TV insider reveals secret trick used by game show bosses to stop stars winning huge prizes
Ever wondered how some game show contestants win the jackpot and others who deserve it more don't? Well, this could be the reason why.
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The TV Insider
Gameshow host Richard Osman has finally answered the question about how some shows stop contestants from winning the top prize.
The Pointless and House of Games star revealed that certain questions are given to those taking part in the programme in a bid to keep cash prizes to a minimum.
On his podcast which hosts alongside Marina Hyde, The Rest is Entertainment, the pair often reveal the secret tricks used by the industry to ensure the success of certain shows and films.
Most day-time and evening gameshows have huge cash prizes, which can sometimes reach six or seven figures.
But most of the time, many contestants, despite showing great promise, only end up with a fraction of the maximum amount.
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The secret trick
The 54-year-old said: "The questions wouldn't be weighted particularly in that way," he said. He went on to add: "But lots of formats have ways of ensuring there isn't a payout."
He added: "So, you'll do a final round where you could win or you couldn't win the jackpot."
He later went on to explain that the cash prize at the end of each round depends on an algorithm for players.
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Richard said: "You always have an algorithm. Daytime budgets are very small, but in your budget will be a line item for prize money.
"So, when we used to make Deal or No Deal, for example ― and it's a good example, because it's all about money ― you've got that £250,000 box all the way down to the 1p box."
Simon Cowell's million-dollar failure
He also explained that there have been many game show failures.
Simon Cowell once launched a game show in the USA
Wanna Bet? was hosted by tele rating's safe pair of hands, Ant and Dec, and was based on the idea of the gambling game Red or Black.
However, Osman revealed that in the first four episodes in a row, the contestants ended up bagging the total pot - a jaw-dropping $1 million.
The car crash of a show therefore, only lasted six episodes before it was cancelled, becoming one of Ant and Dec's rare failures.
He then compared this to his former show Pointless, which offers £16,500 per day.
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It means that if one team walks out with the top prize fund, others will suffer in the following games.
Having hosted hundreds of episodes of Pointless since it aired in 2009, Osman knows a thing or two having tv formats.
Osman was also the brains behind some of our favourite entertainment shows such as 8 out of 10 Cats, Have You Been Watching, Only Connect, Total Wipeout, Prize Island, and 10 O'Clock Live.
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