The Con Test
Encyclopedia
The Con Test was an Australian game show
which premiered on 7 February 2007 on Network Ten
. It was filmed in Sydney
and was hosted by Andrew G
and Brigitte Duclos
.
Before the game, there is a segment of the show called "The Grilling" where each contestant gives a brief description about themselves (their age, occupation, achievements and qualifications). Some contestants make false claims about their personal status. Their opponents then reply to them with criticism about their claims.
Just before the first two commercial breaks, the viewers are told which two contestants will reveal whether what they were saying was true or false. The truths about the two selected contestants are revealed just after the break, before the next round of questions start.
Players start by answering several questions each round, which will earn the contestant some money. Each player starts with $1000 at the beginning of the first round. The money earned for each question increases in value in the latter rounds. At the end of each round the leader board is revealed to the viewers, but not to the contestants. The contestants then have the opportunity to 'fold' if they believe they are at the bottom of the leaderboard and take the money they have earned. If nobody folds, the player with the least amount of money will leave the show with nothing. In the event of a tie, the player who answered the questions the fastest will be ranked higher on the leaderboard. The player that is eliminated is taken to the "fold room" where they are met by Duclos
and their family and friends. The leaderboard is then revealed to them, hence they find out whether they made the right decision by folding if they went out that way.
The highest possible amount a player can win by folding is $27,500 by answering all 28 questions correctly, then folding at the end of the final round. However this is unlikely, because a player that answers every single question correctly, would not be tempted to take the money, and would more likely count on winning the $50,000.
radio host Fifi Box
to co-host the show based on the strength of her recent appearances on Thank God You're Here
but the job eventually went to Box's Triple M
colleague, Brigitte Duclos
.
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...
which premiered on 7 February 2007 on Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
. It was filmed in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
and was hosted by Andrew G
Andrew G
Andrew Günsberg , commonly known as Andrew G, is a British-born Australian television and radio presenter who is best known as the host of the reality series Australian Idol. He was also the compere of Network Ten's game show The Con Test, and for three years co-hosted the Sydney New Year's Eve...
and Brigitte Duclos
Brigitte Duclos
Brigitte Duclos is an Australian television and radio presenter.Currently she is a co-host of the breakfast radio program on Mix 1011 in Melbourne titled Mix Mornings alongside Anthony 'Lehmo' Lehmann.-Media career:...
.
Format and Rules
The show followed the same general rules and gameplay as the UK show PokerFace. Six contestants begin the game facing a total of up to 28 questions for a chance to win $50,000.Before the game, there is a segment of the show called "The Grilling" where each contestant gives a brief description about themselves (their age, occupation, achievements and qualifications). Some contestants make false claims about their personal status. Their opponents then reply to them with criticism about their claims.
Just before the first two commercial breaks, the viewers are told which two contestants will reveal whether what they were saying was true or false. The truths about the two selected contestants are revealed just after the break, before the next round of questions start.
Players start by answering several questions each round, which will earn the contestant some money. Each player starts with $1000 at the beginning of the first round. The money earned for each question increases in value in the latter rounds. At the end of each round the leader board is revealed to the viewers, but not to the contestants. The contestants then have the opportunity to 'fold' if they believe they are at the bottom of the leaderboard and take the money they have earned. If nobody folds, the player with the least amount of money will leave the show with nothing. In the event of a tie, the player who answered the questions the fastest will be ranked higher on the leaderboard. The player that is eliminated is taken to the "fold room" where they are met by Duclos
Brigitte Duclos
Brigitte Duclos is an Australian television and radio presenter.Currently she is a co-host of the breakfast radio program on Mix 1011 in Melbourne titled Mix Mornings alongside Anthony 'Lehmo' Lehmann.-Media career:...
and their family and friends. The leaderboard is then revealed to them, hence they find out whether they made the right decision by folding if they went out that way.
| Round | Amount Per Question | No. of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $500 | 8 |
| 2 | $750 | 5 |
| 3 | $1000 | 5 |
| 4 | $1250 | 5 |
| 5 | $1500 | 5 |
The highest possible amount a player can win by folding is $27,500 by answering all 28 questions correctly, then folding at the end of the final round. However this is unlikely, because a player that answers every single question correctly, would not be tempted to take the money, and would more likely count on winning the $50,000.
Production
The Ten Network reportedly wanted Triple MTriple M
The Triple M Network is an active rock radio network in Australia owned by media company Austereo, who also own the Today Network.- History :...
radio host Fifi Box
Fifi Box
Fifi Box is an Australian radio broadcaster and television personality, formerly hosting The Shebang with Marty Sheargold on Triple M, and presenter on the Seven Network's Sunrise program....
to co-host the show based on the strength of her recent appearances on Thank God You're Here
Thank God You're Here
Thank God You're Here is an Australian television improvised comedy program created by Working Dog Productions, which premiered on Network Ten on 5 April 2006, and aired for the first three seasons with Seven for the fourth season...
but the job eventually went to Box's Triple M
Triple M
The Triple M Network is an active rock radio network in Australia owned by media company Austereo, who also own the Today Network.- History :...
colleague, Brigitte Duclos
Brigitte Duclos
Brigitte Duclos is an Australian television and radio presenter.Currently she is a co-host of the breakfast radio program on Mix 1011 in Melbourne titled Mix Mornings alongside Anthony 'Lehmo' Lehmann.-Media career:...
.