Weakest Link
Trivia game show serves up playful insults, stereotypes.
Weakest Link
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Weakest Link, a British game show adapted for U.S. audiences that first aired in 2001, is a trivia-themed game show where contestants can win money and be insulted by the host. It's meant to be lighthearted, but some of the quips are stereotypical, and contestants sometimes exhibit catty behavior. On occasion, words like "hell" are audible.
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What's the Story?
WEAKEST LINK, a U.S. reboot of the popular British game show, tests a group of contestants on their vast trivia knowledge. Host Jane Lynch asks eight contestants a string of questions, each of which is worth an amount of money. If they answer correctly, the amount they can win on the next question increases. But if they answer wrong, any money that was earned disappears unless a contestant has "banked" the cash into a pot. After each round, the players must vote off who they consider the weakest person in the group. The final two players left face off in a final round for the pot of money that was stashed.
Is It Any Good?
This updated quiz show offers all the fun, quick trivia Q&A exchanges and fumbling answers the game is known for. The heart of the show is Jane Lynch, who consistently offers sardonic quips and mild insults throughout the process. This adds a lot of amusement to the show, but some of the banter relies heavily on stereotyping for a laugh. Contestants can get a little catty when they speak about their fellow players, too.
It can occasionally feel awkward, but these moments pass quickly as contestants make their way through rounds of quick-fire questions about random subjects. If you like trivia and you're new to the Weakest Link franchise, chances are you'll find it entertaining. And if you're a fan of earlier versions of the series, you likely won't be disappointed.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of the Weakest Link game franchise. Do you think it's the actual trivia game that makes it fun? Or is it the jokes and insults delivered by the host that make it entertaining to people?
Is it every appropriate to use stereotypes to characterize someone? What about to get a laugh? Would the humor on Weakest Link work without these types of comments?
What other game shows have you watched? How does Weakest Link differ from those other shows? What are some of things they have in common?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 29, 2020
- Cast: Jane Lynch
- Network: NBC
- Genre: Game Shows
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: September 20, 2022
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