March 15, 2007

Time's Almost Up!

My game Time's Up! is due to be reprinted, and the publisher wants to update the game with fresh names. Problem is, I'm fried. Eighteen hundred names in, I've already used all the best ones I've got and now I'm scraping the Rodney Allen Rippeys and William Katts from the barrel.

That's where you come in, gentle readers. Got any suggestions for famous people that I may have missed in the existing editions? The ideal name will be familiar to 75% of players or more, and will not become dated a year or two from now (Scooter LIbby and Kenneth Lay need not apply). I'd be particularly keen on names that resonate with college students, since I'm a bit out of that age range now and don't know the Pussycat Dolls from Josie and the Pussycats.

Posted by Peter at March 15, 2007 09:50 AM
Comments

You're going to have to post a list of the current crop for us somewhere, Peter. My copy of Time's Up is at *least* several feet away from my computer, and I just don't have that kinda time to spare. =)

Posted by: Dug on March 16, 2007 10:28 AM

The power of the massmind to the rescue! Check out various lists of top searches and cherry-pick the best.

For example, Paris Hilton, the Charo of our age, has got to be a shoo-in, if only to force players into the awkward position of explaining what exactly she's famous for. "Uh, she's an, um, actress maybe? She's rich and on TV, I know that much..."

Other possibilities from the "top 100" list:

  • Steve Irwin: Would make a great card for TU ("Crikey!"), but maybe tasteless now...
  • David Beckham: Apparently they've got some weird version of football overseas and he's a star quarterback or something? I dunno. The kids these days seem to know who he is though.
  • Sacha Baron Cohen: I hope and pray that his shelf life is too short to be useful to you, but apparently I'm the only person in the world who doesn't love him, so... <shrug>.

Posted by: Stephen Beeman on March 16, 2007 10:42 AM

Also, how would you rate Valerie Plame Wilson? I can't imagine that she'll be a forgotten cultural reference in just two years; her name should certainly have as much staying power as Oliver North at least, who you put in the first edition. (Okay, it happened to be closer by than I thought.)

And if nothing else, I hope she's forgotten less easily than, say, Johnny Knoxville, who'd probably be more recognizable to your college crowd.

Posted by: Dug on March 16, 2007 10:48 AM

Do you have Deep Throat on there, speaking of intriguing political figures tied with american presidential scandals?

Posted by: Nathan on March 16, 2007 11:23 AM
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