Random Rewind: 500 Questions, ITV
Random Rewind: we look back at some the best, and occasionally worst, entertainment shows from the past decade.
500 Questions
2015, ITV
500 Questions was an American-born stripped gameshow which first aired on ABC in Spring 2015. The American version ran for two seasons, with 12 episodes in total.
On 27th November 2015, it was announced that Wall To Wall Media has secured the rights to the format and will produce a UK version for ITV. Four episodes were made, stripped over four nights from 22nd-25th August 2016.
Each of the four episodes offered 10 categories, each containing five questions. Each question had to be answered within the five second time limit, with each correct answer adding £500 to the total jackpot.
If a contestant got three consecutive questions wrong, they would be out of the game and leave with nothing.
Add to that some complicated rules and ultimately it was a turn off for viewers. The show was swiftly axed by ITV.
A source told The Sun at the time: "The format just didn’t work and it didn’t take long for everyone to work that out. Kevin [Lygo] didn’t commission the show himself and was happy to let it die a death once it came to an end...
"ITV were happy with Giles and he’s got other work on the channel lined up. They like to try new things but sadly this was too ambitious a project. Stripping it across four days didn’t work in hindsight and viewers just didn’t take to it, but it was worth a try."
ITV later confirmed: "We constantly strive to refresh our Entertainment portfolio on screen, as such, 500 Questions won’t be returning but we’d like to thank Giles and the team for all their hard work."