In an attempt to not totally wilt over the past week I\'ve been doing a lot of sitting around; some of it watching everyone\'s eighth favorite game of lady luck and definitions; and I was thinking to myself that toward the end of the run they almost had something really good. With some changes I think the show would be a solid one.
For one I\'d ditch the third player. It must be terribly frustrating to get on a show, lose the opening jump-in and not ever get to play before you\'re off the show.
I\'d also reduce the amount to win the game to $1,000. The game to $2,000 was an absolute slog especially when the value per question was a whole $25. (this is assuming that the game is played with categories and not the money amounts). This would be coupled with the rule that players alternated turns spinning but could still steal the money on a wrong answer. It is awkward to watch as one player builds up a huge lead and retain control just because his opponent can\'t pick up the rebound.
The bonus game on the original series had all the tension and unpredictability of a John Grisham novel. The match-three version was much better there, and Pat\'s monotone reading was one of necessity I think, since he\'s trying to get out as many questions as he can. The play-in bit is not only a good way to turn the game on its head but it rewards players who have a breadth of knowledge as well.
It would have been different enough from the original so that it wasn\'t a carbon copy, but the changes would make for a better game and better show as well.
