|
Published: January 02, 2009 07:15 am
TV: Tonawanda native featured in so-so 'Game Show'
In watching an advance DVD of this week’s debut episodes of “Game Show in My Head,” I couldn’t help but be reminded of a particularly sinister episode of “The Simpsons.”
In “Homer vs. Dignity,” Homer’s boss Mr. Burns gets amusement out of paying Homer to perform increasingly stunts on an unsuspecting public. Burns has his “prank monkey” throw pudding at other people, destroy valuable collectibles and ask strangers to change his oversized diaper.
Just as Burns cackled throughout that episode, I could envision “Game Show” producer Ashton Kutcher (of “Punk’d” fame) falling on the floor laughing as he waved five-figure checks in front of the show’s contestants, who have to put themselves into similarly awkward circumstances.
Does that make for bad television? Not exactly. But it is kind of uncomfortable to watch.
“Game Show” puts a person on the street with an earpiece, through which host Joe Rogan (”Fear Factor”) barks out oddball tasks to be completed within a certain timeframe. Each task that’s fulfilled nets the contestant a cash prize, with a particularly challenging final stunt resulting in the contestant’s prize pool to that point being doubled.
The second of Saturday’s two debut episodes sees Town of Tonawanda native Craig Scime (pronounced “shu-MAY”) at Rogan’s whim. Among his tasks are to get a man to come to his apartment to hang out, find two strangers to lie in front of a camera during his “news report” about alien visitors and convince someone to stand in for a foreign diplomat from a fictitious country.
The toughest task of the night belonged to Shalisse Pekarcik, who in the first episode of the night had to con a man — any man — into marrying her.
There is some entertainment value to this show. I won’t give away which tasks were completed, but it’s shocking to see what some people will do for a stranger on the street — even as they protest what they’re getting talked into doing.
And seeing the contestants forced to think on their feet is good for a few laughs, as some of the tasks required them to concoct crazy stories to get people to play along.
The idea is one that will get old quickly, though. What’s funny at first soon becomes something that you can no longer look at. A potential top prize of $50,000 is far from chump change, but as you watch “Game Show” it soon comes into question whether that money is worth the dignity that the contestants lose by taking part.
As for the program itself, “Game Show” feels awfully rushed. You’re quickly whisked from task to task without any time to contemplate what just happened. And aside from a very quick introduction to open the show, no time is devoted to interviewing the contestants; even a 30-second snippet such as you see on “Jeopardy!” would suffice, but you really don’t learn anything about them.
If I had to guess, I’d say that “Game Show” can expect a rather short shelf life. The show is not altogether horrid, but it’s a long way from being excellent.
Contact editor Paul Laneat 693-1000, ext. 116.
IF YOU WATCH
WHAT: “Game Show in My Head”
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
CHANNEL: CBS (Channel 4)
GRADE: C+
|
|
|
Photos
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Direct Support Professional
DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL (DSP) – RESIDENTIAL Are you interested in exploring a career that will help individuals...>MORE
Truck Driver
TRUCK DRIVER: Local /OTR 200 mile radius. Must have dump trailer experience. 867-4663...>MORE
LPN's / GPN's
LPN’s / GPN’s - Northgate HCF, a busy long term and rehab facility currently has PT/FT positions available on 2nd and 3r...>MORE
Service greeter
Service greeter wanted, part time temp assignment for 4-8 wks. Mon. Tues. Thurs. 5-9, Sat. 9-5. Apply with in David Ch...>MORE
Occupational Therapist
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST. Full-time day position. NYS license and registration required. Send resume or apply: Employment ...>MORE
In Bound Sales
In Bound Telesales! Altitude Marketing is one of DISH Network’s top national retailers and has immediate FT positi...>MORE
RNs
Spherion Open Positions! Retail Sales & Cleaners Needed! Meet Our Recruiter: ***Monday 7/6***...>MORE
Nurses
NURSES RNs & LPNs
We have assignments available in home care & staffing. Interim Health Care...>MORE
Housekeeping Aide
Housekeeping Aide. Day shift. Must be able to work a flexible schedule to include some week-ends and holidays. Dependabl...>MORE
Sales Support
20 yr old industry leader, is expanding thru-out USA. Sales support position in our N. Falls, NY office. Salary, 8:30-5...>MORE
See all ads |
Ford Escape XLT 2001
FORD ESCAPE XLT 2001, remote start, new catalytic converter, 116K, $3800 or best offer. 480-3031...>MORE
Chevrolet 2002 Cavalier
CHEVROLET 2002 CAVALIER with 80,00 miles. Must see! Well maintained! Silver ext., Gray int., 2DR, Automatic, Fro...>MORE
1994 Pontiac Sunbird
PONTIAC 1994 Sunbird conv. V6, EC in & out, red w/blk top, wht int., CD, real sharp. $2850. 523-7102...>MORE
Olds 2001 Intrigue
Olds 2001 Intrigue, 130k runs great, leather, sun roof clean inside/out. $3000or BO. 628-6295...>MORE
2000 Chevy S-10
CHEVY 2000 S-10 pick up, 2.2L, 5 spd, ext cab, EC in & out, CD, cold AC, great gas mi. $2750. 523-7102...>MORE
1950 Plymouth Custom
PLYMOUTH 1950 Custom, 4 dr, good shape, $1,500/BO. 795-0074...>MORE
Pontiac 2004 Grand prix GT
PONTIAC 2004 Grand Prix GT 4 door, good cond, $8000, 998-5596...>MORE
Cashiers
CASHIERS - Looking for cashiers for convenience store in Wrights Corners. Call 689-0600 ext. 31. ...>MORE
Audi 1988 A6 Sedan
Audi 1998 A6 Sedan with 160k miles. Charcoal ext., Tan int., 4DR, Automatic, AWD, 6 Cylinder, Gas engine. Pow...>MORE
1990 Chevy 2500
1990 CHEVY 2500 pick up, fresh paint, 160k mi, good runner, 4WD, ext cab, $2500, 716-572-9153...>MORE
See all ads |
|
See all ads |
|
 |
|