Peer Pressure (game show)

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. They compete on a set resembling an oversized board game, and attempt to progress furthest on the game board. 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. The show recorded at the Production Group Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles.

References