Exploring the conventions of quiz shows

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Exploring the conventions of quiz shows

This essay will be exploring the conventions of two different quiz shows . The weakest link and the wheel of fortune. Quiz shows are a type of game show were you answer questions or you take part in some sort of competition were you win either money or prizes. This essay will compare the two shows similarities and differences taking into account the rules and the host etc .The weakest links presenter is Ann Robinson The audience of this show is aimed at a family audience. The weakest link has been running for about four years (since 2000) and started of being on BBC one at prime time TV, but has since moved to BBC 2 at around five pm. The other quiz show I will be looking at is the wheel of fortune who’s presenter is Nicky Cambell . The wheel of fortune is also aimed at a family audience ,and has been running for about fourteen years. Set very old fashioned in about 1990. The wheel of fortune also started of on prime time TV on Carlton but has now moved to satellite television at about midday

        Both the host play the main roles in the dhows but they have completely different personalities. The host in the weakest link ( Ann Robinson ) isn’t the nicest of presenters. She is very mean upfront and intimidating. She faces the contestants with a very stern face she never smiles or laughs which makes the contestants very nervous. This is completely different with the wheel of fortunes Nicky Cambell. He is very flirtatious and polite with all of the contestants .He likes to chat to them about there family and he also gets very close to them by putting his hand on there shoulder and so on. This makes the contestants very relaxed because all they need to think about is the game now not impressing the host and getting on there side etc.

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        The set and the lighting in the two shows are very different. In the weakest link the lighting is very dark with the spotlight putting a lot of pressure on the contestants .the wheel of fortunes lighting is very bright with no spotlights anywhere this puts a relaxed and happy feel to the whole show .the lighting also stays the same all the way through so the feel to the show stays happy .The two sets are very different as well . The weakest links set is based a lot around the presenter which puts even more pressure on them. ...

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