UK Gameshows

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by CV19

I haven't seen this new edition yet, but the version they made earlier in the year called Beat The Chasers was really good. I don't know if you saw it, but in this version all 5 chasers were involved, and the contestant had the choice of how many of them he or she wanted to compete with. The money offered would increase in relation to the number of chasers they played against.

It was also better in the sense that the contestants were not playing as part of a team, so any money won would be kept for themselves. It does appear though as this could have been a one-off (I think it ran for one week only from Mon-Fri), as I haven't heard ITV saying they would make any more of them.

The contestant you mentioned on The Chase appearing in Star Wars reminded me of Warwick Davis who hosts a gameshow called Tenable (which I only saw when I was off sick quite a while back, and I didn't like the show anyway). However Davis let it slip that he was in one of the Star Wars films which led me to check out IMDb and was amazed at how many films the guy made over the years.

Yeah, he was in Willow I seem to recall.

He did a good show with Karl Pilkington (Idiot Abroad series). They were both very funny. He was always mentioning being a Ewok and Karl was winding him up saying “he wasn’t a proper actor because he was in a suit)

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by CV19

Oh yes, Les Dawson was brilliant. I had nothing against Wogan as such, but I didn't really find him very funny. However Dawson was on a different level. I seem to remember he would even occasionally say to a contestant "Don't you dare leave it behind" after revealing the prize he or she won.

Bradley Walsh would probably do fine with Blankety Blank. The first time I saw Walsh would have been when he briefly presented Wheel Of Fortune after taking over from Nicky Campbell.

Vernon Kay was just too "loud" for my liking - if I can put it like that. To me, he was just irritating with the way he shouted (as you pointed out), and I just felt he was a lousy presenter in general. Only my opinion of course (in case there are fans of his out there who read this).

I didn’t like Wogan, loved Les Dawson though.

[CV19]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Yeah, he was in Willow I seem to recall.

He did a good show with Karl Pilkington (Idiot Abroad series). They were both very funny. He was always mentioning being a Ewok and Karl was winding him up saying “he wasn’t a proper actor because he was in a suit)

I do remember Warwick making jokes about himself regarding his height (or lack of it) during his quiz shows. He seems a decent enough sort of guy from the very few Tenable shows I watched, and seemed to be quite happy to have a laugh at his own expense.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by CV19

I do remember Warwick making jokes about himself regarding his height (or lack of it) during his quiz shows. He seems a decent enough sort of guy from the very few Tenable shows I watched, and seemed to be quite happy to have a laugh at his own expense.

Yeah, I like him.

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by CV19

I haven't seen this new edition yet, but the version they made earlier in the year called Beat The Chasers was really good. I don't know if you saw it, but in this version all 5 chasers were involved, and the contestant had the choice of how many of them he or she wanted to compete with. The money offered would increase in relation to the number of chasers they played against.

It was also better in the sense that the contestants were not playing as part of a team, so any money won would be kept for themselves. It does appear though as this could have been a one-off (I think it ran for one week only from Mon-Fri), as I haven't heard ITV saying they would make any more of them.

The contestant you mentioned on The Chase appearing in Star Wars reminded me of Warwick Davis who hosts a gameshow called Tenable (which I only saw when I was off sick quite a while back, and I didn't like the show anyway). However Davis let it slip that he was in one of the Star Wars films which led me to check out IMDb and was amazed at how many films the guy made over the years.

I did watch some of the first edition of Beat the Chasers, but I couldn't get into it. And yes, it was shown over five consecutive nights on ITV a few months ago. I've seen Tenable a couple of times, but didn't like it a lot.

The Star Wars films aside, I know Warwick Davis appeared in Willow with Val Kilmer, but that's it (don't know of any other films).

My favourite Chaser is definitely Shaun Wallace. He is gracious, even in defeat. Treats the contestant with respect. He creases me up when he does his impressions (the ones which are a cross between Sir Norman Wisdom and Sir Michael Caine) and renditions of songs (the ending of the latest Chase bloopers special has a very funny bit with him singing a Christmas song, and the other Chasers being backing singers (I think they were miming).

[CV19]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

The Star Wars films aside, I know Warwick Davis appeared in Willow with Val Kilmer, but that's it (don't know of any other films).

My favourite Chaser is definitely Shaun Wallace. He is gracious, even in defeat. Treats the contestant with respect. He creases me up when he does his impressions (the ones which are a cross between Sir Norman Wisdom and Sir Michael Caine) and renditions of songs (the ending of the latest Chase bloopers special has a very funny bit with him singing a Christmas song, and the other Chasers being backing singers (I think they were miming).

I've never seen any of the films, but according to the IMDb he seemed to be in all the Harry Potter movies too. I was surprised at how many films he appeared in.

I like Shaun Wallace as well - the only impression I can recall him doing was an attempt at Bruce Forsyth. Even Bradley Walsh couldn't keep his face straight.......mind you, it doesn't take much to set him off.

A little while back, Challenge was showing some of the American editions of The Chase where Mark Labbett was the chaser (in fact, he was the only one). I watched a couple of the shows, but I didn't really take to them and stopped watching. It was a little different to the UK shows, for example there were only 3 contestants instead of 4, and Labbett remained in his chair throughout the show. I've never understood why in the UK version the chasers have to keep walking back to their seat every time a contestant is ready to face them.

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by CV19

I've never seen any of the films, but according to the IMDb he seemed to be in all the Harry Potter movies too. I was surprised at how many films he appeared in.

I like Shaun Wallace as well - the only impression I can recall him doing was an attempt at Bruce Forsyth. Even Bradley Walsh couldn't keep his face straight.......mind you, it doesn't take much to set him off.

A little while back, Challenge was showing some of the American editions of The Chase where Mark Labbett was the chaser (in fact, he was the only one). I watched a couple of the shows, but I didn't really take to them and stopped watching. It was a little different to the UK shows, for example there were only 3 contestants instead of 4, and Labbett remained in his chair throughout the show. I've never understood why in the UK version the chasers have to keep walking back to their seat every time a contestant is ready to face them.

The only time I've noticed the Chasers staying in their seat, is on the celebrity version, when they do the final chase (when the celebrities try to get as many questions correct in two minutes). It gets on my nerves a bit, when they keep walking along the bridge to their seat (I fast forward through some of each edition I watch).

I've watched some editions of the American version on Challenge (I've since seen host Brooke Burns in a Hallmark murder mystery TV film series called The Gourmet Detective, and I know she starred in a season of Baywatch). Mark Labett has appeared on an Australian version as well with Anne Hegerty. I'm not sure if that version has aired over here.

On one edition of the American version, it must have been Mark Labett's birthday at the time. I've never seen this happen on the UK version, he came down to the floor area where Brooke Burns and the contestants were, because a birthday cake had been made for him.

[CV19]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

I've watched some editions of the American version on Challenge (I've since seen host Brooke Burns in a Hallmark murder mystery TV film series called The Gourmet Detective, and I know she starred in a season of Baywatch). Mark Labett has appeared on an Australian version as well with Anne Hegerty. I'm not sure if that version has aired over here.

Yes, some of the Australian editions have been aired on Challenge. I do remember Anne Hegerty appearing, but they also had their own chasers as well unlike the American version.

Actually the edition you mention where it was Labbett's birthday happens to be one of the shows I watched. I was somewhat surprised though that they didn't include some American chasers on their shows......in saying that, maybe they did in later editions which I didn't watch anyway.

Another thing I noticed was on one occasion, Labbett made a contestant a 'super offer' right after making the initial high offer. The contestant didn't accept it as it would have basically meant there would be no safety net and would have to answer every single question correctly.

[OceanBlue]

A new series of Pointless started on BBC One today. The new celebrity editions continue this coming Saturday evening.

[OceanBlue]

As of yesterday on BBC One, repeats of Pointless have resumed from the series before last.

A couple of other gameshows I can remember, one moreso than the other, which I haven't seen repeated by Challenge, are All Clued Up and Winner Takes All. The former was presented by radio presenter David Hamilton (I think it was shown on Sunday teatimes like Bullseye was), and the latter was presented by Jimmy Tarbuck.

[CV19]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

A couple of other gameshows I can remember, one moreso than the other, which I haven't seen repeated by Challenge, are All Clued Up and Winner Takes All. The former was presented by radio presenter David Hamilton (I think it was shown on Sunday teatimes like Bullseye was), and the latter was presented by Jimmy Tarbuck.

Yep, I remember Winner Takes All with Tarbuck very well, and I haven't seen it on Challenge either. I can also remember one from the early 80's called Punchlines with Lennie Bennett. It was on ITV, but it didn't run for very long - I guess maybe a couple of years, but I'm not aware of this ever being shown on Challenge either.

Another blast from the past was It's A Knockout, with Stuart Hall. It ran for many years on the BBC, but I only ever watched it in the late 70's/early 80's and even then I only saw it sporadically. However around the year 2005/6, Challenge did screen some episodes dating from 1981 and 1982, which I watched for old times sake. Of course, since all the trouble broke out with Hall a few years later, Challenge never aired any more of his shows.

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by CV19

Yep, I remember Winner Takes All with Tarbuck very well, and I haven't seen it on Challenge either. I can also remember one from the early 80's called Punchlines with Lennie Bennett. It was on ITV, but it didn't run for very long - I guess maybe a couple of years, but I'm not aware of this ever being shown on Challenge either.

Another blast from the past was It's A Knockout, with Stuart Hall. It ran for many years on the BBC, but I only ever watched it in the late 70's/early 80's and even then I only saw it sporadically. However around the year 2005/6, Challenge did screen some episodes dating from 1981 and 1982, which I watched for old times sake. Of course, since all the trouble broke out with Hall a few years later, Challenge never aired any more of his shows.

I remember seeing some of It's a Knockout (one edition had some members of the Royal family appear on the show). And yes, they wouldn't show any editions of the show now, which were presented by Stuart Hall. It's the same situation with some editions of Top of the Pops and Blankety Blank.

I remember Lennie Bennett presenting two gameshows on ITV. I have vague memories of Punchlines, but I remember more Lucky Ladders (I don't recall him presenting anything after that).

There was also a gameshow which aired in a morning timeslot after TV-am or GMTV, a music-themed series. Tom O'Connor presented a series I liked, called Crosswits (two teams, each comprised of a celebrity teamed up with a member of the public, solving crossword clues). I also remember one called The Pyramid Game, presented by someone with large glasses and spiky hair.

A few weeks ago, on a new edition of Celebrity Chase, Richard Madeley mentioned that he presented a gameshow once. I remember him presenting an airport-themed game show.

Finally, remember Busman's Holiday? Was that a gameshow?

[CV19]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

Finally, remember Busman's Holiday? Was that a gameshow?

Yes I do vaguely remember Busman's Holiday (with Julian Pettifer) - although I didn't watch it all that often. It wasn't a show I really cared for if I'm honest, but yes, I guess you could call it a gameshow, or perhaps a quiz as it featured questions being asked about the other contestants occupations.....from my hazy recollection of it.

Richard Madeley did host a gameshow called Runway - I take it that might be the one you mean. I do remember it being on, mid or late 80's I would guess at, but other than that I couldn't really tell you a great deal about it I'm afraid......old age creeping in.

I've no memory of an early morning music-themed series, however as you mentioned Tom O'Connor, I can say that I regularly watched Name That Tune. Lionel Blair took over as host after Tom, even though Blair was also on the charades gameshow Give Us A Clue with Una Stubbs.

So many quizzes and gameshows from my youth, I'm sure there are more buried somewhere in the depths of my memory.

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by CV19

Yes I do vaguely remember Busman's Holiday (with Julian Pettifer) - although I didn't watch it all that often. It wasn't a show I really cared for if I'm honest, but yes, I guess you could call it a gameshow, or perhaps a quiz as it featured questions being asked about the other contestants occupations.....from my hazy recollection of it.

Richard Madeley did host a gameshow called Runway - I take it that might be the one you mean. I do remember it being on, mid or late 80's I would guess at, but other than that I couldn't really tell you a great deal about it I'm afraid......old age creeping in.

I've no memory of an early morning music-themed series, however as you mentioned Tom O'Connor, I can say that I regularly watched Name That Tune. Lionel Blair took over as host after Tom, even though Blair was also on the charades gameshow Give Us A Clue with Una Stubbs.

So many quizzes and gameshows from my youth, I'm sure there are more buried somewhere in the depths of my memory.

That does ring a bell, the name of the Richard Madeley series, Runway.

I do remember seeing Give Us a Clue. Una Stubbs was either on first, against Lionel Blair, or she replaced Liza Goddard (around that time, Goddard made occasional appearances on Bergerac as jewel thief Phillipa Vale (aka 'the Ice Maiden'). Did both Michael Parkinson and Michael Aspel present Give Us a Clue?

I only watched the editions of Name That Tune which Lionel Blair presented. I don't remember seeing Tom O'Connor presenting it.

[CV19]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

That does ring a bell, the name of the Richard Madeley series, Runway.

I do remember seeing Give Us a Clue. Una Stubbs was either on first, against Lionel Blair, or she replaced Liza Goddard (around that time, Goddard made occasional appearances on Bergerac as jewel thief Phillipa Vale (aka 'the Ice Maiden'). Did both Michael Parkinson and Michael Aspel present Give Us a Clue?

I only watched the editions of Name That Tune which Lionel Blair presented. I don't remember seeing Tom O'Connor presenting it.

Yes, Michael Parkinson took over from Michael Aspel around 1984/5. Give Us A Clue must have started in the late 70's/early 80's, as I was still at school when this was shown.

Name That Tune was an odd one in that it started life as a filler in a variety show broadcast in the late 1970's, so this was only a part of many other acts. Tom O'Connor presented it, but it seems someone at ITV thought it good enough to give it a series of its own. This started sometime in 1983/4, and Lionel Blair took over very shortly after.

[CV19]

Another Saturday evening gameshow from the 70's and 80's was 3-2-1 with Ted Rogers. I didn't mind the first round where contestants were asked questions, but I didn't really care for all the theatrics that followed, and the riddles the contestants were given which were supposedly clues to a particular prize.

It was adapted from a Spanish gameshow called Un, Dos, Tres. I remember watching this during my wonderfully long summer holiday in Spain back in 1983. The show as I recall was much longer than the British version - the UK show lasted an hour, and the booby prize over there was an old boot as opposed to a dustbin which our version had.

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by CV19

Another Saturday evening gameshow from the 70's and 80's was 3-2-1 with Ted Rogers. I didn't mind the first round where contestants were asked questions, but I didn't really care for all the theatrics that followed, and the riddles the contestants were given which were supposedly clues to a particular prize.

It was adapted from a Spanish gameshow called Un, Dos, Tres. I remember watching this during my wonderfully long summer holiday in Spain back in 1983. The show as I recall was much longer than the British version - the UK show lasted an hour, and the booby prize over there was an old boot as opposed to a dustbin which our version had.

Me and Steedeel were only just talking about this gameshow in the Vinegar Syndrome thread recently (I mentioned the show because of the recent clues being given to VS titles coming out next year being very hard). You needed a degree to figure out which prize the clue was describing.

Challenge repeated some of the series. I saw some of the early ones and some of the last few editions which were made (I think actress Caroline Munro was one of the hostesses on the series at some point). You could see the difference in Ted Rogers' suits. Of the latter editions, among the celebrities who appeared in the entertainment sections were Showaddywaddy (of the original lineup, when they were having hits in the charts, I only recognised the singer who is now the group's manager. He appeared on a new edition of Pointless Celebrities on BBC One several weeks ago) and The Real Thing (a clip of their appearance was in the Real Thing documentary which BBC Four showed back in August or September).

[CV19]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

Me and Steedeel were only just talking about this gameshow in the Vinegar Syndrome thread recently.........

For a moment there, I thought you were about to say that Vinegar Syndrome were going to release 3-2-1 on blu-ray.

I never got to see any of the repeats on Challenge. I would watch a couple of them if they ever appeared in their schedules again, purely for nostalgia, and a chance to see those suits once again that Ted wore.

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by CV19

For a moment there, I thought you were about to say that Vinegar Syndrome were going to release 3-2-1 on blu-ray.

I never got to see any of the repeats on Challenge. I would watch a couple of them if they ever appeared in their schedules again, purely for nostalgia, and a chance to see those suits once again that Ted wore.

Sadly not. I've not seen many gameshows released on physical media. The only panel shows I can think of (off the top of my head), are Joker's Wild (which Network haven't completed on DVD) and Whodunnit? (presented by Edward Woodward, then Jon Pertwee for the majority of it's run).

There have been one or two TV series I've wanted Vinegar Syndrome to release, but based on what they said once, it sounds like they're concentrating on films for the time being.

[CV19]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

There have been one or two TV series I've wanted Vinegar Syndrome to release, but based on what they said once, it sounds like they're concentrating on films for the time being.

I've never looked at the Vinegar Syndrome thread, as I imagined that their discs were all region-locked like the Kino Lorber titles. However, I've just had a look at their website for the first time - just picking titles at random, there are a number of them that are region-free, so I'll explore this site in more detail now.

No, I can't see all that many gameshows ever being released on discs to be honest. Network would be the best bet, but apart from the one you already mentioned, I'm guessing not many others will follow.

I wouldn't mind seeing an unedited episode of Bullseye which I gather was filmed, but never broadcast. It apparently contained lots of adult humour from host Jim Bowen that was deemed unsuitable to show on its regular teatime slot. I've no idea where I read about this, but if its really true, it would make interesting viewing.