Ever think Monopoly was just a harmless way to bankrupt your relatives on Thanksgiving? Think again. Discovery’s Game Changers peels back the colorful, cardboard facade of classic board games to reveal a surprisingly cutthroat world of thievery, backstabbing, and lies. In “Backstabbed by Board Games,” the series turns its lens on the unexpected origins of beloved family pastimes like Monopoly, Scrabble, and Operation. Who knew that beneath the veneer of wholesome family fun lurked such a rich history of intrigue?
This week’s Game Changers isn’t just a nostalgic trip down memory lane. It’s a deep dive into the often-unseen battles fought over patents, profits, and the very soul of these iconic games. Prepare to have your childhood illusions shattered (or at least slightly dented) as the episode unearths the contentious backstories behind the games you thought you knew. From the cutthroat competition that birthed Scrabble to the capitalist critiques embedded in Monopoly’s design, “Backstabbed by Board Games” promises a fascinating glimpse behind the curtain.
Part of an eight-part limited series, Game Changers has, since its November 5 premiere, examined the untold stories behind popular games of all kinds, from the digital realms of video games to the tactile pleasures (and occasional frustrations) of board games. The series’ strength lies in its eclectic mix of voices, drawing on interviews with game inventors, industry journalists, passionate enthusiasts, and the occasional author to paint a comprehensive picture of these cultural touchstones.
So, if you’re ready to see Monopoly, Scrabble, and Operation in a whole new light – one perhaps slightly less rosy and a bit more ruthless – tune in to Discovery on Tuesday, November 26, at 9:01 PM for “Backstabbed by Board Games.”
“Backstabbed by Board Games” airs Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 9:01 PM on Discovery.
