TV Show and Tell

No matter where you live, there's a very good chance that you've seen the name of our special guest, Chris Goss, in the credits of a TV show. Chris has provided the computer systems that control the game play for a vast number of game shows including 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire' (in 60 territories), 'Deal or No Deal', 'The Weakest Link', '5 Gold Rings' and 'Million Pound Drop'. We also touch on various types of interactivity and VR systems. Meanwhile, David and Justin look at homegrown flops that became international hits, and the hidden rules of how long programmes need to be. We go back the the 1970's for 'Fake or Format?', and there's all the format news that's fit to print.

Aaron Solomon has been a writer, format consultant and co-executive producer on a wide-range of US network shows, including Mental Samurai, Weakest Link, $100,000 Pyramid, and the version of The Joker's Wild presented by Snoop Dogg. He explains the hidden mechanics that are used to make game shows such as these tick. Meanwhile, David and Justin put their best foot forward for a job at the BBC, and David briefs Justin on some internet stories he's missed. Plus the usual format news and a tasty 'Fake or Format'. David's FREE question writing guide is here: https://tinyurl.com/quizbible1-2

Justin reports from Copenhagen, where he catches up with the experienced Danish TV executive Pia Marquard. She talks about co-creating 'Expedition Robinson' (the format now known internationally as 'Survivor'), as well as 'The Lyrics Board' and 'Race to Mars'. David poses a quiz about whether you could cut it as an executive producer, and there's a discussion on the best (and worst) ways of networking at television events. Plus, the latest format news and an unusually-devised game of 'Fake or Format?'.