The Bottom Line
Pros
- Dennis Miller is always a huge draw to any show.
- The throwbacks to game shows of the past are a kick.
- The interactive questions and props are very well done.
- It's fun to try and play along at home with some of the more generic questions.
Cons
- There are three different rounds, but it's hard to distinguish the differences between them.
- The pace is somewhat slow.
- Discussions with family and friends seem rehearsed.
Description
- Contestants are asked a series of questions about their own lives, which they have to answer correctly to win cash.
- The first round is a speed round, in which 5 questions are asked and answered in 30 seconds for $1000 each.
- The second round brings out family and friends, who share stories about the contestant.
- The contestant then has to answer questions based on these stories for increasing amounts of cash.
- The third round consists of three questions, valued at $25,000, $50,000, and $100,000.
- If a contestant gets a question wrong in the final round, the amount the question is worth is deducted from their winnings.
- Contestants can opt out of the third round at any time.
- If the money pot runs down to $0 during the third round, the game is over and the contestant walks away with nothing.
Guide Review - 'Amnesia'
The premiere episode of Amnesia started out on the slow side. A lot was expected of this show, or more accurately, of the host, Dennis Miller. Miller delivered, but was it enough to save the game?
The premise of the show is a good one: ask contestants questions about their pasts, questions that are tough but not impossible to recall. Miller is both witty and warm, engaging contestants and the audience alike.
There are, however, two basic problems with Amnesia. The first one is that, although there are three different rounds of play, the questions and the way in which they are asked are basically the same throughout. While the speed round is obviously different, the questions themselves are in the same style. There needs to be a clearer definition of each round, with varied question and answer styles for each one.
Secondly, the friends and family portion is stilted and almost uncomfortable. Three different people come out, one at a time, and speak to Miller about the contestant. Meanwhile, the contestant is locked in a sound-proof chamber to the left of the stage. When the contestant comes out, Miller talks to him or her about what he's just learned from the guest, and then asks questions that are very loosely based on these topics.
The problem with this portion is that the conversation with Miller have obviously been rehearsed, and come across as artificial and forced. Miller tries his best to liven things up, but it's just not enough to save the segment.
Amnesia is worth watching at least once, to see if it holds appeal for you. I will keep watching in hopes that the game itself improves, as I think there is a lot of potential here. This type of fun, light-hearted entertainment is perfect for lazy Friday-night viewing, and just needs a few tweaks and more clearly-defined sections to push it over the top.
