Many different syndicated game shows started their new seasons today. We’ve covered the big ones, so you know the basic idea of what’s going on. Now it’s time to see how they turned out, though. We’ll leave this up for a while today. Be sure to let everyone know what you thought of all the new shows. I’m especially curious about your thoughts on Millionaire and Family Feud.
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Alex Davis is an award winning writer and producer based out of Pittsburgh, PA, who works out of New York, Los Angeles, and London. Alex is the head writer and editor for BuzzerBlog and is the president and head of development of 5Hole Productions, specializing in unscripted formats for television and internet play.
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62 responses to "Fall 2010 Season Debut Review Thread"
It seems to me that the new version has a bit of DOND in it, with the table and the dollar value reveal.
The music is also a big minus for me. The old music created tension and excitement. This music falls flat for me.
Any youtube links up yet?
I love the new version of Millionaire the only things that bugs me is the music. No offense to whom ever created it but I could make that kind of music on my synthesizer in less than five minutes. It also doesn’t have (like Greg says) have much tension in it which goes against what Millionaire stands for.
I also love the fact that they got rid of the clock. Millionaire had enough tension without it not too mention I felt like there were some contestants who if they had a little more time would have got the questions right.
Huge improvement over last season I give it a 9 out 10
Not to go off topic or anything but today I recorded today’s Jeopardy! and a contestant named Roger Craig was beaten Ken Jennings one day record of $75,000 by scoring $77,000.
My two cents after seeing the Millionaire premiere on TV and seeing a taping in person.
Theme is okay, sort of cheap sounding, but not horrible. They need to incorporate more of the second part of that theme when Meredith walks into the studio. The ‘explaining the rules’ music is actually very good–better than the past. The question music is awful. The ‘lights down’ music is bad. During a taping they only play the heartbeat and not the additional piano (or whatever that is) notes. No tension whatsoever to the question music.
I can live without the hotseat. I feel the set is actually a huge plus for this season. Camera work is excellent. They have two cameras just below the big screen, the crane camera, a stationary camera hanging from the ceiling in the middle of the audience section to the right of the big screen, Meredith’s camera off stage below her host screen off set, and a floating cameraguy which all blend together pretty nicely.
The game seems simpler this season. I really think there’s a possibility of big money winners if the questions don’t get too absurd in Round 2 of the game and if there’s a contestant willing to take a chance to get up the ladder (something that hasn’t been available to us much in the past).
I give it about a B+ now. Hopefully it’ll improve as the season goes on.
Only saw Feud, and I think the changes push the show a couple of steps back from what it was last year, but not nearly enough of one to make me stop watching.
Positives:
–I’m glad the families’ names are displayed again. That was kind of maddening last year, that you didn’t know which family was which.
–Although I didn’t mind the Bullseye round, I think the game is better without it.
Negatives:
–Steve Harvey needs work. He definitely had his moments, but seemed to be going through the motions for most of it. John O’Hurley genuinely seemed to love the game; I get the sense from Steve Harvey that it’s just a job for him. Then again, O’Hurley was kind of all over the place during his earliest episodes, but was awesome in the last two seasons — and Steve was better in the second episode shown than the first (presumably taped later), so I’m keeping an open mind.
–Show seemed RUSHED. I kept waiting for Steve to introduce the families, and he never did. Surprising. The show reminded me of the YouTube video that condensed an entire episode of Feud (hosted by Richard Karn) into 5 minutes.
–While the announcer plays an extremely minor role in Family Feud, I missed Burton Richardson introducing the show.
Re: Millionaire:
The New Format is just fine, I like the randomness of the money & questions & if they ever have a Contestant reach the “Classic” level, I’m sure that’s going to be executed well. the Lifelines are fine, The Jumps are a good idea, but they should bring back the 50:50 to offset the two question jumps (I notice a lot of people have been using their jumps too early so far, but I’m sure that’s out of nervousness). Everything else is fine the way it is.
However, the New Music SUCKS! And this is speaking as a guy who works in Radio. I heard that Reelworld productions in Seattle is behind the new music, which must be a first for them, because they only specialize in Radio Station jingles. Don’t get me wrong, I am a fan of Reelworld Jingles, but that’s what they should stick to. Anything else they make sounds completely out of their element, and it shows. It’s got to be some of the most uninspiring Game show music I’ve heard in a long time.
Other than that, I’d give the new Millionaire a B+
The Feud is the Feud no matter who’s hosting it. Steve harvey fits in just fine, but having Joey Fatone as an announcer is utterly pointless…unless they plan on doing more with him than just announce. On the Plus side, it’s good to finally be able to read the answers during “Fast Money” this year. On the Minus Side, the Canned Audience chant of “Fast Money!” is a little hammy…even for game show standards. The set & graphics are a vast improvement, (Having all that Universal Studio space helps) but the Feud Theme now seems outdated (more so) given everything else that’s changed this year. Maybe in Mid Season, they can switch to FF94′s theme,
B-
You know, can someone give me undeniable proof that that company made the new music? Because the only person flat out saying they made it is a kid who clearly has a massive obsession problem with that specific company for reasons I can’t understand. It’s insane to think they made the music. Until I see actual writing that they did it, they didn’t.
Ah yes, the Dangers of Heresay & Conjecture. Say no more. If it’s any consolation, I too think it’s insane for them to have done the music (If in fact thay did.). Truth be told, it sounds more like some sort of Cheap eurotrashy hack job anyway.
That being said, I just Called Reelworld myself (Thank you Radio ties!). Their people said that they DID NOT (You hear me, DID NOT!) Do the Music for “Millionaire”.
MYTH BUSTED (But the search for the REAL composer continues)!
To the kid who started the rumor, consider that a lesson to think before you speak, otherwise somebody might make a fool of themselves & others. And Alex, sorry for wasting everybody’s time with this rambling.
And the only reasonj the Allentown station is on cable is because even in the digital age, they have no signal SOUTH OF DOYLESTOWN!
I like the idea of Millionaire so far, but I feel that the contestants aren’t willing to risk it so often. So far, we’ve seen contestants wipe out their lifelines in the first five questions. Not to mention that no one so far has reached Round 2. The game is really good, but I’m not really digging the contestants not taking the risk. I think regardless of difficulty, you should preserve your lifelines until the end of Round 1, simply for strategical purposes. If you have no inkling, then a lifeline should be used. But if you are inclined to answer, think it over, and go with your gut; it’s usually right most of the time.
Liking the new Millionaire and Feud a week in. Lyrics…put me to sleep (figuratively). Way too slow.