New game show has U.S., U.K. models

Press, 8 October 1987, Page 11

New game show has U.S., U.K. models

“Every Second Counts,** a New Zealand TV game show, goes to air for the first time tonight at 750 on Two with Paul Henry as its presenter.

The show is modelled on British and American programmes of the same name, which have been overwhelming successes in the popularity stakes, particularly in Britain, where “Every Second Counts,** rated twelfth in the top 100 programmes last year.

The producer/director John Wansbrough attributes the show’s mass appeal to audience participation, as viewers at home can test themselves against the contestants.

In “Every Second Counts,** three couples (not necessarily married) compete against the clock for major prizes, accumulating seconds for

every correct answer to general knowledge questions. Couples usually have a choice of topics; for instance, they might choose between questions on rock music or gardening. . The couple with the greatest number of seconds after two full

rounds trades their score off in four final rounds of questions, winning a major prize with every correct set answered. Quick answers give the contestants more time to play with.

The British show attracts couples with prizes like dishwashers, microwave ovens, video recorders and “dinner a deux” of champagne and smoked salmon delivered to the winners* address.

In America, the top prize is a shiny new sports car, in which the successful couple drive away.

Wansbrough says the New Zealand deluxe prize will be even better — a 11-day trip for two to Tahiti with SSW spending money is on offer each week for the winning couple. Losers take home an “Every Second Counts” clock.