The Line (game show)

The Line
GenreGame Show
Created byHans Engholm
ITV Studios
Presented by
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes1
Production
Executive producers
  • Jim Berger
  • Patrick Jager
  • Michael Dietz
Running time88 minutes
Production companyHigh Noon Entertainment
Original release
NetworkGame Show Network
ReleaseDecember 23, 2014 (2014-12-23)

The Line is an American game show pilot co-hosted by Jeff Davis and Candace Bailey. Created by ITV Studios and produced by High Noon Entertainment, the pilot showcased contestants waiting in a "line" to enter a "vault". While in the latter, they must answer a series of eight questions to win a jackpot that grows progressively as contestants fail to answer all eight correctly. While waiting in the line, they may be chosen to perform various challenges. These can earn them additional prizes and/or a move to the front or back of the line. Critical reception for the show was mixed; one writer argued that the show's pace of gameplay was too slow, but was also pleased to see an autistic contestant compete.

Gameplay

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In the "Trivia Vault,"[1] contestants answer up to eight true-or-false questions, with each correct answer adding $250 to the jackpot. Those who answer all eight questions correctly win the entire jackpot, others who fail to do so are ejected from the vault, while the next contestant steps in and continues to play for the jackpot.[2]

While a contestant is in the vault, contestants who are waiting in the line play various mini-games.[3] The games played include passing ten people in the line through a hula-hoop, if successful, those ten move straight to the beginning of the line. Other challenges include two teams of five working as a group to move a beach ball across a track and offering random contestants the opportunity to open a red envelope that can send them to the beginning or end of the line.[2]

Production

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The Line was first mentioned March 18, 2014 at Game Show Network's (GSN's) 2014−15 upfront presentation in New York City.[4] The series, created by ITV Studios,[5] was green-lit on July 15, 2014, with Davis and Bailey being announced as co-hosts of the show.[6] When discussing the show's format, GSN's Executive Vice President of programming and development Amy Introcaso-Davis explained, "We have taken something most people dislike – waiting in line – and turned it into the most fun you have ever had, with cash, prizes and 500 new friends."[7]

The show began production in its first city (Nashville, Tennessee) on July 19, 2014,[8] continuing through July 22, 2014.[9] On November 10, 2014, GSN announced that the series, originally supposed to air as a five-episode series,[6] would instead air as a single-episode two-hour pilot on December 23, 2014.[10] The show did not air a new episode after its premiere and is subsequently presumed to be canceled.[11]

Reception

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The Line received mixed general reception. Carrie Grosvenor of About Entertainment argued that the show's pacing was a problem: "If the mini games were featured more heavily and the trivia bits moved along more quickly, the show would be much more interesting."[2] Additionally, Entertainment Tonight's Denny Directo applauded the show for allowing an autistic contestant to compete,[12] while Grosvenor called it "the highlight of the two hours for me."[2]

References

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  1. ^ The Deadline Team (July 15, 2014). "GSN Greenlights Traveling Game Show Hosted By Jeff Davis & Candace Bailey". Deadline Hollywood. PMC. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d Grosvenor, Carrie. "The Line: GSN's Event Game Show". About.com. About Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 13, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  3. ^ Torrelio, Sebastian (July 15, 2014). "GSN Greenlights Traveling Game Show The Line". Variety. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  4. ^ "GSN Gets its Game On with Significant Investment in Original Programming and Bold Development Initiative" (Press release). GSN Corporate. March 18, 2014. Archived from the original on June 15, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  5. ^ "The Line". ITV Studios. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  6. ^ a b "GSN Greenlights Traveling Game Show The Line, Hosted by Jeff Davis and Candace Bailey; Production Begins in Nashville July 19" (Press release). GSN Corporate. July 15, 2014. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  7. ^ Gibbons, Kent (July 15, 2014). "GSN Orders Traveling Game Show The Line". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  8. ^ Ng, Philiana (July 15, 2014). "GSN Orders Traveling Game Show The Line". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  9. ^ Hicks, Gregory (July 14, 2014). "GSN to film new game show The Line in Nashville". The Tennessean. Gannett Company. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  10. ^ "GSN to Debut Two-Hour Game Show Event The Line on Tuesday, December 23" (Press release). GSN Corporate. November 10, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  11. ^ "Showatch: Line, The (GSN)". The Futon Critic. Futon Media. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  12. ^ Directo, Denny (December 22, 2014). "Autistic Contestant Fulfills Game Show Dream". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
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