The Wall (game show)

The Wall
Genre Game show
Developed by Andrew Glassman
LeBron James
Maverick Carter
Presented by Chris Hardwick
Theme music composer Michael Lord
Composer(s) Michael Lord
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 2
No. of episodes 19
Production
Executive producer(s) Chris Hardwick
LeBron James
Andrew Glassman
Maverick Carter
Running time 42–44 minutes
Production company(s) Glassman Media
SpringHill Entertainment
CORE Media Group
Distributor Universal Television
Endemol Shine Group
Release
Original network NBC
Picture format 1080i HDTV (16:9)
Audio format Stereo
Original release December 19, 2016 – present
External links
Website http://www.nbc.com/the-wall?nbc=1

The Wall is an American television game show broadcast by NBC, which premiered on December 19, 2016. The show is hosted by Chris Hardwick, who also serves as executive producer on the show along with LeBron James, Maverick Carter, and Andrew Glassman.[1] On January 18, 2017, NBC ordered 20 additional episodes bringing the episode count to 30.[2]

Gameplay

The Wall is a five-story-tall pegboard, similar to a pachinko game or bean machine; it also is similar to the Plinko pricing game on The Price is Right. The bottom of the board is divided into 15 slots marked with various dollar amounts, some of which increase as the game progresses. Seven numbered "drop zones" are centered at the top of the board (above the center seven slots), from which balls can be dropped into play.

A team of two contestants plays each game, with a potential top prize of $12,374,994.[3][4] Green balls dropped on the board will add to the team's bank, while red balls dropped on the board will subtract from it. Throughout the game, the bank has a floor of $0.

Round 1: Free Fall

In Free Fall, the team is asked a series of five questions, each with two answer choices. As each question is asked, three balls are simultaneously released from drop zones 1, 4, and 7. The team must select one answer and lock it in before any portion of a ball crosses the threshold of a money slot. If the team's answer is correct, the balls turn green and their values are added to the team's bank. If the team answers incorrectly or fails to lock in an answer, the balls turn red and their values are subtracted from the team's bank.

If the team's bank balance is zero at the end of this round, the game ends immediately and they leave with no winnings. Otherwise, their earnings become part of a guaranteed payout to be offered to them at the end of the game. The maximum amount that a team can bank in this round is $375,000.

The values on the board range from $1 to $25,000, and are arranged as follows:

$1 $5,000 $100 $20,000 $10 $10,000 $1 $25,000 $1 $10,000 $10 $20,000 $100 $5,000 $1

Round 2

At the start of the second round, the contestants are separated from each other for the remainder of the game. One enters an isolation chamber behind The Wall, while the other remains onstage. Two green balls are played simultaneously, dropped from zones chosen by the onstage player. Three multiple-choice questions are then played, each with three answer choices. The onstage player is shown only the answers to each question, and must decide which zone to use, based on how confident he/she is that the isolated player can answer correctly. The question and answers are then presented to the isolated player; after he/she responds, the ball is dropped from the chosen zone. A correct answer turns the ball green and adds the value of the slot it lands in to the team bank, while a miss turns the ball red and deducts the value. The isolated player is not told which of his/her answers are correct or given any information on the team bank.

The onstage player is offered an opportunity to "Double Up" on the second question and "Triple Up" on the third; these options allow him/her to play two or three balls from the selected drop zone instead of one, respectively.

After the third question, if the banked total is at least $3 (as the least that could be lost from two red balls is $2), two red balls are dropped simultaneously from the same zones that were chosen for the initial two green balls. The maximum amount that a team can bank in this round is $1,999,998.

The values on the board range from $1 to $250,000, and are arranged as follows:

$1 $5,000 $100 $10,000 $10 $25,000 $1 $50,000 $1 $100,000 $10 $125,000 $100 $250,000 $1

Round 3

Gameplay proceeds as in Round 2, but each of the three questions now has four answer choices. In addition, four green and four red balls are played at the start and end of the round respectively, and are dropped one at a time, rather than simultaneously. The "Double Up" and "Triple Up" options are available as before.

The maximum amount that a team can bank in this round is $9,999,996.

The values on the board range from $1 to $1,000,000, and are arranged as follows:

$1 $50,000 $100 $100,000 $10 $200,000 $1 $300,000 $1 $400,000 $10 $500,000 $100 $1,000,000 $1

Final Decision

After the third question in Round 3, the isolated player is sent a contract by the host and must either sign or destroy it. Signing the contract gives up the team bank in favor of a guaranteed payout, equal to the Free Fall winnings plus an additional $20,000 for every question answered correctly in Rounds 2 and 3. If the isolated player destroys the contract, the team receives their final bank total instead. After the four red balls have dropped in Round 3 and the final bank is calculated (or after the last question if there is less than $4 banked), the isolated player returns to the stage to reveal his/her decision. Only at this point does he/she learn the number of correct answers given, the payout total, and the team's final bank.

The maximum possible guaranteed payout is $495,000, obtained by scoring $375,000 in Free Fall and answering all questions correctly in Rounds 2 and 3. The maximum possible bank total is $12,374,994, obtained by answering every question correctly, having every green ball drop into the highest-valued slot, and having the six mandatory red balls each drop into a $1 slot.

Episodes

Season 1

Episode Contestants Guaranteed Payout Contract Final Bank Total Contract Decision
Free Fall Bank Correct Answers (Bonus) Total Offer
1 John and Angel $65,213 5 ($100,000) $165,213 $1,300,010 Rejected
2 Chris and Katie $35,132 4 ($80,000) $115,132 $0 Rejected
3 Mike and Shana $10,121 2 ($40,000) $50,121 $529,921 Rejected
4 Jarrod and Shantell $75,001 3 ($60,000) $135,001 $950,011 Accepted
5 Matt and Jean $45,014 2 ($40,000) $85,014 $1,100,098 Rejected
6 Ebony and Deanna $170,105 2 ($40,000) $210,105 $194,896 Accepted
7 Nathan and Erica $30,301 3 ($60,000) $90,301 $349,890 Rejected
8 Katie and Kevin $140,013 3 ($60,000) $200,013 $299,969 Rejected
9 Darnell and Dion $35,112 0 ($0) $35,112 $0 Rejected
10 Ashle and Xandi $100,313 1 ($20,000) $120,313 $0 Accepted
     The contestants won more than $1 million
     The contestants left with the larger possible amount
     The contestants left with the smaller possible amount

Season 2

Episode Contestants Guaranteed Payout Contract Final Bank Total Contract Decision
Free Fall Bank Correct Answers (Bonus) Total Offer
1 Ryan and Stephenie $45,214 5 ($100,000) $145,214 $570,344 Rejected
2 Noah and Lisa $110,312 4 ($80,000) $190,312 $1,095,498 Rejected
3 Milton and Aaryn $65,004 3 ($60,000) $125,004 $520,095 Rejected
4 Lenny and Sharon $50,320 5 ($100,000) $150,320 $850,632 Accepted
5 Delvar and Bonnie $15,221 2 ($40,000) $55,221 $399,792 Rejected
6 Jeff and Jamie $20,011 3 ($60,000) $80,011 $0 Rejected
7 Chris and Paris $100,231 2 ($40,000) $140,231 $0 Accepted
8 Angela and Jodi $115,322 4 ($80,000) $195,322 $220,333 Accepted
9 Tomeka and Andre $65,241 2 ($40,000) $105,241 $0 Accepted
     The contestants won more than $1 million
     The contestants left with the larger possible amount
     The contestants left with the smaller possible amount

Notable contestants

Reception

Critical reception

The Wall has received mixed reviews by critics. Jan Chaney of Vulture dubbed The Wall as being "the most stereotypically American game show on television right now" and "absurd yet undeniably diverting."[5] Calling The Wall a "carbon copy of Plinko", Chaney criticized the show for making "attempts to sell us something new, even though its concept is really based on old ideas [...] mixed up just enough [to] seem fresh".[5]

Bethonie Butler of Chicago Tribune agreed that "The Wall looks a lot like the famed Plinko game from CBS", but qualified that "originality is relative when it comes to game shows", remarking on the similarity between popular trivia game shows such as Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?[6]

Ratings

Season 1

No. Episode Air date Time slot (ET) Rating/Share (18–49) Viewers (m) Timeslot rank
1 "John and Angel" December 19, 2016 Monday 10:00 p.m. 1.6/6[7] 6.53[7] 1
2 "Chris and Kate" January 2, 2017 1.2/4[8] 4.53[8] 2
3 "Mike and Shana" January 3, 2017 Tuesday
8:00 p.m.		 1.7/6[9] 6.79[9] 2
4 "Jarrod and Shantell" January 10, 2017 1.7/6[10] 7.00[10] 2
5 "Matt and Jean" January 17, 2017 1.7/6[11] 6.62[11] 2
6 "Ebony and Deanna" January 24, 2017 1.6/6[12] 6.61[12] 2
7 "Nathan and Erica" January 31, 2017 Tuesday 9:00 p.m. 1.5/5[13] 6.06[13] 1
8 "Katie and Kevin" February 7, 2017 Tuesday
8:00 p.m.		 1.5/5[14] 6.14[14] 3
9 "Darnell and Dion" February 14, 2017 1.4/5[15] 5.76[15] 3
10 "Ashle and Xandi" February 21, 2017 1.4/5[16] 5.89[16] 3

Season 2

No. Episode Air date Time slot (ET) Rating/Share (18–49) Viewers (m) Timeslot rank
1 "Ryan and Stephenie" May 8, 2017 Monday 10:00 p.m. 1.1/4[17] 4.68[17] 1
2 "Noah and Lisa" May 15, 2017 1.0/4[18] 4.85[18] 2
3 "Milton and Aaryn" June 22, 2017 Thursday 9:00 p.m. 1.0/4[19] 4.49[19] 1
4 "Lenny and Sharon" June 29, 2017 1.0/4[20] 4.65[20] 2
5 "Delvar and Bonnie" July 6, 2017 1.0/4[21] 4.60[21] 2
6 "Jeff and Jamie" July 13, 2017 1.2/5[22] 6.05[22] 3
7 "Chris and Paris" July 20, 2017 1.1/4[23] 4.95[23] 2
8 "Angela and Jodi" July 27, 2017 1.0/4[24] 4.88[24] 2
9 "Tomeka and Andre" August 10, 2017 Thursday 8:00 p.m. 0.7[25] 4.215[25] 3
10 "Erin and Rachel" August 17, 2017
11 "Sheriese and Kieara" August 24, 2017

See also

International versions

Countries Title Presenter Channel Premiere date
 Australia The Wall TBA Seven Network[26] TBA
 Canada ( Quebec) The Wall TVA[27] 2017
 France The Wall : Face au mur Christophe Dechavanne TF1 February 27, 2017 – present
 Germany The Wall Frank Buschmann RTL[28] July 1, 2017 – present
 Italy The Wall Gerry Scotti Canale 5 December 4, 2017
 Poland The Wall. Wygraj marzenia TVP 1 September 22, 2017
 Romania TBA TBA TBA TBA
 Russia TBA TBA TBA TBA
 Spain The Wall: Cambia tu vida Carlos Sobera Telecinco[29] June 23, 2017 – present
 Thailand TBA TBA TBA TBA

Most of the European versions are produced in Studio 204 in Paris, France (Polish version is produced in Warsaw), while the German version is a double-length version (two games per episode). The Australian version is set to film in the studio of the American edition.

References

  1. ↑ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (28 October 2015). "Chris Hardwick to Host NBC Game Show ‘The Wall’ from Exec Producer LeBron James". Variety. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  2. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (January 18, 2017). "‘The Wall’: New NBC Game Show Picked Up For 20 More Episodes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  3. ↑ "The Wall". NBC.com.
  4. ↑ Pedersen, Erik (14 November 2016). "‘The Wall’: NBC Sets Premiere Date For Game Show From EPs Chris Hardwick & LeBron James". Deadline. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  5. 1 2 "The Wall Is the Most American Game Show on TV". Vulture. 2017-01-03. Retrieved 2017-01-12.
  6. ↑ Butler, Bethonie. "NBC's 'The Wall' is basically a high-tech Plinko game, but viewers probably don't care". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2017-01-12.
  7. 1 2 Porter, Rick (December 20, 2016). "‘Great Christmas Light Fight’ finale adjusts down: Monday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
  8. 1 2 Porter, Rick (January 4, 2017). "‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’s’ ‘Bachelor’ special adjusts down: Monday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  9. 1 2 Porter, Rick (January 5, 2017). "‘Chicago PD,’ ‘The Mick’ and others unchanged: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  10. 1 2 Porter, Rick (January 11, 2017). "‘The Mick’ and ‘This Is Us’ adjust up, ‘Bones’ adjusts down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  11. 1 2 Porter, Rick (January 19, 2017). "‘Fresh Off the Boat’ adjusts up: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  12. 1 2 Porter, Rick (January 25, 2017). "‘Chicago Fire’ adjusts up, ‘Agents of SHIELD’ adjusts down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  13. 1 2 Porter, Rick (February 1, 2017). "‘The Wall’ adjusts up, ‘Bones’ adjusts down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  14. 1 2 Porter, Rick (February 8, 2017). "‘The Middle,’ ‘The Wall, ‘This Is Us,’ FOX comedies all adjust up: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  15. 1 2 Porter, Rick (February 15, 2017). "'American Housewife' adjusts up, ‘Agents of SHIELD’ and ‘Tough Mudder’ adjust down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  16. 1 2 Porter, Rick (February 23, 2017). "‘The Flash,’ ‘NCIS,’ all others unchanged: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  17. 1 2 Porter, Rick (May 9, 2017). "‘Gotham,’ ‘Man with a Plan,’ ‘Jane the Virgin’ adjust up, ‘Quantico’ adjusts down: Monday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  18. 1 2 Porter, Rick (May 16, 2017). "‘Dancing with the Stars,’ ‘Man with a Plan' finale adjust up: Monday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  19. 1 2 Porter, Rick (June 23, 2017). "‘Hollywood Game Night’ and ‘The Wall’ adjust up: Thursday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  20. 1 2 Porter, Rick (June 30, 2017). "‘Supernatural’ rerun adjusts down: Thursday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  21. 1 2 Porter, Rick (July 10, 2017). "‘Game Night,’ ‘The Wall,’ ‘Battle of the Network Stars’ adjust up: Thurday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  22. 1 2 Porter, Rick (July 14, 2017). "‘America’s Got Talent’ adjusts up: Thursday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  23. 1 2 Porter, Rick (July 21, 2017). "’Big Brother’ adjusts up, ‘Hollywood Game Night’ and ‘Zoo’ adjust down: Thursday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  24. 1 2 Porter, Rick (July 28, 2017). "‘Beat Shazam’ and ‘Penn & Teller’ adjust up, ‘Zoo’ adjusts down: Thursday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  25. 1 2 Metcalf, Mitch (August 11, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY’s Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.10.2017". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
  26. ↑ Knox, David (7 August 2017). "Auditions: The Wall". TV Tonight. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  27. ↑ Vlessing, Etan (June 26, 2017). "NBC's 'The Wall' Game Show Headed to Canada". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  28. ↑ "Endemol Shine Germany and RTL close new deal for The Wall". Endemol Shine Group. 5 April 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  29. ↑ "Telecinco producirá 'The wall', el concurso revelación de la temporada en EE. UU.". Telemania. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
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