Inquizition
Encyclopedia
Inquizition is an American game show
created by Game Show Network
and Sande Stewart Television that ran on the network's schedule from October 5, 1998 to October 19, 2001.
(one of several shows on GSN that did this).
The game was played in three rounds, each consisting of approximately 20-25 multiple-choice questions depending on the time available. Each question had three possible answers (A, B, or C; "C" was almost always "none of the above"). The contestants had three seconds to lock in an answer by pressing one of the buttons on their podiums, their answers visible only to the Inquizitor and viewing audience. For each correct answer, the contestant earned a point (there was no penalty for wrong answers).
When time expired at the end of each round, the contestant with the lowest score was eliminated and dismissed by the Inquizitor. The losing player turned around, as if to walk away, and the screen faded to white. The scores were reset for each new round. After Round 3, the remaining contestant collected his "papers" (a prop sometimes seen briefly on-camera, similar to a diploma) and a $500 cash prize ($250 in Season 1). Telephone contestants played for the same prize as the studio contestants, with some also winning online gift certificates.
No round of the show ended in a tie. In the case of a tie in the telephone game, additional questions were asked during the commercial break until the tie was broken.
Frequently, the Inquizitor would express his disdain for under-performing players during questioning and prod them to improve their game – or occasionally praise a player, while giving backhanded insults to the others ("Thank you, [contestant], for saving us from almost complete ignorance"). He occasionally threw in a side comment on the correct answer, i.e. "The first centerfold for Playboy magazine was... A. Marilyn Monroe
. I still have my copy."
The Inquizitor's remarks could have an effect on gameplay, as they were the only indication contestants had of where they stood against their opponents. At the end of each round, the Inquizitor dismissed the player in last place with annoyance or indifference ("Please leave now."; "Goodbye."; "Get out!"), and usually scorned the eliminated player in Round 3 by shouting "You have failed!". The eliminated player would turn their back to the camera as they left, and the screen faded to white (instead of black).
, his identity is still unknown.
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
created by Game Show Network
Game Show Network
The Game Show Network is an American cable television and direct broadcast satellite channel dedicated to game shows and casino game shows. The channel was launched on December 1, 1994. Its current slogan is "The World Needs More Winners"...
and Sande Stewart Television that ran on the network's schedule from October 5, 1998 to October 19, 2001.
Gameplay
Four players played in the studio (which, from the opening credits sequence, appears to be a large airplane hangar). The show was shot against a blue screen in a very small studio. Additionally, four more contestants played along at home against each other in a parallel game over the telephoneTelephone
The telephone , colloquially referred to as a phone, is a telecommunications device that transmits and receives sounds, usually the human voice. Telephones are a point-to-point communication system whose most basic function is to allow two people separated by large distances to talk to each other...
(one of several shows on GSN that did this).
The game was played in three rounds, each consisting of approximately 20-25 multiple-choice questions depending on the time available. Each question had three possible answers (A, B, or C; "C" was almost always "none of the above"). The contestants had three seconds to lock in an answer by pressing one of the buttons on their podiums, their answers visible only to the Inquizitor and viewing audience. For each correct answer, the contestant earned a point (there was no penalty for wrong answers).
When time expired at the end of each round, the contestant with the lowest score was eliminated and dismissed by the Inquizitor. The losing player turned around, as if to walk away, and the screen faded to white. The scores were reset for each new round. After Round 3, the remaining contestant collected his "papers" (a prop sometimes seen briefly on-camera, similar to a diploma) and a $500 cash prize ($250 in Season 1). Telephone contestants played for the same prize as the studio contestants, with some also winning online gift certificates.
No round of the show ended in a tie. In the case of a tie in the telephone game, additional questions were asked during the commercial break until the tie was broken.
The Inquizitor
Inquizition was probably most famous for its mysterious anti-host, the Inquizitor. The Inquizitor was not a typical game show host of the time (enthusiastic, energetic) – he was angry, cranky, and had little patience for wrong answers. Further, he rarely called contestants by their first names, instead opting to use a more gentlemanly approach ("Mr. Roberts", "Miss Johnson").Frequently, the Inquizitor would express his disdain for under-performing players during questioning and prod them to improve their game – or occasionally praise a player, while giving backhanded insults to the others ("Thank you, [contestant], for saving us from almost complete ignorance"). He occasionally threw in a side comment on the correct answer, i.e. "The first centerfold for Playboy magazine was... A. Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s....
. I still have my copy."
The Inquizitor's remarks could have an effect on gameplay, as they were the only indication contestants had of where they stood against their opponents. At the end of each round, the Inquizitor dismissed the player in last place with annoyance or indifference ("Please leave now."; "Goodbye."; "Get out!"), and usually scorned the eliminated player in Round 3 by shouting "You have failed!". The eliminated player would turn their back to the camera as they left, and the screen faded to white (instead of black).
Identity
The Inquizitor never showed his face during the show's three-year run, and due to stipulations in his contractContract
A contract is an agreement entered into by two parties or more with the intention of creating a legal obligation, which may have elements in writing. Contracts can be made orally. The remedy for breach of contract can be "damages" or compensation of money. In equity, the remedy can be specific...
, his identity is still unknown.
See also
- 100% (A similar game show that aired in limited syndication in the US in 1999; and on Five in the UK from 1997–2001)