History YMMV / Password

** Bert Convy loved to play along with the celebrities and the contestants, trying his best to give the perfect clue. The problem is, in doing so, he wound up blowing the answer to many puzzles, forcing them to be thrown out.

** Many celebrity players on ''Million-Dollar'' were...none too swift at playing the game. Sara Evans, Monique Coleman and Creator/WilliamShatner were abysmal.

* ScrappyMechanic: Fans, celebrities and contestants alike didn't care much for the Cashword segment on Super Password. It dragged the game down and contestant didn't quite get the hang of it. Vicki Lawrence had a particular disdain for the segment as did Betty White since she destroyed the Magic Toaster on the finale.

* ScrappyMechanic: The Cashword. The contestants hated it cause people never got it right.

** TakeThatScrappy: Betty White particularly hated the Cashword, resulting in her ''demolishing'' the toaster during the finale.

* GameplayDerailment: The disallowing of opposites as clues in Password Plus was seen as this.

* SpecialEffectFailure: Occasionally on ''Super Password'', the show's equipment malfunctioned, such as the door not opening properly, the board accidentally revealing ''everything'' and giving away the puzzle. Naturally they couldn't edit this out all the time.

* TheyJustDidntCare:
** Early on in ''Super Password'''s life when Bert accidentally gave away the answer to a puzzle it was ''not'' thrown out and it was ''not'' even mentioned on the air. This happened at least twice but thankfully, they caught onto these later in the run.
** On at least eight occasions (twice on ''Plus'' and six times on ''Super''), the contestant guessed the tenth password in the End Game after the buzzer but the judges counted it. At least one of those was justified since it was for charity.

*** It was revisted in a "Game Show Reunion" episode of ''The Vicki Lawrence Show'' where Betty reaffirmed the wonderful job Tom did taking over for Allen, with [[Series/TheHollywoodSquares Peter Marshall]] adding, "He sure did."

* TheyJustDidntCare: Early on in ''Super Password'''s life when Bert accidentally gave away the answer to a puzzle it was ''not'' thrown out and it was ''not'' even mentioned on the air. This happened at least twice but thankfully, they caught onto these later in the run.

** The disallowing of opposites in ''Password Plus''. Those in favor of it think said clues make the game too easy and that encourages people to use their heads more whenever they gave clues. Those against it feel it adds unnecessary difficulty to the game and unfairly penalizes those who would accidentally forget the rule.
** ''Super Password'' changed the Alphabetics rule regarding illegal clues. Instead of playing for a reduced share, the grand prize is negated and the round continues at $100 for each remaining password. This split the fan base between those who feel it was justified, saying contestants shouldn't be rewarded for guessing words from illegal clues (which was not uncommon on ''Plus''). Fans who aren't in favor of this point out that contestants have no control how a celebrity gives clues and that they shouldn't pay the price for a celebrity's mistake.

** Alphabetics on ''Plus'' had the top prize being reduced by 20% per illegal clue. On ''Super'', this changed to the word being thrown out if an illegal clue was given along with the contestant forfeiting the chance at the jackpot. Since the celebrity always gave the clues, this meant a good player could pay the price for a celebrity's mistake.

* SurpriseDifficulty: Try playing the home versions - it looks pretty easy, but a lot of people accidentally give the password as a clue because the word's written ''right in front of them''.
** Even ''Bert'' accidentally blurted out the password a few times!

** While ''All-Stars'' is generally considered to be good in its own right, the change to it in November 1974 is generally considered a bad idea. Then again, Goodson-Todman likely wouldn't have made the "big-money Lightning Round" format otherwise.

** Originally, the front game of ''Password Plus'' had a $100-$100-$200-$200 structure and a goal of $300, so games typically ended in three or four puzzles (assuming none were thrown out for one reason or another, in which case they played another puzzle for the same amount). In late 1981, they increased the goal to $500 and added a third $100 puzzle, which meant games now ended in four to six puzzles. One game took place over three episodes and used '''12''' puzzles.
** Alphabetics in ''Password Plus'' had the top prize being reduced by 20% per illegal clue. In ''Super Password'', this changed to the word being thrown out if an illegal clue was given along with the contestant forfeiting the chance at the jackpot. Since the celebrity always gave the clues, this meant a good player could pay the price for a celebrity's mistake.

* HilariousInHindsight: Florence Henderson got the password "Bunch" in 1966, three years before the became [[Series/TheBradyBunch Mrs. Brady]].

* RetroactiveRecognition: Kirstie Alley was a contestant on ''Plus'' in 1980.

* ToughActToFollow: Tom Kennedy and Bert Convy on ''Plus'' and ''Super'' respectively after Allen Ludden took ill and died before ''Plus'' even went off the air. Many fans give them credit doing their part in succeeding Mr. Password and incorporating their own hosting styles.

** Many celebrity players on ''Million-Dollar'' were...none too swift at playing the game. Sara Evans and Creator/WilliamShatner were abysmal.

* ObviousRulePatch: Alphabetics in ''Password Plus'' had the top prize being reduced by 20% per illegal clue. Celebrities often took advantage of this rule, intentionally giving illegal clues and therefore allowing contestants to win a fraction of the jackpot instead of just $900. This was changed in ''Super Password'' to forfeit the chance at the jackpot if any illegal clue was given.

* EarWorm: Pretty much every one of the American franchise's themes and sound effects...until ''Million-Dollar'' decided to go generic. The second theme for the 1960s version, "You Know the Password", composed by Bob Cobert, was so popular that [[Series/HogansHeroes Bob Crane]] once suggested writing lyrics to it.

*** It was revisted in a "Game Show Reunion" episode of ''The Vicki Lawrence Show'' where Betty reaffirmed the wonderful job Tom did taking over for Allen, with [[HollywoodSquares Peter Marshall]] adding, "He sure did."

* CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming: Prior to Tom Kennedy's first episode as host, he made a dedication to his stricken friend.
-->'''Tom''': To Allen Ludden, with each show, we send you our love. Our thoughts are with you.