When we’re clicking through the channels and we come across old repeats of some classic game shows from yesteryear our nostalgic senses perk up and we sit there wondering just why these shows were cancelled in the first place. What goes around comes around and with so many modern shows borrowing all too heavily from the classics could we see a revival of any of the following cult TV game shows in the future?
IT’S A KNOCKOUT
Originally adapted from the French show ‘Intervilles’ the hugely popular UK comedy game show ‘It’s a Knockout’ ran for almost two decades and often popped back up on our screens for a one-off special here and there over the years. Teams would compete in challenging and often absurd physical games whilst wearing oversized foam rubber suits. With wacky games still being played now on more modern shows such as ‘Total Wipeout’ and ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here’ it’s clear that audiences still want to sit and laugh at these madcap antics on a Saturday afternoon.
BULLSEYE
It’s safe to say that darts these days is big business. So surely some quick quips from Jim Bowen and a few speedboat prizes would be welcomed back on teatime telly? ‘Bullseye’ went off air back in 1995 and even though the show was revived as part of a TV special in 2005 with a new series hosted by comedian Dave Spikey the following year it didn’t last long. Sky have already cashed in on the increasing popularity of the sport by creating its now dart-themed show called ‘180’, hosted by Davina McCall and Andrew Flintoff so perhaps producers have now missed the boat. But still in spite of that the show is still making a revival of sorts as it now even features as one of the new games at Europalace.
THE CRYSTAL MAZE
At the height of its popularity it was the most watched program in Channel 4’s weekly schedule. ‘The Crystal Maze’ was an amalgamation of originality with elements taken from French game show ‘Fort Boyard’ (which incidentally was also eventually recreated for UK viewers) and it was a lot of fun. With overly flamboyant hosts Richard O’Brien and Ed Tudor-Pole at the helm teams made their way around the maze solving puzzles and picking up crystals along the way. Incredibly next March will see the doors open to a brand new Crystal Maze ‘live immersive experience’ in London for you and your friends to compete in for prizes.
About Author
