![]() |
|
The Big CallRight, let's get this out of the way now, The Big Call is actually an OK format that's been rather let down by its own hype machine.
Atop a giant inverted pyramid are six civilian contestants. They will each pair up with a celebrity to attempt to descend the pyramid (although it seems to flatten out quite early, perhaps they ran out of money or something) and get onto the pressure point, which we know is important because it flashes red and gets a 360 degree camera rotation. It is standing on that pressure point the winning contestant must make a decision: take the reasonable guaranteed cash sum, or take the rather larger amount of lottery tickets in the hope that one of them might make you a millionaire. If you forget those prizes, don't worry! They'll be pointlessly shoved down your throat at any given opportunity throughout the show. As will the premium rate competition telephone number because in a neat twist, the prize that the studio contestant doesn't pick is offered live to a caller at home. To begin we must pick teams. Doctor "Doctor" Neil Fox (not a real fox) reveals a few facts about the line up, some useful (such as "one of our celebrities has interviewed Margret Thatcher" or "one of our celebrities has a first class degree") and some not so useful facts ("one of our celebrities has a cycling proficiency certificate"). A giveaway clue to the identity of the mystery celeb is also given. Questions are asked on the buzzer to the civilians. If they get it right, they get to choose a celebrity to pair up with, if they're wrong they're wallied and can't answer the next question.
So far it's very uninterestingly straight as a format, but to its credit it does work reasonably well. We find it very difficult to believe anyone would get excited about the prospect of it though. The two final teams battle it out in - of course! - a best over five question penalty shoot out. For the first time, the teammates can confer before ofering an answer. This is drawn out and lasts far longer than ideally it should do. But again, there's nothing inherently wrong with it as a mechanic.
Once they've made the decision, it's time to talk to the people at home to see if they'll win the other prize. A caller is picked at random. They get to pick a celebrity to help answer a question. If they're correct they win, if not then £5,000 is added to the guaranteed prize for next week and 20,000 lottery tickets. We have it on reasonable authority that they do actually go out and buy the tickets on a special purchase from Camelot. The grand finale of the show is the cash in, where we see if our contestant made the right call. The computer tells us if any tickets have matched three balls and then how many, then four, five, five plus bonus and finally the big one - have any tickets hit the jackpot? Invariably not, but we are treated to the grand total of winning tickets so we can see how it compares to the grand prize. The Big Call is unadventurous and a bit stodgy. It just about works as a programme (we can sit through it and be pleasantly entertained), but is let down by a distinct lack of inherent soul. Nice try, can't see it lasting. |