Crisis Control

Crisis Control is a BBC children's game show.
The show is presented by 'The Commander', played by Garry Robson. Each week there is a major world crisis, such as a tsunami, killer disease, or volcano. Children acting as cadets compete as teams (Green and Orange Cadets) in different tests to earn stars. The rescue is co-ordinated from a high-tech emergency response control centre. The last test is usually a physical activity. The winning cadets gain 'Crisis Control's ultimate accolade', the Golden Emblem. The runners up get the Silver Emblem.
The show was shown on Fridays at 4:30pm on the CBBC Channel in early 2009 but has not been broadcast since then.


Avenging Spirit

Avenging Spirit, known in Japan as , is a 1991 2-player platform arcade game developed by C.P. Brain and published by Jaleco.
Plot.
During a walk with his girlfriend, the player is ambushed by agents of a mysterious crime syndicate who take his girlfriend away and shoot him to death. Now, as a wandering spirit with the ability to possess most others, he is summoned by his girlfriend's father (who researches ghost energy) and is given a mission to save her from the mysterious crime syndicate that holds her hostage, enabling the player to rest in peace.
As it turns out, the crime syndicate is also researching ghost energy, and they kidnapped the girl in an effort to force her father to cooperate with them. The player must fight through 6 stages to infiltrate the evil syndicate's base, collecting three keys on stages 2, 5, and 6. If the player has all three keys upon reaching the final leg of Stage 6, he can open the girl's cell and possess her to help her fight her way out. If not, he must abandon her and face the syndicate's leader alone. After the syndicate's leader is defeated, the base blows up, and the player ends up on a grassy field as his spirit's power fades. If the player failed to save the girl she [probably] dies in the explosion and he expects to see her in afterlife as he fades away. If the player "did" save her, she comes to on said grassy field, and the player expresses a wish for her future happiness as he vanishes.
Gameplay.
Players can possess one of four characters with unique abilities at the start of the game, but the library of enemies expands and changes with each level. Players attack (or possess) enemies, collect power-ups, and defeat bosses to advance.
Reception.
In Japan, "Game Machine" listed "Avenging Spirit" on their July 1, 1991 issue as being the seventeenth most-successful table arcade unit of the year.
"Sinclair User" called "Avenging Spirit" a "superior action game with a rather odd scenario." They praised the longevity of the game but admitted that it had a steep learning curve that might not appeal to more casual players. British gaming magazine "The One" reviewed "Avenging Spirit" in 1991, stating that it "isn't destined to be a classic", but it has "originality and nice touches".
Ports and re-releases.
On December 14, 2010, DotEmu released an iOS port of the game on the Apple AppStore. The Game Boy version was re-released on the Nintendo eShop's Virtual Console download service on August 11, 2011.


Pyramid (Australian game show)

Pyramid is an Australian children's quiz show screening on the Nine Network from 2009-2015 hosted by Shura Taft. It is co-produced by Sony Pictures Television (the owner of the franchise) and produced by Sydney-based Ambience Entertainment (a production arm of Omnilab Media). It began broadcasting on 1 September 2009 and is filmed in front of a live studio audience. It involves two teams competing in games of "vocal charades". The show is based on the 1979 United States game show "The Junior Partner Pyramid", a children's variant of the Sony Pictures Television "Pyramid" franchise.
Gameplay.
Like the original 1979 US Junior format and unlike the original 1979 US Junior Partner format, contestants are not paired with their parents to guess seven words within 30 seconds, but with a celebrity instead (similar to the standard game with adults), plus there are two kids instead of just one and only have 30 seconds to guess six answers (as was the case with the 2002-04 Donny Osmond version; the Clark, Cullen, Davidson, Richards, and Strahan versions have seven answers). Each team consists of two contestants, who take turns guessing the words/phrases or giving out clues with a celebrity.
Pyramid features a pyramid-shaped game board made up of six wide-screen televisions which reveal words and categories to the players. One player describes words from the category, while a teammate must guess six answers within a 30-second time limit. Players rotate to complete three rounds of six categories, and the team with the most points goes to the Winner's Circle for their chance to win prizes. Similar to the Super Six (Osmond) or Big 7 (Clark) versions, one of the six categories contains a prize. For the team to win this prize, they must guess all six words or phrases within 30 seconds.
For every correct guess, five points are awarded to the team. Should the team get all six clues within thirty seconds, the team scores one point for every second remaining on the clock.
In round 1, the celebrities give out the clues and the contestants guess the word or phrase. The second round is played like the first round, except the celebrities switch teams. In the third and final round, the contestants provide the clues and the celebrities guess. The trailing team has the advantage of choosing which celebrity they want as their guesser. Also, that team gets first pick on the board.
After three rounds, if the final scores are tied, the host will read out a set of clues and the first contestant to buzz in and give the correct answer will go to the final round. Should that contestant pass or give an incorrect answer, their opposition will go to the final round instead.
In the bonus round, only the contestants play the game (no celebrities involved). In the first series, the round was played to the classic "Pyramid" format, with the answers being collective items (similar to the bonus rounds in the US version) e.g. "Things that are round". In the second series, the answers were similar to the ones played in the earlier rounds.
Celebrity guests are placed into each team. The first celebrities to appear included Paulini Curuenavuli, Emily Seebohm, Lara Davenport, Ky Hurst, James Horwill, Heidi Valkenburg, Jessica Napier, Blair McDonough and Charli Delaney.
Production.
The series is produced by Sony Pictures Television and Ambience Entertainment for the Nine Network. It is filmed in front of a live studio audience in Sydney. Series one premiered on 1 September 2009 after it was delayed by repeats of "The Shak". Series two first aired on 3 May 2010.


Game Gurus

Game Gurus is a Canadian game show that aired on YTV for one season from 2006 to 2007 where two families play variations of various board games. The TV series was taped in Mississauga, Ontario and hosted by Joseph Motiki.
Game structure.
The first two rounds consist of a variation of board games such as Jenga or "Scrabble". A Whack-A-Mole machine is sometimes brought out, or a round begins with families having to identify artwork or playing pieces from certain board games.
The third and fourth rounds consist of various trivia questions about board games. The fourth and final round awards double the points for correct answers.
The "Galaxy" bonus round is when one member from the winning family is brought into a greenscreen room, while the other family members have to direct him/her around an oversized game board to complete their objective within the time limit, in order to accumulate enough points to earn an opportunity to win a chance at the grand prize vacation. Variations of these bonus round games include "Perfection" and "Battleship". If the family gets a certain number of points, the family will win an MP3 player.
The grand prize was an all expenses paid trip for four to Orlando, Florida, valued at $10,000; the family will win this if they win both the semifinals and finals.


Swiss Gambit

The Swiss Gambit is a chess opening which is an offshoot of Bird's Opening (1.f4) and begins with the moves:
Published theory.
The following were the main lines of the Swiss Gambit given by F. A. Lange in 1859:
Polish theoretician Alexander Wagner (1868–1942) published an article entitled "A New Gambit. The Swiss Gambit" in 1912. The Wagner Gambit begins with the moves: 1.f4 f5 2.e4 fxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.g4.
Other uses.
The term "Swiss Gambit" is also used colloquially to describe a (usually unintentional) strategy for Swiss system tournaments. In a "Swiss Gambit", a player loses or draws against weaker players early in the tournament, in the hope of being paired against weaker opposition in later rounds and finishing in the prize money.


Gunboat (video game)

Gunboat is a simulation video game developed and released by Accolade in 1990 for MS-DOS. Ports were released for the Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, Amiga and TurboGrafx-16. It is a combat simulator of a Patrol Boat, River (PBR).
Gameplay.
The game starts out in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. When the player earns a second lieutenant's bar, the game moves on to battle the drug kingpins of Colombia. After making the grade of lieutenant commander, the player may begin patrolling the Panama Canal Zone.
The player uses the keyboard, the function keys, and the joystick to move through a number of stations aboard the PBR, including those for the pilot, the stern gunner, and the midship gunner. The pilot controls the searchlights and the ship's speed, and can identify targets for the gunners, and command the crew to open or cease fire.
Each weapon station has a specific gun type: M2 Heavy MG, M134 Gatling Gun, Mk19 Automatic Grenade Launcher, Etc. Each of the weapon is better for certain type of targets, Which in turn sometimes requires maneuvering the boat in respective angle of that weapon to the target.
Reception.
"Gunboat" was rated 9/10 in "VideoGames & Computer Entertainment". The PC version of the game received 4 out of 5 stars in "Dragon", while the Amiga version of the game received 3 out of 5 stars. A 1992 "Computer Gaming World" survey of wargames with modern settings gave the game three stars out of five, and a 1994 survey gave it two-plus stars.


World Series of Blackjack

The World Series of Blackjack is a televised blackjack tournament created and produced by the cable network GSN. It is a closed tournament; players are either invited to play or can attempt to win a spot via a satellite tournament. Rounds are edited into 1-hour episodes and broadcast on GSN. Matt Vasgersian and Max Rubin provided commentary for the first two seasons. Tiki Arsenault was the dealer for Season 1 as Deanna Bacon was the dealer for Seasons 2 and 3 while Jessica Knight was the dealer for Season 4.
Season 1 premiered on weekly from March 15, 2004 to April 26, 2004 with a co-host, Melana Scantlin.
Season 2 premiered on weekly from January 21, 2005 to April 22, 2005 with a new co-host, Megan Riordan.
Season 3 premiered on weekly from June 5, 2006 to September 4, 2006 as part of GSN's "Casino Night" (retooled, with "High Stakes Poker", as "Vegas Night") programming block, with new hosts John Fugelsang and Ben Mezrich.
Season 4 premiered on GSN from June 4, 2007 to August 27, 2007. A field of 40 players, including Celebrity Blackjack champion Caroline Rhea, baseball star Orel Hershiser and magician Penn Jillette competed for a $1 million prize pool. Vasgersian returned as commentator.
Rules.
The rules (as of season 4) are as follows:
Season 1 results.
The World Series of Blackjack Tournament was held at Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort in Connecticut. First place will win $10,000 and move on to the Final table while Second place will win $5,000 and move on to the Wild Card table. The winner of the Wild Card table will move on to the Final table. First place at the Final table will win $100,000 USD grand prize.
Mike Aponte, a former member of the MIT Blackjack Team, won the Season 1 championship and $100,000.
Season 2 results.
The World Series of Blackjack Tournament was held at Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. First place will move on to the Semi-Final table while Second place will move on to the Wild Card table. The winner of the Wild Card table will move on to the Semi-Final table. The top two finishers in the Semi-Final table will move on to the Final table for chance at winning $250,000 USD grand prize. First place at the Final table will win $250,000 USD grand prize.
Ken Einiger claimed the Season 2 championship, winning $250,000.
Season 3 results.
The World Series of Blackjack Tournament was held at Hilton Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. First place will move on to the Semi-Final table while Second place will move on to the Wild Card table. The winner of the Wild Card table will move on to the Semi-Final table. The top two finishers in the Semi-Final table will move on to the Final table for chance at winning $500,000 USD grand prize. First place at the Final table will win $500,000 USD grand prize.
Dr. Jeff Bernstein claimed the Season 3 championship, winning the $500,000 grand prize.
1Qualified for Wild Card Round through random drawing among all 3rd-5th place preliminary finishers.
2Qualified for Final Table through random drawing among all 3rd-5th place semi-final finishers.
Season 4 results.
The World Series of Blackjack Tournament was held at Hilton Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. First place will move on to the Semi-Final table while Second place will move on to the Wild Card table. The winner of the Wild Card table will move on to the Semi-Final table. The top two finishers in the Semi-Final table will move on to the Final table for chance at winning $500,000 USD grand prize. First place at the Final table will win $500,000 USD grand prize.
Alice Walker (who had previously won GSN's million-dollar Three card poker championship) took first place and $500,000.
1Qualified for Wild Card Round through random drawing among all 3rd-5th place preliminary finishers.
2Qualified for final table through random drawing among all 3rd-5th places semi-final finishers


Pietro Carrera

Pietro Carrera, (July 12, 1573 – September 18, 1647) was an Italian chess player, historian, priest and author.
Biography.
Pietro Carrera born in Sicily, in Militello in Val di Catania (Province of Catania), located in the Valley of Noto; here he grew up in the old colony of San Vito. He was the son of Donna Antonia Severino (mother) and Mariano Carrera, a traditional craftsman who entered the priesthood after his wife's death. During his studies in the Seminario Diocesiano of Siracusa, he had the opportunity to visit many different Sicilian cities. As a result of his travels he met Paolo Boi, so-called "The Siracusan", in the town of Palermo during 1597.
After taking his vows, he first become the chaplain at the church of S. Maria della Stella and later of Francesco Branciforte's Court (the Prince of Pietraperzia and Marchese of Militello). During his stay at Branciforte's Court he became interested in chess, winning against Salvatore Albino the so-called "Beneventano" and against Geronimo Cascio. Cascio won against the famous but old Polerio. After developing a fond relationship with the Prince's wife, Lady Giovanna, he composed a short poem for her in Latin in exameter form regarding chess. Only fragments of this poem, the title being "The Pessopedia", remain today.
In 1617 he wrote and published "Il Gioco degli Scacchi" ("The Game of Chess"), subdivided into eight books where "learning the rules, the odds, the endgames, the blindfold chess and a discussion about the true origins of chess in itself". This was the first book ever printed in Militello, on request of the Princes of Butera, by Giovanni Rosso from Trento; in this poem Carrera collected and elaborated in a systematic fashion information given by previous authors.
After the Prince of Branciforte's death, he moved to Messina, then to Canicattì and finally to Catania. Here in 1635, using an alias, he published the "Risposta di Valentino Vespaio contro l'apologia di Alessandro Salvio" ("Valentino Vespaio's answer against Alessandro Salvio's explanation"), where he debated the accusations and criticisms made against him from Salvio.
Famous and esteemed, he died on September 18, 1647 in Messina.
Carrera is also remembered as the inventor of chess variant (Carrera's chess) on an 8x10 chessboard, in which there were added two new pieces called the "Champion" (a combination of the moves of the tower (rook) and the knight) and "Centaurus" (a combination of the bishop and the knight); these innovations had more fame than the ones made by Piacenza and Marinelli. It was a predecessor of Capablanca Chess.
He is not remembered as a great live player but as a master of theory and a great source of information regarding contemporary players of his time.


Polish Defense

The Polish Defense is the name commonly given to one of several sequences of chess opening moves characterized by an early ...b5 by Black. The name "Polish Defense" is given by analogy to the Polish Opening (ECO A40), 1.b4. The original line was
as played by Alexander Wagner, a Polish player and openings analyst, against Kuhn in the 1913 Swiss Correspondence Championship. Wagner published an analysis of the opening in "Deutsches Wochenschach" in 1914, when he was living in Stanislau, Galicia, Austria-Hungary (now Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine). Later the name was also applied to
and other variants where Black delays playing ...b5 until the second or third move, which are sometimes called the Polish Defense Deferred.
Details.
With ...b5, Black tries to take control of c4, but 1.d4 b5 is generally considered dubious after 2.e4, threatening 3.Bxb5. "Modern Chess Openings" (MCO-14, 1999) allots two columns to the Polish, commenting that the variants where Black waits and plays 2...b5 instead of 1...b5 are much safer. Earlier editions of MCO give only a single column of analysis and consider only the 2...b5 lines. MCO-9 (1957), states that the Polish "fails because it neglects the centre". That negative verdict was softened in the next edition, MCO-10 (1965), to say that the Polish "neglects the centre, but is not refuted". MCO-12 (1982) retains the "not refuted" assessment and notes that the Polish can result by transposition from the Réti system. Other judgments have been more harsh. The 1...b5 Polish was deemed "entirely valueless" by I. A. Horowitz in 1964.
The Polish is closely related to the St. George Defence (1.e4 a6, usually followed by 2.d4 b5) into which it often transposes. Boris Spassky played 1.d4 b5 against Tigran Petrosian in the decisive 22nd game of their world championship match in . Spassky equalized, but rejected an opportunity to draw, as he was behind by a point in the match and with at most three games remaining, he was practically forced to play for a win. Petrosian won the game, thus ensuring retention of his title.
The Polish can be used to combat certain variations of the Réti Opening or King's Indian Attack. In particular, 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 b5 is a fully respectable opening that has been successfully played by former World Champion Anatoly Karpov, among others. It prepares to fianchetto Black's queen bishop and prevents White from playing the otherwise desirable c4. Note that here 3.e4 would allow 3...Nxe4. White's second move commits him to fianchettoing his king bishop rather than developing it along the f1–a6 diagonal, due to the weakness which would result on the long diagonal.
1...b5 against the English Opening is known as the Halibut Gambit (or Jaenisch gambit).


Beach Spikers

Beach Spikers: Virtua Beach Volleyball, released for arcade as Beach Spikers, is a beach volleyball video game released in Japanese arcades in 2001 followed by home ports in all regions for the Nintendo GameCube in 2002. The game was published by Sega and developed in-house by Sega AM2.
Gameplay.
Based on the sport of beach volleyball, the game revolves around two-on-two matches where a volleyball is hit back and forth over a net until one side allows the ball to touch the ground. Similar to Sega's "Virtua" sports games, most of the gameplay in "Beach Spikers" is based around the concept of "charging" the strength of moves, judged by how long the button is held prior to release at the point of which the move is executed. There is a button for setting (passing) and a button for rallying (sending the ball over the net) which, combined with how long the button is held to determine strength, is the basis for the way the entire game is played.
There are two modes to choose from: Arcade Mode and World Tour mode. Arcade mode is a basic progression through a series of AI opponents, and in the multiplayer portion of Arcade Mode, it is head-to-head matches for up to four human players. In World Tour mode, the player take a user-created team through a tournament, earning points as you go that allow you to increase the stats of your players and also unlock special teams and players, including one based on the character Ulala from Sega's "Space Channel 5" series. You have the option to customize your own players or choose a team from a specific country, such as the United States, Jamaica, Italy, and France, to name a few.
Reception.
In Japan, "Game Machine" listed "Beach Spikers" on their September 1, 2001 issue as being the fifth most-successful arcade game of the year.
The game was met with some positive reception, as GameRankings gave the GameCube version a score of 77.20%, while Metacritic gave it 76 out of 100. It was a runner-up for "GameSpot"s annual "Best Game No One Played" and "Best Alternative Sports Game" awards among GameCube games, which went to "Sega Soccer Slam" and "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4", respectively.


Dirty Rotten Cheater

Dirty Rotten Cheater is a game show that aired on PAX from January 6 to April 14, 2003. The show's gameplay combines elements of "Weakest Link" and "Family Feud" along with the BBC game format "The Enemy Within", with a contestant being privy to answers in each round and trying to elude detection by fellow contestants and the studio audience. The PAX version, of which 13 weekly episodes aired, was hosted by Bil Dwyer, produced by Jonathan Goodson, and shot at CBS Television City in Hollywood (except for the original pilot, which was titled "Cheaters" and produced on the "Weakest Link"s set at NBC Studios in Burbank). Different versions of the show also aired in other countries.
Gameplay.
Each episode opens with six contestants walking up to their podiums, each of which is equipped with a monitor. The contestants open their monitor doors and find out if they have been designated the "Dirty Rotten Cheater"; the other five are mentioned throughout the show as the "Honest Players". After each contestant is introduced, he or she faces the camera and other contestants and claims to not be the Cheater.
Each round consists of one or more survey questions, similar to those used on "Family Feud" (for example, "Which parts of their body do women think are too big?"). The ten most common responses are recorded, and each player tries to guess one of them. Answers on the list are worth $250 times their ranking, with values rising incrementally as the rankings decrease (from $250 for the top answer to $2,500 for the tenth-ranked answer). Answers that are not on the list earn contestants no money. The Cheater can see the entire list on his/her own podium monitor and may make use of this information as he/she sees fit.
Rounds 1-3.
One question is played in Round 1, and two each in Rounds 2 and 3. At the end of each round, bonuses are awarded to the players who scored the most money in the round. The first place bonus is $10,000, second place is $7,500, and third place is $5,000. If there is a tie, the appropriate bonuses are combined and split between the tying players (e.g. if two players tie for first place, each receives $8,750).
The players are then given an opportunity to accuse one another of being the Cheater. After a few contestants have opined, they all secretly vote for whom they think is the Cheater; using cards with the players' names on them, the players reveal their votes from camera left to camera right.
The first contestant who receives three votes for that round is eliminated and loses all of the money in his/her bank. That contestant must then truthfully reveal whether or not he/she is the Cheater.
Depending on the outcome of the vote and the eliminated contestant's revelation, one of three possible scenarios occurs:
Round 4.
Three questions are played in the fourth round. Following the third question, three remaining players have a chance to accuse one another, with the studio audience then voting for whom they think is the Cheater. If a contestant receives at least 50 percent of the audience vote, he or she is eliminated, and as before must honestly reveal if he or she is the Cheater. If none of the contestants achieves a majority, the Cheater again decides which Honest Player to eliminate. However, there is no further reduction in score if the audience votes out an Honest Player or cannot reach a majority.
Round 5.
In the fifth and final round, two survey questions are asked. For each question, the two remaining contestants alternate turns, giving three answers each. After both questions have been asked, they plead their cases, in fifteen second intervals, to the studio audience as to why they are not the Cheater. Any eliminated contestants that were proven not to be the Cheater are brought back out to hear the pleas, and both the contestants and the audience vote on who they think is the Cheater.
While the vote is tabulated, two vaults are brought onto the stage and filled with cash corresponding to the total in each contestant's bank. The Cheater's identity is then revealed, and any of the eliminated contestants who have correctly identified him/her win $500.
The revealed Cheater then opens his/her own vault and reaches inside for the money. If the audience has correctly identified the Cheater, a trap door in the bottom of the vault opens and the money falls through; the Cheater leaves with nothing, while the Honest Player wins his/her own bank. If the audience vote is incorrect, the trap door stays closed, the Cheater wins his/her bank, and the Honest Player wins nothing.
Max. amount attainable.
The maximum potential prize total is $63,500, attainable by giving the most valuable answer to every question in Rounds 1 through 4, earning the $10,000 bonus in Rounds 1 through 3, giving the three most valuable answers to both questions in Round 5, and losing no money in the voting.
International versions.
In the summer 2004, "Dirty Rotten Cheater" began airing six nights a week on Canale 5 in Italy; the Italian version was named "L'imbroglione".
In Japan, the program was broadcasting as "The Cheater" (ザ・チーター) on TBS between October 2005 and August 2006. It was broadcast as a special program in May 2005, then as a late-night program between October 2005 and March 2006.
A short-lived version of the program also aired on France 2 (July 2006) as "Qui est le bluffeur?" ("Who is the bluffer?") with Belgian host Jean-Michel Zecca.
The UK version was hosted by Brian Conley. Originally this was to transmit in spring 2007, but eventually began on BBC One at 2.35pm on Monday 15 October. It was screened every weekday for three weeks, but was then replaced in the schedule by "" - the final five shows switched channels and were shown from Monday 12 November at 2.00pm on BBC Two. The UK version was taped at the Maidstone Studios in Kent, but edited at BBC Television Centre.
There are some format differences between the US and UK versions, the most obvious being that the UK version has one less contestant.
In Poland, ATM Grupa S.A. produced a Polish version of "Dirty Rotten Cheater" under name "Gdzie jest Kłamczuch? (Where's the Liar?)" (or simply "Kłamczuch (Liar)"). The show was transmitted on TV4 channel from September 4, 2008 to June 19, 2009. The program was hosted by Krzysztof Ibisz. The rules were similar to US version, and even used the US version's music in the first season. (The second season used an original but similar-sounding music package.)
In Vietnam, Đông Tây Promotion and HTV produced a Vietnamese version, "Tìm người bí ẩn" (Find the Hidden), aired weekly from August 8, 2006 to July 2007. The show was originally intended to be the Vietnamese version of The Weakest Link, but was switched due to copyright prices and because the mean format didn't suit Vietnamese culture. This version was hosted by singer and Merited Artist Tạ Minh Tâm (who also hosted the Vietnamese version of Family Feud, also produced by Đông Tây Promotion) and was sponsored by Trà Xanh Không Độ. Unlike other versions, all contestants, including the Cheaters, will receive prizes (if eliminated in the first four rounds they will receive 500,000 VNĐ (later 600,000 VNĐ) and a consolidation prize from Trà Xanh Không Độ, in the final round if one contestant loses the bank in the vault, he or she will leave with 1,000,000 VNĐ. The other contestant will receive the bank, but only a fixed prize of 3,500,000 VNĐ, no matter how much is in the bank.
In addition, the show was also produced in Hungary, India (as "Bluff Master") and Spain.


Brian Billick

Brian Harold Billick (born February 28, 1954) is an American former football coach and commentator. Billick spent nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL) as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens from January 19, 1999, to December 31, 2007; he led the Ravens to a 34–7 victory over the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV, the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance. He was also the offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings (1994–1998) when they broke the scoring record in the 1998 season.
Playing career.
Billick, who played football and basketball at Redlands High School in Redlands, California, had his #17 jersey retired by the school in March 2001. He played both quarterback and cornerback and holds the state record with 21 career interceptions.
After spending his freshman season as a linebacker at the United States Air Force Academy, Billick transferred to Brigham Young University and became a tight end. He later told friends that he left the Air Force Academy because he learned, after he'd already enrolled, that his height and size (6-foot-5, 230 lb.) precluded him from ever becoming a fighter pilot. He received All-Western Athletic Conference and honorable mention All-America honors in 1976.
Billick was selected in the 11th round with the 295th overall pick of the 1977 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers, but was released by both the 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys that year and never played in the NFL.
Coaching career.
College.
In 1977, after being cut by the 49ers, Billick appeared as a contestant on TV's "Match Game PM". He later returned to his hometown of Redlands, California, and served as a volunteer wide receivers coach for the University of Redlands football team (NAIA), under coach Frank Serrao. That season, he also split time as an assistant coach at Redlands High School. Billick said he coached the high school team's practice from 2 to 4 p.m., then headed over to the university for the college practice.
Billick worked as a graduate assistant at Brigham Young for one season (1978) before joining the 49ers as the assistant director of public relations for two years (1979–1980).
He returned to coaching with San Diego State University, serving as the tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator for five seasons (1981–1985) under Doug Scovil. After being named the offensive coordinator of Utah State University, Billick improved the second-worst offense in Division I-A into a top-10 offense in three seasons (1986–1988).
Billick was then hired as the assistant head coach and tight ends coach at Stanford by Dennis Green, serving both roles for three seasons (1989–91).
National Football League.
Assistant coach.
Billick was hired as an Assistant coach by the Vikings. The Vikings made the playoffs during six of the seven seasons (1992–1998) that Billick spent with the team, and set several offensive records in the process. In 1998, Minnesota set an NFL record for most points scored in a season (556) (which has since been broken by the 2007 Patriots and the 2013 Broncos), and set a team record with 41 touchdown passes. His work under Minnesota head coach Dennis Green put Billick in the Bill Walsh coaching tree.
Head coach.
Billick became the second head coach in Baltimore Ravens history on January 20, 1999 when he was appointed to replace Ted Marchibroda. He had an 85–67 record in nine seasons (1999–2007) with the team, including 5–3 in the playoffs. He won a Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XXXV over the New York Giants.
Although Billick had the opportunity to interview for the head coaching job of the reactivated Cleveland Browns and was rumored to be their top candidate, he chose to interview with the Ravens first. He signed with Baltimore in under 24 hours after his initial interview.
In his first season with the Ravens, Billick led the team to its first non-losing record (8–8) in the franchise's four-year history.
The next season, the Ravens finished with a 12–4 record and earned their first playoff berth. Prior to reaching the playoffs, Billick forbade his players from using either the term "playoffs" or the term "Super Bowl," with the idea of keeping them focused on winning each game instead of on a more distant prize. Billick felt this approach would help them reach that goal, and went so far as to fine Tony Siragusa for violating the rule. In response, the players borrowed the term "Festivus" from the television series Seinfeld for the playoffs, and the term Festivus Maximus for the Super Bowl. When they reached the playoffs, Billick lifted this ban. The Ravens took advantage of their vaunted defense, which allowed an NFL record-low 165 points in the regular season (for a point differential of 168; the Ravens also led the league in turnover differential at +23) during the playoffs to advance to Super Bowl XXXV against the New York Giants. It was a blowout 34-7 victory, giving Billick his first and only Super Bowl.
Billick led the Ravens to a 10–6 record and a victory over the Miami Dolphins in a 2001 wild card playoff game before losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Divisional Round. Baltimore finished 7–9 and missed the playoffs in 2002, but bounced back in 2003 with a 10-6 record and the franchise's first division title; the key game of this season was a wild 44–41 overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks in which the Ravens scored 20 unanswered points from the 10:14 mark of the fourth quarter through overtime; the win launched the then 5–5 Ravens into the division title. The Ravens lost to the Titans, 20–17, in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs.
The Ravens missed the playoffs in 2004 with a 9–7 record and in 2005 with a 6–10 record before bouncing back in the 2006 season. Billick fired offensive coordinator Jim Fassel on October 17, 2006, assuming the role for the remainder of the season, as the Ravens earned a franchise best 13–3 record, won the AFC North, and earned the first playoff bye in team history. Baltimore, however, lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts, 15–6, in the divisional round.
Billick was fired on December 31, 2007, one day after the conclusion of a 5–11 season punctuated by a Week 15 22–16 overtime loss to the previously winless Miami Dolphins at Dolphin Stadium on December 16. He was succeeded by John Harbaugh on January 19, 2008.
Broadcasting career.
When the Ravens were eliminated in the playoffs in 2003, Billick was used as a studio analyst by ABC Sports. After being fired by the Ravens, Billick became a draft analyst for the NFL Network during the 2008 NFL Draft. Billick then became a game analyst for the "NFL on Fox" during the 2008 NFL season, working alongside Thom Brennaman. Billick returned with his "NFL on Fox" broadcasting partner Brennaman as a game analyst for the 2009 NFL season. On NFL Network, Billick appeared alongside Dennis Green on "The Coaches Show", as well as Sterling Sharpe and Brian Baldinger on Thursday and Friday editions of "Playbook", the ultimate NFL “Xs and Os” program utilizing the same “all 22” game film that coaches and players use to preview upcoming games. He also serves as an analyst on NFL Network's signature show "NFL Total Access" and has provided on location analysis for the Network's coverage of the NFL Scouting Combine and NFL Draft. He often appeared on ESPN's "Mike and Mike in the Morning" to discuss football matchups and news. Billick left Fox after the 2013 season.
Personal life.
Billick currently resides in Queenstown, Maryland. He is married with children.


Copycats

Copycats is a children's game show which airs on CBBC and is presented by double act Sam & Mark (Sam Nixon and Mark Rhodes). It involves two teams of friends and family, each of six contestants, battling against each other in a series of games. Each episode consists of a number of rounds. Three of the rounds are based on chinese whispers. These alternate with physical challenges, which vary from episode to episode.
On 17 January 2016, Sam & Mark announced on their Twitter that "Copycats" would return after a three-year absence. The new series was filmed in March. The new series of "Copycats" had a brand new look with new opening titles, new logo, new games and new set.
Games.
Chinese whispers-style rounds.
These rounds form the general theme of "Copycats". Each team plays in turn. The members of the team are each placed in cubicles separated by sliding doors. Each team member has just 10 seconds to copy the words on the card. The rounds of this form are:
In each case, the entity to be identified is given to the first member of the team, who must communicate it to the second by the given means, who must in turn communicate it to the third, and so on. The last, sixth member is then asked what was being mimed, drawn or played. If this player correctly identifies the action, object or tune that was originally supplied, the team scores 50 points. Otherwise, the remaining players are asked in turn, with the available score decreasing by 10 for each player who fails to answer correctly.
The winner of the Mime Time and Quick on the Draw rounds (or if the game is a draw, the winner of a rock-paper-scissors game) chooses whether to play the physical challenge that follows or pass it to the other team.


All Star Family Fortunes


Olav Bjortomt

Stein Olav Bjortomt (born 13 December 1978 in Eastbourne) is an English international quiz player, four-time world champion (2003, 2015, 2018, 2019) and three time individual European champion (2010, 2014, 2015). He is the star player of the world's most successful quizzing clubs, Broken Hearts, with which he has won several European championships. He writes questions for "University Challenge" and "The Chase".
In contrast to the other two full-time professionals of Team England Pat Gibson and Kevin Ashman he has not done as well both in domestic competitions, with only a second place in the individual British championships 2007 to his credit (though he has won the pairs competition) and as a TV candidate, a second place in the "Fifteen to One" series of 2002 being his best result. He is of Norwegian and Filipino descent.
National and international titles.
He was the winner of the inaugural 2003 individual World Quizzing Championships, when it was a fledgling event with then only 45 participants (now in the thousands) but won a second title in 2015. In 2009 he won three out of four possible European titles and was runner-up behind Kevin Ashman in the singles to become the most successful participant.
"Time Out" described him in 2006 as a "former child quiz prodigy and a rising star of the quiz world".
After his triumph at the very first World Quizzing Championship 2003 he did not win a medal at the world stage for twelve years, but always was Top 10. His absence at Ghent in 2004 (when England won the first European Championship) meant he was not selected for the national team until 2006. He should have played in 2007 but travel problems delayed his arrival at the event. Consequently, he has only latterly become a regular in the star-studded English national team (Ashman, Mark Bytheway and Pat Gibson). He is also part of the "Broken Hearts" ( with Ian Bayley, formerly David Stainer, replaced by Didier Bruyere and Mark Grant) quiz team which play in the QLL and have been European Club champions from 2007 to 2009. Bjortomt won the Pairs Championships with partner Stainer in 2009 and has won 21 international medals on aggregate (see medal table). He also holds the title "British Quizzing Grandmaster".
TV appearances.
Bjortomt's success on TV has been rather moderate compared with that of his teammates in the national team, and he describes himself as a "choker" (see Q&A link).
He appeared on the quiz show "Fifteen to One" four times, finishing as a series runner-up in 2002.
He captained the University of Nottingham team to the quarter-finals in the 1999/2000 series of BBC's "University Challenge", and according to the credits of the show as of 2012, is currently a question setter. When he appeared on the Channel 4 quiz show "Grand Slam" in 2003, commentator James Richardson described him as the "Wayne Rooney of the quiz world."
In 2007, Bjortomt competed in "The National Lottery People's Quiz" and was the first contestant to qualify for the grand final, answering 97 per cent of his questions correctly during the show.
In 2008, he appeared in the quiz programme "Battle of the Brains".
On 10 October 2008 he appeared on "Mastermind", scoring eight points on questions about West Indies Test cricket, and fourteen in the General Knowledge section, to finish in second place.
In 2008 and 2009 he unsuccessfully competed in "Are You an Egghead?", which attempts to find another player to join the existing team.
Personal details.
In 2001 Bjortomt was the winner of "The Guardian"'s Student Feature writer of the Year award. He has a History degree from the University of Nottingham and a Postgraduate Diploma in Newspaper Journalism from Nottingham Trent University. He worked for "The Times" newspaper in London and has set the weekday Times2 quiz since July 2005 to the present day along with The Times Saturday quiz.
His parents are Norwegian and Filipino. He has two younger sisters and a younger brother.


John Hart (classicist)

John Thornton Hart (30 September 1936 – 15 November 2011) was a classics master at Malvern College and winner of the 1975 series of the BBC television series "Mastermind". Within English law, Hart is also notable as being a party in the House of Lords case "Pepper v Hart", which was a landmark decision in English law concerning the use of legislative history in statutory interpretation. Hart was the first man to win "Mastermind", as women won the first three series of the show between 1972 and 1974.


Clutter Nutters

Clutter Nutters is a children's TV show produced by Ricochet in 2006 for the CBBC Channel, where two contestants battle it out to win a prize and at the same time, tidy their bedrooms. The programme has many steps:
Guide and aims.
Forfeits include two 5 kg teddy bears which are awarded to the contestants who sells or donates the least amount of clutter
Selling.
Each team must battle it out to raise the most money and avoid the 5 kg teddies. Selling usually includes online auctions, car boot sales, yard sales, auctions or going to a market.
Recycle and Donate.
This is the part of the show when you're given three minutes to sort the rest of your lose it piles into things you can recycle and things you can donate. The contestant with the least amount of things gets the second 5 kg teddy.
Weigh-in.
There are two weigh-ins. The first weigh-in is when you weigh all your clutter from your bedrooms. It usually gets compared to an animal such as a panda or a jaguar. The final weigh-in is when you put your love it piles on the scales which tells you who has won.
Prizes.
The winner gets a prize which is usually something like a ticket to a football match. Both winner and runner-up get a surprise bedroom makeover.
Mini Clutter Nutters.
Mini Clutter Nutters is a cut down version of the show which is usually giving you top selling tips.


Hsieh Chen-wu

Hsieh Chen-wu (; born 21 October 1963) is a Taiwanese lawyer and TV presenter. He worked for many television stations, such as TTV, CTS, FTV, PTV, SET, STAR Chinese Channel, CTi Variety, Much TV and Momo TV. He is most famous for hosting the "Chao ji da fu weng" game show.


Obada Lakshapathi Mamada Lakshapathi


Christopher Hughes (quiz contestant)

Christopher John Hughes (born 14 August 1947) is an English television personality and one of Britain's leading quizzers.
Biography.
Hughes was born in Enfield, Middlesex, and educated at Enfield Grammar School. He worked as a train driver and railway worker. He has been a winner of "Mastermind" (1983), "International Mastermind" (1983) and "Brain of Britain", 2005. He is one of only five people ever to have won both "Mastermind" and "Brain of Britain".
He also appeared on "The Weakest Link" on 24 September 2001, and was voted out in the final elimination round without answering a single question incorrectly during the whole show, having been named the strongest link in six of the seven elimination rounds. Host Anne Robinson declared Hughes to be "the best contestant we have had on the Weakest Link" and opted not to use her signature "you are the Weakest Link, goodbye!" catchphrase, instead simply saying "goodbye Chris". He appeared on the show again in March 2012 in the "The Weakest Link" Quiz Show Champions Edition. He helped to bank a total of £7,750, including the maximum £1000 target (which was trebled) in round 8 playing alongside Stephanie Bruce. Hughes lost out in the head-to-head with 3 correct answers to Bruce's 4 out of 4.
He is currently a member of the regular panel of quiz experts on the UK television show, "Eggheads".
As of 2010, he lives in Crewe, Cheshire.


Second Honeymoon (TV series)

Second Honeymoon (spelled as 2nd Honeymoon on its titlecard) was a Canadian game show hosted by Wayne Cox. Wink Martindale created and produced the show with his then-business partner Jerry Gilden, and radio personality Doc Harris was the announcer.
The Vancouver-based show aired on CBN from September 2, 1987 to May 1988 (with reruns aired until September 2, 1988) in the US, and on the Global Television Network in Canada.
Gameplay.
Modeled on "The Newlywed Game", three couples and their children (comprising three teams of four to six people) answered questions to win (as the title says) a second honeymoon. The children were asked a series of multiple-choice questions in the style of "Newlywed" to see how much they knew their parents.
The game was played in three rounds, with the first two rounds having two multiple-choice questions and the last round having a single free-response question.
Round 1.
In round one, the kids were asked two questions to see how much they knew their mothers. They predicted how their mothers would answer the same questions. A correct match on the first question was worth 20 points, while a correct match on the second question was worth 40 points.
Round 2.
In round two, the kids were asked two more questions except they predicted how their fathers would answer the questions. A correct match on the first question was worth 60 points, while a correct match on the second question was worth 80 points.
Round 3.
In the final round, the kids along with their mothers independently predicted how the fathers would answer one last question, with the responses written on sheets of paper provided to the family. Each match was worth 100 points (for a possible total of 300 points & a possible overall grand total of 500 points).
The family with the most points at the end of the game won the grand prize - the second honeymoon. If two or all three teams were tied, another question was asked, with first family getting a match being declared the winner.


Gals Panic

The video games are Japanese eroge (erotic games), with gameplay similar to Taito's puzzle game "Qix". The objective is to uncover the silhouette portion of background with a marker until at least 80% of the silhouette is uncovered. When capturing background, only the enclosed area without the stage boss is uncovered, so it is possible to capture 100% of silhouette without capturing the entire background, by limiting the boss's movement to an area without silhouette.
There are a few key differences with the original game, and the series themselves can be split in two clearly distinct product lines: the older "classic" Gals Panic series, and the later "S" series, having important gameplay differences and being intended for different markets.
Each round starts with 3 minutes time remaining, unless affected by a roulette item. If a player continues the existing round, 1 minute is added to the remaining time. During each round, random items can appear in the field, which can help or hinder the player's progress.
A round begins with the player at the edge of the background. Capturing an area can be done by moving cursor to the edge of the background or edge of an already captured area.
There are various blocks appear in each round, which can block the movement of player but not enemies, and also affects the strategies of capturing silhouettes. Blocks disappear when capturing an area with enclosed blocks.
At the top of each round is a 20-level meter, where it starts with 11. The meter gauge increases or decreases depending on how background area is captured. Usually it decreases when capturing area with silhouette, but increases when capturing area without silhouette. The meter decreases by 1 if player does not capture an area for a prolonged period. If the meter reaches 0, player loses a life; if the meter reaches 20 (full), the round is automatically cleared; if the meter reaches yellow (6 bars), the background and silhouette is replaced by an alternate picture, with different silhouette. The type of alternate background is chosen at random. When the background change occurs, it can be changed back to girl background by increasing meter level to 10. However, if the silhouette ratio reaches 80% with alternate background, that game round is restarted afterwards, without going through roulette round.
This game includes 6 stages, with 3 rounds each. Between each round there is a roulette mini-game, where player gets a random item that can help or hinder game play of next round. If a round is cleared with 100% captured silhouette, a can-can dance sequence with '100% CLEAR' title is shown.
Models.
Round 1 is the girl with normal outfit, round 2 is the girl in (exposed) underwear, round 3 is the topless girl wearing only underwear. After clearing all 3 rounds, the photo version of the girl appears in round 3 pose, sometimes in different perspectives, but naked (except for Emi, who is wearing black underwear).
"Gals Panic" is the successor to a game developed by Kaneko for Taito, "Super Qix". Both games look and play similarly, but "Super Qix" does not contain the silhouette mechanic or adult content.
Challenge Stage.
After completing a stage with one credit, sometimes a Challenge Stage option appears after completing at least two stages. In a challenge stage, player can earn extra lives by completing the stage with only one life, competing against the purple man boss, with reduced time limit. The actual number of lives gained depends on player's performance. The chosen girl appears in the round one alternate costume.
After playing a Challenge Stage, only the non-completed stages are selectable.
Bosses.
The round boss shrinks whenever it is stuck in a small area.
EXPRO-02 version.
For versions designed for EXPRO-02 board, extra raster scaling and transformation effects are used throughout the game. In addition, player's cursor can move closer to the blocks to the point of touching them. Tetrahedron boss has longer lightning range.
The Japanese version based on EXPRO-02 is published by Taito. It includes Japanese voices and texts instead of English. However, the photos of the real girls that appear after round 3 are removed.
US version.
This version is based on the EXPRO-02 release, but with added censorship, such as placing bras on the girls every third round.
Gal's Panic II.
New features includes 8-way joystick, stereo audio, and the Card Dispenser option.
A stage begins with player at the edge of a randomly chosen rectangle. Capturing an area can no longer be done by moving cursor to the border of the background image.
The gauge is now changed to a time-based gauge, called time gauge. Time gauge is full at the beginning of a round or when player continues. When the gauge reaches below a certain point (as indicated by purple arrow), the background image changes, with time gauge drains in slower rate, until the image is changed back to normal.
Models.
The game was advertised to include 65 different girls from all over the world instead of just Japanese models from the prequel, but only 6 stages can be chosen. The girl in stage background is now in photo in addition of drawing.
Quiz version.
There is a version of game that features a quiz mode. During it, a random quiz girl appears, with each girl specializing in different subjects. The player has two seconds to answer the question, with a choice from two possible answers. Correct answers randomly award Speed up, Enemy speed down or Enemy stop, while wrong answers give Time gauge up, which temporarily causes the time gauge to drain faster.
Quiz mode occurs after capturing a question mark item. Only three quizzes appear in each round.
The model selection was changed from the previous "Gals Panic II" game, but still contains a mixture of photo and drawn models.
In the breakout mini-game, the paddle can be moved further up than the original game, making scoring extra lives easier.
English version.
This version includes the following changes:
However, the model selection is the same as in the Japanese game.
Special Edition.
This version uses improved graphics. The model line up is changed again, but still contains a mixture of photo and drawn models.
Gals Panic 3.
The DIP-switch arcade configuration was largely replaced by a more flexible, RAM-based software integrated to the service menu.
Scroll.
The background change feature from predecessors is replaced by the newly introduced scrolling stages, where player is stuck at a portion of any given stage until a player captures a certain percentage of the silhouette. The arrow on the gauge indicates the minimum amount of silhouette needed to scroll.
Enemies.
Bosses can teleport to a different region of a stage if player is far away from the boss, especially when the boss becomes invisible.
Stages.
The stage selection is changed so that each girl only lasts one round, but there are now 16 randomly chosen girls per game. Mini-game is available after completing stages 2, 5, 8, 11, 14.
When an entire silhouette is uncovered, three randomly chosen pictures of models are shown. In certain stages, player gets filtered views of the girl in current stage instead.
If a stage is not completed within the given time limit, the player loses a life and the stage starts over.
Models.
Only photo models are used this time, and the cast consists of mostly Japanese models. Although there are topless models, their nipples are covered in various ways.
Gals Panic 4.
This is the first game in the series for the Kaneko Super NOVA System platform, which features non-volatile data storage, which also logs bookkeeping information.
The most noticeable change is the exclusive use of drawings of the girls instead of photos.
Similar to "Gals Panic 3", it uses the scrolling background, but now the scrolling can be done at the beginning of a stage. The Asian version of the game is called "Gals Panic DX".
Enemies.
Some enemies are now capable of destroying wall.
Panic attack.
Whenever player captures a large piece of silhouette at once (around 5%), player gains a bomb. The gain percentage can be increased by capturing small regions quickly before the percentage value disappears. The larger the area, the more bombs are obtained.
When using a bomb, player fires missiles towards stage boss. Panic attack power is increased by repeatedly using bomb stock before the ongoing panic attack is completed. Panic attack's power can reach level 5. At least level 3 is needed to slow down enemies.
Player has 2 bombs at the beginning of each round, with 2 more bombs each time player continues.
2-player VS mode.
Unlike the prequels, players are competing against each other on separate boards each with its own enemies - player 1 on the left and player 2 on the right. The backgrounds are the ones used in the first segment of the SHOW TIME sequence for the chosen girl.
Mini-games.
Mini-games can be played at the games introduction sequence without using credit. All of them are controlled by tapping button 1. Depending on the sequence played, one of the following time-limited games are available:
Stage.
In 1 player mode, player begins with choosing a girl.
There are 3 rounds for each chosen girl (order within rounds are random). Each round allows scrolling at the beginning.
At the beginning of each round, player gets 4 bars of time. Time is replenished within a round by continuing, which continues the game with 3 bars, or remaining time if continuing occurs with more than 3 bars of time.
After completing 3 rounds with a girl, the subsequent girls are chosen by computer.
Models.
Unlike its predecessors, there are no topless girls in this game. Swimsuit version of the girls only appear by winning a round with 100% captured silhouette.
Show Time.
If a stage is completed with 100% captured silhouette, a SHOW TIME sequence is played, which shows 2 random vertically scrolling pictures of the girl at left and right side of the screen with close-up view of the eyes, followed by the girl in swimsuit.
Gals Panic SS.
It is the first game in the series developed for consoles.
It uses "Gals Panic 4" game play for in round games.
This game is much less pornographic than the others, receiving an "All Ages" rating in the Sega Rating system.
Stages.
There are 5 rounds in each stage. Instead of moving on to next girl, the game ends after completing round 5. The backgrounds for the completed stage becomes viewable in gallery.
Models.
There are 12 models in this game (2 secret), with some carried from Gals Panic 4. Saki and Leaf are unlocked successively by completing 1-player game with all other girls unlocked in gallery.
Similar to "Gals Panic 4", there are no topless characters.
Gals Panic S Extra Edition.
The graphic quality is generally increased over GP4 through more extensive use of antialiased graphics and animated sequence.
Character-specific voices are also used when bosses are about to attack.
Scroll system from GP3 returns, but the threshold needed to trigger scroll is not visible.
Enemies.
Bosses can now reclaim captured background, especially after it is hit by bomb blast, or panic attack. If the boss is off-screen for long periods of time, the attack level of boss increases, which increases the chance for boss to reclaim captured background.
Extra Change.
After capturing a predefined spot for a given model, coins E, X, T, R, A appear on screen. If those are captured before capturing at least 80% silhouette, the background and the associated silhouette are changed to reveal the same model in a different, usually more revealing, pose.
Panic attack.
Panic attack system is simplified such that it is automatically activated when a large amount of silhouette is captured at once. Player 1 always shoots multi-direction needles, while Player 2 always shoots homing laser. Higher level attack causes player to fire more shots at once.
Items.
When player loses a life, collected items (or 1 speed and 1 power if no items had been collected in last life) are blasted across the playing field, until they hit the border between player's field and enemy's field, then they travel along the edges until they are collected or disappear.
Stages.
Single player mode can last 12 stages.
During stage selection, a random normal model is switched to Strawberries #1 and #5 at regular time interval.
After completing every 3 stages, a bonus game is available, which allows player to earn extra life if player successfully complete the challenge.
At stage 12, there are 2 bosses on the screen.
If a stage is incomplete before time runs out, the stage is restarted. Time can be replenished by continuing, or dying when remaining time is low enough to issue warning.
Models.
Similar to GP3, there is only 1 round for each chosen model. There are 13 models in this game, but only 12 are playable within 1 game.
Show Time.
The show time system from GP4 was expanded to 2 stages. Show Time can be reached by completing the stage with 90-99% silhouette, which shows the topless version of the model in panties. Show Time Deluxe occurs when 100% silhouette is captured, which shows the animated version of the topless model in panties (but usually different panties from the ones in Show Time and during the game).
If the background is Strawberries #1 and #5, Show Time Deluxe is always played.
2-player VS mode.
It is the same as the 2-player mode from GP4 (with modifications to panic attack and items), but the backgrounds and silhouettes are based on those from the single player games, with different pan settings. In each round, the backgrounds are randomly chosen for both sides. The percentage in VS mode is calculated based on total captured background instead of captured silhouette. Unlike 1-player mode, there is no show time.
Gals Panic S2.
Panic attack.
Panic attack system is change again such that it is triggered whenever Powerup item is captured. The strength of the attack depends on how many Powerup items are captured at once.
Extra Change.
The EXTRA CHANGE system was slightly altered. After collecting E, X, T, R, A coins, coins C, H, A, N, G, E pop out from the spot where the last coin in the EXTRA set was captured. Background changes only after the second set of coins are collected before capturing at least 80% silhouette.
Items.
When the player loses a life, the items the player collected are placed around where the cursor last was.
Stages.
In single player mode, the game initially has 8 stages, but an extra stage is added for every 100% silhouette capture. The number of stages can be extended to a maximum of 12.
During stage selection, 2 normal models swap positions at random, until only 1 stage remains. After unlocking 2 stages, a random normal model is switched to R2X-G775 Nanako, then it randomly swaps position with another unchallenged stage at regular time interval until Nanako is completed. If there is only 1 stage left and Nanako is not challenged, Nanako switches with the other girl at regular time interval.
In stage 12 or Nanako stage, there are 2 bosses in the game.
Bonus games occur after every 3 stages, but are different from S.
If a stage is incomplete before time runs out, the stage is restarted. Time can be replenished by continuing (which resets timer to 120), or dying when remaining time is under 40 seconds (which adds 30 seconds to timer).
Models.
As in S, there are 13 models in this game, but only at most 12 are playable within 1 game. Male models are no longer exist in this game, but the twin model was introduced as Rui & Ruri Futaba.
Show Time.
Show time deluxe is now named DX Showtime.
English version.
An English version was released for the Asian and European market. It came with changes:
It also features changes to the 2-player game mode, VS.
2-player VS mode.
The VS mode is different from that found in Gals Panic 4 and Gals Panic S. Both players reside on the same board rather than having their own.
In VS mode, there is only 1 round. The round starts with a random girl background with both players on different but equally sized areas of captured backgrounds. A colour bar on top indicates the amount of background each player has captured. Linking disjointed background causes both areas be owned by the player. When a player captures a large piece of uncaptured background at once such that letter appears, the player shoots a homing laser to the other player, causing the other player to lose a life.
The game ends if at least one side loses all lives, or the stage is completed with at least 80% captured area. If one side loses all lives, the other side with remaining lives win. If the stage is completed with at least 80% captured area, the side with most captured area wins.
2-player COMBI mode.
This is similar to the cooperative mode found in GP3 and other games, but a player cannot take the life of the other by trapping other player in a captured background.
Marketing.
In the Japanese version of the game, Super Kaneko Dial system is introduced, which features a model-specific code is earned by capturing the phone in a stage. After completing the stage, the game character tells player to dial a specific phone number and use the code appear on screen. In addition, completing all stages or all stages with 100% captured silhouette cause different codes to be shown.
The phone service allows dialer to obtain private information about the characters and hear their conversations.
Super Kaneko Dial is currently out of service.
Gals Panic SU.
Produced for the Korean market, this is a modified version of "Gals Panic S2" featuring English language voice-work and on-screen text. It could be bought as a kit to modify existing "Gals Panic S2" boards.
Gals Panic S3.
This is the last game in the series.
High score.
Score feature removed since "Gals Panic 2" returns in this episode. When continuing, the existing score is kept, but adds 1 point for every continue attempt. Score appears after clearing a stage.
If player can complete the game with only 1 credit, player can enter name. The high score table consists of 3 records, with each record containing score, name (3 characters), total completion time.
Panic attack.
In addition to powerup item attack, Panic attack occurs when over 10% of silhouette is captured.
Enemies.
The line up is same as "Gals Panic S2", but the behaviours of bosses are derived from "Panic Street". Boss body moves faster, has smaller collision zones, and counterattacks earlier than S2 counterpart.
Stages.
In single player mode, the game has 10 stages. After completing 6 stages, all models are available again. The silhouettes in stages 7–10 can be different from the early counterparts, depending on model.
Bonus games occur after every 3 stages, and the games are as same as S2.
Models.
There are 8 models in this game, but no hidden characters.
Show Time.
In Show Time, a picture of the model with normal outfit is shown, but with exposed underwear. In DX Show Time, a picture with the topless version of the model in panties is shown.
If Show Time is reached in stage 7 or later, a picture of the model with alternate outfit is shown, but with exposed underwear.
Items.
When player loses a life, only a Speedup and another item, either Speedup or Powerup, is dropped. The dropped items are arranged in a predefined grid. Item line up is same as in S2, except without phone.
Gals Panic SP.
It is an early release of "Gals Panic S3" (ギャルズパニックＳＰ　プリント大作戦), which includes printer support, and with release date of 2001–07. This feature was removed in final "Gals Panic S3" version.
It was the only game in the series exclusive to Japan (with the exception of "Gals Panic SS") and also the last game released by Kaneko.
2-player mode.
Variations.
There are a number of 2-player mode variations featured across all the games.
COMBI mode.
This appears in most versions of the game, both players are on the same board and start in the same area.
VS.
The meaning of VS mode varies depending on the version of the game.
"Gals Panic S2", "Gals Panic SU": a slight variation on COMBI mode finds each player on the same board, but they start in their own start area.
"Gals Panic 4", "Gals Panic S": the screen is SPLIT down the middle with each player having their own board. A player wins when the opposing player loses all lives first, or when the player first captures at least 80% of silhouette, or when opposing player has no captured background remaining.
Which game has which mode?
This is how the games shape up in terms of 2-player modes:
Tactics.
If both players are on the same board, as in COMBI or VS modes, a player can gain a life at the expense of the other by capturing an area where the other player is contained.
If players are on separate boards, as in SPLIT mode, bombs can be collected and used to against the other player.
Offshoots.
PlayStation game "Silhouette Stories" is the same style game by a different name, and is also made by Kaneko.
"Panic Street", developed by the same company Kaneko, basically is the same game but without any mature related content and or characters. It was a Japanese exclusive, and ran on the Kaneko Super NOVA System.


Kwari

Kwari is a first-person shooter multiplayer online game developed by Micro Forté and released by Kwari Ltd. on January 7, 2008. "Kwari" is free to download but requires players to spend money to buy ammunition and other in-game items. Players can earn money by killing other players and holding a certain item (called "the pill") at the end of the game. On the other hand, players lose money when being killed.
"Kwari" received negative reviews on release, with reviewers criticizing the business model that appears to disadvantage almost all players as well as the game's technical aspects.


You Have Been Watching

You Have Been Watching is a British comedy panel game presented by Charlie Brooker, produced by Zeppotron for Channel 4 and filmed at BBC Television Centre (pilot and series 2) and Riverside Studios (series 1) in London. It first aired on 7 July 2009, for a weekly eight-episode run. Each week Brooker is accompanied by a panel of three guests. The focus of the quiz is television - before recording, guest panellists watch selected episodes of various television shows. They may then be asked to suggest hypothetical improvements to the format, critically assess it or to answer quiz questions on the content.
The title derives from the caption David Croft used to list the cast members in his trademark end credits.
A second series of the show began on 15 April 2010. Its final episode, a crime special, was postponed until August due to the Cumbria shootings having taken place that same week.
The series has a website, "YHBW! TV Club", providing the show with an interactive element. A topic of the next week's show is revealed at the end of each episode so that viewers could watch and submit their own comments.
An Australian version of the show, written and hosted by comedian Peter Berner, premiered on The Comedy Channel on 17 February 2011.


Singled Out

Singled Out is an American dating game show created by Burt Wheeler & Sharon Sussman which originally ran on MTV from 1995 to 1998. Each episode featured a group of 50 singles competing for a date with one main contestant.
The original hosts were Chris Hardwick and Jenny McCarthy. When McCarthy left the show in early 1997 to star in her own sitcom, "Jenny", MTV hired Carmen Electra to replace her for the last season and a half.
The show became a cult classic, putting a more comedic spin on traditional and formal dating shows. Contestants would most likely be unconventional and cast purely for entertainment, without any assumed compatibility put into effect.
MTV revamped the series in late 2018 for its YouTube channel. The overhauled format gave a more urban contemporary hip hop theme to the show. Incorporating a main social media aspect as well, the show features rapper Justina Valentine acting as host, with rapper Conceited as a cohost.
On June 4, 2019, it was announced that a reboot of the series would premiere on April 6, 2020 on Quibi with Keke Palmer as the host.
Format (1995–1998).
Each game began with one main contestant, the "Picker", being escorted onto the set blindfolded in front of the 50 potential dates in the "Dating Pool" while the announcer described him/her. The Picker was then led to a seat facing away from the Dating Pool and further divided from the potential dates by a wall.
Round 1.
The Picker was presented with a board showing six categories, which ranged from physical attributes to preferences in love-making to leisure activities. They generally were expressed in a humorous style, often with various pop-culture references. After choosing a category, two or three choices were listed (for example, a category on hair might be divided into blonde, brunette, and redhead), and the Picker was asked to eliminate one of the choices. After eliminating a choice, all the contestants who fit that choice left the Dating Pool, in view of the Picker. This process was repeated until five to eight potentials were left, at which point they advanced to the next round.
In the third season, a Golden Ticket was introduced, which allowed the Picker to save one eliminated player as he or she walked in front of him on the way out of the studio. This contestant automatically advanced to the semifinals. For episodes taped outside, the "Golden Ticket" was replaced with a Golden Lifesaver, with the same rules.
Round 2.
At that point, the Picker asked a series of questions which ranged from "Dating Game"–style questions (example, "if you had me alone in a limousine for three hours, what would you do to me?") to stunt-oriented questions (example, hitting a paddle ball a number of times, with the female host relaying the potential date's performance to the Picker). If the Picker was satisfied with the answer or performance, he or she would "keep" the contestant, advancing them to the final round. If the Picker was not satisfied, he or she would "dump" the contestant, eliminating him or her from further play. "Dumped" contestants were not shown to the Picker as in the first round, but were instead marked with some sort of prop, such as a toilet seat around the neck, a bag with a sad face on it on the male player's head, or a pageant sash labeled "Dumped". This round continued either until three contestants were "kept," or all but three had been "dumped." If the potential date received the golden ticket, then sometimes the host would show him or her to the picker.
Round 3.
The wall was removed from behind the Picker to reveal a walkway with several spaces behind him or her. The three finalists started on the back step, and were asked a series of two-choice questions. Each time a contestant's answer matched the Picker's, the player advanced one space on the walkway (occasionally, a question might be worth two steps). The first player to make it to the circle on which the Picker was sitting won a date with the Picker. In case of a tie, a final question was asked to the tying contestants, such as "How many girls did (Picker's name) say he dated last year?". The contestant who guessed the closest without going over won the date.
The Reveal.
After a couple had been made, the two contestants were placed back-to-back while Hardwick read a description of the winning player to the Picker. The contestants were then turned around to meet each other for the first time, and their trip and prizes were described to them by the announcer.
Two games were played per show, first with a woman picking from 50 single men, then with a man picking from 50 single women.
Characters.
Besides the hosts, the show also had mascot characters. The most prominent character was a scruffy, cigar-smoking cupid known as "Bob the Angel" (who mainly appears in the opening credits with a crown on its head), would sometimes appear in a series of vignettes with Hardwick and McCarthy. Bob would be joined by a wife, Roberta, and a son, Little Bob. Other characters included Fidel Castro, or an evangelist. These characters would often interact with the contestants during the "Keep 'Em or Dump 'Em" round, such as one male contestant being challenged to a game of tetherball against Castro. On rare occasions celebrities would appear. A female Picker claimed she was a Mel Torme fan and challenged a contestant to sing like him, only to have the real Torme come and judge his work. The character did appear in the opening credits of the YouTube version but in the Quibi version he did not appear at all as it was replaced by a small heart in the "O" title card with an white arrow being shot in it as it changes its background to pink.
Format (2018–).
The format in the 2018 revival is significantly different. The show has a main hip hop/urban contemporary theme, with a social media or Tinder motif as well. Also showcasing a more inclusive tolerance towards alternative lifestyles featuring LGBTQ segments as well.
Likewise in the original version, "The Picker", is seated facing away from the audience. 50 other "singles" still compete for one person, however only 25 are genuine legitimate contestants in studio. Referred to as "IRL" contestants. (Keeping up the social media theme). The other 25 are "URL" contestants. (Which the show makes it seems they are competing via the internet, however all URL contestants are actually backstage. A still selfie of them are shown as avatars on a giant plasma screen, that the picker cannot see, situated next to the studio contestants.) They are essentially contestants as well, however not quite. The catch is, there is a possibility some (or possibly all), the URL contestants are illegitimate contestants, or to keep up with the show's theme, a Catfish. If a "URL" contestant is real, the selfie image on the screen is actually them and they are backstage. If a "URL" contestant is fake, their selfie is a stock image of an actor, and the "URL" contestant (who will be eventually revealed later) is essentially a catfish that during the reveal looks nothing like the image of them (which is usually embellished as person more conventionally attractive as them on the screen. Sometimes even a different gender. However catfish or otherwise, anything a "URL" does on the show is their own validity, and they are still a legitimate contestant).
Round 1.
The Picker was presented with a large board of six categories. Which narrowed down a contestants (whether IRL or URL) attributies. Anything from physical attraction, mental attraction, hobbies and social media habits. (Categories would have a humorous tone to them.) Once choosing a category two or three choices were listed (for example, a category on personality would be listed as "Cray or Cray" or "Chill"), and The Picker was asked to eliminate any contestant who falls under that trope. "IRL" contestants who were eliminated left the studio in view of the picker revealing themselves. (URL contestants are also eliminated likewise, however The Picker has no idea of this.) This continued until at least eight or less "IRL" contestants remained (which if less than eight "IRL" contestants were left, they would automatically advance to the next round) and/or eight or less "URL" contestants remained (which if less than eight "URL" were left on the screen, they would automatically advance to the next round.) who would then advance to Round 2.
Round 2.
The Picker who still has no idea who the "IRL" and URL" contestants are, names are revealed and formally introduced and interviewed. (The "URL" contestants are still only represented by their selfie avatar, and a dating site like profile is instead shown.). At this time, The Picker is only allowed to choose one "IRL" and one "URL" contestant to move onto the following round. This is done by an activity or challenge The Picker asks the "IRL" contestants to do, and by various creative means for the "URL" contestants to do. (For example, The Picker may ask the "URL" contestants to post an emoji they think is cute etc. "URL" contestants although are still only represented by their selfie image, can still interact by text messages and also sending a voice message. However the chance of them being a catfish is still possible.) The eliminated "IRL" contestants walk out the studio and are revealed to The Picker. (The "URL" contestants are also eliminated with The Picker having no idea who they are.) Once one "IRL" and one "URL" contestant is left, they move onto the final round.
Round 3.
The Picker is now allowed to see the "IRL" contestant that is left, and they also see the selfie avatar image of the "URL" contestant on the plasma screen. To make the choice somewhat easier, an activity (which the winner/person who got the most matches isn't necessarily the one chosen by The Picker) done to get to know more about the "IRL" and "URL" contestants is played. Before the show, The Picker was given a survey on personality questions. (For example, "kiss on first date or no?"). These same questions are asked, and the "IRL" contestant would give their choice, (The "URL" contestant would send a text message of their answer). The Picker would raise a cue card of the choice they made earlier. If it was a match, the "IRL" and/or the "URL" contestant would get a point. After the questions are asked, The Picker then would have to make a choice. Either pick the "IRL" contestant in the studio, or go with the "URL" contestant (in which The Picker only knows them from their selfie avatar, with the possibility of them being a catfish.) The Picker would then make the choice, leading onto the reveal.
The Reveal.
Immediately after The Picker makes their choice, if they chose the "IRL" contestant, they would simply be matched together. However, if The Picker chose the "URL" contestant, they would then reveal themselves (in which they were backstage the entire time catfish or otherwise). If the "URL" contestant was not a catfish, they would be matched together as if they chose the "IRL" contestant. If the "URL" contestant is a catfish, The Picker usually is unhappy about this, however they can still decide to accept the catfish regardless.
Books.
The show served as the basis for a book: "MTV's Singled Out Guide to Dating" (MTV Books, 1996) by Lynn Harris and J.D. Heiman. This tie-in advice book was actually two books in one, a "His" side (with Chris Hardwick on the cover) and, turned over, a "Hers" side (with Jenny McCarthy on the cover). In this book, winning couples were interviewed about their dates.


Dance Praise

Dance Praise is a series of dance video games developed by Christian video game developer Digital Praise, with a particular emphasis on Contemporary Christian music. The series began on Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X computers, and later expanded to iOS devices. The series' first title, "Dance Praise", was released on September 29, 2005 and gained popularity in the Christian gaming industry.
There have been four "Dance Praise" games for personal computers, and one final game released for iOS devices. The second game in the series, "VeggieTales Dance Dance Dance", was a spin-off created in conjunction with Big Idea Entertainment for use of the "VeggieTales" characters and music.
Development.
Peter Fokos, CTO of Digital Praise, started the "Dance Praise" series after his daughter asked him to create a dance game with Christian music for her homeschool exercise program. This series was created to allow children to enjoy dance games with music "fit for young ears".
Gameplay.
Gameplay is virtually identical to the "Dance Dance Revolution" ("DDR") series, with one key difference: DDR has the target arrows on the top portion of the screen, while Dance Praise places the targets on the bottom of the screen. This is essentially a forced Reverse modifier. When the arrows approach a target zone on the bottom of the screen, the player must step on the corresponding arrow on the dance pad when arrows reach the target zone. Players are judged on their accuracy and timing. The game also features multiplayer modes, such as "Shadow Dance" mode, where players "record" steps to be played by the other player. The "arcade" mode adds additional hazards and multipliers to gameplay, similar to Dance Magic in "Dance Dance Revolution Disney Mix" and Battle in "Dance Dance Revolution SuperNova".
Lyrics to the songs being played are also shown on-screen, a feature also available in "Dance Dance Revolution 3rdMix" and several "Dancing Stage" titles. The game also features an exercise mode, also offered in "Dance Dance Revolution" and "Dancing Stage".
Games.
Dance Praise.
Dance Praise (marketed as "Dance Praise theOriginal" after the release of its sequel) is a Christian dance video game released on September 29, 2005. It contains 52 songs. The song list can be expanded using expansion packs, and songs from "Dance Praise 2" are also backward compatible with "Dance Praise".
"VeggieTales Dance Dance Dance".
Partnering with Big Idea Entertainment, Digital Praise announced "VeggieTales Dance Dance Dance" on July 13, 2006. It was released in time for the Christmas and holiday season of that year. The game is a modified version of "Dance Praise" featuring "VeggieTales" characters and music. A "VeggieTales"-themed dance pad was included, and a Deluxe variant of the pad was later released.
"Dance Praise Party".
Catering to large groups at schools and youth groups, Digital Praised released "Dance Praise Party" on May 23, 2007. The company claims that it is "the first large-group dance arcade system that allows up to ten players to dance simultaneously." The game also included the first version of "Dance Praise", the first four expansion packs compatible with both games, ten dance pads with a 1-inch foam insert in each, plus USB hubs and extension cables for the pads. The game was sold at the suggested retail price of US$2495, although Digital Praise offered different quotes for different setups such as for smaller groups. Although "Party" is based on the very first "Dance Praise" video game, it features several modifications to provide gameplay for up to ten players. For example, there are no on-screen dancers, and the album art cannot be used as the background picture while dancing.
Competitors have subsequently been launched: "Pump It Up Fitness", which allows up to 32 simultaneous players, and Dance Dance Revolution Classroom Edition, which allows up to 48 simultaneous players. These new additions use wireless pads.
"Dance Praise 2 TheReMiX".
Dance Praise 2 TheReMiX is the sequel to "Dance Praise". The planned release date was September 25, 2007, but the company postponed it to October 31, 2007. The game includes 52 new songs from 48 different artists, a wider variety than the original game offered. New features not available in the previous game include support for three or four players, animated backgrounds, dancing characters, minigames and a new interface. Its system requirements are also much higher than its prequel. It is the only "Digital Praise" game to use the Torque engine.
"Dance Praise 2" can use the dance pad not only for dancing, but also for single-player minigames. The game "DanceTris", a based on "Tetris" and controlled using the dance pad, is included. In addition, it is possible to obtain additional games, such as "Simon Says" and "Rock n' Block", by respectively installing the "Contemporary Hits" and "Top Hits" expansion packs. Similar minigames can be found in "Dance Dance Revolution Mario Mix". Music included with or added to the game plays in the background during minigames.
This game supports "Dance Praise" dance pads without any configuration required, and third-party dance pads can used with the game by installing a separate patch. Songs from expansion packs and the original "Dance Praise" are also compatible, but sold separately. Two free songs can be added with an add-on.
"Dance Praise" (iOS).
The final game in the series is "Dance Praise" for iOS devices, released on June 29, 2009. Its interface looks similar to that of "Dance Praise 2", but is adapted to the iPhone and iPod Touch's smaller screen. The game was developed to capitalize on the success of the "Tap Tap" secular game series. It is designed for the HVGA resolution found in older iOS devices. It is not optimized for higher screen resolutions such as those found on the iPad or iPhone 4.
A total of 15 songs were included in this game, with no ability to add new music. Eight of the songs come from "Dance Praise 2: The ReMix", four are from the Top Hits expansion pack, two can be found on the Contemporary Hits expansion pack, and one can be found in the first "Dance Praise" game. The game is no longer available for download.
Expansion packs.
Officially, a total of seven expansion packs and one downloadable add-on have been released for the Dance Praise series:
Minigames can be added to "Dance Praise 2" via some expansion packs. Contemporary Hits includes "Simon says", while Top Hits includes "Rock 'n' Block". The latter game works similarly to the Asteroids arcade title, but is controlled with the dance pad.
All these expansion packs are compatible with the original "Dance Praise", the "Dance Praise 2" sequel, or both computer games installed on a single machine. The expansion packs were sold in retail and each included 35 new songs. A free downloadable add-on was also released; it came with two songs from Altared Life and was released on January 14, 2007.
Reception.
In an interview with "The 700 Club", Fokos commented that the game has been popular with church groups, especially due to its exercise modes and content. JustAdventure+'s Karla Munger gave the game an A, enjoying the gameplay and wide soundtrack, and recommending it for families. Plain Games' Dave Herbert gave "Dance Praise" a 4.5/5, noting the quality of the game's dance pad peripheral, its diverse soundtrack, and unique gameplay elements even amidst a quality of presentation lower than the "Dance Dance Revolution" series, and other noted differences between the two games.


Donkey Kong Country (TV series)

Donkey Kong Country is a computer-animated television series loosely based on the Nintendo franchise "Donkey Kong" as portrayed in the "Donkey Kong Country" video game series by Nintendo and Rare. The series was co-produced by Nelvana, Medialab Studio L.A. (Season 1) and Hong Guang Animation (Season 2), in association with WIC Entertainment, with the participation of Teletoon, and for Season 1, was produced in co-production with France 2, Canal+, in association with Valar 4.
The show debuted in France on September 4, 1996 on France 2, on a block titled "La Planète de Donkey Kong" ("The Planet of Donkey Kong"). The French version of the show later premiered In Canada on Télétoon on September 8, 1997, making the series one of the channel's launch programmes, while the English version debuted on its english counterpart on October 17, 1997, also as a launch programme. In the United States, it was one of the first series to be shown on Fox Family, in which the series was broadcast in its entirety from August 15, 1998 (the same day Fox Family was launched) until 2000. It was also seen on Fox Kids from 1998-1999 for a very short time airing two episodes as specials on December 19, 1998 and aired a few more episodes during the summer of 1999 before being taken off. 40 episodes were produced.
In Japan, "Donkey Kong Country" took over the TV Tokyo 6:30 p.m. time-slot from "Gokudo" airing on October 1, 1999 and was later replaced with "Hamtaro" after ending on June 30, 2000.
"Donkey Kong Country" was one of the earliest television shows to be entirely animated with motion capture technology. Several elements of the series, such as the Crystal Coconut, appeared in later "Donkey Kong" video games like "Donkey Kong 64", which was released a year after the show began airing on Fox.
Plot.
Donkey Kong is an ape who happens to find a magic coconut called the Crystal Coconut, which grants wishes and is capable of answering questions asked of it. Donkey Kong is the protector of the Crystal Coconut, which is housed in Cranky Kong's Cabin. King K. Rool and his minions want to steal the Crystal Coconut from Donkey Kong and company in order to rule Kongo Bongo Island, the setting of the show. Try as they may, King K. Rool and his minions never succeed in stealing the Crystal Coconut. Each episode features two songs performed by the show's characters, and the series spanned a total of 40 episodes in two seasons.
Characters.
Main from the games.
These characters all came from "Donkey Kong Country" and "" (mostly the former). However, some of them went through some design changes.
Exclusives to the show.
These characters appeared only in the show and have not appeared in any games to date.
Voice cast.
Season 1 of the French version was done in Quebec, with the exception of Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong and Funky Kong's voice actors who are from France. Season 2 was not given a French version until later when it got released on DVD years afterwards, which had a new voice cast and it was done in France, with DK and Funky's voice actors reprising their character roles. Hervé Grull did not return as Diddy Kong as he had long since hit puberty and was replaced by an adult woman as a result.
BGM.
The background musics were picked up on the albums, for example:
Home video releases.
Over thirty "Donkey Kong Country" DVDs have been released with only five being in English for the longest time.
For North America, four episodes of "Donkey Kong Country" that feature Kaptain Skurvy were edited together into a VHS cassette release titled "Donkey Kong Country: The Legend of the Crystal Coconut" and was marketed as a feature-length anthology film. However, these episodes are not in chronological order, as a flashback shown in the third episode actually occurs in the fourth episode of the tape. It was released in Canada around 1997 with distribution handled by Seville Pictures and Nelvana themselves as the secondary distributor. The United States version of the tape was distributed by Paramount Home Video and was released in the nation on November 9, 1999, marking this the only time that the U.S. had a VHS release of this series.
In Japan, the TV series was very popular and proven to be successful, since the video game that the series is based on was also a hit. It was also because the Japanese dubbed version of the series was produced with a very high budget thus investing to having a big-name well known voice cast. The Japanese dubbed version of the entire series has been released on home video through Rental VHS tapes in 2000. Shogakukan Video has released all the episodes of the series spreading through 13 volumes and they were sold by Nippon Columbia, a record label company. Each tape contains three episodes each and in consistent order of its Japanese broadcasting on TV Tokyo, with the exception of its series finale, "Message in a Bottle Show" was not included due to mostly being a clip episode. However, that episode was later introduced as part of another TV Tokyo program which is a quiz show known as "Ohashi."
In the PAL regions, "Donkey Kong Country Vol.1" (released in Australia) and "Donkey Kong Country - Bad Hair Day" (released in the United Kingdom) were released on DVD. The other two DVDs, "Donkey Kong Country: Hooray for Holly Kongo Bongo" and "Donkey Kong Country: The Kongo Bongo Festival of Lights" (both released in Australia) only held one episode. After over three years of no new English DVD, "I Spy With My Hairy Eye" was released in the UK in 2008.
Finally in 2013, Phase 4 Films, a small Canadian low-budget film company, officially purchased the rights to license and distribute the series for a DVD release in Region 1 alongside with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and began releasing episodes starting off with the "He Came, He Saw, He Kong-quered" DVD that was released on August 20, 2013. The Complete First Season was then released on DVD in Region 1 on May 12, 2015.
In 2017, Pidax Film has gotten the distribution rights in Germany to release all fourteen episodes of Season 2 on DVD with English and German dubbing audio included. Germany still has yet to get a release of the first season.
The episodes of the show are all available on iTunes and on the Amazon Prime Ameba channel. The first two seasons are available on IMDb TV and on Amazon Video with advertisements.
39/40 episodes are available on Retro Rerun's YouTube channel.
Legacy.
The show had a large line of merchandise in Japan, including a manga and collectible card game featuring drawings of characters—some of which never appeared in the series. The card game was later adapted to be based on "Donkey Kong 64".
Pirate's Scorn, a song from the cartoon, was covered by Scottish heavy metal band Alestorm in their "Curse of the Crystal Coconut" album. Additionally, the album cover contains several nods to the "Donkey Kong" video game franchise.
In the Nintendo Switch version of "", the "banana slamma" catchphrase was used in one of Tawks' lines when visiting Funky's Fly 'n Buy as Funky Kong, paying a homage to the animated series.