500 questions - new game show

[nrm98]

Hi! Has anyone been watching the new game show 500 questions on ABC? It seems interesting, but just too lengthy for me. It took a contestant almost 2 episodes to get to a 100. What exactly is the purpose here? What do you guys think?

[RegisFan]

While it's nice to see a game show that puts such strong emphasis on trivia, I'm disappointed with the pacing and the payout. The game simply cannot generate much excitement. I think the core of what they've done is good, but if the show is to have any hope of survival they need to tweak the gameplay and presentation to raise the stakes and increase the speed of the game.

[nrm98]

Exactly. The questions themselves are very interesting. What I find so interesting is that there have been so many difference in game show difficulty over the years. Millionaire probably has it around right for a million, 15 questions. But shows like 1 vs 100 made it possible for a person to answer just 3-4 questions and win around 100k. Meanwhile 500 questions has NO multiple choice and you're looking at answering 100 questions for just 80-90k. I don't know how exactly to feel about these differences, but it definitely adds some variety.

[tflager]

I just saw the episode that aired today. It seems very dull. The host, Richard Quest, is alright, however, I feel like his role as the host isn't the best. He has a very loud, almost monotone, voice and seems to react sarcastically to events happening in the game or pessimistically toward the contestants choices in the game. That being said, I think this game does have a bit of potential in the future. I like the "3 Strikes and you're out" rule, and the competitiveness of the contestants is wonderful. Maybe include a bit more dramatic sound cues or, as mentioned before, cast a new host. That, and why 500? That seems like a bit much, and games could take weeks...

[futuregshost]

Plus, it was never actually said: what would have even happened if someone passed 500 questions? Do they get a huge bonus, or do they just retire?

[nrm98]

May 29, 2015 1:01:16 GMT -5 tflager said:

I just saw the episode that aired today. It seems very dull. The host, Richard Quest, is alright, however, I feel like his role as the host isn't the best. He has a very loud, almost monotone, voice and seems to react sarcastically to events happening in the game or pessimistically toward the contestants choices in the game. That being said, I think this game does have a bit of potential in the future. I like the "3 Strikes and you're out" rule, and the competitiveness of the contestants is wonderful. Maybe include a bit more dramatic sound cues or, as mentioned before, cast a new host. That, and why 500? That seems like a bit much, and games could take weeks...

I am not too fond of Quest at all. His attempts at whimsy jokes and remarks add nothing to the game itself. What I found very funny is as the timer ticks down to about 3 seconds, Quest starts making these very agitated gestures toward the contestant, trying to get him or her to answer. How is that supposed to help!?

The strike rule will work, turn to Family Feud for timeless proof of that.  Although it's used differently there, it's the same principle. Contestants are actually very well qualified to be on the show, and the questions themselves are intriguing and not obscure in many ways. Straight up trivia, just the way it should be. 

Cues need some work, the soundtrack needs to distinguish itself for the show to be successful. And 500 questions?? Lol, good luck even getting through 200. New changes need to be made to the quantity of questions themselves. This pilot period should have given some hints to the producers.

As futureghost also touched on, what is the main goal here? Make it to 500 and $1,000,000? I never heard a million announced once, of course, I could have just not been listening carefully enough.

Good concept, nice trivia, but poor ambience and framework. Some work could make this a popular show.

[tflager]

I don't even think there's a maximum amount you can win in each set of 50 questions. One man had $80,000 by the end of 100 questions. I don't even think that the producers of the show have a set maximum prize. It would definitely be unbelievable if one man got all 500 questions without a wrong answer. The odds of that happening, though, are slim to none. With all the battle questions and top ten challenges, it's ridiculous.

[nrm98]

Yeah, basically going through 10 different challengers, there's got to be a chance that one of them will be able to outsmart you. Seeing anyone get to 300 would be impressive. This is one of the shows where game show fatigue will probably be a factor. It's unbelievable how that's even possible. Based on what I've seen, however, there isn't much of a chance for that to happen.

What if there was a ladder? If the game shrunk to 200 questions, there could be ladder-type bonuses of cash for each segment. The game should definitely end with a million though.

[futuregshost]

So, turns out that ABC is giving 500 Questions a second season next year.

ABC Renews 500 Questions for Second Series

Hopefully ABC will fix some of the issues that were present in the first series (pacing, most notably).

[nrm98]

Best of luck for the show. It's been said above but it has potential, execution is key.

(Aka the motto of any successful TV show, ever.)

[retched]

I was just thinking about this game wondering if its coming back for another go.

I'm not sure if there is anything we can do about the pacing. I actually the Richard Quest and thought he was doing a good job. (Actually wanted to see him host Millionaire US when it was questioned who was coming back to host the next year.)

I mean what places can time be shaved?

- Asking the question and answering it? They give 10-15 seconds per answer and allow you to run through the full 10-15 making multiple guesses. Do you want to remove that ability and go with the standard, your first guess is your final answer?

- The gap of time between asking questions? That would make the game monotonous.

- Changing the question types? Maybe. I don't know why... but I dislike the Battle setup. Especially when they can happen consecutively. No seriously, I could pick three categories and the producers wouldn't have the decency to go ahead and go... yeah we'll slide the battle back to another question or off the board entirely. Those Battle Questions are REALLY slow overall.

[nrm98]

It's not the actual pacing of the questions for me. It's the fact that there are SO many of them. It almost makes the entire game seem like a fruitless uphill battle. If the game was to remove the battle mode or improve upon it in some way, it would make more sense. And honestly, the reduction of the time gap between questions would not make the game more monotonous, in my opinion. Looking at Jeopardy as an example, it's almost always watched to test one's trivia skills sitting at home. At the same time, that comparison may be kind of unfair, since this is more a prime time game event. Either way, I feel like the pacing has to be improved to please both the contestant and the audience.

[Kimarough]

Sorry if this is bumping but I have watched a few episodes a few minutes ago and I have to say, I like it but it is flawed. The picking of each category feels disjointed and does break the flow of the questions. The host (a bit biased here) is entertaining as British humor largely revolves around sarcasm, but I do see why the American audience may take a bit of warming up to him, E.G Jerry Springer hosting the UK version of Greed.

A couple of changes I would make for the new season would be:
1. Pick a category and stick with it. Make them answer all 5 questions with the last one being a special one.
2. Change the payout system. I would say $1,000 per question and a bonus $5,000 for a category cleared with no strikes. If the person DOES make the full 500 questions, double what ever they have in their bank.
3. More challenger interaction. The challenger does barely anything apart from take part in the battles. So why not give the main player a few 'Panics'. If they don't know the question, they can 'Panic' and get the challenger to answer. If they get it wrong, the main player passes the question, if they get it correct, the player gets a strike. Or let the challenger pick every 5th category as a last ditch effort to take the players place.

Just a couple of my thoughts