The two game shows have launched in the UK, allowing us to see what’s in store when they both launch later this year… and it’s not good.
As the reality TV bubble continues to burst, TV executives are looking to other formats to bring in viewers. Considering The Chase Australia on Channel 7 is sometimes the biggest entertainment show on television, it’s no wonder game shows are becoming the hot new trend for 2024.
But the latest moves by channels 9 and 10 are set to backfire with the return of heritage brands Jeopardy! (9) and Wheel of Fortune (10).
Both networks are saving costs by piggybacking on the UK productions by using Aussie ex-pats to shoot specials specifically made for the Australian market.
As part of the deals, Nine has secured UK host Stephen Fry for Jeopardy! and 10 has locked in Graham Norton for Wheel of Fortune.
While the use of these hosts certainly adds some celebrity to the sell of these shows, they will not be enough to draw audiences (as I’ll explain below).
It’s also worth noting that although I personally love Graham Norton, he suffers from the Jamie Oliver syndrome in this country of not being able to attract viewers. #JamieOliverDoesNotRate
The new year has seen the launch of the UK versions of these shows, which gives us an insight into what we can expect for the local versions, which are filmed on the same sets with the same production crew and hosts.
Jeopardy! (9)
2024 will see the return of this unique quiz show where you have to give answers in the form of a question. ‘Return’ you say? Yes, Nine will be the third commercial network to air a local version of the show.
In the ’70s Channel 7 aired its version on Saturdays at 5.30pm. In 1993 quiz master Tony Barber was onboard for Channel 10’s version which ran at 6pm Weeknights and was cancelled after 6 months due to bad ratings.
The new series with Stephen Fry can only be described as dull.
Maybe it’s just not my kind of gameshow, but it feels drawn out over a commercial hour and lacks any energy.
Fry is always impressive with the way he can get his tongue around hard-to-pronounce words and phrases, but his charm and laid-back hosting style only help to make every minute of this show feel like an hour.
How this show can be considered for prime time in Australia is beyond me, especially when we have better choices like The Chase Australia (7) and Tipping Point (9).
And it seems viewers in the UK agree, with The Independent reporting:
some viewers seem to be initially underwhelmed by Jeopardy!’s pace and format.
“I’m obsessed with the original American #Jeopardy and hate that we don’t get it here in the UK,” one viewer wrote on X/Twitter. “Was so excited to see it on ITV today but the British version has been a bit of a snooze fest so far by comparison but hoping it’ll pick up soon.”
The UK version airs on ITV but is available on YouTube if you need something to help you get to sleep.
Wheel of Fortune (10)
One thing the revised version of Wheel doesn’t lack is energy.
Filmed on a massive, beautiful-looking set, host Graham Norton bounces in with his typical enthusiasm. The studio audience is huge (Channel 7 used to have major issues getting an audience a third of the size into their studios for records), and comes with all the ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ you could hope for.
I’ve always been a fan of Wheel of Fortune but it’s not prime time television. This version, also on ITV, has been extended out to an hour and struggles to keep the viewer engaged, despite the funny quips from Norton.
The UK version has some genuinely funny moments, thanks to great casting. The Aussie version will be lucky to get the same quality contestants with only ex-pats able to take part.
One big change some viewers will find difficult to accept is the lack of a letter spinning in the style of the iconic Adriana Xenides.
In the age of computer graphics, there really isn’t a need for this role and the ITV production has done away with it. Personally, I don’t mind, but it has caused a stir in the UK.
Ultimately, Wheel of Fortune just isn’t a format that can compete with the game shows of today. Devised in 1973, it might hold a place in our hearts but doesn’t have enough excitement to keep us glued to the TV in an hour-long format.
Both shows will launch their Australian versions later in the year, but expect this to quickly become filler in dead zones. There’s no way any programmer should be putting these up against any half-decent reality show as they are doomed to fail.
Have said from day one these were announced that the use of expat contestants is a cheap cop-out. If locals don’t get a look-in to be contestants then why should we bother watching? Good riddance to this cynical attempt.
I watched both episodes, and I couldn’t agree more.
Jeopardy dragged on for far too long. I’m sure there’s a way to make it quicker and snappier. But the parts I watched, because I did skip through a lot of it, just took way too long. It needs higher stakes and a quicker pace.
Wheel of Fortune, the set was amazing! I didn’t even mind no money spinner. But again, it just dragged. And don’t get me started on the crossword style puzzle. What was that? More importantly, does it matter what order I say the words in?
Graham Norton was a fabulous host, but he is so much better when he’s presenting to a crowd or interviewing people.
Both need to be stripped back in terms of formats, make them 30 minutes. And for the pre-news time slot.
They can’t be arsed to produce it locally with local contestants. What an insult to local audiences. They deserve to fail
I have been watching the UK Jeopardy (I am watching the newest episode rn) and I love it. I can see why someone may not like it sure, but I don’t agree with some of the things you have put in here personally.
What a terrible idea! Jeopardy will be the biggest loser followed closely by Wheel of Fortune, what a shame, we have such great talent in Australia that could have done it better. Grant doing Deal or no Deal at 6pm is looking good now, I’m assuming Deal or no Deal is on at 6pm, 10 don’t say what time it’s on in their promo’s, they should, it would get people used to the time slot in advance for a stronger launch.