Russian Game Show “The Six” Picked Up for Six by ABC

Man, ABC seems to be on a game show buying frenzy recently.  Quite some time ago it was announced that ABC piloted an adaptation of the hit Russian game show What?  Where?  When?, being made into The Six by Merv Griffin Enterprises.  Hollywood Reporter has announced that ABC has picked up The Six for, appropriately, a six episode order.  British television personality Vernon Kay, who is currently helming the ITV quiz show The Whole 19 Yards, has been taped to host the program.

The Six has a group of six contestants working together as a team to solve logic-based questions, not straight up trivia questions.  Contestants won’t vote each other off.  The only way to earn money on this show is to work as a team.  Another unique element is the questions are sent in from viewers.  Questions are randomly picked from a large wheel.  No air date has been set yet.

I’ve been looking forward to this one since the pilot was announced in December.  I thought it stood no chance since it wasn’t a Millionaire clone, which has been the norm for a decade, but I’m pretty excited to see ABC have faith in this and give it a go.  This comes right after ABC announced that Mo Rocca and Bill Engvall are hosts of the Mark Burnett game show Trust Me, I’m A Game Show Host (pilot?).  Here’s a look at what the Russian version looks and feels like.  I’m doubting it’ll end up the same, but you never know.