- Now You See It (UK gameshow)
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Now You See It Format Game show Created by Frank Wayne for Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions Presented by Johnny Beattie (1981–1984)
Jack McLaughlin (1985–1986)
Grant Stott (celebrity version, 1993)
Fred MacAulay (children's version, 1994–1995)Narrated by Steve Hamilton Country of origin Scotland Production Location(s) Scottish Television Running time 30 minutes Broadcast Original channel ITV Picture format PAL Original run May 1, 1981 – July 27, 1986Chronology Related shows Now You See It (U.S. game show) Now You See It is a British television game show produced by Scottish television and based upon the U.S. version of the show created by Frank Wayne of Goodson-Todman enterprises. The programme originally ran between 5 January 1981 and 27 July 1986.
Contents
Gameplay
Four contestants competed in this game of wordsearch mixed with trivia. The host asked questions and contestants buzzed-in and searched for the answer on the board. They do that by guessing the line in which the correct answer appeared and then the position as well as the answer. Completing the answer successfully scored points based on the line number multiplied by the position number (Ex: Line 3 X Position 7 = 21 points).
When time was up, the players with the three highest score went on to player the "Cryptic" round in which the answers appear one letter at a time, and the contestants were given a clue to each word. The first two players to get four right went on to player round three which was played the same as round one.
History
During 1980 Scottish television were looking for a new game-show for the Scottish market, and decide to go with Now You See It. Johnny Beattie was dubious at first about becoming host, and even stated this fact, but the producer from the states told him “Listen Johnny this aints a Gag show..... give them your Personality.... keep things going... you’ll be OK” And Producer was right.[1]
Series 1 was networked to the rest of the ITV companies, 6 months later during July and August, subsequently following 9 series were only broadcast on Scottish television. The show continued to be very popular with high viewing figure for Scottish Television, which resulted in Series 11 and 12 show being moved to a Sunday teatime slot and was broadcast to the whole of the UK. Two Celebrity version were also produced for new year day of 1985 and 1986.
Kids version
The series was brought back during 1993, as a Celebrity version, which was broadcast as part of Weymyss Bay 902101 hosted by Grant Scott. The following year in 1994 and 1995 it become a kids version hosted by Fred MacAulay, broadcast Monday-Friday during the summer holidays.
Prizes
For first two series the top prize was £100 which was given to the winner, with the 3 losing contestants went away with less cash and engraved crystal decanter and four glasses. From series 3 (1982) The top prizes was increased to £500, for the winner, with £100 to the runner up and £50 to the person in third place. For the Celebrity and children's version, no money was on offer just prizes.
Scottish Broadcast
14 series were made over its 15 year run[2]
Series
- Johnny Beattie (1981-4) 8 Series [3]
- Jack McLaughlin (1985-6) 3 Series [4]
- Grant Stott (celebrity version, 1993)
- Fred MacAulay (children's version, 1994-95)
Broadcasts
Series Start date End date Episodes 1 5 January 1981 30 March 1981 13 2 9 July 1981 24 September 1981 12 3 14 January 1982 1 April 1982 12 4 16 September 1982 30 December 1982 16 5 17 May 1983 9 August 1983 13 6 27 September 1983 20 December 1983 13 7 12 January 1984 19 April 1984 14 8 26 July 1984 11 October 1984 12 9 2 January 1985 12 April 1985 15 10 27 April 1985 20 July 1985 11 1 January 1986 6 March 1986 10 12 5 April 1986 27 July 1986 Kids Version
Series Start date End date Episodes 13 ?? 1993 ?? 1994 14 ?? July 1994 ?? August 1994 15 10 July 1995 11 August 1994 25 References
- ^ Glasgow Evening times 17 May 1983
- ^ http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2mus-XyGPC0C
- ^ http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2mus-XyGPC0C
- ^ http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2mus-XyGPC0C
External links
Categories:- 1980s British television series
- 1981 British television programme debuts
- 1986 British television programme endings
- British game shows
- ITV television programmes
- Scottish television programmes
- STV Productions
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