FOX Orders Israeli "Boom!" Game Show Format

It looks like FOX will be increasing its recent unscripted repertoire by purchasing a series order of Boom!, developed for the U.S. by Keshet DCP, a joint venture between Keshet International and DC Media. The original Israeli game show format created by Keshet International has been on the move lately since its been out and about on the global marketplace and since the format debuted at the MIPTV market. Lately, Boom! made its first big sale to France’s TF1.

Here’s how it works: a team of four contestants will try to defuse eight “bombs” by answering trivia questions correctly within a time limit. The multiple choice answers are represented by different-colorful wires. If the designated contestant “diffuses the bomb” by answering correctly, more money will be added to the team’s prize bank and the contestant moves on to the next bomb. FOX has not stated exactly what will happen if the contestant cuts the wrong wire or runs out of time. In the original format, the device explodes, spewing material across the studio and shaking the set. Every time a bomb explodes, the team loses one contestant and 25% of their potential prize bank. Simon Andreae, FOX’s EVP Alternative, called the show “a perfect blend of family entertainment and FOX attitude. It’s as if Jack Bauer made brain love with Jeff Foxworthy.”

Boom’s increasing popularity can be attributed to the show’s strong premiere ratings in Israel. The series also became the highest-rated game show launch ever in the country with a 41.2% share and a 26.7 household rating for Keshet Broadcasting’s Channel 2.That’s incredibly impressive for game shows nowadays.

Since the cancellations of Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader? and Don’t Forget The Lyrics in 2009, FOX has yet to air an original game show that hasn’t lasted for more than one season. As interesting and successful as this game sounds, will it be a success on FOX? If you are quick to say “yes” because it has shown to be a hit in other countries, keep in mind that Million Dollar Money Drop, Take Me Out and The Rich List were all given the axed during or after its first season, despite their proven success in the U.K. and Australia. I’m looking forward to what FOX will do to this “dangerously fun" game show. On a quick end note, although it’s not written in stone what will happen if a contestant clips a wire connected to the wrong answer, it would be cool to add penalties to the aforementioned wires like “time speed-up” or “time loss” to make the game more interesting and exciting.

Source: Deadline Hollywood