The Sweep

With college football season looming on the horizon, I wanted to get in another game show ranking before I am too late. Yes, I know the top ten game shows of all time (ranked by Sweet Emotion) has rumbled along as fast a Grant Heard 30 yard touchdown run (you Ole Miss fans know what I'm talking about). None the less, I now continue a look into the world of game shows and announce the #7 game show of all time.

7) Supermarket Sweep - It's the only reason that any sweet emotion reader should have ever tuned into "Lifetime." Supermarket Sweep (SS) was made famous in 1990 for its fast paced grocery store action, and middle America appeal.

Host: (rating 7) David Ruprecht. Some might protest David getting an equal rating with the likes of Pat Sajak, however, David's unintentional comedy level soars his score way up. David had catchy lines, a permanent smile, and changing hair color. His compassion always showed forth after a failed Bonus Sweep. The upset team would walk back to David and then he would kindly walk them down the aisle to the winning product. Upping David's score was also his catchy ending soundoff, "When you hear the beep, think of all the fun you can have on Supermarket Sweep."

Game Format: (rating 7). In the show, three teams, usually married couples (although my brother and I could have kicked some tail) competed in a series of grocery based quiz questions. Then based on the teams performance, time is awarded for the "Big Sweep." During the Big Sweep, one shopper from each team ran wild through the aisles accruing as much pricey goods as possible. The shopper who spent the most (don't forget the 20 dollar turkeys) went on to the final round. If the game format was only rated based on the Big Sweep then the rating would be much higher. However, the round robin and other quiz games brought down the score. A question about the "Big Sweep:" Did anyone ever grab the fresh fruit or vegetables?

Grand Finale: (rating 6.5) The grand finale was known as the "Bonus Sweep." The team had 60 seconds to find 3 products based on various clues. Usually, the show ended with a gut wrenching search for the final product that everyone watching tv could see, but the contestants somehow missed. I usually got frustrated with the team's performance, but I did appreciate how seemingly few people completed the task. The "fan of money" on the last product was a nice display. My only negative for the bonus sweep was my growing frustration with the contestants poor performance.

Overall: (rating 6.9) A unique idea for a game combined with fast paced action and an above average host brought our TV sets a classic game show. The mandated sweaters with a built in collar, inflatable bonuses, and the ever evolving chances to earn more money in the big sweep (roasting coffee, etc) all kept the show exciting. What watcher of this who has never thought about the game show while hurrying through your local grocery store. Now that Lifetime no longer carries "Supermarket Sweep" I can return to my manly ban on the station. Who can forget the cheesy beginning where a product was called and the possessor of that product came running down the steps. A poor imitation of "come on down", but again the unintentional comedy was worth it.