‘The Weakest Link’ is more interesting than ‘Who Wants To Be The Millionaire’ (Hong Kong Edition)

There are various kinds of quiz game shows which are popular in the West, for example, ‘Who Wants To Be The Millionaire’, ‘Russian Revolver’ and ‘The Weakest Link’ etc. You may say they are more or less the same in style, as the selling points of these games are always a popular compere with valuable prizes. Still, each game has it’s own style which attracts different categories of viewers, which include the decorations, design and rules of the game. For me, the game show I appreciate the most is ‘The Weakest Link’. As I find it more interesting and attractive because of the format, the rules and the atmosphere of the game.

In the first place, The Weakest Link is different from other TV quizzes. It is not a one on one quiz but plays as a team. There are 8 players in the team, standing in a U-shape with the compere in the center. The game consists of 8 rounds and each round has a time limit. It starts by asking questions according to alphabetical order of the candidate’s surname. The one who has the best result in the previous round will start the following round. Throughout the game ‘The Weakest Link’, both competitors and compere face great challenges. Since the time limit for each round is 10 seconds less than the previous round, contestants have to answer the question exactly and immediately, otherwise, no money can be ‘banked’ and they will take the risk of being ‘out’. As the compere, he or she has to read out the question clearly and correctly, or else, the fewer questions that are asked, the less money will be banked. What’s more, the atmosphere is exciting. As the pace of the game is so fast, there are many unexpected possibilities! No one will know the result until the end of each round! Not only the competitors and the compere feel excited, so do the audiences and TV watchers, as they can play together at the same time!

Second, the candidates can acquire skills while they are playing in this game. Their potential can be increased. As the game requires accuracy and quick responses, competitors have to conquer their nervousness in order to reduce the chance of making mistakes and to meet the above requirements. Their potential can be exhibited in this time-limited game, and they can have a better understanding about their strengths and weaknesses by participating in the game! Their potential can be increased eventually. Other than this, they can learn time management skills and strategies to ‘bank’’ money. When the contestants are not so sure about the answer of the question, they should make the decision precisely and pass the turn to the next candidate immediately, so as to leave more time for the other players to ‘bank’ money; but not sticking to the question and waste the time. They learn how to manage the time efficiently. Also, the performance of every candidate is different in each round. Competitors have to use different strategies to ‘bank’ money in each stage. They can  ‘bank’ the money after answering several questions in order to accumulate more money if the overall performance of the candidates is good and the questions are easy to answer; or candidates should bank the money immediately after each correct question. These strategies develop peoples’ ability of taking notice of the others, training them to be a person of keen observation. Apart from ‘individual skills’, they can develop team spirit through the game. Although only one participant can win the game and get all the prizes, no one knows who it is until the last round! There is no advantage for anyone if they only think of themselves. Thus, the competitors should cooperate in order to ‘bank’ more money for the champion and team spirit can be developed.

Finally, the Weakest Link is more entertaining than the other games. There is more interaction between candidates and the compere. After each round, the compere will chat with the players, about their daily life before the next round. This reduces the anxiety of the candidates and allows them to have a better performance in the following rounds. Also, the audience can show their responses too! As for the game, the questions are more relevant to our daily life. The questions are mainly focused on recent issues in all aspects. For example, recent world news, law of Hong Kong and some common knowledge, which does not require high academic qualification but common sense from the contestants. The competitors, the audience, TV watchers and even the compere gain a lot! They can have a better understanding of the world! Other than the reason that the game is interesting, the compere is able to create and manipulate the atmosphere. Sometimes, she makes fun of the candidates in order to create a happy and relaxing atmosphere; or she acts as a principal, asking the participants to have a better performance and to encourage them. Both the viewers and the participants feel it is enjoyable and think that ‘The Weakest link’ is not only a quiz game but also an entertaining show!

Regarding the atmosphere, the benefits of the participants and the special design of the game, I think ‘The Weakest Link’ itself already outstands the reasons why I love this game, as it’s special and different from other traditional quiz game shows.  Though I don’t think I have the chance to be the champion in this game, still I think it should be a valuable and unforgettable experience if I have a chance to take part in it!