History Main / ConsolationPrize

** On the Taiwanese version of ''Series/AreYouSmarterThanAFifthGrader'', the first question is worth NT$1000 as well as a NT$500 guarantee (about US$17), so that players who flunk out in the first half of the game still get a minimal consolation prize, unlike the US version. But on the occasions that a contestant answered the very first question incorrectly, they were awarded a big novelty check for "ZERO YUAN".

* In its last two seasons, 'Series/FamilyGameNight'' would give the families who played and lost $100 for participating, and they still got a shot at the Community Chest. If they happened to pick the winning combination, they would earn a shot at a new car.

* ''Series/TheHollywoodSquares'' (and many other Creator/MerrillHeatter-Bob Quigley produced shows) had consolation prize packages that often totaled $1,500--and these were nice gifts! (For instance, on one Heatter-Quigley show, the loser walked away with a photo session at Olan Mills studios, a microwave oven (and a couple other kitchen appliances), a water softener, a $300 Iowa Pork Producers gift certificate, and some Sarah Coventry jewelry. Other contestants have received things such as two-night stays at a local resort, encyclopedias, gift certificates to clothing stores, car care packages and much more. Keep in mind this is what the loser receives!)

* 'In its last two seasons, 'Series/FamilyGameNight'' would give the families who played and lost $100 for participating, and they still got a shot at the Community Chest. If they happened to pick the winning combination, they would earn a shot at a new car.

* ''Series/TheHollywoodSquares'' (and many other Creator/MerrillHeatter-Bob Quigley produced shows) had consolation prize packages that often totaled $1,500 – and these were nice gifts! (For instance, on one Heatter-Quigley show, the loser walked away with a photo session at Olan Mills studios, a microwave oven (and a couple other kitchen appliances), a water softener, a $300 Iowa Pork Producers gift certificate, and some Sarah Coventry jewelry. Other contestants have received things such as two-night stays at a local resort, encyclopedias, gift certificates to clothing stores, car care packages and much more. Keep in mind this is what the loser receives!)
* ''Series/FamilyGameNight'' will give the families who played and lost $100 for playing, and they still get a shot at the Community Chest. If they happen to pick the winning combination, they have a shot at the car.

* On the current version of ''Series/LetsMakeADeal'', when a contestant gets {{Zonk}}ed, Wayne Brady will often (but not always) give them a bit of money (usually around $100) so they don't walk away empty-handed.

** An alternate game show used similar questions...but with a twist. Mentioning a specific Grant, or asking where Panama hats are made. In Ulysses S. Grant's tomb, there's both Ulysses S. Grant AND his wife, Julia! (Panama hats are NOT made in Panama, but in Ecuador.)

** ''Series/TheCrystalMaze'' once ran a special edition of the show where the contestants were kids. They did really well but fell down at the last hurdle - the famous crystal dome, missing out on the grand prize - a trip to Disneyland. Or so they thought. The host suddenly revealed that they were going to Disneyland anyway. More conventionally, every competitor, regardless of how well they did, got a replica of one of the crystals.

* In the 1830s, the State of Ohio and the soon-to-be State of Michigan fought a war over the city of Toledo (in the loosest possible sense of "fought" and "war"). The Federal government awarded Toledo to Ohio and gave Michigan its Upper Peninsula as a consolidation prize -- one which turned out to be a treasure trove of resources. Ultimately, the real loser of that war turned out to be Wisconsin, which might have claimed the U.P. otherwise.

'''Fulton''': Of course the first prize, as you all know, is Mr. Wintergreen himself. The second prize is a season pass to Coney Island. And the third prize is an autographed photograph of Clara Bow, or ten cents in gold.

* In the ''VideoGame/ShadowHearts'' series, if you fail on the Lottery, you get Tissues. In the first game, you ''need'' Tissues at one point to get one of Yuri's most powerful Fusions - which is why Margarete's prize for completing the MonsterArena is Tissues (in case you never lost the Lottery).

* In the ''WesternAnimation/JackieChanAdventures'' fic ''FanFic/QueenOfAllOni'', even though Jade's BatmanGambit to steal the masks from Section 13 fails, SOLELY due to the SpannerInTheWorks known as Agent Wisker, she still manages to escape with information on the locations of the ''other'' set of artifacts she was looking for!

* [[AvertedTrope Averted]] with the original format of Series/WhoWantsToBeAMillionaire and many shows that [[WhoWantsToBeWhoWantsToBeAMillionaire attempted to follow]] in its footsteps.

* A game show in a ''Series/MadTV'' sketch offered as a consolation prize a "lifetime supply of Rice-A-Roni... the board game"; one box.

* ''Videogame/TomodachiLife'': Lose to one of the Islanders in an Islander Game and they'll "reward" you with either a Box of Tissues or a Toilet paper. Both are ShopFodder that sell for exactly $1.

* [[DiscussedTrope Discussed]] and PlayedForLaughs in ''Videogame/RatchetAndClankGoingCommando''. During the first visit to Maktar Nebula Gladiator Games arena, the commentator says that if Ratchet doesn't win, he'll get a consolation prize. The camera pans to screen showing [[BlackComedy a tombstone]].

[[folder:Web Comics]]