Pictionary
(Review's based on the Week, usual green light to re-write.) |
(→Trivia: I'm minded to end this para at "Lingo", the exception doesn't alter or reinforce the rule.) |
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Celebrities booked for the first series were: [[Jeff Brazier]], [[Denise Van Outen]], [[Scarlett Moffatt]], Laurence Llewellyn Bowen, Hayley Tammaddon, Daniel Whiston, Eddie Kadi, Jeannette Kwakye, Angela Scanlon, [[Brian Conley]]. | Celebrities booked for the first series were: [[Jeff Brazier]], [[Denise Van Outen]], [[Scarlett Moffatt]], Laurence Llewellyn Bowen, Hayley Tammaddon, Daniel Whiston, Eddie Kadi, Jeannette Kwakye, Angela Scanlon, [[Brian Conley]]. | ||
| - | The show had an unusual premiere starting with two Christmas specials on 23 December at 5.30pm and 26 December at 5.40pm. The 23 regular episodes went out from 6 January 2025 at 2.30pm, usually hammocked by an unusually early | + | The show had an unusual premiere starting with two Christmas specials on 23 December at 5.30pm and 26 December at 5.40pm. The 23 regular episodes went out from 6 January 2025 at 2.30pm, usually hammocked by an unusually early [[Tipping Point|Tipping Point Best Ever Finals]] and [[Lingo]]. That's with the exception of the edition broadcast on 20 January, which preceded [[Deal or No Deal]] so ITV could cover "America's Got [[The Apprentice|Apprentice]] Hosts" ''[i.e. the US Presidential Inauguration -Ed.]''. |
== See also == | == See also == | ||
Current revision as of 11:40, 9 February 2025
Synopsis
Two teams battle against each other in the classic sketching and guessing game. It's a very easy show to understand - Mel describes it as
- One person draws, and their team-mates try and guess what it is. And at the end, the team with the most points goes on to play for up to £1000 and a holiday. Woo!
Mel's lectern reminds us what show we're watching.
A celebrity team captain is joined by a pair of ordinary people - married couples, siblings, best friends, that kind of thing.
Round one is "Sketch or Steal". In turn, each of the players steps up to Mel's podium, where there's an electronic tablet for them to draw. What's on the tablet appears on a video screen above their head. Our drawer has fifteen seconds to convey an idea or thing, and scores 100 points if their team can name the thing on the card within the time – with as many guesses as they can fit in. Run out of time, the opponents can pilfer half the points with their one guess.
Scarlett Moffatt draws a sink, and scores.
All of the items in round one are linked by a common category. When it's finished, a different category provides the things for round two, and the points are doubled: 200 for a right answer, 100 if passed over.
The advert break, then it's "Choose Your Words": each team are given a list of five words, and pick three for the other side to draw. The team get a communal clock of 60 seconds; if they're completely flummoxed they can pass and come back if there's time later.
Each correct answer is worth 1000 points. Whichever team does better in this round will win the game, no further questions; the first half was a massive tie-break for the second half. The losing side get a consolation prize – a Pictionary board game.
For the final, both captains fit onto one sofa.
The winning side play "Cash For Pictures" – identify up to six items in a minute-and-a-half. Three right is worth £500, five right is £1000, and six right adds a luxury break at a resort (and Mel is sure to announce the prize with a description full of advertiser's copy). For this round, the team is joined by the celebrity from the other side, so there are three people trying to guess.
Adjudication is harsh and petty. On one episode, they don't accept "jetty" for "pier" at the beach, don't allow "stelescope" for "telescope", don't take "cup of tea" for "tea cup", and we're sure the contestant said "mop and bucket" for "mop and bucket" but the judge didn't hear it.
Pictionary is a party game with a heritage, older viewers will have the nostalgia of playing, and the idea's simple to pick up. The television show is remarkably staid: applause is quite clearly out of a can, Mel's hushed voice makes it sound like we're trespassing in a rich person's house – and the time's up jingle the loudest thing on the show. Older viewers will also remember the laugh-a-minute Win, Lose or Draw: on Pictionary, we might get a half-stifled chuckle.
We'll give ITV some credit, Pictionary was their first half-hour daytime series in over a decade, and it gives them something to show in awkward 30 minute gaps. Other than that, nobody noticed the show had been made.
Catchphrases
"Fifteen seconds on the clock. Ready? Sketch!"
Inventor
Based on the board game of the same name by Mattel.
Theme music
Paul Farrer
Trivia
Filmed at Enfys Studios in Cardiff.
Celebrities booked for the first series were: Jeff Brazier, Denise Van Outen, Scarlett Moffatt, Laurence Llewellyn Bowen, Hayley Tammaddon, Daniel Whiston, Eddie Kadi, Jeannette Kwakye, Angela Scanlon, Brian Conley.
The show had an unusual premiere starting with two Christmas specials on 23 December at 5.30pm and 26 December at 5.40pm. The 23 regular episodes went out from 6 January 2025 at 2.30pm, usually hammocked by an unusually early Tipping Point Best Ever Finals and Lingo. That's with the exception of the edition broadcast on 20 January, which preceded Deal or No Deal so ITV could cover "America's Got Apprentice Hosts" [i.e. the US Presidential Inauguration -Ed.].
