I love quirky and unique game shows as much as the next guy, but can you really base a whole show off of people trying to fit their bodies into a shape in a wall before they get pushed into a pool of water? FOX thinks so, with their new game show Hole in the Wall. I know it's a huge hit overseas, I just don't get why. Maybe if the challenge were just one of several different types of challenges in a show, it'd be more compelling.
If every week on Survivor the challenge was to stand on a pole out in the water until you were the last man standing ... every week the same thing ... I think that show would have gone off the air a long time ago. And yet, FOX seems to think we can watch this for an hour a week and keep tuning in. Of course, we keep tuning into Deal or No Deal which is basically just picking briefcases so maybe we can.
I recorded the sneak preview after Fringe a couple of nights ago and watched it last night. After a few minutes, everything about the show started to annoy me. First there are those bizarre silver almost-spandex outfits the contestants wear. And the contestants themselves are so over-the-top and "enthusiastic" they seem almost scripted. Oh, and I had to mute the show because if I heard Mark Thompson try one more time to make a catchphrase out of "It's time to face the hole!" I was going to book a flight to Hollywood and turn his face into a hole!
There was nothing about this show that would make me want to watch it every week. Even Brooke Burns wasn't a hot enough distraction. The only curiosity factor for me, and I found myself scanning through all the crap to get to it, was the opportunity to see the next wall and see if they can get through it. Which means I can probably watch the whole thing in less than five minutes. But maybe it's just me. Maybe this is the next great American game show.
Did you catch the preview? Are you tuning in again tonight to the true premiere (8/7pm Central Time)? Are you building a giant "Hole in the Wall" set in your backyard so you can train to be on the show? I did see a clip of an episode where they had a fat girl facing the wall, and the shape in the wall was one that she would never be able to do because of her size. Isn't that discrimination? She should sue!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-11-2008 @ 7:37PM
Oreo said...
Wasn't the first episode on Sunday and not after Fridge.
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9-11-2008 @ 7:56PM
Manda said...
"Of course, we keep tuning into Deal or No Deal which is basically just picking suitcases so maybe we can."
I love that! That's exactly why that show annoys the hell out of me. And watching my family just sit on the edge of their seats telling me why this person is stupid or smart or greedy or what have you. HATETHATSHOW!!!!!
Love the hole in the wall show though. Why can't they just import the originals? Much funnier.
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9-11-2008 @ 8:09PM
lucyfan62 said...
Yeah, the first sneak was Sunday, the second was Tuesday, the actual premiere is tonight (Thursday). I watched Sunday too, but didn't find it nearly as entertaining as WIPEOUT. The contestants were too over-the-top and the announcer guy was annoying and Brooke's shouting instead of hosting was grating. I deleted the show from my DVR. Fox believes this is their "Survivor" Killer! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Now THAT'S funny!
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9-11-2008 @ 8:11PM
lucyfan62 said...
And I don't watch DEAL OR NO DEAL anymore either - because it is just greedy people picking briefcases (not suitcases!) and not knowing when to stop! Everyone who can't stop when they know they should deserves to go home with a penny!
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9-11-2008 @ 8:58PM
GL said...
I once watched the asian version in a two minute clip on youtube and laughed. Naturally they should make a whole freakin show out of it.
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9-11-2008 @ 9:31PM
Tim said...
I have developed the fast forward technique... Well ok I haven't "developed" it, but I fast forward through all of the filler they have, and just watch these people try and contort themselves through the holes... I got through last night's 30 min episode in 6 minutes. I do the same thing when American Gladiators is on.
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9-11-2008 @ 11:17PM
Peanut said...
I've only seen commercials, so there's probably a rule about it, but wouldn't the best way to get through any of the walls be to dive straight at the middle of the hole?
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9-12-2008 @ 9:30AM
GigG said...
No a rule against it just no one yet has not been too fat to do it.
Rerun's daughter has a striking resemblance to him.
9-12-2008 @ 10:03AM
jaems said...
Me too. It actually has a few good, laugh-out-loud moments when you do it this way.
peace.
9-12-2008 @ 12:06AM
Cyantre said...
If you get pushed into the pool of water it should contain some sort-of chemical to make the contestants sterile. That way, years from now, future generations won't have to endure or lower themselves to such outright stupidity.
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9-12-2008 @ 5:11AM
Matt said...
I have missed Phil Hartman so much that I couldn't help but love this show. It's hosted by Troy McClure! What's not to like?
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9-12-2008 @ 10:16AM
chadwick said...
Dude that was the dumbess funniest crap I have seen in a while. These people are so stupid I cannot help but laugh at them. That's the only reason to watch. These fat people trying to go thru these holes is a kill. It's not my fault they look awful in these suits. I mean come on guys you all laughed your ass off too. That fat girl tried to fit in that rectangle? I about pissed myself. However I could only suffer thru a half an hour before I started watching the disappointing True Blood.
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9-12-2008 @ 12:55PM
Mike said...
Lets not forget the wonderful production values of the Sunday episode. At one point when they were giving a rundown of a contestant on the "beer bellies" the screen graphics listed him on the "six pack" team. Its so bad that the directors and editors can't even watch the whole show close enough to catch such an obvious mistake.
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9-12-2008 @ 3:23PM
djbuhhda said...
this show is a commercial show. i put it on this show during commercials from BB *which is over tuesday (go dan!!)* and stuff like that i would never watch this show just straight out, cuz i'd probly just commit suicide.
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9-12-2008 @ 5:56PM
vacelts said...
I agree with you. The show left me feeling like I had a hole in my head. I can't believe that I got sucked into watching in three separate times. I don't know why. But it's brain draining.
http://redlightnaps.wordpress.com/2008/09/12/hole-in-the-wall/
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9-13-2008 @ 2:27AM
JW said...
I found the show to be boring, especially after watching Fringe. They should have went ahead and just made Fringe two hours instead. I think the concept of Hole in the Wall is a good idea, but it just looks like some local station took their studio and turned it into a game show and the green water? Why? Lets make it slime instead if it is going to be green. I and "Time to face the hole!" is pretty funny because it could really mean it is time to face the hole, or it could be taken the wrong way... but the show just needs something added to it. Maybe Regis Philbin?
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9-14-2008 @ 11:53PM
John said...
You know why it is popular overseas? Here is why!
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=5z4zrJURkLI
Do we see the difference here? Overseas they have HOT girls in bikinis. Here we have fat guys in spandex. Need I say more...
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