06Feb2012
Simon Mayo Named Host of Challenge’s “Blockbusters”
Challenge, the British game show network, has named radio and television personality Simon Mayo the new host of the cult classic quiz show Blockbusters. Simon Mayo previously hosted two series of the lottery quiz show Winning Lines and a TV adaptation of his radio feature Confessions. Blockbusters first began on British television in 1983 and was hosted by the late Bob Holness. The show is based off the short lived 1980s American version. The British version enjoyed much longer success, lasting until 2001 in its first run. Click here to read more about Simon, some quotes from the people behind the show, and to see Simon in action.
Read MoreView Comments (8)05Dec2011
George Lamb to Host Channel 4′s “The Bank Job”
Radio and television presenter George Lamb has been named the host of Channel 4's upcoming multiplatform live game show The Bank Job, which has been getting a pretty good reception thus far. The show is aimed to debut the first week of January 2012. You can click here to play the online game which is how you get on TV. George was the former host of Big Brother's Little Brother and appeared on Channel 4's other live game show The Million Pound Drop, winning £50,000 for charity. Click here to read what George thinks and to learn more about the show and how to get involved.
Read MoreView Comments (10)18Nov2011
Channel 4 Celebrates 30 Years with a Special “Million Pound Drop” and “Countdown”
British broadcaster Channel 4 has been around for thirty years. They've given us some great game shows like Countdown, Deal or No Deal, and The Million Pound Drop. They've got special episodes of popular shows like Countdown and The Million Pound Drop that you may want to check out. You won't be seeing Davina McCall and Jeff Stelling host The Drop or Countdown. You won't see regular contestants either. Click here to learn about all the host swaps.
Read MoreView Comments (2)16Nov2011
“The Apprentice” Star Nick Hewer Named New Host of “Countdown”
Ever since Richard Whiteley, the long running host of Channel 4's Countdown, died, there has been a revolving door of hosts. Des Lynam hosted it for a few years, as did Des O'Connor, as did current host Jeff Stelling. Channel 4 has named BBC's The Apprentice board member Nick Hewer the new host of the long running letters-and-numbers game. Nick will begin taping his run starting next month and it will begin airing January 9, 2012. Co-host Rachel Riley will return. Click here to learn more, to see a clip of Nick, and to tell us what you think of the new hire.
Read MoreView Comments (2)13Nov2011
BuzzerUK: Challenge Confirms Blockbusters Revival
It was annouced earlier this week the cult quiz show Blockbusters is making a comeback to UK screens. Production company, Talkback THAMES announced they were looking for contestants aged 18 or over to take part on the show. It has now been revealed the revival series will be exclusively shown on the digital game show channel, Challenge. This is the first original comission for Challenge for over three and a half years since Take it or Leave It was recomissioned for a third series in 2008. This is also the fourth incarnation of Blockbusters since the show's debut in 1983. Originally hosted by Bob Holness. It was shown on ITV five/six days a week. Students from schools and colleges were able to take part where they could win prizes for the
Read MoreView Comments (6)27Oct2011
ITV Picks Up Quiz Show “The Exit List”
In a fast turnaround, ITV has picked up the Sony Pictures Television game show The Exit List. The Exit List sees a team of contestants descend into a 24 square grid lined up in a pyramid shape. Each square has cash up to £100,000. To claim it the team must answer a multiple choice question correct. If they are correct they bank the cash and only that correct answer is added to The Exit List. If they are wrong, though, all four answers are added and the path directly in front of them is locked. After they've banked all they want to they can end the game and take home their cash, but only if they can remember the list of answers. A team can win up to £200,000. The series will be presented by Matt Allwright. ABC commissioned a pilot for the format. Click here to see a photo from the show and more on what to expect.
Read MoreView Comments (2)11Oct2011
SyFy Picks Up Comedic Game Show “Total Blackout”
SyFy has announced the pickup of a new half hour game show called Total Blackout. The show, according to SyFy and FremantleMedia, is an international hit already seen in countries like Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, and others. Total Blackout will place its contestants in complete darkness to compete in various challenges. Challenges will play on the conetstants' fears. Contestants will face various surprises without being able to see a thing that's happening in the studio. Jaleel White, who played on the old sitcom Family Matters, will host. Eight half-hour episodes will debut in 2012. Click here to watch a clip of the Danish version and see what to expect from SyFy in 2012.
Read MoreView Comments (13)29Sep2011
SPEED Orders Quiz Show “Pumped!”
SPEED, an automotive channel, is doing everything they can to get some new viewers to their network. How do you do that cheaply? Game shows. The network has announced a quiz show Pumped! to debut in November. The show is reminiscent of Cash Cab but set within a gas station. Actor and comedian Greg Fitzsimmons hosts and asks unsuspecting contestants automotive and pop culture questions for cash. Twenty half hour episodes have been ordered and will air in November. This is SPEED's second announced game show. The second is Whipped, a car racing obstacle course show from the creators of Wipeout. Click here to talk about the new show.
Read MoreView Comments (2)27Sep2011
TruTV Orders Singing Game Show “Killer Karaoke” Hosted by Steve-O
TruTV is ordering one of its first game shows in a long time. The former CourtTV has ordered the new singing game show Killer Karaoke. The series will be hosted by Jackass, well, jackass Steve-O. The show is based on the ITV show Sing If You Can, where celebrities have to sing various popular songs while being distracted in physical and often disgusting ways. The American version will feature civilians playing for a cash prize. Killer Karaoke will begin taping on October 11th. The last game show on the network was in 2003, while the network was CourtTV, called Fake Out. Check out a clip of the British version of Killer Karaoke after the break. Click here to watch.
Read MoreView Comments (5)07Sep2011
Meredith Vieira Challenges “Millionaire” Fans on Facebook Game September 8th
Ludia's Facebook adaptation of Who Wants to be a Millionaire has been very popular, with over two million players. I'm sure many of you are playing it or or will be soon. Want to play it against Meredith Vieira, the show's host? Your chance has come. Tomorrow, September 8th, Meredith will play the game live from 5:30PM ET to 6:30PM ET. The game is free to play, it won't send you any email if it tells you not to, and it's a fun way to kill time. Click here to learn how to play with Meredith tomorrow.
Read MoreView Comments (10)07Sep2011
Behind the Buzzer: Interview with Frank Nicotero of The Hub’s “The Game of Life”
We hope you've been enjoying our "Behind the Buzzer" series, as we get up close and personal with some of the genre's best personalities and behind the scenes of your favorite shows. This week we're getting more information about The Hub's newest game show The Game of Life. Specifically, we're talking to host Frank Nicotero. Game show fans will remember Frank from his days hosting Street Smarts, the syndicated quiz show lasting for five years that asked people easy questions only to get strange and often wrong answers. We talked about The Game of Life, Street Smarts, Wink Martindale, Billy Joel Lyrics, and The Walking Dead. Click here to read our interview with Frank Nicotero.
Read MoreView Comments (4)01Sep2011
Behind the Buzzer: Interview with “Family Game Night”‘s Todd Newton
This is another installment of our new "Behind the Buzzer" series, where our correspondent Marty Lublin talks to the biggest names in the genre and visits the sets of some of your favorite shows. Today, Marty talks to Todd Newton of The Hub's Family Game Night, which debuts a new season on September 2nd, 2011. Todd discusses his career as a game show host, his favorite memories, his Emmy nomination, and what to expect with the new season. Click here to read the interview with Todd Newton.
Read MoreView Comments (8)30Aug2011
Behind the Buzzer: Report and Interviews from the Set of “Scrabble Showdown”
One thing we, at BuzzerBlog, are incredibly lucky to be able to do is go behind the scenes of some your favorite game shows, or maybe some that are coming in the future. A few months ago we were given the chance to visit the set of The Hub's Scrabble Showdown. The new show pits a team of family members against another in a game of words to win a trip anywhere. The series, hosted by Justin Willman, has a sneak preview on Saturday, September 3rd, at 4:30PM ET and officially debuts September 17th at 6:30PM ET. Our correspondent, traveling Wheel of Fortune road host Marty Lublin, visited the set for us. Click here to read exclusive interviews, see exclusive set pictures, and get more information about the show from his experience on set.
Read MoreView Comments (11)17Aug2011
Morning Buzz for August 17, 2011
Good morning. Slow Wednesday so far, but there are a few smaller notes of interest. Updates this morning include a sudden injury for Drew Carey, a possible tape date and casting information for the pilot of the revived former Fox game show The Moment of Truth, casting information for Speed's upcoming stunt game show Whipped, a surprise scheduling change on GSN for fans of game shows from the 70's, 80's, and 90's; and GSN's plans for upcoming interactive daytime programming. Click here for the full story on each item and let us know what you think.
Read MoreView Comments (18)03Aug2011
News Flashes: Ratings, Previews of “The Price is Right”, and Travel’s “Scream”
Very busy day around here, but there are a few smaller stories we can discuss today. Stories today include ratings for the debut of ABC's Take the Money and Run and NBC's It's Worth What?, some video previews of the new season of The Price is Right with Australian host Larry Emdur, and the debut of Travel's Scream If You Know the Answer. Click here for all the full stories.
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