The Krypton Factor (US game show)
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| The Krypton Factor | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Game show |
| Starring | Dick Clark (1981) Willie Aames (1990-1991) |
| Country of origin |  United States |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | ABC, Syndication |
| Original run | August 7, 1981 – September 7, 1991 |
The Krypton Factor was a United States game show based on the UK series of the same name.
Contents |
[edit] Broadcast History
The show went through two runs. The first ran on ABC in a month-long summer run from August 7, 1981 - September 4, 1981. The second ran in syndication for one year from September 15, 1990 - September 7, 1991.
[edit] Personnel
Dick Clark hosted the ABC version while Willie Aames hosted the 90's syndicated version.
[edit] Premise
This program was where contestants were tested on their mental ability, and their physical skill.
[edit] Gameplay (1981)
Four contestants competed for cash in gold in this version.
[edit] Round 1
The players played a video game in which success earned them each five points.
[edit] Round 2
The players were faced with taking two mental ability tests. Each contestant wore headphones so only they can hear the questions.
[edit] Test #1
A series of five numbers was presented to each player, and in turn they have to give the next number in line on each one. Successfully doing so earned each player four points.
[edit] Test #2
A series of six letters was presented to each player, and in turn they have to give the next letter in line on each one. Successfully doing so earned each player six points. Sometimes they were given words and/or phrases from a category in a particular order, and the players have to give the same list in reverse order to get the six points.
A possible 10 points total can be earned by each player, but if anytime any player made a mistake, they have to sit out the rest of the round.
[edit] Round 3
This round featured an obstacle course run that was pretaped in advance. The contestants earned points according to how they finished.
[edit] Round 4
In the forth round, the players were tested on memory. For they were shown a scene from a motion picture, and they were asked questions about it. Earning points for each correct answer.
[edit] Final Round
In the final round, the contestants were asked a series of general knowledge questions for the next three minutes (3:00). Each correct answer was worth two points, but each incorrect answer was worth minus two points, with the values doubling to +/-4 points midway through the round.
The player with the most points at the end of the competition won $5,000 in gold, plus an invitation to the final week to compete against the other weekly winners for a grand prize $50,000 in gold.
[edit] Gameplay (1990)
When the show returned, the show stayed the same except the contestants were now children. Each one competed for a grand prize of $20,000.
[edit] Round 1
Each player was asked two 10 point-questions & one five point bonus question. For a maximum total (for each player) of 25 points.
[edit] Round 2
This round was played like round four in the original version; for this was where players were tested on memory. For they were shown a scene from a classic movie, and they were asked questions about it. Each correct answer was worth 10 points. There was also a bonus round in which the players tried to identify an object from the film with the help of five clues. A correct answer was still worth 10 points.
[edit] Round 3
Like in the ABC version, this round featured an obstacle course run that was pretaped in advance. The contestants earned points according to how they finished, and here's how:
1st Place - 20 points
2nd Place - 15 points
3rd Place - 10 points
4th Place - 5 points
[edit] Final Round
The final round was played like the original, the contestants were asked a series of general knowledge questions, except the round now lasted for two minutes (2:00). Each correct answer was worth five points, but each incorrect answer was worth minus two points.
The player with the most points at the end of the game won prizes, plus an invitation to the next round of competition.
The winner at the end of the season won the $20,000 grand prize.
[edit] Note
- A pilot for a new version for the FOX Network was made with Pat O'Brien as host. But it never made it as a series.
