A British stunt-based
Game Show from 2001 that also got a U.S. version in 2002; both were relatively
Short Runners, but they did have some class. Six contestants competed per episode; on the day before taping, the contestants had spent time at a training camp. The purpose of this was to allow contestants to evaluate one another's abilities, since the goal of the game proper is to vote on the contestant most likely to fail at a particular challenge. These often involved physical tasks, but sometimes involved mental challenges, trivia, or on the U.S. version, stripping. If the contestant manages to beat the odds and win, they get to send one of the contestants who voted for them to the Dog Pound (Called the "Losers' Bench" on the British version. Boring!), or else the contestant got sent to the Pound himself.
The final two contestants played a final head-to-head challenge to determine the champion, who got to play for £25,000 (or US$25,000) in a best-of-three game where the champion must get three eliminated contestants to answer a question incorrectly. Of course, if the Dog Pound won, they'd split the money instead.
The British version was aired by
The BBC, while
NBC carried the U.S. version. Neither lasted long, however, though
GSN continues to air occasional repeats of the U.S. version.
- Bonus Round: Champion is given a category. Pick the eliminated contestant you think will get it wrong. If they get it wrong, you get a point, if they get it right, they get a point. The first to get three points wins $25,000; if the Dog Pound wins, the prize is split.
- Personnel:
- Product Placement: The on-screen timer was sponsored by NetZero on the U.S. version, and Circuit City sponsored the big screen on the set. Now, for those who don't remember, NetZero was a dial-up Internet service provider.
- Which of these companies is now out of business? Surprisingly, its Circuit City (NetZero has since expanded to offer wireless broadband and DSL, too)
This show provides examples of:
- Catch Phrase: "It's time to choose the loser."
- Fake Weakness: Each episode has a training camp before taping where the contestants can get ready for the challenges they may face, as well as evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents. It's a common strategy to underperform in the training camp, in hope of being picked for a challenge that the player can handle easily.
- Fanservice: A substantial number of the challenges require contestants to change into swimsuits and get wet. Never mind the ones that require a contestant to take off a piece of clothing for each failure (Strip Quarterback, Strip Hangman) or for a better chance of success (Strip Golf).
- Obfuscating Stupidity: Similar to Fake Weakness above, the players will often give each other a false impression of their background and knowledge, so that if they have to play from the Dog Pound in the final trivia round, they may get a category that they know cold. ("We were talking about football and she didn't seem to have much to say." "I love sports. All kinds.")
- Shameful Strip: A number of challenges involved "Strip x" games; for instance, Strip Golf allowed the player to give up an article of clothing to get a closer shot.
- Shameless Fanservice Girl: In Episode 6 of the U.S. version, a contestant picked by her (male) opponents for Strip Darts turned out to have worked as a stripper. "I'm not afraid of taking off my clothes." She also won the round after going all the way down to her panties.
- Statuesque Stunner: Brooke Burns is one tall blonde.
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