In game shows today I have noticed that it's becoming difficult to cast game show contestants that are good players and I would like to know why this is? Is it because game show auditions require contestants to have a good personality or to be tough? Because i've noticed that the game show contestants on today's game shows seem very cheerful and also act very surprised and so I think that this is a new trend for game shows to audition contestants. A second thing i've noticed about game show contestants today is almost any contestant that appears on game shows today has a story or makes up a story to get on the game show. Take for instance when I watch Who Wants To Be A Millionaire they sometimes have contestants that tell stories like "I need money to take my son/daughter to Disneyland" or you'll see a contestant with a story like "I need money because i'm moving or my kids grandfather/grandmother has passed away and we need to visit my family" and it tells me that stories like this give contestants special attention when they appear on the game show for their taping. Another thing I've noticed about game show contestants today mainly go on the game show just to meet and be social with the host. On Who Wants To Be A Mllionaire i've seen female contestants tell Chris Harrison they auditioned for the show just to meet Chris and they tell him he's adorable or cute and when they try to answer a question they sometimes stare into space and look at Chris Harrison with dreamy eyes rather than answering the question. I don't recall seeing this new breed of game show contestants before but in my eyes we need to bring back game show contestants who are full of fun and energy to game shows today
Bestie

I think the genre has become archaic, their obsolescence hastened by the illumination afforded by the 1994 film Quiz Show, the subsequent widening of the socio-economic gap in Western societies and the fear of failure on the part of the participants. I for one welcome its demise.

Hi, Bestie! I agree with you. People now days think they have to have a sob story. They think victims get more stuff. In the old days, contestants would try to be happy and energetic. Now they all act like Katrina victims. But maybe it will change, Bestie. I hope so.
DTK