{{Short description|American syndicated game show (2014–2017)}} {{for-multi|the bonus round/endgame of Hollywood Game Night called Celebrity Name Game|Hollywood Game Night#Bonus round: Celebrity Name Game{{!}}''Hollywood Game Night''|the Australian spin-off|Celebrity Name Game (Australian game show)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox television | image = Celebrity Name Game logo.jpeg | genre = Game show | based_on = {{Based on|''Identity Crisis''|Laura Robinson|Richard Gerrits}} | director = Ivan Dudynsky | presenter = Craig Ferguson | theme_music_composer = Tim Mosher & Stoker | country = United States | language = English | editor = Stacie Dekker<br>Daniel Wincentsen<br>Jason Gill<br>Victor Gonzaga | runtime = 22 minutes | num_seasons = 3 | num_episodes = 257 | executive_producer = {{Plainlist| * Courteney Cox * David Arquette * Craig Ferguson * Thom Beers * Jennifer Mullin * Scott St. John * John Quinn * Richard Gerrits * Laura Robinson }} | producer = | company = {{Plainlist| * Coquette Productions * Entertain the Brutes * Green Mountain West Inc. * CBS Television Studios * 20th Television * FremantleMedia North America * Debmar-Mercury }} | location = {{Plainlist| * Sunset Bronson Studios, Hollywood, California {{Small|(2014–15)}} * Raleigh Studios, Hollywood {{Small|(2015–16)}} * CBS Studio Center, Studio City, California {{Small|(2016–17)}} }} | channel = Syndicated | first_aired = {{Start date|2014|09|22}} | last_aired = {{End date|2017|2|28}} }}
'''''Celebrity Name Game''''' <!--do NOT change to was-->is<!--per Wikipedia guidelines--> an American syndicated game show that premiered on September 22, 2014. Based on the board game ''Identity Crisis'' (created by Laura Robinson and Richard Gerrits), the series was developed by Courteney Cox and David Arquette's Coquette Productions and was originally pitched as a primetime series for CBS with Craig Ferguson as host. The series was later picked up by FremantleMedia and Debmar-Mercury as a syndicated series for 2014 with Ferguson, who left ''The Late Late Show'' on December 19, 2014,<ref name="usatoday-fergusonleaving">{{Cite web |last=Keveney |first=Bill |date=April 28, 2014 |title=Ferguson to Leave CBS' 'Late Late Show' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2014/04/28/craig-ferguson-will-leave-cbs-late-late-show/8436401/ |access-date=2017-10-18 |website=USA Today |publisher=Gannett}}</ref> remaining as host as well as an executive producer. The series marks Coquette's first foray into game shows.<ref name=thr-cng/> The show was subsequently renewed for a second season, which premiered on September 21, 2015.<ref>{{Cite press release |title='Celebrity Name Game' Second Season Premieres Monday, September 21 |date=August 27, 2015 |location=Los Angeles |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/08/27/celebrity-name-game-second-series-premieres-monday-september-21/454153/ |via=TV by the Numbers |last1=Kondolojy |first1=Amanda |access-date=2015-08-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150830010532/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/08/27/celebrity-name-game-second-series-premieres-monday-september-21/454153/ |archive-date=2015-08-30}}</ref>
Ferguson has won two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Game Show Host in 2015 and 2016. He was nominated once again in 2017.
On December 2, 2016, the series was cancelled after three seasons. The final episode aired on February 28, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bunch |first=Rebecca |date=December 2, 2016 |title=Celebrity Name Game Cancelled |url=http://www.tvratingsguide.com/2016/12/celebrity-name-game-has-been-cancelled.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220052126/http://www.tvratingsguide.com/2016/12/celebrity-name-game-has-been-cancelled.html |archive-date=2016-12-20 |access-date=2016-12-02 |website=TVRatingsGuide.com}}</ref>
==Gameplay== ===Main game=== The game involves two teams, each consisting of two contestants who are related or know each other. They are joined by two guest celebrities who assist the teams for all but the third segment of the show, attempting to identify the names of popular culture subjects like celebrities, fictional characters, place names, or film and television titles.
In the first two rounds, each team is assigned one of the celebrities, who then will switch teams for the second round. Each of the three-member teams are presented with a category containing ten names. One person will give clues, trying to get the other two to guess the names. Successful guesses earn money. An illegal clue (saying the name or part of the name, spelling the name, or rhyming the name) voids that name; however, clue givers can repeat portions of the name already given. Each turn lasts for 45 seconds. In the first round, one team is chosen to play first, and chooses one of two categories presented, leaving the second team to play the remaining category. In the second round, the second team plays first and chooses the first category.
In round one, the celebrity gives the clues while turning back and forth to alternately face each contestant, and each correct answer is worth $100, up to $1,000 total. In round two, one of the two contestants gives clues while alternately facing either the remaining partner or the assigned celebrity, and each answer is worth $200, up to $2,000 total.
In the third round, the contestants go head to head while Ferguson gives the clues to names under a specific category. The contestants buzz in to make a guess. If neither contestant buzzes in after a while, Ferguson can start giving out clues that are normally illegal, all the way up to simply saying the name. A right answer earns money for the team that answered, but a wrong answer grants the money to the opponent. The first answer is worth $100 and each successive answer increases in value by $100. Winnings in this round are added to the money accumulated in the first two rounds, and whichever team reaches $3,000 or more first is the winner, keeps the cash, and goes on to the bonus round to play for the prize of $20,000. If no team reaches $3,000 before time is called, the team in the lead at the end of the round wins the game. If the game ends in a tie, one final name is given; a team who buzzes in with a correct answer wins the game, but a wrong answer results in an automatic loss.
===Bonus Round=== In the bonus round, there is no particular category. The names are hidden behind ten numbered squares. Some of them hide pictures of the person, character, or thing. The contestants take turns giving the clues to both celebrities. One contestant is placed in a soundproof booth while the other gives clues. The current giver starts describing when a name or picture is exposed. If the celebrity receivers get it right, the name stays revealed. Passing on a name re-conceals it. The first contestant has 45 seconds, while the second has an additional 30 seconds, if needed. If the first clue giver provides an illegal clue to a name, that name is replaced by a different one for the second clue giver. Any illegal clue by the second clue giver, however, results in an automatic loss. Getting all ten increases the team's total winnings to $20,000. Otherwise, the team takes home only their main game winnings.<ref name=thr-newcbs/><ref name=variety-fergusonnamegame/><ref name=thr-80percent/><ref name="newshow">{{Cite news |last=Simpson |first=April |date=September 9, 2014 |title=Celebrity Name Game Show Comes to FOX 2 This Fall |url=http://fox2now.com/2014/09/09/celebrity-name-game-show-comes-to-fox-2-this-fall/ |access-date=2014-09-15 |work=Fox2Now.com}}</ref>
==Production== In June 2011, it was reported that Courteney Cox and David Arquette's Coquette Productions were preparing to pilot a new, hour-long game show for CBS's primetime lineup known as ''Identity Crisis'', based on a board game of the same name produced by Out and About Productions. Scott St. John, known for his work on ''Deal or No Deal'' and ''1 vs. 100'', was brought on as a showrunner.<ref name=thr-cng/><ref name=thr-newcbs/> CBS selected Craig Ferguson, host of the network's late night talk show ''The Late Late Show'', to be host and producer for the pilot.<ref name="thr-newcbs">{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Lacey |date=June 16, 2011 |title=Courteney Cox, David Arquette Sell Game Show Pilot to CBS (Exclusive) |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/courteney-cox-david-arquette-sell-202163 |access-date=2014-04-30 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref><ref name="variety-namegametalk">{{Cite web |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |date=January 27, 2014 |title=Craig Ferguson Talks Latenight Moves, New Game Show at NATPE |url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/craig-ferguson-works-the-cabana-for-celebrity-name-game-1201073369/ |access-date=2014-04-30 |website=Variety}}</ref>
The series resurfaced in October 2013 under the title ''Celebrity Name Game'', with the announcement that FremantleMedia and Debmar-Mercury would syndicate the new series for the 2014–15 television season. Fremantle's CEO Thom Beers described ''Celebrity Name Game'' as a "hilarious and innovative rapid-fire game show that combines the best of pop culture with the best of comedy." Ferguson remained with the project through its transition to syndication, considering it to be "a wonderful concept with such great potential, from two of my favorite people".<ref name=thr-cng/> Ferguson later announced in April 2014 that he would step down as host of ''The Late Late Show'' in December 2014.<ref name=usatoday-fergusonleaving/> Debmar-Mercury and Fremantle planned to market the new series to station owners as a complement to ''Family Feud''—whose current incarnation, hosted by fellow comedian Steve Harvey, has been a ratings success for the two companies.<ref name="thr-cng">{{Cite web |last=O'Connell |first=Mikey |date=October 28, 2013 |title=Craig Ferguson to Host Syndicated Game Show 'Celebrity Name Game' |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/craig-ferguson-host-syndicated-game-651204 |access-date=2014-04-30 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref><ref name="variety-fergusonnamegame">{{Cite web |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |date=October 28, 2013 |title=Craig Ferguson to Host Game Show from Courteney Cox, David Arquette |url=https://variety.com/2013/tv/news/craig-ferguson-to-host-game-show-from-courteney-cox-david-arquette-1200771630/ |access-date=2014-04-30 |website=Variety}}</ref>
In November 2013, Tribune Broadcasting picked up ''Celebrity Name Game'' for its stations, giving it clearance across 40% of U.S. households and seven of the top ten media markets.<ref name="variety-tribunecng">{{Cite web |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |date=November 15, 2013 |title=Tribune Stations Grab 'Celebrity Name Game' from Debmar-Mercury |url=https://variety.com/2013/tv/news/tribune-stations-grab-celebrity-name-game-from-debmar-mercury-1200837379/ |access-date=2014-04-30 |website=Variety}}</ref> In December 2013, it reached 80% of households through additional deals with CBS Television Stations and Sinclair Broadcast Group; episodes were also added to the primetime national clearance slate of MyNetworkTV.<ref name="thr-80percent">{{Cite web |last=Block |first=Alex Ben |date=December 3, 2013 |title='Celebrity Name Game' Clears in 80 Percent of U.S. |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/celebrity-name-game-clears-80-661694 |access-date=2014-04-30 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> In Canada, ''Celebrity Name Game'' airs on City and GameTV.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Toronto Fall 2014 - Master Planner Report |url=http://www.rogersmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/CITY-Toronto-FALL14-Master-Planner.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815144733/http://www.rogersmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/CITY-Toronto-FALL14-Master-Planner.pdf |archive-date=2014-08-15 |access-date=2014-09-05 |website=Rogers Media}}</ref> The series was renewed for a second season on January 8, 2015.<ref>{{Cite press release |title='Celebrity Name Game' Renewed for Season 2 by Fremantle & Debmar-Mercury |date=January 8, 2015 |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/01/08/celebrity-name-game-renewed-for-season-2-by-fremantle-debmar-mercury/347801/ |via=Zap2it |last1=Bibel |first1=Sara |location=Los Angeles and New York City |access-date=2015-05-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109215833/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/01/08/celebrity-name-game-renewed-for-season-2-by-fremantle-debmar-mercury/347801/ |archive-date=2015-01-09 |website=TV By the Numbers}}</ref> On December 2, 2016, it was announced that the series would not return for a fourth season. The series' final new episode aired on February 28, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 3, 2017 |title='Celebrity Name Game Season 3 Broadcast Air Schedule' Season 3 Broadcast Air Schedule |url=http://syndication.pathfire.com/shows/celebrity-name-game/2016-2017-season/broadcast-schedules/CNGS3WKS1-52.pdf/at_download/file |access-date=2017-03-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319195817/http://syndication.pathfire.com/shows/celebrity-name-game/2016-2017-season/broadcast-schedules/CNGS3WKS1-52.pdf/at_download/file |archive-date=2017-03-19 |publisher=Debmar-Mercury |via=Syndication.Pathfire.com}}</ref>
==Merchandise== A board game based on the show featuring Craig Ferguson on the cover was released by PlayMonster<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Play the Award-Winning Game Show at Home with Celebrity Name Game from Playmonster! |date=September 1, 2016 |publisher=PlayMonster |location=Beloit, Wisconsin |url=http://www.playmonster.com/play-the-award-winning-game-show-at-home-with-celebrity-name-game-from-playmonster/ |via=PlayMonster.com |access-date=2024-07-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Celebrity Name Game (PlayMonster) |url=http://www.playmonster.com/p/celebrity-name-game |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426060410/http://www.playmonster.com/p/celebrity-name-game |archive-date=2017-04-26 |access-date=2017-04-25 |website=PlayMonster.com}}</ref> (formerly Patch) in 2016.
This was the third home game that was based on a board game itself, the first was ''TV Scrabble'' by Selchow and Righter in 1987 followed by ''Trivial Pursuit Game Show'' by Parker Brothers in 1993.
==International versions== A Portuguese version of the show called ''Duelo das Estrelas''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Duelo das Estrelas |url=http://www.fremantlemedia.pt/duelodasestrelas |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=FremantleMedia.pt |publisher=FremantleMedia}}</ref> (''Duel of the Stars'') hosted by Silvio Nascimento aired on MundoFox in 2016.
An Australian version was commissioned by Network Ten in 2018 and aired from May 13, 2019, until March 16, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=August 15, 2018 |title=Auditions: Celebrity Name Game |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/08/auditions-celebrity-name-game.html |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=TV Tonight}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=April 26, 2019 |title=Airdate: Celebrity Name Game |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/04/airdate-celebrity-name-game.html |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=TV Tonight}}</ref> It was hosted by Grant Denyer, who previously presented the most recent Australian version of Family Feud.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=10 Confirms May Launch Date for Celebrity Name Game |date=April 26, 2019 |publisher=Network 10 |url=https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2019/04/26/2019-4-26-put-your-game-face-on-as-celebrity-name-game-announces-premiere-monday-13th-may/ |last1=Ianni |first1=Laura |access-date=2024-07-20 |via=TVBlackbox.com.au}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; line-height:14px; background:#F8F8FF; width:100%;" |- | '''Country''' || '''Name''' || '''Host''' || '''Network''' || '''Date premiered''' |- | {{Flag|Australia}} | ''Celebrity Name Game'' | Grant Denyer | Network 10 | May 13, 2019 – March 16, 2020 |- | {{Flag|Portugal}} | ''Duelo das Estrelas'' | Silvio Nacimiento | MundoFox | 2016 |- |}
==Reruns== Reruns of the show have aired on Pop and Buzzr. On February 9th, 2026 the show returned to Buzzr and is currently airing weekdays at 1pm ET.
==Accolades== * 2015–2016: Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 26, 2015 |title=The 42nd Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award Winners |url=http://cdn.emmyonline.org/day_42nd_telecast_winners.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518071613/http://emmyonline.com/day_42nd_telecast_winners |archive-date=2015-05-18 |access-date=2015-04-26 |website=EmmyOnline.org |publisher=National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 1, 2016 |title=The 43rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award Winners |url=http://cdn.emmyonline.org/day_43rd_winners.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815094830/http://cdn.emmyonline.org/day_43rd_winners.pdf |archive-date=2016-08-15 |access-date=2016-05-04 |website=EmmyOnline.org |publisher=National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences}}</ref>
==See also== * ''Hollywood Game Night'' * ''Time's Up!''
==References== {{reflist|40em}}
==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.celebnamegame.com/}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20161104011312/http://www.fremantlemedia.com/celebrity-name-game/ FremantleMedia site] * {{IMDb title|tt2112923}}
Category:2010s American game shows Category:2014 American television series debuts Category:2017 American television series endings Category:First-run syndicated game shows Category:Television franchises Category:Television series by CBS Studios Category:Television series by Fremantle (company) Category:Television series by Lionsgate Television Category:Television series by 20th Television Category:Television shows based on board games