Morning Buzz for August 12, 2011
Everyone else happy it’s the end of the week? We’ll kick off your weekend with some stories you may find interesting this Friday morning.
*ABC is developing yet another new game show. The new show they’re working on is called The Exit List. The Embassy Row produced show puts people inside a giant maze answering multiple choice questions. The further you go the larger the prizes, but you need to remember what you’ve learned to get out. The show is based on a Dutch format. If it goes anywhere we’ll let you know.
*Any fans of the 80s game show Starcade? I never understood the allure of a game show watching other people play video games, but I know it’s got a pretty decent following. The creators of the original show have announced that a new online version will start August 28th. You can play along with clips from the show and play rounds from the actual program in an attempt to make the leaderboard. Check out the show’s website for more information.
*A few British debut dates. Two of our favorites are coming back soon. @Secret_Fortune, which recently shot a CBS pilot, returns Saturday, August 20th. You can check out a video of the crew assembling the set from scratch here. Also, the original and best, The Million Pound Drop @the1mpounddrop, comes back for a new live series September 2nd. If you live in the United Kingdom and you want to see the show live click here. I’ve heard reports and I hear nothing but good things. The British version is definitely the best of any version I’ve seen so I’m glad to see it back.
Sources :
Examiner: http://www.examiner.com/arcade-game-in-national/classic-arcade-era-tv-show-starcade-to-debut-online-version-august-28
TV Guide: http://www.tvguide.com/News/ABC-Developing-Exit-List-1036269.aspx
Anyone else think Nick Clooney upon seeing the terms “ABC”, “game show” and “maze”? RIP Nick.
Unless we’re talking about a completely different person, Nick Clooney is alive & well.
Just did a double-check and you’re right. My apologies, Nick.
Other than the pilot on YouTube, I’ve never really seen The Money Maze (was born in ’77), but, from what I saw, it was a pretty exciting game, too bad the expenses (per 1974-5 standards) and being on at the 4/3 “death slot” (heard it from many people on YouTube) caused the show’s demise, so The Exit List would be almost perfect. I definately remember Starcade, It was hosted by Geoff Edwards and was on (what was then known as Superstation W)TBS, I watched it faithfully, but I question a revival today. The only games most people are playing are sports games like Madden or MLB: The Show. It’s not like the ’80s when they have a variety of games such as Pac-Man or Centepede.
jtf10570 Nick Clooney is alive and well. WTFIWWY.
That’s George Clooney you’re thinking of. His father, Nick, hosted The Money Maze.
I hope The Exit Maze is not designed to replace 101 Ways to Leave a Game Show for a new Summer 2012 companion to Wipeout. Both 101 Ways and The Exit Maze should air alongside Wipeout for a nice game show block.
*Oops, I mean The Exit List… for some reason, I thought it was called The Exit Maze lol…
Perhaps “The Exit List” is being planned in case they run “Wipeout!” twice a week. “Expedition Impossible” has held about sicty-five to seventy percent of the audience that comes to see twenty-four people make a splash! That’s pretty good–but a game show is cheaper to produce than a “reality” show.
Of course, we may well be looking forward to next year. After all, ABC still has “Million Dollar Mind Game”, or whatever the deuce they are calling their adaptation of the Russian “Six Minds” show.
Sounds like the Moneymaze and may be worth watching if they don’t get too hokey (Or get anywhere that JD Roth/Mario Lopez DISASTER Masters of the Maze…someone needs a tape to blackmail him with that. still dunno how that lasted 2 seasons). but given ABCs recent tendency to go for the over the top, asian style loud clyde crashcup style Game Show I doubt it.
(I still say Wipeout is only popular because of the hosts deadpan, much like the glory seasons of American Gladiators were popular namely because of Adamle and Larry Czonka’s attempt at true insite despite the insanity going on on the field.)