| WEAKEST LINK A BBC production in association with NBC Enterprises air dates: 4/16/01-2002 on NBC primetime and 1/02-03 in syndication hosts: Anne Robinson (NBC), George Gray (syn.) announcers: John Cramer (NBC), Lisa Friedman (syn.) HOW TO PLAY: NBC (1 hr.): Eight players competed for up to $1,000,000. In order to win the money, they had to play as a team. In each round, the team was given a time limit to bank as much money as possible. The players took turns answering questions. The value of the "chain" started at zero and each correctly answered question increased the chain's value as follows: $1,000-$2,500-$5,000-$10,000-$25,000-$50,000-$75,000-$125,000 An incorrect answer at any time reduced the "chain" value to $0. However, a player may call out "Bank" before his/her question is started and add the chain value to the show's grand prize to be awarded at the end of the show to the "strongest link". The time limit for the first round was 2 1/2 minutes and shortened by 10 seconds round by round. After time elapsed, or if the team succeeded in banking the target $125,000, each teammate voted for whom (s)he wanted to get rid of. After a dose of banter with the players, the player with the most votes was history ("You ARE the weakest link. Goodbye."). In the event of a tie for most votes, the player who gave the most answers would cast the deciding vote. As soon as two players were left, they played as a team for 90 seconds. All money banked in that round was doubled and added to the kitty. After that, they played against each other. The "strongest link" from the previous round decided who answered the first question. Each player was given a maximum of 5 questions and whoever answered the most questions correctly took home the prize money while the other seven players won nothing. If there was a tie after 5 rounds, they played "sudden-death" in which questions continued in pairs. If the first player answered right, the other player had to answer right to keep the ball rolling. If the first player answered wrong, the other player could answer right and win the dough. On celebrity specials, one player won the whole pot for his/her charity while the other players' charities each received $10,000. Syndicated run (30 min.): Six players competed for up to $75,000 in the first season. The "chain" values increased in this manner: $250-$500-$1,000-$2,500-$5,000-$12,500 The first round was played for one minute and 45 seconds. That time limit decreased by 15 seconds with each round. The remaining two players played for 45 seconds and all money banked in that round was doubled. They then played against each other by answering questions alternately. Each player was allowed 3 questions. Of course, the winner took home the prize money. In the second season, $100,000 was the maximum payoff. In each of four rounds, the top chain value was increased to $25,000 while the other values remained the same. After one of three players was voted off after the fourth round, the remaining two players immediately went into the 3-question showdown. OTHRE TIDBITS: This show is based on the UK version, also hosted by Anne Robinson, which premiered in 2000. George Gray had previously hosted Extreme Gong, GSN's '98-'01 revival of The Gong Show. Back to my game show joint or my home page. |