1. The Newlywed Game
This seemingly innocent game show often tiptoed into risqué territory—and sometimes leapt right in. Contestants were asked about their personal lives, which often led to eyebrow-raising admissions about intimacy, bedroom habits, and awkward miscommunications. The infamous “In the butt, Bob” moment from the ’70s became a pop culture legend, but even beyond that, the show had plenty of other awkwardly hilarious overshares. By today’s standards, the questions might seem tame, but at the time, hearing couples reveal private details on national TV was shocking. It was a unique combination of cringeworthy, funny, and just slightly scandalous.
2. Match Game
Match Game became a ‘70s sensation for its lighthearted and cheeky humor—but it was also one of the raciest game shows of its time. The format invited contestants to fill in the blanks of statements that were often filled with double entendres. Host Gene Rayburn played along, and the celebrity panelists took things even further, turning answers into suggestive jokes and innuendos. While the words were never explicitly risqué, the show relied heavily on the audience’s imagination to catch the punchline. It was clean enough for TV but sly enough to make people blush.
3. Tattletales
On Tattletales, celebrity couples aired their dirty laundry—figuratively, of course. Hosted by Bert Convy, the show quizzed spouses about their personal and married lives, often leading to cheeky admissions and squabbles. Questions would touch on flirtation, romantic mishaps, and sometimes even mild scandal, revealing surprising (and occasionally awkward) insights into Hollywood marriages. The show was playful but occasionally ventured into spicy territory, showcasing the kind of banter you’d expect at a dinner party after a little too much wine. Viewers loved it because it made stars feel more relatable—and a little risqué.
4. Hollywood Squares
While Hollywood Squares wasn’t explicitly risqué, its humor often pushed the boundaries of ’60s and ’70s daytime TV. Comedian Paul Lynde, a fixture on the show, became famous for his quick-witted quips, which were often packed with sly innuendo. Questions posed to the celebrities were innocuous, but the answers—particularly from Lynde and others like Joan Rivers—were sometimes hilariously suggestive. It was the kind of humor that flew over kids’ heads but made adults chuckle knowingly. For its time, it was quite edgy for what was essentially a daytime game show.
5. The Dating Game
Before The Bachelor, there was The Dating Game, and it didn’t shy away from flirtatious fun. Contestants asked potential dates questions that were often leading and full of double meanings, testing both charm and wit. Answers were usually playful but occasionally bordered on suggestive, making it surprisingly steamy for its era. Some exchanges seemed innocent on the surface, but the sly undertones made it clear that contestants were doing more than just looking for dinner companions. For viewers, it offered a tantalizing glimpse of romantic chemistry—and sometimes a good deal of awkwardness.
6. Family Feud
While Family Feud is still a staple of game show television, its earlier iterations, particularly with Richard Dawson in the ’70s and ’80s, had their moments of risqué energy. Dawson was known for his habit of kissing female contestants on the lips—a practice that raised eyebrows even back then. The questions themselves also leaned toward cheeky territory, prompting answers that could be hilariously suggestive. Fast forward to Steve Harvey’s era, and the show has embraced its risqué reputation even more with raunchy answers and Harvey’s shocked reactions becoming a central draw.
7. Treasure Hunt
In the ’70s version of Treasure Hunt, the “prizes” weren’t always what they seemed, and part of the fun was watching contestants react to absurd surprises. What really gave it an edge, though, were the over-the-top skits that often bordered on risqué. Models would appear in outfits that left little to the imagination, and scenarios sometimes had a cheeky undertone that felt slightly out of place for a family-friendly show. It was a unique mix of comedy, chaos, and subtle sensuality that made audiences do a double-take.
8. Love Connection
Chuck Woolery’s Love Connection was all about recapping dates, and let’s just say not all the details were PG-rated. Contestants would sit down to dish about their experiences—the good, the bad, and the awkward. While most stories stayed playful, some veered into surprisingly risqué territory, with innuendos and not-so-subtle hints about what happened when the cameras weren’t rolling. Woolery kept the tone lighthearted, but the show’s candid nature made it a little spicy for the ‘80s. Viewers loved the unpredictability and the occasional scandalous twist.
9. Card Sharks
On the surface, Card Sharks was a simple high-low card game. But its revival in the late ’70s and ‘80s gave it a cheeky twist with its audience poll questions. Contestants were asked to guess how a group of people answered questions about topics like romance, dating, and intimacy. The responses—and the contestant guesses—often led to hilariously risqué discussions. Host Bob Eubanks (also of The Newlywed Game) had a knack for leaning into the humor, making the show a mix of innocent gameplay and playful banter.
10. Three’s a Crowd
This short-lived but unforgettable game show asked the question, “Who knows a man better: his wife or his secretary?” Predictably, the setup led to plenty of uncomfortable moments and surprisingly risqué answers. Questions often touched on personal habits and romantic dynamics, leading to both laughs and winces. Many viewers found the premise itself scandalous, as it played on marital and workplace tensions for entertainment. While it didn’t last long, Three’s a Crowd remains a notorious example of how far game shows were willing to push the envelope.
11. Strip Poker
Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. Strip Poker aired in the late ‘90s and early 2000s on cable networks and featured contestants answering trivia questions—with clothing on the line. If a player got a question wrong, they had to remove an article of clothing. While the show never crossed into full nudity, the suggestive nature and skimpily dressed contestants made it one of the most risqué game shows to ever air. It was undeniably gimmicky, but it tapped into the late ‘90s trend of pushing TV boundaries.
12. Baggage
Hosted by Jerry Springer, Baggage was all about revealing personal secrets to potential romantic matches. Contestants presented their “baggage”—ranging from quirky habits to jaw-dropping confessions—to see if their date could accept them as they were. The revelations often got pretty risqué, with secrets about exes, intimacy, and wild past experiences. Springer’s involvement brought a Jerry Springer Show flair to the proceedings, making the game feel just edgy enough to keep viewers hooked.
13. Singled Out
MTV’s Singled Out in the ‘90s was as much about outrageous flirting as it was about finding a date. Hosted by Jenny McCarthy and later Carmen Electra, the show had contestants compete for attention with challenges and questions that were often suggestive. Between the playful banter, provocative outfits, and steamy exchanges, Singled Out felt tailor-made for MTV’s young audience at the time. It embraced the cheeky, rebellious vibe of the ‘90s, and its flirtatious tone made it a memorable—and undeniably risqué—addition to game show history.
