ABC introduces a new game show called Duel on December 17. As the writers strike begins to slowly strangle the regular television schedule, networks are looking for easily produced yet fresh programming to fill the void. Will Duel fit the bill for the long term? Or will it be more short term filler, only to breathe a short time on the airwaves, but quickly disappear like game shows of yesteryear, like The Weakest Link?
Duel mixes elements of Who Wants to be a Millionaire and Texas hold-em poker according to ABC. While the scene and setup of the game resemble most of the current and former prime time game shows, the tournament style format is a refreshing change. Game play involves 24 contestants over six episodes, competing for a final jackpot. Unlike game shows like Deal or No Deal the final winner will take home big money, over $1.5 million according to ABC.
Contestants play in a head-to-head format, answering multiple choice questions. At the beginning of each round, each contestant is given ten chips, each representing $5,000. On any given question, the contestant may use as many chips as he feels he needs to stay alive. So if the contestant does not feel confident in answering a question, he may use four of his chips to cover all of the multiple choice answers. While this keeps the contestant alive, he loses three of his chips, which are added to the jackpot. This also quickly reduces the chip count of the contestant who hedges his bet in this way.
An interesting twist to each Duel is the "pressure" button. Contestants are not given any time limitation at the start of each question, but if they feel their opponent is delaying, the can use the pressure button, thus putting an immediate seven-second clock on their opponent. Each contestant can use two "pressures" per duel. This element certainly keeps the game moving, and avoids the horrific slowdowns that frequently pop up in Deal or No Deal and Millionaire.
Article comments
1 - Mary
No wonder America is "dumbing" down. I'm so tired of reality tv and game shows. Pay the writers their due so we can go back to watch quality TV. In fact, any company that advertises through this show I will NOT buy. Do TV executives think people are stupid?
2 - Josh Lasser
Congratulations! This article has been selected for syndication to Advance.net, which is affiliated with newspapers around the United States.
3 - Brent
I'm not sure what this visceral "anti-reality show" reaction is amongst some people. Sure, 90% of reality shows are crap, but 90% of everything is crap. Just because shows have writers doesn't mean that they'll be good. "The Duel" sounds like a fairly basic game show, not unlike "Jeopardy" but with a twist, and yet we have Mary saying that it represents the dumbing down of America (and "According to Jim" which will be returning in January doesn't?) and even stating, "any company that advertises through this show I will NOT buy." All without having seen a single minute of the show.
"Do TV executives think people are stupid?" After nearly 60 years of the stuff that they've put on the air (and not just game shows and reality shows), do you really have to ask?
4 - Jill
Your show asked the question about which words are NOT in the Pledge of Alligience:
Country
Indivisible
Stands
Under.
Guess what? They are all in it! Your show said it was Country. Last time my kids at school recited it, there was the phrase: And to the COUNTRY for which it stands......
Big boo-boo.
5 - El Bicho
Guess what, Jill? The big boo boo was made by your kids as the line is "and to the Republic for which it stands."
6 - Aaron Kemp
Mary-I dont think tv executives think people are stupid. They couldn't care less if we are stupid,smart,ignorant or indifferent. TV executives think about one thing 24/7, and that is ratings. Ratings=Job Security. No ratings, no job.
Reality/Game show TV pulls great ratings right now, they will ride that horse til its dead. Until more people tune out, tv execs don't really care if some of us call it "dumb tv"
7 - CatLuvr500
This show has possibilities. However, it moves too slowly. The host drags things out too long. If it continues this way, it will not last. I don't believe the American public will tolerate a show where the advertisements are more frequent and longer than the actual show.
8 - Alexandria
I totally agree that it drags on too slowly. The last time I watched, one of the contestants said, "Oh just get on with it!!!" and after the laughter died down, the host said, "Just for that, we'll find out the answer after the break."
If it moved at twice the speed it would be a great game. Get to the questions/chips/answers and move on. I'm not sure when they decided that "suspense" in a game show is what we wanted. The Wheel and Price is Right know how to do it: Is it there? Yes, No, move on. Even Alex Trebek from Jeopardy delays with his condescending, "No....." then going on to explain in his superior voice, flashing his appropriately Canadian accent as needed, how someone should have known that Geronimo came from the Spanish people yelling for St. Jerome(or whatever). The people on some of these shows are brilliant. The hosts and the method for securing advertisers are demeaning to viewers.
9 - NY Jane
I initially watched this show because I'm a HUGE fan of Mike and Mike. While I didn't think too highly of the first show, when I was forced to watch it again on Tuesday, I have to admit I'm hooked. I think it was more of a function of the contestants becoming more interesting after the first day. Greenie was kind of a disappointment but I think he's getting better. I'll refrain from fully making an opinion of this show after I see the final showdown.
10 - Cathy
Personally I LOVE the show
11 - CAROLYN
ONE CAN HARDLY READ THE QUESTIONS AND MULTIPLE CHOICE ANSWERS ON THE SCREEN. I DO, HOWEVER ENJOY THE SHOW.