The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: inturnaround on July 14, 2003, 06:09:33 PM
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So, I'll be leaving the great United States for 10 days in about a week and I was wondering if anyone more knowledgeable in these things can suggest game shows I can catch while I'm there.
Last time I was there I caught WWTBAM and Weakest Link (I remember watching a little of Cilla Black's \"Blind Date\", too). I doubt there are any prime time games anymore, but I'm sure there are some shows that I shouldn't miss.
Any suggestions?
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Could you see for me if Blankety Blank is still on?
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It isn't, currently.
I recommend The Vault on Saturday night on ITV1, you might catch the Final of Big Brother if you're over next Friday, Grand Slam is well worth a look on Friday evening on Channel 4. Um... other than that nothing exciting comes to mind.
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[quote name=\'Brig Bother\' date=\'Jul 15 2003, 07:32 AM\'] I recommend The Vault on Saturday night on ITV1, you might catch the Final of Big Brother if you're over next Friday, Grand Slam is well worth a look on Friday evening on Channel 4. Um... other than that nothing exciting comes to mind. [/quote]
Didn't The Vault get a new host? How is he/she doing?
I would say if nothing else stay FAR, FAR away from the new version of Call My Bluff. Oh, and if you really want to see millionaire, ITV1 airs reruns at 5:30 in the afternoon.
...and not that you asked, but if you're in the UK and stuck for something to do SEE We Will Rock You !!! It's the best show in the west end currently.
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Melanie Sykes, taking over from Davina McCall (who's rather busy with hosting Big Brother and being pregnant at the mo). I don't think she's as good, certainly doesn't stamp any sort of personality over the show and somehow manages to make the show seem very complicated reading the autocue which it isn't really, and certainly not how Davina would have done it.
Incidentally, E4 (the cable offshoot of Channel 4) is going to be showing delayed streaming coverage of US Big Brother 20 hours a day when our one finishes next Friday. This might be interesting...
If you've got access to Challenge TV at all, I heartily recommend Fort Boyard and Crystal Maze as being lots of fun. They also show Family Fortunes (Family Feud, if you will), Bruce's Play Your Cards Right (Card Sharks) and Bruce's Price is Right (Wipeout. No not really.)
Oh! And Winning Lines is back on Saturdays now as well.
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If you join the [ukgameshows] Yahoo Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ukgameshows/join (http://\"http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ukgameshows/join\") then on Thursdays you'll receive a listing of the upcoming UK game shows.
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I don't know if the gentlemen overseas who are actually seeing the shows would agree with me, but Monday nights on BBC2, when the new version of \"Mastermind\" and \"University Challenge,\" the venerable British version of \"College Bowl,\" air back-to-back might be a good idea. I would point out that right now, \"University Challenge\" is in their summer mode, where instead of college students, the teams are \"The Professionals\"--four people with the same occupation. You might think of it as a more intellectual version of \"Hot Potato,\" if you will.
\"Mastermind,\" from what I hear, remains the same difficult quiz that it's always been--the main change for its revival is that John Humpheys, the new host, chats more with the contestants than Magnus Magnusson did, probably since they're doing the whole bunch in a studio rather than traveling around various halls throughout the UK, thereby not having to do an opening travelogue segment before starting the game.
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[quote name=\'uncamark\' date=\'Jul 16 2003, 06:15 PM\'] I don't know if the gentlemen overseas who are actually seeing the shows would agree with me, but Monday nights on BBC2, when the new version of "Mastermind" and "University Challenge," the venerable British version of "College Bowl," air back-to-back might be a good idea. I would point out that right now, "University Challenge" is in their summer mode, where instead of college students, the teams are "The Professionals"--four people with the same occupation. You might think of it as a more intellectual version of "Hot Potato," if you will.
"Mastermind," from what I hear, remains the same difficult quiz that it's always been--the main change for its revival is that John Humpheys, the new host, chats more with the contestants than Magnus Magnusson did, probably since they're doing the whole bunch in a studio rather than traveling around various halls throughout the UK, thereby not having to do an opening travelogue segment before starting the game. [/quote]
On UC: TP --
Its very entertaining, and the questions strike me as a little easier than the regular series.
The new mastermind --
Wow - didn't know about it, but John Humphries should make a good host.
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Thanks for all the advice. I am very much looking forward to visiting, watching some \"new\" game shows is just gravy.
As for \"We Will Rock You\", I shall consider it...if it's available at TKTS for half-price.
But where can I find Countdown? I've heard a lot about that and I remember Carol Vorderman from some kids show called \"How 2\" they carred on WAM in America. I looked at the rules and I must admit that I'm stymied.
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[quote name=\'inturnaround\' date=\'Jul 18 2003, 03:59 PM\'] But where can I find Countdown? I've heard a lot about that and I remember Carol Vorderman from some kids show called "How 2" they carred on WAM in America. I looked at the rules and I must admit that I'm stymied. [/quote]
\"Countdown\" is shown weekdays afternoons on Channel 4, an over-the-air station. It's pretty easy to get into, once you've watched a letters and numbers game.
Also, I suggest tuning into another long-running quiz, \"Fifteen to One\" (currently in repeats) airing before \"Countdown\". Check the TV listings at www.channel4.com because times vary.
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Blimey! Countdown's the easiest show in the world to play. Basically: make the longest word out of these nine letters in 30 seconds. Then try to make this big number using these small numbers. Finally: solve this anagram.
It's normally on weekdays at 4:15. 15-1 tends to start at 3:45 but is often pushed if there's cricket on or something. Similarly, Weakest Link should be on every day at 5:15 on BBC2.
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\"Countdown\" is shown weekdays afternoons on Channel 4, an over-the-air station. It's pretty easy to get into, once you've watched a letters and numbers game.
And also the subject of an urban legend, only this one wasn't true...do a search on Snopes.com and see what you get. :-)
Chuck Donegan (The Illustrious \"Chuckie Baby\")
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Actually, I think the truth in the urban legend is much funnier! :)
Has anyone ever considered doing a US Countdown? (Or is there one that I'm not aware of that had already been done?)
At any rate, I'll be leaving Tuesday. I'll see what I can see. :)
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[quote name=\'inturnaround\' date=\'Jul 21 2003, 01:29 AM\'] Has anyone ever considered doing a US Countdown? (Or is there one that I'm not aware of that had already been done?) [/quote]
Actually, a revival would require a new title. Countdown is the name of Keith Olbermann's program on MSNBC. (I would say I watch it, but if I did, Zinkin would come after me. j/k)
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[quote name=\'inturnaround\' date=\'Jul 21 2003, 01:29 AM\']Has anyone ever considered doing a US Countdown? (Or is there one that I'm not aware of that had already been done?)
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(raises hand)
Oh, you meant a US Countdown based on the UK version...oops ;-)
Seriously, I don't think the US has the attention span for such a show. Besides, some producer would find a way to screw it up with a big money format, Jerry Springer audience, and a way to screw over your opponent. :-P
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[quote name=\'fostergray82\' date=\'Jul 21 2003, 09:05 AM\'][quote name=\'inturnaround\' date=\'Jul 21 2003, 01:29 AM\']Has anyone ever considered doing a US Countdown? (Or is there one that I'm not aware of that had already been done?)
[/quote]
(raises hand)
Oh, you meant a US Countdown based on the UK version...oops ;-)
Seriously, I don't think the US has the attention span for such a show. Besides, some producer would find a way to screw it up with a big money format, Jerry Springer audience, and a way to screw over your opponent. :-P[/quote]
I agree that the U.S. audience would not have the attention span for such a show. But I also think that the show is too \"cerebral\" for the average American. In the Letters Game, most of the viewers at home would only be able to create 4-letter words while the contestants in the studio are easily pulling out 7- or 8-letter words. Also, math scares people. The Numbers Game would be a killer.
The only way I could see Countdown coming to the U.S. is if it aired on PBS or something, but I don't see that happening.
Dean Scungio
dscungio@worldnet.att.net (dscungio@worldnet.att.net)
AIM & Y!: dascungio (Note the \"a\"!)
\"It's not how much we give away,
it's the way we do it.\" -Monty Hall
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Also, math scares people. The Numbers Game would be a killer.
Well, if you had a hot babe with a gift for working out mathematical problems in her head without pencil, paper, calculator or cue cards, you could have an up there. Unfortunately, I don't know how many other Carol Vordermans there are in this world. :)
Seriously, though, that's one reason why \"Countdown\" has been the success that it is in the *UK*--\"Les Lettres et Les Chiffres,\" the French series \"Countdown\" is based on, was known for being notoriously dry. Such little things like the catchy think music cue, the celebs in the Dictionary Corner, the brainy and beautiful sidekick and Richard Whiteley's bad puns have endeared the show to Brits in a way that a straightforward version like the French show would not. Unfortunately, I don't think anyone nowadays would trust Americans to be smarter--until a show came along that could break the mold. The question is--would any U.S. TV execs have the nerve to put a \"Countdown\" on their air?
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Des Chiffres et Des Lettres...
the French series \"Countdown\" is based on, was known for being notoriously dry. \"
As much as I hate to admit it, it's true. But, that being said, the French, along with \"Pyramide\", have clubs that play these two games on a weekly basis in cities across the nation. I was part of the Strasbourg club for \"Des Chiffres et Des Lettres\" and although it's a fun game, it clearly skews 35 +. I can vouch for this - you should have seen the looks on half a dozen faces when I walked in one Tuesday night in October 2001 and brightened their evening. I had so much fun, I came back weekly for the next eight months :)
It's a great vocabulary builder too! So much in fact that the few times I've seen \"Countdown\" I have serious problems with the letters game...
Cheers,
Ryan V.
PS - And to contribute to the last poster, I can't picture Countdown showing up anytime soon unfortunately, unless someone gets the rights to the Channel 4 reruns. And speaking of Channel 4, I hear William G. Stewart is retiring 15-1 (credit where it's due: Y! UKGS List)
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Countdown is the name of Keith Olbermann's program on MSNBC. (I would say I watch it, but if I did, Zinkin would come after me. j/k)
Nope... been watching a lot more MSNBC these days myself, actually. :-)
- David
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Well, I'm out. (I know, I know...how can you miss me if I won't go away?) Hehee.
Thanks for the suggestions. Hopefully I'll have enough time to watch some of them. I'll be back in early August!
Joe Coughlin
http://jcoughlin.livejournal.com (http://\"http://jcoughlin.livejournal.com\")
http://www.unrealisticexpectations.com (http://\"http://www.unrealisticexpectations.com\")