Game Show Newsnet

Episode 33.2 - GSNN's Got Talent
June 10

Chico: Welcome back to WLTI. Thanks for being a part of the viewers' choice rated game show show of record. We've had several new entries over the last few weeks, and now we're going to go over it with six Maximum Strength Capsule Reviews. Our in-depth look at the summer of 2013: the first few weeks.
Gordon: We'll see if we get good shows or if we're in the dog days of summer. We start with the most high-profiled show - The Rock (Dwayne Johnson's) Hero.
Chico: He's going from playing hero to finding America's next action hero. It's basically what would happen if you had The Mole meeting Fear Factor meeting Who Wants to Be a Sueprhero.
Gordon: Said hero will be found from a group of heroes, who will decide
who faces up against stunts.
Chico: Players are grouped into teams, and each success adds money to an escalating jackpot. The one hero left standing (because the universal rule of "there can be only one" is in play) will take ALL THE MONEY.
Jason: This was filmed during the WrestleMania 29 Build in Panama. The production looks EPIC. Heroic even.
Chico: It does. It rivals Hollywood blockbusters, and that's I think what they were going for.
Jason: And there is a nice twist. If you successfully complete the team challenge, $10K goes to the American Red Cross.
Chico: Very nice twist.
Jason: Especially timely after the Oklahoma Tornadoes.
Chico: So it's all about doing good for the sake of doing good, and I think we need a little good on this type of show.
Jason: Hold on though. During the team challenges, Rock comes in and says...psst come here. You can take some money if you want to make your other teammates suffer.
Chico: This is true. We've had ONE person take a buyout. Shaun accepted $35,000 in week 2.
Jason: Shaun Ricker - an Indpendent Wrestler.
Gordon: Sort of moley - also very useful if you think you have no chance of winning
Chico: Then THIS week, we had another person take a buyout, Athena.
Jason: But There is a lot of Good here. The Rock is VERY good here. The show looks BIG. You have a charity involved. The ONLY quibble will be America's Vote at the end.
Gordon: I DESPISE America's vote.

THE HERO TNT - 8p ET Thursday
GORDON	CHICO	JASON	AVERAGE-O-MATIC
C+	B-	B-	B-

Jason: That is why it gets a B- from me.
Chico: Weeks of buildup... next thing you know... clown move, bro. B- as well. Yeah. That I don't get.
Gordon: I do get it. You want to mainstream the show
Chico: If you needed to be a hero, you needed to follow through, not pull the rug from under us at the end.
Gordon: The other twist I like - no one is eliminated. Yet.
Jason: Yes, and that I like a lot.
Chico: Very good.
Jason: You have to deal with being a dick.
Chico: So good show, but you have to pander in order to win.
Gordon: Well the strategy here is if you know you're not going to win, you take the money continuously. It's the Hero Mole with a needless audience interaction - but I feel that the interaction adversely affects the show, so I'm going C+
Chico: Which is about in line with what we gave it.
Gordon: What's next?
Chico: Then there's another show that comes on after this show, it's 72 Hours. Basically, you're dropped in the middle of nowhere, there's a treasure somewhere, and you have 72 hours to find it.
Gordon: Again, fantastic production values
Chico: Indeed. And it has all the physical and mental tasks of its broadcast bigger brothers.
Jason: Yes BUT...there is a HUGE BUT here. I don't want to spend an hour of my life listening to people bitch.
Chico: And since it's basically Survivor or Amazing Race condensed into one hour, it's all concentrated.
Jason: Yeah.
Chico: The good... the stunts are thought through. The surrounds are lush. And the challenge is there. The bad... who the hell casts this show?
Jason: BINGO.
Chico: Probably the same people who cast The Great Escape.
Gordon: Yeah, The casting people were out to lunch here. And it does detract from the show.

72 HOURS TNT - 9p ET Thursday
GORDON	CHICO	JASON	AVERAGE-O-MATIC
C	C-	C	C

Chico: Another show that was technically done well, but ruined by people. C-
Jason: And the host is generic. The banter is generic. C.
Gordon: You didn't mention the gameplay at all.
Chico: Sure I did.
Jason: No I get what G means.
Chico: OH!!!!
Jason: The first team who gets to a marked checkpoint gets the biggest help in getting to the next checkpoint. A team can call in a Rescue Drop but incurs a penalty.
Chico: But ultimately it sounds good and looks good only to end up being same-old same-old.
Gordon: Because I find that, like the contestants, is generic. C.
Chico: You want to talk about DIFFERENT... Enter Exit.
Gordon: THAT is different
Chico: It's Syfy's new game based on a Japanese format. If you've ever played 100 Floors on your phone, it's like that.
Chico: Four teams of two will have to find a way to escape four rooms in order to win $10,000.
Jason: With puzzles more diabolical than the next
Chico: Winner takes the cash, losers suffer a completely imagined not at all real CGI derived Syfy Saturday Night Original Movie worthy FATE WORSE THAN DEATH!
Gordon: Which are fun :)
Chico: They are. So the good...
Jason: The atmosphere is FUN. Nasty and diabolical.
Gordon: The bad - the stunts, which are either trivial or visual in nature, are all things we've seen before.
Chico: And the players, who are your standard reality show trope.
Jason: Yes. This is a style over substance show.
Gordon: They are very easily excitable
Chico: And the host, Curt Doussett, needs a personality transplant.

EXIT Syfy - 10p ET Tuesday
GORDON	CHICO	JASON	AVERAGE-O-MATIC
B-	C+	C	C+

Jason: Unfortunately another C here. This could have been SO much more.
Chico: I'm going to give it a C+ for production value. It would be a whole lot more, but you know what the sign above the door says, "You've got a lot of potential. Unfortunately we don't grade based on potential" There's a T shirt right there.
Gordon: It's definitely style over substance, but the style is fun. B-
Chico: I like it, and it works right out of Total Blackout.
Jason: Nice pairing there.
Chico: Another style over substance show. Though I will say Jaleel White is an infinitely better host than Curt is.
Jason: Oh yes.
Chico: But Curt is probably a whole lot better than Dolph Lundgren. Speaking of summer movies, let's Race to the Scene. It's Reelz's first game show, in which three teams of two reenact two movies per episode for a shot at $10,000 and a tricked out RV.

(Crickets Chirping)

Chico: ... I'm not excited either. The good is that the show faithfully executes the stunts seen in the movie, right down to the miniscule details. This is a show about movies, after all. So if you're a big movie buff, you'll like watching people run down the football field in leg braces a la Forrest Gump.
Gordon: Yay?
Chico: Yes this actually happened.
Jason: I think Dolph has taken one too many shots to the head though. Too much ego.
Chico: And therein lies the bad.
Gordon: Dolph needs to find a better agent while waiting for The Expendables 3.
Chico: I couldn't tell if his dubbed in one-liners were an extension of himself or a parodied version of himself.
Jason: I think it was a bit of both.
Gordon: I just saw the best of how the scene was run, done by the best actors. Why would I want to see inferior talent do the same thing?
Jason: If you are a stunt guy like me...you might. But this is a very very bastardized of an old show called Don Adams Screen Test.
Gordon: I hated Screen Test almost as much as I don't like this.
Chico: Leading up to the smarmiest game show sendoff line in history..."Until next time, I'm Dolph Lundgren... You're welcome."
Jason: Thank you Damien Sandow.
Chico: This is a very new version of Don Adams' Screen Test. And I expect it to last just as long. We have an Amazing Race through Hollywood inside and out, hosted by a Mensa-level genius with a background in chemical engineering and kicking your ass.
Jason: But it's SO bad. :(

RACE TO THE SCENE Reelz - 9p ET Thursday
GORDON	CHICO	JASON	AVERAGE-O-MATIC
D-	D	D	D

Chico: It's a trainwreck of a show. You want to stay away from it, but you can't. D
Jason: Same thing. D. Can't look.
Gordon: I'll put this like a movie revies. 1/2 star (D-)
Chico: So Gordon's looking for it in the Suncoast discount bin. Right next to Game Show Zombie Strippers 5.
Jason: That was GOOD.
Gordon: Next?
Chico: Next... Top Hooker. No, it's not about what you think it is.
Jason: Yes it's about fishing.
Gordon: ...and it needed to be about the women of the evening, because it would have been more fun
Jason: Combined with it being a 1 hour Commercial for Bass Pro Shops. It's about as formulaic as it can be.
Chico: Truth be told. It works as a competition.
Jason: Are you kidding, Chico? It does NOT.
Chico: But if you're not a true striper, then the appeal is lost.
Jason: Since I am not...the appeal is.
Gordon: Well its a little bit of both. It's a 60 minute infomercial for Bass, but it does have a real non-contrived competition behind it. That being said, I was bored by the competition behind it, because the action was stretched out just as much as one of those 9 foot elastic bait worms.
Chico: And we have a bit of non-reality TV at play.
Jason: Yes.
Chico: Who do you know...bow-hunts for fish?
Jason: I've seen shows about it. on Nat Geo and Animal Planet
Chico: Jason, I know you're a redneck trapped in a Brooklynite's body, but... really? Bowhunting?
Jason: Um...no.
Chico: Ziplining for fish?
Jason: Yeah that was dumb.
Chico: I would expect to see noodling before ziplining.
Gordon: I think bobbing for fish would have been better than some of these ideas.
Chico: So the object of the show, ultimately, is to be the best at catching fish in ways that no real fisherman could, would or should.
Jason: Exactly. I do like the contestants.

TOP HOOKER Animal Planet - 10p ET Sunday
GORDON	CHICO	JASON	AVERAGE-O-MATIC
C	D-	D	D+

Chico: Yeah, but the competition just lags on a bit for their or OUR liking. D-
Jason: Too much commercialization and I was bored. D
Gordon: It doesn't do it for me, and it's inherently silly, but I'm not going to be as harsh. I think the target audience will like this show, and I don't want to mistake me for said target audience, because I know I'm not. And the show is produced well (because they know what they are doing), so I'll give it a middle of the road C. Next one?
Chico: Finally... here's something. It's a game show on the internet!
Jason: AH!
Chico: It's "The Experts". Created by our friend Alan Bailey, it's basically what happens when you put Idiot Savants or Mastermind on YouTube.
Jason: It's low rent, but a lot of fun.
Chico: It's a low rent affair, just three chairs, a green screen, and a nice graphics package, but it works. It's getting the game show as we know it back to the basics. Stripping it down, if you will, to the players and the game. And you can tell the players are having a great time when you're watching.
Gordon: Again, nothing you haven't seen before, but the catch is that it's well done trivia and if you are a fan of a genre (like I am with Dr. Who and Game Shows), the questions are fair. As for the game show 'expert'....you need to go back to game show school.
Chico: Do we have the clip?

THE EXPERTS YouTube - Mondays /theexpertsgameshow
GORDON	CHICO	JASON	AVERAGE-O-MATIC
B-	B-	C+	B-

Jason: Its a fun diversion on Youtube. C+
Chico: It is a fun diversion, and again, low key, but high energy. B-
Gordon: I agree with Chico. It's a fun show that throws some cute wrinkles in the game play that's cute. It's not revolutionary, and the tempo in the game play is lacking, but what it does do is effective. B-
Chico: And if Alan Bailey is reading, we'd like an interview. Talk to Gordon. :-)
Gordon: Talk to me. Heh.
Chico: That is the review. Watch the Hero, watch the Experts, watch the Exit. Skip everything else. Of course, we'll have more reviews as the weeks go on.
Jason: Sounds right.
Chico: Right now, we have a break, and when we return, get the toilet roll out because we have more Pushyflushy action.
Gordon: Watch this!

(Brought to you by Enter. Three teams of two have to solve a number of physical and mental challenges in order to enter an abandoned warehouse. Or... you know... they could just take the key hidden underneath the doormat)

Jason: (facepalm)
Chico: And if it isn't there.... check the flowerpot.
Jason: Or the mailbox.
Chico: Or the toilet.

(hamsters wheel in Super Toilet)

Jason: Lets do this.
Chico: Here we go...First up...

LAST CALL FOOD BRAWL Destination America - 8p ET Sundays
CHICO	GORDON	JASON	JIGGLE
JIGGLE	PASTRY	JIGGLE

Chico: Bar cooks playing Chopped.
Jason: JIGGLE. Done better on a better channel.
Chico: No nightcap for me. JIGGLE.
Gordon: You know what? Pastry. I want to see what they can do with this
Chico: Okay. Speaking of...

CHOPPED Food - 10p ET Tuesdays
CHICO	GORDON	JASON	PUSH
PUSH	PUSH	PUSH

Chico: Highest rated show on Food Network for a reason. PUSH.
Jason: DUH. Push this. They tweak this and it's AWESOME.
Gordon: Of course. PUSH

THE HERO TNT - 8p ET Thursdays
CHICO	GORDON	JASON	PASTRY
PUSH	PASTRY	JIGGLE

Jason: 7 year rule applies...still not fun. JIGGLE.
Chico: Murder... Moles... and a sleuther where the butler Didn't do it. PUSH
Gordon: You know what? THe production value on this looks fun. I'm going to HOPE that the gameplay is going to be better than what we fear it's going to be. Pastry.

MINUTE TO WIN IT GSN - June 25
CHICO	GORDON	JASON	JIGGLE
PASTRY	JIGGLE	JIGGLE

Chico: PASTRY. The show is still the show, but Apolo needs work.
Gordon: I'm going to HOPE that the gameplay is going to be better than...oh who am I kidding. I know what I'm going to get here. Jiggle.
Jason: Yeah. Ohno is OH-NO. Jiggle.

BIG BROTHER CBS - June 26
CHICO	GORDON	JASON	PUSH
PUSH	PUSH	PUSH

Chico: The show you don't admit to your friends that you're watching. PUSH
Jason: This is the hit of the summer for a reason. This is frothy fun. PUSH
Gordon: And its THE BIG TWIST!!!!!11111111...Push though
Chico: Wee!

AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR G4/NBC - June 30
CHICO	GORDON	JASON	PUSH
PUSH	PUSH	PUSH

Chico: Ninjas, bitches. Ninjas. PUSH.
Gordon: No one wins, but I'll push it anyways, because its fun
Jason: Of course. It's FUN. PUSH.

FOOD COURT WARS Food - July 7
CHICO	GORDON	JASON	JIGGLE
FLUSH	JIGGLE	JIGGLE

Chico: Why do we need this? FLUSH
Gordon: Meh. Jiggle.
Jason: Yeah. Jiggle. YUCK

GET OUT ALIVE WITH BEAR GRYLLS NBC - July 8
CHICO	GORDON	JASON	JIGGLE
JIGGLE	JIGGLE	JIGGLE

Chico: How's this any different from the other survival series? Jiggle.
Gordon: I've seen this before. Jiggle.
Jason: So have I. JIGGLE.

NICK CANNON PRESENTS WILD'N OUT MTV2 - July 9
CHICO	GORDON	JASON	PUSH
PUSH	PUSH	PUSH

Chico: PUSH. Not even a question.
Jason: Cannot wait. PUSH.
Gordon: I've seen this before also - and I want more of it. PUSH.

HOLLYWOOD GAME NIGHT NBC - July 11
CHICO	GORDON	JASON	JIGGLE
PASTRY	FLUSH	PASTRY

Chico: This could be a lot of fun. PASTRY
Jason: Yeah. Pastry. Let's see how they do this.
Gordon: This just looks bad. Flush.
Chico: Obviously not a Jane Lynch fan. :-)
Gordon: I am a Jane Lynch fan, actually. I'm just not a party game retro fan, which is what this feels like.'Outrageous games with b level celebrities'
Chico: Touché You want to see what looks REALLY BAD?

SUMMER CAMP USA - July 11
CHICO	GORDON	JASON	FLUSH
FLUSH	FLUSH	FLUSH

Jason: FLUSH. The promos looks awful
Gordon: It does. FLUSH
Chico: Shoot me now. FLUSH. One...
Jason: Two...
Gordon: TIme for GSNN's version of a powdering. THREE!!!
Chico: PLUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNGE!
Gordon: Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Chico: And speaking of.. the scent of baby powder. And finally...

THE WINNER IS NBC - July 11
CHICO	GORDON	JASON	FLUSH
FLUSH	FLUSH	FLUSH

Gordon: The winner is...no one who has to watch this. FLUSH
Jason: Time to POWDER....FLUSH
Chico: Make it three. FLUSH
Jason: ONE
Gordon: TWO!!
Jason: THREE!
Chico: PLUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNGE!
Gordon: Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

(CRACK!)

Chico: We just killed the toilet with that one.
Gordon: Whoops.
Chico: While we try to bring the toilet back, we're going to take a break. Speed Round is coming up next!

(Brought to you by Sleepaway Summer Camp Nightmare. The contestants voted off get to spend the night with Angela Baker and try not to be counselor kibble. Good luck there. Bwa ha ha ha ha!)

Chico: Someone likes way too many horror movies.
Gordon: Moi?
Chico: Vous. Speed round, mon ami?
Gordon: Oui. Speed Round starts...NOW! The Voice - Who makes it to the finals?
Chico: Michelle
Jason: I am still going with the Swon Brothers
Gordon: I'll say Danielle
Chico: MasterChef: Who's next to go?
Gordon: I'll say James
Jason: I'll agree with Gordon.
Chico: Im going to go with Malcolm. Do we have any big J! champs this week?
Jason: End of season, I don't know.
Gordon: Sure - why not?
Chico: Not this week. Do we have any mail this week?
Gordon: I don't. Any by you?
Chico: No sir. But you can change that at wlti@gameshownewsnet.com, or follow
us on Twitter and Facebook, or you can listen to us on iTunes, Stitcher, and
Player.FM. We are just EVERYWHERE! Special thanks to Jason Block as always for hanging out.
Jason: Great to be here.
Chico: Next week, we break down the final three on The Voice, whoever it may be. I'm guessing Danielle and Michelle and the Swons are going to be here. For Gordon Pepper and everyone at GSNN, I'm Chico Alexander. Our time's up, we thank you for yours. Game over... and Spread the love. :-)