How to Play Celebrity: The Hilarious Party Game of Charades!

Celebrity, also known as Times Up!, Salad Bowl, or Fishbowl, is a riotously fun party game that combines charades, trivia, and a whole lot of silliness. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, adaptable to any group size, and perfect for breaking the ice or adding some laughter to any gathering. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to play Celebrity, from the initial setup to advanced strategies that will make you a Celebrity champion!

## What You’ll Need:

* **Paper Slips:** Plenty of small pieces of paper, enough for each player to contribute several names.
* **Pens/Pencils:** One for each player.
* **Bowls/Hats:** Three separate bowls or hats to hold the paper slips for each round.
* **Timer:** A timer or stopwatch to track each round (usually 60 seconds).
* **Players:** The more, the merrier! Aim for at least four players, but the game truly shines with six or more.

## The Goal of the Game:

The object of Celebrity is for your team to guess as many celebrity names (or famous people, characters, or even common nouns depending on the agreed-upon rules) as possible within the time limit of each round. The team with the most correct guesses at the end of three rounds wins.

## Setting Up the Game:

1. **Divide into Teams:** Split your group into two or more teams. Make sure the teams are roughly equal in size. If you have an odd number of players, one player can act as a ‘free agent’ and switch teams each round, or you can adjust team sizes slightly.

2. **Brainstorm and Write Names:** Each player writes down a predetermined number of names (usually 3-5) on separate slips of paper. These can be real-life celebrities, fictional characters from books or movies, historical figures, or even well-known personalities within your group of friends. The key is that everyone should have a reasonable chance of recognizing the names. Before starting, agree on the criteria. Are you ONLY doing celebrities? Are fictional characters allowed? How about historical figures? Defining the scope ahead of time prevents arguments later.

* **Pro Tip:** Encourage variety! A mix of easy and more challenging names will keep things interesting.

3. **Fold and Collect the Names:** Once everyone has written their names, fold each slip of paper in half (or however you like, as long as they’re folded consistently to prevent peeking) and place them all into the first bowl or hat.

## The Three Rounds of Celebrity:

Celebrity is played in three distinct rounds, each with its own set of rules and challenges. This is what makes the game so dynamic and hilarious.

### Round 1: Taboo (or “Say Anything”)

* **Description:** In the first round, the clue-giver can say anything they want (except, of course, the name itself) to get their team to guess the celebrity. They can use descriptive words, give hints, make sound effects, or even act out aspects of the celebrity’s life or work. Think of it like a less restrictive version of Taboo.

* **Gameplay:**

1. **Choose a Clue-Giver:** One person from each team is designated as the clue-giver for the first round.
2. **Set the Timer:** Set the timer for the agreed-upon time limit (usually 60 seconds).
3. **Start Guessing:** The clue-giver draws a name from the first bowl. They then have the allotted time to get their team to guess the name on the slip.
4. **Unlimited Guesses:** The team can make unlimited guesses during the time limit. If they guess correctly, the clue-giver grabs another slip and continues.
5. **Keep Track of Correct Guesses:** The team keeps track of how many names they guess correctly.
6. **Passing:** If the clue-giver is stumped, they can choose to “pass” on a name and draw another. However, depending on house rules, they *might* not be able to return to a passed card during that round. Decide this rule before starting!
7. **End of Turn:** When the timer goes off, the round ends. The team counts their correct guesses, and the bowl of names is passed to the next team.

* **Example:**

* **Name on Slip:** Tom Hanks
* **Clue-Giver:** “He played Forrest Gump! He was in Cast Away with Wilson the volleyball! He voices Woody in Toy Story!”

### Round 2: Charades (or “One Word”)

* **Description:** In the second round, the rules change dramatically. The clue-giver can now only use *one word* to describe the celebrity. This single word must be related to the celebrity’s identity, work, or a famous association. No sounds, no acting, just one single, carefully chosen word.

* **Gameplay:**

1. **New Clue-Giver:** A different person from each team becomes the clue-giver.
2. **Use the Same Names:** Important! You use the *same* names that were in the first bowl. The paper slips are collected after Round 1 and placed into the second bowl.
3. **Set the Timer:** Set the timer for the same time limit as Round 1.
4. **Draw and Give One-Word Clue:** The clue-giver draws a name from the second bowl and gives a single-word clue.
5. **Team Guesses:** The team guesses based on the one-word clue.
6. **Correct Guessing:** If the team guesses correctly, the clue-giver takes another slip. If they guess incorrectly, they don’t get another guess for *that* card. They can pass, but again, decide if they can come back to it.
7. **No Additional Clues:** The clue-giver *cannot* give any additional clues or hints beyond the single word. Silence is golden (and often hilarious).
8. **Scoring:** Keep track of correct guesses.
9. **End of Turn:** When the timer goes off, the round ends, and the bowl passes to the next team.

* **Example:**

* **Name on Slip:** Taylor Swift
* **Clue-Giver:** “Shake”

* **Name on Slip:** Leonardo DiCaprio
* **Clue-Giver:** “Titanic”

### Round 3: Charades (or “No Words”)

* **Description:** The final round takes the limitations even further. The clue-giver can now only use *gestures and actions* to convey the celebrity. No words, no sounds, just pure, unadulterated charades! This is where the real hilarity often erupts.

* **Gameplay:**

1. **Another New Clue-Giver:** A third person from each team becomes the clue-giver.
2. **Use the Same Names AGAIN!** The names are collected from Round 2 and put into the third and final bowl.
3. **Set the Timer:** Set the timer for the same time limit as the previous rounds.
4. **Draw and Act:** The clue-giver draws a name from the third bowl and acts it out.
5. **No Talking!:** The clue-giver cannot speak, make any sounds, or point at anything in the room. They can only use gestures and actions.
6. **Team Guesses:** The team guesses based on the charade.
7. **Correct Guessing:** If the team guesses correctly, the clue-giver takes another slip.
8. **Scoring:** Keep track of correct guesses.
9. **End of Turn:** When the timer goes off, the round ends, and the bowl passes to the next team.

* **Example:**

* **Name on Slip:** Michael Jackson
* **Clue-Giver:** Moonwalks, grabs crotch, points dramatically.

* **Name on Slip:** Oprah Winfrey
* **Clue-Giver:** Pretends to give away cars, points emphatically, acts surprised.

## Winning the Game:

After all three rounds have been played, each team adds up their correct guesses from each round. The team with the highest total score wins the game and earns bragging rights (until the next game night!).

## Variations and House Rules:

Celebrity is a very adaptable game, and you can easily tweak the rules to suit your group’s preferences and sense of humor. Here are a few popular variations and house rules:

* **Theme Nights:** Choose a specific theme for the names, such as “Movie Characters,” “Musicians,” “Historical Figures,” or even “People We Know.” This can add an extra layer of challenge and fun.
* **Point Values:** Assign different point values to names based on their difficulty. For example, an obscure historical figure might be worth more points than a current pop star.
* **No Passing:** Some groups prefer to eliminate the “passing” option, forcing the clue-giver to struggle with each name until the timer runs out. This can lead to some hilarious (and often desperate) attempts at clues.
* **Sound Effects in Round 2:** Allow sound effects in Round 2 (One Word) in addition to the one word. This can add an extra layer of humor, especially if your group is good at impressions.
* **Penalties for Rule Breaking:** Establish penalties for breaking the rules, such as accidentally saying the name or using more than one word in Round 2. This can help keep everyone honest and on their toes.
* **Category Round:** Instead of celebrities, pick a different category like “books,” “movies,” “songs,” or “places.” The core gameplay remains the same, but the subject matter changes.
* **Use a Buzzer:** Instead of relying on someone to shout “Time!” use a buzzer or air horn for a more dramatic effect.
* **Advanced Mode: The “Death Round”:** After the main three rounds, have a final round where ALL the names from ALL the rounds are put back in the bowl. This is for experienced players only!

## Tips for Success:

* **Choose Names Wisely:** When writing down your names, think about the other players and their knowledge base. Avoid names that are too obscure or too niche.
* **Think Outside the Box:** Be creative with your clues, especially in Round 1. Look for unique angles and associations that will help your team guess the name quickly.
* **Don’t Be Afraid to Be Silly:** Celebrity is a game that thrives on silliness and improvisation. Don’t be afraid to let loose and have fun with it.
* **Communicate with Your Team:** Talk to your teammates between rounds and strategize about which names to focus on and what clues might be effective.
* **Know Your Audience:** Tailor the difficulty and type of names to your group. A game with all obscure opera singers might not be a hit with a group of sports fans.
* **Watch for Body Language:** As a clue-giver, pay attention to your team’s body language. Are they getting closer to the answer? Are they completely clueless? Adjust your clues accordingly.
* **Practice Your Charades:** Brush up on your charades skills before playing Round 3. Think about common gestures and actions that are associated with different celebrities.
* **Record Your Games:** Video record some of your games. It’s fun to re-watch them later and relive the funny moments.
* **Have Fun!** The most important thing is to relax, enjoy the company of your friends, and have a good laugh.

## Why Celebrity is a Great Party Game:

* **Easy to Learn:** The rules are simple and straightforward, making it easy for anyone to pick up and play.
* **Adaptable:** It can be adapted to any group size and age range.
* **Hilarious:** The changing rules and the pressure of the timer create plenty of opportunities for laughter and silly moments.
* **Engaging:** It keeps everyone involved and actively participating.
* **Encourages Creativity:** It challenges players to think creatively and come up with clever clues.
* **No Special Equipment Required:** You only need paper, pens, bowls, and a timer, making it a very accessible game.

## Conclusion:

Celebrity is a fantastic party game that’s guaranteed to bring laughter and fun to any gathering. With its simple rules, adaptable gameplay, and hilarious challenges, it’s a game that everyone can enjoy. So gather your friends, grab some paper and pens, and get ready for a night of celebrity-guessing mayhem! You might be surprised at how much you know (or don’t know!) about your favorite celebrities.