The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: DoorNumberFour on May 02, 2008, 12:59:51 PM
-
As some of you may have heard, Deal is instituting a game of chance on the May 22nd show, which will determine how many additional million-dollar cases the contestant in question gets to play with (anywhere from two to twelve additional cases). It's another attempt by the show to give away a million dollars (and get good ratings) by any means necessary.
Bearing that in mind, I ask this question:
The game can be exciting, it's a popular show, Howie is a great host, but does the show have enough steam to continue once someone wins a million dollars?
When John Carpenter won the first big prize on WWTBAM, the show remained very popular, but that could very well be attributed to the fact that WWTBAM had interesting questions and a great playalong factor to it, besides the obvious draw of big money.
But to me, it doesn't seem like there'll be too much excitement behind DoND once it gives away the biggest prize it's got.
Thoughts?
-
[quote name=\'DoorNumberFour\' post=\'185239\' date=\'May 2 2008, 12:59 PM\']
But to me, it doesn't seem like there'll be too much excitement behind DoND once it gives away the biggest prize it's got.
Thoughts?
[/quote]
The UK and Aussie versions have had how many top prize wins? As far as I know, both shows still run strong.
I think it all comes down to the presentation. Somehow, D/ND's insipid gimmicks work for them, and I expect them to use that to make up for the weak game.
Still anxious about how the syndie version will work. When do they start taping those episodes?
-
[quote name=\'DoorNumberFour\' post=\'185239\' date=\'May 2 2008, 09:59 AM\']
But to me, it doesn't seem like there'll be too much excitement behind DoND once it gives away the biggest prize it's got.[/quote]
You're operating under the assumption that it hasn't jumped the shark for a lot of people LONG ago. You just seem to have a different trigger to realize that than the rest of us.
-
[quote name=\'DoorNumberFour\' post=\'185239\' date=\'May 2 2008, 12:59 PM\']
As some of you may have heard, Deal is instituting a game of chance on the May 22nd show, which will determine how many additional million-dollar cases the contestant in question gets to play with (anywhere from two to twelve additional cases). It's another attempt by the show to give away a million dollars (and get good ratings) by any means necessary.
Bearing that in mind, I ask this question:
The game can be exciting, it's a popular show, Howie is a great host, but does the show have enough steam to continue once someone wins a million dollars?
When John Carpenter won the first big prize on WWTBAM, the show remained very popular, but that could very well be attributed to the fact that WWTBAM had interesting questions and a great playalong factor to it, besides the obvious draw of big money.
But to me, it doesn't seem like there'll be too much excitement behind DoND once it gives away the biggest prize it's got.
Thoughts?
[/quote]I dont't understand how this game of chance works. Can you explain more,or would it be a spoiler?
-
Once they give away a million, they'll make it a mission to give away two million. And America will be riveted!
-
Ratings are still high, and I don't think someone winning the $1M will change that...case in point:
- Norma Brown on CS
- Michael Larsen on PYL
- Thom McKee on TTD
- John Carpenter on WWtBaM
- All "shopping" era winners on $otC
...none of whom caused their respective shows' ratings to fall after their appearances.
I will, however, contend that the gimmicks on DoND are getting to be a bit much, particularly the 2-hr eps...and if they never do another "$1M Mission" again, I'll be a happy man.
Chuck Donegan (The Illustrious "Chuckie Baby")
-
The difference between some of the other shows mentioned in this thread and DoND is that the other shows (even Millionaire, for a while) never reached a point of "we're gonna give away the big prize no matter what it takes or how many gimmicks we have to come up with". If a huge chunk of your ratings is due to that desperate promise of a million-dollar payout, then it's certainly valid to wonder if those people are going to watch once it's been done.
Chris: I'm pretty sure that DN4's argument holds up as a general ratings discussion, not just as his personal like or dislike of the show.
-
[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'185240\' date=\'May 2 2008, 12:04 PM\']
The UK and Aussie versions have had how many top prize wins? As far as I know, both shows still run strong.
[/quote]
I think there's only three between the two shows (2 Aussie, one UK), and both have been running longer than ours. I don't think our version will lose much steam, either.
-
[quote name=\'abba\' post=\'185244\' date=\'May 2 2008, 11:06 AM\']
I dont't understand how this game of chance works. Can you explain more,or would it be a spoiler?[/quote]
The nutshell is that a randomly-selected number of million-dollar cases will be added to the board.
2-12 makes me wonder if it will be dice-based, but the selection method may have already been announced (even here, maybe), and it went in one ear and out the other for me as soon as I saw "DoND".
-
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'185254\' date=\'May 2 2008, 04:49 PM\']
2-12 makes me wonder if it will be dice-based, but the selection method may have already been announced (even here, maybe), and it went in one ear and out the other for me as soon as I saw "DoND".
[/quote]
The report I read (http://\"http://www.buzzerblog.com\") says "a set of golden balls will be present", and that "each ball will add million dollar cases to the board". No other details as to how they will be used.
-
[quote name=\'DoorNumberFour\' post=\'185260\' date=\'May 2 2008, 02:55 PM\']
The report I read (http://\"http://www.buzzerblog.com\") says "a set of golden balls will be present", and that "each ball will add million dollar cases to the board".[/quote]
That's right, I do remember reading that, I think on Alex Davis's blog.
-
IIRC, in the video for the spring shows, they had someone in a "cash cube"-like wind machine with balls flying around...they probably have to grab a certain number of balls, and every gold one adds a case...
-
[quote name=\'weaklink75\' post=\'185263\' date=\'May 2 2008, 04:08 PM\']
IIRC, in the video for the spring shows, they had someone in a "cash cube"-like wind machine with balls flying around...
[/quote]
Somehow I am reminded of the hockey fundraiser I announce for every year, where they decided that they would do a Chuck-A-Puck game with real pucks instead of foam ones. I was the one who had to point out that maybe that wasn't such a hot idea...
-
The immiture sinister a-hole in me* wants to see someone get two balls.
*Might need to see a doctor for that.
/what?
-
[quote name=\'Neumms\' post=\'185245\' date=\'May 2 2008, 01:37 PM\']
Once they give away a million, they'll make it a mission to give away two million. And America will be riveted!
[/quote]
In other words: This Saturday... on HBC... we're going to say...shit. Twice.
-
Speak fer yerself. I'm gonna be saying shit in Liberty City tomorrow night. :)
-
[quote name=\'ChuckNet\' post=\'185248\' date=\'May 2 2008, 03:38 PM\']
Ratings are still high, and I don't think someone winning the $1M will change that...case in point:
- Norma Brown on CS
- Michael Larsen on PYL
- Thom McKee on TTD
- John Carpenter on WWtBaM
- All "shopping" era winners on $otC
...none of whom caused their respective shows' ratings to fall after their appearances.
[/quote]
Yes, because the above were all engaging, interesting programs with solid gameplay (or in Press Your Luck's instance, a clever cartoon character) that kept bringing viewers back after their big moments. They each had a considerably greater play-along-at-home factor than DoND (again, with the exception of PYL, but then again, just how long did it stay on the air anyway?). DoND lacks something the aforementioned five all had: a compelling game that kept bringing viewers back on its own merits.
DoND has two hooks that keep eyes glued to the set: the "OMG $1,000,000 BIG MUNNY" factor, and the delicious schadenfreude that comes with watching squealing housewives pass up hundreds of thousands of dollars, only to wind up with a comparative pittance. I have serious doubts that the latter attraction alone will be able to prop up the ratings once they give away their ONE... MEEELLION DOLLARS! /*
People are only going to be able to absorb so much of "Uhh... ahh... ahll take case 14, Howie!" ad infinitum before it becomes unbearably tiresome. The producers obviously realized that early on in the run; witness all of the insipid gimmickry we've been treated to almost from the beginning, gimmickry that will likely continue until the inevitable day NBC drops the axe. Without the aura of the contestant you're watching possibly becoming The First to win the million, I see the show losing a lot of viewers, and the eventuality of cancellation accelerating greatly.
-
[quote name=\'CountdownRound\' post=\'185268\' date=\'May 2 2008, 06:22 PM\']
Without the aura of the contestant you're watching possibly becoming The First to win the million, I see the show losing a lot of viewers, and the eventuality of cancellation accelerating greatly.[/quote]
Well, here's to hoping.
-
[quote name=\'CountdownRound\' post=\'185268\' date=\'May 2 2008, 09:22 PM\']
[quote name=\'ChuckNet\' post=\'185248\' date=\'May 2 2008, 03:38 PM\']
Ratings are still high, and I don't think someone winning the $1M will change that...case in point:
- Norma Brown on CS
- Michael Larsen on PYL
- Thom McKee on TTD
- John Carpenter on WWtBaM
- All "shopping" era winners on $otC
...none of whom caused their respective shows' ratings to fall after their appearances.
[/quote]
DoND has two hooks that keep eyes glued to the set: the "OMG $1,000,000 BIG MUNNY" factor, and the delicious schadenfreude that comes with watching squealing housewives pass up hundreds of thousands of dollars, only to wind up with a comparative pittance. I have serious doubts that the latter attraction alone will be able to prop up the ratings once they give away their ONE... MEEELLION DOLLARS! /*
[/quote]
Actully, three hooks...can somebody say MODELS?
Charles
-
[quote name=\'catkins522\' post=\'185284\' date=\'May 3 2008, 07:31 AM\']
[quote name=\'CountdownRound\' post=\'185268\' date=\'May 2 2008, 09:22 PM\']
DoND has two hooks that keep eyes glued to the set: the "OMG $1,000,000 BIG MUNNY" factor, and the delicious schadenfreude that comes with watching squealing housewives pass up hundreds of thousands of dollars, only to wind up with a comparative pittance. I have serious doubts that the latter attraction alone will be able to prop up the ratings once they give away their ONE... MEEELLION DOLLARS! /*
[/quote]
Actully, three hooks...can somebody say MODELS?
Charles
[/quote]
Well, if you're that hard-up, I suppose...
-
[quote name=\'CountdownRound\' post=\'185286\' date=\'May 3 2008, 10:47 AM\'][quote name=\'catkins522\' post=\'185284\' date=\'May 3 2008, 07:31 AM\']Actully, three hooks...can somebody say MODELS?[/quote]
Well, if you're that hard-up, I suppose...[/quote]
Usually, the hard and up parts occur after seeing the models.
-
Gold star, sir.
/Or would that be two to twelve gold balls?
//This is so confusing.
-
[quote name=\'Mr. Armadillo\' post=\'185312\' date=\'May 3 2008, 06:07 PM\']
/Or would that be two to twelve gold balls?[/quote]
http://www.trucknutz.com/ (http://\"http://www.trucknutz.com/\")
Approves
-
[quote name=\'rollercoaster87\' post=\'185253\' date=\'May 2 2008, 03:47 PM\']
[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'185240\' date=\'May 2 2008, 12:04 PM\']
The UK and Aussie versions have had how many top prize wins? As far as I know, both shows still run strong.
[/quote]
I think there's only three between the two shows (2 Aussie, one UK), and both have been running longer than ours. I don't think our version will lose much steam, either.
[/quote]
The Aussie's had their first winner in June 2004, followed by their second winner in September 2007 but it was a celebrity playing for a home viewer.
We still got our only winner at the moment but the ratings for both shows are still doing respectfully well. We are having a special week coming up to celebrate The Banker's Birthday involving a fancy dress show, a £500,000 game and some familliar faces returning.
-
Will CBS cancel TPIR when Barker retires? How many years did we beat that dead horse?
People don't watch a show only in anticipation of someone else winning big money. Want proof?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Show_Me_the_M...S._game_show%29 (http://\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Show_Me_the_Money_%28U.S._game_show%29\")
Clementson's First Law of Game Shows: You can't buy an audience.
-
Once Deal gives away the million, people will still watch because there will be a new gimmick that will draw crowds. Donno what it'll be, but they've probably already got it figured out.
-
The faulty cause and effect part of the original question has been done to death. That said, I think the show relies on the gimmick because the game is made uninteresting when all you have to do is wait until the offer is big enough to hit the button and quit. If the game board weren't so completely in favor of the contestant to the degree that a $100,000 offer is almost guaranteed during the game, it would be interesting. If knocking out the big money actually carried some weight, as opposed to "Bah, I didn't want $300,000, I came for the million!" the game would be interesting.
(To that end, I think it would be more interesting in terms of a game to play a version of the Bong Game: tick off random money amounts that grow until the contestant says enough, or the Voice of Doom says the money is gone.)
But the American show has worked for three years, they're not going to change. But all game shows use gimmicks to some degree. Deal or No Deal just does it more frequently.
-
[quote name=\'chris319\' post=\'185342\' date=\'May 4 2008, 06:39 PM\']People don't watch a show only in anticipation of someone else winning big money. Want proof?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Show_Me_the_M...S._game_show%29 (http://\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Show_Me_the_Money_%28U.S._game_show%29\")[/quote]
Well, no, obviously not only for that reason. I wouldn't expect DoND's ratings to drop to zero the show after they finally give away a million. But I thought the general question was how many people are watching these shows just for that, and how much will it hurt if they do all leave? What were the millions of people who were still watching SMtM watching it for when it was cancelled?
-
[quote name=\'Robert Hutchinson\' post=\'185430\' date=\'May 5 2008, 09:11 PM\']
What were the millions of people who were still watching SMtM watching it for when it was cancelled?
[/quote]
Millions?!
-
[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'185436\' date=\'May 5 2008, 06:44 PM\']
Millions?![/quote]
AND MILLIONS --
Erm, sorry, thought I was in a Rock promo for a second. Please continue.
-
[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'185436\' date=\'May 5 2008, 09:44 PM\']
[quote name=\'Robert Hutchinson\' post=\'185430\' date=\'May 5 2008, 09:11 PM\']
What were the millions of people who were still watching SMtM watching it for when it was cancelled?
[/quote]
Millions?!
[/quote]
"Two" is plural.
-
[quote name=\'ChrisLambert!\' post=\'185467\' date=\'May 6 2008, 10:05 AM\']
[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'185436\' date=\'May 5 2008, 09:44 PM\']
[quote name=\'Robert Hutchinson\' post=\'185430\' date=\'May 5 2008, 09:11 PM\']
What were the millions of people who were still watching SMtM watching it for when it was cancelled?
[/quote]
Millions?!
[/quote]
"Two" is plural.
[/quote]
But two is a lot less than millions. :)
-
[quote name=\'weaklink75\' post=\'185263\' date=\'May 2 2008, 07:08 PM\']
IIRC, in the video for the spring shows, they had someone in a "cash cube"-like wind machine with balls flying around...they probably have to grab a certain number of balls, and every gold one adds a case...[/quote]
Not quite. They grab ONE of the balls swirling around them, and inside the ball is a number indicating how many Million Dollar Cases will be put in play. Why a wind machine you ask, since they can't tell one ball from another until it's opened? See, there you are thinking logically again, instead of submitting to the spectacle that is DOND.
-
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'185508\' date=\'May 6 2008, 02:02 PM\']
Why a wind machine you ask, since they can't tell one ball from another until it's opened?[/quote]
Because watching a contestant flail wildly at empty air is Good Television.
-
The Aussie's had their first winner in June 2004, followed by their second winner in September 2007 but it was a celebrity playing for a home viewer.
And they came close to having a second civilian winner sometime in 05...a contestant had the $200K case and held onto it all the way through, but opted to sell it after getting the final offer of the game.
Chuck Donegan (The Illustrious "Chuckie Baby")