Fill in the blank: what’s “the crossword game show that combines pop culture and fun facts”?
If you guessed People Puzzler, you are correct! Since its debut in 2021, the fast and fun game show from the pages of People has become an audience favorite, and host Leah Remini has been nominated for a Daytime Emmy® Award!
For the Insider scoop on how to win at People Puzzler, I quizzed a red carpet’s worth of Game Show Network behind-the-scenes celebs: Vice-President of Current Programming Bryan Scott; Executive Producer and Showrunner Rane Laymance; and Executive Director of Current Programming Michelle Cygan.
Here’s what I learned about “America’s favorite crossword game,” seen daily on Game Show Network!
GAME SHOW INSIDER: What kind of a person makes a successful People Puzzler player?
BRYAN SCOTT: Anybody who enjoys entertainment, TV, movies, magazines, pop culture, celebrities. If that’s your world, why not take that knowledge and try to make some money at it?
What’s one Insider Tip you can share?
“Pop culture” doesn’t necessarily mean pop culture that’s happening right now. Our audience is multi-generational and so are our players. That’s why the questions on People Puzzler are a nice blend of the past and what’s happening today. Everybody gets a fair chance.
What’s the best way for a contestant to prep?
People magazine is the periodical of choice for pop culture. So, if you read People, you’ve got a head start!
Where is the best place on a clean puzzle to begin?
RANE LAYMANCE: I would go for the biggest words every single time, because I want to get as many points as I possibly can, and I don’t want to leave those big words for my opponents. There’s a fear that big words are going to be harder and short words are going to be easier. Not true at all. So, shoot for the stars!
Sometimes a player will say a variation of the answer and you’ll give it to them. Other times, you won’t. What’s the criteria?
if you say a plural and the answer is a singular, or a variation of the correct answer, we will most likely give it to you. We’re not making you count the letters or spell. The point is to get the gist of the clue.
What’s a Double Word and how can I find them?
A Double Word is great because it’s two connecting words and you get the points for both. But you never know when they’re going to be up there. Just hope that whatever you pick is correct!
What’s a Wager Word? And what’s a good strategy for wagering?
A Wager Word is a word that’s in the puzzle in the second round where you can bet as many points as you have on getting that one correct. A lot of times contestants decide not to risk that much. What they really should do is look at what their competitors have and choose how much to risk to hopefully surpass both of them.
What’s a common mistake players make?
Not listening and not reading the clue, just trying to go too fast. They need to take a beat after they hear and read the clue and think about what the answer is.
How does the Fast Puzzle round work?
MICHELLE CYGAN: The Fast Puzzle round has four puzzles. The contestant chooses three puzzles consisting of three words each that they must complete in sixty seconds to win the $10,000.
How should a player deal with a category they know nothing about?
If the contestant doesn’t have any prior knowledge about the category, they should use the other context clues available. The clues usually have some sort of hint written into them that aren’t necessarily about the category itself.
What’s one mistake players commonly make?
They miss the word or phrase in the clue that should lead them to the answer. They think too hard about the question, or try to read too much into it, and they freak themselves out. Once they see the answer, they often say, “Oh, I knew that!”
What’s one Insider Tip you can share?
Always give it your best guess because your best guess is better than no guess! And it may be something where the judges decide to give it to you because you were so close.
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My thanks to Bryan, Rane, and Michelle for sharing their strategy secrets! Are you proficient in pop culture? Are you a crackerjack at crosswords? Then why not try out to be a contestant? Just fill out a quick application on our website and you’ll be on your way! Best of luck from Game Show Insider — and keep watching People Puzzler!
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