Genre Game Show Country of origin United States No. of seasons 1 First episode date 23 December 2014 Number of seasons 1 Program creator Hans Engholm | Created by Hans Engholm Original language(s) English No. of episodes 1 Original network Game Show Network Number of episodes 1 | |
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Presented by Jeff B. Davis, Candace Bailey Similar Game show, The American Bible Cha, Attack of the Show!, Happy Family, U‑Pick Live | ||
The Line is an American game show pilot created by ITV Studios, produced by High Noon Entertainment and co-hosted by Jeff Davis and Candace Bailey. The pilot showcased potential contestants waiting in a "line" to enter a "vault". While in the latter, they must answer a series of eight questions to win a progressive jackpot. While waiting in the line, they may be chosen to perform various challenges which can earn them additional prizes and/or a move to the front, or the back, of the line.
Contents
Gameplay
In the vault, contestants answer up to eight true-or-false questions, with each correct answer adding $250 to the jackpot. Contestants who answer all eight questions correctly win the entire jackpot; contestants who fail to do so are ejected from the vault, while the next contestant steps in and continues to play for the jackpot.
While a contestant is in the vault, contestants who are waiting in the line play various mini-games. The games played include passing ten people in the line through a hula-hoop; if successful, those ten move straight to the beginning of the line. Other games include two teams of five working as a group to move a beach ball across a track, and offering random contestants the opportunity to open a red envelope that can send them to the beginning or end of the line.
Production
The Line was first mentioned March 18, 2014 at GSN's 2014−15 upfront presentation in New York City. The series, created by ITV Studios, was green-lit on July 15, 2014, with Davis and Bailey being announced as co-hosts of the show. On November 10, 2014, GSN announced that the series, originally supposed to air as a five-episode series, would instead air as a two-hour pilot on December 23, 2014.
Reception
The Line received mixed general reception. Carrie Grosvenor of About Entertainment argued, "The main problem with The Line is that it drags. ... If the mini games were featured more heavily and the trivia bits moved along more quickly, the show would be much more interesting." Additionally, many applauded the show for allowing an autistic contestant to compete, with Grosvenor calling it "the highlight of the two hours for me."