Valerie Bertinelli, widely recognized for her roles in One Day at a Time and Hot in Cleveland, hosts a new series, Bingo Blitz, a game show that combines trivia with the classic game of bingo. Premiering on April 14, 2025, on the Game Show Network, the show puts a contemporary twist on an age-old tradition.
A New Twist on an Old Favourite
Bingo Blitz is not just about shouting out numbers. Competitors answer trivia questions to earn bingo balls and points. In addition to the regular numbered balls, players also receive gold balls, which they can strategically position on their cards to increase their chances of winning. Power-ups on the cards provide bonus points, bingo balls, and rewards. Having made it to three rounds, the person with the most points goes on to the rapidfire Blitz round where a bingo within 60 seconds earns him/her $10,000.
Valerie Bertinelli’s New Venture
This is the first television production from Bertinelli since her departure from the Food Network earlier in 2024. She commented that she was excited for the new series, stating, “Bingo is going to Game Show Network! But, you know, we like colour here. And thrill. And heaps of fun. So we’re taking Bingo up a level and way, way beyond. We call it Bingo Blitz, and it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. I’m having so much fun and I think you will too. I can’t wait for you all to see it.
When word got out that Valerie Bertinelli was coming back to the box with a game show, most were surprised. Not because she couldn’t do it — she’s always had that warmth and natural likability — but because, well, a bingo-based show? A little out of left field, right? But that’s part of its charm.
It suits her like a glove, it turns out.
She’s not shouting or OTT. She’s just Valerie. Straightforward, cheerful, with a twinkle in her eye that makes you think, “Yeah, this could be a laugh.” You can tell she’s not just reading lines. She’s in it. Laughing with the contestants, pulling faces when they get a question wrong, and genuinely thrilled when someone gets a win.
And it does make a difference. The audience isn’t just observing — they’re a part of it.
Not Just Your Nan’s Game
The show’s got bingo bones, but it’s been given a little bit of a revamp. There’s a bit more action, some speed, and some twists with the gold balls and those weird power-ups. At first, it’s going to make some people squint at the telly. “What’s all this then?” But give it five minutes, and you’re nodding along.
It’s not trying to be clever. It’s just trying to shake things up without losing the heart of it. And that’s where it works.
There’s a nostalgia to watching it, yet it’s not dated. There’s a bit of zest to the show, without it being silly. Even the prizes aren’t over the top. No upscale vacations or fancy cars. Just enough to have you lean forward in your seat and hope they win.
The Studio Feel
They’ve gone for colour — not gaudy, but enough to make it stand out. Blues and golds. Clean lines, big numbers, nothing too busy. Cameras weave in and out without intruding. There’s a good caller voice too — though with Valerie at the helm, it’s banter rather than bark.
The audience isn’t sardine-packed. You can discern faces, pick up the odd gasp or guffaw. That in itself is better than most. It is less of a shouty circus and more of a night in with a bit of buzz.
The contestants? A mixed bag. No shiny telly types or wannabe influencers. Just ordinary people. You get the guy who runs the local chippy. The nurse from along the road. One woman said she hadn’t been on telly since school and couldn’t stop laughing.
And that’s where the charm is. You can imagine your neighbour having a go. Or your auntie Jean.
Valerie Keeps It Real
One of the best moments? Valerie doesn’t play up. She talks the way she always talks. Casual. A bit cheeky when she needs to be. She doesn’t feign surprise. When a person gets a Beatles question wrong, she scrunches up her face, then laughs it off.
You can tell she’s not doing this just to stay in the public consciousness. She genuinely seems to enjoy it. She’s not over-styled, not robotic. Just her. And let’s be real — that’s rare these days.
The Crowd’s Got Opinions
On the websites and socials, there’s been plenty of chat. Some older fans reckon it’s “not proper bingo,” which, fair enough. But most are warming to it. A lot of “didn’t think I’d like it, but it’s grown on me” sort of comments.
You also hear a couple of younger voices chiming in, which is surprising. Maybe it’s the trivia. Maybe it’s the format. Or maybe it’s just because it’s got heart, and that’s something that everyone can get behind. It’s the one thing some people bother watching live these days, apparently. That’s saying something.
A Game With a Bit of Grit
Now, it’s not all ideal. There’s been some teething problems. A few of the early episodes were a bit slow-paced. Players not knowing when to play their gold balls. A bit of fiddling about on the scoreboard. Nothing drastic, though. They’ve tightened it up since then.
You can see they’re settling into their groove. And they’re not trying too much. That’s helpful.
At the end of the day, it’s bingo with a side of trivia. No explosions. No screaming. Just a game that ticks along, with someone decent running the show.
That One Blitz Round…
There was this one show — it’s doing the rounds online now — where this bloke Alan, a retired postman, ripped through the final round like he was born to do it. Got bingo in under 30 seconds. The crowd went mental. Valerie was left looking well shocked. Even the crew were cheering.
You don’t get moments like that every night. But when you do, it gets you sitting up. You can’t fake that kind of energy. It doesn’t come along often. And it remains with you.
Not About Flash
That’s the thing — this show’s not trying to compete with the big-bucks game shows. It’s not whisking people away to islands or hanging them from wires. It’s a cuppa and a laugh at the end of a long day. A soft cushion in a tough week.
People are tuning in because it feels like something familiar, yet not retro. As if someone recalled what telly used to be like when it didn’t have to shout to be heard.
Valerie’s Second Wind
It’s fair to say Valerie’s had a bit of an uneven patch with telly. The Food Network thing petered out uncomfortably. Some of her followers assumed that was it — maybe she’d give it up for good.
Yet here she is. New job, new fire in her eye. She’s not trying to reinvent herself. She’s just into what people already loved about her. That easy warmth. That wry smile. That ability to make people feel listened to, even in a five-minute conversation between songs.
More to Come?
There’s been talk already about extending the run. Maybe even a special series — bring in a few celebs, have a charity pot, shake things up a bit. Valerie’s hinted she’s up for it. She said in one interview, “As long as folk are having fun, I’ll keep showing up.”
That’s the kind of telly that people return to. Not since it’s the biggest. But because it’s dependable. Bit like bingo itself, actually.
So, where does Bingo Blitz sit in the world of telly? Quietly in its own lane. It’s not record-breaking. But it’s not trying to. It’s just a neat little show, with a good host, a regular crowd, and a game that still holds up.
Valerie Bertinelli’s not here to be flash. She’s here to call the numbers, crack a few smiles, and keep the game rolling. And she’s doing it well.
