Roush Review: The New ‘Password’ Is … Fun!
Review
Password
With summer comes the onslaught of primetime game shows to fill the network void: some eternally fun (The $100,000 Pyramid), some cloyingly trite (Generation Gap) or reality-show contrived (Claim to Fame), and some too inexplicably silly for words (the giant Jenga-like The Final Straw, which really is).
Words, happily, remain the focus of Password, a true classic with a long broadcast history on multiple networks, dating back to the genre’s 1960s heyday. Jimmy Fallon has been honoring the show with celebrity segments in late night on The Tonight Show for quite some time and now brings it to prime time in a high-energy weekly series. (Two episodes air this week, with a second on Wednesday.) Tuesday’s premiere is dedicated to the late, great Betty White, who was the original show’s most celebrated player, not only because she married the host (Allen Ludden).
Jordin Althaus/NBC
Much of the new Password’s verve comes from irrepressible host Keke Palmer, the breakout star of box-office hit Nope. “It’s so hard sometimes not to play along. I’m so competitive,” she gushes. (We know how she feels. It’s one of the reasons we watch these shows.) I keep hoping Fallon will someday switch places and let her play a round.
But it’s clear that Fallon loves playing Password, paired with a contestant and matching wits with a celebrity guest (a good-natured Jon Hamm in the premiere), each calculating how many clues it will take for their partner to guess the password. When the announcer whispers the next password to the viewer, the studio audience’s reaction tells the players what they’re in for. “You can kind of get a sense,” Hamm observes from the hot seat after one significant groan. “This is like a medium hard.” (He’s right.)
Hugs and good humor, and something called the “Redemption Round,” guarantee an upbeat tone that makes it impossible to watch Password without smiling. Or laughing, which I couldn’t help doing after witnessing guest Heidi Klum (Wednesday’s guest) supply an absolutely outrageous clue for “Peacock.” Betty White would approve.
Password, Season Premiere, Tuesday, August 9, 10/9c, NBC
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G
Password was a great show with Allen Ludden. The new Password needs improvement. Too much jumping around like a three ring circus. Calm down and play the game. They are all too hyper and silly. I think I will pass on this one. My favorite game show is Pyramid.
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G
I thought it was fun and uplifting. It’s a different era.
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G
I absolutely love the new Password because of the energy! I’ll always be a fan of the original, but this one is so much fun to watch.
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B
Love the game however I don’t care for the host. She is just to hyper and not as funny as she thinks she is.
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G
This has been so much fun to watch with Keke !!!! ..I have watched Password for years and this version with KeKe has been the best ever !!...Please keep up the great , fun, entertaining
work you do !!!!
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G
I like it, and I like how the host is so happy when they win their money. I will agree it does get loud sometimes, but it's fun. I'd take this fun game show over stupid so called "reality" shows any day!
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G
I'll give them credit for staying true to the original version of Password as well as the shoutout to Alphabetics in the bonus round.
But, as others have mentioned, CALM DOWN. I turned off episode 2 after about 15 minutes. Should there be a season 2 ...
The audience needs to be quiet. Not every successful clue is worthy of a standing ovation.Five seconds to give a clue (no hints), five seconds to respond.Keke Palmer (who clearly loves the game) does not need to recap the incorrect clues.She also doesn't need to say, "That is not the password."No "opposite" clues. Password+ initiated this rule and it made the game tougher.Jimmy Fallon may not appear as a celebrity.
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G
I was looking forward to Password, but after watching 1 & 1/2 shows won't be tuning in again. I agree with other commenters---CALM DOWN! The show is frenetic and somehow I don't consider guessing a word to be standing ovation worthy. Really a disappointment of a show.
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G
I remember the old Passwords and loved them and the old hosts. I had a lot of hopes for this new version. Needless to say, I will NOT watch it again. Keke Palmer is obnoxiously annoying and ruins the show for me. It’s a slow show that I wish would just end and I was happy when it did. A word of advice for Palmer. Don’t quit your day job! Besides Louie Anderson hosting Family Feud, Palmer is the worst game show host ever.
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G
I LOVE the new Password. Brings so much fun and laughter to the games. Isn’t that what games are supposed to be? It was in my house as a child and an adult.
Leke is an amazing host!! She is in no way dull or boring.
Great show and I hope to see many more seasons. Leke and Jimmy Fallon keep up the good work. ❤️
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G
Jimmy Fallon, you need to be the HOST even though you want to show off and WIN and rub it in everyone's face.
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G
Maybe, as long as it wasn't KIKI, or someone like her or worse, like NIECY NASH, who openly rooted for one contestant over another.
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C
Very stupid game, very loud peoples ,nerve wrecking to watch.
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O
She is great
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O
New Password ,one of the worst shows on television no spontaneity
Ki Ki Palmer so over the top.
Alan Ludden is rolling over in his grave.
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B
I LOVE this game show❣️
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O
SO TRUE! TOO much jumping around. Great show, but the worst host ever! She is ridiculous.
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C
Love this ! Looks like Fallon is have the time of his life. Enjoying Kiki please don't take this off.
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O
I wanted to like this so much but all the mugging and jumping around got old VERY fast. The host is fine when she is doing her job but puts her two cents in too too much and is annoying. Just play the game! Also some of the passwords were ridiculous, just wanted "the laugh". Ugh!
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P
Fun but Jimmy is a bit much. He shouldn’t hug the contestants every time - a high five or fist bump is enough
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P
I would like to watch the New Password, but there’s too much theatrics. After a few times of the jumping around and high fives and hugs , I give up and change the channel. Tone it down a bit.
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G
You make a total mockery of password. The host is terrible and so are the celebrity guest. I will not watch it anymore. It’s terrible
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P
Please Dear TVLand -- Please just show reruns of the OG Password. The "new" Password (August 2022) is a hot mess of hyperactivity.
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P
It is too, Too, TOO MUCH. This show needs to calm the f down. Not everyone and every show needs to be such a hyper mess. There is a difference between trying to come out the gate with exuberance; but this is ridiculous. Password did just fine in the past without all the overreacting to each and every thing. Also, the person who gives the password ("the Password is......") -- really creepy. It's one thing to whisper; it's another thing to be just plain creepy. Poor Betty is rolling in her grave. Alan, is too.
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P
You are making a mockery out of the original show. It’s nothing like it was. They’ve totally ruined it
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O
If they had white hosts, you'd be less bothered?
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P
They’re making a mockery of a classic game show. I’m so disappointed and after 2 episodes, I’ve seen enough and won’t be watching. It’s nothing more than a clown show.
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O
Password horrible game they are all out of control,a real mess,KEKE very annoying and no good,,one of the worst shows...a real circus....
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P
I'd like to see a true revival of password instead of Jimmy Fallon hogging the spotlight. I don't think Family Feud has ever had anything except smarmy hosts who make sex dirty. It's true of steve Harvey and it was true of Richard Dawson and Louie Nye(?).
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O
PLEASE get rid of the host
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