I’ve gotten asked about my opinion on “100 Winners” in several comments and emails. I finally got to see an episode the other day, and I have to say, I love it. Here’s what is bugging me about the so-called “Playmaniacs”: they are bitching about the lack of sound effects, emails, and camera man interaction. People, this is not “Playmania”. They are not trying to pretend it is. This is a brand new format. What you are wanting is “Playmania” but with one new “game” as an entire show; it’s not going to happen and shouldn’t. This show is a fast-paced, decent money, entertaining show. It’s nice that we are seeing a serious, dark call-in show. Every single call-and-win show has been a “Playmania” clone, down to the feel of the show, and GSN should be commended for making something completely different and very entertaining. This show will get more viewers because of the larger amount of winners.
I know if I was eligible I would be more likely to watch and play because I have a better shot of getting on than on “Quiznation”, and a better chance of winning larger prizes. Very few times did the old show offer $1,000, so it is a very nice addition. People are complaining about the GSN gag prizes in there: it’s part of the risk. It actually gives the game a sense of danger and amusement. Playmaniacs, if you’re expecting a show very similar to “Playmania”, you’re dead wrong. They gave us a new and far improved way to play, since “Playmania” was really getting old. They aren’t changing formats, because this one works and keeps people in. Don’t worry, you’ll get the old boring “Playmania” like show back tonight, but I know I’d rather watch “100 Winners” any day of the week.
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Being a college student, decks of cards and articles of clothing are always welcome additions. The worst you can do is even money (win 99 cents from your 99-cent text) so there really isn’t a point to complaining other than “It’s Different”
It almost feels like 100 Winners is thumbing its nose at the genre, or at least the molasses Playmania rips, which is a good thing. And giving away $15,000 in three days (supposedly) isn’t such a bad thing, either.
Thank you for saying exactly what I feel. 100 Winners is an ALTERNATIVE to quiznation and PlayMania, not a sister show. It’s meant to be different and I’m glad it is, as it’s heavily enjoyable.
I like it, too, if only because it’s fast-paced. A nice change from Playmania, which moved…shall we say…leisurely at times. I just hope that they don’t overdo the multiple cases, especially the “Friends and Family” Rounds.
The strategy is a bit interesting, too. Do you play early, even thought the odds aren’t as good, or do you wait until the end, when Mel is giving away two, three, four cases a caller, and hope that the big money hasn’t been hit yet?
>>100 Winners is an ALTERNATIVE to quiznation and PlayMania, not a sister show.
Actually, it is a sister show in the same way that Jeopardy is a sister show to Wheel and vice versa. They are meant to complement each other by being what the other isn’t. While quiznation is something akin to a televised radio morning show with fun and frivolity, 100 Winners is a no-nonsense blink-of-the-eye game that rewards fast fingers as opposed to out-of-the-box thinkers. I wouldn’t call it dark, though. It wants to be, but it just hasn’t the moodal qualities I would attribute to Millionaire and the like.
I enjoy watching 100 winners, but I’m glad it’s only on 3 days a week. One good thing about it is the fact that as the show itself winds down, there are fewer numbers, and viewers are closer to finding the $1,000 prize.
The bad parts include the smaller prizes, the pressure to uncover ALL 100 prizes in two hours, and that viewers don’t always see all the previously selected numbers.
You know, I think I might be the only person that actually finds this program to be decent. I’ve been reading a slew of negative comments about 100 winners on Gsn.com forums
A way the show can be improved is if the four panels, (1-25, 26-50, etc.) were to be seen on an L-shaped graphic, kinda like the weather forecast is shown on NBC Weather Plus.
What do you think?
The only problem I have with it is that they clear the pool after every game, and the games fly by so fast. If you only have 10 max tries (and half those don’t even get in the pool) it can get really frustrating.
While the pace is good, the biggest achilles heel at the moment: the picking of the box (or boxes). With the 10-second delay the show hits a bottleneck at this point quite frequently as viewers wait for the tally board to come into their view. If you play, I suggest you pick ten numbers at the outset, then strike them as others pick them. That might save some time for all concerned.
Also, since there are people winning up to four boxes at a time, you really can’t have “100 Winners”. I’d think a better title would be “100 Boxes.”
And, when they call you back to play, TURN THE TV DOWN!
>>The only problem I have with it is that they clear the pool after every game, and the games fly by so fast. If you only have 10 max tries (and half those don’t even get in the pool) it can get really frustrating.
Actually, the pool is not cleared for at least three games.
100 Winners is everything we hoped it would be and then some! And You know what, Mel can actually hold her own! Wonder if you would put this on par with Jon Stewart/Stepen Colbert?
I think some folks are jarred by 100 Winners because we’re used to friendly, chatty Mel, and here it’s Mel being all business and stressed out because she simply must get 100 winners in two hours or GSN will explode. In that regard, it really doesn’t matter that it’s SUPPOSED to be completely different from what we’re used to on Playmania, although I give them credit for trying something interesting. It needs to loosen up a bit.
No, you’re wrong, it doesn’t have to loosen up. They don’t want it to. They are wanting a serious type show. They don’t want a silly show which Playmania had, and people need to accept it or stop watching, take their pick. It’s getting frustrating. You just proved that people are wanting Playmania, you aren’t going to get it. If anything this proves how good of a host Mel is, that she can form to a show that is a lot different and better in gameplay terms and, in my opinion, entertainment and tension terms, seemlessly.
I really like this show. The prizes offered are a bit bigger than on Playmania, and the pace is much quicker. The questions are very easy, but they have to be to get all boxes opened before the end of the show. I think 2 hours makes this show pretty tense and very fast paced, with all 100 boxes having to be opened before the end. It’s really nice to see some real cash given away, instead of the meager bucks given away on Playmania. I didn’t care for Playmania, but this show will be one I watch often. Mel has shown that she can really take control of a show, no matter what it’s pace or format. I just hope that GSN gives her a pre-midnight slot for a traditional game show sometime in the future, because she’s destined for bigger and better things than a late night cable viewer participation game show.
I agree with both Julia and Alex on comments. However, Alex, others are entitled to their opinions….
Quiznation is the PlayMania set with a makeover. They added a few new games, but it’s the PlayMania we know (knew) and love(d).
I can’t stand “quiznation”. It’s like writing “Playmania” on a piece of paper and then scratching it out and putting “quiznation”.
If anybody working high-up @ GSN reads this, I have 3 words.
BRING BACK PLAYMANIA!
>> “BRING BACK PLAYMANIA!”
On second thought, pitch Quiznation, revive Playmania, keep 100 Winners, but change the name to 100 Boxes. Make a L-bar display like on NBCWX+ for “Boxes” that show the boxes (maybe the games & how to enter too!). Who wants to wait 5-10 seconds to see the “panels”. Also I figured a way to play “Alphabuck$” on 100 Boxes! Have a mini-panel w/ 25 boxes, w/ cash amounts ranging from $5(10), $10(8), $15(5), $25(1)! And cut both shows to 1 hour, airing them back to back!
To each his own, eh? I’m just telling you why I think people are reacting negatively, and Alex sure is getting bent out of shape over it.
=)
We’re game show fans. If we don’t overreact, we’re wrong. >_>
Joe C. is right. FCC regulations are a big hitch in 100 Winners. There are two simple ways to rectify that, which the higher-ups may or may not consider.
1) Using their crawl appropriately to show used and/or remaining boxes
2) Streaming “Used Box Board” on the website (essentially what you see on screen but on your compy)
Strangly, the latter suggestion may make GSN even more money through extra web traffic
For those that say 100 Winners is not a replacement for PlayMania… you are dead wrong.
100 Winners is being shown in the same time slot as the old PlayMania, it is using an ex-PlayMania host, it is trying to exploit the old PlayMania fanbase and it is even being called 1 of the 2 new shows in the PlayMania Block. That is almost the textbook definition of a replacement show.
As far as the show itself… It is a fine show and Mel is doing a great job.
The reason many people don’t like it is not because it is a bad show. It is because of what was sacrificed to make it happen. We lost 3 hours of PlayMania programming and more importantly, we lost the wit and charm of Mel Peachey.
It’s like having David Letterman host the 6 o’clock news. Sure, he may be able to do a fine job with the news, but why would you waste his comedic talent in that format? It’s the same with Mel. She has shown she can handle both formats well, but why waste her talent in a cold and lifeless format like 100 Winners.
I think if GSN would have just added 3 more hours of interactive programming time and brought in a new host for 100 Winners, they would have a huge hit on their hands along with the very popular PlayMania not being destroyed.
A huge blunder by GSN in my opinion!
JD, you took the words right out of my mouth. Mel’s best asset, arguably, is her personality, and it is severely stifled on the new show. Whatever the amount of interest the show generates disappears once the $1,000 is gone.
If you look at the stats the vast majority of prizes are on the low end, so while the total amount given away may be a good amount, the average prize per winner is not as high as it would seem.
Finally! Someone else likes “100 winners” besides me.
Mel Peachey is very good at what she does and the format is fine.
But the real treasure is Shandi Finnessey on Quiznation. This is not a show that offers a lot of money, but the smaller amounts it does offer
are nice, particularyl in the way the games are presented. In addition, we get the phenomenal personality of Shandi Finnessey. And it IS
her personality. That she is lovely is merely incidental. But her true forte is that she is a natural born entertainer. She has
a humor that is “little girl” while at the same time sophisticated. She can take the viewer
to the “edge” without crossing it. She does the “mechanics” of the show well, while injecting her unique humor and subtetly bringing in the production people for
added effect. She has a universal kind of appeal and is a star in the making.
Trust me.
One other notation: Jessic York. Somewhat more reserved than Shandi, she is, nevertheless, lovely and is learning how to be truly professional. She is developing a style that is all her own. She has a future! Allow her the chance to realize it.
Thanks for live t.v. ! How refreshing!
Excuse, and what you think concerning forthcoming elections?
cool blog!
I absolutely hate 100 winners. Its too fast paced and not worth the time to send in entrys. There is nothing exciting to keep you entertained. There is no interaction with the audience. BORING! This is definately why Mel left…she coudlnt stand workong on 100 winners.
nice photos of this blog
hi this is tracy i watch the show every night and i think you are the sweetist person and i would love to join the show on line if o knew how too.My kids watch it some times with even my mom does too. i just thought that i would write to u to say hi and i like the show……… sincerly, tracy brannon from murfreesboro tn, 37127