ABC Orders Presentation for “The Six”, the Russian Import “What? Where? When”
Looks like we’ve got another network game show to be watchful for. Hollywood Reporter announced that ABC has ordered a presentation for a new show called The Six from Merv Griffin Entertainment. The show is an import of the Russian format What? Where? When? and is pretty different than anything we’ve got on television. In the Russian version, a team of six in-studio players spin a wheel and answer the question the wheel lands on. The questions are sent from viewers and the six get 60 seconds to answer it. A right answer earns them a point and a wrong answer gives the other side a point, as well as that home viewer a prize.
That’s really about it. Merv Griffin Entertainment and ABC are touching it up to make it a bit more primetime friendly which is probably smart. The part that will most likely stick, and the most interesting, is that the questions aren’t straight up trivia. The questions are more logic based. Apparently it takes the entire team of six to brainstorm and finally get the answer as opposed to someone outright knowing it. Hollywood Reporter interviewed some of the show’s staff. “It’s much more accessible knowledge and intelligence than you would think at a first glance that translates to the viewers at home, and they can play along,” Merv Griffin Entertainment’s Roy Bank said. “It’s a show about teamwork and interaction.” They also provide a sample question:
An example of a question used on the original show: “They first appeared in 1908 in Mexico. There were two of them. Over time, they came closer and closer together, like wings of a black raven. Name them.” Answer: Frida Kahlo’s eyebrows. Here’s a clip of the show.
It’s almost like a brainteaser more than anything. It sounds interesting and I do agree that from the sound of how the format goes it could use a bit of the primetime game show flare, but this could be something fun to look forward to.
That looks a lot sexier than Conveyor Belt of Love, I'll tell you that much.
That looks a lot sexier than Conveyor Belt of Love, I'll tell you that much.
Maybe this is what we need now that Fox has decieded to go with Our Little Genius over the Cube. I'm sure the questioms will probably have that 1 vs 100 writing elememt from the first season(clever, but workable).
And this is comming from the same people that gave us Wheel of Fortune, which they continue to insist the first 8 years "doesn't" exist, since 1975? I doubt Chuck Woolery will host this one.
Maybe this is what we need now that Fox has decieded to go with Our Little Genius over the Cube. I'm sure the questioms will probably have that 1 vs 100 writing elememt from the first season(clever, but workable).
And this is comming from the same people that gave us Wheel of Fortune, which they continue to insist the first 8 years "doesn't" exist, since 1975? I doubt Chuck Woolery will host this one.
I never thought it would be possible…but I can actually say this looks interesting, but then that may not mean much to you as I'm probably one of the few who loved Duel.
And to Craig: I'll admit I might be wrong, but I don't think it's that they're ignoring the first 8 years, but it's just that the 1975-81 version (Woolery with a hint of Sajak toward the end) was an NBC show, whereas the version that's on now, which is syndicated rather than network, began in/around 1981-82.
I never thought it would be possible…but I can actually say this looks interesting, but then that may not mean much to you as I'm probably one of the few who loved Duel.
And to Craig: I'll admit I might be wrong, but I don't think it's that they're ignoring the first 8 years, but it's just that the 1975-81 version (Woolery with a hint of Sajak toward the end) was an NBC show, whereas the version that's on now, which is syndicated rather than network, began in/around 1981-82.
The Six reminds me somewhat of "The People Versus," a short-lived UK game where contestants answered questions provided by viewers. IIRC, ABC considered a U.S. version of the show earlier this decade, but opted against it.
It's different, that's for sure, and I'm curious if the U.S. audience would be interested in a show specializing in logic and brainteaser-based trivia (the samples I've seen make early episodes of 1 vs. 100 look like child's play). But I would certainly check it out.
The Six reminds me somewhat of "The People Versus," a short-lived UK game where contestants answered questions provided by viewers. IIRC, ABC considered a U.S. version of the show earlier this decade, but opted against it.
It's different, that's for sure, and I'm curious if the U.S. audience would be interested in a show specializing in logic and brainteaser-based trivia (the samples I've seen make early episodes of 1 vs. 100 look like child's play). But I would certainly check it out.
I didn't LOVE Duel, but I certainly liked it.
[I especially liked the "five Duels" format. Knowing that the host is a fan of the New York Jets, I would have loved to tell him, "You're a Jets fan. What do you know about winning five games in a row?" :-) ]
I didn't LOVE Duel, but I certainly liked it.
[I especially liked the "five Duels" format. Knowing that the host is a fan of the New York Jets, I would have loved to tell him, "You're a Jets fan. What do you know about winning five games in a row?" :-) ]
I didn't LOVE Duel, but I certainly liked it.
[I especially liked the "five Duels" format. Knowing that the host is a fan of the New York Jets, I would have loved to tell him, "You're a Jets fan. What do you know about winning five games in a row?" :-) ]
Wow wow wow. This has been one of my favourite formats for some years, so I'm amazed that no-one's picked this up before now.
I saw a couple of episodes about 8 years ago at the (as it was then) Montreux TV festival, where the Golden Roses are handed out. One was the 25th anniversary special of the show which was completely mental – at the end the "winner" goes outside in the snow to collect a trophy
The Russian version is completely corrupt. It's sponsored by a bank, so every so often the in-studio sponsor throws money on the table, saying "The Eagle Bank of Moscow offers 5,000 roubles for the correct answer to this question".
Wow wow wow. This has been one of my favourite formats for some years, so I'm amazed that no-one's picked this up before now.
I saw a couple of episodes about 8 years ago at the (as it was then) Montreux TV festival, where the Golden Roses are handed out. One was the 25th anniversary special of the show which was completely mental – at the end the "winner" goes outside in the snow to collect a trophy
The Russian version is completely corrupt. It's sponsored by a bank, so every so often the in-studio sponsor throws money on the table, saying "The Eagle Bank of Moscow offers 5,000 roubles for the correct answer to this question".
…continued
I can remember two questions from the eps I saw:
- Five portrait paintings of a single figure, all taken from different periods and styles are shown. What feature is common to them all?
(Ans: the left eye lies in the middle axis of the painting. Over the centuries, many artists agreed that this was the best way to position the subject to make it appear "balanced")
- A viewer sends in a video of his old home in the south-west of Russia, where there is a circular ring on the wall outside his front door. What was it used for?
(Ans: in historic times, it's where you tied your Jewish slave to, to stop him running away)
One disappointment is that the 60-second time limit isn't really long enough, it ought to be more like 2-3 minutes because the discussion is more interesting than the actual answer, particularly if two conflicting theories crop up.
But hey, any oxygen this format gets is good for me.
…continued
I can remember two questions from the eps I saw:
- Five portrait paintings of a single figure, all taken from different periods and styles are shown. What feature is common to them all?
(Ans: the left eye lies in the middle axis of the painting. Over the centuries, many artists agreed that this was the best way to position the subject to make it appear "balanced")
- A viewer sends in a video of his old home in the south-west of Russia, where there is a circular ring on the wall outside his front door. What was it used for?
(Ans: in historic times, it's where you tied your Jewish slave to, to stop him running away)
One disappointment is that the 60-second time limit isn't really long enough, it ought to be more like 2-3 minutes because the discussion is more interesting than the actual answer, particularly if two conflicting theories crop up.
But hey, any oxygen this format gets is good for me.
I think this has the potential to be interesting. I do miss Duel and i think the mistake with Duel the second time around was bad time slot. Friday at 9/8 central is not the best timeslot for a gameshow unless you have a hit show before it maybe. Since its called The Six here is what i feel ABC should do. Have a six night event, then if done well have another six night event. If done well then ABC picks it up and runs it twice a week. I think twice a week would keep from preventing burnout.
J.C., they mention Pat and Vanna's first shows (1981, 1982) and mentions have been made of daytime. For some reason, they refuse to discuss anybody who wasn't themselves.
It has nothing to do with it being NBC, and everything to do with Harry Friedman being a whitewashing douchebag (pardon my language).
J.C., they mention Pat and Vanna's first shows (1981, 1982) and mentions have been made of daytime. For some reason, they refuse to discuss anybody who wasn't themselves.
It has nothing to do with it being NBC, and everything to do with Harry Friedman being a whitewashing douchebag (pardon my language).
I'm shocked nobody mentioned the whole black-tie affair look to the people. That's what drew me in to the clip (probably because I know squat about the Russian language). I can totally see the format being primetime if kept like that. I'm talking about having some "rich person" hosting the event and putting his/her money at stake. If I was "rich", I'd do that in a second!
I'm shocked nobody mentioned the whole black-tie affair look to the people. That's what drew me in to the clip (probably because I know squat about the Russian language). I can totally see the format being primetime if kept like that. I'm talking about having some "rich person" hosting the event and putting his/her money at stake. If I was "rich", I'd do that in a second!
I have watched this show for years in Russian! It is truly captivating from beginning to end! The aura is that it is an "intellectual casino," an elite club, yet where everybody can win money with their own brain. Not a fan of recent additions w/ bank sponsors standing right there, and some other new rules, but overall, it is something else for the American viewer. I would totally apply to participate, if they take me :)
Oh, don't be ridiculous. They still, of course, go to collect trophies at the end of each season for the best player in series, called "The Chrystal Owl" and "The Diamond Owl". But the version in Russia is not corrupt at all – everything is played fairly. The bank representatives used to do that because those were the rules of the game in time of the 25th Ann. special – "the six" played for money as well as the home viewers. This changed as soon as the host changed. Now they offer fixed sums of money for home viewvers, depending on the point they've scored.
Oh, don't be ridiculous. They still, of course, go to collect trophies at the end of each season for the best player in series, called "The Chrystal Owl" and "The Diamond Owl". But the version in Russia is not corrupt at all – everything is played fairly. The bank representatives used to do that because those were the rules of the game in time of the 25th Ann. special – "the six" played for money as well as the home viewers. This changed as soon as the host changed. Now they offer fixed sums of money for home viewvers, depending on the point they've scored.
Oh, don't be ridiculous. They still, of course, go to collect trophies at the end of each season for the best player in series, called "The Chrystal Owl" and "The Diamond Owl". But the version in Russia is not corrupt at all – everything is played fairly. The bank representatives used to do that because those were the rules of the game in time of the 25th Ann. special – "the six" played for money as well as the home viewers. This changed as soon as the host changed. Now they offer fixed sums of money for home viewvers, depending on the point they've scored.
I see that no one except Russians can understand the soul of this program, but it's quite expected. It has nothing to do with Wheel of Fortune! The questions are from the different level of education and erudition! Actually, the key of the program is logic + erudition + special atmosphere in the club. The key is NOT "rich person" or "black-tie"! To tell the truth, I'm sure the program will be spoiled with the special American minds, but actually it has been already spoiled in Russia when the creator of the program, Vladimir Voroshylov, had died.
To tell the truth, it's not a program for entertaining. It is for self-development, but I'm not sure self-development is a popular enough concept in America, isn't it?
I see that no one except Russians can understand the soul of this program, but it's quite expected. It has nothing to do with Wheel of Fortune! The questions are from the different level of education and erudition! Actually, the key of the program is logic + erudition + special atmosphere in the club. The key is NOT "rich person" or "black-tie"! To tell the truth, I'm sure the program will be spoiled with the special American minds, but actually it has been already spoiled in Russia when the creator of the program, Vladimir Voroshylov, had died.
To tell the truth, it's not a program for entertaining. It is for self-development, but I'm not sure self-development is a popular enough concept in America, isn't it?
I see that no one except Russians can understand the soul of this program, but it's quite expected. It has nothing to do with Wheel of Fortune! The questions are from the different level of education and erudition! Actually, the key of the program is logic + erudition + special atmosphere in the club. The key is NOT "rich person" or "black-tie"! To tell the truth, I'm sure the program will be spoiled with the special American minds, but actually it has been already spoiled in Russia when the creator of the program, Vladimir Voroshylov, had died.
To tell the truth, it's not a program for entertaining. It is for self-development, but I'm not sure self-development is a popular enough concept in America, isn't it?
The question in video is really, really interesting but to certain degree shows the highly controversial nature of the show. Shortly, it says, that once a friend has come to visit some government person (khalif), who was at work. When he's seen the friend coming to him, he put out one candle and lit another. His friend asked him: why have you done it? That was what the players were supposed to answer.
No one in their sane state of mind would've probably guess the right answer unless you knew it from the very beginning. Should I really spoil it for you? Well, if you want the answer, I typed it here: http://pastebin.com/f70950a05 otherwise just try hard to guess!
The question in video is really, really interesting but to certain degree shows the highly controversial nature of the show. Shortly, it says, that once a friend has come to visit some government person (khalif), who was at work. When he's seen the friend coming to him, he put out one candle and lit another. His friend asked him: why have you done it? That was what the players were supposed to answer.
No one in their sane state of mind would've probably guess the right answer unless you knew it from the very beginning. Should I really spoil it for you? Well, if you want the answer, I typed it here: http://pastebin.com/f70950a05 otherwise just try hard to guess!
for @sigizmund
The point is that the game's not for guessers, it's for knowers. OlzZz is correct, this program has been a self development incentive. The format's first version was sponsored by Znanie (Knowledge) society, being the primary sponsor of non-governmental educational programs in the old good USSR, and the winner used to get a bunch of good books. Literary classics, memoirs, useful dictionaries etc. That was the incentive to read books and then confuse the in-studio six with a question they could not answer, no matter how many books they have read (and they used to have read a LOT). I also tend to think the format will be corrupted by the US team, just as Hollywood turns good books into stupid scripts.