The Kubler-Ross Five Stages of Ant and Dec

Limitless Win has been renewed but I still think it’s going to be two and out as it seems to be following a pretty standard trajectory for a big money Ant and Dec quiz, as set out by Kubler-Ross in the 1960s:

• HYPE – The show is hyped for months in advance. The narrative of how it came about is set – Ant and Dec play it in a pub, Simon Cowell says it’s just like Deal or No Deal etc. This is GOING TO BE BIG.
• REVEAL – The first episode goes out. It’s a hit! As well it should be with months of hype and Ant and Dec at the helm. People declare it the best thing ever, perhaps “the best new quiz since Millionaire“. It might open with a large win – look at the POTENTIAL.
• REALITY – But it can’t keep that potential up. Somehow instead of increasing its audience, they’re running away. Consistently. Sure, it’s still doing alright, I mean it does have Ant and Dec in it, but it turns out it’s not the Next Big Thing after all. And with that sort of prizemoney being thrown around, maybe even a bit dangerous.
• RECOMMISSION – Nobody wants to admit to making a mistake though, and besides it was doing OK with the A16-34s. It can have a second series – it might even improve in some ways. But the audiences are still disappearing – the format’s just not all that and Ant and Dec are hamstrung by said format.
• ACCEPTANCE – No third series is forthcoming.