Gameshows
The People Versus - 2001
The People Versus is made by the same people as Millionaire (Celador), and is unique in the fact that the viewers set the questions. The first series went out in Summer 2000, during primetime, and worked with huge prizes (£5000/question). When a contestant got a question wrong, the question-setter took his seat in the game. Series 2, sadly, was a disappointment, and a waste of a programme which was never really given a chance to develop. This time the show was put on daily at teatime, the traditional slot for killing off popular ITV gameshows, with much smaller prizes, and changed rules.
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Knightmare - 1989
Produced by Broadsword, for Anglia Television, Knightmare was a hugely successful show on Childrens ITV. It started in the late 80s, and ran through to the mid-90s, before finally being killed off, as CITV pandered to the younger kiddies instead. The premise was simple enough. A contestent, unable to see what was going on, was guided through a maze of dungeons, corridors and outdoor areas in an attempt to solve a quest. All the scenes were created using Chroma-Key overlaying (ie - standing in front of a blue screen) and, although the graphics look somewhat dated today, they were groundbreaking for the time. Clip courtesy of Iam Burn.
Countdown - 2001
Countdown is not really a Gameshow with huge Glitzy prizes, yet it remained on Channel 4 since its launch in 1982 until quite recently, being the very first programme ever broadcast by the fledgling station. Made by Yorkshire Television, it was hosted by the venerable Richard Whiteley, who had gained fame on Yorkshire's local Calender News, and Carol Vorderman from launch until Summer 2005, when tragically and somewhat unexpectedly Mr Whiteley passed away after an illness. After a gap, the show finally returned with Des Lynam at the helm.
Countdown - 2002
On September 24th 2001, Countdown was extended from 30 minutes to 45, for the first time ever. To accompany the change was a new set of opening titles, and a brand new studio.
Family Fortunes - 1983
Family Fortunes is a show which has been around for many years. Basically, the idea behind the show is 2 families battle it out to try and guess what '100 people surveyed' answered to some strange questions. Although the idea has remained over the years, many things have changed. In 2001 form it was hosted by Les Dennis, with a top prize of £5000 or a car, before the prizes and host were dropped in 2002. There were been other presenters, such as Max Bygraves in this one(1983-85). Prizes have also changed, as in 1983 a Fridge Freezer and a trip to London are considered 'brilliant'. Thanks to James Hadfield for this.
Family Fortunes - 1987 (1st)
The titles from the first series in 1987. It was the first to use a coloured scoreboard/screen, and the first to feature Les Dennis as host. The Scoreboard didnt remain past this series, but Les certainly did! Thanks to James Hadfield for the clip.
Family Fortunes - 1987 (2nd)
This was his second series fronting the show, now back to the old scoreboard. Thanks to James Hadfield for capturing this.
Family Fortunes - 1990
The 1990 titles for Family Fortunes, with thanks again to James Hadfield for capturing this.
Family Fortunes - 1993
Identical graphic-wise to the 1990 version, this set of titles from 1993, featured a remixed audio track. Thanks to James Hadfield for the clip.
Family Fortunes - 1999
This set of FF titles date from 1999, still under Les Dennis. Thanks to James Hadfield.
Family Fortunes - 2001
And the FF credits from 2001 - See how much Les has changed! Little did he know then, he wouldnt be on FF much longer!
Family Fortunes - 2002
2002, and the usual dilemma approaches. 'We have a popular Gameshow, so what can we do to keep it popular'. As usual, ITV decided on their 'lite teatime version, with vastly reduced prizes' idea, which many cynics truly believe was a policy designed to kill off all production from Central's studios in Birmingham. Les Dennis didnt like the idea, and quit, leaving FF with a new one-series host Andy Collins, who has since gone onto big things with TV Shopping. Well thats my opinion, although of course thats not how it was told by ITV. In 2001, the prizes were £5000 for scoring 200 points, AND a car for finding all 5 top answers. In 2002, the top prize was £1000 for scoring over 200, OR £3000 for finding all 5 top answers.
A Question of TV - 2001
A Question of TV is another spinoff from a Question of Sport. It aired in 2001... and only ever lasted for the one season. Not a big show, but the reason I have put it on here is because the titles show clips from old BBC idents. There are also three clips from independent television... LWT, ATV and...oh look... Tyne Tees Television too. (Now isn't that nice!)
All-Star Family Fortunes - 2001
In 2001, a celebrity series of Family Fortunes was screened known as 'All Star Family Fortunes', featuring the same principle, but with celebrity teams battling to win money for(You guessed it!!) charity.
Going For Gold - 1991
Produced by Grundy Television (I think!!), Going For Gold was a Europe wide quiz show in the early 90s which aimed to find a winner from across Europe. Cheesy music abound, but it's all in good humour!
Wheel of Fortune - 2001
Wheel of Fortune ran for many years, based off the American Format of the same name, and produced by Scottish Television. After having a variety of presenters over the year, and glitzy prizes, it finally finished around 2001, after suffering the 'daily cut down version' treatment.
The Weakest Link - 2001
The Weakest Link was started in 2000, and has been a massive hit for the BBC. It has been exported to numerous countries, and has made the host here (and in the US for a short time), Anne Robinson, one of the highest paid people in showbusiness. This file shows a rarely seen analogue 4:3 version - When I was recording it, I just happened to pick a day when they forgot to switch it to W/S.
~ Acknowledgements ~
ITV - http://www.itv.com
BBC Television - http://www.bbc.co.uk
Channel 4 Television - http://www.channel4.com
Channel 5 Television - http://www.five.tv
James Hadfield - for capturing loads of stuff
BBC Television - http://www.bbc.co.uk
Channel 4 Television - http://www.channel4.com
Channel 5 Television - http://www.five.tv
James Hadfield - for capturing loads of stuff