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‘Supermarket Sweep’ reboot: Iconic game show fails to make a mark, disappointed fans say 'leave it alone'

When Emmy-nominated comedienne Leslie Jones was confirmed as the show host, fans thought there couldn't have been a better choice after the show's legendary host and actor David Ruprecht

The reboot version of ABC’s ‘Supermarket Sweep’, first aired in 1965, premiered on Sunday, October 18, and fans can’t keep calm. Many things about the game show have changed since last time and so has the host of the show. When Emmy Award-nominated comedienne Leslie Jones was confirmed as the show host, fans thought there couldn't have been a better choice after the legendary host and actor David Ruprecht. As the show premiered, viewers were quick to judge and draw comparisons between the two of them.

‘Supermarket Sweep’ is an American game show that became wildly popular in the 60s. There is something very "adrenaline pumping" and "heart racing" to see people in supermarkets, sweeping on a cartwheel from one end to another, running around and dropping things like five-year-olds but they ain’t just playing. They are playing to win the prize money which has been upped to $100,000. The Saturday Night Live veteran started off the show saying, “I used to love this show, I loved David, I wanted to be in this show but I didn’t make it past the audition, guess what, now it’s my show.” Leslie’s magnetic character and incredible sense of humour immediately makes a viewer happy which was always the point of the show through years, adaptations, relaunches and reboots.

Some fans loved Leslie’s energy and think this reboot is a sure success. One user wrote, “Pretty excited about the new Supermarket Sweep with Leslie Jones and have realized my husband is excellent at guessing brand logos. We may have a future as Team Tater Tots.” Another fan wrote, “Leslie Jones was really good. I get she can be an acquired taste, but her energy actually works well on this show.”

Several fans have deep rooted memories of their favourite childhood game show and the small and big changes in the show didn’t sit very well with them. “David Ruprecht truly was the boss of Supermarket Sweep. Never forget. These ABC shows are becoming too much. It’s okay to leave it alone. Shows don’t HAVE to be an hour long,” said one user. Emmy award-winning reporter John Franchi tweeted, “As a fan of the classic Supermarket Sweep, this new version isn’t impressing me so far. Maybe I’ll warm up to it.  The original had a genuine quality, this one just seems forced — and lacking 90’s cheesiness.”

“Wish they had brought David Ruprecht back for the reboot of  Supermarket Sweep,” says one user. “My thoughts on the new #SupermarketSweep. I think it was fun to watch. I prefer the original Ruprecht version, but the Jones version isn't a bad way to spend an hour.” says another user. Some even complained that the new host and executive producer of the show Jones is too loud, “Things that are quieter than Leslie Jones on ‘Supermarket Sweep’ :  a jackhammer, a train horn, an explosion, a siren, a sonic boom.”

Even though haters are gonna hate, a lot of people felt like the show's premiere was a happy trip down the memory lane and a beautiful feeling of nostalgia that was much needed specially this year. “Anybody else watch ‘Supermarket Sweep’ after school when they were a kid? Lol legit excited for the comeback!” wrote one user. Another tweet congratulated Leslie saying, “Good first episode Leslie, cheers to many more seasons to come.”