Post by Kimarough on Oct 22, 2014 5:17:00 GMT -5
So after having Millionaire Hot Seat the only form of Millionaire on our TV
screens in New Zealand for the past 3 years, I think that after seeing over 200
episodes, have the authority to review the format.
Pro: Set
The set is one that has been tuned to provide emphasis on the aforementioned Hot
Seat. All the seats behind the island have been placed facing host and the current
contestant which put even more pressure on the contestant to succeed if they want
any chance at possible cash. The LED display around the audience pit adds a very
nice touch to the quick quiz aspect of it where any one who switches on can see
how much is at stake. The orange and black theme go hand in hand and add a bit of
heat (bad pun sorry) to the experience. Overall one of the more interesting and
better looking sets in the Millionaire line.
Pro: The Host
I don't know much about Eddie McGuire, but I do know that he is a fine presenter
at Millionaire and 1 vs 100 (One of my all time favorite shows.) He has the energy
of Regis but the tension holding skills of Chris and his own Australian flair as
well. He treats all the contestants as if they were his own friend and holds much
personal experience which gives a unique spin on some of the questions. While not
as fun as Chris and not as enjoyable as Regis, Eddie is a very watchable host and
entertaining to watch.
Pro: The Base Format
If you view Hot Seat as a Millionaire product, it doesn't seem that connected to
the starting format. But if you view it as its own show where the prize happens to
be $1Million AUS, it is a rather enjoyable show. The fast paced nature allows many
contestants and many questions to seen in a space of half an hour, and if one
exceeds than the focus is primarily based on them. It also has a unique sense of
risk vs reward that is faithful to the Millionaire name, try the question and get
further on the ladder or pass and risk have to answer one question for a lower
amount. It is a balanced format and one that more than not allows the smart people
to take lots of cash home.
Con: The Lifelines
There are no Lifelines in Hot Seat, only a Lifeline. And one that doesn't always
help too. The pass is a one time bail that puts you to the back of the line and
forces the next person to answer the question. The good thing about this is that
it gets you out of a sticky situation and allows you to see another
question....mostly. The problem is that it doesn't guarentee success, now I know
that the other lifelines didn't as well but this relys on other peoples knowledge
for your own success. If a very smart person is next and you pass on a question
you didn't have the guts to choose, it is going to be very difficult to get back
in the seat. And not to mention it becomes near useless after question 7-8.
Con: The unnatural difficulty spike
Now I know that Millionaire had difficult questions mid-game sometimes but come
on, these are tier 3 questions appearing at question 7! The tier 1 questions do
have a bit of a thinking edge to them and a semi-educated person can clear them
easily, but tier 2 is where things go wrong. The questions have a tendency to use
quite obscure Australian knowledge, often used to make sure that the Million is
out of reach unless a true patriotic genius can get in the hotseat. The other
problem is the difficulty of the questions change immensely. On some episodes
there are tier 3 questions that would fit in low tier 2 and vice versa. It is
overall uneven and can get some truely unfair shows.
Overall: I think that Millionaire Hot Seat is a decent show to tune into before
the news and honestly one that stays true to Millionaire more than some of its
offspring (I am looking at you Shuffle.) The game has room for improvement
(Increase the save levels the further they get up) and the music is an aquired
taste for some people, but in the end it is a good show and a good spin off. Just
not as good as some other versions.....
Rating: 7/10
screens in New Zealand for the past 3 years, I think that after seeing over 200
episodes, have the authority to review the format.
Pro: Set
The set is one that has been tuned to provide emphasis on the aforementioned Hot
Seat. All the seats behind the island have been placed facing host and the current
contestant which put even more pressure on the contestant to succeed if they want
any chance at possible cash. The LED display around the audience pit adds a very
nice touch to the quick quiz aspect of it where any one who switches on can see
how much is at stake. The orange and black theme go hand in hand and add a bit of
heat (bad pun sorry) to the experience. Overall one of the more interesting and
better looking sets in the Millionaire line.
Pro: The Host
I don't know much about Eddie McGuire, but I do know that he is a fine presenter
at Millionaire and 1 vs 100 (One of my all time favorite shows.) He has the energy
of Regis but the tension holding skills of Chris and his own Australian flair as
well. He treats all the contestants as if they were his own friend and holds much
personal experience which gives a unique spin on some of the questions. While not
as fun as Chris and not as enjoyable as Regis, Eddie is a very watchable host and
entertaining to watch.
Pro: The Base Format
If you view Hot Seat as a Millionaire product, it doesn't seem that connected to
the starting format. But if you view it as its own show where the prize happens to
be $1Million AUS, it is a rather enjoyable show. The fast paced nature allows many
contestants and many questions to seen in a space of half an hour, and if one
exceeds than the focus is primarily based on them. It also has a unique sense of
risk vs reward that is faithful to the Millionaire name, try the question and get
further on the ladder or pass and risk have to answer one question for a lower
amount. It is a balanced format and one that more than not allows the smart people
to take lots of cash home.
Con: The Lifelines
There are no Lifelines in Hot Seat, only a Lifeline. And one that doesn't always
help too. The pass is a one time bail that puts you to the back of the line and
forces the next person to answer the question. The good thing about this is that
it gets you out of a sticky situation and allows you to see another
question....mostly. The problem is that it doesn't guarentee success, now I know
that the other lifelines didn't as well but this relys on other peoples knowledge
for your own success. If a very smart person is next and you pass on a question
you didn't have the guts to choose, it is going to be very difficult to get back
in the seat. And not to mention it becomes near useless after question 7-8.
Con: The unnatural difficulty spike
Now I know that Millionaire had difficult questions mid-game sometimes but come
on, these are tier 3 questions appearing at question 7! The tier 1 questions do
have a bit of a thinking edge to them and a semi-educated person can clear them
easily, but tier 2 is where things go wrong. The questions have a tendency to use
quite obscure Australian knowledge, often used to make sure that the Million is
out of reach unless a true patriotic genius can get in the hotseat. The other
problem is the difficulty of the questions change immensely. On some episodes
there are tier 3 questions that would fit in low tier 2 and vice versa. It is
overall uneven and can get some truely unfair shows.
Overall: I think that Millionaire Hot Seat is a decent show to tune into before
the news and honestly one that stays true to Millionaire more than some of its
offspring (I am looking at you Shuffle.) The game has room for improvement
(Increase the save levels the further they get up) and the music is an aquired
taste for some people, but in the end it is a good show and a good spin off. Just
not as good as some other versions.....
Rating: 7/10