NJ
Yes but we have historical "norms" for game shows in this country, and back in the mists of time it wasn't the norm to go on telly and win obscene amounts of money (indeed the Twenty One scandal put paid to that for the next forty years). It was more "do something different" and get to spend an evening with a celebrity, and if you happen to win a washing machine and £100, that's a nice bonus.
In America of course, I dare say you only had to walk through the door and they'd furnish you with a fistful of dollars just for turning up, never mind winning a few thousand dollars for being a smartarse for 23 minutes of programme or whatever.
Neil Jones
Founding member
It was a format point though. UK shows quite happy to send contestants away empty handed but surprisingly in the more ruthless world of American TV it is something they're more reluctant to do, hence the ridiculous guarantee of $32k for charities in their celeb revival. It's one reason I think UK commissioners like gameshows which can build to a signfiicant jackpot but more often than not it isn't won, so the average winnings end up being quite low.
Yes but we have historical "norms" for game shows in this country, and back in the mists of time it wasn't the norm to go on telly and win obscene amounts of money (indeed the Twenty One scandal put paid to that for the next forty years). It was more "do something different" and get to spend an evening with a celebrity, and if you happen to win a washing machine and £100, that's a nice bonus.
In America of course, I dare say you only had to walk through the door and they'd furnish you with a fistful of dollars just for turning up, never mind winning a few thousand dollars for being a smartarse for 23 minutes of programme or whatever.