Game for a Laugh was a British light entertainment programme which ran for 56 editions and four specials between 26 September 1981 and 23 November 1985, made by LWT for the ITV network.
The show revolved around a variety of practical jokes, either in game-type formats played out within the studio or as often elaborate set-ups on unsuspecting members of the public, either studio-based or shot on location.
Other games would involve couples from the audience and climaxed with the woman throwing a custard pie at her husband or boyfriend, giggling mischievously at her handiwork and being allowed to escape without even the suggestion of payback.
It has been said that the original format was called Gotcha and was designed as a BBC show[1] to be presented by Paul Daniels, David Copperfield (the British comedian) and Pamela Stephenson.
Jeremy Beadle and Hill's Los Angeles-based TV production company Hill-Eubanks Group envisaged a show in which "the people were the stars".
Game for a Laugh was spoofed in Not the Nine O'Clock News, in a sketch showing a man (played by Rowan Atkinson) returning home from work to find his wife brutally beheaded.
He runs out into the street screaming before being approached by the crew who then shout "Game for a Laugh", whereupon they all share the joke, despite the fact that the man's wife is dead.
It was called "Donnerlippchen" (a pun with the name of the host and the exclamation ″Donnerlittchen″ which is used like "wow") and captured Spiele ohne Gewähr which means "games without warranty".