Family Catchphrase
| Family Catchphrase | |
|---|---|
| Format | Game show |
| Created by | Stephen Radosh |
| Presented by | Andrew O'Connor |
| Narrated by | Ted Robbins |
| Composer(s) | Ed Welch |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 100 |
| Production | |
| Running time |
30 minutes (including adverts) |
| Production company(s) | Action Time |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | The Family Channel |
| Picture format | 4:3 (SDTV) |
| Original airing | 3 January 1994 |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | Catchphrase |
Family Catchphrase is a family game show broadcast on The Family Channel (now Challenge). Presented by Andrew O'Connor, it is a spin-off of the popular UK prime-time game show Catchphrase.
History
Roy Walker started the idea in 1992, (broadcast in 1993), in which teams of family would play Catchphrase. In early 1994, the Family Channel (now Challenge) produced a spin-off series called Family Catchphrase, hosted by Andrew O'Connor. The game was played by teams of two 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 Family Channel was fairly new at this time, and so the prizes weren't as expensive as they were on the main show although the M Square prize wasn't revealed unless it had actually been won. It wasn't uncommon to see prizes such as a Sega Master System or a daytrip to Thorpe Park given away as prizes.
Although produced in 1994, (and also produced by Action time) the graphics and music were taken from the TVS/Meridian versions of the show (The Family Channel owned the rights to it, as they brought over the TVS library). Although, made in the same year as Carlton/Action Time-produced series for ITV, there is no connection.
Main game
The main game play was the same as normal catchphrase, but player played for points instead of cash.
Round One
The team that won the toss of the coin before the show would select the point value of the catchphrases in that round (maximum 50). The computer would draw a catchphrase, a bell would ring and the team that guessed correctly would win the points.
Bonus Catchphrase
The team that guessed the catchphrase correctly would get a chance at solving the bonus catchphrase. The catchphrase value doubled each round (50, 100, 200 etc.). The point drop also increased in value by five each round (5, 10, 15 and so on).
Solo Shoot
The teams played as a one-on-one battle, with first the children playing and then the adults. Beforehand, one of the teams decided the point value. The maximum value was now 100 points. The rest of the rules were the same for that round.
Fast and Furious
Based on Roy Walker's Ready Money Round, O'Connor's version was renamed "Fast and Furious" because as previously stated there was no money involved. Unlike Walker's round, the randomiser could select any amount on the screen as high as 150 points. There was no bell for this round.
Super Catchphrase
The final round was the same as Walker's series except the M square's prize was "a mystery prize" according to O'Connor.
Famous guests
One episode of Family Catchphrase featured a guest appearance from Steven Radosh - creator of Catchphrase. Another episode featured an appearance by the then unknown Simon Amstell and his Aunt as contestants. Amstell was only about 14 years old at the time and says on the show that he is a budding magician. He then shows one of his tricks to the presenter, Andrew O'Connor (who was also a magician himself!).[1][2][3]
Transmissions
100 episodes were transmitted on The Family Channel in 1994. Plus a Xmas Special broadcast on the 25th January 1993 and 1st January 1994