Blokken

Infobox Television
show_name = Blokken


caption =
rating =
format = Game show
language = Flemish
num_seasons = 15
runtime = 30 min
creator = deMENSEN
producer = deMENSEN
location = Vilvoorde
starring = Ben Crabbé
country = Flagicon|Belgium Belgium
language = Dutch
opentheme =
network = één
related =
first_aired = September 5, 1994
last_aired =
picture_format =
num_episodes = over 3,000
imdb_id =
website = http://www.een.be/televisie1_master/programmas/e_blok_programma/index.shtml
tv_com_id =

"Blokken" (= "Blocks") is a popular Belgian quiz show (broadcasted in Flanders), centered around the Tetris video game. It is hosted by Ben Crabbé and is broadcasted on één. The show is currently the longest running quiz show on Belgian television (15 seasons so far). The popular Belgian singer/television host has been voted 'most popular television person' in the year 2002 and 2006.

The game is played by two contestants, player one controls the red pieces and player two controls the blue pieces. Originally, player one controlled the yellow pieces and player two controlled the green pieces. The game is played in 3 rounds.

Rounds

*Round 1: Ben asks 10 questions. The contestant who knows the answer, hits the buzzer and answers. If he/she knows the answer, he/she gets 10 points and can place 2 pieces on the board. When a line on the board is created, 50 extra points are rewarded.
*Round 2: Each player plays separately. The player gets 15 pieces to place on the board. Ben asks 5 questions. Before each question, the player has to wager some of the pieces (maximum of 5 pieces per question). If he/she answers correctly, 10 points are rewarded and the amount of pieces wagered can be placed on the board. Each line on the board earns another 50 extra points. In theory, a maximum of 350 points is possible in this round, although never obtained by any contestant.
*Round 3: Yet another round of 10 questions. Before each question, the host gives a hint about the answer. The first contestant who hits the buzzer, can answer. If the answer is correct, 50 points are rewarded and the contestant can put 2 pieces on the board. Each line is rewarded with 50 points. If the answer is wrong, 50 points are subtracted and the other player may answer the question (without losing 50 points).

Finale

*Finale: The contestant with the highest score can play the finale. Time is limited to 2 minutes. Ben asks questions. When the answer is correct, the player can put 1 piece on the board. A seven letter word is hidden on the board. If a piece is placed correctly, a hidden letter will light up. If the player guesses the word within 2 minutes, he/she earns 1000 euro and can come back the next day to try again. If the word is not found, he/she earns 250 euro for each complete line on the board (but can't come back the next day). If he/she can win 3 times, he/she wins a flatscreen tv, a videocamera and 3000 euro. The contestant can come back the next episode if he/she keeps winning.

how elements

*First answer "sticks": the first answer given by the contestant counts. Small errors in an answer (for example: not pronouncing a letter at the end of the word) are considered wrong as well.
*The lame jokes the host makes.
*A viking who appears behind the showmaster.
*The off-screen jury, who corrects Ben when he gets something wrong.
*The host is a huge music and sports fan. If a contestant doesn't know the answer to a sports/music question, Ben gets a little pissed off.
*The record of most points collected in the first 3 rounds, is "1440".
*"Jo met de Banjo", a Belgian DJ and former tv star, is responsable for warming up of the crowd.
*As of season 15, the set design has completely changed. The introtune has been rewritten by Regi Penxten.

Links

* [http://www.een.be/televisie1_master/programmas/e_blok_programma/index.shtml Official website]
* [http://www.demensen.be/index.php/en/programmas/4 "Blokken" on the producer's website]