A while ago CBS piloted a new primetime game show called The Whole 19 Yards which made people answer trivia questions, but the catch is they had to run an obstacle course to get to their buzzer. We didn’t end up airing, but England did. Their version started yesterday, hosted by Family Fortunes (Family Feud) host Vernon Kay. First off, it’s got an incredibly nice looking set and presentation, but the actual game is what people care about. Different challenges come up each round, and all leave the buzzer 19 yards away. Just reach it and answer your question before your opponents do to move on and the others have to redo it. The first three to make it move to the next round. Another challenge, another player gone, and a final challenge before the champion is found.
The end game for £100,000, though, has probably the best end game in a while, and at least my favorite since Russian Roulette’s Killer Questions. The buzzer starts right next to the contestant. Clues to something are read. After the first clue, the buzzer starts to move down the 19 yard path. When the contestant knows what it is, the contestant has to run and hit the buzzer. If they are right they get money. The buzzer stays where it’s at but the contestant goes back to the start. That person can stop with the money, or continue to play on for up to £100,000. It’s a really great idea for the end game.
It’s a fun show, and I have very few issues beyond the fact that they seem to have gone out of their way to cast the most stupid contestants they possibly could have. I’m not asking for genius contestants or even incredibly smart. It was just mind blowing how little they knew. The main game, repeating a game when they need to move people through, gets a bit repetitive but I know why they do so there’s not much to do about that. Really I can’t think of any actual major change or some glaring issue. It’s a fun show that definitely wasn’t fit or CBS, but some other network. But it’s a fun show which means no one would pick up the pilot.
