TV Slagalica

TV Slagalica ТВ Слагалица
The opening screen showing the mascot, Skočko
Created by	RTS
Presented by	Marija Veljković, Kristina Radenković and Milica Gacin
Country of origin	Serbia
Original language(s)	Serbian
No. of episodes	6800+
Production
Production location(s)	Belgrade, Serbia
Camera setup	Multiple-camera setup
Running time	15-25 minutes
Production company(s)	Radio-television of Serbia
Release
Original network	Radio-television of Serbia
Picture format	4:3, 16:9 (on 1 December)
Original release	22 November 1993 – Present
Chronology
Preceded by	Muzička Slagalica

TV Slagalica (Serbian Cyrillic: ТВ Слагалица; English: TV Puzzle) or simply Slagalica is Serbia’s longest-running quiz show produced by RTS and airs on RTS1. It is based on Countdown a UK game show. It first aired on November 22, 1993. at 7 pm. It comprises five simple mind games (word, number and knowledge games). Contestants play for a spot in the quarter finals, semi finals and then the finals. Contestants win prizes as they progress. It has three female hosts: Marija Veljković, Kristina Radenković and Milica Gacin.^[1]

History

TV Slagalica is the longest-running quiz show which has survived competition from internationally created quiz shows with local production in Serbia (such as Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and The Weakest Link).

The first show aired on November 22, 1993 under the name of Muzička Slagalica (English: Musical Puzzle). The producers changed over time, there have been a total of 20 hosts, 20 different games, 5.000 contestants, the air time has changed numerous times, the studio design has changed as well as the sponsors, prizes and the name (to TV Slagalica).

On April 7, 2006 the quiz aired its 3000th episode. Since May 2007 the show has started airing daily at 19:00 Central European Time.^[2] The 104th season of TV Slagalica began airing in January 2018.^[3]

Programming

TV Slagalica is aired according to seasons. Each season has 61 episodes and in each show there are 2 contestants. The contestants are chosen by a test conducted before the quiz is filmed. Out of the total 61 episodes in each season, 40 are qualifier shows for the quarter finals and 21 episodes are for those that have won in the previous forty episodes competing for a spot in the top 8. Each contestant gets an award even if they are defeated by their opponent. Each episode starts with the host announcing the episode number and current season and introducing the contestants. The introduction used to include the supervisor Milka Canić that welcomed the viewers with the, now iconic, greeting: Good evening^[4].

The Games

Slagalica - Igra sa slovima (Puzzle - Letter game)

A computer flashes letters of the Serbian alphabet. The first contestant says "stop" 12 times and therefore twelve letters are displayed. The two contestants try and work out the longest Serbian word they can make from the 12 letters. Each letter is worth 2 points. The person with the word with more letters wins. The game is played twice (each contestant chooses the letters once).

Moj Broj - Igra sa brojevima (Math game)

The players randomly (by saying "stop", like in the first game) pick a three digit number and six more numbers (four single-digit numbers, one which is one of 10, 15 or 20 and one is 25, 50, 75 or 100). The players must use the six numbers and basic mathematical operations to get a result as close to the given number as possible. A 90-second time limit is imposed. After the time limit, the players report their results and the one with the closer result presents the equation. If the equation is wrong, the other player presents his equation. The game is played twice, each time one of the contestants picks the numbers.

Korak po korak - Igra otkrivanja pojmova (Word detection game)

The players are trying to guess the hidden word through 7 steps. Time takes about 5 seconds on each step, then the player in turn must guess the word. If he cannot guess, the other player tries to do it. First step is always the hardest and last step is the easiest.

Skočko (Mastermind)

The players play mastermind game. Each player plays once and has 6 attempts to guess the four symbol combination. If the player fails to do so, the other player has one attempt to guess his opponents combination. Skočko refers to the mascot of the show, which is also one of the 6 images that can form the combination. Other are playing card suits (hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades) and a star.

Ko zna, zna (General knowledge game)

Ten general knowledge questions are asked. Each question is worth 10 points. If the first contestant does not know the answer the second contestant gets a chance to answer and vice versa. However, if the contestant answer incorrectly, he loses 5 points. This game brings the most points to the player.

Asocijacije (Associations game)

Contestant must solve 8 associations. They have 5 minutes to do so.

Crew

Current crew of Slagalica:

• Hosts: Marija Veljković, Kristina Radenković and Milica Gacin.^[1]
• Director: Živojin Čelić
• Supervisor: ?
• Editor: Slavica Ćirović

Gaming supervisor Milka Canić became somewhat of a staple television personality from Serbia, as she always started the show by simply greeting the contestants and the host with the catchphrase "Dobro veče" ("Good Evening"), the remark for which she became notable for being in use for more than 10 years of the show's run.^[5] Canić is not present in the studio during the competition since 2012, but is still credited as the supervisor.

Seasons and rankings

As of January 2014 Slagalica is in its 81st season. Winners and rankings in each season can be seen in the table below.

References

External links

• Slagalica at rts.rs
• Slagalica.tv - a website where you can play all games from slagalica online
• Igrica Slagalica (.exe file)