| ABC introduced a new game show called Duel on | | | | seven-second clock on their opponent. Each |
| December 17. As the writers strike drags on | | | | contestant can use two "pressures" per duel. |
| and slowly strangles the regular television | | | | This element certainly keeps the game moving, |
| schedule, networks are looking for easily | | | | and avoids the horrific slowdowns that |
| produced yet fresh programming to fill the | | | | frequently pop up in Deal or No Deal and |
| void. Will Duel fit the bill for the long | | | | Millionaire. |
| term? Or will it be more short term filler, | | | | |
| only to breathe a short time on the airwaves, | | | | Will viewers commit to watching six episodes |
| but quickly disappear like game shows of the | | | | of one game show in seven nights? While that |
| past like The Weakest Link? | | | | may be difficult, ABC is certainly counting |
| | | | on hooking viewers early and keeping their |
| Duel mixes elements the game show Who Wants | | | | attention. Rather than pulling the average |
| to be a Millionaire and Texas hold em poker | | | | trivia geek off the street, Duel labels its |
| according to ABC. While the scene and setup | | | | contestants by occupation. |
| of the game resemble most of the current and | | | | |
| former prime time game shows, the tournament | | | | For example, in the first batch of 24 |
| style format is a refreshing change. Game | | | | contestants, we have The Lunch Lady, The |
| play involves 24 contestants over six | | | | Belly Dancer, The Used Car Salesman, and The |
| episodes in a week long tilt, competing for a | | | | Telemarketer, among others. By drawing from a |
| final jackpot. Unlike game shows like Deal or | | | | diverse background, Duel intends to have the |
| No Deal, where sometimes the contestant comes | | | | home viewer make an attachment to their |
| away with nothing, the final winner will take | | | | favorite player, and hopefully stay with the |
| home over $1.5 million according to ABC. | | | | program for the duration. Smack talking among |
| | | | the contestants seems to be not only |
| Contestants play in a head-to-head format, | | | | tolerated, but encouraged, and adds |
| answering multiple choice questions. At the | | | | additional entertainment value to each duel. |
| beginning of each round, each contestant is | | | | |
| given ten chips each representing $5,000. On | | | | Duel is hosted by Mike Greenberg, of ESPN's |
| any given question, a contestant may use as | | | | Mike and Mike in the Morning radio show. |
| many chips as he feels he needs to stay | | | | Greenberg does an adequate job of keeping the |
| alive. So if the contestant does not feel | | | | game moving, however does not bring any real |
| confident in answering a question, he may use | | | | comedic value to the program. The ever |
| four of his chips to cover all of the | | | | present game show requirement, the female |
| multiple choice answers. While this keeps the | | | | hostess, is also fulfilled in the form of two |
| contestant alive, he loses three of his | | | | chip girls, Jennifer Aguero and Olivia Fox. |
| chips, which are added to the jackpot. This | | | | |
| quickly reduces the chip count of the | | | | Duel will face stiff competition from the |
| contestant who hedges his bet in this way. | | | | start, as NBC premiers its own game/reality |
| | | | show Clash of the Choirs on Monday night as |
| An interesting twist to each Duel is the | | | | well. If Duel holds its own in the ratings |
| "pressure" button. Contestants are not given | | | | numbers during this one week trial, expect to |
| any time limitation at the start of each | | | | see it quickly return. The ongoing writers |
| question, but if they feel their opponent is | | | | strike will insure the quick renewal of any |
| slow in answering, they can use the pressure | | | | new game show that strikes a chord with the |
| button, thus putting an immediate | | | | viewing public. |