Studio Production: Live TV Styles, Genres & Stolen Formats

There are many different types of live styles and genres within television and these link heavily to their formats. Below are three examples of Live TV shows that all have very different styles and genres. I will provide research of these shows and compare how they are different and similar to 'The Big Movie Quiz'.  Finally this will end with a case study  debating over stolen formats. 

Pointless

'Pointless' is a quiz show similar to 'The Big Movie Quiz' by format. This is a show that involves contestants answering questions to do with a certain topic chosen by the host and co host and this allows them to build up their points.  However they are striving for the least amount of points as they are looking for a 'pointless' answer.  By this we mean the questions have been asked to 100 members of the public and these questions can have numerous answers.  The contestants are looking for the least obvious answer in order to win the game.  

This is show is broadcast at 5pm on BBC 1 and has been running since 2009.  The show is family friendly and in the style of 'anyone can play', which of course helps it's viewers ratings as its target audience is 'tea time viewers'.  This show reminds me of 'The Weakest Link' in terms of it's staging and lighting as they use similar themes but is less intense. 'The Weakest Link' is also a quiz show on general knowledge like 'Pointless' however 'The Weakest Link' is less specific in their categories. 

'The Big Movie Quiz' has a very different genre to 'Pointless' because it is much less formal and is more specific in terms of subject area.  On the other hand, it is similar to 'Pointless' through it's format of being a quiz show. It would be good to be able to take from 'Pointless' their use of audience participation.  At key moments in the show, the audience applauds and this creates a really good atmosphere when watching the show, adding to the moments where the stakes are high. 

8 Out of 10 Cats

'8 out of 10 Cats' is a comedy panel show that has been running since 2005.  It has quite dark humour and is broadcast at a similar time of 10pm to 'The Big Movie Quiz'.  Furthermore, '8 out of 10 Cats' humour is similar to that of 'The Big Movie Quiz' as this was the inspiration for the show. 

Hosted by Jimmy Carr, the show often has many moments of Ad lib creating spontaneous comedic moments.  This is different to 'The Big Movie Quiz' because nearly everything is scripted for our host to learn.  The reason behind this is because we don't have the opportunity to have a famous comedian host, therefore to take the pressure off of our host and to make sure that we are safely within the OFCOM Broadcast Code, we have a full scripted Host. 

'The Big Movie Quiz' was originally similar in satire to this program however, as the show has developed it has become more of it's own genre therefore most of the satire similar to '8 out of 10 Cats' has been removed. 

Take Me Out

'Take Me Out' is a dating show that has been broadcast since 2009 and is similar to 'The Big Movie Quiz' through its upbeat style and very involved presenter.  Hosted by Paddy McGuinness, 'Take Me Out' involves multiple women 'battling it out' to win the male's fancy once he comes down the elevator and into the show.  The idea is that the male will reveal a lot about himself through VTs and a 'show and tell' section, and the girls will decide whether or not they want to go on a date with him by turning their light off if they don't want to. 

McGuinness takes a very active role throughout this show by being the male's "wing-man" and the women's "shoulder to cry on" if they are not chosen.  He also asks lots of questions to the women about why they have or have not kept their light on for the male contestant and it allows them to feel a great part of the show. 

'The Big Movie Quiz's" genre and format is very different to this show however the style is quite similar in terms of how the show is executed with their lights and very upbeat mood.  Also the host we are hoping to get is one that will play a very active role throughout the duration of the show. 

Stolen Formats:  Simon Cowell and Gary Barlow

We are all aware of Simon Cowell and his numerous television shows involving many contestants in a talent competition, well because of this, Cowell has managed to create his very own format which is what his shows like 'The X Factor' and 'Britain's Got Talent' run from.  Recently Gary Barlow has released his new show 'Let it Shine' which has caused some big issues for Simon Cowell.  

Over the past few months, Simon Cowell has been in a large debate with Gary Barlow over whether or not Barlow's show is too similar to   Cowell's format without his authorisation.  Cowell went to force Barlow into a legal battle for infringement of Cowell's rights however he soon dropped the legal action as lawyers allegedly said "it would be too difficult to prove".  

This goes to show how important a format is and making sure that you are very different to what your inspiration show was.  'The Big Movie Quiz' has developed far enough that it wouldn't be classed as 'stealing a format' but is developing it into something new.  

For a show like 'Take Your Pick' it allegedly had its format stolen from them by 'Deal or No Deal' which went on to be a very successful show hosted by Noel Edmunds. Luckily for 'Deal or No Deal', there were no legal complications arisen by 'Take Your Pick'.