''Celebrity Name Game'' was an Australian game show based on the American show of the same name and the board game ''Identity Crisis'' (created by Laura Robinson and Richard Gerrits) hosted by

Grant Denyer Grant Craig Denyer (born 12 September 1977) is an Australian television and radio presenter and motor racing driver, who has worked for several television networks, including Seven Network and Network 10, mostly serving as a presenter. In 201 ...

and first premiered on

Network 10 Network 10 (commonly known as Ten Network, Channel 10 or simply 10) is an Australian commercial television network owned by Ten Network Holdings, a division of the Paramount Networks UK & Australia subsidiary of Paramount Global. One of five ...

on 13 May 2019.

Gameplay

Main game

The game involves two teams, each consisting of two contestants who are related or know each other. They are joined by two guest celebrities who assist the teams for all but the third segment of the show, attempting to identify the names of popular culture subjects like celebrities, fictional characters, place names, or film and television titles. In the first two rounds, each team is assigned one of the celebrities, who then will switch teams for the second round. Each of the three-member teams are presented with a category containing ten names. One person will give clues, trying to get the other two to guess the names. Successful guesses earn money. An illegal clue (saying the name or part of the name, spelling the name, or rhyming the name) voids that name. Each turn lasts for 45 seconds. In the first round, one team is chosen to play first, and chooses one of two categories presented, leaving the second team to play the remaining category. In the second round, the second team plays first and chooses the first category. In round one, the celebrity gives the clues while turning back and forth to alternately face each contestant, and each correct answer is worth $100, up to $1,000 total. In round two, one of the two contestants gives clues while alternately facing either the remaining partner or the assigned celebrity, and each answer is worth $200, up to $2,000 total. In the third round, the contestants go head to head while Denyer gives the clues to names under a specific category. The contestants buzz in to make a guess. If neither contestant buzzes in after a while, Denyer can start giving out clues that are normally illegal, all the way up to simply saying the name. A right answer earns money for the team that answered, but a wrong answer grants the money to the opponent. The first answer is worth $100 and each successive answer increases in value by $100. Winnings in this round are added to the money accumulated in the first two rounds, and whichever team reaches $3,000 or more first is the winner, keeps the cash, and goes on to the bonus round to play for the prize of $10,000. If no team reaches $3,000 before time is called, the team in the lead at the end of the round wins the game. If the game ends in a tie, one final name is given; a team who buzzes in with a correct answer wins the game, but a wrong answer results in an automatic loss.

Bonus round

In the bonus round, there is no particular category. The names of people, characters, places, shows or things are hidden behind ten numbered squares. The contestants take turns giving the clues to both celebrities. One contestant is placed in a soundproof booth while the other gives clues. The current giver starts describing when a name or picture is exposed. If the celebrity receivers get it right, the name stays revealed. Passing on a name re-conceals it. This round lasts for a total of 75 seconds, the first contestant has 45 seconds, and the second has 30 seconds. If the first clue giver provides an illegal clue to a name, that name is replaced by a different one for the second clue giver. Any illegal clue by the second clue giver, however, ends the round immediately. Getting all ten increases the team's total winnings to $10,000. If the first contestant correctly guesses all ten names within 45 seconds or less, the second portion of the round is not played. Otherwise, the team takes home only the amount they had earned by the end of Round 3.

Production and broadcast

''Celebrity Name Game'' aired in a 6:00 pm timeslot and was broadcast five nights a week from Mondays to Fridays, with repeats aired at 8:00 am the following morning (Friday shows airing on Monday mornings). The show was filmed at

studios A studio is an artist or worker's workroom. This can be for the purpose of acting, architecture, painting, pottery ( ceramics), sculpture, origami, woodworking, scrapbooking, photography, graphic design, filmmaking, animation, industrial design ...

in Pyrmont, Sydney.

Merchandise

A board game featuring Denyer on the cover was released by Imagination Gaming in 2019.

Series overview

Cast

Hosts

Rove McManus John Henry Michael McManus (born 21 January 1974), better known by the stage name Rove McManus, is an Australian triple Gold Logie award-winning comedian, television and radio presenter, producer and media personality. He was the host of the e ...

(10 episodes)

Celebrities

* Tommy Little *

Lisa Wilkinson Lisa Wilkinson (born 19 December 1959) is an Australian television presenter and journalist. Wilkinson currently narrates ''Ambulance Australia'' and has previously co-hosted the Nine Network's breakfast television program, ''Today,'' with K ...

* Beau Ryan * Sam Simmons *

Yvie Jones Yvie Jones (born 19 November 1972) is an Australian television personality, known for appearing alongside Angie Kent on ''Gogglebox Australia'' from 2015 to 2018. Career Jones left ''Gogglebox Australia'' in December 2018. In January 2019, it w ...

* Angie Kent *

Lawrence Leung Lawrence Leung (born 25 August 1977) is an Australian comedian, writer, director and actor from Melbourne. He is best known for his television series ''Lawrence Leung's Choose Your Own Adventure'' based his one-man shows on stories about his obs ...

Scott Tweedie Scott may refer to: Places Canada * Scott, Quebec, municipality in the Nouvelle-Beauce regional municipality in Quebec * Scott, Saskatchewan, a town in the Rural Municipality of Tramping Lake No. 380 * Rural Municipality of Scott No. 98, Sask ...

Sharna Burgess Sharna May Burgess (born 21 June 1985) is an Australian ballroom dancer who is best known for being a professional partner and troupe member on the ABC series '' Dancing with the Stars''. She is the winner of season 27 of American televisio ...

Tristan MacManus Tristan MacManus (born 23 July 1982) is an Irish dancer and television presenter. He best known for his professional appearances on ''Dancing with the Stars'', ''Strictly Come Dancing'' and '' Dancing with the Stars Australia''. In 2017, he wen ...

* Courtney Act *

Tahir Bilgiç Tahir Bilgiç (born 12 December 1968) is an Australian comedian, film and television actor, of Turkish descent. He is primarily an actor and comedian. He has written, directed and starred in some of the most successful live stage shows Austra ...

Susie Youssef Susan Kathryn Youssef (born 1984) is a writer and actor who works in television, on radio and stage in Australia and the United Kingdom. Youssef performed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Sydney Comedy Festival, Edinburgh Fest ...

* Jane Hall * Ed Kavalee * Ash London *

Olympia Valance Olympia Montana Valance (born 7 January 1993) is an Australian actress and model, whose roles include Paige Smith in the soap opera '' Neighbours'' (2014–2018, 2020, 2022) and Tahlia Woods in '' Playing for Keeps''. For her role as Paige, Va ...

Merrick Watts Merrick Watts (born 18 November 1973) is an Australian comedian, radio and television presenter. He is best known for performing stand-up comedy and radio works as part of the comedy duo Merrick and Rosso with Tim Ross. Career Stand up Watts ...

* Peter Rowsthorn * Matty Johnson *

Tom Ballard Thomas Colin Ballard (born 26 November 1989) is an Australian comedian, radio and television presenter. Early life Ballard was born to parents Judy and Neil Ballard and grew up in Warrnambool, Victoria. He attended Brauer Secondary Colle ...

Lucy Durack Lucy Durack (born 17 November 1982) is an Australian actress, singer and television personality who played Glinda in the Australian production of '' Wicked'', and Elle Woods in the Australian production of '' Legally Blonde: The Musical''. She s ...

Gina Liano Gina Liano (born 1966) is an Australian barrister, author, entrepreneur and television personality. She is best known for her role in ''The Real Housewives of Melbourne''. Early and personal life Liano was born Georgina Caroline Italiano in Bri ...

* Brendan Jones * Casey Donovan *

Denise Drysdale Denise Anne Christina Drysdale (born 5 December 1948) is an Australian television presenter, variety entertainer, actress, singer, dancer and comedian. She is often affectionately known as ''Ding Dong'', a nickname invented by fellow performer ...

Jessica Rowe Jessica June Rowe (born 22 June 1970) is an Australian journalist, author and television presenter. She was the co-host of ''Studio 10'' on Network Ten until March 2018, and is Member of the Order of Australia for her mental health advocacy. Ea ...

* Johnny Ruffo *

Rhonda Burchmore Rhonda Suzanne Burchmore OAM (born 15 May 1960) is an Australian entertainer. Career Burchmore appeared as Kate in the 1982 film, ''The Pirate Movie''. Burchmore gave her first Australian theatre performance in the 1988 production of '' Sugar ...

Jay Pharoah Jared Antonio Farrow (born October 14, 1987), better known by his stage name Jay Pharoah, is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and impressionist. Pharoah was a cast member on NBC's sketch comedy series ''Saturday Night Live'' from 2010 to 201 ...

* Sarah Harris *

Angela Bishop Angela Bishop (born 6 September 1967) is an Australian reporter and television presenter who is currently a co-host on Network 10's '' Studio 10''. Career Bishop is currently a co-host on the network's morning program '' Studio 10''. Bish ...

Annie Maynard Annie Maynard (born 30 October 1981) is an Australian actress. She is best known for her starring role in the ABC comedy series ''Upper Middle Bogan'' as Bess Denyar. ''Upper Middle Bogan'' began screening on ABC on 15 August 2013 with Mayna ...

* Stephanie Rice *

The Umbilical Brothers The Umbilical Brothers are an Australian comic duo formed in 1988, consisting of David Collins and Shane Dundas. Their performances heavily feature physical comedy and surreal elements. Stage shows by the Umbilical Brothers include ''Heaven ...

* Tim Blackwell * Michelle Bridges *

Nazeem Hussain Nazeem Hussain (born 21 April 1985) is an Australian comedian, actor, television and radio presenter. He is best known as creator and star of two television comedy shows, ''Legally Brown'' (2013-14) and ''Orange Is the New Brown'' (2018). His ...

Nikki Osborne Nikki Osborne (born 19 July 1981) is an Australian comedian, actress, television presenter and former model. Osborne is best known as a former host of the now-defunct late night interactive quiz series, ''Quizmania'' ( Nine Network, 2006–2007 ...

Paul Fenech Paul Fenech (born 21 November 1972) is an Australian filmmaker, film and television actor, director, producer and writer. He is best known for writing, directing, producing and starring in the television series ''Pizza'', ''Swift and Shift Cou ...

* Harley Breen *

Cal Wilson Cal Wilson (born 5 October 1970) is a New Zealand stand-up comedian, author, radio and television presenter. Early life After attending high school in Christchurch, New Zealand, Wilson completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Canter ...

Natarsha Belling Natarsha Belling (born 29 May 1970) is an Australian journalist. Belling has previously worked at Network 10 as a television presenter, news presenter and reporter. She spent over two decades with the company until being made redundant in Aug ...

* Merv Hughes *

Amos Gill Amos William Gill (born 22 June 1991) is an Australian comedian and television and radio presenter. Gill was born in Adelaide. He attended Mercedes College in Adelaide and Aquinas College in Perth, graduating from the former. He later went on ...

* Alan Fletcher *

Ryan Moloney Ryan Moloney (born 24 November 1979) is an Australian actor, known for his portrayal of the fictional character Jarrod "Toadfish" Rebecchi in the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'' since 1995. Career Moloney's first acting experience was with ...

* Hans *

Dave Thornton Dave Thornton (born 13 December 1979) is an Australian stand-up comedian, actor, television and radio presenter. He has performed stand-up comedy throughout Australia, in Edinburgh, Singapore and New York. He has also appeared on Australian tele ...

* Nath Valvo * Lisa Curry * Steve Willis *

Gyton Grantley Gyton Stephen Grantley (born 17 July 1980) is an Australian actor and comedian, best known for his portrayal of convicted murderer and drug trafficker Carl Williams in the hit Australian television show '' Underbelly'', for which he was nomin ...

Tanya Hennessy Tanya Hennessy (born 1985) is an Australian digital content creator, comedian, writer and television presenter who works in Australia. Hennessy taught drama and worked in theatre as a stage manager at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe before switch ...

Gary Mehigan Gary Mehigan (born 12 February 1967) is an English-Australian chef and restaurateur. Mehigan was one of the original judges of the Network 10 series '' MasterChef Australia''. Career Chef Mehigan trained at The Connaught and Le Souffle in ...

* Matt Sinclair *

Julie Goodwin Julie Goodwin (born 31 October 1970) is an Australian cook, author, radio and television presenter. She came to public attention when she won the inaugural season of '' MasterChef Australia'' in 2009, defeating artist Poh Ling Yeow in the final ...

Damian Walshe-Howling Damian Walshe-Howling (born 22 January 1971 in Melbourne, Victoria) is an Australian actor, well known for his role as Andrew "Benji" Veniamin in the Australian underworld drama, '' Underbelly'', for which he won the Best Supporting or Guest A ...

* Ivan Aristeguieta * George Calombaris * Anna Polyviou *

Peter Helliar Peter Jason Matthew Helliar (born 16 June 1975) is an Australian comedian, actor, television, radio presenter, writer, producer and director. He is best known for his work on television as a former regular co-host of '' The Project'' on Networ ...

* Georgie Carroll *

Melody Thornton Melody Thornton (born September 28, 1984) is an American singer and television personality. After graduating high school, Thornton became one the main vocalists of the pop girl group the Pussycat Dolls and released the albums '' PCD'' (2005) an ...

* Justin Lacko *

Natalie Bassingthwaighte Natalie Bassingthwaighte (; born 1 September 1975) is an Australian recording artist, actress, and television personality. Born and raised in Wollongong, New South Wales, she began her career in musical theatre. She later pursued an acting car ...

* Will McMahon * Woody Whitelaw *

John Edward John Edward McGee Jr. (born October 19, 1969) is an American television personality, author and a self-proclaimed psychic medium. After writing his first book on the subject in 1998, Edward became a well-known (and controversial) figure in the ...

Osher Günsberg Osher Günsberg (born Andrew Jonas Günsberg), recognised by his former stage name Andrew G, is a British-Australian television and radio presenter and journalist. He is the host of the reality TV series ''The Bachelor Australia'', ''The Bachelo ...

Dave O'Neil David O'Neil (born 8 May 1965) is an Australian stand-up comedian, actor, bass guitarist, writer, television and radio presenter with unusually large thumbs. Early career Dave was a Cub, Scout, Venturer and Rover. His late father Kevin was th ...

Joe Hildebrand Joe Hildebrand is an Australian journalist, television and radio presenter. Hildebrand writes for Sydney's ''The Daily Telegraph'' and is also known to contribute to a number of other News Corp publications, including Melbourne's Herald Sun ...

* Anthony Callea *

James Mathison James Mathison (born 14 January 1978) is an Australian television presenter and former independent political candidate. Early life Mathison was born in Sydney, New South Wales and grew up in Northern Beaches suburb of Frenchs Forest. He atte ...

Vicky Pattison Victoria Pattison (born 16 November 1987) is a British television personality, media personality and author. She is best known for appearing in the MTV shows '' Geordie Shore'' from 2011 until 2014, '' Ex on the Beach'' in 2014 and 2015 and her ...

Shannon Noll Shannon Noll (born 16 September 1975) is an Australian singer-songwriter who first came to prominence as runner-up of the first season of ''Australian Idol'' in 2003, which led to him being signed to Sony BMG. He has released five top ten albu ...

* Bernard Curry * Ebony Vagulans * Tim Campbell *

Veronica Milsom Veronica Louise Milsom (born 9 October 1984) is an Australian radio presenter, comedian and actress. From 2014 to 2020, she co-hosted the afternoon drive-time programme ''Veronica & Lewis'' alongside Lewis Hobba on youth radio station Triple J. ...

* Lewis Hobba *

Celia Pacquola Celia Pacquola (born 12 February 1983) is an Australian comedian, writer, presenter and actor who performs predominantly in Australia and the United Kingdom. Early life Pacquola is a third child, and her parents separated when she was eightee ...

* Steven Bradbury * Georgia Love * Lee Elliot *

Dylan Lewis Dylan Thomas Lewis (also known as DiRK ViLE) is an Australian television and radio host. Biography Early life Lewis was educated at Caulfield Grammar School and graduated in 1990; he then studied a Bachelor of Education in Drama and Music deg ...

* Kent Small * Ash Pollard * Steen Raskopoulos * Matt Farrelly * Janine Allis *

Andrew Ettingshausen Andrew "ET" Ettingshausen (born 29 October 1965) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s. He played his first grade Australian club football for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks ...

Bonnie Lythgoe Bonita Lythgoe (née Shawe; born 1949) is a British former dancer who, since the 1990s and 2000s, has been the producer and director of various theatre productions, including pantomimes. In 1969, aged 19, Lythgoe auditioned for the BBC's Young ...

* Alex Jae * Alex Lee * Ian "Dicko" Dickson *

Mel Buttle Melinda Claire Buttle is an Australian comedian, television and radio presenter and writer. Buttle is co-hosting ''The Great Australian Bake Off'' alongside Claire Hooper. In April 2013, she was awarded the Directors Choice Award at the Melbour ...

* Bonnie Anderson * Matt Burke *

David Campese David Ian Campese, AM (born 21 October 1962), also known as Campo, is a former Australian rugby union player (1982-1996), who was capped by the Wallabies 101 times, and played 85 Tests at wing and 16 at fullback. He retired in 1996 and was aw ...

Jimeoin James Eoin Stephen Paul McKeown (born 24 January 1966), better known as Jimeoin (pronounced "Jim Owen"), is an English-born Irish comedian and actor. Jimeoin rose to prominence in the early 1990s in Australia, where he had his own TV show and ...

Liz Ellis Elizabeth Margaret Ellis, (born 17 January 1973) is a retired Australian netball player, a member of the national team from 1992 until 2007 and captain for the last four of those years. She is the most capped international player for Australian ...

* Catherine Cox * Erika Heynatz *

Nicola Parry Nicola Parry is an Australian actress who is best known for her roles in the hit comedies ''Thank God You're Here'', ''The Hollowmen'' and ''Swift and Shift Couriers''. She is an alumna of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art The L ...

Heidi Arena Heidi Arena is an Australian actress who is best known as for her roles as Dawn McConnichie in the comedy series '' The Librarians'', Ms Gonsha in the children's television series '' Little Lunch'' and Audrey Gordon in ''Audrey's Kitchen''. Ar ...

* Roxy Jacenko *

Wippa Michael "Wippa" Wipfli (born 29 September 1979) is an Australian radio presenter and comedian who is on the Nova 96.9 breakfast show ''Fitzy and Wippa'' with Ryan Fitzgerald. Early life Wippa is the son of John and Christine Wipfli. He has tw ...

Richard Reid Richard Colvin Reid (born 12 August 1973), also known as the "Shoe Bomber", is the perpetrator of the failed shoe bombing attempt on a transatlantic flight in 2001. Born to a father who was a career criminal, Reid converted to Islam as a young ...

* Stacey Thomson *

John Foreman John Foreman may refer to: * John Foreman (musician) (born 1972), Australian musician * John Foreman (producer) (1925–1992), American film producer * John Foreman (footballer) (1913–1964), English footballer See also * Jon Foreman (born 1976), ...

Christie Whelan Browne Christine "Christie" Whelan Browne (born 6 August 1982) is an Australian performer who has worked extensively in musical theatre as an actress, dancer and singer. She has also appeared on television shows and in films. In March 2012, she marr ...

* Jett Kenny * Dave Hughes *

Charlie Pickering Charlie Pickering (born 29 August 1977) is an Australian comedian, television and radio presenter, author and producer. Pickering currently hosts ''The Weekly with Charlie Pickering'', a weekly news satire television show on the ABC, as wel ...

* Dannii Minogue *

Luke McGregor Luke William McGregor is an Australian comedian, writer and actor, who has performed at various national and international comedy festivals, as himself in many TV shows, and is known for his roles in the ABC TV series ''Utopia'' and ''Rosehave ...

* Chris Brown * Gretel Killeen * Kate McCartney *

Kate McLennan Kate McLennan is an Australian comedian, writer and actor. McLennan has performed in Australia and internationally, including at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. She is known in Australia for her work on television and web series such as '' The ...

Rob Mills Robert Mills (born 21 June 1982) is an Australian actor, television host and singer-songwriter. He was one of the finalists from the first season of ''Australian Idol''. He co-hosted the late-night quiz show '' The Mint'', and was a regular sin ...

Melissa Tkautz Melissa Natalie Tkautz (born 24 January 1974) is an Australian actress, singer, model, and presenter. She played the role of Nikki Spencer on the popular Australian TV soap opera '' E Street'', from September 1990 to May 1993. During the early ...

* Anthony "Harries" Carrol * Bruce "Hoppo" Hopkins * Patrick Abboud *

Lehmo Anthony Lehmann (born 20 August 1969) is an Australian comedian, actor, television and radio presenter. Career Born in Peebinga, South Australia, Lehmo started out working as a chartered accountant before realising he did not actually like acc ...

* Nikki Britton *

Scott McLaughlin Scott Thomas McLaughlin (; born 10 June 1993) is a New Zealand racing driver. He currently competes in the IndyCar Series, driving the No. 3 Dallara-Chevrolet for Team Penske. He previously raced in the Supercars Championship, in which he won ...

* David Reynolds

References

External links

*
Production website
{{Network Ten programming Network 10 original programming 2019 Australian television series debuts 2010s Australian game shows 2020 Australian television series endings English-language television shows Television shows set in Sydney Television series by Fremantle (company) Australian television series based on American television series