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