Upshot is a gameshow on 1350 on Anglia on Mondays and I don't know if it's networked, but if it is, it's worth a watch.
It is hosted by Paul Ross and was devised by Simon and Amanda Ross (it appears as though Jonothan is missing, though). It involves six people who are each assigned a different colour. The show starts with the mandatory brief chat with the players and then it's time for the first round...
ROUND 1 - The Big Wheel
The object of this game is to stay on top of the big wheel. We see a
computer graphical representation of it and I don't know what they see
in the studio. The wheel has 6 spokes on it, each one a different colour
referring to the players. At the end of the game, the two players at the
bottom of the wheel go out. How is this accomplished? By answering
questions. First, evryone gets one question each. If they are wrong
there is no penalty but if they are right they get to place a weight on
one of the spokes. This turns the wheel. Something to point out here-
the physics of the wheel are perfect. If someone puts a weight on when
there is nothing on the wheel, it will go straight to the bottom. If
someone then places a weight directly on the top spoke, the wheel
doesn't turn because it is balanced. This is the type of thing the
contestants have to work out. After everyone has had an individual
question, there are 12 first-on-the buzzer questions. A correct answer
means you can put a weight on but a wrong answer means that you get a
penalty weight (it stands to reason that the more weights you have the
harder it is to get back up to the top of the wheel).
After that, the two lowest spokes are out of the game and take with them their own round of applause.
Round 2- Blockheads
There is now a grid of nine squares. Each person gets an individual
question which if got correct allows them to put a block in one of the
squares (done by selecting a square on a keypad). After that, it's a
3:00 freeforall. A couple of rules though, you can place a block on top
of somebody elses and only the top block will count but you can only
stack a maximum of four. At the end of the round, the person with the
least blocks showing is out.
Round 3- Get to the point
In this round, there is a two minute freeforall. The idea is to make a
pyramid (computer graphics again). For each correct answer you can
either make a bit of your own of give a bit to someone else. Why be so
generous? Because after the pyramid is built (3 right answers), a fourth
bit makes it tumble and you have to start over again. The two people
closeest to 3 points when the time runs out go through to the final.
Round 4- Make or Break
Each player has 1 stick split into 8 sections (computer graphics). For
every correct answer, you can either break your opponents longest stick
or you can join two of your own broken sticks back up. The idea being
that the person with the longest stick by the end of the time is the
winner and wins a holiday.
The show is good and quite original but I have a couple of reservations.
1- Paul Ross often stalls asking questions which is annoying when time is running out.
2- The computer graphics are functional but on the whole, rubbish. Think BBC Micro.
3- The show, well, lacks substance really. There is less depth then I thought in it, despite the amount of strategy involved.
VERDICT: 6/10 - It's originality is to congratulated but it lacks substance. Good try.
Lift me higher...
Other trials...
Nick's Gameshow Courtroom
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