:Catch 21

Three contestants are each given a card to start a blackjack hand from a standard 52-card deck shuffled prior to taping. The host reads questions and the first contestant to answer correctly is dealt a card. The contestant who answers correctly can freeze their hand, preventing them from receiving additional cards or reveal the next card from the top of the deck.{{cite web|url=http://corp.gsn.com/shows/catch-21-season-2/fact-sheet/catch-21-fact-sheet|title=Catch 21 Fact Sheet|publisher=GSN Corporate|access-date=July 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160724130350/http://corp.gsn.com/shows/catch-21-season-2/fact-sheet/catch-21-fact-sheet|archive-date=July 24, 2016|url-status=dead}}

After revealing the card, the contestant can either accept it for themselves or pass it to one of their opponents who has not yet frozen. If keeping a card, the contestant in control is given another chance to freeze. However, once a contestant has frozen, the remaining contestants must freeze at a score higher than that contestant; ties are not permitted. A contestant is eliminated from the round if their hand exceeds 21.{{cite web|url=https://www.thoughtco.com/catch-21-explained-1396945|title=Catch 21 Explained|work=ThoughtCo|publisher=Dotdash|last=Grosvenor|first=Carrie|access-date=February 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401022643/https://www.thoughtco.com/catch-21-explained-1396945|archive-date=April 1, 2017}}

The process is repeated with additional questions and cards until two contestants have frozen or busted. A contestant whose score reaches 21 exactly instantly wins the round. Beginning in season two of the original series, a bonus prize is given to the contestant regardless of the outcome of the game.{{cite episode|series=Catch 21|season=2|number=1|date=April 6, 2009|network=Game Show Network}} If two contestants bust, the remaining contestant automatically wins the round. If only one contestant has not yet frozen or busted, no additional questions are asked; the remaining contestant continues drawing cards until either beating the highest frozen hand or busting. The winner of the round receives a power chip to use in the bonus round, assuming that contestant gets that far. The original series used point scores in the first two rounds, with 100 points awarded for a correct answer, and 500 points for winning the hand. After two rounds, the contestant with the lowest score is eliminated.

If there is a tie for the lowest score, the players involved participate in a high-card draw. Each player is given the choice of taking the first or second card off the top of the deck, without being able to see either card before making their selection. The player who draws the higher card advances.

The two remaining contestants play one more round involving the same toss-up question format, but point scores are not kept. The contestant who wins the round receives $1,000 and two additional power chips (originally one),{{cite press release|url=http://corp.gsn.com/press/releases/gsn’s-hit-series-“catch-21”-hosted-alfonso-ribeiro-return-second-season-premiering-ap|title=GSN's Hit Series Catch 21 Hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro to Return for Second Season Premiering April 6, Airing Weekdays at 6:30PM/5:30PM C|publisher=GSN Corporate|date=February 18, 2009|access-date=November 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126001106/http://corp.gsn.com/press/releases/gsn%E2%80%99s-hit-series-%E2%80%9Ccatch-21%E2%80%9D-hosted-alfonso-ribeiro-return-second-season-premiering-ap|archive-date=November 26, 2009|url-status=dead}} then moves on to the bonus round.

The 2019 revival changed several aspects of the game:

• Other than the cards, there is no point scoring in any round.
• The question and answers are shown on-screen. Also, the contestants must wait until the entire question is read to ring in.
• There is no longer a bonus prize for the first 21.
• If two players win the first two hands, those two players play the third round, and the third player is eliminated. If the same player wins the first two hands, a tiebreaker is played between the other two players.
• In the tiebreaker ("High Card Playoff"), an additional trivia question is played. The player who answers correctly is shown the top card from the deck and chooses whether to take that card or pass it to their opponent and take the next card from the deck. The other player is given the second card; the higher card wins. (If there is a tie, an additional question is played.)
• Winning the final round gives the player their required number of power chips based on the hand or hands they have won. On some episodes, the player is given an additional chip for winning the match.

The winner now controls three separate hands, each staked with one card. A new deck of 52 cards that has been shuffled and cut is used. Cards are drawn for the contestant, one at a time and the contestant then chooses a hand in which to place each card. The contestant can use a power chip to dispose of an unwanted card. If the contestant is in danger of busting on any hand, the contestant can end the round after successfully placing a card if a 21 is scored in at least one hand; a contestant cannot stop immediately after playing a power chip. Getting 21 in one hand wins $1,000, in two hands wins $5,000, and if 21 is scored on all three hands, the contestant wins the grand prize of $25,000. If the contestant busts on any one hand, the bonus money is forfeited and the game ends. On some episodes in season two, the top prize was increased to $50,000 with the other payouts remaining the same.{{cite web|url=http://hollywoodjunket.com/catch-21-some-riviting-games-for-season-two/|title=Catch-21!: Some Riveting Games For Season Two!|work=Hollywood Junket|date=2 April 2009 |access-date=July 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419210749/http://hollywoodjunket.com/catch-21-some-riviting-games-for-season-two/|archive-date=April 19, 2014}}

The 2019 revival has altered the payout structure to a 21 on one hand awarding $2,500, $5,000 for two, and $25,000 for all three.

The television version of the game was based on a popular online version from GSN's website. In this version, the online player has five minutes to make as many hands of 21 as they can using four columns. The player can play a card in any of their columns as long as the subsequent total is 21 or less. If the card cannot be played in any column, it must be discarded. Each hand of 21 earns the player 50 points. Playing exactly five cards in a column earns the player a 50-point bonus (called a "5-Card Charlie"), making that column worth a total of 100 points. Additionally, the jacks of spades and clubs allow any column to be cleared immediately for 75 points (called a "Blackjack Attack").{{cite web|url=http://www.gsn.com/games/free/catch21/|title=Play Catch 21 – GSN Games|work=GSN.com|publisher=Game Show Network, LLC|access-date=July 24, 2016}}

{{multiple image

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| image1 = Alfonso Ribeiro.JPG

| caption1 = Alfonso Ribeiro, host of both versions

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| image2 = Witney Carson 2019 by Glenn Francis.jpg

| caption2 = Witney Carson, card dealer in the 2019 revival

}}

The series is executive produced by Scott Sternberg and Merrill Heatter, and premiered on July 21, 2008.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/07/business/media/07game.html|title=Blackjack Makes a Move From the Web to Television|last=Stelter|first=Brian|author-link=Brian Stelter|work=The New York Times|date=July 7, 2008|access-date=March 31, 2017}} The first season consisted of 40 half-hour episodes.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2008/tv/news/gsn-shuffles-catch-21-1117988526/|title=GSN shuffles Catch 21|last=Dempsey|first=John|work=Variety|date=July 7, 2008|access-date=October 21, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/catch-21-situation-gsn-115124|title=Catch 21 situation for GSN|work=The Hollywood Reporter|agency=Associated Press|date=April 6, 2008|access-date=October 21, 2019}} Prior to the show's premiere, a 30-minute documentary The Making of a Game Show: Catch 21 aired on GSN, featuring exclusive footage and interviews with production staff and Ribeiro.{{cite web|url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/gsn-looks-hit-big-catch-21-365785|title=GSN Looks To Hit Big With Catch 21|last=Reynolds|first=Mike|work=Multichannel News|date=July 7, 2008|access-date=October 21, 2019}} The name of the show is inspired by Catch-22, a phrase describing a paradox that cannot be avoided due to limits or a rules contradiction.{{cite web|url=https://www.newscaststudio.com/2019/10/07/catch-21-preview/|title=Game Show Network keeps host, shuffles its look for new Catch 21|last=Hill|first=Michael P.|work=NewscastStudio.com|date=October 7, 2019|access-date=October 22, 2019}}

On February 18, 2009, GSN renewed the series for a 65-episode second season on April 6, 2009, which featured the addition of an extra power chip in the bonus round in order to increase contestant's chances of winning the top prize. A third season was announced on September 16, 2009, and debuted on October 12, 2009, with some episodes featuring celebrities with a common bond (such as three The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air cast members or three former child stars) playing for charity.{{cite press release|url=http://corp.gsn.com/press/releases/gsn-announces-return-hit-series-newlywed-game-and-catch-21-premiering-october-12|title=GSN Announces the Return of Hit Series The Newlywed Game and Catch 21, Premiering October 12|publisher=GSN Corporate|date=September 16, 2009|access-date=November 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817114152/http://corp.gsn.com/press/releases/gsn-announces-return-hit-series-newlywed-game-and-catch-21-premiering-october-12|archive-date=August 17, 2016|url-status=dead}} The show's fourth and final season premiered on August 16, 2010.{{cite press release|url=http://corp.gsn.com/press/releases/baggage-and-catch-21-both-return-august-16|title=Baggage and Catch 21 Both Return on August 16|publisher=GSN Corporate|date=July 26, 2010|access-date=November 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817120614/http://corp.gsn.com/press/releases/baggage-and-catch-21-both-return-august-16|archive-date=August 17, 2016|url-status=dead}}

On March 21, 2019, Adweek reported that GSN would revive Catch 21, producing new episodes for the first time in nearly a decade. Ribeiro returned as host; Padilla, however, would not return and was replaced by dancer Witney Carson.{{cite web|url=https://www.adweek.com/tv-video/game-show-network-builds-audiences-by-going-back-to-basics-and-its-previous-name/|title=Game Show Network Builds Audiences By Going Back to Basics—and Its Previous Name|last=Lynch|first=Jason|work=Adweek |url-access=subscription |date=March 21, 2019|access-date=March 31, 2019}} The change reunited Ribeiro and Carson, who had previously been partners—and champions—on season nineteen of Dancing with the Stars.{{cite web|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/christopher-lawrence/las-vegas-a-perfect-match-for-catch-21-game-show-1868670/|title=Las Vegas a perfect match for Catch 21 game show|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|last=Lawrence|first=Christopher|date=October 11, 2019|access-date=October 20, 2019}} Contestants cast for the revival were current residents of Las Vegas, where the show is filmed. The revival filmed its episodes in July and August,{{cite web|url=https://news3lv.com/news/things-to-do/vegas-based-game-show-catch-21|title=Game Show Catch 21 Searching for Vegas Contestants with Blackjack Skills|last=Moyer|first=Phillip|publisher=KSNV|date=May 28, 2019|access-date=October 21, 2019}} and premiered on GSN on October 14, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.tvinsider.com/816188/dancing-with-the-stars-season-28-witney-carson-kel-mitchell/|title=Witney Carson Thinks Kel Mitchell Can Go All the Way on 'Dancing With the Stars'|last=Maloney|first=Michael|work=TV Insider|quote="I'm doing Catch 21, a game show with Alfonso, which is premiering on GSN on October 14."|date=September 23, 2019|access-date=October 20, 2019}}

Narrated by Fred Roggin, this was a documentary special that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the series including interviews with the cast and crew along with exclusive footage. The documentary aired on July 19, 2008.

Critical reception for Catch 21 was generally positive. Carrie Grosvenor of About Entertainment argued that the series was "a fun game with a solid concept. It's definitely worth checking out." Hollywood Junket also praised Ribeiro, calling him "hands-down, one of the best game show hosts out there... the fun, brother/sister type chemistry between himself and (Padilla) is rare and benefits the show greatly." Additionally, Bounce TV expressed excitement when announcing their acquisition of the series in 2013, citing the series' popularity among GSN viewers and consistent ratings growth during its original run.{{cite press release|url=http://www.bouncetv.com/bounce-tv-acquires-broadcast-network-rights-to-the-american-bible-challenge-and-catch-21/|title=Bounce TV Acquires Broadcast Network Rights to The American Bible Challenge and Catch 21|publisher=Bounce TV|date=June 24, 2013|access-date=July 25, 2016}} The network's chief operating officer Jonathan Katz commented, "We are very confident that the broadcast premieres of The American Bible Challenge and Catch 21 will add fuel to Bounce TV's skyrocketing growth." The revival's October 14, 2019, premiere earned 459,000 total viewers with a 0.04 rating in the 18–49 demographic.{{cite web|url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-monday-cable-originals-network-finals-10-14-2019.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015202130/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-monday-cable-originals-network-finals-10-14-2019.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 15, 2019|title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.14.2019|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|author-link=Mitch Metcalf|work=ShowBuzzDaily|date=October 15, 2019|access-date=October 20, 2019}}

• Gambit

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.gameshownetwork.com/catch-21}}
• {{IMDb title|1277975}}

{{Game Show Network|state=autocollapse}}

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