WINTUITION
Premiere: December 9, 2002
Host: Marc Summers
Announcer: Burton Richardson
Airtime: Weekdays on GSN at 2:30 PM and 8:30 PM Eastern [plus other assorted times]
Three players compete, all for tuition money for themselves or a relative. Each player is spotted 500 points. In "Elementary School" Marc reads questions for each grade (1-5) and the questions are grade-appropriate. Each has four choices. Buzzing-in with the correct answer is worth 100 points, and 100 are deducted if you're wrong. Before the commercial, one grade is played as an activity of sorts where the players can get points by spelling, identifying countries by flag, etc, etc.
In "Middle School" three questions are played (6-8th grade). Marc reads a question, and the first to buzz-in with a correct answer gets 250 points and a prize mentioned at the start of the round. Play moves down the line where the 2nd contestant must come up with another response for 250. If you miss, you are out of the line-up. This continues up to four answers. On the 8th grade question, up to 7 answers are accepted in the same fashion. Lowest scoring player at the end of the round leaves with a consolation gift.In the final part of the main game, "High School," the two players face off. A category is read to the leader, who chooses to take the question or "cut class" and pass it. That can be done once. Whoever gets the question answers, and if they are right win 500 points. 500 are deducted for an incorrect guess. After each has controlled two subjects, the "Senior Year Showdown" is played. The leader picks from two topics. They are asked a question for 500 points. Play seesaws back and forth until somebody misses and loses 500 points. In that case, the other player can continue answering. The leader after the second player has missed wins the game.
The bonus round is dubbed "The Final Exam." The winner sits in the "desk of destiny" and answers as many questions as possible in 60 seconds. Each right answer is worth $250, and 10 right is $50,000 in tuition money.NOTES
Burton Richardson's opening announce is done from a classroom-type speaker.
Prize displays, question assistance, and comic relief are provided by "Gorgeous" George Davidson.
A flag with the GSN logo sits next to Marc's entrance door. The room the game is played in is called "Cronin Hall" by a window on the set. It refers to network head, Rich Cronin, who has led the campaign for more original programming.
In and out of commercials, "Answer Kids" provide us questions and their answers plus an annoying reading of cue cards.This show is produced by Henry Winkler, who is famous for playing Fonzie on "Happy Days" and producing "Hollywood Squares" this season.
MY THOUGHTS
I had mixed emotions going into this one. The idea sounded so-so, but with Marc Summers on board, I felt comfortable. Upon watching the show, the execution of the format was kind of bland. After a few episodes, it grew on me. Definently a good original show for GSN.
JAY SAYS...
Cast - 1.5
Game - 1.0
Bells and Whistles - 1.5
Prize - 1.5
Tilt - 1.5