Candy Crush
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Popular match-3 puzzle game moves to TV -- sure, why not?

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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Candy Crush
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Based on 1 parent review
may bore kids but a nice family show
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What's the Story?
Based on the popular puzzle video game franchise, CANDY CRUSH is an interactive game show on which contestants match three candy images at a time on a giant electronic board for a chance to win $100,000. The series, which is hosted by Mario Lopez, features four teams of two competing in a series of elimination rounds that require them to be tethered to each other in some way while trying to make as many matches as possible on the giant board. The two final teams go head to head in a final round to win the cash and bragging rights.
Is It Any Good?
This fun and fast-paced live show, which holds the Guinness World Record for the largest touchscreen (yay?), has all the colorful images and themes the franchise is known for. However, this version adds some extra action by requiring teammates to remain physically connected to each other while maneuvering their way around the giant boards while swinging from ropes, rolling around on flat carts, and doing other quirky stunts.
The amount of coordination, cooperation, and good communication required from contestants to win the game is impressive. So is the boasting from a few of the teams. But this doesn't change the fact that the overall show is pretty darn silly. Candy Crush superfans should find it entertaining, and it's fast-paced and fun enough for non-gamers to enjoy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how online games are adapted for TV. What kinds of changes have to be made for a show to entertain larger audiences? Do you think it's harder to play the live-action game than the app? Why, or why not?
Why was Candy Crush was adapted for television? Does it make sense to people who don't play the game at home? What other game do you wish would become a TV series?
TV Details
- Premiere date: July 9, 2017
- Cast: Mario Lopez
- Network: CBS
- Genre: Game Shows
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: June 2, 2022
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