GAME SHOW SURVEY 2010 RESULTS
Some background…
This was a survey that I put together following a conversation with some colleagues about the “conventional wisdom” of format
development. The dozen or so reasons that commissioners, or heads of department, always give for why people will or won’t
watch the show you’ve just pitched them. Basically we wanted to see whether the people who watch our shows actually do
think like TV insiders think they think. If that makes sense.
I “only” got eleven responses, but I’m very grateful to the eleven people who took the time to respond in such detail. I
promised to share the results, so here goes, albeit a little (lot) later than scheduled. I considered adding some analysis to this,
but in the end you might find it more interesting to draw your own conclusions. I’m happy to answer any questions people
might have.
The numbers in all the tables below are the number of people who gave that score. Not all rows add up to eleven as not every
respondent answered every question, and some people gave multiple answers to open-ended questions. On the last two
questions I’ve used my own judgement to surmise what people were driving at, in some instances.
1. GENERAL
On a scale of 1-10, where 1 is “Not at all important” and 10 is “Absolutely crucial” how important do you think the following
things are in making a good quiz or game show?
a) THE CONCEPT
b) THE FORMAT
c) THE PRESENTATION
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 AVERAGE
CONCEPT 1 1 2 2 1 3 1 6.18
FORMAT 2 2 2 5 8.91
PRESENTATION 1 2 2 5 1 7.27
2. THE CONCEPT
For the purposes of this survey we’re defining the concept of a show as the sentence or two that sum up the main point of the
show. For example “A search to find the best university quiz team in the country”, “A quiz where you’re just fifteen questions
from a million pounds” or “A show where contestants face an enormous comedy assault course”.
For each of the statements below please indicate to what extent you agree, using one of the following options:
STRONGLY STRONGLY
AGREE NEUTRAL DISAGREE
AGREE DISAGREE
“A great game show needs a really great concept behind it.” 2 4 4 1
“In general, the simpler the concept is the better.” 2 3 2 4
“If you can’t sum up the concept of a show in a couple of sentences
1 3 3 4
then it’s too complicated.”
“The best concepts are rooted in “real life” – for example, people
really are very judgemental about other people’s weddings and dinner 7 4
parties.”
“Big visual devices (e.g. giant cash machines, giant fruit machines or
2 3 4 1 1
trapdoors that money fall down) make shows more exciting.”
“The outcome of a game show should be about more than just
1 4 2 4
whether or not a contestant wins some money.”
Please indicate which of the following shows, if any, you think have particularly strong concepts and which, if any, you think
have particularly weak concepts:
STRONG WEAK
THE MILLION POUND DROP 7
THE CUBE 7 1
THE KRYPTON FACTOR 6
DIVIDED 5
UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE 5
POINTLESS 5
WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? 6 1
THE WEAKEST LINK 4
ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 10 YEAR OLD? 5 1
MASTERMIND 4 2
TOTAL WIPEOUT 2
ONLY CONNECT 4 2
DEAL OR NO DEAL 4 3
EGGHEADS 2 1
WHO DARES WINS 1
THE WHOLE 19 YARDS 1 2
HOLE IN THE WALL 1 6
A QUESTION OF GENIUS 4
IN IT TO WIN IT 5
PUSH THE BUTTON 6
What quiz or game show (past or present, from anywhere in the world) do you think has the most exciting concept, and why?
TOTAL
WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE 3
THE CUBE 1
THE WHOLE 19 YARDS 1
THE AMAZING RACE 1
THE MOLE 1
THE INTERCEPTOR 1
WANTED 1
THE KRYPTON FACTOR 1
3. THE FORMAT
For the purposes of this survey we’re defining the format as all the rules and intricacies of the show. For example “The
contestant is selected by putting four answers into a correct order faster than nine opponents. They then face fifteen questions.
Each question is worth exponentially more money. They can walk away at any point, etc.”
For each of the statements below please indicate to what extent you agree, using one of the following options:
STRONGLY STRONGLY
AGREE NEUTRAL DISAGREE
AGREE DISAGREE
“If a game show has a really strong format I don’t mind if it
3 1 6 1
has a weak overall concept.”
“In general, the simpler the format is the better.” 2 2 3 4
“If I don’t fully understand a format after one episode I’m
4 3 3 1
unlikely to watch again.”
“I prefer to be told the basic format of a show before the
contestants start playing, rather than format points being 1 4 4 2
explained as and when they arise.”
“I prefer shows which make use of several different
‘rounds’ to shows where the same format is repeated 1 3 4 1 2
several times.”
“I don’t like it when shows introduce format points to
cover other problems. For example, doubling the points in
2 5 1 3
later rounds to make sure contestants who are trailing can
still catch up.”
“Every format point should have a reason for being
included other than simply because they make the show 1 4 3 3
more exciting.”
“I enjoy formats that I can play along with much more
2 5 2 1 1
than ones that I can’t.”
“I prefer formats that fit into individual episodes, rather
1 5 3 2
than ones which roll over.”
Please indicate which of the following shows, if any, you think have particularly strong formats and which, if any, you think have
particularly weak formats:
STRONG WEAK
ONLY CONNECT 7
DIVIDED 6
THE CUBE 6
THE MILLION POUND DROP 6 1
THE KRYPTON FACTOR 5
THE WEAKEST LINK 5 1
POINTLESS 4
WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? 6 2
WHO DARES WINS 4 1
THE WHOLE 19 YARDS 2
UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE 3 1
DEAL OR NO DEAL 3 1
MASTERMIND 2 1
TOTAL WIPEOUT 1
ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 10 YEAR OLD? 2 2
IN IT TO WIN IT 1 4
EGGHEADS 1 4
A QUESTION OF GENIUS 3
HOLE IN THE WALL 3
PUSH THE BUTTON 5
What quiz or game show (past or present, from anywhere in the world) do you think has the best format, and why?
TOTAL
WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE 3
RUSSIAN ROULETTE (USA) 1
15-TO-1 1
THE PYRAMID GAME / $100,000 PYRAMID 1
THE CRYSTAL MAZE 1
THE MOLE 1
WINNING LINES 1
19 KEYS 1
4. PRESENTATION
For the purposes of this survey we’re defining the presentation as everything else, including host, set, music, casting of
contestants, etc.
Please rank these elements of a show from 1 to 5 in order of how important you think they are, where 1 is most important and
5 is least important.
1 2 3 4 5
Host 10 1
Contestants 1 3 3 2 2
Music 3 5 1 2
Set 4 2 4 1
Graphics 1 4 6
For each of the statements below please indicate to what extent you agree, using one of the following options:
STRONGLY STRONGLY
AGREE NEUTRAL DISAGREE
AGREE DISAGREE
“No matter how good the format is, if a show is badly
4 1 6
presented I won’t watch it.”
“I will watch a show presented by a host I like even if I
2 2 5 2
don’t much like the show.”
“I am interested in finding out about the backgrounds of
2 3 4 2
the contestants I’m watching.”
“The bigger the prize the contestants are playing for the
4 3 2 2
more exciting a show becomes.”
Please indicate which of the following shows, if any, you think are particularly well presented and which, if any, you think are
particularly badly presented:
STRONG WEAK
ONLY CONNECT 8
WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? 6
DEAL OR NO DEAL 7 2
POINTLESS 6 1
UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE 4
THE CUBE 5 1
ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 10 YEAR OLD? 3
THE WEAKEST LINK 3 1
WHO DARES WINS 2
THE WHOLE 19 YARDS 3 1
THE KRYPTON FACTOR 2 1
MASTERMIND 2 1
THE MILLION POUND DROP 3 3
EGGHEADS 1 2
PUSH THE BUTTON 2 3
TOTAL WIPEOUT 1 2
HOLE IN THE WALL 2 4
IN IT TO WIN IT 3
A QUESTION OF GENIUS 3
DIVIDED 4
What quiz or game show (past or present, from anywhere in the world) do you think is presented the best, and why?
WHICH SHOW HAS THE BEST OVERALL PRESENTATION TOTAL
DEAL OR NO DEAL 3
THE CRYSTAL MAZE 3
WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE 1
THE MILLION POUND DROP 1
KNIGHTMARE 1
COUNTDOWN 1
5. SOME GENERAL QUESTIONS
What are your favourite game shows that have aired in the past year?
TOTAL
ONLY CONNECT 5
WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE 3
THE MILLION POUND DROP 3
THE CUBE 3
DEAL OR NO DEAL 2
THE CHASE 2
UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE 2
YOU HAVE BEEN WATCHING 2
POINTLESS 2
THE BUBBLE 1
THE WHOLE 19 YARDS 1
COUNTDOWN 1
DIVIDED 1
WHO DARES WINS 1
MISSION 2110 1
QI 1
LATE NIGHT POKER 1
CRISIS CONTROL 1
What are your favourite new game shows to have aired in the past year?
TOTAL
THE CUBE 5
THE MILLION POUND DROP 4
THE CHASE 2
THE WHOLE 19 YARDS 2
POINTLESS 2
WE NEED ANSWERS 1
ONLY CONNECT 1
ACCUMULATE 1
YOU HAVE BEEN WATCHING 1
MISSION 2110 1
CRISIS CONTROL 1
If you could bring back any game show no longer on air which would it be?
TOTAL
THE MOLE 4
THE INTERCEPTOR 3
THE CRYSTAL MAZE 2
DUEL 2
BLOCKBUSTERS 1
YOU BET 1
RUSSIAN ROULETTE 1
15-TO-1 1
GOING FOR GOLD (HENRY KELLY VERSION) 1
EVERY SECOND COUNTS 1
WHEW 1
Are there any shows from overseas that you would like to see on British television?
TOTAL
THE AMAZING RACE 3
MINUTE TO WIN IT 1
BAGGAGE 1
PASSAPALABRA 1
SOLITARY 1
HOT STREAK 1
SCRABBLE 1
RUN FOR MONEY 1
JEOPARDY! 1
Who are your favourite game show hosts (living or dead)?
TOTAL
BOB MONKHOUSE 7
CHRIS TARRANT 2
ALEXANDER ARMSTRONG 2
LES DENNIS 1
BRUCE FORSYTH 1
DERMOT O'LEARY 1
MARK WALBERG 1
WILLIAM G STEWART 1
VERNON KAY 1
NOEL EDMONDS 1
RICHARD WHITELEY 1
PAT SHARP 1
ANT AND DEC 1
DAVINA MCCALL 1
PHILLIP SCHOFIELD 1
JEREMY BEADLE 1
CAROL VORDERMAN 1
Is there anyone on television who has never presented a game show, but who you would like to see do so?
TOTAL
RUSELL BRAND 2
RUTGER HAUER 1
DAVID TENNANT 1
BILL BAILEY 1
DARA O'BRIAIN 1
ADRIAN CHILES 1
RICHARD OSMAN 1
HARRY HILL 1
MARK KERMODE 1
DAVID MITCHELL 1
ELLEN DEGENERES 1
RUSSELL HOWARD 1
RUFUS HOUND 1
GREG SCOTT 1
How long does it typically take you to form an opinion of a show?
TOTAL
1 EPISODE 4
2 EPISODES 3
30-45 MINUTES 2
MORE THAN 2 EPISODES 1
0-15 MINUTES
15-30 MINUTES
45-60 MINUTES
What do you think is the most common mistake made by the makers of game shows?
TOTAL
TOO MUCH HUMAN INTEREST, SOB STORIES 4
TOO MUCH ARTIFICIAL TENSION 3
RELIANCE ON NEW CONCEPTS 2
INTRODUCING NEEDLESS FORMAT POINTS 1
USING CELEBRITIES 1
DUMBING DOWN 1
PUTTING ON AIR CONCEPTS WITHOUT FORMATS 1
TOO MUCH HYPE 1
TOO MUCH FILLER, TOO LITTLE GAME 1
TOO EASY 1
And finally, can you sum up what, in your opinion, makes a good game show in as few words as possible?
TOTAL
INVOLVING 4
FUN 4
SIMPLE 4
GREAT FORMAT 3
PLAY ALONG 2
GREAT HOST 2
BEAUTIFUL SET 2
NOT DUMBED DOWN 1
CLEAR CONCEPT 1
PEOPLE WANT TO BE ON IT 1
DON'T TRY TO COPY A WINNING FORMULA 1