Biggest Moments in Family Feud History

Family Feud has delivered some of the most memorable and laugh-out-loud moments in television history. From jaw-dropping survey “misses” to celebrity showdowns and emotional wins, these iconic moments have shaped the show’s legacy and pushed it into pop-culture icon status. Here are the most unforgettable moments that keep fans tuning in.

1. Richard Dawson’s All-Time High Scores

During the original ABC run in 1979, Richard Dawson’s Kiss Game became legendary: participants would guess survey answers and receive a kiss from Dawson himself for matching the most popular response. More than just silly fun, these moments consistently drew record ratings and solidified Dawson’s reputation as the show’s seductive, charming nucleus. One such episode saw Dawson deliver over 20 kisses—an affectionate display that would never air today—but remains a defining image of the show’s playful early years.

2. Raycombs’s Record Fast Money Payout

Ray Combs rejuvenated the series during the late ’80s syndicated revival. On one unforgettable episode, a Midwestern family scored a perfect 200 in Fast Money—winning the full $20,000 prize at the time, an unprecedented payout on the upgraded show. Combs’ enthusiastic celebration and the contestants’ excitement marked the first big jackpot of that new era—proof the show had staying power outside its original run.

3. Celebrity Feud’s Chase vs. GSN Showdown

In 2011, a star-studded *Celebrity Family Feud* aired as *Chase vs. GSN*—a showdown between popular TV hosts Katie Couric and Rich Eisen. In a close match, Couric’s team edged out Eisen’s in a nail-biting Fast Money round. The tension and familiarity made national news and showed how the Feud’s format worked in celebrity settings, drawing nearly 10 million viewers and reviving interest in starred editions.

4. Steve Harvey’s “Survey says…” Memes

Steve Harvey transformed Family Feud’s cultural footprint through viral moments. Take the iconic scene where a contestant answered “Booger” to “What’s something you wouldn’t want to taste?”—Harvey’s deadpan expression and exasperated pause became one of the most-shared gifs of the 2010s. This clip turned Harvey into a meme standard and turned Feud into a social-media staple, racking up tens of millions of views online.

5. Perfect Fast Money Feats

Several moments have seen families hit the perfect 200 points in Fast Money—earning the top prize with immaculate precision. One highlight occurred in 2019 when a Texas family hit all 5 top answers, scoring 200 exactly and turning their 20-point answer into full payouts. Catching lightning in a bottle, these rare perfect games are watched and rewatched by fans for their sheer efficiency and luck.

6. Emotional Victories: Military Family Tribute

In 2015, a military family team playing in honor of a deployed father topped the show’s emotional chart. During the Fast Money round, Steve Harvey offered a heartfelt tribute mid-game. The family’s heartfelt win—both emotionally and financially—resonated widely, leading to clips praised for their sincerity and national distribution, with donations from fans following soon after.

7. Long-Lost Relative Surprise

One of the year’s most surprising reunions came in 2021: during an episode, a family answered a question using the name of the host Steve Harvey himself—but the joke turned into a heartfelt payoff when a long-lost cousin appeared backstage to congratulate them. The moment blended humor and sincerity, showcasing Feud’s occasional ability to become deeply personal television.

8. Crossover Special: Feud vs. Jeopardy!

In 2016, *Family Feud* and *Jeopardy!* held a celebrity crossover special hosted by Steve Harvey—pitting their formats together in a friendly mashup. Celebrities from various shows competed to guess answers in solo Feud-style rounds, while Jeopardy! professionals answered classic quiz-style clues. The hybrid format introduced fans to both shows’ strengths, and net new audiences tuned in for the novelty.

9. Fastest Face-Off Buzzer Ever

In 2018, eight-year-old ‘genius’ contestant Anna buzzed in just 0.15 seconds after the buzzer sounded in a rapid-fire Face-Off round—a speed record for youth contestants. Steve Harvey called it “the fastest finger in Feud history!”—and TV audiences watched in awe as the kid won the round with the top answer. Harvey gifted her the cash prize and announced her as a prodigy to watch.

10. GSN Family Feud Championship Event

In early 2022, Game Show Network (GSN) hosted a tournament of family teams from its archive, competing for cash and a brand-new car. The emotional highlight came when a selfless grandmother team donated winnings to a local school, turning a game show win into a community impact moment.

11. Steve’s Surprise Users Challenge

During a 2023 episode, Harvey randomly selected an audience member to participate mid-show after the contestants struggled with a question—breaking the “only contestants answer” rule. The surprise participant nailed the top answer live on air, shocking everyone. The moment spiked ratings and became one of the most replayed Feud moments on YouTube.

12. Family Feud Goes Global Live

In 2020, a global simulcast uniting several international Feud versions aired as part of World Family Feud Day. Contestants from the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the Philippines played survey questions in a virtual format. The event celebrated global unity, raising funds for World Vision and demonstrating the show’s universal format appeal.

13. Surprise Celebrity Proposal on Stage

Perhaps the most dramatic moment came in 2014 when a contestant popped the question to their partner on the Family Feud stage after winning Fast Money. Steve Harvey stepped aside, and applause erupted as the partner accepted live. It quickly made headlines and became a Feud classic.

14. Highest Fast Money for Charity

ABC’s Celebrity Family Feud donated $100,000 in a 2017 Star Wars-themed special—putting the show in the spotlight for large-scale fundraising. Fan-favorite actors like Mark Hamill and Daisy Ridley participated, combining nerd nostalgia with Feud energy, and delivering one of the biggest charity payouts in game show history.

15. Multi-game Undefeated Run

Though Family Feud typically limits families to one appearance, some syndicated markets have unofficially let winners return. In one rare case, a small-town family won 3 episodes in a row, each time in the thousands, generating local press coverage and cult status in their community.

Conclusion

From flourishes of theatrical kisses to perfect Fast Money runs, tearful family reunions, and heartwarming charity feats, *Family Feud* has shown itself capable of much more than quick laughs—it can capture joy, surprise, and unity in real time. Its biggest moments reveal a familiar truth: the best TV comes from real people and real reactions, and Family Feud continues to deliver both in equal measure.