The Crystal Maze was a British game show, produced by Chatsworth Television and shown on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom between 15 February 1990 and 10 August 1995. There was one series per year, with the first four series presented by Richard O’Brien and the final two by Ed Tudor-Pole. Each show was one hour long, including adverts.
The show was originally intended to be a British remake of the French programme Fort Boyard, devised by Jacques Antoine. However, the unavailability of the French show’s set led British producer Malcolm Heyworth to reinvent the show, using themed zones as a means to keep the show visually fresh.
The series is set in “The Crystal Maze”, which features four different “zones” set in various periods of time and space. A team of six contestants take part in a series of challenges in order to win “time crystals”. Each crystal gives the team five seconds of time inside “The Crystal Dome”, the centrepiece of the maze where the contestants take part in their final challenge.
The maze cost £250,000 to build and was the size of two football pitches. At its height the show was the most watched on Channel 4, regularly attracting between 4 and 6 million viewers. In 2006 and again in 2010, the show was voted “greatest UK game show of all time” by readers of UKGameshows.com. This site describes the programme as “a highly-ambitious, high-risk show that paid off handsomely.”
All Episodes
You May Also Like
Three music moguls search for new artists for their record labels. Unsigned hip-hop and R&B artists undergo auditions and workshops to hone their craft and determine if they really have what it takes to get signed to a deal.
Comic Iliza Shlesinger hosts this late-night talk show that features episodes that revolve around particular themes, in the form of a question that Iliza tries to answer. She uses audience interaction, field pieces, commentary and — what she’s best known for — jokes to help her find the answers she seeks. The weekly series focuses on discussing the sociopolitical issues of the day, whether they involve necessary discussions or more inane topics.
Just up the river from our nation’s capital lies a hidden gem—Potomac, Maryland. Its rolling hills, gated mansions, sophisticated prep schools, and exclusive country clubs all serve to keep the area invitation-only. Sprinkled throughout this community are a handful of old-line, wealthy African-American families who have historically broken racial barriers to provide a life of privilege for their children. In a town where entry is granted only through class, pedigree, and lineage, how far will the ladies go to secure their spot at the top of this prestigious circle?
The Challenge is a reality game show on MTV that is spun off from and mostly cast-contestant dependent on the network’s two flagship reality shows, The Real World and the now cancelled Road Rules. The Challenge has developed a spin-off series in its own right, Spring Break Challenge. The Challenge and Spring Break Challenge have a somewhat cast-contestant interdependent relationship in that both programs have used at least one or more contestants from the other. The Challenge is hosted by T. J. Lavin.
The series premiered on June 1, 1998. The title of the show was originally Road Rules: All Stars before it was renamed Real World/Road Rules Challenge by the show’s 2nd season, then later abridged to simply The Challenge by the show’s 19th season. The series initially used no hosts but instead a former cast member who had been kicked off his or her season, providing assignments as “Mr.” or “Ms. Big”. Later on, however, the series began using hosts: Eric Nies and Mark Long co-hosted a season, and Jonny Moseley and Dave Mirra hosted various seasons before T. J. Lavin became the show’s regular host by the 11th season.
A non-fiction investigative series of murder cases told through the personal experience of retired detective, Lieutenant Joe Kenda. Through re-enactments, discussions with investigation teams, and interviews with victims’ families and other involved persons, the show highlights Kenda’s successes with his 400 homicide case history and 92 percent solution rate.
Victims’ rights activist John Walsh and his son, Callahan, showcase time-sensitive, unsolved cases in desperate need of attention, mobilizing the public to engage in the pursuit of justice.
All or Nothing: The Michigan Wolverines goes behind-the-scenes of the winningest program in college football to chronicle Michigan’s 2017 season. Head coach Jim Harbaugh leads his alma mater’s young team as the series provides an intimate look at the lives, both on the field and off, of the student athletes charged with carrying on Michigan’s legacy.
