Wanna Bet?

Watch Wanna Bet?

  • 2008
  • 1 Season
  • 6.7  (36)

Wanna Bet? was an entertaining game show that aired on ABC during the summer of 2008. The show was hosted by the charming and affable Declan Donnelly, who is known for his work on popular British TV shows. The premise of the show was simple: contestants would make incredible bets on their own abilities to complete various challenges, and if they succeeded, they would win a cash prize.

The contestants on Wanna Bet? were not your typical game show hopefuls. They were experts in various fields, ranging from sports to magic to extreme stunts. Each contestant would come onstage and present a bet to the panel of celebrity judges, which included the likes of Jerry Springer, Bob Saget, and Mel B. The bet could be anything from jumping a car over a rack of flaming tires to correctly identifying a random celebrity impersonator.

Once the bet was presented, the contestant would have to convince the judges that they were capable of achieving it. This was done through a combination of skill demonstration and good old-fashioned salesmanship. If the judges were convinced, they would approve the bet, and the contestant would prepare to take on the challenge.

The challenges on Wanna Bet? were truly incredible. One contestant attempted to break the world record for most push-ups in a minute, while another tried to identify 50 different flavors of Popsicle in under a minute. Some challenges were physical, like scaling a 30-foot wall, while others required a keen eye for detail, like correctly identifying a series of mixed-up logos.

As the contestants attempted their bets, the audience would watch with bated breath. The show used a split-screen format to show the attempt on one side of the screen and the judges' reactions on the other. It was hard not to get caught up in the excitement, especially when a contestant came close to achieving their goal.

If a contestant succeeded in their bet, they would win a cash prize that corresponded with the level of difficulty. The prizes ranged from $5,000 to $100,000, so there was a lot at stake for each contestant. Even if they failed, the show was still a fun and uplifting experience, as the contestants were all good-natured and took their setbacks in stride.

One of the strengths of Wanna Bet? was the chemistry between the celebrity judges. They were all good sports, willing to get in on the action and make fun of themselves. Jerry Springer, in particular, was the perfect foil for Declan Donnelly, as he injected every interaction with his trademark wit and humor.

The format of the show lent itself well to keeping viewers engaged. The quick pace and diverse array of challenges meant that there was never a dull moment. There was also a sense of camaraderie among the contestants, as they would cheer each other on and offer words of encouragement even when they were competing against each other.

In addition to the main contestants, there were also guest bettors who would take on challenges like eating a 72-ounce steak in under an hour or accurately identifying 50 different dog breeds. These segments added an extra layer of excitement to the show, as the guest bettors were often well-known celebrities.

Overall, Wanna Bet? was a fun and engaging game show that was perfect for summer viewing. It offered a high level of entertainment value, with its challenging bets and charismatic hosts. While the show only ran for one season, it left a lasting impression on viewers who tuned in each week to see what incredible bet would be attempted next.

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Seasons
Episode 6
6. Episode 6
September 2, 2008
The season 1 finale finds Tom Green, Shandi Finnessey, George Wendt and Mo'Nique as judges. The stunts include having 2 minutes to light 100 matches with a yo-yo, blowing a table tennis ball at a target fifty times in a row, identifying four of five crushed cars, and climbing a 200 foot rope in under 3 minutes.
Episode 5
5. Episode 5
August 26, 2008
This weeks stunts include a man that shoots baskets from behind his neck. A man has to open Coke bottles with a chain saw, a man that has to skiing over raw eggs but can not break any of them and also a teenager has to remember the audience members' names only meeting them once but having to get a 10 out of 10.
Episode 4
4. Episode 4
August 12, 2008
The stunts that are attempted include finding vacuum cleaners by the sound only. Second stunt is solving a Rubik's Cube while being blindfolded underwater; having to sawing through three logs being faster than a chainsaw and also a 30-member marching band that has to pile into a van playing "When the Saints Go Marching In" in only under 10 seconds.
Episode 3
3. Episode 3
August 4, 2008
The attempted stunts include using a foot to kick out sixty lights in 60 seconds, a blindfolded contestant will identify four of five shoes, and identifying Ant and Dec's cars in under 3 minutes which are within a parking lot of black cars. Celebrities include Drew Lachey, Jerry Rice, Rondell Sheridan and Melissa Peterman.
Episode 2
2. Episode 2
July 28, 2008
Corbin Bernsen, Tom Bergeron, Rip Hamilton and Melissa Peterman are this episode's judges who will place wages on the acts. This week's stunts include a man who will attempt to kick himself in the head 45 times within 1 minute, a man who can guess someone's weight by having them step upon his stomach, and a person who will attempt to keep a single strand of spaghetti intact while pulling it 20 feet between two tractors within 3 minutes.
Episode 1
1. Episode 1
July 21, 2008
Tom Green, George Takei, Sherri Shepherd, and Harland Williams serve as the judges for this episode. Their job is to place bets on these acts: a man using a 50 pound truck tire as a hula hoop for 45 seconds, a man who will identify the music artist by licking their cd, and four movers will try to load dozens of sofas onto a moving truck in under 3 minutes.
Description
  • Premiere Date
    July 21, 2008
  • IMDB Rating
    6.7  (36)