Catchphrase (game show)
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| Catchphrase | |
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| Format | Game Show |
| Run time | 30 minutes |
| Starring | Roy Walker, (1986-1999) Andrew O'Connor, (1994) (Family Catchphrase) Nick Weir, (1999-2001) Mark Curry (2001 - 2003) |
| Channel | ITV1 |
| Production company | TVS, later Action Time for Carlton Television |
| Air dates | January 1986 – September 2003 |
Catchphrase was a game show which ran on ITV in the United Kingdom between January 1986 and September 2003, hosted by Roy Walker until 1999 and later by Nick Weir (2000-2001) and Mark Curry (2002). It was originally made by TVS, but after that company lost its franchise it was produced by Action Time for Carlton Television. The show was based on a short lived American game show of the same name.
Two contestants would have to identify the familiar phrase represented by a piece of animation, with the show's mascot — a character called "Mr Chips" — often appearing.
Repeats of the show can currently be seen on Challenge.
Contents |
[edit] The Main Game
In the main game, at the start of each round, one contestant stopped a randomizer which consisted of money amounts by hitting his/her button. The value that was landed would then be the amount for the normal catch phrases. On each normal catch phrase, the computer would draw it on the screen. When it was done, a bell would ring, signifying the contestants to buzz-in when they think they know the answer. A correct answer won the contestant the predetermined money amount, plus a chance to solve the Bonus Catchphrase which was hidden behind nine squares with the show's logo on each. To choose a square, the contestant had to hit their button to stop a randomizer from flashing around the board after which the square was revealed, and they had a chance to guess. A correct answer won bonus money for the player. Unlike the US version there was also the Ready Money Round, in which contestants didn't have to wait for the bell to buzz-in and answer. In the Nick Weir and Mark Curry hosted series this was replaced by the Cash Countdown, in which each catchphrase had a maximum prize of £500, which very quickly counted down towards zero. The quicker the contestant answered, the more money they could win.
The player with the most money won the game and played the Super Catchphrase.
[edit] Super Catchphrase
The final round involved a game board with 25 lettered squares with catchphrases hidden behind each. The winning contestant had the task to capture five random squares in 60 seconds. If they could do that by identify five such phrases, that player won £50 for each square (later £100 1997 onwards), but if the winning player went through the centre "M" Square in either a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line, they won a holiday.
In the Nick Weir/Mark Curry era, the Super Catchphrase was changed so the contestant to win had to get from the left hand side of the screen to the right making adjoining moves (ala Blockbusters). Passing on a catchphrase meant that they were blocked and had to find an alternative path.
[edit] Family Catchphrase
In 1994, the Family Channel (now Challenge) produced a spin-off called Family Catchphrase, hosted by Andrew O'Connor. The game was played by teams of 2 related players (normally parent and child) and featured slightly different rules to the normal game. The teams played for points rather than prizes, and the second round would feature the players taking alternative turns, rather than answering the phrases as a team. The Ready Money Found was renamed the Fast and Furious Round (as there was no money involved).
The Family Channel was fairly new at this time, and so the prizes were not as expensive as they were on the main show although the M Square prize was not revealed unless it had actually been won. It was not uncommon to see prizes such as a Sega Master System or a daytrip to Thorpe Park given away as prizes.
Although produced in 1994, the graphics and music were taken from the TVS version of the show whilst the set was a modified version of the same one from that era.
One episode of Family Catchphrase featured a guest appearance from Stephen Radosh - creator of Catchphrase.
[edit] Notes
One of the most famous moments of the show's history included a bonus catchphrase where the answer to the puzzle was 'snake charmer'. The puzzle was revealed in such a way it appeared to show Mr Chips masturbating. (See video section) This episode was aired in 1994.
In homage to the show a popular radio spoof of Catchphrase, entitled Car Park Catchphrase was broadcast on The Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1 between January 2004-December 2005. The format in comparism to the TV show changed slightly, and required callers to play from their cars and 'honk' their horns when they knew the catchphrase being described. Roy Walker himself recorded voice smaples for the game.
"Say What You See" was used as a Bonus Catchphrase itself in 1997, but surprisingly no one guessed it!
The UK version's second host, Nick Weir, became more famous for falling down the studio steps and breaking his foot while recording his first series, than for actually hosting the show. Several episodes show him wearing a cast, and once on the programme they actually showed when it happened, he was running down to present when he fell and broke his leg.
Catchphrase is now shown on the British television channel Challenge. However, these episodes are around 1994-1999 Roy Walker versions, Nick Weir versions, and on rare occasions, Mark Curry versions.
[edit] Catchphrase Catchphrases
Appropriately, Roy Walker had his own catchphrases he often said during the show:
Say what you see
An elongated right! - Upon a Bonus Catchphrase being solved.
Five seconds, here we go - When the contestant chose a square, and had five seconds to guess the Bonus Catchphrase.
It's good, but it's not right! - Said after some close guesses, or just sarcastically after obvious wrong answers. There were actually several variations of this catchphrase (It's good, but it's not the one), (It's a good answer, but it's not right), (It's good, but it's not great).
You can't win if you don't buzz in
Mark Curry made a point of the fact he didn't have a catchphrase when he was presenting, and made a different one up on each show.
[edit] Series End
Catchphrase ended in September 2003 because of declining ratings with Roy Walker leaving the show and moving to a daytime slot instead of the evening slot.
[edit] External links
- UKGameshows.com: Catchphrase
- PaulStacey.co.uk: Play along with Mr.Chips
- Online Catchphrase game
- Challenge Catchphrase page
