ABC recently supplied me with a rough cut of the first segment of their new game show National Bingo Night, debuting May 18th at 9PM ET.  We only received the first game, but we figured you’d like to know.  First off, I will say that the set and all extra things aren’t that impressive, especially the giant Bingo hopper.  The Mob panel is more impressive on 1 VS 100.  However, we care about the gameplay.  Be happy, it’s not regular Bingo, but to be honest, it’s not much better.

In the segment we got, the game is called “The Bingo 500″.   The player has to guess whether the next ball drawn is higher or lower than the previous.  If they are right, the number on the ball is added to a point total.  The audience marks that number off their Bingo card regardless.  If the player gets 500 points before anyone in the audience gets a Bingo, the player wins $50,000.  Also in the hopper are a few prize balls, which if drawn the player will win if he/she wins the game.  There are two black balls added, but nothing is said about what they do.  An audience member that gets a Bingo wins $5,000 and knocks the player out of the game.

OK, I’ll start with something positive.  The game isn’t straight Bingo, but to be honest, it’s not much better.  There is no risk involved in the game whatsoever.  The player presses a button and says “Higher” or “Lower”.  At least players on Deal or No Deal make some pretty major decisions.  The player on National Bingo Night does not.  Also, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the show seems really cheap.  It’s on par with most syndicated shows.  I’m not usually a person that is wanting mega jackpots everywhere, especially not for games of total luck, but this show just seems horrendously cheap compared to everything else.  I didn’t get a feel that there was a true contestant either.  The audience seems more like the contestants than the actual solo one.  I did get a rough cut, but that doesn’t change the fact that the show is boring as hell.  It doesn’t offend, but it’s just not fun at all.  This may be hard based off of just a verbal description, but what do you all think?