The Weakest Link (Australian game show)

infobox television
show_name = The Weakest Link


caption =
format = Game show
picture_format =
runtime = 60 minutes
creator = Fintan Coyle, Cathy Dunning
starring = Cornelia Frances
country = UK
network = Seven Network
first_aired = February 2001
last_aired = April 2002
num_episodes =
imdb_id = 0279613
tv_com_id = 26898
website

"The Weakest Link" was an Australian game show based on the successful UK format, which aired from February 2001 until April 2002 and was broadcast on the 7 Network. Presented by Cornelia Frances, the show featured nine contestants vying for $100,000. It aired twice weekly in primetime. It received modest ratings until its cancellation.

A rumour swirled around as of lately, that the show would be returning with former Big Brother host Gretel Killeen as host. [cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,26278,23181354-5013560,00.html|title=Gretel Killeen linked to Weakest Link hosting gig|publisher=NEWS.com.au|accessdate=2008-07-23] However, apart from one article published 3 months ago, this has yet to be verified by any other sources.

Format

"See The Weakest Link for format info."

The original format featured a team of nine contestants who take turns answering general knowledge questions. The object of each round is to answer a chain of consecutive correct answers to earn an increasing amount for a single communal pot within a certain time limit. However, just one incorrect answer wipes out any money earned in that chain. However, before their question is asked, a contestant can say "BANK" and the money earned thus far is safely stored and a new chain is initiated from scratch. Banking money is the safe option, however, "not" banking, in anticipation that one will be able to correctly answer the upcoming question, allows the money to grow as each successive correct answer earns proportionally more money.

When the allotted time for each round ends, any money not banked is lost, and if the host is in the middle of asking a question, or has asked a question but the contestant has yet to answer, the question is abandoned (and on certain versions, gives the correct answer whether or not the contestant is able to answer the question correctly). The round automatically ends if the team successfully reaches the maximum amount for the round before the allotted time expires, and the next person says, "Bank".

The format is similar to the British version with some slight differences:
* The first round last only for 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
* That means, instead of 90 seconds in the eighth round, there are 80 seconds.

pecial Versions

The show also featured several special versions. One included a show that linked with another reality TV show "The Mole" where the Mole contestants were part of the show. In this episode, Bob Young won the playoff over Thao Nguyen and became the winner of this episode, where the prize was a free pass to the next episode on "The Mole" (aka immunity) and all money won went to the kitty. According to Cornelia Frances, they won $14,100, the lowest amount won in any Australian episode of the Weakest Link. However, Grant Bowler, the host of the Mole rounded up to $15,000 since all kitties of the Mole have been rounded by $1,000.

Another special show was the "Worst Loser Special" where eliminated contestants from previous shows came back to play the game again. Also, there were two shows, one in mid-2001 and one in late-2001 where winners of previous shows played again for a chance to win more money. In the latter show, known as "The Best of the Best", a record $72,900 prize money was earned.

References