Putting Nickelodeon On the Map: The History of Double Dare

[TMC]

Double Dare is an American television game show in which two teams compete to win cash and prizes by answering trivia questions and completing messy stunts known as physical challenges. It originally ran from 1986 to 1993.

Besides the slime, it's main claim is helping to put the fledgling kids network Nickelodeon on the map and dragging it out of last place in th ratings.

There were also variations like Super Sloppy Double Dare and Family Double Dare.

[Hawkee]

When Double Dare debuted in 1986 as Nickelodeon's first game show I believe it actually saved Nickelodeon from going belly up and since it was Nickelodeon's first game show Nick couldn't afford to see a show fail and with Double Dare they knew this was the ticket for a game for kids because as they say "the third time's the charm". Besides being destined for success it introduced us to Marc Summers "Who could've easily passed for Hawkeye's twin" as Marc's first chance at superstardom and with Marc Summers and the cast of assistants Robin Dave Jamie and the witty announcer Harvey Nickelodeon knew that this impressive mix could fit in the Nickelodeon game show soup. Soon after Double Dare's success Nick went on to create Finders Keepers and later Out Of Control with Dave Collier and Make The Grade in 1989. While those game shows became hits Double Dare still remained number one. But I think when Double Dare ended in 1993 Nickelodeon was still hoping for another game show hit despite having Get The Picture in 1991 with Mike O'Malley later on the CBS sitcom Yes Dear and like Marc Summers Mike O'Malley became a hit game show host for Nickelodeon by hosting Nickelodeon Guts and now that Double Dare had ended Nickelodeon added more demand for game shows and that's why Nick Arcade Legends Of The Hidden Temple Figure It Out became game show hits thanks to Double Dare. And as for Marc Summers he also hosted What Would You Do? and made a comeback to game shows as a Comeback Kid with History IQ for History Channel and prior to that in 1989 Marc hosted the sitcom trivia game Couch Potatoes and is now a Food Network star. But I do hope Nickelodeon has another game show hit someday that will be as great as Double Dare was because of Double Dare Nick would never would've had the chance to be game show king
Bestie

[KurtfromPitts]

When Double Dare debuted we didn't have cable and when I saw the name in TV Guide I thought DD referred to the short-lived 1976-77 CBS daytime game show with Alex Trebek.