Double Dare - Whippets vs Pinheads - 1986

Double Dare, an American game show renowned for its blend of trivia questions and messy physical challenges, originally aired from 1986 to 1993. The show, hosted by Marc Summers, made its debut on Nickelodeon on October 6, 1986, marking the network's first venture into the game show genre. The success led to a syndicated continuation on February 22, 1988, evolving into Super Sloppy Double Dare on January 22, 1989. A brief stint on Fox as Family Double Dare occurred from April 3 to July 23, 1988, followed by Nickelodeon's Family Double Dare revival on October 6, 1990. The original series concluded on February 7, 1993.

Double Dare experienced multiple revivals and adaptations. The first revival, titled Double Dare 2000 and hosted by Jason Harris, aired from January 22 to November 10, 2000. The second revival, featuring Liza Koshy and a return by Marc Summers, aired from June 25, 2018, to December 20, 2019.

Throughout its run, Double Dare underwent scheduling and title adjustments, quickly becoming a major success for Nickelodeon. It played a pivotal role in establishing the network as a significant player in cable television and revitalizing children's game shows in the 1980s and 1990s. Notably, Double Dare holds the distinction of being Nickelodeon's longest-running game show. In 2001, TV Guide ranked it as the 29th Greatest Game Show. The program garnered nominations for two Daytime Emmy Awards, and two Kids' Choice Awards, and secured a CableACE Award in 1989.


GAMEPLAY:
Each team on the original Double Dare and Super Sloppy Double Dare consisted of two children, while teams on Family Double Dare and Double Dare 2000 included two adults and two children. Originally, both teams wore red uniforms, but after Double Dare entered syndication in 1988, one team wore blue uniforms while the other wore red.

Each round begins with a toss-up physical challenge in which both teams compete, with the winning team receiving both initial control of the round and money for their score. After the toss-up, the host begins asking trivia questions of the team in control. Each correct answer earns a monetary award and allows the team to maintain control, while an incorrect answer or failure to respond within approximately ten seconds turns control over to the opponents. However, the team can dare their opponents to answer the question, doubling its value; in response, the opponents can double dare or quadruple the original value. When the team in control is challenged to a double dare, they have to either answer or compete in a physical challenge. An incorrect answer, or not responding within approximately five seconds on a dare or double dare, awards both control and the appropriate amount of money to the team that issues it. The second round plays the same as the first, with question values doubled. On the original Double Dare and Super Sloppy Double Dare, a question was initially worth $10. On Family Double Dare and Double Dare 2000, a question was initially worth $25. On the 2018 Double Dare, a question was initially worth $50, later 50 points.

PHYSICAL CHALLENGES & OBSTACLE COURSE:

The heart of Double Dare lies in its exhilarating mix of physical challenges and the iconic obstacle course. In the original and Super Sloppy Double Dare, teams of two children or adults engaged in messy stunts lasting 20 to 30 seconds. The victorious team not only won money but also retained control for the subsequent round, while the defeated team handed over both money and control.

These challenges involved various substances like water, rice, slime, whipped cream, and milk. Tasks ranged from filling containers to catching a set number of items. For instance, the "Pies in the Pants" challenge required contestants to catch pies in oversized clown pants within a time limit, while their teammate launched pies from a foot-operated catapult.

Throughout the show's evolution, the number of participants in physical challenges varied. In the 1988 Family Double Dare, all four members competed, while the 1990–93 Family Double Dare and Double Dare 2000 saw two members in round one and all four in round two. The 2018 Double Dare experimented, with all members participating in the first season and two players in most challenges during the second season.

Double Dare 2000 introduced the Triple Dare Challenge, allowing teams to enhance the difficulty of their physical challenge, potentially winning an additional $100 and a bonus prize. However, failure resulted in losing money, the prize, and control.

The pinnacle of the show is the obstacle course, where the team with the highest score after round two takes on eight challenges within 60 seconds. Safety measures, including helmets and pads, are provided. Each obstacle has an orange flag, and team members alternate completing obstacles.