I’m wondering if Challenge will go on Freesat as well, as I’m considering moving over to Freesat using the Sky dish I already have. Can anyone shed any light on whether it will or not?
Channel 1 closes on January 31st so everybody is assuming that Challenge will start Feb 1st.
As for votes it has been a very average year with nothing imo setting the world of tv game/quiz shows on fire. I think this maybe the most open year yet.
The new 65 minute episode of Deal or No Deal was fantastic, it really flew by and it didn’t feel like the show was any longer than normal. It seems to have gone down well with fans who now get an extra 15 minutes a day of their favourite gameshow 🙂
Joe, have you read DS today? I’m not totally convinced about the longer episodes (and I’ve seen enough shows recorded live to know what I’m talking about).
What is DS? I’ve read comments on Twitter with people saying that they like the changes. Of course there’s people who don’t like change but the majority of comments were positive. People who didn’t like it will get used to it in time.
Some episodes feel like they struggle to fill 45 minutes anyway, while others can easily fill an hour and a bit without feeling too bad. This episode, thanks to the psychological side-game thrown in, was in the latter category; others won’t, and the fear is that you’ll get everything but the kitchen sink thrown at the game to provide an hour’s worth of content.
Miljoenenjacht gets a longer version of the same game done in half the time at well over ten times the stakes let’s not forget.
DS is Digital Spy (although you get probably more people posting on there complaining about TV shows than people praising things).
The thing is that those people who think DOND is just a game about picking boxes and don’t appreciate that the banter between Noel/The Banker/the wings and the player is what makes the show so entertaining will probably not like the extended version.
I really want to like it, Glenn Hugill is a long time Friend of the Bar after all, but my gut feeling is that if people were complaining that 45 minutes is pushing it I’m not convinced that adding another 20 minutes is going to help them.
I totally understand the economic reasons for doing it, although I wonder if it will hurt the show in the medium-long term.
Des Elmes
“I think people will be pleasantly surprised by Deal or No Deal’s extended episodes. Careful planning has gone into it.”
🙄 🙄 🙄 🙄 🙄
Personally, I didn’t like what went on during that fifth offer…
Greg
The banker was playing a great game today. Loved the way he put pressure on the partner to make the player deal.
I’ve got to say that making Deal extra long… was really neither all that good nor all that bad. Part of the reason I liked your version as opposed to the American version was that it moved at a good pace, rather than filling it with padding and all that “Open the case… Right after this break” nonsense. It’s okay, since Noel is very good at keeping things moving, but I prefer the shorter time slot.
I was quite amused at comments I’ve read suggesting that the Aussie version is the best one because it eliminates the drama, and I can’t help but feel they’ve missed the point of what the UK setout to acheive.
Saying this, my fave version was the French one pre-americanization of the set, with its hilarious use of film soundtrack, and a Banker who put our one to shame with his bastardality.
The Aussie show is astonishingly fast. It gets a full 26-case game, plus twists on occasion, and until recently a quick quiz, all in about twenty minutes of airtime. It’s defiantly no-nonsense, and it’s worked very well – even if it’s fading now, it spent half a decade dominating its timeslot, and not many shows do that.
It’s nothing like the UK show, which fills the time through the soap opera elements. Now, I don’t like all of them, and my criticism of the show’s specific production decisions are very well-known, but there’s lots to like about the way the show’s genuinely got a feel of its own, and particularly thrives at being able to make good telly out of bad games. Although I am not sure if 65-minute episodes will make that so consistently manageable…
The Aussie show is astonishingly fast. It gets a full 26-case game, plus twists on occasion, and until recently a quick quiz, all in about twenty minutes of airtime. It’s defiantly no-nonsense, and it’s worked very well – even if it’s fading now, it spent half a decade dominating its timeslot, and not many shows do that.
It’s nothing like the UK show, which fills the time through the soap opera elements. Now, I don’t like all of them, and my criticism of the show’s specific production decisions are very well-known, but there’s lots to like about the way the show’s genuinely got a feel of its own, and particularly thrives at being able to make good telly out of bad games. Although I am not sure if 65-minute episodes will make that so consistently manageable…
There’s a place for various interpretations of this show, and I enjoy both for different reasons.
The credits of the newly streched DoND are interesting.
I take it that ‘Studio Host’ is basically a new wizzbang name for the warm-up man – so, does this mean with 4 shows a day to tape, Noel pretty much turns up on set at -3 seconds to recording and goes off again to talk to the wife in make-up after the clear signal has come from the gallery?
Second (purly anorak here) I knew BBC Studios and Post Prod were doing the editing (I guess cheaper on tender than Evolutions?) but does that mean it’s BBC men behind the cameras as well?
Interesting = Freaking horrifically ugly. Matches the wacky theme, but now neither the music or titles match the general tone of the show in that warehouse set.
It’s basically the theme to Cash Cab anyway. You’re fooling NOBODY, Augustin Bousfield!
Travis P
Yep. Studio Host (Mark Olver) is basically warm-up man. At each recording block (2 x 2 shows) Mark goes through the recording routine, has a bit of banter with the audience and the 22 contestants, chats with Noel when he appears then head off behind the set when recording begins. Mark is always present on the set and reappears at the ad-break/when recording is stopped. The make up team actually do their extra touches on the set when they’re taking an ad-break (including when Noel needs touching up). Noel rarely heads off when recording begins.
I’d bet Mark is over the moon as he has been working with the show since day one and has never had a credited name until this week.
As for the editing. I think they use the same crew for the camera work but BBC produces the final edit.
Thanks for that Travis.
Hats off to the Deal production team, for actually giving one of the most important people in a studio for a show which is recorded in front of an audience an on-screen credit.
2010 certainly wasn’t the greatest year as regards new shows – there were quite a few that were pretty good but not spectacular, and of course there was no shortage of turkeys.
I won’t give all the details of my vote – but I will say that I’ve given five different shows one Hall of Fame vote each, and a sixth show three Hall of Shame votes (you can probably guess what that show is…)
Can’t see any positives at all in the Deal extension, taking the running time from 36 minutes to 48 minutes. And why 3.55pm rather than 4pm. Countdown wouldn’t seem so bad at 3.15pm, and Deal can afford to run at round 43 minutes, which wouldn’t be such a stretch and still give them the extra break.
As for the poll, surely “Over the Rainbow” isn’t a new format (then again, surely it isn’t a game show!). Then again, gets a bit messy with shows like Magic Numbers (Talking Telephone Numbers) and IIRC we had similar debates about The Krypton Factor revival a few years back.
Is Over the Rainbow a competition with a defined winner and loser? I fail to see an issue.
Similarly, there is no problem with revivals being judged on their own merits. You may in this instance have a point about the Andrew Lloyd Webber shows, however: meh. The people behind Magic Numbers will tell you that legally it has no connection to Talking Telephone Numbers, I know because I’ve tried.
Sorry, I should have turned comments off on the Poll page. It’s done now – Joe iof you want to repost you can do it here.
I have cast my vote. I think after a lot of consideration my favourite new format of the year was Million Pound Drop and worst was Push The Button 🙂
I hope if I send an e-mail to the given address I’ll get a proper reply, I’d hate to have to disqualify your ballot 🙂
Do I have to put my real email address in it?
The intention is to stop cheating, spot checks on dodgy looking ballots will happen.
I’m only voting once and have no intention of doing so again. You can probably tell which voting ballot is mine anyway 😉
I’ve cast my vote!
It looks an open field this year. There are not any new shows that I like or hate enouh to give more than one vote to.
2010 was a bit crap seems to be a recurring theme.
Does anyone have any official date for challenge moving to freeview if at all?
I believe that 1 February is the most likely date. Usual rules apply: all my predictions wrong or your money back.
Sounds right. Sky Atlantic is starting then.
I’m wondering if Challenge will go on Freesat as well, as I’m considering moving over to Freesat using the Sky dish I already have. Can anyone shed any light on whether it will or not?
@ Chris
Channel 1 closes on January 31st so everybody is assuming that Challenge will start Feb 1st.
As for votes it has been a very average year with nothing imo setting the world of tv game/quiz shows on fire. I think this maybe the most open year yet.
The new 65 minute episode of Deal or No Deal was fantastic, it really flew by and it didn’t feel like the show was any longer than normal. It seems to have gone down well with fans who now get an extra 15 minutes a day of their favourite gameshow 🙂
Joe, have you read DS today? I’m not totally convinced about the longer episodes (and I’ve seen enough shows recorded live to know what I’m talking about).
What is DS? I’ve read comments on Twitter with people saying that they like the changes. Of course there’s people who don’t like change but the majority of comments were positive. People who didn’t like it will get used to it in time.
Some episodes feel like they struggle to fill 45 minutes anyway, while others can easily fill an hour and a bit without feeling too bad. This episode, thanks to the psychological side-game thrown in, was in the latter category; others won’t, and the fear is that you’ll get everything but the kitchen sink thrown at the game to provide an hour’s worth of content.
Miljoenenjacht gets a longer version of the same game done in half the time at well over ten times the stakes let’s not forget.
DS is Digital Spy (although you get probably more people posting on there complaining about TV shows than people praising things).
The thing is that those people who think DOND is just a game about picking boxes and don’t appreciate that the banter between Noel/The Banker/the wings and the player is what makes the show so entertaining will probably not like the extended version.
Come on Joe, if you don’t know what Digital Spy is you’re either a) lying, or b) rubbish at whatever job it is you actually do.
Yes, I’ve heard of it. Wasn’t sure if he was referring to that website when he said DS or another one.
I think people will be pleasantly surprised by Deal or No Deal’s extended episodes. Careful planning has gone into it.
I am checking out DS right now to see what all the fuss is about…
I really want to like it, Glenn Hugill is a long time Friend of the Bar after all, but my gut feeling is that if people were complaining that 45 minutes is pushing it I’m not convinced that adding another 20 minutes is going to help them.
I totally understand the economic reasons for doing it, although I wonder if it will hurt the show in the medium-long term.
“I think people will be pleasantly surprised by Deal or No Deal’s extended episodes. Careful planning has gone into it.”
🙄 🙄 🙄 🙄 🙄
Personally, I didn’t like what went on during that fifth offer…
The banker was playing a great game today. Loved the way he put pressure on the partner to make the player deal.
I’ve got to say that making Deal extra long… was really neither all that good nor all that bad. Part of the reason I liked your version as opposed to the American version was that it moved at a good pace, rather than filling it with padding and all that “Open the case… Right after this break” nonsense. It’s okay, since Noel is very good at keeping things moving, but I prefer the shorter time slot.
I was quite amused at comments I’ve read suggesting that the Aussie version is the best one because it eliminates the drama, and I can’t help but feel they’ve missed the point of what the UK setout to acheive.
Saying this, my fave version was the French one pre-americanization of the set, with its hilarious use of film soundtrack, and a Banker who put our one to shame with his bastardality.
The Aussie show is astonishingly fast. It gets a full 26-case game, plus twists on occasion, and until recently a quick quiz, all in about twenty minutes of airtime. It’s defiantly no-nonsense, and it’s worked very well – even if it’s fading now, it spent half a decade dominating its timeslot, and not many shows do that.
It’s nothing like the UK show, which fills the time through the soap opera elements. Now, I don’t like all of them, and my criticism of the show’s specific production decisions are very well-known, but there’s lots to like about the way the show’s genuinely got a feel of its own, and particularly thrives at being able to make good telly out of bad games. Although I am not sure if 65-minute episodes will make that so consistently manageable…
The Aussie show is astonishingly fast. It gets a full 26-case game, plus twists on occasion, and until recently a quick quiz, all in about twenty minutes of airtime. It’s defiantly no-nonsense, and it’s worked very well – even if it’s fading now, it spent half a decade dominating its timeslot, and not many shows do that.
It’s nothing like the UK show, which fills the time through the soap opera elements. Now, I don’t like all of them, and my criticism of the show’s specific production decisions are very well-known, but there’s lots to like about the way the show’s genuinely got a feel of its own, and particularly thrives at being able to make good telly out of bad games. Although I am not sure if 65-minute episodes will make that so consistently manageable…
There’s a place for various interpretations of this show, and I enjoy both for different reasons.
You can get rid of the first one, I genuinely thought it hadn’t sent.
Mobile Internet, there.
Sadly this reality show isn’t, y’know, real. I’d watch it.
The credits of the newly streched DoND are interesting.
I take it that ‘Studio Host’ is basically a new wizzbang name for the warm-up man – so, does this mean with 4 shows a day to tape, Noel pretty much turns up on set at -3 seconds to recording and goes off again to talk to the wife in make-up after the clear signal has come from the gallery?
Second (purly anorak here) I knew BBC Studios and Post Prod were doing the editing (I guess cheaper on tender than Evolutions?) but does that mean it’s BBC men behind the cameras as well?
Interesting = Freaking horrifically ugly. Matches the wacky theme, but now neither the music or titles match the general tone of the show in that warehouse set.
To be fair NJ the theme has never really matched the tense/menacing musical drones and beds used during gameplay in the main programme.
Makes me wonder if Endemol or Channel 4 asked the composer to ‘lighten it up’ for the main theme a couple of days before the show started in 2005?
Maybe it was made with the ambiance of the French show in mind?
It’s basically the theme to Cash Cab anyway. You’re fooling NOBODY, Augustin Bousfield!
Yep. Studio Host (Mark Olver) is basically warm-up man. At each recording block (2 x 2 shows) Mark goes through the recording routine, has a bit of banter with the audience and the 22 contestants, chats with Noel when he appears then head off behind the set when recording begins. Mark is always present on the set and reappears at the ad-break/when recording is stopped. The make up team actually do their extra touches on the set when they’re taking an ad-break (including when Noel needs touching up). Noel rarely heads off when recording begins.
I’d bet Mark is over the moon as he has been working with the show since day one and has never had a credited name until this week.
As for the editing. I think they use the same crew for the camera work but BBC produces the final edit.
Thanks for that Travis.
Hats off to the Deal production team, for actually giving one of the most important people in a studio for a show which is recorded in front of an audience an on-screen credit.
I’ve just voted.
2010 certainly wasn’t the greatest year as regards new shows – there were quite a few that were pretty good but not spectacular, and of course there was no shortage of turkeys.
I won’t give all the details of my vote – but I will say that I’ve given five different shows one Hall of Fame vote each, and a sixth show three Hall of Shame votes (you can probably guess what that show is…)
You haven’t included Tom Scott’s You Against The World?
I think Tom’s show doesn’t qualify as it was done online rather on television. Accumulate! is shown on a local uni TV station in Reading.
Can’t see any positives at all in the Deal extension, taking the running time from 36 minutes to 48 minutes. And why 3.55pm rather than 4pm. Countdown wouldn’t seem so bad at 3.15pm, and Deal can afford to run at round 43 minutes, which wouldn’t be such a stretch and still give them the extra break.
As for the poll, surely “Over the Rainbow” isn’t a new format (then again, surely it isn’t a game show!). Then again, gets a bit messy with shows like Magic Numbers (Talking Telephone Numbers) and IIRC we had similar debates about The Krypton Factor revival a few years back.
Is Over the Rainbow a competition with a defined winner and loser? I fail to see an issue.
Similarly, there is no problem with revivals being judged on their own merits. You may in this instance have a point about the Andrew Lloyd Webber shows, however: meh. The people behind Magic Numbers will tell you that legally it has no connection to Talking Telephone Numbers, I know because I’ve tried.
I think a simple rule is – if the producers think it’s new enough to give it a new title, we treat it as a new production.