Fund 31 Questions Series 2

By | January 14, 2013
3 Comments

OK, I don’t normally do this kind of thing but I really enjoyed the first series so why not.  Our favourite Aussie sort-of Quiz and low-budget local cable sensation 31 Questions is using Indiegogo to get some funding to make series two even better than the first one, if you’ve got a spare couple of quid going in these harsh economic times there are worse things you could do than bung a little their way.

If you didn’t watch it, here’s a sizzle reel:

And you can watch all the episodes on their Youtube channel.

LIVE! Schlag den Raab – 12th January 2013

By | January 12, 2013
29 Comments

Saturday 7:15pm UK time
Pro Sieben or dodgy internet streaming

Get your Wodka Gorbechow ready, this episode, Bother’s Bar ONCE AGAIN brings you Only Connect‘s David J Bodycombe, Daniel Peake and Lewis Murphy from Fifty 50 and myself guiding you through the evening’s Schlag den Raab – LIVE! Come back here at 7ish for a link to our live stream. We’re hoping to go on through until the close of play which could be any time between 11pm (if it’s a whitewash) and 2am (if it goes to the wire). Even if you can’t join us for the entirety of it, just tune in when you want!

And we want you to get involved! Your best way is either opening up the stream in a new window and making YouTube comments or tweeting with the hashtag #bbsdr. We’ll read out the most worthwhile ones. And some of the not-so-worthwhile ones. And we’ll be doing it LIVE.

This is the stream we are using to commentate. If you have VLC and Firefox, you can get a higher quality stream by clicking on the ProSieben VLC button. The VLC stream is around 10 seconds ahead of the non VLC stream. Our commentary will be based on that one – If you watch the non VLC stream it should work out about right for synching!

Here is our commentary! This is Part TWO, we will be there until the end.

The jackpot was won last episode so it resets to a still ginormous €500,000! The musical guests this evening ate XEVIAS, Max Raabe & the Palast Orchestra AND Ellie Goulding!

If you’re new to Schlag den Raab then welcome! I’ve included a basic FAQ under the cut.

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Watching Telly: Catchphrase

By | January 11, 2013
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You may remember we saw the pilot to this back in August. Has anything changed?

  • The titles are a neat mash up of the two original Walker title sequences, beams of light going round a maze but this time clearly in SPACE. The theme is a pretty good remix of the original 80s Walker theme.
  • The set has changed, it’s quite minimalist – three podia linked together and to the screen, raised stage in the shape of a speech bubble, some orbit-esque lights, that’s about it. However the backdrop is now a large panoramic projection screen, usually dark blue but featuring neat solar flare-esque effects. I rather liked it.
  • No changsd have been made to the game or the controversial graphics which I think will put people off somewhat. Actually there is one change, the contestants now fill in thirds of a pie chart in the qualifier.
  • Stephen Mulhern’s an OK host. If nothing else he can do a smart line in cheeky innuendo whilst pulling an innocent face. They do seem to have written him one-liner cheeky non-contestant-denominator putdowns which feel really unnatural, especially as many were recorded after the show for dropping in. He’s grows in confidence and assuredness when one of the contestants is eliminated.
  • Also I think we pointed out the scene-setting element of the modern Catchphrases last time, now Mulhern has to point out when the actual clues are on the screen. Not his fault I suspect but very irritating.
  • Also when a Bonus Catchphrase is revealed, not immediately removing all the squares and instead doing this as a seperate thing after the celebration of the correct answer is odd.
  • The endgame hasn’t changed, although the Box 11 prize is now a holiday rather than a car. Because of the guaranteed big money involved, we are meant to cheer when the clock hits zero regardless of outcome. Unfortunately this is largely incongrouous with having a challenge with a clear win condition with a countdown clock and excitement bed. At the same time it’s difficult to feel bad for someone when losing still means having thousands of pounds thrown at them, so I don’t know the best solution to make good television in this situation to be honest.
  • As I’ve said in the pilot, the spirit of the show is alive and well. And you’ll be able to see how it comes across on telly in March on Sundays, it was suggested.

Last Chance to Vote

By | January 11, 2013
13 Comments

OK, last call for Poll of 2012 ballots. Polls close at 11pm tonight.

Unlike previous years I’ve not been keeping count of votes as they arrive so I have no idea what winning and losing (although I have been reading so can spot trends) and won’t know until I count them up tomorrow. You’ll all find out the results in the next few days – the main write up on UKGameshows.com and the ITV2 afterparty spin-off over here.

Five Minutes to a Fortune

By | January 10, 2013
14 Comments

This does sound as though it might be quite good, although if the hourglass full of cash is replaced by a Money Pump-esque computer graphic, I will be very disappointed. Six days a week, interestingly. Also Davina is basically our Linda de Mol, so fingers crossed this will be worth getting excited about.

Also the title is rubbish. Still, though, we do love an exciting cash countdown.

In other news, Challenge TV have bought the rights to series one and two of Fun House. Tweet of the day:

As I’ve said previously, you’ve got to respect a guy who can dine out today  on a haircut he’s not actually had for twenty-five years.