TV | Pop Culture | 00s | 90s
10 Facts About Supermarket Sweep That Might Change How You Feel About Your Favorite Game Show
Supermarket Sweep was one of those game shows that you used to watch as a kid and just knew you could win. Obviously you would have the best strategy out of everyone and you would be able to win that $5000 no problem.
The most recent version has been off the air since 2003, but that doesn't mean people don't still miss it. Everyone remembers the general game play of the show, but how much do you actually know about what went on behind the scenes? Check out these 10 fascinating facts of this excellent game show!
1. All the meat was fake
Obviously one of the first things you should go for was the turkeys, but why were people able to lift them so easily? Because they were plastic. Apparently they didn't think that getting meat juices all over those iconic sweaters was the best idea so they went with plastic.
2. What wasn't fake was probably expired
While a lot of the groceries on the shelves were plastic there were quite a few that were real; Mostly the canned foods and other things that wouldn't smell bad. But just because they were real didn't mean that they were good to eat. Everything was reused over and over again so a lot of the foods were damaged or even expired.
3. You could keep the sweatshirt, but only if you lost
The consolation prize for losing the episode was that you got to keep the sweatshirt, which would totally be back in style right now anyways!
4. You only won the money if the episode aired
The episodes were sold individually, not as an entire season. That meant that some episodes would get filmed but never actually air. Contestants could have won episodes but never seen any money from it because the episode didn't sell. Bet you'd be okay with the sweatshirt then, huh?
5. Because of this, it would be a solid 6 months before you saw any money
The time between shoot and the time it took to go to air, you'd be waiting a long time before you'd see that check. But waiting for the check wasn't the only long wait that contestants faced...
6. A typical shooting day was between 12-14 hours long
They would tape up to 8 shows in a day so obviously it would take a fair bit of time.
7. The contestants had to wear dickeys
Nothing more stylish that rocking a tiny fake collar for your sweater. You really need to make that sweater a little bit more classy!
8. The supermarket wasn't very big at all
It was only about 4 aisles big which isn't so bad because then you could make it around a lot faster and easier.
9. You only had 10 minutes to plan your route
At the beginning of the game they would give contestants a 10 minute period where they could scope out all the prices and placements of all the items. This way they could actually get the stuff they wanted.
10. Beauty products were the real secret to winning the game
Even though turkeys and hams were often thought of as the definitive items to win the game, there was also the option to go for some of the more expensive beauty products like hair dye and moisturizers that might help you out too. Diapers were another really expensive items that you could get if you .