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Post by manekineko on Aug 10, 2013 3:42:41 GMT -5
When I heard that they were going to take one of my favorite British game shows and make a U.S. version, I had mixed feelings. Will it be a success like WWTBAM? or will it end up like Minute to Win It, where the British version is much better.
Here's an honest opinion on it.
The pace is considerably slower given there are only 3 players on the show instead of 4. I'm glad they got Mark "The Beast" as the Quizmaster.
At the risk of being too blunt here, there are only three things to like about Brooke Burns and anyone who knows me knows who they are. I don't want to risk offending people by saying exactly what those three things are but I can bet any of you know what I'm talking about.
Other than those two things, I think the game remains fairly loyal to the original. I would have liked to have seen the five-second rule imposed, specifically once one player answers, the other is put on a five-second clock, just to add to the pressure.
Also, I've asked the powers that be if they're going to do the same things they do in the British version. Specifically, if the chaser will have the contestant playing for a negative amount of money as the chicken out option and what would happen if the team doesn't have any money to play for.
Other than that, GSN has a hit here. I will be watching again.
Overall rating: 8/10.
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Post by tpirrules1972 on Aug 11, 2013 10:16:02 GMT -5
When I saw the thread title, Neko, I was expecting you to rip the show to shreds...it gave that tone.
Now then, that said - I loved the show myself. I know you don't care for Brooke beyond "the big three", but I must say that I think she has improved from her days on Dog Eat Dog. I think her question-reading was better, especially where we needed to see it - the money-builders and Final Chase.
With that said, yes, pacing does suffer a bit with three contestants. As for the negative offers...I doubt we see them unless a contestant goes 0-fer in the money builder thanks to the $5K/answer value here...big difference versus GBP1,000. The big annoyance for me was the commercials, and spoilers within. In the first episode, while the first contestant was playing, they previewed the third contestant's run against The Beast, and showed the first and second contestant already waiting for his result.
In terms of aesthetics - SFX and the five-second clock would be nice during the lock-in. I think though, the second season will correct some of this, and add another chaser. But that's just a guess from me.
Agreed though, it is a great show to watch - GSN's best quizzer since Russian Roulette.
I go 9/10, an extra point from me for Brooke.
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Post by Kaos on Aug 11, 2013 19:46:24 GMT -5
I would have liked to have seen the five-second rule imposed, specifically once one player answers, the other is put on a five-second clock, just to add to the pressure. I think the only reason the five-second rule hasn't been "imposed" is because everybody answered within the five seconds, whether the player answered first, or the Beast. Also, I've seen enough of the UK version to know that The Beast's reaction when the players beat him was faked. On the UK version when he lost, he would usually just sit there and stew a bit. I believe that this was suggested to him before the show because, compared to most British people, Americans tend to wear their hearts on their sleeve. Other than that, and those stupid spoilers and cliffhanger moments, it was a very good show. |
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Post by manekineko on Aug 12, 2013 1:13:13 GMT -5
Honestly, TPIR, I thought Brooke was going to suck wind and GSN was going to butcher the living fuck out of the show. They didn't, and then I saw a familiar name as the producer: Bob Boden. Boden was the guy who brought us stuff like Friend or Foe?, Russian Roulette and Whammy!, so that did bode well for me.
I agree with you on the other points, TPIR. They do have a successful show on their hands. I'm hoping they do it well.
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Post by tpirrules1972 on Aug 12, 2013 17:04:49 GMT -5
Hard to go wrong with Bob Boden as a driving force, that's for sure. I really miss when he was at the head of programming at GSN - there's no way it would be runaway Family Feud if he was still in charge there...but that's another subject.
Taking this post back on-topic - not just to you Neko, but anyone else who may come by...if GSN adds another chaser in season two, who would be your pick?
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Post by ladykelsey on Aug 12, 2013 17:45:46 GMT -5
My only wish is that GSN would show The Chase weekdays directly after Catch 21 every morning instead of The Pyramid and Chain Reaction because it would be fun to add to my weekday morning routine. Maybe when The Chase starts Season 2 GSN will show it weekday mornings in place of Catch 21,
Kelsey
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Post by Mandoli on Aug 12, 2013 18:13:13 GMT -5
My only wish is that GSN would show The Chase weekdays directly after Catch 21 every morning Probably won't happen. This show just has a primetime feeling to it. |
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Post by manekineko on Aug 12, 2013 20:03:38 GMT -5
Taking this post back on-topic - not just to you Neko, but anyone else who may come by...if GSN adds another chaser in season two, who would be your pick? Anne Hegerty. I think she would fit better than the other two with the feel of the game. |
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Post by tpirrules1972 on Aug 12, 2013 21:34:29 GMT -5
My only wish is that GSN would show The Chase weekdays directly after Catch 21 every morning Probably won't happen. This show just has a primetime feeling to it. Plus, when was the last time GSN aired new episodes of originals in daytime, beyond the call-in shows (The 90s assortment, GSN Live, etc)? To Neko above: I'm not willing to wager that GSN is able to get another UK chaser, to be honest...I think they're lucky they managed to get Labbett, especially with the show about to run another series* across the pond. Might have to look for someone stateside... *For those not in the know, British seasons of TV shows are called "series" instead of seasons. The Chase is headed for "Series 7" in the UK. |
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Post by manekineko on Aug 12, 2013 22:06:51 GMT -5
If we have to go stateside, I have two words for you: Brad Rutter. He's an attention hog, he'll do this for the money, I'm sure. I'm a little OD'd on Ken Jennings right now. I think he's had way too many opportunities to be on TV.  |
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Post by wildjackmonroe on Aug 13, 2013 8:02:40 GMT -5
I love Mark Labbett but it would be great if they got Anne Hegerty. She's my fave.
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Post by tpirrules1972 on Aug 13, 2013 21:07:48 GMT -5
Do we have spoiler font on here or something? I'd like to give some quick thoughts about tonight but spoilers are within them.
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Post by Mandoli on Aug 13, 2013 21:12:24 GMT -5
Do we have spoiler font on here or something? I'd like to give some quick thoughts about tonight but spoilers are within them. I might have to do a plug-in so you can do spoilers. Don't see it here. ( EDIT: Put in a spoiler plug-in. Testing now...) This is what a spoiler looks like. Testing! |
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Post by tpirrules1972 on Aug 13, 2013 21:30:48 GMT -5
Do we have spoiler font on here or something? I'd like to give some quick thoughts about tonight but spoilers are within them. I might have to do a plug-in so you can do spoilers. Don't see it here. ( EDIT: Put in a spoiler plug-in. Testing now...) This is what a spoiler looks like. Testing! Sweet! Thank you much. Thoughts on tonight: Show seemed a little slower than the first two episodes. A bit disappointed to not see The Beast try for $0 or negative offers on the contestants who went 1-fer in their money builders...which solidifies the opinion I posted to Neko in my first reply on this thread. Don't expect it unless someone skunks in that round.
The Beast had himself a nice, open environment. The contestants, except Christian, were clearly intimidated by him. Still, all three managed to find their way through to the final round - they benefited from the slow pacing of the main chase, IMO.
Poor Christian...he was left on his own, and as a result, the team struggled to reach just 10 in the final chase. I thought Labbett would devour that in some 60-70 seconds...but it looks like he has some trouble with American trivia...and there's a US first! The Beast slipping on the first question which results in the contestants gaining an additional step. Several slips gave the team a couple extra heartbeats...but alas, Christian's solo effort could not carry that team as Labbett caught them with 18 seconds left and $63,000 is flushed down the toilet.
We definitely saw more natural Mark Labbett tonight instead of "The Beast" at the end - more respectful to his challengers, especially Christian. Nice to see.
Brooke seemed a bit more meh than last week tbh...a bit slower during those speed rounds. But still, I'm happy with her performance. |
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Post by manekineko on Aug 13, 2013 23:16:23 GMT -5
It's kinda funny because Mom and I were watching tonight, and we were thinking the same things.
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