GSN’s Big Monday: “Catch 21” Season Two Gets 4 Out of 5

We’ve already gone over The Newlywed Game which made the really interesting change from fantastic live show to “eh” televised edition.  Now on to what is my favorite show GSN’s done in quite some time, and looking at some figures apparently a lot of you agree with me.  Catch 21, which has its second season debut on Monday, April 6th, at 6:30PM ET has a long, interesting record at GSN.  It was a pilot called Casino eons ago.  GSN passed on it originally but around five or so years later decided to come back to it.  Season one had its issues, most of which has to do with the presentation and production of the show.  I was so relieved to find out most of those changes are fixed for season two.

The look of the show has been redone to be a more modern looking show, and it’s a nice look.  Essentially combine the season one front game and end game set and remove most of the bulkiness and that’s what you get here.  Everything’s smoother, sleeker, and much better looking.  Even the hosts got a wardrobe change.  The biggest complaint for season one, from all of the emails and comments, seemed to be the really dumb set change from the front game to the end game.  Everything’s all in one package this season which is a relief.  Plus there’s a much larger audience meaning you’ll have a lot of interaction and cheering which was sorely missed from season one.  You can’t get the excitement out of a 20 person audience that you can from a 200 person one.

Game play wise, everything stayed basically the same.  The only change(s) come in the end game.  An additional power chip is given for winning the game, so you get up to four.  It should help contestants win a bit more.  Some more changes are coming later in the season as well.  I’m not really supposed to say what they are.  I hinted at it before a few posts back.  I didn’t scratch the surface of what they will do.  Also I heard that the first 21 of the game will receive a bonus prize.  I wasn’t told if it would be for the entire season or just later in the season due to a few circumstances, but it’s coming.

I’ve got to talk about the hosts for a moment.  I’ve always thought Alfonso Ribiero did a nice job on the show.  I constantly hear things about his volume, and I just don’t see it.  I really don’t think half of the complainers do either.  There seems to be a thing in really any community, like the game show community, where if one person who has some authority says something others will take that person’s opinion to be liked and avoid arguments.  I just don’t see the volume issue.  He got excited.  I never heard shouting.  If that was your definition of shouting, then you may be a bit sheltered.  He’s not the best thing on earth or some hidden treasure, but he does well in the format.

The real star for me, especially after I talked to her on Friday, is co-host Mikki Padilla.  Never in my years of doing this have I talked to someone so enthusiastic and excited about hosting, and it shows.  It showed in season one and it shows even more this season.  I’ve never talked to a host who can remember specific contestant’s names and their specific cards from specific episode numbers even in season one.  I really hope more people use her.  Mikki has such enthusiasm and love for this show and you rarely get that.

There are still a few issues which haven’t been ironed out, but it doesn’t begin to distract.  The scoring system is a little goofy but it’s not like it creates unfair advantages or damages the game.  The only change I wish they really would have added is letting the champion place all of their cards.  Placing the first three cards automatically is a bit cheap.  However, again, it doesn’t really distract.  It just makes me say, “Huh?  Whatever.”  Catch 21 is very entertaining and it’s incredibly improved in this new season.  Be sure to check out the season debut of Catch 21 Monday, April 6th, at 6:30PM ET and 10:30PM ET on GSN.  And do not miss the show later in the season.  A lot of twists, turns, and surprises will be coming up.