Peer Pressure (game show)
| Peer Pressure | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Burt Wheeler, Sharon Sussman |
| Directed by | Joe Carolei |
| Presented by | Nick Spano Valarie Rae Miller |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| Production | |
| Producers | Gary Ponticello, Lynne Spiegel Spillman |
| Running time | approx. 22-26 minutes |
| Production company | Wheeler-Sussman Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | Syndication |
| Release | September 9, 1997 – September 1998 |
Peer Pressure is an American television game show. Youth contestants perform stunts and answer questions about moral dilemmas. The show aired in syndication from 1997-1998 in first-run, and was hosted by Nick Spano and Valarie Rae Miller.
Gameplay
Three youths, ages 12–17, compete in a game based around moral dilemmas and stunts.[1] They compete on a set resembling an oversized board game, and attempt to progress furthest on the game board.[2] One at a time, each contestant determines moves via a Magic 8 Ball, which reveals a type of activity (a stunt or a moral-based question) and the number of spaces the contestant can move upon a correct answer or completion of said stunt. The board also features "go ahead" and "move back" spaces.
Activities
Four different activities are possible:
- Decision – The contestant and a "Peer Group" (a jury composed of about 10-12 teenagers in the studio audience) are read a moral dilemma-type question (e.g., "She's a really pretty, petite young blonde, but often wears plain white T-shirts and blue jeans to school because that's what she likes to wear. Does she turn you off because she dresses like a tomboy?") The contestant, without knowing how the Peer Group voted, supplies an answer, and progresses if their answer matches the group's consensus.
- Odd Job – The player performs a stunt (such as sorting clothing by type into the appropriate laundry basket), and has to meet the goal in a time limit to move.
- Temptation – A prize is described. The contestant can take the prize and accept a two-step penalty, or pass it up and advance. If the contestant takes the prize, it is theirs to keep regardless of the outcome of the game.
- Fast Track – Similar to "Odd Job", except the stunt is more difficult and always worth eight steps (e.g., preparing three banana split sundaes on a moving conveyor belt within a time limit). Failing to complete the task awards a two-step move as consolation.
After each contestant has taken a turn, the host asks a "Pop Quiz" question. Correct answers allow that player to advance three spaces, while a wrong answer (or failing to answer) offers a three-step penalty. Gameplay continues until time expires.
In the final segment of the game, the two higher-scoring contestants of three compete in the "Pressure Cooker" round. The goal is to correctly guess the outcome of yes-or-no questions asked of the in-studio peer group. The first contestant to correctly guess three times wins a prize package.
Production
Peer Pressure was hosted by Nick Spano and Valarie Rae Miller. It was created and distributed by Wheeler-Sussman Productions, also the creators of Singled Out.[3] The show recorded at the Production Group Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles.[2]
References
- ^ Lee Harris (September 28, 1997). "Shows for youngsters and their parents too". The Los Angeles Times. p. 6. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
- ^ a b David Schwartz, Steve Ryan, Fred Wostbrock (1999). The Encyclopedia of TV Game Shows. Checkmark Books. p. 168. OCLC 1431111416.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Ali Rafalowsky (October 12, 1997). "'Peer Pressure': A game show for our age". Hartford Courant. pp. G10. Retrieved February 3, 2026.