Catch 21

GSN has provided us with many classic game shows, while occasionally have original game shows of their own. Some succeeded and are fondly remembered while others failed and are short-lived. One of the most remembered GSN originals is Catch 21.

While the gameplay itself is pretty basic and nothing to write home about, it was executed pretty well. The object of the game is to get 21 without going over by answering multiple choice questions and decide on taking the card or passing it to their opponents in order to bust them out and prevent them for winning the round. Whoever wins the game gets a chance to win $25,000!

The host of that show was Alfonso Ribeiro, who most of you know for as Carlton Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. IMO, Ribeiro was the perfect host for this show, with great energy and keeping the game moving when necessary.

Co-hosting alongside him is Mikki Padilla, who does genuinely care for the contestants while looking stunning at the same time!

It did get revived in 2019, with Ribeiro returning as host, but with Witney Carson as the new co-host/dealer, but it wasn't the same and it wasn't as good as the original. Regardless of which era you liked the most, Catch 21 was one of the better GSN originals of that era.

I have a few issues with the NEW season of Catch 21.

1. There is WAY too much purple on the set. 2. The hearts and diamonds on the cards are purple instead of red. 3. During the final portion of the game, the number of power chips the player possesses is not displayed. Also, the numbers and symbols on the cards are too small, making it difficult to see which cards have been dealt.

Finally, Whitney is nice and very pretty, but I miss Mikki Padilla.

As a child, this was one of my favorite Game Show Network shows, I watched it with my grandparents all the time and I've always thought it was pretty good and entertaining.

But since there's already consensus on what the show is about, I'll give my review.

While the show's concept is pretty simple and nothing special, I think its execution was pretty good. I though Alfonso was a good host, not too overbearing (though sometimes a tad over the top), I also do like Mikki as the dealer, she shows genuine whenever she deals a card and it doesn't come off forced (like Whitney in the new version). I also do like the set and graphics, while it's pretty simplistic and not very bright, it does the job (the new Catch 21's new set is way too overstimulating with the lights and the new graphics weren't that good).

Also, at the time, this was giving away the highest money out of any GSN show with $25,000 and $50,000 (later beaten by The Chase a few years later), but this was no joke.

Now there are some nitpicks I have, one comment on here claiming that the show is rigged because of the majority of women winning and I'm like, did we watch the same show? The majority of them are eliminated in the first round (no joke). Whether it be because of the contestants or just bad luck, who knows?

Also, some claims that the card are rigged to have whatever contestant they want win, I don't believe that, they may not show us that they shuffle the cards, but they may do it off-screen or whatever. Also, it's all about as the show says "Knowlege and luck of the card", keyword LUCK! Unless I hear otherwise by someone who was there, I stand by that.

Overall, I think this is a really good Game Show Network show and one of their best and it's actually the only GSN show that has aired reruns over 10 years after its original run ended, if that doesn't tell you it had fans and loyal viewers, I don't know what will.

9/10.

I enjoy the show but find it annoying to some degree. Nikki was far better than Whitney because she showed more personality and came across as having much more fun. Whitney is dull and somewhat full of herself in my opinion. If Whitney stays, please stop the very annoying dancing at the beginning. No one cares that Whitney and Alfonso were on a dance show together. It's a game show. Bring back Mikki and in the final round keep the first 21 at 2500 dollars. Finally, at the end of the show, please have Alfonso stop the relentless, repetitive, never ending rambling about "what would have happened "

Love the show and host however Mickey dresses cheaply for daytime she looks like a lady of the evening if you get my meaning. Not appropriate