Weekend Replay: “Tipping Point”
A while ago, before we started BuzzerUK, we had a series “The British are Better Than Us.” To anyone with a hint of a sense of humor it was obviously sarcastic, but, compared to America, the United Kingdom generally gets better shows. That’s not to say they don’t get their share of not-so-good, much like us. But sometimes the American reaction to shows confuse me. Take ITV’s newest show Tipping Point. A comment on Bother’s Bar said it best: they made the best game show based on a coin drop game that you could. But it doesn’t make it a great show. The game is fine, but the show is boring. But for some reason the American reaction has been nearly overwhelmingly positive. That reaction is completely confusing to me. You may see that if you watch the show.
The game is just answering a question and watching someone play a coin drop game for an hour. It’s undeniable the game works. There’s nothing wrong with it at all. It’s just boring. The most glaring issue is, for some reason, they decided to make the show to look dark and dramatic. With a £10,000 payout and, again, a game based on a coin drop arcade game you’d figure they’d brighten it up. I’m not sure fitting in with the crowd worked here. And if you’re going to utilize black, which tends to make a set looks bigger than a broom closet…actually make it look larger than a broom closet. It’s not a bad look, but The Chase manages to make its tiny set look a whole lot larger because of a better layout. Kudos for the machine. It’s cool and impressive for daytime. However, the entire presentation seems way too dark for an hour of color commentating an arcade game.
I will say, though, that it could improve with a second series if they attempt to add some variety and, most of all, lighten the atmosphere up a bit. The Chase started out extremely rigid and not all that good. However, in a short period of time, they managed to turn it into the best quiz on TV today. Tipping Point has the chance to be something a lot more fun. They just need to realize how absurd the game is.
The British reaction is what I expected and it’s basically how I felt. They did all they could with the game and it works, but come on…it’s watching someone play an arcade game for an hour. I’m genuinely confused at how the American reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. The only things I can think of is that Americans are so starved for a quiz show that they’ll leap to anything with a trace of a trivia question, or that they will automatically like anything British. It’s interesting because I feel that if this show debuted in America first and looked and played exactly the same, it would be written off as I described above Again, I reiterate, it’s not a bad show. They did all they could. But it’s just not that interesting or entertaining to watch. If standing behind someone at Dave and Buster’s for five minutes waiting for a machine to open up gets annoying, imagine standing behind them for an hour. That’s what you have here.
They have a large goofy prop.
They have the minimum amount of game required to make it possible to use the large goofy prop as often as possible. The weakest round of the show (R3) is the one where they use the large goofy prop the least.
Despite the set designer’s best efforts, the goofy prop still shines through the dark, somber mood. Despite the casting department’s best efforts, the host and contestants are all unflinchingly positive.
There’s nothing terrible here to get wound up about. If you’re offended by the very idea of a coin pusher machine game show, you’ve already made the decision not to watch. If you get over that hurdle, it’s an OK show. It’s pretty hard to hate the show.
I watched this for the first time just now. I think this is an interesting concept, but the overall game pacing is way too slow for my tastes. It does get repetitive and boring to watch one question answered, play the machine (“Whenever you’re ready, release your counter”), and repeat. Maybe one less contestant and some rapid-fire coin releases could turn this into a half-hour format with better pacing. And what was with see no on-screen question graphics and then they suddenly appear in round 3 and the endgame? That’s just odd.
Just one opinion from the US…
Why is it necessary for game shows to be an hour-long? If this show were a half-hour, the rules could be streamlined (discuss amongst yourselves), which might pick up the pace. I also find this show too “dry” ; I’d like to at least hear some applause after a correct answer, and more audience “involvement” like cheering the contestant on as they drop their markers. ..And bring back the “returning champion.”
I was wondering the same thing. I think every game show since The Price is Right (2006) that has not been produced by Challenge in the UK is an hour long or more. I understand that for shows like The Chase and The Million Pound Drop, but other shows like Deal or no Deal, Pointless, and Tipping point especially would be a whole lot less boring if they reduced it to 30 or even 45 minutes. And they should at least one show (other than Blockbusters) with returning champions like Pointless. Seriously, I think almost everyone would rather have returning champions on that show rather than giving every team 2 shots at being the champions (including stupid 200 club members).
I don’t have a problem with a darker set, seeing as most places where one might find coin pusher machines (i.e. Dave & Buster’s) are usually dark in the midway. The only problem I have with the show is their use of the term “counter”. Why not call them “coins”?
Gambling, being in the daytime trying to avoid anything possibly offensive, the reasons are numerous to use a non-descript term like counter.
Or, since places like D&Bs and other arcades change bills for tokens to use in their machines, “When you’re ready, drop/release your token”. Probably the phrasing that GSN would use if they wanted this show as filler sometime (I know, I know – don’t give them any ideas)…
I thought the game was painfully slow. There’s nothing wrong with having contestants drop coins down a machine to win money, but come on! Is Tipping Point’s idea of drama a giant block that runs at about the same speed as the show itself?
every comment here is negative yet earlier they were all quite positive hmmm.
Here’s what you do:
1. Harder questions, and more of them. Ben needs to read faster in round 2
2. The ability to earn a “multiball”-style drop with several counters like in pinball
3. Higher valuations for each coin. Also, why penalize me if I earned 3,000 quid then got the jackpot? Give the winner both. If there is no winner, add five grand to the jackpot next day and let the winner return to claim it.
4. More strategy. Suppose I win the penalty pot but am tied for last place. Instead of making me spend my counters and maybe get nothing, let me cash them in for 25 pounds each and guarantee myself advancement to round 2.
Could it be that the American reaction to “Tipping Point” has more to do with sheer novelty than anything else?
These “tuppeny machines”, or whatever they are called, are virtually unknown on this side of the proverbial Pond. There are probably more pachinko machines on these shores than there are these contraptions.
From what I have seen, the show is painfully slow, especially when compared with “The Chase”.
I cannot see it crossing over the ocean–which is something I can see with “The Chase” if given the right chances.
Really? I’ve seen coin pushers, especially those based off game shows (the Wheel of Fortune one is everywhere, pretty much) in practically every arcade I’ve ever been in.
Eh. It’s OK. I watched the first episode and what really made the show for me were the contestants. They chatted. They consoled. They laughed. They had a good time, in general. The host was genial enough. Obviously, the game leaves a lot to be desired. What gets me is this: they could have done any number of things just with the chips in order to make the game feels less repetitive. Bonus chips. Double chips. Minus chips. Steal chips. Trip chips. But they didn’t do any of that. Didn’t we just have this conversation with Lingo a couple years back?
As for the format, I think this is what happens when someone starts with an idea, and has to make a game that follows a strict time limit and doesn’t straddle. They could have simply done what the bonus round was. Have each player drop their chips in. First one to knock theirs over wins. Or do the opposite. Last Chip Standing. Or if you want to have it be about the number of chips, let each player claim a drop zone, or have them reach a goal (first to $1000 wins). And just having them pick which drop zone is too simplistic. Why not have a category attached to each zone? The questions should come rapid-fire and the choices should be more like “I’ll play Number Two,” rather than “I’ll play” “Which one will you play?” “Drop zone number two, please.”
Again, this is early, but there is a lot that they can do to make the game more consistently interesting.
I watched the first five episodes on YouTube, and while it’s not the best thing in the world, I was moderately entertained. Sure the pace could be improved and the forced dramatics of a “counter” being placed into a machine could be lightened up, but they have a decent start.
(Spoiler for those who haven’t seen it)
When the woman won the jackpot (which surprised me given her performance in the game) it was exciting. I was shocked and felt quite happy for her.
(End spoiler)
I would think they may want to consider upping the payout in the finale to 100 quid per counter instead of keeping it at 50. Although that does run the risk of inflating winnings quite a bit. Also, the suggestions of a rolling jackpot on returning champions would make it more entertaining. Plus trimming down the game to fit in 30 minutes.
I haven’t changed my mind since I posted in the first group, but what I suspect comes into play here is the fact that it’s the only new thing going right now, so maybe our standards are a bit lower. Looking forward to the second series of “Breakaway”, which I think starts today.
Actually, when you get right down to it, the pace will kill “Tipping Point”, and the slowest part of the game is playing the machine itself. I think the first two rounds of questions are fine, but the third is slow, though it has the most strategy. Also, in the jackpot round, why not ask all the questions first and then play the machine all at the same time rather than going back and forth?
It won’t matter, though. If “The Exit List” (a much better game, in my opinion) didn’t survive, then this surely doesn’t deserve to.
Sorry, I meant “Blockbusters” has a new series starting today, not “Breakaway”.
Although worth noting Tipping Point has been getting higher ratings at 5pm than The Exit List did at 8pm. It’s actually performed rather well in the slot so at the very least has the chance of returning as a summer filler for The Chase.
I was one of the Americans who had a slightly negative reaction to the premiere, mostly because of the pace of the show. Nevertheless, I kept watching until the end of the week. Sure, partly I am game show deprived, and partly I am stubborn enough to hold out for a jackpot win. But after five episodes I think the show probably works on the same level as Wheel of Fortune — light fare that you can either relax and watch or leave on and glance at occasionally.
It’s not without tension, but it’s much less tense than The Chase, Deal, Million (currency) Drop, The Cube, etc. which makes it agreeable in its own way.
Cardshark had two good ideas. One idea is two allow each player to drop a colored chip in the machine. (From now on it is my idea). Everyone starts with $1,000. Questions are on the buzzer between all three contestants.Each chip that comes out of the machine nets the contestant $100 and a wrong answer costs them $200. If you knock an opponents chip out of the machine you win all there money and knock them out. Last man standing plays the bonus round. The bonus round plays the same as the UK version but with 7 questions, with two difficulties (1 or 2 chips). Each chip you can get out is now worth $200 and if you can get your chip out you get a jackpot starting at $50,000 increasing by $25,000 each day. Maybe have the chips worth between 100-300 (using white, grey and black so you can see the contestants chips easily.)
The other idea is to have them play to a set amount. Have three different chips (any color does now) worth between 100-300. Ring in with a right answer nets you a chip to use. The chips you drop are a fourth color worth 500. Once one contestant hits 2500 the lowest scorer is eliminated and the remaining two (this version has three contestants instead of four) play round three to 5,000 with infinite questions. Bonus Round should be the same or similar.
Please give me your feedback. I’d love to know and by all means tell me your ideas to fix the format.
Bottom line: This is a half-hour show dragged out in order to fill a whole hour. The pacing is slow, but the concept can work.
I don’t think the American reaction is positive at least with the people I chatted with online. Like me they agree that there is a good game in there somewhere but it moves very slow. Also they agree the set and mood is too dark for what is essentialy a over glorified arcade game but in spite of the shows shortcomings there have been some interesting moments but are usualy ruined by the poor pacing. Overall I think it has potential but the show rules and productions needs a major overhaul.
the whole family are so adicted to it ,love it ,please another series .reminds us of when we were kids at the penny arcade
how many counters are in the machine to start off with and who sets the counters on each shelf to start the game? Does only the final winner take home the cash or do all the contestants take home what they win ?