The Game Show Thread

[Brekkie]

Or Pacey and Efficient, depending on how you view it.

[DE88]

They didn’t mess about in those days did they, the first player gave all his answers and found out how they’d all scored in no more than 1 minute, compared to today’s quizzes it was remarkably rushed.

And of course, when the family were still on course to win the bonus prize, top answers were revealed to be top answers straight away - unlike today where they wait until the second player has given their answers, and then "Is such-and-such the top answer?" even when it's blatantly obvious that it is or isn't.

[scottishtv]

Always interesting to see a slightly different perspective of a studio (click on the pic to expand):

https://twitter.com/richardosman/status/...7185686531

[Neil Jones]

One of the more interesting/unusual stabs at the Blockbusters Gold Run board (start of video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBaQrjjLjGs

Obviously whatever was feeding the questions to Simon couldn't get them to him fast enough, clearly not designed for somebody to literally race through it like that. I hope whatever the prize was (we'll never know) was worth more than money. Certainly nothing rule breaking about this technique, though the idea has always been gold-to-gold, not flood the board with gold. A team during the main game tried to use the same technique as well by delaying the inevitable in pursuit of cash, until a producer intervened and told them not to do it again.

I presume when designing/writing the rules for a gameshow somebody tries to "think outside the box" as it were for the odd occasion when some smart arse tries what TV Tropes would describe as "Not the Way It Is Meant to Be Played ". Although of course I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of rules are added on much later in in the life of the format (such as the added rule for 100% when Ian Lygo kept winning so they had to change the rule to kick him off after 75 shows) or in response to certain situations that crop up in gameplay that originally meant nothing was done (such as the "we can't push the chaser back, we have to push you on" rule in I think Series 3).

[XIII]

One of the more interesting/unusual stabs at the Blockbusters Gold Run board (start of video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBaQrjjLjGs

Obviously whatever was feeding the questions to Simon couldn't get them to him fast enough, clearly not designed for somebody to literally race through it like that. I hope whatever the prize was (we'll never know) was worth more than money. Certainly nothing rule breaking about this technique, though the idea has always been gold-to-gold, not flood the board with gold. A team during the main game tried to use the same technique as well by delaying the inevitable in pursuit of cash, until a producer intervened and told them not to do it again.

I presume when designing/writing the rules for a gameshow somebody tries to "think outside the box" as it were for the odd occasion when some smart arse tries what TV Tropes would describe as "Not the Way It Is Meant to Be Played ". Although of course I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of rules are added on much later in in the life of the format (such as the added rule for 100% when Ian Lygo kept winning so they had to change the rule to kick him off after 75 shows) or in response to certain situations that crop up in gameplay that originally meant nothing was done (such as the "we can't push the chaser back, we have to push you on" rule in I think Series 3).

I'm sure there has been times when contestants are able to take advantage of a format, I've read about a contestant who used a VCR to memorised the patterns on Press Your Luck which allowed to win without losing any money.

[Neil Jones]

I'm sure there has been times when contestants are able to take advantage of a format, I've read about a contestant who used a VCR to memorised the patterns on Press Your Luck which allowed to win without losing any money.

That was Michael Larson
That situation occurred because the game board wasn't random, the patterns (of which there were only five) were predictable. It was only a matter of time before somebody cottoned on. The patterns were later changed, then changed again, then upped to some ridiculous amount that nobody could realistically remember.

Of course the network claimed he cheated. But there was no rule against what he did. After a bit of peeing and moaning they opened the company cheque book and handed over $110k to Larson.

[Inspector Sands]

That was Michael Larson
That situation occurred because the game board wasn't random, the patterns (of which there were only five) were predictable. It was only a matter of time before somebody cottoned on. The patterns were later changed, then changed again, then upped to some ridiculous amount that nobody could realistically remember.

The same issue occurred on the UK version of Deal or No Deal, although they changed the way they randomly chose the boxes before anyone else noticed

[Inspector Sands]

I'm surprised there no mention yet of I Literally Just Told You. It's a new game show on Channel 4 on Thursdays presented by Jimmy Carr and invented by Richard Bacon.

It's a really interesting idea, part general knowledge quiz, part quiz about the programme itself. There are two guest question writers writing questions during the programme which are then asked to the contestants. Episode one featured appearances by Eamon Holmes, Mr Motivator and a clever false ad break all of which provided questions.

I enjoyed the fact that one of the end questions was about a wrong answer another contestant had given to a question which itself was about an answer to a question from earlier in the programme! :? Very meta

[Brekkie]

Yes - I quite enjoyed it and felt it filled the hour quite well - the patter between the rounds is a key part of the format here, so doesn't feel like filler.

Not sure on the scheduling though - 10pm on Thursday night doesn't feel like gameshow territory, and even if that's the slot they're going for surely would have made sense to launch it a couple of weeks earlier off the back of the Taskmaster final. They've put all eps up on All4 too but some shows are really best saved as a once a week treat.


Another Richard Bacon format - rather liked his The Hustler format in the US, which Jimmy Carr would probably suit as well if it came over here. Seems to have been quite a quiet commission though compared to One Question with Claudia Winkleman and Six Zeros with Dara O'Brien which are due next year and both feel like they'll probably flop.


Any news on how Moneybags has done ratings wise over it's six weeks. It's easily C4's best daytime game show format for years, but Lingo for ITV has turned out to be a mini--juggernaut in it's own right.

[Inspector Sands]

Yes - I quite enjoyed it and felt it filled the hour quite well - the patter between the rounds is a key part of the format here, so doesn't feel like filler.

Not sure on the scheduling though - 10pm on Thursday night doesn't feel like gameshow territory, and even if that's the slot they're going for surely would have made sense to launch it a couple of weeks earlier off the back of the Taskmaster final. They've put all eps up on All4 too but some shows are really best saved as a once a week treat.

Another Richard Bacon format - rather liked his The Hustler format in the US, which Jimmy Carr would probably suit as well if it came over here.

yes the scheduling isn't ideal, perhaps because it's potentially a bit more risqué for 9?

I've not seen The Hustler but I was a big fan of Whose House is This which was one of his too. Although with that it became quite easy by the last episode as it became a case of spot the non-actor

[Brekkie]

It's not risque at all - far less so than Catsdown based on episode 1. Of course such entertainment after 10pm, indeed after 11pm with Distraction, is what C4 used to excel in - but with this being for quite a chunky cash prize rather than just for fun it feels like it deserves the prime 9pm slot.

It does look like C4 though are trying to make better use of the Thursday 9-11pm slot now though and somewhat compensate for Gogglebox and The Last Leg dominating Fridays now so hopefully that contines throughout next year.


I enjoyed what I saw of The Hustler but only saw the first two or three episodes. It did enough to get a second run but not sure if it is getting a third. Whose House though just didn't appeal at all.

[Lewser]

Press Your Luck

Bit before my time but it I did watch the whole 90 minutes because I found it absolutely fascinating!

https://youtu.be/jKNO1Gi8zNI

[Johnr]

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/17089914/gam...s-20-year/

A rather speculative article suggesting Big Break may be coming back with Jimmy White with the other details such as the main presenter and broadcast channel still yet to be worked out

I don't really see how it would work as it was basically just Jim Davidson taking the mick out of Virgo more than anything but there you go!

[Neil Jones]

A rather speculative article suggesting Big Break may be coming back with Jimmy White with the other details such as the main presenter and broadcast channel still yet to be worked out

I don't really see how it would work as it was basically just Jim Davidson taking the mick out of Virgo more than anything but there you go!

Its an article from The Sun. Do we need to say any more?

When you read the phrase "A source said:" then said source could be anything from next door's dog to the drunken ramblings of somebody in the pub. Until a more reliable source comes along for these "exclusive" stories (ie not a red top tabloid, and especially not one that shifted stock on the back of Page 3) then it ain't going to happen.

[thebigdog2020]

A rather speculative article suggesting Big Break may be coming back with Jimmy White with the other details such as the main presenter and broadcast channel still yet to be worked out

I don't really see how it would work as it was basically just Jim Davidson taking the mick out of Virgo more than anything but there you go!

Its an article from The Sun. Do we need to say any more?

When you read the phrase "A source said:" then said source could be anything from next door's dog to the drunken ramblings of somebody in the pub. Until a more reliable source comes along for these "exclusive" stories (ie not a red top tabloid, and especially not one that shifted stock on the back of Page 3) then it ain't going to happen.

I loved Big Break growing up and still watch snooker to this day so would love to see this return but do not see it, a bit like the speculation earlier in the year The Bill was going to return because a few of the cast were writing a script despite the fact no channel picked it up. Basically the Sun says Andy Goldstein wants to bring it back with Jimmy White despite it not being picked up by a broadcaster, I may as well do the same, I think they should bring it back with Lee Mack and Stephen Hendry.

There has been a bit of comments about Big Break over the past year because of Judd Trump calling BBC Snooker coverage tired then joining up for the later stages of this years World Championship alongside fellow pro Jack Lisowski as a commentator and he mentioned about bringing back Big Break.