Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fun, classic musical reboot has some mild innuendo.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Name That Tune
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
NAME THAT TUNE, a contemporary TV reboot of the original 1952 game show, features contestants identifying songs for a chance to win cash and prizes. Host Jane Krakowski guides two contestants through the game, which requires them to name songs chosen from a board of categories. The catch? They can only listen to some of the notes of each song, which are performed by Randy Jackson and the Name That Tune Band. If a contestant names a song correctly, s/he/they earns some cash, and then their competitor gets a crack at it. As the game progresses, and the stakes are higher, prizes are also awarded. The person who banks the most cash at the end of the second round gets to keep it and move on to the final "Golden Medley" for a chance to win $100,000.
Is It Any Good?
This lively revival of the classic game, which began airing on the radio in 1952, and then on TV until 1985, offers lots of musical fun as folks guess the names of pop songs from past and present. The contest is fast-paced enough to keep your attention, but provides enough suspenseful pauses to keep you guessing about what will happen next. The responses and reactions of the contestants are fun to watch, too.
The game is played pretty much the same way it was played in earlier versions, but this Name That Tune reboot isn't very nostalgic. Meanwhile, the song performances are reminiscent of what you would probably hear at a wedding reception. But the overall series is fun and family-friendly, and will no doubt keep you entertained throughout.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why game shows are often revived after being off the air for years. Is it because they were once popular? Or because creators have run out of original ideas for new shows?
If you had a chance to reboot an old game show, which one would it be? How would you adapt it for contemporary audiences? Would you change the way the game was played?
Did you know that long-time TV host Kathie Lee Gifford was once a singer on the original TV version of Name That Tune? Is this what helped her become famous?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 6, 2021
- Cast : Jane Krakowski , Randy Jackson
- Network : Fox
- Genre : Game Shows
- Topics : Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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