News In A Flash!: Quick Game Show Updates #68

Today's update will review some of the major news headlines in the game show universe from the past few weeks in 200 characters or less including updates featured on the TBIR Facebook page. This week's updates include another quarter-million dollar win on Australia's Millionaire Hot Seat, New Zealand in talks to revive its version of Mastermind and some of the latest network and syndicated game show ratings. 

"Chain Reaction" (2015 GSN Revival) Review

Set Design- 8

Gameplay- 7

Show Flow- 9

Potential Viewer Ratings- 7

Play-Along Factor- 10

Host- 7

Overall Rating- 8.0

The Scuttlebutt On GSN Part 7: "The Chase" & "Chain Reaction" Debuts Tonight, "Steampunk'd" Premieres in August

Today’s GSN update will review the summer premieres of The Chase and Chain Reaction, both which are set to debut today at 8:00pm and 9:00pm ET, along with the network’s newest competition series, Steampunk’d. The Chase, hosted by Brooke Burns, returns with Mark “The Beast” Labbett attempting to stop teams of three smart contestants from potentially winning hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash by knocking them out of the game in a series of trivia rounds. After you have tuned into The Chase, check out the debut of the second GSN revival of Chain Reaction with Mike Catherwood at the helm this time around. This version plays similarly to the first GSN version with the exceptions of two pairs of teams competing rather than two gender-opposed trios, the elimination of the Speed Chains and a new $5,000 end game. I will post a full review of the new Chain Reaction series later this week.

NeNe Leakes & Betty White To Star As Panelists on ABC's “To Tell The Truth”

ABC announced Wednesday that former Real Housewives of Atlanta star NeNe Leakes and veteran game show panelist/host Betty White will star as resident panelists on the network’s revival of To Tell The Truth. Six episodes of the revived series have been ordered by the network from FremantleMedia North America and will be hosted by Anthony Anderson. Also joining the core cast are Anderson’s lively mother, Doris, as the official scorekeeper and Cheche and his Band of Liars, the house band who will close every episode with a “show stopping performance”. Although the premiere date has not been announced yet, the show will be taping July 13-15 in Los Angeles, CA. Barry Poznick, Toby Gorman, Thom Beers, Jeff Gaspin, George Moll and Anthony Anderson will serve as the show’s executive producers. 

Challenge To Air “Bullseye” Documentary Later This Summer

One of the most successful and popular game shows to ever air on ITV will be receiving a tribute of its own with Challenge developing a documentary called You Can’t Beat A Bit Of Bully. The hour-long special program, which premieres later this summer, is produced by Sky Vision Productions and features the show’s original host, Jim Bowen, and referee/co-host Tony Green reminiscing the key moments that made Bullseye a hit weekend series. Other guest stars include professional dart players, producers, directors, warm-up men, question-setters and prize-finders. The documentary was commissioned by Stephen Ladlow, the Director of Challenge. "Bullseye was a landmark for British TV gameshows, occupying a golden age of primetime TV viewing. This will be a great opportunity for viewers to witness first-hand how the show became so popular from the people who were instrumental in ensuring its success", said Ladlow. UPDATE: The documentary will air July 29 at 9:00pm BST on Challenge.  Head to the network's YouTube page to check out a promo for You Can’t Beat A Bit Of Bully.