Critic, Sir! logoCritic, Sir!
The Generation Game
TV ShowEnded

The Generation Game

9.0 / 10
1971
23 seasons
421 episodes
RealityComedy

The Generation Game was a British game show produced by the BBC in which four teams of two competed to win prizes. The programme was first broadcast in 1971 under the title Bruce Forsyth and the Generation Game and ran until 1982, and again from 1990 until 2002. The show was based on the Dutch TV show Een van de acht, "One of the Eight", the format devised in 1969 by Theo Uittenbogaard for VARA Television. Mrs. Mies Bouwman - a popular Dutch talk show host and presenter of the show - came up with the idea of the conveyor belt. She had seen it on a German programme and wanted to incorporate it into the show. Another antecedent for the gameshow was 'Sunday Night at the London Palladium' on ATV, which had a game called Beat the Clock, taken from an American gameshow. It featured married couples playing silly games within a certain time to win prize money. This was hosted by Bruce Forsyth from 1958, and he took the idea with him when he went over to the BBC.

Sign in to add to your list

What critics are saying

Verdicts use the same scale as your list: highly recommended through avoid — plus optional scores and blurbs.

Highly recommended Recommend Give it a go Neutral Avoid

Nobody on Critic, Sir! has logged a verdict for this title yet. The silence is either respectful or suspicious.

Sign in and use Add to My List below to share your own verdict.

Cast

Bruce Forsyth

Jim Davidson

L

Larry Grayson

Seasons

Bruce Forsyth and the Generation Game: Season 1

  • Ep 1

    1.Series 1, Show 1

    02-10-197160m

    Starring Bruce Forsyth with his special guests and family couples from all over the country in a knock-out competition testing their wit, skill, ingenuity and sense of fun

  • Ep 2

    2.Series 1, Show 2

    09-10-197160m

    Starring Bruce Forsyth with his special guests Clodagh Rodgers, Teddy Piero and family couples from all over the country 'To see you... nice!' Bruce is back with this fast-moving...

  • Ep 3

    3.Series 1, Show 3

    16-10-197160m

    Starring Bruce Forsyth with his special guests Vince Hill, Rosko and family couples from all over the country Vince Hill in romantic mood sings 'Look around, you'll find me there'...

  • Ep 4

    4.Series 1, Show 4

    23-10-197160m

    Starring Bruce Forsyth with his special guests Aimi Macdonald, Richard Wattis 'The Archers' and family couples with a chance to 'star' in a 60-second farce and provide the sound ef...

  • Ep 5

    5.Series 1, Show 5

    30-10-197160m

    Starring Bruce Forsyth with his special guests Joe 'Mr Piano' Henderson, Fanny Cradock and family couples from all over the country who take their chance to challenge Fanny Cradock...

  • Ep 6

    6.Series 1, Show 6

    06-11-197160m

    Starring Bruce Forsyth with his special guest Joe Andy and family couples from all over the country Joe Andy, one of the deftest men on the cabaret circuit, makes 'it' look easy,...

  • Ep 7

    7.Series 1, Show 7

    13-11-197160m

    Starring Bruce Forsyth with his special guests Bernard Cribbins, Tony Green and family couples from all over the country Cribbins can tell a tall tale... but how tall? And could y...

  • Ep 8

    8.Series 1, Show 8

    20-11-197160m

    Starring Bruce Forsyth and family couples from all over the country Things look a hit sniffy tonight, especially when our courageous competitors come face-to-face with the pot

  • Ep 9

    9.Series 1, Show 9

    27-11-197160m

    Starring Bruce Forsyth with his special guests and family couples from all over the country

  • Ep 10

    10.Series 1, Show 10

    04-12-197160m

    Starring Bruce Forsyth with his special guest Erik Hansen and family couples from all over the country

  • Ep 11

    11.Series 1, Show 11

    11-12-197160m

    Starring Bruce Forsyth with his special guests and family couples from all over the country

  • Ep 12

    12.Series 1, Show 12

    18-12-197160m

    Starring Bruce Forsyth with his special guests and family couples from all over the country If you have tears, prepare to shed them now; and if you've never been cowed, this is yo...

  • Ep 13

    13.Christmas Special 1971

    24-12-197160m

    Starring Bruce Forsyth in his special Christmas programme, with umpteen Santa Clauses, Walt Disney characters, clowns, a pantomime and family couples from all over the country, inc...

  • Ep 14

    14.New Year Special 1972

    31-12-197160m

    Starring Bruce Forsyth Beat the New Year in with Bruce and his guests

  • Ep 15

    15.Bank Holiday Special

    28-05-197260m

    All the fun of the fair in a special holiday edition With family couples chosen from Britain's leading holiday resorts Hostesses: Miss United Kingdom, Miss Blackpool, Miss Clacto...

  • Ep 16

    16.Series 1 Highlights

    09-09-197260m

    Presented by Bruce Forsyth Have you pottered with pottery? Danced with a dummy? Gone for a song? All these and more of your favourite moments from last season's The Generation Ga...

Watching Lists

Sign in to create and edit public lists.

Loading lists…

Purchase & Discovery

Find this title on Amazon

Digital

Prime Video & digital

Amazon mixes rent, buy, and Prime in one place — one search covers the usual options.

Physical edition

4K Blu-ray & physical releasesSearch on Amazon

Official merchandise

Official-style merch searchApparel, collectibles, and more

As an Amazon Associate, Critic, Sir! earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure