The Blame Game (MTV)
Encyclopedia
The Blame Game, a 30 minute game show
first airing in January 1999 on American channel MTV
, pitted two ex's against each other in a fictional courtroom setting to decide who was to blame for their break-up. Representing each "ex" was a "counselor" who presented one of the ex's sides of the "case." Jason Winer
generally served as the counselor for men while Kara Jane McNamara represented the women. Chris Reed was the judge during the proceedings. Richard "Humpty" Vission was the in-house DJ for the show. The show was marked by the appearance of "surprise witnesses" who would corroborate or refute accusations (usually relating to cheating or not cheating) made by the exes and/or counselors. The show ran for 130+ episodes (2 seasons).
The show included a first round titled "Tick Tock Testimony" where each ex was given 90 seconds to tell his or her side of the story. Whenever a point was made, the counselor for the ex currently testifying would press a large button which would stop the clock and allow the other ex to testify. Each side alternated until both were out of time.
The next round was "You Did It, Now Admit It!" where each ex had to give three secrets (usually, incriminating). If the secret was admitted truthfully, the ex was given a point. If they answered incorrectly or chose not to answer (Pleading the Fifth
), no points were scored. After three questions, the player with the higher score had a friend come out and explain why the opponent was to blame for the break-up.
The third round was the same as the first except that each ex was questioned by the opposing counselor, known as the "Cross-ex" Round.
The fourth and final round sent each contestant into the Karaoke Chamber where he or she would individually sing a predetermined song that each felt summed up the relationship.
At the end of the final round, the studio audience (the "jury of your peers") would vote for whom it felt was at fault for the break-up. The "winner" at the end of the show (the ex voted to be not at fault) received a prize vacation. Afterwards, the "loser" was made to get down on their hands and knees and give 15 seconds to apologize for all the trouble they caused. The winner had two choices: accept the apology and the let him/her "go on their loser way" or reject the apology and use a Polaroid
camera with which to take a picture of the "losing" ex (this ended up happening more often) to be added to the "Do Not Date This Blame Game Loser" section of the Blame Game's website. On October 1999 the policy changed, and the loser's picture was posted in a section of the magazine Entertainment Weekly
; in March 2000, the picture posting moved back to the Blame Game website for the rest of the shows run.
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
first airing in January 1999 on American channel MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
, pitted two ex's against each other in a fictional courtroom setting to decide who was to blame for their break-up. Representing each "ex" was a "counselor" who presented one of the ex's sides of the "case." Jason Winer
Jason Winer
Jason Winer is an American director, producer, writer, actor and comedian. He is best known for being one of the directors on the award-winning series Modern Family on ABC.Winer was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland...
generally served as the counselor for men while Kara Jane McNamara represented the women. Chris Reed was the judge during the proceedings. Richard "Humpty" Vission was the in-house DJ for the show. The show was marked by the appearance of "surprise witnesses" who would corroborate or refute accusations (usually relating to cheating or not cheating) made by the exes and/or counselors. The show ran for 130+ episodes (2 seasons).
The show included a first round titled "Tick Tock Testimony" where each ex was given 90 seconds to tell his or her side of the story. Whenever a point was made, the counselor for the ex currently testifying would press a large button which would stop the clock and allow the other ex to testify. Each side alternated until both were out of time.
The next round was "You Did It, Now Admit It!" where each ex had to give three secrets (usually, incriminating). If the secret was admitted truthfully, the ex was given a point. If they answered incorrectly or chose not to answer (Pleading the Fifth
Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution
The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which is part of the Bill of Rights, protects against abuse of government authority in a legal procedure. Its guarantees stem from English common law which traces back to the Magna Carta in 1215...
), no points were scored. After three questions, the player with the higher score had a friend come out and explain why the opponent was to blame for the break-up.
The third round was the same as the first except that each ex was questioned by the opposing counselor, known as the "Cross-ex" Round.
The fourth and final round sent each contestant into the Karaoke Chamber where he or she would individually sing a predetermined song that each felt summed up the relationship.
At the end of the final round, the studio audience (the "jury of your peers") would vote for whom it felt was at fault for the break-up. The "winner" at the end of the show (the ex voted to be not at fault) received a prize vacation. Afterwards, the "loser" was made to get down on their hands and knees and give 15 seconds to apologize for all the trouble they caused. The winner had two choices: accept the apology and the let him/her "go on their loser way" or reject the apology and use a Polaroid
Instant camera
The instant camera is a type of camera that generates a developed film image. The most popular types to use self-developing film were formerly made by Polaroid Corporation....
camera with which to take a picture of the "losing" ex (this ended up happening more often) to be added to the "Do Not Date This Blame Game Loser" section of the Blame Game's website. On October 1999 the policy changed, and the loser's picture was posted in a section of the magazine Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
; in March 2000, the picture posting moved back to the Blame Game website for the rest of the shows run.