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The first teaser for NBC‘s Password did this revival zero favors, edited as it was to make a game about the quiet, considered exchange of clues and guesses seem amped up, madcap and rife with Jimmy Fallon antics.
But having now screened multiple installments of the eight-episode summertime revival (which kicks off tonight at 10/9c, followed by a Wednesday-at-9 outing), I can report — with more than a bit of surprise, I admit — that the new Password is… not bad? And even a lot of fun at times.
No, I’m still not a fan of the set, which has none of the coziness from the (deep cut alert!) Allen Ludden-hosted era, but instead seems dictated by the law that every primetime game show since 1999 has to evoke Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. (Is ABC the only network that knows how to lovingly emulate classic game show sets?) And for some reason, the off-camera voice whispering the password to us at home has opted for a delivery best described as “Hmm, Kinda Creepy.”
But the gameplay is faithful to that which we all know (save for a flourish or two), and the proceedings are overseen by a pretty perfect host. Keke Palmer clearly is well-schooled on the rules/scorekeeping and thus keeps the game moving along, but most importantly she is simply “Keke Palmer hosting Password.” She isn’t here to draw attention to herself (fabulous as her rotation of eyewear is) or rummage for a catchphrase, though she will occasionally let slip a pointed observation or reaction — such as when Heidi Klum uses “urination” as a clue for… well, you’ll see.
The familiar format is this: Fallon (who has occasionally resurrected Password on The Tonight Show) each night serves as a celebrity player alongside the likes of Jon Hamm (in the premiere), the aforementioned Klum (Night 2), Yvette Nicole Brown, Tony Hale, Chelsea Handler, Joel McHale, Chrissy Metz, Martin Short, J.B. Smoove and Meghan Trainor. The celebs proudly introduce their civilian partners, secret passwords are handed out, and the teams take turns offering up one-word clues to hopefully prompt a correct guess.
After one round, the celebs switch sides, and the first contestant to win two out of three advances to a bonus round. There, the contestant speed-feeds clues to both celebs to hopefully coax out 10 out of 10 passwords within 60 seconds, and claim a $25,000 grand prize. But even if they fall short, there’s a one-password “Redemption Round” that can double their winnings for the night.
As much as the trailer plays up Fallon’s “energy” (namely, a clap-along that he initiates in an early episode, before unleashing his correct guess), he puts himself on equal footing with the other celebrity guests. Also, the banter Fallon enjoys with each celebrity, presumably founded in preexisting friendships/Tonight Show visits, serves the show well, especially when it leads to playful taunting. Jon Hamm, for one, is a great pick to lead off things, being incredibly genial, witty, and unafraid to make a funny face while repeatedly saying the clue “bonessss.” Klum, meanwhile, jokes about English not being her first language, but her accent does seem to derail her delivery of at least one clue (when “Victoria’s” is mistakenly heard as “victorious”). Oh, and she seems to think Jimmy Buffet sings a sing called “Tequilaville.” That, the aforementioned “urination” clue, and a little dance Klum does throughout the fast-paced bonus rounds add up to some charming moments.
Lastly, primetime game shows these days are prone to overtly “casting” the civilian players — meaning, subjecting us to an outsized personality who seems to be auditioning for a bad sitcom instead of casting John Q. Public. Thankfully, that (pretty much) wasn’t the case in the episodes I watched. And while one contestant at first appeared to be not the best fit for this show, the switching of celebrity partners led to a prompt turnaround in their fortune.
THE TVLINE BOTTOM LINE: “This Password is… fine.”
I can’t wait to see it tonight. Jimmy Fallon is hilarious. I hope it stays on for a while. . Love you all!
According to the article, 8 episodes but 10 celebrities? Is each episode the same celebrity for the entire episode and we are not seeing two guests this series?
Jimmy Fallon is one of the two celebs almost every episode.
That doesn’t answer the question. If there are only 8 episodes – with 8 non-Fallon slots to fill – how are there 10 celebrities?
I think that’s where the ‘almost’ comes in, I guess there’s two episodes where he’s not
One episode will be all celebrities playing for charity
I would keep watching this show except the hostess is incredibly annoying.
Got that right.
Exactly!!
You are so right…She will kill this show !!!!!
With a different host, yes. She is very annoying, and way “over the top”.
You know, I’ve been surprised by how much I’ve enjoyed these game show reboots. There’s something really calming about them, and I’m sure I’ll like this one too.
From the previews I was worried it was gonna be like his other game show “That’s My Jam” where the celebrity guests outright ignored the rules and it sometimes seems like a free for all. It was very annoying when they did that.
I’ll skip this for several reasons, but primarily because prime time is saturated with game shows and IMO it’s overkill. Shouting at the TV because the contestants don’t get obvious answers that close to bedtime is not a good idea for me.
A C+ is fine?
Anyone know if this will be on Hulu next day or only peacock?
Episodes available to stream the next day on Peacock AND Hulu.
It’s too bad this didn’t come a couple of years ago so we could have one more decade of Betty White of password.
I’m skeptical from the previews, password should be subdued and classy, it’s not match game. We’ll see.
That’s exactly my issue with Jeopardy when Mayim Bialik hosts. Her ad libs, jerky movements and trying to outshine the contestants has led me to watching when Ken hosts and going to the J!Archive the next day to play the ones she hosts.
The Entitled Contestant hosting Jeopardy likes to interject too many of his jokes into the game.
As opposed to the “All about me”, condescending Miss Prim who constantly adds to the contestants’ responses to imply she’s smarter than they are? If she hosts Celebrity Jeopardy watch her try to take attention from the guest stars and keep the spotlight on herself.
I remember when those words were used to describe Alex Trebek (along w/”smug”)
Alex evolved and so has Jeopardy. Today’s Jeopardy viewers expect a more sophisticated and dignified show. The categories and material are more erudite than they were 30 years ago, as well.
It was classy in the past, guess I will just pass on this revision
I totally agree! Should not be like most of the Game Show Network’s offerings and Wheel… and Feud and yet…. too much applauding, too much hootin’ and hollerin’ from audience, too lacking in class. Huge fan of the orig series and will most likely watch the reboot. But there will be cringing……
Exactly what I just wrote in my reply. Too much noise, applauding, comments from Keke, oohing and ahhing from the crowd. So many shiny loud things to distract the audience.
The host is horrible. Very annoying to watch.
Agreed!
I agree! The host is horrible. Very annoying to watch.
omg you are so correct. makes me dizzy with all the hooting and hollerin’, don’t think i will watch the rest of the season.
I SO agree. This is way too over the top. Too much off topic bantering and the host seems to be screaming “look at me”. Jimmy Fallon is great but the show really needs to be toned down. this isn’t a bunch of contestants running through obstacle courses.
You’ve got to be kidding, it’s horrible and the host is terrible!!!
ITA. It’s a fiasco and it’s like everyone including the contestants and the audience are on speed. Won’t watch again.
It’s cute! I like it
Love the show. Brings back memories and I think Betty White would have loved it. But… I need to know WHO is saying the clues off stage??
It was awful…seemed staged and phony..even the contestants were over the top
Watching this now and all I can think is Jimmy F-ing Fallon, ugh. I’d almost prefer James Corden. Every correct answer results in an OTT celebration. Sit down, you got a clue right, not the whole game, dammit! It’s a shame, I like the original version seen on Buzzr every day.
I am disappointed in this new Password. It’s loud and so chaotic. I don’t mind the brightness of the stage, but it has lost the decorum and realness of the Alan Ludden show. I don’t like the freaky voice that speaks the password to the audience. This is a revival I have long looked forward to, but this new show goes overboard in trying to make it fresh. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. It’s a great, classic gameshow that needs no help.
I totally agree with your comments
Me too
Don’t forget that the “hostess” is an icon. In her own mind, of course. If you don’t know why there are revivals everywhere today, you haven’t been paying attention.
Amen to that. I just could not get into it from the start. I sat thru the first 15 minutes and that was a challenge for me. Not even close to respecting the original. The chaos and bantering turned me off it. I will not revisit that show again.
I hate to say the bantering for me is coming from the host. No class there. Way too much talking and she needs to stop reminding the contestants what the previous clues were. They aren’t in kindergarten! These are adults who just voiced the clue. She is distracting and it’s messing with the flow of each round. Also. She doesn’t need to say every time “thats not the password” when someone doesn’t get the answer. She is too loud and annoying. The original Password was fun and entertaining while keeping the subdued format. Please get some of that back. Keke needs to turn it down a few notches. She gives me a headache!
You are so right. Exactly my opinion. We don’t need all of the answers repeated by Keke. It’s way to hyped up and they are trying too hard.
Everybody need to calm down and let the game speak for itself. We remember it and loved it the way it was.
Watching right now. I loved password back in the day, but the over-lit, flashy set, screaming audience, celebrity mugging for standing ovations, etc. is wrecking it for me.
It’s a word game, not a WWE event!
Agreed, Kris. I watched it in the first place because I’m a Jon Hamm fan, but it’s doubtful that I’ll watch again. I can see why they may find it necessary to liven things up a little to appeal to today’s audience, but that was way over the top. Felt too much like one of Jimmy Fallon’s skits on The Tonight Show. If they would tone it down, and maybe have Fallon host with two celebrity guests each week, it would be more appealing.
I watched it also because of Jon Hamm. I enjoyed him and the non-celebrities. Keke Palmer (while charming) is the wrong host and Jimmy Fallon makes my skin crawl.
Won’t be watching it again because of Jimmy Fallon. He acts drunk/high
Jimmy is the most annoying thing I’ve seen on tv recently. He needs to stick to his nighttime gig
LOL
I don’t like the host of Password, whoever she is.
Password new show,It’s fresh and fun.
ITS A KEEPER👍👍👍
Fun show! Love Jimmy!! Audience TOO LOUD!!! A little toooo much “over acting”. Otherwise, hope show stays on!
Epic fail hiring Ms Palmer as the host of the Password reboot! Didn’t see talent but did see favoritism. SHAME, I was looking forward to this classic return to one of my old favorites.
Fun show but the creepy-voiced password announcer may keep me from continuing to watch.
Loved it! Actually kept me watching and entertained! Jimmy & John were a great match and hilarious together. KeKe was great and fun to watch. You can tell she enjoys her role and the guests.
Watched ep 1. The fully caffeinated and extra shiny hostess is a lot in an annoying way (are the Tyra hosting nominations open?). The guy saying the clues is very creepy. It does remind me of Match Game histrionics (which is occasionally clever), as someone else commented. The audience being that pumped up is unbelievable in a bad way (standing O’s?). The contestants were…weird, both non-professional and clearly coached on how to behave while they were playing.
.
And the pacing of the whole show seemed glacial, even with the hostess dealing cards like she was in Vegas and getting a bonus for speed of play. All the non-play stuff, and there seemed to be a lot, took the pacing to a halt.
.
I wonder who the target audience is?
Just watched the Heidi Klum ep. to give it a second chance, and I confirmed what I wrote above. The show didn’t hold my attention, the hostess is too obtrusive, the contestants seemed oddball. What kinda worked in a half hour format or in a skit on Fallon didn’t deliver enough entertainment/engagement to commit an hour or 2 every week.
Password, host voice is annoying. Class has gone out the window. Won’t watch anymore. Is this a Tyra Banks wanna be, haven’t they heard she destroys every show she has been on.
Loved the show! I’d give it an A!
The game is great, but the hostess is awful and the announcer is creepy.
I completely agree. The hostess is awful. The voice revealing the password is creepy. Jimmy Fallon needs to settle down. It’s a little too crazy