Details on GSN’s “The Pyramid” Pilot
It’s been an exciting few days for game show fans. First we had the announcement that Mike Richards would be the host of GSN’s revival of the classic game show The Pyramid. The reports are saying the look of the show retains a classic, familiar feeling so many of you will be happy about that. Now we’ve got some information on the new pilot. I think you’re all going to be very excited for the show.
The game is played like the old version. Two teams compete in two games per show. You have seven clues to convey within 30 seconds. The main difference is how money is handled. Whenever you go to the titular Pyramid you play for a base of $10,000. In the main game if you score a perfect 7-out-of-7 you earn a $500 bonus plus you play for $5,000 more on the Pyramid. So one perfect round means you win $500 and have a chance at $15,000. Two perfect rounds is $1,000 and a chance at $20,000. A perfect game means you win $1,500 and play for $25,000. Of course no perfect rounds mean you play for the base $10,000. There are no bonus categories such as Mystery 7 or 7-11. If you can’t beat the Pyramid you get money for each box you do beat. In order, from left to right, the first row is worth $100, $200, and $300; the second row is $400 and $500; the top box is $750.
So that’s what we have. It looks like, wisely, they are going with the retro looking set. The reception to Mike Richards has been positive also. We’ll have more later but we just wanted to be sure that you knew the details before we head out for the rest of the weekend. Feeling good about this? I know I am. I admit I had some major fears after how GSN handled the recent revival of Lingo. However, this looks to be exceptional and with Michael Davies and Embassy Row in charge that really shouldn’t be a shock. We hope to see it soon.
By the way, do we know where this pilot was taped, as in the studio and complex?
Well, it looks like the pilot passed. GSN’s scouting for contestants now.
They had a call for contestants after the New York pilot as well.
I’m mildly optimistic for this version to come to air: unique scaling of the money (where the front game has a say in the end game prize), classic format given its due (hear that, Rossi’s Temptation?), reasonable, low-key type of host who won’t distract from the game…there’s promise, but there’s always some bug waiting to show up, and I fear this may have one…
What about any photos of the set anytime soon?
I’m excited! I just got a 2nd call back for the show. Here’s hoping!
Good luck! We expect a full report…or at least as full as confidentiality agreements will allow! :-)
Any word on the 21-21 tiebreaker bonus if it’s going to be returned?
If it were me, I would use a format that would be a tiny bit similar to the Bullseye Round on Family Feud. Both teams begin with a bank of $10,000 which is the least they would play for in the Winner’s Circle. Each category in the main game would have a different dollar amount behind it from $1,000 to $6,000 in $1,000 increments. If the team gets 7 out of 7, the amount behind the category is added to their bank. Since each team can play three categories apiece, they are hoping to find the top three values of $4,000, $5,000, and $6,000 which could add another $15,000 to their bank for a possible maximum total of $25,000.
Right…because that’s SO much easier to navigate! :\