How Has Wordle Inspired TV Shows?

Wordle has become an internet phenomenon, with millions of daily players and an online community devoted to it. Beyond inspiring themed clones such as Heardle 80s, Wordle appears to have extended beyond gaming into television production as several shows seem inspired by its format and interactive word-based challenges – raising questions as to whether the game could spark a new wave of television programming.

Word Puzzles and the Emergence of Game Shows

One of the clearest expressions of Wordle-inspired television content is the recent revival of word-based game shows such as Lingo and Wheel of Fortune. Long-standing game show staples with a similar focus to Wordle, such as wordplay and puzzle-solving, are commonplace in this genre of programming. 

Lingo first began airing in the early ’80s on CBS television before returning with an updated format in 2022 on the Game Show Network. Teams of players compete to guess five-letter words using feedback similar to that provided in Wordle: a colored grid system where letters are marked accordingly as to their accuracy and placement on a grid. This format may well have been influenced by Wordle’s viral success.

Wordle has generated massive social media engagement among users who share their daily results and strategies, making the concept of word-based challenges even more appealing to TV producers. As a result, producers are exploring “daily challenges” more broadly across television shows like The Weakest Link and Jeopardy.

TV Adaptations of Wordle

Some TV networks have even explored adapting Wordle directly. In 2022, NBC conducted a pilot episode for a show inspired by Wordle called Wordle Live! with contestants playing live versions of Wordle with a competitive twist. Though it never progressed beyond its pilot stage, this version demonstrated a desire to capitalize on Wordle’s popularity.

While Wordle hasn’t inspired an onslaught of Wordle-themed TV shows yet, its success has unquestionably altered the landscape of word-based puzzles and game shows. From Lingo’s revival to interactive TV formats using Wordle’s principles like daily challenges, social sharing, quick puzzles with quick solutions, it’s clear that producers want to tap into the game’s wide appeal.