Syfy Shows Interest in US Adaptation of The Krypton Factor

The cable network may attempt to bring the popular UK format to America for the third time.

If a format outright fails after two attempts, in two different decades, with two different teams doing it, it may be a sign that the format just won’t work in a country. That’s what’s happened with The Krypton Factor, the long-running UK game testing a contestant’s physical stamina and mental agility. It failed in the 1980s on ABC and in the 1990s in syndication. According to BroadcastNow, Syfy’s president is hinting that the network may give it a third go at a US adaptation.

For those not familiar with the show, The Krypton Factor tests four contestants through a series of mental and physical challenges. Games run the gamut from brain teasers, trivia, physical challenges, obstacle courses, math and logic, and much more. It first ran from 1977 to 1995 and then revived from 2009 to 2010. Dick Clark hosted the initial US version in 1981. It came back in 1990 as a teen competition hosted by Willie Aames. Each only ran for one series.

If this goes through you’ll have to pardon us for being slightly skeptical of its chances. UK-to-US imports have been awfully spotty for a while now, and The Krypton Factor is a show that feels very British and doesn’t remotely feel anything close to American. Some things just don’t translate across the ocean. Take a look at an episode above. It can’t be just me thinking this just won’t work in America.

H/T Broadcast Now