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Family Feud

Family Feud is an American television game show created by Mark Goodson in which two families compete to guess the most popular survey answers.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Family Feud is an American television game show created by Mark Goodson in which two families compete to guess the most popular survey answers. The series first aired in 1976 and has been hosted by several presenters, including Richard Dawson and Steve Harvey, who is the current host. It remains a long-running and widely syndicated game show.

Format

Two families compete to name the most popular answers to survey questions. The answers are based on a survey of 100 people, and the goal is to earn points and win cash or prizes.

Broadcast history

Family Feud premiered on ABC on July 12, 1976. The series later appeared in other broadcast formats, including syndication and CBS, and has continued as a long-running game show.

Hosts

The original host was Richard Dawson. Other hosts have included Louie Anderson, Ray Combs, Richard Karn, and John O'Hurley, with Steve Harvey as the current host.

Cultural impact

The show became known for its unscripted, often humorous contestant answers and its enduring popularity. It is widely recognized as one of the best-known American game shows.

Key facts

  • Family Feud is a game show where two families guess the most popular survey responses.
  • It was created by Mark Goodson and first aired on ABC in 1976.
  • The format uses answers from a survey of 100 people.
  • Steve Harvey is the current host; Richard Dawson was the original host.
  • The show has been syndicated in Canada, making it familiar to Canadian viewers.
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Canadian context

Family Feud has been shown in Canadian television markets through broadcast syndication, making it familiar to Canadian viewers as a long-running American game show.[11]

Frequently asked questions

What is Family Feud?
It is an American television game show where two families try to guess the most popular answers to survey questions.
Who created Family Feud?
The show was created by Mark Goodson.
When did Family Feud first air?
It first aired on July 12, 1976.
Who is the current host of Family Feud?
Steve Harvey is the current host.
How does the game work?
Contestants guess survey responses from 100 people; the family with the most points advances and can win prizes in the bonus round.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Feud
    Supports: Created by Mark Goodson; current host Steve Harvey; basic format and franchise overview.
  2. TheShot — https://www.theshot.com/television/behind-the-scenes-family-feud
    Supports: Survey-based format using answers from 100 people and the lack of factual basis for answers.
  3. SheBudgets — https://shebudgets.com/news/facts-about-family-feud/
    Supports: List of hosts including Richard Dawson and Steve Harvey; first aired in 1976.
  4. Mental Floss — https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/game-shows/12-fun-facts-about-family-feud
    Supports: Created as a spinoff of Match Game; hosts; general format.
  5. Kiddle — https://kids.kiddle.co/Family_Feud
    Supports: Format details such as two families, 100-person survey basis, and first airing in 1976.
  6. Television Wiki (Fandom) — https://television.fandom.com/wiki/Family_Feud
    Supports: First aired on ABC in 1976 and later aired on CBS and in syndication.
  7. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Dawson
    Supports: Richard Dawson as original host of Family Feud.