News In A Flash!: Quick Game Show Updates #67

Happy Monday, everyone! Today's update will review some of the major news headlines in the game show universe from the past week in 200 characters or less including updates featured on the TBIR Facebook page. Headlining updates include Bradley Walsh hosting a new family game show, GSN's Mind Of A Man possibly returning in syndication next year, and a million-dollar winner unfortunately proving that money is not always the key to happiness. All syndication ratings are from the week ending October 5.

Miranda Hart, the rumored host of BBC One’s revival of The Generation Game, is looking for families to participate in a new BBC game show to be filmed in December. Casting closes October 24.

A production company is holding a casting call searching for teams of two to compete in a horror-themed game show. Go to Reality Wanted for more details and the casting closes November 1.

The Singer Takes It All, Fifteen To One, Pointless, Reggie Yates and Warwick Davis are among the shows and personalities nominated in the 2014 National Television Awards. Go to the NTA site to vote.

ITV’s newest game show Keep It In The Family will be filmed at BBC Elstree Studios in Borehamwood. The show will air Saturday nights later this year with host Bradley Walsh.

Monopoly Millionaires' Club will be filmed in Las Vegas and will air February 2015 in syndication. The one-hour primetime series has been cleared to air in 95% of U.S. television lottery households.

Syndicators are expressing interest in distributing more game shows for 2015 including Sony Pictures Television (Mind Of A Man), Debmar-Mercury (What’s My Line) and FremantleMedia (To Tell The Truth).

TV3’s The Algorithm was deemed one of the “hot pick” formats at last week’s MIPCOM marketplace by the U.K. magazine Broadcast. The “man vs. machine” show will debut Spring 2015 with host Ray Foley.

Last Friday, the South Korean entertainment company CJ E&M has sold The Genius Game social reality game show format to FremantleMedia France, where 13 contestants compete in a battle of wits.

BBC Worldwide has announced its partnership with German broadcaster ZDF to develop One In A Thousand. The series will air on ZDF in 2015 and has 1,000 contestants compete in 10 knock-out rounds.

Marlene Grabherr (61), the first female winner of Germany’s Millioniare, had died last Wednesday. She died “penniless and alone", according to the Daily Star, and claimed the money "ruined her life”.

Last week, LA Times covered the "mad scientists" responsible for creating the infamous "Zonk" prizes on CBS's Let's Make A Deal. By the way, zonked contestant usually receive a $100 consolation prize.

On the week ending October 5, Wheel gained 5% to a 6.5, Jeopardy! increased 5% to a 6.4, Feud saw the biggest gain among game shows with a 14% jump to a 5.8 and Millionaire stayed flat at a 2.0.

Although Debmar-Mercury’s Celebrity Name Game remained unchanged from the previous premiere week at a 1.1, the newcomer improved 14% among women 25-54 to a 0.8.

This week's Celebrity Name Game guest stars include Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Yvette Nicole Brown, Michael Ealy, Raven-Symone, Sara Rue and Jane Leeves.

VIEWERSHIP/OVERALL RANKINGS: Wheel: 10.14 million, 3rd overall; Jeopardy!: 9.66 million, 4th overall; Family Feud: 8.4 million, 5th overall; Millionaire: 2.68 million, 23rd overall.

Sources: Borehamwood Times, Broadcast, Broadcast & Cable, Digital Spy, Irish Times, KpopStarz, KSPR 33, LA Times, NationalTVAwards.com, Reality Wanted, The Straits Times, TV By The Numbers, TV News Check