Generic Conventions of Television Game Shows:

Definition: A Game show is a programme, on television or radio, where contestant(s) demonstrate knowledge by answering questions and has a competitive
element.
Generic Convention

Game Show 1: All stars

family fortunes.

Game Show 2: Tipping point

Game Show 3:Countdown

Game Show 4:catchphrase

Set in a television studio. Set design often includes a

podium behind which the contestant stands. Light is often
an important element of the mise-en-scene with lights
dimmed or spotlights used to heighten dramatic tension.

YES. Families behind the

podium, host has their own
podium as well. The studios
set with warm colours of blue
and purple, these are
illuminated.

The set features warm colours

such as lighter blue and dark
blue, also dark red. Each
contestant and the host have
their own podiums.

YES filmed in a TV studio,

the set features warm and cold
colours however this pulls in
the viewers more. The
contestants have their own
podiums throughout the game.

The host is sometimes a key element of the show and is

often someone whose A list days are over; a TV star from a
different TV genre; a comedian. The host often holds cards
as an aide-memoire for introducing contestants. Traditionally
the host is male, accompanied by a glamorous assistant.

Vernon Kay- popular UK host,

conventionally handsome host,
and an original normal
northern man, he also has a
mild accent so everyone finds
it easy for him to understand
and is a friendly host.

Contestants apply to join the show and vary in age and

background. They are selected because they have
something about them, which will help make the show
successful or are selected at random. Contestants are
sometimes selected from the studio audience.

Family celebrity contestants. It

suits family prime time TV,
normally around 7pm Saturday
evening. Wide representatives.

Ben Shepard popular UK

host, also presents Good
morning Britain therefore is a
familiar face to most people.
The host often holds cards at
the end round, however for the
rest of the show he reads off a
screen.
The contestants are just
normal people playing for the
prize and for fun. Theyre all
selected at random as they
apply to be on the show.

The set is filled with warm

colours such as the dark lkues
that feature throughout the
studio. However there are cold
colours as well such as the
whites. Each contestant and
hosts have their own desk
area.
It is presented by Nick Hewer,
assisted by Rachel Riley, with
regular lexicographer Susie
Dent. They are popular, mostly
Nick Hewer as he was
originally on The Apprentice.

The games can vary from physical tasks to practical or

puzzle-solving tasks -

NO

The contestants are normal

however theyre very smart.
Contestants are not selected
from the studio ever. However
the contestant that apply are
selected at random.
It involving word and number
puzzles. The aim is to have
word solving and maths
solving problems. On the
conundrum they have to buzz

Original people as contestants.

Normally on Saturday but then
repeated on Sunday
afternoons. Around 6pm on
Saturdays which is near family
prime time TV.
Puzzle solving
games/catchphrases

They vary from being asked

questions to being physical,
pressing the button to release
their counter into the machine.

Stephen Mulhern popular UK

host, coming from an original
background makes him
understand the viewers and
the contestants more. He is
quite funny which also brings
in more viewers.

Simple and mainstream

question which people would
be able to answer and play
along with at home. Theyre
relatable questions and have a
wide appeal to all viewers. All
of the questions are out of 100
people who have been
surveyed for the answers.
The money all goes to charity
as charity sells to viewers.
They have moral exhibitionists.

The questions are fairly easy,

being about everyday life and
that most people would know
as it normally relates to them.
The contestants have to buzz
in to answer the question.

The prize only goes to the

contestant who is left for the
last round. All the money goes
to them and they can win up to
10,000

in which gives them the most

points.
The questions are more about
making a word from the
selected letters and being able
to make the longest word
using them letters. Also the
maths round is to make the
chosen number with the other
numbers chosen or to get as
close as they can.
The prize is to get into the next
round however episodes later,
the final, the winner gets a
countdown trophies and the
title.

Gimmicks or catchphrases are often used to make each

show original and become part of the national
consciousness.

They have the catchphrase

Our survey say which is said
all the time through every
episode and is now related to
the programme when heard
elsewhere. Also they has the
wrong answer noise XX

No catchphrases or gimmicks.

No catchphrases or gimmicks.

Music often used first as a catchy theme tune and then as

mood music to increase tension or to signal different parts of
the show.

The music is upbeat and

catchy.

The music is very upbeat and

can see quite catchy as at the
beginning you would sing
along.

The music is very catchy as

everyone knows it, people
would sing along to it, even a
younger generation.

The questions (if it is a quiz/gameshow hybrid) can vary

depending on the target audience. They are usually set
independently. Contestants usually know what type of
questions theyll be asked; often start easy and get harder.
Technology has increased the way audiences and
contestants can see & respond to questions.

The prizes can be large e.g. cars and holidays or small e.g.
a glass bowl. Sometimes the prize is the title of being the
champion. Usually even the losers go away with something
even if it just the experience.

The questions are

catchphrases, not so much as
questions however the
contestants still need to
answer the catchphrases.
They are videos that are
played and the viewers can
see this on their screen.
The prize is money and it goes
to the contestants, they can
win up to 50,000 and a
holiday if they get the question
right. It engages the viewer as
its a lot of money.
They only have the noise if the
contestant is out of time and
hasnt given their answer
within the time limit. They
noise is just a buzz noise.
They also have the
catchphrase say what you
see.
The music is not as catchy
therefore the viewer may not
remember it as much.