Charades meets Wheel of Fortune in the most chaotic game show merger of the '80s.
Season 3 • Episode 1
LatestBody Language is an American game show produced by Mark Goodson Productions. The show aired on CBS from June 4, 1984 until January 3, 1986, and was hosted by Tom Kennedy. Johnny Olson announced until his death in October 1985; Gene Wood and Bob Hilton shared the announcing duties afterward, and had substituted on occasion before that. The show pitted two teams against each other, each consisting of a contestant and a celebrity guest. The gameplay centered around the party game charades, in the same vein as the earlier Goodson program Showoffs, but contestants also had to solve word puzzles to win money, making Body Language a cross between Showoffs and Password Plus.
Production
Mark Goodson's mid-tier creative peak.
Acting
C-list celebrities giving 110% physical comedy.
Editing
Tight cuts between puzzle board and flailing limbs.
Creators
Mark Goodson, Bill Todman
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Johnny Olson's death in October 1985 created a rare three-way announcer rotation rarely seen in Goodson shows.
Body Language arrived during game show's golden afternoon slot war, when networks still treated 4 PM like primetime.
US
