Wipeout (UK game show)
Encyclopedia
Wipeout was a British
game show based on the original US format that aired on BBC1
from 25 May 1994 to 3 December 2002. The show was originally hosted by Paul Daniels
from 1994 to 1997, then Bob Monkhouse
took over from 1998 to 2002.
In Round 1, the "Hot Spot" prize would be determined based on whether it was hidden behind a correct answer or a Wipeout. If it was hidden behind a Wipeout, the player was awarded a cheap prize (e.g., a can of oil and a lollipop
). If it was hidden behind a correct answer the player was awarded a much better prize (e.g., designer handbag
s). The contestant who revealed the prize kept it regardless of the game's outcome.
A tiebreaker was not played at the end of Round 1 should a tie present itself. Instead, the player to proceed was the one who had given the most correct answers up to that point. If this was also tied, the player with the fewest wipeouts was accepted into Round 2.
Round 2 was known as "Wipeout Auction". The contestants would be offered a subject, and twelve possible answers on the grid. Eight of these would be correct, and four of these would be Wipeouts. The contestant with the highest amount of money would have the opportunity to bid first on how many correct answers they think they could find in the grid, or to pass the opening bid onto their opponent. Whoever offered the highest bid was given the opportunity to choose that number of answers. The player remained in control until they had achieved the number of correct answers with which they won the bid, or until they hit a Wipeout. If they hit a Wipeout, the opposing player would only have to get one answer right in order to head into the next round. However, play switches back to the first player if the second player also discovers a Wipeout.
Round 3 was known as "The bonus round" (called "The Monkhouse Minute", with the main button the contestant had to hit "Bob's Button" during the second era) was exactly the same as in America, except that the contestant pressed a button attached to the monitor they wished to activate (in the Daniels version, answers were entered on an oversized keypad). Victory awarded a holiday to a specific location, which changed on occasion. This round was like one of the famous games in The Price Is Right
the Race Game where the contestant had to select six answers and run and hit a button which would then show on the screen how many correct answers he or she had selected. The contestant kept doing this until either the time had ran out or they found all six correct answers. Paul Daniels
did the running on the contestant's behalf on several occasions such as once when they had a wheelchair bound winner and another when the winner was pregnant and therefore preferred not to risk running. The contestants were told in advanced where the holiday would be in the Daniels Era, but when Monkhouse took over they could choose where they wanted to go provided that it was within Europe.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
game show based on the original US format that aired on BBC1
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
from 25 May 1994 to 3 December 2002. The show was originally hosted by Paul Daniels
Paul Daniels
Paul Daniels, born Newton Edward Daniels on 6 April 1938, is a British magician and television performer. He achieved international fame through his television series The Paul Daniels Magic Show, which ran on the BBC from 1979 to 1994.-Early life:...
from 1994 to 1997, then Bob Monkhouse
Bob Monkhouse
Robert Alan "Bob" Monkhouse, OBE was an English entertainer. He was a successful comedy writer, comedian and actor and was also well known on British television as a presenter and game show host...
took over from 1998 to 2002.
Format
Three boards were played in Round 1, with £10 awarded for the first answer plus an additional £10 for each subsequent correct answer (up to £110 for the eleventh). In the Monkhouse version, only two boards were played and each correct answer was worth £50.In Round 1, the "Hot Spot" prize would be determined based on whether it was hidden behind a correct answer or a Wipeout. If it was hidden behind a Wipeout, the player was awarded a cheap prize (e.g., a can of oil and a lollipop
Lollipop
A lollipop, pop, lolly, sucker, or sticky-pop is a type of confectionery consisting mainly of hardened, flavored sucrose with corn syrup mounted on a stick and intended for sucking or licking. They are available in many flavors and shapes.- Types :Lollipops are available in a number of colors and...
). If it was hidden behind a correct answer the player was awarded a much better prize (e.g., designer handbag
Handbag
A handbag, or purse in American English, is a handled medium-to-large bag that is often fashionably designed, typically used by women, to hold personal items such as wallet/coins, keys, cosmetics, a hairbrush, pepper spray, cigarettes, mobile phone etc....
s). The contestant who revealed the prize kept it regardless of the game's outcome.
A tiebreaker was not played at the end of Round 1 should a tie present itself. Instead, the player to proceed was the one who had given the most correct answers up to that point. If this was also tied, the player with the fewest wipeouts was accepted into Round 2.
Round 2 was known as "Wipeout Auction". The contestants would be offered a subject, and twelve possible answers on the grid. Eight of these would be correct, and four of these would be Wipeouts. The contestant with the highest amount of money would have the opportunity to bid first on how many correct answers they think they could find in the grid, or to pass the opening bid onto their opponent. Whoever offered the highest bid was given the opportunity to choose that number of answers. The player remained in control until they had achieved the number of correct answers with which they won the bid, or until they hit a Wipeout. If they hit a Wipeout, the opposing player would only have to get one answer right in order to head into the next round. However, play switches back to the first player if the second player also discovers a Wipeout.
Round 3 was known as "The bonus round" (called "The Monkhouse Minute", with the main button the contestant had to hit "Bob's Button" during the second era) was exactly the same as in America, except that the contestant pressed a button attached to the monitor they wished to activate (in the Daniels version, answers were entered on an oversized keypad). Victory awarded a holiday to a specific location, which changed on occasion. This round was like one of the famous games in The Price Is Right
The Price Is Right
The Price Is Right is a television game show franchise originally produced by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman, and created by Bob Stewart, and is currently produced and owned by FremantleMedia. The franchise centers on television game shows, but also includes merchandise such as video games, printed...
the Race Game where the contestant had to select six answers and run and hit a button which would then show on the screen how many correct answers he or she had selected. The contestant kept doing this until either the time had ran out or they found all six correct answers. Paul Daniels
Paul Daniels
Paul Daniels, born Newton Edward Daniels on 6 April 1938, is a British magician and television performer. He achieved international fame through his television series The Paul Daniels Magic Show, which ran on the BBC from 1979 to 1994.-Early life:...
did the running on the contestant's behalf on several occasions such as once when they had a wheelchair bound winner and another when the winner was pregnant and therefore preferred not to risk running. The contestants were told in advanced where the holiday would be in the Daniels Era, but when Monkhouse took over they could choose where they wanted to go provided that it was within Europe.
External links
- Wipeout at BFI