User Reviews

Press Your Luck, the 80s hit game show from CBS that's lived in reruns for years, has returned to TV with new episodes after almost 33 years. ABC, which has done a tremendous job in bringing back old game show and modernizing them while keeping the classic feel of the sets and rules, has done it again. So has does PYL hold up in this new era of TV?

The set looks like a brighter, more modern version of the 80s set. It's even taped in CBS Television City like the original! The main rules of the game are the same as before: contestants buzz in to answer trivia questions, with a correct buzz in answer getting 3 spins and correct multiple choices answers 1 spin. The first question round in this new version is three questions instead of four. This was likely due to the new bonus round and more commercials needing to air than they did in the 80s. Contestants take their spins to the board to win cash and prizes and avoid the Whammy, which acts a bankrupt and loses the contestant everything. Contestants play another question round, this time with four questions, and then another board round. The player with the highest total after all the spins wins and plays the bonus round. Like the original, four whammies eliminates you from the game.

The host: I think it's funny some people think Pete Tomarken was in the same category of host as Bob Barker or Alex Trebek. He was not. He was a good host, but not this amazing host. Elizabeth Banks I think does a great job. She's funny, she seems genuinely excited and she keeps the game moving. To those complaining she says "press your luck or pass?" too much, watch an 80s rerun and you'll see Peter doing the same thing.

The board: loaded with tons of cash and prizes. Nice cars, exotic trips, and squares with all the unique cash values like the older version.

The main game: I honestly started getting a little bored with the main game. I soon realized why this game was maybe always a smidge overrated compared to other game shows. It doesn't have the same excitement or pull to it that a game show like Pyramid, Jeopardy or Price is Right has. Maybe this was entertaining to watch in the 80s, but now just watching people hit a button over and over again gets kind of tiring.

The whammy animation: I like that the kept the old hand drawn style of whammy cartoons. I think for the most part they are good.

The bonus round: the best part of this new version and a great way to update a somewhat outdated format. Contestants risk taking a minimum number of spins to rack up cash and prizes, with the chance to win $1 million. Each round they must take the minimum number of spins. After they take them, they can quit with their winnings, or go to the next round, with more money on the board, but also more whammies. Four whammies ends the game. It's actually quite an exciting format and it's very neat that they put prizes on the board for the contestant.

I think adding the bonus round helped refresh a rather aging format of a game show. If it was just the main game, I think most people likely would have gotten bored with it quickly, but this new bonus round adds a wrinkle of excitement.

Overall, a pretty solid revival, but compared to the better game shows out there like Pyramid, Jeopardy and Price is Right, Press Your Luck falls a bit short.

Something about Banks brings something emotional to the show that was never there and that's what kept me watching. I was rooting for people then they'd lose it all and since the show offers more to lose now, you really feel it this time around. I certainly feel they did the OG version Justice with a better host and it certainly is better than the 2003 version with a CRAZY whammy board that looked impossible.

ABC has brought this game show back for a second revival, and unlike GSN's take, they are sticking a lot closer to what made the original incarnation great, although it adds a final round that was not needed.

Hosted by Elizabeth Banks (the actress I know better as the voice of Wyldstyle from The Lego Movie), the rules are almost the same as the original, only this time, the winner moves on a bonus round added in where he or she could win one million dollars to add to his or her winnings. To me, this is an uneccesary addition made by ABC to justify having this incarnation run for one hour (if I was in charge, and I wanted to make it an hour, I would actually have the crew get three more contestants to the podiums and play the same game again, as Press Your Luck did not need a final round).

While Elizabeth can be a hit or miss (one joke she cracks involves eating at IHOP everyday if they put the burger in the pancakes after a question based around its IHOB marketing stunt), but everyone knows the real star of the show. No, not Peter Tormarken (although he is a legend), I'm talking more about the infamous Whammy, the one you should avoid if you plan on being a contestant. He is back in his 2D glory and retains the voice from the original show, with the animations for when he appears are a mix of new animations made for this incarnation as well as remastered versions of fan favorite animations from the original show (one of them said to be the Tarzan Whammy animation). Despite the unnecessary bonus round and Elizabeth Banks spurting some lame one-liners, it's a good reboot that retains some of the moment of the original.

ABSOLUTELY LOVE this game show. Elizabeth Banks is an EXCEPTIONAL host. I loved the original many years ago and love this reincarnation. Enjoyable. Entertaining. And Elizabeth is doing a fine job. :):)

.....are the Whammies, those demonic little imps who show up to steal the money from the contestants if any one of them lands on a Whammy. Recently, my wife and I watched an episode where this lovely lady racked up the bucks and the prizes without getting a Whammy. And that's with the understanding that the more spins are taken by the contestants, the greater the chances of those little devils making their unwanted appearance. Elizabeth Banks is the perfect hostess for this show, so it's hard to believe that she had been in THE HUNGER GAMES movies. I know not who does the Whammy animation, but when PRESS YOUR LUCK aired on CBS from 1983 to,1986, the animation was done by Savage Steve Holland, who has also directed his share of comedy movies. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must get back to PRESS YOUR LUCK. Take care and be safe.

Elizabeth Banks is knockout gorgeous, most beautiful lady I've ever seen!

I'll? The show BUT the hist looked tired or maybe I'll. Whole family thought so. Low energy, and lack of genuine enthusiasm. Maybe we were used to the original host..

This game show has always been a train wreck. It's basically just watching someone spin over and over again?!? Needs more dimensions or simply a couple more trivia questions? Regardless, I thought the host did a fine job considering what she's working with! Out of all the things to reboot abc felt that this was a good idea?

This game show is so exciting! I've never missed a single episode! The set is so big, bright and modern and still holds some image of the 80's set. The prizes on the board are great and interesting. The whammies are funny and many make me laugh! I love how some former Press Your Luck players have been appearing on this new version for a chance to win more or redeem their loss from the 80's version. It's very exciting to see the bonus round where contestants try get a million dollars. I like how they have your friends and/or family there next to you for support. How they keep adding prizes that only YOU would want if you're in the bonus round, which makes the contestant more eager and faces them with the difficult decision to either press their luck & continue or quit. Contestants have really struggled with that decision. It puts both the studio and home audience on edge. Well, they can't make it too easy for you to decide or it wouldn't be a challenge.

Elizabeth Banks has been a great host! I know some people have been saying that she doesn't host the way Peter Tomarken did but every host has their own style. No two gameshow hosts host a show the same way. Drew Carey doesn't host The Price is Right the same way Bob Barker did but look how good he's done. There have been many different hosts of Family Feud over the years and they're all different. Elizabeth does a great job. She gets really involved in the game and really mingles with the contestants and shares their excitement, how she hugs them when she's happy for them and dances with them. She likes to make them happy. Her wardrobe is also very awesome. It's great how she coordinates her makeup with her outfits. She always looks stunning on Press Your Luck. She's the best person that happened to the game show world since Vanna White.

My only problem is I just wish this show would be on once a week all year round. It's kinda hard waiting a week for a new episode but waiting for a new season for months on end is torture! They've had special holiday episodes for the 4th of July but they should have special episodes also for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Would love to see what special whammies they'd put in for those holiday episodes! Having it on just in the summer isn't enough, it should be on all year round.

But other than that, absolutely AWESOME game show and I hope it continues for years to come!

The original Press Your Luck was terrific. I still watch the reruns on Buzzer. But I can't get past the new host's voice. It is like nails on a chalkboard. And why couldn't they keep the game play the same - 4 questions, game board, 4 more questions and exciting finish in 30 minutes. Why drag it out? It reminds me of deal or no deal? I think I'll pass.

Being a big fan from the 80s with Peter tomarken with Press Your Luck a I never thought reboots could be redone and better very few only like the TV show Lost in Space great classic and the reboot was superb against many critics is it now enters its third and final season however Press Your Luck with house Elizabeth Banks Peter tomarken must be applauding from heaven not only is a show bring back the 80s look the sound effects from the buzzers to the intros the outros obviously David some music upbeat with a new you know music band however what I like even more so it's not just that but when they go to the bonus room and you got five rounds till you get to the big Bonanza round I mean how can you not love this show Elizabeth has done a superb job and I got to say if anyone did an exact duplicate and did very well at it Press Your Luck wins hands down if I could give 20 stars out of 10 I would I would love to be on this show but it's okay watching it is just as funny big bucks no whammies

I was sooo excited to see Press Your Luck was being remade. That was until I watched Elizabeth Banks hosting, which besides her raccoon eyes and grating, shrill voice is just a bad overall fit for this show. What an incredible disappointment this turned out to be. You're just left wondering how many people had to check off on Banks and no one had the courage to say anything. Oh well, if you can get past the host it's a fun game to watch, although if you're a fan I'd suggest sticking with reruns of the original, they're far better.

While I will occasionally watch The Match Game, this is the game show I try never to miss. The show is funny with great graphics, the contestants are always into the game and what a great host Elizabeth Banks is. You can tell she really cares about if the contestants win or not.

The game is fast paced and fun just like the 80s version was. The prizes are big and the audience is into as well. Banks is awesome and the potential to win big money is greater than the other ABC reboots!

To nostoliga. I loved the original game show when I was a kid and always hoped they would bring it back one day. Since I got rid of cable, I wasn't aware that it actually did come back. Yay. I am glad I found it because I love this new version as much as I loved the original. It's a great update for modern times while keeping the sensibility of the original. People have to learn to let of their memories of what used to be and instead focus on what they have in front of them. There's nothing wrong with this show, UNLESS, ahem, you are a sexiset a-hole (not that's ever any of those on here) and can't STAND to see all walks of life represented, like you know, real life.

I saw give this show a go. Press Your Luck.

The format is ok in the first couple rounds but I don't understand the final round at all. The show would have been better as a half hour show like the original. Also, Elizabeth Banks isn't a great host, would have been better with a different celebrity. As someone else said, her voice is very grating.

Horrible in every possible way----the show actually makes no sense what so ever. It appears that someone backstage is pre-selecting the outcomes----how stupid do they think the audience is? Host ain't great---but a meaningless "chance" gameshow that is "outcome manipulated" by the producers has far more problems than a mediocre hostess! It just all seemed very highly "rigged". I will never watch it again.

One hour is too long. Elizabeth Banks is an actress. Can she at least act that she's excited and having a good time.

I like the updated show. It keeps the same elements with the big board, the Whammies, and the trivia questions, with the new element of the updated final round. Elizabeth Banks does a decent job of hosting it. I still love the Whammies!

** 1/2 out of ****

I love that they have brought back To Tell the Truth and Match Game! I can even manage Card Sharks because Joel McHale is funny and so are the players. But Press Your Luck is not funny, it's just saying "I'm going to press my luck 5 gajillion times and waiting for the random computer to land wherever. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don't torture anyone any longer.

I'm enjoying this reboot. Banks does a decent job as the host. The beginning show questions (elementary level) to collect spins are the worst part of the show. After the spins are allocated then the real excitement begins! I'm just baffled on how and where they get all the money from. This has to be the easiest game show in history to win money on! No skills needed, whatsoever. Your greed will determine your fate

They just YELL and the NOISE IS JUST TOO MUCH during the whole show and gives me a headache. WHY DOES SHE YELL SO MUCH??????

I love "Press Your Luck". I used to watch reruns when Peter Tomarken and Rod Roddy were on! RIP. They also added an exciting new bonus round, which the old version did not have!