Moneyball

(See also)
(https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/24239828/itv-axes-two-game-shows/)
 
(3 intermediate revisions not shown)
Line 9: Line 9:
== Broadcast ==
== Broadcast ==
-
Possessed and Potato for ITV, 30 October 2021 to present <!-- 18 December 2021 (8 episodes in 1 series) -->
+
Possessed and Potato for ITV, 30 October 2021 to 26 August 2023 (14 episodes in 2 series)
</div>
</div>
Line 17: Line 17:
The one with Ian Wright and the rolling ball. The basic idea is to roll a ball forwards and backwards along a track. Where it comes to rest is how much it's worth.
The one with Ian Wright and the rolling ball. The basic idea is to roll a ball forwards and backwards along a track. Where it comes to rest is how much it's worth.
-
<div class=image>
+
<div class=image>[[File:Moneyball ian wright and golden ball.jpg|400px]]''Ian Wright (left) and a golden ball.''</div>
-
[[File:Moneyball ian wright and golden ball.jpg|400px]]
+
-
''Ian Wright (left) and a golden ball.''
+
-
</div>
+
-
Our contestant walks out onto set, full of confidence and bravado. A gentle and friendly chat with Ian Wright settles any nerves, and then we're into the game proper.
+
Our contestant (pair from series two) walks out onto set, full of confidence and bravado. A gentle and friendly chat with Ian Wright settles any nerves, and then we're into the game proper.
A fairly simple general knowledge question, matching three items to three possible answers. One item per answer. Get the question right and the player earns a ball. (Get it wrong, and the player faces a Danger Board, with the prospect of leaving the game at once.)
A fairly simple general knowledge question, matching three items to three possible answers. One item per answer. Get the question right and the player earns a ball. (Get it wrong, and the player faces a Danger Board, with the prospect of leaving the game at once.)
Line 28: Line 25:
Our player bangs their button to stop a graphic climbing up the wall, and the silver ball is elevated so that the bottom of the ball is at the line shown.
Our player bangs their button to stop a graphic climbing up the wall, and the silver ball is elevated so that the bottom of the ball is at the line shown.
-
<div class=image>
+
<div class=image>[[File:Moneyball ball rises up.jpg|400px]]''The ball will drop from here.''</div>
-
[[File:Moneyball ball rises up.jpg|400px]]
+
-
''The ball will drop from here.''
+
-
</div>
+
Then there's a countdown, 3 &ndash; 2 &ndash; 1, and the ball's released. We see it roll along the bottom, and part-way up the other side. Eventually, the ball will stop on the bottom rail.
Then there's a countdown, 3 &ndash; 2 &ndash; 1, and the ball's released. We see it roll along the bottom, and part-way up the other side. Eventually, the ball will stop on the bottom rail.
-
Above this bottom rail are various zones with sums of money, ranging from £1000 to the board maximum &ndash; in steps from £10,000 to £50,000 then a full £100,000. Whichever zone contains most of the ball when it stops, that's the prize the player will win. There are also "Danger" zones indicated on the board, land in one of these and play another Danger Board.
+
Above this bottom rail are various zones with sums of money, ranging from £1000 to the board maximum; in the first series, this increased in steps from £10,000 to £50,000 then a full £100,000, while in the second series, these started at £5,000, skipped £30,000, and the penultimate value was £75,000. Whichever zone contains most of the ball when it stops, that's the prize the player will win. There are also "Danger" zones indicated on the board, land in one of these and play another Danger Board.
-
<div class=image>
+
<div class=image>[[File:Moneyball roll result.jpg|400px]]''That's worth ten grand!''</div>
-
[[File:Moneyball roll result.jpg|400px]]
+
-
''That's worth ten grand!''
+
-
</div>
+
Our contestant has a choice. They can play on for the next board, or they can stop and try to cash out. To win the money, it's one final roll, one final board, with about 60% of the board marked as a win, and 40% as a flat loss. All or nothing, hit or miss.
Our contestant has a choice. They can play on for the next board, or they can stop and try to cash out. To win the money, it's one final roll, one final board, with about 60% of the board marked as a win, and 40% as a flat loss. All or nothing, hit or miss.
Line 48: Line 39:
Although ''Moneyball'' offers a theoretical top prize of £250,000, most contestants are happy to cash out at £30,000 or so.
Although ''Moneyball'' offers a theoretical top prize of £250,000, most contestants are happy to cash out at £30,000 or so.
-
<div class=image>
+
<div class=image>[[File:Moneyball set.jpg|400px]]''A wide shot of the set.''</div>
-
[[File:Moneyball set.jpg|400px]]
+
-
''A wide shot of the set.''
+
-
</div>
+
The set is lit in a dark red, with orange accents and a neutral blue background: it looks very good on screen, as if it's gently burning in the background.
The set is lit in a dark red, with orange accents and a neutral blue background: it looks very good on screen, as if it's gently burning in the background.
Line 77: Line 65:
[[Weaver's Week 2021-11-21|Weaver's Week review]], which compares ''Moneyball'' to other shows with moving parts.
[[Weaver's Week 2021-11-21|Weaver's Week review]], which compares ''Moneyball'' to other shows with moving parts.
 +
[[Category:General Knowledge Quiz]]
[[Category:Possessed Productions]]
[[Category:Possessed Productions]]
[[Category:Potato Productions]]
[[Category:Potato Productions]]
-
[[Category:Current]]
 

Current revision as of 18:27, 3 October 2023

Contents

Host

Ian Wright

Broadcast

Possessed and Potato for ITV, 30 October 2021 to 26 August 2023 (14 episodes in 2 series)

Synopsis

The one with Ian Wright and the rolling ball. The basic idea is to roll a ball forwards and backwards along a track. Where it comes to rest is how much it's worth.

Ian Wright (left) and a golden ball.

Our contestant (pair from series two) walks out onto set, full of confidence and bravado. A gentle and friendly chat with Ian Wright settles any nerves, and then we're into the game proper.

A fairly simple general knowledge question, matching three items to three possible answers. One item per answer. Get the question right and the player earns a ball. (Get it wrong, and the player faces a Danger Board, with the prospect of leaving the game at once.)

Our player bangs their button to stop a graphic climbing up the wall, and the silver ball is elevated so that the bottom of the ball is at the line shown.

The ball will drop from here.

Then there's a countdown, 3 – 2 – 1, and the ball's released. We see it roll along the bottom, and part-way up the other side. Eventually, the ball will stop on the bottom rail.

Above this bottom rail are various zones with sums of money, ranging from £1000 to the board maximum; in the first series, this increased in steps from £10,000 to £50,000 then a full £100,000, while in the second series, these started at £5,000, skipped £30,000, and the penultimate value was £75,000. Whichever zone contains most of the ball when it stops, that's the prize the player will win. There are also "Danger" zones indicated on the board, land in one of these and play another Danger Board.

That's worth ten grand!

Our contestant has a choice. They can play on for the next board, or they can stop and try to cash out. To win the money, it's one final roll, one final board, with about 60% of the board marked as a win, and 40% as a flat loss. All or nothing, hit or miss.

The player has one lifeline: if they're stuck on a question, they can use a "Question Ball". It works like any other ball on the show, raise it up to release it. Whichever answer it lands on is marked as right or wrong. Just one of these "Question Ball" opportunities in the game.

Although Moneyball offers a theoretical top prize of £250,000, most contestants are happy to cash out at £30,000 or so.

A wide shot of the set.

The set is lit in a dark red, with orange accents and a neutral blue background: it looks very good on screen, as if it's gently burning in the background.

Each show contains three or four full games, lots of people have the chance to take home a very useful wodge of cash. It gets very repetitive, and quickly shows just how little there is to Moneyball. Answer some simple questions. Stop a launcher, bank some money, and potentially win it. It's more luck than judgement, and shows based on pure luck have never lasted long.

Catchphrases

"It's one shot to win the lot", said just before the contestant tries to cash out. This may be a vestige of the show's working title, The Money Shot, which was changed because of a smutty meaning.

Title music

Paul Farrer. Being a completist, he's scored each individual roll separately, and the programme gains from such attention to detail.

Trivia

A filming session in March 2021 had to be cancelled due to the cannon refusing to fire having previously refused to fire in rehearsals, and had to be delayed to September 2021.

Web links

Wikipedia entry

See also

Weaver's Week review, which compares Moneyball to other shows with moving parts.

Feedback

To correct something on this page or post an addition, please complete this form and press "Send":
If you are asking us a question, please read our contact us page and FAQ first.

Name: E-mail:   
A Labyrinth Games site.
Design by Thomas.
Printable version
Editors: Log in