7 /10 1 Votes
Created by Jerry Payne Original language(s) English No. of episodes 435 Final episode date 23 December 1998 | 6.9/10 IMDb Country of origin United Kingdom No. of series 12 First episode date 27 April 1985 Number of episodes 435 Language English | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Running time 30 minutes (inc. adverts) Similar Game show, Chain Letters, Name That Tune, Lucky Ladders, All Clued Up | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Crosswits 1991
Crosswits is a British game show produced by Tyne Tees in association with Cove Productions and Action Time and filmed from their City Road studios in Newcastle upon Tyne. It was first shown on 27 April 1985 originally hosted by Barry Cryer for the first 2 series, then comedian Tom O'Connor took over from series 3 until the show ended on 23 December 1998. The show consisted of two members of the public competing against each other to solve simple crossword puzzles. Each member of the public was helped out by a "celebrity" partner. The announcers for the show were generally Tyne Tees continuity announcers such as Judi Lines, Jonathan Morrell and Bill Steel.
Contents
- Crosswits 1991
- Crossword game show pilot pt 1
- Gameplay
- Crossfire round
- 1985
- 1987
- 1988 94
- 1996
- 1998
- References
Crossword game show pilot pt 1
Gameplay
Basically, the game was the same as its American counterpart, except that there were two players (one celebrity and one contestant) on each team instead of three. As in the American version, teams took turns solving words in a crossword puzzle (by virtue of clues), all of which are clues to a master puzzle. Each correct answer keeps control and earns one point per letter in the answer plus a chance to solve the master puzzle for 10 bonus points. Later in the run, teams always took turns whether they were right or wrong.
There were also special rounds in the game:
The team with the most points when time runs out, wins the game and plays the same Crossfire round as the American version.
Crossfire round
The winning team was shown one last crossword puzzle, with 10 words none of which are clues to a master puzzle. The host reads rapid-fire clues to each of the 10 words. Each correct words brings the winning team extra closer to a holiday for the contestant, and if they can solve all ten in 60 seconds or less, they'll win the holiday, otherwise the winning player wins consolation prizes.
1985
The first series was only broadcast in the Tyne Tees region on Saturdays.
1987
From Series 2 onwards, it was networked on all ITV regions with the second series airing on Tuesday afternoons at 3:00pm (no episode aired on 17 March 1987 due to live coverage of Budget '87) and the third series airing on Tuesday to Thursday afternoons at 2:00pm, except for TVS, who did move the days and time around.
1988-94
From Series 4-10, the show aired on Monday to Friday mornings at 9:25am, just after TV-am/GMTV had finished.
1996
Series 11 aired on Monday to Friday afternoons, but was not networked. Depending on the region, Crosswits was broadcast at random times in certain areas.
1998
Series 12 aired on Tuesday to Thursday afternoons at 1:50pm for the first 32 episodes from 6 January to 19 March. The last 3 episodes were aired from 21 to 23 December 1998.