Latest news with #gameshows
Daily Mail
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Richard Osman reveals how game shows STOP contestants from winning big money jackpots as broadcasters battle to balance the books
Richard Osman has revealed how gameshows prevent contestants from winning big money to keep costs down. The 54 year old has been the face of a number of programmes including the likes of BBC 's Pointless, Richard Osman's House Of Games and Two Tribes. During an appearance on Marina Hyde's The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, the host gave an insight into why players going home with a big lump sum of cash doesn't happen all the time. Richard said: 'The questions wouldn't be weighted particularly in that way. 'But lots of formats have ways of ensuring there isn't a payout. 'So, you'll do like a final round where you could win or you couldn't win the jackpot.' One huge gameshow is Pointless, which has been on our screens since 2009. There has been 1779 episodes across 33 series, which have been hosted by Richard and Alexander Armstrong, 55. BBC iPlayers synopsis reads: 'Quiz in which contestants try to score as few points as possible by plumbing the depths of their general knowledge to come up with the answers no-one else can think of.' And he revealed that players getting their hands on the cash prize all depends on budgets. Richard added: '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.' He explained on the podcast Pointless is able to prize £16,500 per day - which means that if one person hits the jackpot, others will suffer from that. The telly star has presented a number of other shows over the years. Some include Have I Got News For You, The One Show, Insert Name Here, Child Genius, The Nightly Show and The Thursday Murder Club. But Richard has also landed various other non-presenting appearances. He's taken part in QI, Room 101, Celebrity Juice, 8 out of 10 Cats, Loose Women, Saturday Kitchen, Celebrity Antiques Road Trip and Saturday Kitchen. Not only that, Richard has also produced a lot of gameshows. These include programmes such as Pointless, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Total Wipeout, Prize Island, Only Connect, Have You Been Watching and 10 O'Clock Live.
Globe and Mail
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Globe and Mail
Tony Pinizzotto Promoted to Executive Director, Creative at Fremantle
Los Angeles, CA - Tony Pinizzotto has been promoted to Executive Director, Creative, after ten years at Fremantle celebrating and shaping the legacy of game shows. Pinizzotto most recently served as Director of Creative Services for BUZZR-TV and Fremantle's FAST initiatives, where he was part of the original team that helped launch BUZZR in 2015, the nation's only classic game show network. Over the past ten years, his vision and leadership have shaped the creative voice of BUZZR and helped expand Fremantle's presence in the evolving FAST channel space. In addition to his work with BUZZR, Pinizzotto is credited with founding National Game Show Day, an annual celebration of the genre's cultural impact. He also launched the Quiz Show Expo in 2024, a fan-forward event spotlighting the rich legacy and future of game shows through panels, screenings, and interactive experiences. Outside of his work at Fremantle, Pinizzotto is currently writing a book titled Game Show Babylon: The Secret Scandalous World of TV Game Shows Revealed. The book explores the untold stories, controversies, and cultural forces behind the genre and is currently seeking a publisher, with plans for a public release next year. 'I've loved game shows for as long as I can remember, and I'm incredibly proud to be part of a company that respects the past, embraces the present, and invests in the future of this unique form of entertainment,' said Pinizzotto. 'I'm excited to begin this next chapter and continue creating bold, fun, and meaningful work with the talented teams at Fremantle.' Pinizzotto added, "I'm honored by the promotion and grateful to Fremantle for the continued trust. From BUZZR to Game Show Day, it's been an amazing ride, and I'm excited to keep growing with the team.' Fremantle is part of RTL Group, a global leader across broadcast, streaming, content and digital, itself a division of the international media, services, and education company Bertelsmann. To learn more about Tony Pinizzotto, visit For interviews and features, contact Tony Pinizzotto at TonyPinizzotto@ or call (818) 915-3675.
