Another failed revival. I’m baffled as to how they could balls up the physical round, but they succeeded with POV shots and a lack of real-time.

Mental Agility may have lost them viewers from the off. While it’s encouraging that the show hasn’t dumbed down, it’s probably not the best round to open with these days.

Bring back Gordon, the flight-sim and the original music. And sort out the assault course.

> Bring back Gordon, the flight-sim and the original music. And sort out the assault course.

To be fair, the flight sim was never in the heats, so once we get the finals it might show up. It’d be silly to ignore it, as it was second only to the assualt course popularity wise.

I have a feeling the BBC wouldn’t let Gordy present this, even if he wanted to. But yes, I’m with you on everything here, Cappsy. I found the MA round hard to follow, because it wasn’t very well explained, and had far too many graphics and sound effects, so I was annoyed every 7 seconds or so. Did anyone see the female contestant get out of the Cube? That door was bloody wobbly, further emphasising what a waste of budget it was.

If they were going to open with something else, it would have to be Response or Intelligence, as I don’t think anything else would fit.

Oh, and I was pleased the Cambridge student didn’t win, because he seemed to be acting like the sort of tit who likes to win everything, and because he was beaten by the oldest contestant in General Knowledge, which made me cheer because I’m closer to his age than m’laddo’s. Ahem.

> I have a feeling the BBC wouldn’t let Gordy present this

Ah, I wasn’t aware he was currently a BBC man (I should’ve checked that, really). It’d be nice to know if he was asked, though.

I should get over Ben Shepherd, though, as it could’ve been *so* much worse. Vernon Kaye leaps instantly to mind.

> I found the MA round hard to follow, because it wasn’t very well explained, and had far too many graphics and sound effects, so I was annoyed every 7 seconds or so. Did anyone see the female contestant get out of the Cube? That door was bloody wobbly, further emphasising what a waste of budget it was.

I think once they’ve got a series out of the way they could justify fixing the MA round, provided that they actually see it as a weakness. But really all it needs to simplify the formula of the questions a little and have them answer the questions from their seats.

I’d like to see it anyway.

I think you’re being a tad harsh - I shared a few of your concerns, but thought it was pretty good overall. The Observation Round using Emmerdale didn’t bother me at all, because the format of the quiz element was very good. Mental Agility was perhaps a little too difficult, but at that stage I was just relieved that they hadn’t made it too easy. The Intelligence and General Knowledge rounds were an unqualified success.

I do agree completely about the Physical Ability round - it’s the only part of the show that didn’t work at all for me. In addition to what’s already been said, it was fucking stupid of them to design it so they could only go through two at a time. It’s difficult enough trying to get a sense of the race when it’s so edited down, but cutting between two different races? No chance. And it’s wrong that the first person over the line could turn out not to be the winner. There needs to be a tape being broken, and a load of army blokes applauding.

(As for the lack of Response round, maybe they could swap it in for either the Intelligence or Observation rounds when it gets to the semis? The flight simulator is as iconic a part of the show as the assault course, and they’d be foolish to skip it completely.)

Overall I liked it because it was so much in the same spirit as the original. (This is in stark contrast to Gladiators, which portrays its eponymous stars as a collection of absolute tosspieces, rather than a set of loveable heroes that one could aspire too.) It was not only faithful in the actual gameplay, but in little details like the contestants being red, green, yellow and blue, and in the scores being announced thusly: “Our new leader, with a Krypton Factor of XX, is the [occupation] from [town], [name]!”

One thing I didn’t like was the set - I thought it was too dark and claustrophobic. It’s the vogue for current gameshows to have sets like that (thanks to The Weakest Link), but they’re usually used to create atmosphere for audienceless shows. I feel that The Krypton Factor, with its studio audience and its focus on personal achievement rather than any of the shafting-your-opponent antics of other shows, should have a nice, bright, friendly set.

But yes - I liked it. So fuck you.

Thing is, I can see the discussion that led to each detrimental change, and as ever it’s predicated on improving things - no matter how often they failed. The assault course was rotten - for all the reasons you’ve mentioned - but the logic behind the changes is…reasonable.

In theory, POV gets you closer to the contestant experience. The course shape and shooting style makes it easy to avoid having to play the round in real time (where everyone ends up walking exhaustedly rather than running). And the course design makes it less ‘TV programme’ and more ‘real life army training’-ish.

Kills the whole thing stone dead, of course. Fucks it royally up. But unintentionally.

> The Observation Round using Emmerdale didn’t bother me at all, because the format of the quiz element was very good.

I really wasn’t keen on them taking the quiz route with this round. I can actually see why they changed it as the presenter just saying what how many they got right isn’t as interesting, but… well I just liked it more the way it was.

> Mental Agility was perhaps a little too difficult, but at that stage I was just relieved that they hadn’t made it too easy.

Yeah, one of my main fears was dumbing down and I’m pleased that’s not happened, but almost everything else about that round is so disastrous. Equally as disastrous as the assault course, in fact. And that’s why, as a whole, I’m more disappointed than pleased, because the horrid changes far out-weigh the stuff they haven’t fucked up.

I liked the MA round, but that’s because after being completely baffled by it first time round, I totally clicked into it from the second guy onwards, and whupped all their arses.

I’m also very glad the “Cambridge University student” (are they going to name everyone’s university, or was he just being a prick?) lost, because he really did look like a prize twat.

Agree with the concerns about the assault course, it was an unmitigated disaster. Everything else was kind of alright (and I liked the set and graphics), but there really should have been a Response round of SOME sort, because without it they’re basically skewing the fine balance of skills that the original had.

I dunno, the buzzers in the Observation and General Knowledge round pretty effectively replace the non-flight sim Response round tests ;)

I agree with Ian Symes. Well done Ian Symes!

I wasn’t all that bothered about the loss of Response (it wasn’t added until 1986, anyway), but I do think it needs a second physical hand/foot/eye/reaction based test. Someone suggested something Bemani-esque on Bother’s Bar, and I don’t think that’s the worst idea in the world. Dance Dance Revolution Krypton Factor Edition!

And where do you do your research, Jonathan? It was the flight sim all the way from 1988 onwards.

> And where do you do your research, Jonathan? It was the flight sim all the way from 1988 onwards.

Fuck, I knew only re-watching the 1987 series and going off my own childhood memory was going to bite me on the bum eventually. I’m almost up to 1988.

So, not much chance of it turning up in a semi or final, then? Bugger.

Challenge didn’t used to have the rights to 1987, they’d usually show 88 onwards and find some way to edit a break into it. But I’m so glad they do now, because for me it represents the show at its crazy best. Elimination mental agility rounds! Weird studio based response tests! Double Take! Creative building based intelligence tests! People hurting themselves on the assault course! Lengthy general knowledge round! All marvellous, although being flown to Florida to “do” a space shuttle sim in the ‘88 final was quite good as well.

Anyway, you’re all probably dying to see what the US version was like:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9gaNRpZ6bqE