It’s upfront week and not a lot of game show news has been going around. We’ve really been over-saturated in primetime and it’s time for a short break, which is good because if we keep getting shows like Set For Life, I give up. Anyway, FOX announced their schedule and all three of their game shows survive into the Fall 2008 schedule. They’ve really benefited from using safe formats with relatively interesting concepts that generates a lot of water cooler talk.
First off, if you’re used to watching Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? and Don’t Forget the Lyrics! on Thursdays, get ready to make a change. The night of punctuation moves to Fridays, with Fifth Grader? at 8:00PM ET and Lyrics! at 9:00PM ET. I still can’t stand Fifth Grader; I just don’t think it’s a good million dollar format. When the cheaper daytime version comes in 2009, then we’ll talk. However, I watched Lyrics! a few weeks ago and I have to admit it’s not really that bad. Sure the format is unoriginal and I really don’t like any of the music (I’m a 80s and early 90s alt/grunge person), but it’s a relatively enjoyable fun hour.
My personal favorite of the group, The Moment of Truth will be placed in the Thursday at 8:00PM ET slot. This show generates the most talk and has the biggest chance of combating any of the networks. Look at the Laura Cleri episode to just realize the amount of talk the show generates. The show consistently gets ratings and is a pretty fun way to spend an hour. It’s far from a classy show, but it does something that Amne$ia never did and why shows like ABC’s Opportunity Knocks will fail: even if you can’t really play along it makes you show real human emotion. You want the contestants to win money because they’ve done good things. You want them to fail because they are asses. It makes you voice speak up.
As far as NBC goes, it’s still just Deal or No Deal with 1 VS 100 not looking good to come back. CBS has no traditional game shows but will always have its cash cow Survivor. A CBS representative told us that they have six episodes of Do You Trust Me?, a retooling of Friend or Foe? from GSN, but aren’t placing it on any upcoming schedule. ABC just has the aforementioned Opportunity Knocks which I can just sense the failure slowly creeping off of. On the cable front, like we said we have MTV’s The Phone upcoming, and GSN has three shows. One is Catch-21, which we’ve described in excruciating detail. They also have two more revivals coming out soon.
Were those Russian Roulette clips I posted a few days ago enough of a hint? GSN has officially acquired the reruns to Russian Roulette from Sony after a few months of trying (at least since December). They are giving the show a gigantic chance to shine as well. Russian Roulette will air Tuesdays through Saturdays at 10PM ET starting April 1st.
For those that don’t remember, it’s a general big money quiz show but with a twist. If you lose, you fall through a hole in the floor. It’s seriously one of the best game shows in a while and you owe it to yourself to watch if you haven’t yet. Who knows, if enough people watch, maybe it’ll show up again in new episodes….
Update: ABC gave us a response with sadly not much more information beyond “chatter rumors, nothing to confirm,” so it’s at least being thought of making the Craigslist post a bit more believable. Still a rumor until we get some official confirmation, though.
ABC never fails to shock me with renewals. Craigslist just posted a new casting notice for season two of Duel. Still no confirmation as of yet, but we’ll try to find it out as soon as possible. In the season two casting notice there’s no mention of a huge cash jackpot like there was for season one. All it says is “huge cash prize for winners.” Maybe we switched to the British version in terms of how to get the jackpot?
I enjoy the basic idea of Duel, but ABC completely screwed up in the execution in my book. There was no drama until the final match (and even that barely had any because of how it ended), Mike Greenberg was too robotic and had a pen stapled to his fingers, contestants were annoying, and the questions were either really hard or really easy; never a happy medium. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: tournaments just do not work for primetime game shows. There’s no drama until the ending. Maybe if they had another tournament format we can talk. What they had was a really horrendous tournament format.
I’d really like just to see them change to Engand’s game play for season two. It takes four wins to get the jackpot. After each game you can take some money and leave or play on. At least throw in a tiny bit of risk and drama. The idea was fine, but the execution was hideous. It needs some work. If they can realize it, see why people continually turned away from the show, and fix things we might have one of the better quiz shows in recent times.
What would you like to see different in season two?
If you’re a long time reader you might know that, truthfully, I’m not really a big fan of the oldies. However, there are four that I can always watch and they always entertain me: Password, Family Feud, Pyramid (Dick Clark version), and my favorite of the bunch: Match Game. That’s why it worries me a little bit when it has been reported that Fremantle is currently developing a Match Game revival.
They are currently in discussions with cable networks and should lock up a deal soon. GSN made a numerous amount of attempts at a revival under former CEO Rich Cronin’s watch, but never came to fruition. Maybe they finally made it work? I’d be a bit worried if GSN didn’t handle the I’ve Got A Secret revival so masterfully. If this is for GSN, please bring back Bil Dwyer, he’s made for this format.
I’m still under the mind frame that Match Game can’t be properly revived in today’s times, or at least it’ll be very very hard. You can’t really give naughty answers without being dirty now, and while I’m a big fan of dirty humor it just doesn’t work on Match Game. Most of the fun of the 70s version is just thinking “I can’t believe they’re saying that in the 70s.” If you watched Match Game for the game play, you are a bit off, you watched for the humor. If the new version can find a nice balance between dirty and fun, great. I’d just really rather not see a game that’s so dirty it makes my eyes bleed or that’s excessively watered down to appease the people who can’t take a dirty or naughty joke.
A good struggling show just got another life. Program Partner’s Crosswords has been renewed for a second season according to TV Week. The show has been averaging a 0.8, but got a 1.0 recently. However, the market might be a bit tougher next year having the inclusion of sure-to-be-a-hit Deal or No Deal and potentially Trivial Pursuit into syndication. “‘Crosswords’ ratings are building continuously and now hitting season-to-date highs,” said Ritch Colbert of Program Partners. “This renewal is a testament to our amazing production team and to the power of Merv Griffin’s original vision.”
The show has been renewed in 40 of the top 50 markets including NBC O&Os, Belo, Four Points, Gannett, Gray, Guardian, Hubbard, McGraw-Hill, New Age, Raycom, Sarkes Tarzian and SagamoreHill groups. Show representatives said they are planning to bring more excitement into the show next season. How about giving away a tiny bit more money?
I’m not really one to bitch about a budget, but my god is this show’s absolutely tiny. The spoiler system could use a bit of work too. I like it, but it just comes off extremely unfair in some situations. What would you change for a second season? And be relatively realistic?
Number one on my list? New theme song. The thing they have right now is a bit annoying.
Also, no word on Temptation’s renewal, but I wouldn’t count on it. NATPE is this week, so be expecting a lot of news.
Thanks to reader John Moss for pointing out a recent article from Media Life Magazine which talks about the current syndication market and next year’s. Very few shows are on the bubble to be picked up for a second season. The only two shows listed are Montel Williams and Crosswords. Interesting, as on the official Crosswords blog, they have been heavily promoting starting taping for season two in the not to distant future. Also, Crosswords just got up to the 1.0 mark, a new high, so that should be worth something.
Meanwhile, at the bottom, it lists the unimaginable:
“[Twentieth Television's] foundering game show “Temptation” is also expected to return.”
Temptation has been hovering around the 0.5 mark, going up to a .6 at best, since its start and has never been a real hit. Let’s also factor in that the show is one point lower than what was said to make the show be profitable. However, I’m pretty sure I can pay the show’s prize budget (and production values) with what’s in my wallet currently. Then look at the major issue with the writer’s of the show. Yeah, Crosswords has had lots of game tweaks through the season, but Temptation has been a complete disaster. If it makes it and Crosswords doesn’t, I’ll be amazed.
Don’t forget that next year we are definitely getting Deal or No Deal in syndication ($250,000 and 22 cases with potential contestants holding some) as well as potentially having Trivial Pursuit which has cleared in 55% of the country.
NBC seems to be leading the network battle of unscripted shows (until American Idol showsits sorry face on television again sadly). Their newest show, the revival of the hit 90s show American Gladiators, has been renewed for a second season according to B&C. The show has been a strong performer, seeing over 12 million viewers on its debut and a very strong showing on its regular Monday slot. No word on how many episodes are ordered or when it’ll start, but I’d bet a few dollars and say fairly soon.
A few other news pieces about Gladiators. A live tour is currently being planned to capitalize on the success of the show. Also, MGM and Flor-Jon are in the process of developing an….animated series? Really? I can’t wait to see how this would turn out.
NBCU co-chairman Ben Silverman recently confirmed that all Gladiators went through steroid testing, and all came out clean. By signing on to the show, the Gladiators has to state that they are/will remain clean and can go through testing at any time. Can you imagine Hellga on steroids? *shivers*
Extremely exciting news this morning! Cynopsis is reporting that ABC will be reviving the popular reality series The Mole for a fifth season apparently with civilians to air in the Spring/Summer. Casting is already beginning. No word on a host yet, sadly. As Cynopsis states, it won’t be Anderson Cooper (sadly) because of his CNN show and Ahmad Rashad has not been asked to return. I wonder what older stand up comic we have coming out of the pipeline now.
This is fantastic news for me. I’m not really a reality show fan. However, I am a huge fan of The Mole; it’s the only one I’ll watch. Probably because it’s more of a game than just watching people live together. The whole backstabbing element is intriguing to me. The last time The Mole was on in 2004, and the last two series were celebrity ones. It’s nice to get back to basics and have regular people playing the ultimate game of betrayal. Trust me, we will be covering this show in depth.
CBS today announced that the first Drew Carey season of The Price is Right will air on October 15th at 11AM ET on CBS. Quoting the press release, “The new season will start out with some exciting wins, as several contestants make some lucky spins on the big Wheel. Others have the chance to win some of the most expensive cars ever given away on the show, as well as trips to exotic locations and more amazing prizes. In addition, the familiar set has been refreshed to give it an updated look while keeping the recognizable PRICE IS RIGHT theme and appearance.”
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It’s upfront week and not a lot of game show news has been going around. We’ve really been over-saturated in primetime and it’s time for a short break, which is good because if we keep getting shows like Set For Life, I give up. Anyway, FOX announced their schedule and all three of their game shows survive into the Fall 2008 schedule. They’ve really benefited from using safe formats with relatively interesting concepts that generates a lot of water cooler talk.
Were those Russian Roulette clips I posted a few days ago enough of a hint? GSN has officially acquired the reruns to Russian Roulette from Sony after a few months of trying (at least since December). They are giving the show a gigantic chance to shine as well. Russian Roulette will air Tuesdays through Saturdays at 10PM ET starting April 1st.
Update: ABC gave us a response with sadly not much more information beyond “chatter rumors, nothing to confirm,” so it’s at least being thought of making the Craigslist post a bit more believable. Still a rumor until we get some official confirmation, though.
If you’re a long time reader you might know that, truthfully, I’m not really a big fan of the oldies. However, there are four that I can always watch and they always entertain me: Password, Family Feud, Pyramid (Dick Clark version), and my favorite of the bunch: Match Game. That’s why it worries me a little bit when it has been reported that Fremantle is currently developing a Match Game revival.
A good struggling show just got another life. Program Partner’s Crosswords has been renewed for a second season according to TV Week. The show has been averaging a 0.8, but got a 1.0 recently. However, the market might be a bit tougher next year having the inclusion of sure-to-be-a-hit Deal or No Deal and potentially Trivial Pursuit into syndication. “‘Crosswords’ ratings are building continuously and now hitting season-to-date highs,” said Ritch Colbert of Program Partners. “This renewal is a testament to our amazing production team and to the power of Merv Griffin’s original vision.”
Thanks to reader John Moss for pointing out a recent article from Media Life Magazine which talks about the current syndication market and next year’s. Very few shows are on the bubble to be picked up for a second season. The only two shows listed are Montel Williams and Crosswords. Interesting, 
NBC seems to be leading the network battle of unscripted shows (until American Idol shows its sorry face on television again sadly). Their newest show, the revival of the hit 90s show American Gladiators, has been renewed for a second season according to B&C. The show has been a strong performer, seeing over 12 million viewers on its debut and a very strong showing on its regular Monday slot. No word on how many episodes are ordered or when it’ll start, but I’d bet a few dollars and say fairly soon.
Extremely exciting news this morning! Cynopsis is reporting that ABC will be reviving the popular reality series The Mole for a fifth season apparently with civilians to air in the Spring/Summer. Casting is already beginning. No word on a host yet, sadly. As Cynopsis states, it won’t be Anderson Cooper (sadly) because of his CNN show and Ahmad Rashad has not been asked to return. I wonder what older stand up comic we have coming out of the pipeline now.
CBS today announced that the first Drew Carey season of The Price is Right will air on October 15th at 11AM ET on CBS. Quoting the press release, “The new season will start out with some exciting wins, as several contestants make some lucky spins on the big Wheel. Others have the chance to win some of the most expensive cars ever given away on the show, as well as trips to exotic locations and more amazing prizes. In addition, the familiar set has been refreshed to give it an updated look while keeping the recognizable PRICE IS RIGHT theme and appearance.”
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