My list would be (strictly to traditional games and GSN):
Ken Jennings wins $1M on J!, and attracts mainstream attention
WWTBAM plummets in the ratings on ABC due to overexposure, too many celebrities
Deaths of legends (Arlene Francis, Art James, Gene Wood, Rod Roddy, et al).
GSN goes to less traditional game shows and still I can't see it
Kevin Olmstead, Ed Toutant win more than a million as part of a progressive jackpot on WWTBAM
Weakest Link premieres, then crashes in both network and syndication
Chamber, Chair debut as competing torture shows, then get canceled quickly
LMAD makes a comeback on NBC, but is canceled after three shows
TTTT and Card Sharks (with the altered format) return to syndication, and get axed
2-Minute Drill debuts on ESPN; poorly promoted third season moved to midnight and gets canceled in late 2001
Revivals of not only TTTT and the ill-fated CS2K1, but Pyramid is revived and H2 is revamped sans Whoopi (but only lasts two years)
Honorable mentions: CBS airs TPIR MDSs in prime time, ABC WWTBAM, Wheel and J! affected by terror attacks, ABC revives WWTBAM as Super Millionaire and Bob-O wins a Million, History Channel axes History IQ shortly after Robin Grower beats Leslek to win $250K, Street Smarts hangs on to be on TV for five seasons while bigger-name shows come and go, Smush debuts on USA but gets buried by a incoming programming team and the party atmosphere didn't jive soon after the terrorist attacks...
Brian
The Jehovah's Witnesses distribute Mad magazine?
We want some pro wrestling (STILL) and NASCAR questions!