THE ULTIMATE LIST OF UNSCRIPTED GENRES (1/3)
Some MipCom's line-ups from Korea, Belgium and Japan
It is often difficult to frame an unscripted format within a precise genre. This is because genres are by definition fluid, and also because the tendency to hybridise different genres has always been a typical feature of unscripted. However, it must also be said that there are more than a few - even among insiders - who are not very clear about genres, partly because there is very little serious publication on the subject.
The list of genres I propose in this and the next two Friday Espresso's is not intended to be normative or to lay down rigid rules (which would be impossible anyway), but simply to try to provide some clarity in an area where discretion is the norm.
THE ULTIMATE LIST OF UNSCRIPTED GENRES (part 1)
GAME SHOW
An 'umbrella' definition for all formats (both studio-based and on location) that have these 3 defining elements: a prize to be won, players (one or more) competing to win this prize, a 'battlefield' for this competition (general knowledge, physical tests, intuition, etc.).
Within this, there are several sub-genres, usually based on how the challenge between competitors is presented:
Quiz
Questions to competitors are explicit, presuppose competence and are generally based on general culture. Es. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Light Quiz / Guessing Game
Questions are about intuition and not general culture. Es. Identity - Guess My Age
Alea
Games where only luck matters. Es. Deal Or Not Deal - Flip a Coin
Logical game
Questions are based on logical thinking. Es. The Link - The Common Denominator
Musical game
The questions are related to the musical universe (recognising a song from a few notes, guessing the performer of a certain song...). Es. Name That Tune - Beat Shazam
Action game
There are no questions, but physical tests (strength, skill, agility, etc.). Es. Ninja Warrior - American Gladiators
Adventure game
Games played 'on the move', i.e. where participants move from one geographical point to another without a fixed location. Es. Peking Express - Destination X
Panel game
A game with a panel of celebrities whose presence is almost more important than the mechanics of the game itself. Es. The Hollywood Squares
COMPETITION SHOW
An even more general definition than 'game show' (with which it is sometimes confused). It should be used when the focus is on competition (as in the game), but there are also elements and 'flavours' that do not belong to the ‘classic’ game world.
For example, in The Climb there is a competition between free climbers, but there are some peculiar elements that do not make it 100% comparable to a game. The competition is related to a specific skill/sport (like a talent show), there are some elements of interaction between the participants that are typical of a reality show... It is therefore more correct to call it a ‘competition show’.
In Zero Sum Game there is also a competition: the contestants must maintain the body weight they had at the beginning of the programme. But here, too, the physical tests are accompanied by dynamics that are more typical of the world of reality shows, so the term 'competition show' is more appropriate.
More generally, the term 'competition show' can be used to refer to those 'hybrid' formats in which a competition is central but other elements are also present. For example, Parental Guidance is a competition (with a final winner) between different parenting styles (e.g. helicopter parents, tiger parents, routine parents...). If there were a 'simple' description of these different styles, it would be a factual programme, but the presence of the game element makes it a 'competition show'.
To be continued…
MIPCOM LINE UPS
MipCom is approaching and all the prodcos/distributors are presenting their novelties that they will bring to the market. It is not possible to present them all, so we will only talk about some formats that we like, taken here and there, without trying to be exhaustive. Sometimes, as in this case, we play on contrasts, because the beauty of formats is that you can find everything and the opposite of everything...
The Korean independent Tv format agency Something Special recently announced their new slate with five new formats, among which stand out Unforgettable Duet - a heartfelt series about the power of music, family, and memories, created and produced by Something Special and Eun-seol Mo, in association with Studio Rudolph.
Unforgettable Duet follows dementia patients as their families collect mementos and favorite songs to help them remember the past. Together, they ride on a memory bus filled with these deeply personal mementos, which reveal long-forgotten life moments for each of the participants.
The show then enters the studio with an emotional duet performance by the patient and family member, followed by a heartfelt tribute song to the participant by popular singing artists. This emotional experience helps the patient and their family remember what is truly important.
Completely different in 'flavour', purpose and genre is the fun (and funny) action game Ultimate Celebrity Car Park Showdown, produced by Belgian prodco Woestijnvis and distributed by Primitives, which premiered on 30 September on Play4.
The twist of the show is that celebrities compete in an underground parking lot, and skills like endurance or concentration are hilariously irrelevant. In an anonymous underground parking garage, the procution secretly organised ruthless camps between three celebrities each episode, each time with three assignments that are so ingenious that they could even seem simple to the human eye.
The celebs can bring someone to help them: a friend, colleague or god forbid an unknown person, but at least someone who can help them to be crowned 'Celebrity of the Year'
JAPANESE FANS FIGHT CLUB
Finally, while we are on the subject of MipCom, let us not forget Japan, whose formats will be showcased in the special Japanese Format Showcase - Treasure Box Japan (TBJ) - on Monday 21 October from 4pm to 5pm.
It is impossible to list all their diverse formats, from studio-based game shows to outdoor physical challenges and documentary-style programmes. Amongst them, I will just pick out Tv Asahi's Celebrity Fight Club, co-developed with Youngest Media.
Each episode of this fun competition show pits two fun-loving celebrity friends against each other in an entertainment showdown. Each has recruited 25 of their fans to compete in a series of head-turning challenges, each requiring one or more of them. Each successful fan wins their team money and stays in the game.
Those still standing will compete in a penultimate head-to-head - the more fans left, the greater the advantage. The winners go on to the final, and this time it's the celebrity who's up against them. Will they win the money for their deserving fans?
NEWS IN A NUTSHELL
British darts-themed quiz show Bullseye is set to return to STV for a Christmas special with the cricketing legend Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff as host
Famiglie Italiane, the local title of the new adaptation of Family Feud produced by Fremantle Italia premiered last Monday 7 October on La 7
Banijay Italia is producing L'Amore è cieco: Italia for Netflix, adapted from the US dating show Love Is Blind
The game-show Pasapalabra, a hit on Spanish Antena 3, returns to Chilevisión on Wednesday 16 October
Swiss German broadcaster SRF has commissioned a local adaptation of Danish format Alone Together, to be produced locally by B&B Endemol Shine – part of Banijay Germany.
