The Wall (American game show)
The Wall is an American television game show broadcast by NBC, which premiered on December 19, 2016. The show is hosted by Chris Hardwick, who also serves as executive producer on the show along with LeBron James, Maverick Carter, and Andrew Glassman.[1] On January 18, 2017, NBC ordered 20 additional episodes bringing the episode count to 30.[2] On March 12, 2018, The Wall was renewed for a third season with 20 episodes.[3]
| The Wall | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Game show |
| Developed by | Andrew Glassman LeBron James Maverick Carter |
| Directed by | Alan Carter Michael Dempsey |
| Presented by | Chris Hardwick |
| Theme music composer | Michael Lord |
| Opening theme | Behind The Wall |
| Ending theme | Wall of Will and Trophies |
| Composer(s) | Michael Lord |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 44 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Chris Hardwick LeBron James Andrew Glassman Maverick Carter |
| Production location(s) | Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank, California (2016-2018) Universal Studios, Universal City, California (2018-present) |
| Camera setup | multi-camera |
| Running time | 42–44 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Glassman Media SpringHill Entertainment CORE Media Group |
| Distributor | Universal Television Sony Pictures Television |
| Release | |
| Original network | NBC |
| Picture format | 1080i HDTV (16:9) |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Original release | December 19, 2016 – present |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Two special episodes aired on November 22, 2017 and December 27, 2017. A special Christmas themed episode aired on December 4, 2017.[4] The second half of the second season premiered on January 1, 2018.
In 2018, Telemundo announced plans for a Spanish-language version of The Wall. It premiered in January 2020. Telemundo's version of the game show is hosted by Marco Antonio Regil.
Season 3 of the program premiered on March 15, 2020.[5]
Gameplay
The Wall is a four-story tall (40 ft) pegboard, similar to a pachinko game or bean machine; it also is similar to the board used for the Plinko pricing game on The Price Is Right. The bottom of the board is divided into 15 slots marked with various U.S. dollar amounts; eight of these range from $1 to $100 and remain constant throughout the game, while the others have higher values and increase from round to round. Balls can be put into play from seven numbered "drop zones" on the top edge of the board, directly above the seven centermost money slots.
A team of two contestants plays each game, attempting to bank as much money as possible by answering questions correctly and landing balls in high-value slots.[6][7] Green balls dropped on the board will add to the team's bank, while red balls dropped on the board will subtract from it. Throughout the game, the bank has a floor of $0.
Round 1: Free Fall
In Free Fall, the team is asked a series of five questions, each with two answer choices. As each question is asked, three balls are simultaneously released from drop zones 1, 4, and 7. The team must select one answer and lock it in before the first ball crosses the threshold of a money slot. If the team's answer is correct, the balls turn green and their values are added to the team's bank. If the team answers incorrectly or fails to lock in an answer, the balls turn red and their values are subtracted from the team's bank.
If the team's bank balance is zero at the end of this round, the game ends immediately and they leave without any winnings. If not, their earnings become part of a guaranteed payout to be offered to them at the end of the game. The highest amount that a team can bank in this round is $375,000.
The values on the board range from $1 to $25,000, and are arranged as follows:
| $1 | $5,000 | $100 | $20,000 | $10 | $10,000 | $1 | $25,000 | $1 | $10,000 | $10 | $20,000 | $100 | $5,000 | $1 |
Round 2
At the start of the second round, the contestants are separated from each other for the rest of the game. One enters an isolation chamber behind The Wall, while the other remains onstage. A set number of green balls are played simultaneously at the beginning of the round. Three multiple-choice questions are then played, each with three answer choices. The onstage player is shown only the answers to each question and must decide which zone to use, based on how confident he/she is that the isolated player can answer correctly. The question and answers are then presented to the isolated player. After he/she responds, the ball is dropped from the chosen zone. A correct answer turns the ball green and adds the value of the slot it lands in to the team bank, while a wrong answer turns the ball red and deducts the value. The isolated player is not told which of his/her answers are correct or given any information on the team bank (as much as millions or back down to zero) until they are brought out of isolation near the end of the game.
The onstage player is offered an opportunity to "Double Up" on the second question and "Triple Up" on the third. These options allow the onstage player to play two or three balls from the selected drop zone instead of one, respectively. After the third question, if the banked total is at least $1 more than the number of green balls played at the start of the round, an equal number of red balls are played simultaneously from the same zones.
In the first two seasons, two initial green balls were played from different zones chosen by the onstage player, and a team could bank up to $1,999,998. Beginning with the third season, seven initial green balls are played in a "SuperDrop," one from every zone, and a team can bank up to $3,249,993.
The values on the board range from $1 to $250,000, and are arranged as follows:
| $1 | $5,000 | $100 | $10,000 | $10 | $25,000 | $1 | $50,000 | $1 | $100,000 | $10 | $125,000 | $100 | $250,000 | $1 |
Round 3
Gameplay proceeds as in Round 2, but each of the three questions now has four answer choices. In addition, four green and four red balls are played at the start and end of the round respectively, and are dropped one at a time, rather than simultaneously. The "Double Up" and "Triple Up" options are available as before. The maximum amount that a team can bank in this round is $9,999,996.
The values on the board range from $1 to $1,000,000, and are arranged as follows:
| $1 | $50,000 | $100 | $100,000 | $10 | $200,000 | $1 | $300,000 | $1 | $400,000 | $10 | $500,000 | $100 | $1,000,000 | $1 |
Final Decision
After the third question in Round 3, the isolated player is sent a contract by the host, and he/she must sign it or tear it up. Signing the contract gives up the team bank in favor of a guaranteed payout, equal to the Free Fall winnings plus an additional $20,000 for every question answered correctly in Rounds 2 and 3. If the isolated player tears up the contract, the team receives their final bank total instead. After the four red balls have dropped in Round 3 and the final bank is calculated (or after the last question if there is less than $5 banked), the isolated player returns to the stage to reveal his/her decision. Only at this point does he/she learn the number of correct answers given, the payout total, and the team's final bank.
The maximum possible guaranteed payout is $495,000, obtained by scoring $375,000 in Free Fall and answering all questions correctly in Rounds 2 and 3. The maximum possible bank total in the first two seasons is $12,374,994, obtained by answering every question correctly, using every Double Up and Triple Up option, having every green ball drop into the highest-valued slot, and having the six mandatory red balls each drop into a $1 slot. In the third season, the maximum possible total is $13,624,989 due to the number of mandatory green/red balls increasing to 11 each.
Episodes
Color key
- The contestants left with at least $1,000,000.
- The contestants left with the larger possible amount.
- The contestants left with the smaller possible amount.
- The contestants left with nothing at all.
Season 1
| Episode | Contestants | Guaranteed Payout Contract | Final Bank Total | Contract Decision | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Fall Bank | Correct Answers (Bonus) | Total Offer | ||||
| 1 | John and Angel | $65,213 | 5 ($100,000) | $165,213 | $1,300,010 | Rejected |
| 2 | Chris and Katie | $35,132 | 4 ($80,000) | $115,132 | $0 | Rejected |
| 3 | Mike and Shana | $10,121 | 2 ($40,000) | $50,121 | $529,921 | Rejected |
| 4 | Jarrod and Shantell | $75,001 | 3 ($60,000) | $135,001 | $950,011 | Accepted |
| 5 | Matt and Jean | $45,014 | 2 ($40,000) | $85,014 | $1,100,098 | Rejected |
| 6 | Ebony and Deanna | $170,105 | 2 ($40,000) | $210,105 | $194,896 | Accepted |
| 7 | Nathan and Erica | $30,301 | 3 ($60,000) | $90,301 | $349,890 | Rejected |
| 8 | Katie and Kevin | $140,013 | 3 ($60,000) | $200,013 | $299,969 | Rejected |
| 9 | Darnell and Dion | $35,112 | 0 ($0) | $35,112 | $0 | Rejected |
| 10 | Ashle and Xandi | $100,313 | 1 ($20,000) | $120,313 | $0 | Accepted |
Season 2
| Episode | Contestants | Guaranteed Payout Contract | Final Bank Total | Contract Decision | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Fall Bank | Correct Answers (Bonus) | Total Offer | ||||
| 1 | Ryan and Stephanie | $45,214 | 5 ($100,000) | $145,214 | $570,344 | Rejected |
| 2 | Noah and Lisa | $110,312 | 4 ($80,000) | $190,312 | $1,095,498 | Rejected |
| 3 | Milton and Aaryn | $65,004 | 3 ($60,000) | $125,004 | $520,095 | Rejected |
| 4 | Lenny and Sharon | $50,320 | 5 ($100,000) | $150,320 | $850,632 | Accepted |
| 5 | Delvar and Bonnie | $15,221 | 2 ($40,000) | $55,221 | $399,792 | Rejected |
| 6 | Jeff and Jamie | $20,011 | 3 ($60,000) | $80,011 | $0 | Rejected |
| 7 | Chris and Paris | $100,231 | 2 ($40,000) | $140,231 | $0 | Accepted |
| 8 | Angela and Jodi | $115,322 | 4 ($80,000) | $195,322 | $220,333 | Accepted |
| 9 | Tomeka and Andre | $65,241 | 2 ($40,000) | $105,241 | $0 | Accepted |
| 10 | Erin and Rachael | $115,024 | 4 ($80,000) | $195,024 | $0 | Rejected |
| 11 | Sheriese and Kieara | $74,912 | 3 ($60,000) | $134,912 | $50,012 | Rejected |
| 12 | Ruben and Sandy | $135,111 | 3 ($60,000) | $195,111 | $0 | Accepted |
| 13 | Cassandra and Victoria | $130,102 | 3 ($60,000) | $190,102 | $0 | Accepted |
| 14 | Prince and Chris | $100,043 | 3 ($60,000) | $160,043 | $159,813 | Rejected |
| 15 | Niko and Kassie | $155,313 | 1 ($20,000) | $175,313 | $740,500 | Rejected |
| 16 | Victor and Evelyn | $85,124 | 3 ($60,000) | $145,124 | $499,899 | Rejected |
| 17 | Jakia and Shana | $90,232 | 4 ($80,000) | $170,232 | $565,422 | Rejected |
| 18 | Brooke and Cody | $70,210 | 3 ($60,000) | $130,210 | $0 | Rejected |
| 19 | Steve and Nick | $49,891 | 2 ($40,000) | $89,891 | $899,881 | Accepted |
| 20 | Brooke and Kirk | $35,023 | 3 ($60,000) | $95,023 | $1,415,098 | Rejected |
Season 3
| Episode | Contestants | Guaranteed Payout Contract | Final Bank Total | Contract Decision | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Fall Bank | Correct Answers (Bonus) | Total Offer | ||||
| 1 | Rebekah and Chris | $85,234 | 5 ($100,000) | $185,234 | $1,455,631 | Rejected |
| 2 | Bill and Meghan | $70,127 | 4 ($80,000) | $150,127 | $820,045 | Rejected |
| 3 | Matt and Nick | $40,237 | 5 ($100,000) | $140,237 | $0 | Rejected |
| 4 | Essence and Valencia | $60,189 | 2 ($40,000) | $100,189 | $0 | Accepted |
| 5 | Nellie and Taylor | $75,342 | 3 ($60,000) | $135,342 | $1,670,254 | Rejected |
| 6 | Damon and Deidra | $50,121 | 2 ($40,000) | $90,121 | $0 | Rejected |
| 7 | Holly and Michael | $45,103 | 2 ($40,000) | $85,103 | $850,090 | Accepted |
| 8 | Neangela and Marcus | $135,120 | 3 ($60,000) | $195,120 | $0 | Rejected |
| 9 | Alex and Jodie | $15,140 | 2 ($40,000) | $55,140 | $199,980 | Rejected |
| 10 | Peter and Bob | $35,200 | 3 ($60,000) | $95,200 | $0 | Rejected |
| 11 | Hecthan and Hector | $15,400 | 2 ($40,000) | $55,400 | $1,749,907 | Rejected |
| 12 | Michael and Jahmar | $35,091 | 4 ($80,000) | $115,091 | $1,115,067 | Accepted |
| 13 | Janeris and Jesenia | $30,301 | 5 ($100,000) | $130,301 | $104 | Rejected |
| 14 | Goldin and Linda | $9,920 | 3 ($60,000) | $69,920 | $0 | Rejected |
| 15 | Karen and Lori | |||||
| 16 | ||||||
| 17 | ||||||
| 18 | ||||||
| 19 | ||||||
| 20 | ||||||
Season 4
| Episode | Contestants | Guaranteed Payout Contract | Final Bank Total | Contract Decision | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Fall Bank | Correct Answers (Bonus) | Total Offer | ||||
| 1 | ||||||
| 2 | ||||||
| 3 | ||||||
| 4 | ||||||
| 5 | ||||||
| 6 | ||||||
| 7 | ||||||
| 8 | ||||||
| 9 | ||||||
| 10 | ||||||
| 11 | ||||||
| 12 | ||||||
| 13 | ||||||
| 14 | ||||||
| 15 | ||||||
| 16 | ||||||
| 17 | ||||||
| 18 | ||||||
| 19 | ||||||
| 20 | ||||||
Critical reception
The Wall has received mixed reviews by critics. Jan Chaney of Vulture dubbed The Wall as being "the most stereotypically American game show on television right now" and "absurd yet undeniably diverting."[8] Chaney criticized the show for making "attempts to sell us something new, even though its concept is really based on old ideas [...] mixed up just enough [to] seem fresh".[8]
Bethonie Butler of the Chicago Tribune agreed that "The Wall looks a lot like the famed Plinko game from CBS", but qualified that "originality is relative when it comes to game shows", remarking on the similarity between popular trivia game shows such as Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?[9]
European production
In Europe the production is made in a studio in Poland where the 4 storeys high wall is located. The crew of the show are mostly a local Polish crew and the producers, the host and participants flown in time to the filming of the show.
International versions
Legend: Currently airing No longer airing Upcoming version
| Country | Title | Presenter | Channel | Airdates | Top slot value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
The Wall الجـدار | Mohammad Sal | MBC 1[10] | February 14, 2018 – May 2, 2018 | SR300,000 |
 |
The Wall: Construye tu vida | Marley | Telefe[11][12] | October 1, 2017 – December 31, 2017 | AR$200,000 |
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The Wall | Axle Whitehead | Seven Network[13] | October 30, 2017 – November 19, 2017 | A$1,000,000 |
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The Wall: De muur die geeft en neemt | Niels Destadsbader | VTM[14] | September 4, 2017 – November 7, 2017 | €100,000 |
 |
The Wall (part of Caldeirão do Huck) |
Luciano Huck | Rede Globo[15] | March 10, 2018 – present | R$150,000 |
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Face au Mur | Maripier Morin | TVA[16] | January 18, 2018 – March 2, 2018 | C$200,000 |
 |
The Wall | Rafael Araneda | Chilevisión[17] | June 20, 2018 – August 29, 2018 | CL$20,000,000 |
 |
The Wall | Andrea Serna | Caracol Televisión[18] | January 30, 2018 – February 26, 2018 | COP$200,000,000 |
 |
The Wall - Danmark | Felix Smith | Kanal 5[19] | September 5, 2019 – present | Kr 100,000 |
 |
The Wall Suomi | Heikki Paasonen | Nelonen[20] | September 22, 2018 – present | €50,000 |
 |
The Wall : Face au mur | Christophe Dechavanne | TF1[21][22] | February 27, 2017 – August 18, 2018 | €150,000 |
 |
The Wall | Frank Buschmann | RTL[23] | July 1, 2017 – August 11, 2017 (Season 1) August 3, 2018 – August 24, 2018 (Season 2) |
€250,000 |
  |
The Wall | Grigoris Arnaoutoglou | ANT1[24] | May 10, 2018 – July 27, 2018 | €50,000 |
 |
A Fal | Balázs Sebestyén | RTL Klub[25][26] | November 19, 2017 – June 8, 2018 | Ft.8,000,000 |
 |
The Wall | Priyanka Deshpande and Ma Ka Pa Anand | Star Vijay[27][28] | October 12, 2019 – present | ₹2,000,000 |
 |
The Wall | Zvika Hadar | Reshet 13[29] | February 5, 2018 – present | 500,000₪ |
 |
The Wall | Gerry Scotti | Canale 5[30] | November 20, 2017 – January 6, 2019 | €100,000 |
 |
The Wall 壁から生きる | TBS | ¥10,000,000 | ||
 |
BankGiro Loterij The Wall | Winston Gerschtanowitz | SBS 6[31] | April 22, 2018 – May 27, 2018 (Season 1) January 13, 2019 – present (Season 2) |
€500,000 |
 |
The Wall. Wygraj marzenia | Paweł Orleański | TVP1[32] (Seasons 1-4) TVP2 (Season 4) |
September 22, 2017 – December 29, 2017 (Season 1) January 5, 2018 – June 9, 2018 (Season 2) September 14, 2018 – January 4, 2019 (Season 3) |
100,000 zł |
| Maciej Kurzajewski | March 8, 2019 – October 6, 2019 (Season 4) | ||||
 |
The Wall – Marele Zid | Valentin Butnaru | Antena 1[33] | September 13, 2017 – present | 150,000 Leu |
 |
Стена | Andrey Malakhov | Russia 1[34] | October 22, 2017 – December 9, 2017 | 5,000,000 Ruble |
 |
The Wall: Cambia tu vida | Carlos Sobera | Telecinco[35] | June 23, 2017 – September 8, 2017 | €100,000 |
 |
Stena | POP TV | €150,000 | ||
 |
The Wall กำแพงพลิกชีวิต | Vuthithorn "Woody" Milintachinda | ONE HD[36][37] | January 6, 2018 – July 21, 2018 | ฿500,000 |
| Pakachon Wo-Onsri | October 20, 2018 – April 3, 2019 | ||||
| November 23, 2019 – December 21, 2019 | |||||
 |
The Wall | Danny Dyer | BBC One[38] | October 12, 2019 – present | £50,000 |
 (in Spanish) |
The Wall | Marco Antonio Regil | Telemundo | January 1, 2020 – January 17, 2020 | $200,000 |
 |
The Wall: Cumplí tu Sueño | Rafael Cotelo | Canal 10[39] | March 13, 2018 – present | U$300,000 |
 |
Tường lửa | Trường Giang | VTV3[40] | July 18, 2019 – October 3, 2019 | VND500,000,000 |
See also
- Peggle – a similar game published by PopCap Games
- Tipping Point – a similar game show airing in the United Kingdom, whereby counters worth £50 are dropped into a "win zone" to win money
- The Price Is Right – the Plinko game is similar to this game show
References
- Wagmeister, Elizabeth (28 October 2015). "Chris Hardwick to Host NBC Game Show 'The Wall' from Exec Producer LeBron James". Variety. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
- Andreeva, Nellie (January 18, 2017). "'The Wall': New NBC Game Show Picked Up For 20 More Episodes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
- Pedersen, Erik (March 12, 2018). "The Wall Renewed For Season 3 On NBC". Deadline. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
- Pena, Jessica (November 17, 2017). "The Wall: Season Two Finale & Holiday Special Announced by NBC". TV Series Finale. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
- Mitovich, Matt Webb. "NBC Sets Return Dates for The Wall (Finally!), "Reimagined" Little Big Shots". TVLine. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
- "The Wall". NBC.com.
- Pedersen, Erik (14 November 2016). "'The Wall': NBC Sets Premiere Date For Game Show From EPs Chris Hardwick & LeBron James". Deadline. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
- "The Wall Is the Most American Game Show on TV". Vulture. 2017-01-03. Retrieved 2017-01-12.
- Butler, Bethonie. "NBC's 'The Wall' is basically a high-tech Plinko game, but viewers probably don't care". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2017-01-12.
- MBC.net. MBC.net.
- "Llega "The Wall: Construye tu vida, con la conducción de Marley". telefenoticias.com.ar. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
- "The Wall". Retrieved 31 May 2019 – via telefe.com.
- Knox, David (7 August 2017). "Auditions: The Wall". TV Tonight. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
- "Privacy settings". myprivacy.medialaan.be. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
- "Luciano explica mais sobre o novo quadro do Caldeirão: The Wall - Rede Globo - Catálogo de Vídeos". Retrieved 31 May 2019 – via redeglobo.globo.com.
- Vlessing, Etan (June 26, 2017). "NBC's 'The Wall' Game Show Headed to Canada". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
- "Así es el nuevo programa de concursos que exhibirá pronto Chilevisión". FMDOS (in Spanish). 2018-05-17. Retrieved 2018-06-21.
- "Es oficial: Andrea Serna se une a la familia del Canal Caracol con este concurso". Caracol Televisión. 6 December 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
- https://www.dplay.dk/programmer/the-wall-danmark
- "The Wall Suomi". Nelonen.fi. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
- "The Wall - Face au Mur - TF1 - MYTF1". tf1. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
- "Retour de The Wall-Face au mur (TF1) le 25 décembre prochain ! - jeux télévisés". www.jeuxteleactu.com. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
- "Endemol Shine Germany and RTL close new deal for The Wall". Endemol Shine Group. 5 April 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
- "ANT1 TV / THE WALL". www.antenna.gr. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
- "A Fal nyertesei gyerekeken segítenének a nyereményükkel". RTL.hu. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
- "A Fal". Retrieved 31 May 2019 – via port.hu.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KuEHAI1T1c
- "Star Vijay's The Wall is an adaptation of the American TV show of the same name". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
- "The Wall - (דה וול) עונה 1 פרקים מלאים". רשת 13. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
- "Andamento ascolti al 25 settembre 2017" (PDF). Publitalia. 3 October 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
- "BankGiro Loterij The Wall - BankGiro Loterij". www.bankgiroloterij.nl. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
- ""The Wall. Wygraj marzenia". Nowy teleturniej jesienią w TVP1 - Telemagazyn.pl" (in Polish). www.telemagazyn.pl. Retrieved 2017-08-04.
- "The Wall Marele Zid - Antena 1". A1.RO. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
- "На канале "Россия" выходит игровое шоу с Андреем Малаховым". russia.tv. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
- "Telecinco producirá 'The wall', el concurso revelación de la temporada en EE. UU". Telemania. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- "Asia's First THE WALL !! It feels great to be back". woodytalk. 2 December 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
- "THE WALL กำแพงพลิกชีวิต". ช่อง one31. 10 December 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
- "BBC - Danny Dyer to host BBC One's brand new game show, The Wall - Media Centre". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
- Subrayado. "El estreno de "The Wall" en Canal 10 arrasó con el rating". www.subrayado.com.uy (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 March 2018.
- https://momo.vn/tuongluamomo