It was later revived with actor and singer Bert Convy as the host under the name “Super Password.” The revived show aired for 1,151 episodes between 1984 and 1989. Ludden’s 2-decade journey with Password, including how he met his second wife, Betty White, is detailed in an extensive biography by Adam Nedeff.
A Parody That Led To A Revival
The format would get something of a Renaissance when it was brought back as a homage to Jimmy Fallon’s version of the Tonight Show. This version, played as a skit within the main show, was played on a replica of the original staging. It was hosted by Tonight Show announcer Steve Higgins, with Jimmy serving as one of the panellists. The gameplay was played in a style more suited to modern late-night television, with larger amounts of parody.
From this skit, a new version of Password was created for American television. The show was hosted by Keke Palmer, with Jimmy Fallon as a regular panelist.
Password on British Television
This isn’t the first time this format has been tried on British television. Password first landed on British shores in 1963, hosted by Shaw Taylor for 1 series of 27 episodes for ATV. The BBC would revive the format from 1973 to 1976, with hosts including Brian Redhead, Eleanor Summerfield and Esther Rantzen. A Channel 4 version, hosted by Tom O’Connor, premiered on the new network in 1982. He was joined by such celebrity guests as Barry Crier, Diana Dors and Kenneth Williams. Finally, a UTV version would air in the mid 80s.
Few versions of Password are available for viewing, making it difficult to decipher why the format did not resonate with the UK audience.
My Thoughts on the 2024 UK Version of Password
Upon watching the first episode, the new ITV adaptation seems to be a ‘greatest hits’ collection of the format, amalgamating the elements that have sustained Password on US television for years; Even an updated version of the catchy theme tune is present! The promotion of the show may not have been fully representative of its content. Being labelled as a “game show” tends to conjure specific expectations, particularly when it replaces a time slot usually filled by The 1 Percent Club.
Round one consists of the original password, played the same way as Alan Ludden had played it back in the 60s and 70s. Round two, entitled Super Password, brings back the changes that were made to the format in the late 70s and 80s, under Ludden and Convy. I can’t tell you how excited I was when Mangan said the name of the game. The final round features Alphabetics, another staple originating from revivals.
The Host and Panellists
Stephen Mangan seems like an ideal host for the Password, possessing the right aura and seamlessly transitioning between nerdy and cool without dominating the show. It’s evident he grasps the show’s essence. Alan Carr is an excellent player of the game, understanding his role and bringing humour while respecting the perspective of the public. Daisy May Cooper, known for her panel show appearances and regular role on Nevermind the Buzzcocks, has proven her comedic talent. However, it’s possible that this format may not fully highlight her strongest attributes.
The only issue I have with the celebrity panellists is how they flaunt the rules. Allen Ludden wouldn’t have stood for the way head movements are used, and he certainly wouldn’t have tolerated the various voices utilised during clue-giving. The fact they’ve specified no gestures yet these things continue to happen shows how relaxed they are. Ludden would have waved away any gestures, I hope Mangan starts doing it if a new series is commissioned.
The Flaws
The shortcomings of the show are not due to the choice of participants, but rather the structure of the show itself. While it aims to stay true to the original format, the impact of Fallon’s parody and its revival is unmistakable. The issue arises from the method of finding laughs, which remains faithful to a sketch comedy format instead of evolving into a full thirty-minute program, a technique that can become tiresome.
The idea of featuring two regular celebrity panellists, borrowed from the modern American version, seems somewhat flawed. The charm of the show has always been its unpredictability, despite knowing what to expect. This is due to the unique energies and strategies each player brings to the game. For instance, Dick Van Dyke’s approach differed from James Stewarts, while Elizabeth Montgomery offered a different dynamic compared to Betty White. Having regular panellists five days a week suited the daytime show’s more relaxed atmosphere, but the primetime version requires frequent changes to avoid becoming stale. The show’s tendency to resort to double entendres and sexual innuendos for humour does not help its case
I miss the elegant simplicity of the original American incarnations; the form which favoured broad vocabulary, intelligence and fun. The clue givers didn’t need to rely on gestures or silly voices to make their password known, they did so by exploiting synonyms and meanings of words. Perhaps it isn’t exciting in the present day to celebrate language, but it did generate more frivolity and laughs than resorting to smutty situations. If ITV intends to make this a long-term format that endures, they perhaps need to return the game to its roots for it to last. There are only so many times that the audience can laugh over different words for genitalia.
The Public’s Apparent Issues with the Format
I have read many complaints online, which complain about the fact that the Password is revealed to the public before any words have been said. Password is often categorized as a game show, yet it shares many characteristics with a panel show. Numerous examples exist, particularly in the early BBC days, of shows that operated similarly to Password. A comparable example is What’s My Line? which revealed the contestant’s occupation before any questions were posed, often leading to humorous situations as the ensuing questions unintentionally suggested double entendres.
Password does the same thing, it’s more about how you arrive at the answer than the answer itself. I’ve spent many happy hours shouting synonyms and possible clues at the TV. When played straight, the possibilities become endless. Contestants find themselves going down odd passages, which leads to confusion and laughter. There is also a great deal of satisfaction when the game is played well from the clue givers’ perspective.
Conclusion
When all is said and done, I have actually enjoyed the new series of Password. It’s nice to see my favourite word game return to the UK. The half-hour format doesn’t feel dragged out, and they’ve made sure the best bits of the format are showcased. I just wish they had toned down the comedy a bit. There have been some very satisfying or funny moments, but most of them have been from natural occurrences . If they make another series, which I doubt, they need to work on making things less forced as the game works better without it. America has had Password for 63 years, and we could embrace it too if we get the balance right. Password is available to watch on ITVX. It is shown on ITV1 every Saturday night.
