Game Changer

Created and hosted by Sam Reich, Game Changer is the game show that changes every* time you play! Joined by new talent from the College Humor cast to compete for points and try to figure out what the game is that they will be playing. With formats like "make the noise like", "say the raunchiest thing", or even "perform an entire impromptu broadway show", after 6 seasons the show has matured phenomenally to something in that sweet spot between a Who's Line is it Anyway and @Midnight. Reich is always a great host, and the wit and frankly genius of the writing staff keeps pulling me in for more, the games are often so clever. You'll need the dedicated streaming service Dropout to watch, and now with my second time subscribing I can say this show alone is certainly worth at least a month, and there's plenty more from the CH crew on there, not to mention the multiple spin-offs of this show from formats that were overwhelmingly successful. S4E5 "The Official Cast Recording" is probably the one of the most entertaining, impressive, and fun 30 minutes of TV I watched and that's saying something (and makes sense got it owns spin-off). If you haven't seen I would highly recommend, always looking forward to more, great show.

Obviously by my rating, I'm a fan. But the entire Dropout streaming service is built on the personalities of their cast (and guests (who are usually personal friends of the cast)). If you like character-based gags and "wacky hijinks", this might be for you.

However, there's a learning curve. You must figure out who your favorite recurring cast members are. One appearance in one episode of something doesn't give a great impression.

As far as this show in particular is concerned, there are really great episodes and then there are episodes I probably won't watch again. But the premise is intriguing enough that I want to keep watching and see if my favorite cast members show up.

Yes, the game show is "scripted" to some extent in that there's always some gimmick that the crew is making sure goes as planned, but contestants are always kept in the dark. And as for the host, this is his passion project. Sam is also the CEO of the company and was insistent that he host this show.

Now that's what I call, "Damn good television!"

This show's concept is absolutely brilliant: simultaneously it's own animal and a laboratory with near perfect conditions to workshop other gameshow ideas. But that would mean nothing if the host and contestants didn't provide engaging follow through with charm, cheek, and wit. Luckily, everyone has that, not only in spades, but all the other suits as well. They act like they're not playing with a full deck, but they know exactly what they're doing, and by that, I mean they lean into not knowing what they're doing. It's incredibly refreshing.

Sam Reich (native to Cambridge, Massachusetts) is a genius. He's this whimsical wizard that is a hybrid between a well-dressed teddy bear (probably a descendant of much more posh Winnie the Pooh) and a mad scientist close to perfecting chewing gum that explodes in the mouths of unsuspecting children.

The Dropout writers/usual suspects are also a hoot to watch swing on the pendulum of winning generous gifts from their glorious benefactor and perform Diet Fear Factor tasks, with a twist of lemon.

The show is inconceivably preposterous: warm and well meaning with its gifts, diabolical and fiendish with its punishments, but always tempestuous and hysterical.

Turn on your TV and tune into Dropout, you won't regret it.

I discovered this show on a torrent site and had never heard of it before then. I went into it with no expectations and was pleasantly surprised.

The core cast of recurring players is a likeable group of people who seem to be very comfortable with each other, which makes for good improv. Their comedy is relatively safe and left-leaning with an emphasis on queerness and women's empowerment, but it feels more funny than preachy most of the time.

The only thing I don't like about it is how it panders so much to social media culture. They mention clips, screenshots, followers, going viral, etc. Way more than necessary and I roll my eyes every time. They have an entire streaming service that is successful enough to have a dedicated fan base - they don't need to play for the low-hanging fruit that is social media engagement. Just make fun games and have funny people play them, and people will keep watching.

Overall I give it an 8/10, and highly recommend it to anyone who likes improv comedy.

While the Zoom episodes are okay (they did the best they could), it's the studio episodes that make this show great. Game Changer is often hilarious, sometimes heartwarming, at times has genius-level twists/reveals, but is always creative and new.

Some favourite episodes: S1 E2, S2 E6, S4 E1, S4 E5, S4 E7, S5 E4, S5 E5, S5 E9, S6 E5, S6 E7, S7 E4, S7 E6, S7 E7.

As long as they keep making them, I'll be here here the whole time.

One other reviewer here has expressed annoyance at the first episode of season 3. While it's true it is not the most creative or fun episode, I'm pretty sure the vast majority of viewers will know REDACTED.