New Syndicated Game Show “iWitness” Set To Debut July 10

While Celebrity Name Game is (unfortunately) on its way out this year, it looks a new game show could be taking its place this summer. Judge Judy Sheindlin, the queen of the television courtroom, has created the latest game show to hit the syndicated circuit: iWitness (tentative title). Hosted by former Wipeout commentator John Henson, the show three contestants will be engaged in a competitive test of observation and recall by watching a series of videos and images for a chance to advance to the end game worth $20,000. The half-hour series is produced by Sheindlin’s production company, Queen Bee Productions, FremantleMedia North America and Debmar Mercury. Famed game show producer Scott St. John serves as the showrunner of iWitness. 

The show launches its six-week test on select FOX affiliate stations in top markets beginning July 10. Should the test run prove to be a success, FremantleMedia NA and Debmar Mercury may launch the show nationally in fall 2018. FremantleMedia and Debmar Mercury would respectively handle international and domestic distribution. 

Let’s hope this will be a better memory-based game show than GSN’s Instant Recall.

“Starcade” & “Love Connection” Revivals In The Works

It sort of feels like the 1980s again with pending return of the first-ever arcade game show Starcade and the once-popular syndicated relationship game show Love Connection. Earlier this week, Shout! Factory announced its acquisition to to the worldwide television and ancillary rights to Starcade from JM Productions and show creators James Caruso and Mavis E. Arthur, and FOX has ordered a season of its incarnation of Love Connection with Andy Cohen as the new host.

FOX Orders Musical Game Show “Beat Shazam”

It looks like FOX is stacking up on game shows once more after coming off of a lackluster year when Bullseye, BOOM! and the revival of Are You Smarter Than 5th Grader? all exited after their first seasons last summer. After ordering the American adaptation of You’re Back In The Room late 2015, the network has picked a new music-based game show called Beat Shazam. Like to Name That Tune, the format has contestants attempt to identify a series of songs, similar to how the Shazam music app help users identify songs, titles and artists. The contestants who fare the best will have a chance to go head-to-head with the Shazam app itself for the show’s top prize. Beat Shazam will be executive produced by Mark Burnett and Jeff Apploff (the same producer behind Don’t Forget The Lyrics) with Shazam Entertainment Limited joining as a partner on the series. No word yet on a premiere date or when production begins.

FOX Orders Hypnotic Game Show “You’re Back In The Room”

The network announced its acquisition of You’re Back In The Room, based on the U.K. series of the same name currently airing on ITV, late last week and has scheduled for the show’s production to begin in early 2016. On the original U.K. series hosted by The Cube’s Philip Scofield, a team of five contestants face a series of seemingly simple tasks to add money to their team bank. Naturally, the catch is each member of the team will be placed under a hypnotic trance by the show’s resident professional hypnotist, making it more difficult to complete the challenges. The show is executive produced Karen Smith and Tuesday’s Child in association with BBC Worldwide Productions.

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. 

"BOOM!" Review

Set Design- 10

Gameplay- 10

Show Flow- 10

Potential Viewer Ratings- 7

Play-Along Factor- 9

Host- 7 

Overall Rating- 9.0 

FOX, Keshet DCP & Screenz Debut "BOOM!" Live Play-Along Mobile Game

A couple of days ago, FOX announced its debut of the play-along mobile version of its new game show, BOOM!, which is set to premiere tonight at 8:00pm ET with host Tom Papa. The mobile app is now available for free for iOS and Android devices and features two game modes: Play With TV and Practice modes. The app was developed in partnership with Screenz, an award-winning global digital entertainment company, and Keshet DCP. Like with NBC’s Million Second Quiz game, the second screen Play With TV mode gives viewers a chance to play along with the live broadcast and answer the same questions on the show. Viewers will also have a chance to test their trivial skills and nimble mind by playing the game at any time in Practice mode to get a good feel of how the game is played prior to the premiere.

BUZZR's Full Weekday and Weekend Schedules

This is a big day for game show fans as it marks the debut of FremantleMedia's new digital multicast network, BUZZR. The new channel, dedicated to airing classic game shows including Let's Make A Deal, Family Feud and Blockbusters, currently airs on local FOX stations in 17 cities across the country thus far. Go to buzzrplay.com and check to see if the new channel airs in your area. Listed below are BUZZR's inaugural weekday and weekend schedules*.

Quick Reviews of "Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?" (2015) and "Bullseye" (FOX Version)

Early last week, FOX debuted two new game shows to add to the network's summer primetime lineup: the return of Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? and the series premiere of the new competition series, Bullseye with hosts Kellan Lutz and comedian Godfrey. Today's article will briefly review both new shows and whether or not both shows will be good enough to be renewed in 2016. If you have yet to see the premiere episodes of 5th Grader or Bullseye, click on the links to watch the full shows on FOX.com. First, we'll take a look at Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?. Now in its fourth season, the revived series' rules are essentially the same: a contestant must answer 10 questions correctly, which vary in difficulty from 1st grade to 5th grade. If they make through the first 10 questions, the contestant will have a chance to answer one final 6th grade question worth $1 million if correct.

Game Shows To Watch For The Next Three Nights

This week is a pretty busy week for network game shows with Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? and Bullseye coming to FOX, The Briefcase making its debut on CBS and 500 Questions closing out its first season Thursday evening with a two-hour finale. First, tonight on FOX, 5th Grader returns with host Jeff Foxworthy, a new set and a new cast of classmates to help the contestants make the grade and win the $1 million top prize at 8:00pm. Meet the honor roll kids who will be playing along this season in the clip below. 

FOX Announces Premiere Dates For "Fifth Grader" & "Boom!" For Summer Schedule

On Monday, FOX announced the premiere dates for their Summer series of programming including the revival of Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? and the network's recent acquisition of Boom! from Keshet DCP. Fifth Grader returns Tuesday, May 26 at 8:00pm EDT to test adult contestants to see how much general knowledge they have retained from their yesteryears in elementary school for big money with Jeff Foxworthy returning as the show's host. The revival promises "new twists" to make he game more interesting and exciting. Boom!, hosted by Tom Papa, makes its American debut Thursday, June 25 at 8:00pm EDT and has teams of three contestants defuse slime-filled bombs by cutting the wires leading to the correct answers and avoiding the wrong wires that could quickly "blow" their chances of winning the game. (See what I did there?)

Casting Calls Galore!

There are several shows nationally and abroad who are searching for people to compete to win cash and prizes on their respective programs. Domestically, FOX’s revival of Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?, Food Network’s newest competition show The Baking Championship, and a “new smart trivia show” (ABC’s 500 Questions according to BuzzerBlog) are holding casting calls for contestants and additional cast members. Internationally in the U.K., ITV’s Celebrity Squares, which was officially recommissioned for a second series by the network earlier this week, will also be holding a casting call next year. 

FOX Revives "Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?" With Jeff Foxworthy

After cancelling the primetime version in 2009 after three seasons, FOX is looking to revive Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?. Jeff Foxworthy will be returning as the show’s host and the premise of testing how much information the contestants have retained since their days in elementary school for big bucks will remain the same. During its network run, the series became one of the most popular new shows in 2007 by the first season ranking 28th in the U.S. Nielsen ratings with a 12.7 million viewer-per episode average and several other countries adopting versions of their own including Canada, Norway and South Africa. After its original end on FOX in 2009, 5th Grader ran briefly in syndication from 2009-2011 and ended due to subpar ratings. No word on whether the revived series will retain the $1 million grand prize yet, but I will make sure to keep you updated. UPDATE: The producers are currently casting for contestants to compete in the FOX revival of the show. Go to Craigslist for more information.

News In A Flash!: Quick Game Show Updates #57

Happy Friday, game show fans! There hasn't been a lot of game show news recently, but I will cover what I can. As with every "News In A Flash"article, today's will cover many game show news headlines and updates featured throughout the week in 200 characters or less along with some that may have been already covered on The Blog Is Right Facebook page from a new game show in the making hoping to absorb some of the success and viewers from two unscripted FOX series getting the ax to new game show formats in the works. All syndication ratings are from the week ending June 1.

Morning News Updates For May 15, 2014

Good morning, game show fans! Today’s morning news update will review some of the past, present and future events from the world of game shows including ratings updates for syndicated game shows and FOX’s new improv game show, The Price Is Right unveiling the new “Card Game” set and the upcoming season premiere of Bet on Your Baby. 

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.

News In A Flash!: Quick Game Show Updates #50

Today's article will be highlighting some of the latest game show news this week including some of the news headlines already featured on The Blog Is Right Facebook page in 200 characters or less from a "hypnotic" game show hitting the U.K. airwaves to a popular CBS game show hitting an incredible milestone tomorrow morning. All ratings for syndicated game shows are from the week ending March 23.