The Wall (American game show)

The Wall is an American television game show aired on NBC, which premiered on December 19, 2016. The show is hosted by Chris Hardwick, who also serves as executive producer on the show along with LeBron James, Maverick Carter, and Andrew Glassman.[1]

The Wall
GenreGame show
Created byAndrew Glassman
LeBron James
Developed byAndrew Glassman
LeBron James
Maverick Carter
Directed byAlan Carter
Michael Dempsey
Presented byChris Hardwick
Opening themeBehind The Wall
Ending themeWall of Will and Trophies
ComposerMichael Lord
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes54
Production
Executive producersChris Hardwick
LeBron James
Andrew Glassman
Maverick Carter
Production locationsWarner Bros. Studios, Burbank, California (2016-2018)
Universal Studios, Universal City, California (2018-present)
Camera setupmulti-camera
Running time42–44 minutes
Production companiesGlassman Media
SpringHill Entertainment
CORE Media Group
DistributorUniversal Television
Sony Pictures Television
Release
Original networkNBC
Picture format1080i HDTV (16:9)
Audio formatStereo
Original releaseDecember 19, 2016 (2016-12-19) –
present
External links
Website

Two special episodes aired on November 22, 2017 and December 27, 2017. A special Christmas themed episode aired on December 4, 2017.[2] The second half of the second season premiered on January 1, 2018.

In 2018, Telemundo announced plans for a Spanish-language version of The Wall. It premiered in January 2020. Telemundo's version of the game show is hosted by Marco Antonio Regil.

Season 3 premiered on March 15, 2020.[3] After going on a brief hiatus in July 2020, new episodes resumed broadcast on September 24, 2020.

On September 30, 2020, the series was renewed for a fourth season of 20 episodes.[4]

The fourth season premiered on January 4, 2021.[5]

Gameplay

The Wall is a four-story tall (40 ft) pegboard, similar to a pachinko game or bean machine; it also is similar to the board used for the Plinko pricing game on The Price Is Right. The bottom of the board is divided into 15 slots marked with various U.S. dollar amounts; eight of these range from $1 to $100 and remain constant throughout the game, while the others have higher values and increase from round to round. Balls can be put into play from seven numbered "drop zones" on the top edge of the board, directly above the seven centermost money slots.

A team of two contestants plays each game, attempting to bank as much money as possible by answering questions correctly and landing balls in high-value slots.[6][7] Green balls dropped on the board will add to the team's bank, while red balls dropped on the board will subtract from it. Throughout the game, the bank has a floor of $0.

Round 1: Free Fall

In Free Fall, the team is asked a series of five questions, each with two answer choices. As each question is asked, three balls are simultaneously released from drop zones 1, 4, and 7. The team must select one answer and lock it in before any ball crosses the threshold of a money slot. If the team's answer is correct, the balls turn green and their values are added to the team's bank. If the team answers incorrectly or fails to lock in an answer, the balls turn red and their values are subtracted from the team's bank.

If the team's bank balance is zero at the end of this round, the game ends immediately and they leave without any winnings. If not, their earnings become part of a guaranteed payout to be offered to them at the end of the game.

Starting with Season 4, the team may choose to double the total value of any one question by pressing a gold "Free Fall Plus" disk while the balls are falling.

The highest amount that a team can bank in this round is $375,000 in the first three seasons; this was later increased to $450,000 for the fourth season.

The values on the board range from $1 to $25,000, and are arranged as follows:

$1$5,000$100$20,000$10$10,000$1$25,000$1$10,000$10$20,000$100$5,000$1

Round 2

At the start of the second round, the contestants are separated from each other for the rest of the game. One enters an isolation chamber behind The Wall, while the other remains onstage. A set number of green balls are played simultaneously at the beginning of the round. Three multiple-choice questions are then played, each with three answer choices. The onstage player is shown only the answers to each question and must decide which drop zone to use, based on how confident he/she is that the isolated player can answer correctly. The question and answers are then presented to the isolated player. After he/she responds, the ball is dropped from the chosen zone. A correct answer turns the ball green and adds the value of the slot it lands in to the team bank, while a wrong answer turns the ball red and deducts the value. The isolated player is not told which of his/her answers are correct or given any information on the team bank until he/she is brought out of isolation near the end of the game.

The onstage player is offered an opportunity to "Double Up" on the second question and "Triple Up" on the third. These options allow the onstage player to play two or three balls from the selected drop zone instead of one, respectively. After the third question, if the banked total is at least $1 more than the number of green balls played at the start of the round, an equal number of red balls are played simultaneously from the same zones.

In the first two seasons, two initial green balls were played from different zones chosen by the onstage player, and a team could bank up to $1,999,998. Beginning with the third season, seven initial green balls are played in a "SuperDrop," one from every zone, and a team could bank up to $3,249,993; the maximum slot value was reduced to $150,000 for the fourth season (thus reducing the maximum bank to $1,949,993).

The values on the board range from $1 to $250,000 (later $150,000), and are arranged as follows:

$1$5,000$100$10,000$10$25,000$1$50,000$1$100,000
$75,000		$10$150,000
$100,000		$100$250,000
$150,000		$1

Round 3

Gameplay proceeds as in Round 2, but each of the three questions now has four answer choices. In addition, four green and four red balls are played at the start and end of the round respectively, and are dropped one at a time, rather than simultaneously. The "Double Up" and "Triple Up" options are available as before. The maximum amount that a team can bank in this round is $9,999,996.

The values on the board range from $1 to $1,000,000, and are arranged as follows:

$1$50,000$100$100,000$10$200,000$1$300,000$1$400,000$10$500,000$100$1,000,000$1

Final Decision

After the third question in Round 3, the isolated player is sent a contract by the host, and he/she must sign it or tear it up. Signing the contract gives up the team bank in favor of a guaranteed payout, equal to the Free Fall winnings plus an additional $20,000 for every question answered correctly in Rounds 2 and 3. If the isolated player tears up the contract, the team receives their final bank total instead. After the four red balls have dropped in Round 3 and the final bank is calculated (or after the last question if there is less than $5 banked), the isolated player returns to the stage to reveal his/her decision. Only at this point does he/she learn the number of correct answers given, the payout total, and the team's final bank.

The maximum possible guaranteed payout in the first two seasons is $495,000, obtained by scoring $375,000 in Free Fall and answering all questions correctly in Rounds 2 and 3. The maximum possible bank total in the first two seasons is $12,374,994, obtained by answering every question correctly, using every Double Up and Triple Up option, having every green ball drop into the highest-valued slot, and having the six mandatory red balls each drop into a $1 slot. In the third season, the maximum possible total is $13,624,989 due to the number of mandatory green/red balls increasing to 11 each. For the fourth season, the maximum payout and bank totals are $570,000 and $12,399,989, respectively, achieved through use of the double-value option in Free Fall, and the reduced maximum slot value in Round 2.

Episodes

Color key

  The contestants won at least $1,000,000.
  The contestants left with the larger possible amount.
  The contestants left with the smaller possible amount.
  The contestants left with nothing at all.

Season 1
Episode Contestants Guaranteed Payout Contract Final Bank Total Contract Decision
Free Fall Bank Correct Answers (Bonus) Total Offer
1 John and Angel $65,213 5 ($100,000) $165,213 $1,300,010 Rejected
2 Chris and Katie $35,132 4 ($80,000) $115,132 $0 Rejected
3 Mike and Shana $10,121 2 ($40,000) $50,121 $529,921 Rejected
4 Jarrod and Shantell $75,001 3 ($60,000) $135,001 $950,011 Accepted
5 Matt and Jean $45,014 2 ($40,000) $85,014 $1,100,098 Rejected
6 Ebony and Deanna $170,105 2 ($40,000) $210,105 $194,896 Accepted
7 Nathan and Erica $30,301 3 ($60,000) $90,301 $349,890 Rejected
8 Katie and Kevin $140,013 3 ($60,000) $200,013 $299,969 Rejected
9 Darnell and Dion $35,112 0 ($0) $35,112 $0 Rejected
10 Ashle and Xandi $100,313 1 ($20,000) $120,313 $0 Accepted

Season 2
Episode Contestants Guaranteed Payout Contract Final Bank Total Contract Decision
Free Fall Bank Correct Answers (Bonus) Total Offer
1 Ryan and Stephanie $45,214 5 ($100,000) $145,214 $570,344 Rejected
2 Noah and Lisa $110,312 4 ($80,000) $190,312 $1,095,498 Rejected
3 Milton and Aaryn $65,004 3 ($60,000) $125,004 $520,095 Rejected
4 Lenny and Sharon $50,320 5 ($100,000) $150,320 $850,632 Accepted
5 Delvar and Bonnie $15,221 2 ($40,000) $55,221 $399,792 Rejected
6 Jeff and Jamie $20,011 3 ($60,000) $80,011 $0 Rejected
7 Chris and Paris $100,231 2 ($40,000) $140,231 $0 Accepted
8 Angela and Jodi $115,322 4 ($80,000) $195,322 $220,333 Accepted
9 Tomeka and Andre $65,241 2 ($40,000) $105,241 $0 Accepted
10 Erin and Rachael $115,024 4 ($80,000) $195,024 $0 Rejected
11 Sheriese and Kieara $74,912 3 ($60,000) $134,912 $50,012 Rejected
12 Ruben and Sandy $135,111 3 ($60,000) $195,111 $0 Accepted
13 Cassandra and Victoria $130,102 3 ($60,000) $190,102 $0 Accepted
14 Prince and Chris $100,043 3 ($60,000) $160,043 $159,813 Rejected
15 Niko and Kassie $155,313 1 ($20,000) $175,313 $740,500 Rejected
16 Victor and Evelyn $85,124 3 ($60,000) $145,124 $499,899 Rejected
17 Jakia and Shana $90,232 4 ($80,000) $170,232 $565,422 Rejected
18 Brooke and Cody $70,210 3 ($60,000) $130,210 $0 Rejected
19 Steve and Nick $49,891 2 ($40,000) $89,891 $899,881 Accepted
20 Brooke and Kirk $35,023 3 ($60,000) $95,023 $1,415,098 Rejected

Season 3
Episode Contestants Guaranteed Payout Contract Final Bank Total Contract Decision
Free Fall Bank Correct Answers (Bonus) Total Offer
1 Rebekah and Chris $85,234 5 ($100,000) $185,234 $1,455,631 Rejected
2 Bill and Meghan $70,127 4 ($80,000) $150,127 $820,045 Rejected
3 Matt and Nick $40,237 5 ($100,000) $140,237 $0 Rejected
4 Essence and Valencia $60,189 2 ($40,000) $100,189 $0 Accepted
5 Nellie and Taylor $75,343 3 ($60,000) $135,343 $1,670,254 Rejected
6 Damon and Deidra $50,121 2 ($40,000) $90,121 $0 Rejected
7 Holly and Michael $45,103 2 ($40,000) $85,103 $850,090 Accepted
8 Neangela and Marcus $135,120 3 ($60,000) $195,120 $0 Rejected
9 Alex and Jodie $15,140 2 ($40,000) $55,140 $199,980 Rejected
10 Peter and Bob $35,200 3 ($60,000) $95,200 $0 Rejected
11 Hecthan and Hector $15,400 2 ($40,000) $55,400 $1,749,907 Rejected
12 Michael and Jahmar $35,091 4 ($80,000) $115,091 $1,115,076 Accepted
13 Janeris and Jesenia $30,301 5 ($100,000) $130,301 $104 Rejected
14 Goldin and Linda $9,920 3 ($60,000) $69,920 $0 Rejected
15 Karen and Lori $10,011 5 ($100,000) $110,011 $1,410,024 Rejected
16 Tiffany and CJ $65,005 3 ($60,000) $125,005 $79,732 Accepted
17 Keaton and Taylor $55,132 0 ($0) $55,132 $0 Accepted
18 Jeremie and Nikki $60,001 5 ($100,000) $160,001 $0 Rejected
19 Denise and Tisha $50,100 3 ($60,000) $110,100 $0 Rejected

Season 4
Episode Contestants Guaranteed Payout Contract Final Bank Total Contract Decision
Free Fall Bank Correct Answers (Bonus) Total Offer
1 Lisa and Dan $95,244 3 ($60,000) $155,244 $545,225 Rejected
2 Brittany and CJ $135,225 5 ($100,000) $235,225 $910,266 Rejected
3 Tamara and Leo $155,104 3 ($60,000) $215,104 $0 Accepted
4 Travis and Michael $120,415 4 ($80,000) $200,415 $0 Rejected
5 KD and CJ $135,444 3 ($60,000) $195,144 $885,033 Accepted
6 Debbie and Ghadir $165,223 1 ($20,000) $185,223 $0 Accepted
7 Jason and Jay TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
8 Terra and Brandi TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
9 Apolo and Bianca TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

Critical reception

The Wall has received mixed reviews by critics. Jan Chaney of Vulture dubbed The Wall as being "the most stereotypically American game show on television right now" and "absurd yet undeniably diverting."[8] Chaney criticized the show for making "attempts to sell us something new, even though its concept is really based on old ideas [...] mixed up just enough [to] seem fresh".[8]

Bethonie Butler of the Chicago Tribune agreed that "The Wall looks a lot like the famed Plinko game from CBS", but qualified that "originality is relative when it comes to game shows", remarking on the similarity between popular trivia game shows such as Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?[9]

European production

In Europe the production is made in a studio in Poland where the 4 stories high wall is located. The crew of the show are mostly a local Polish crew and the producers, the host and participants flown in time to the filming of the show.[10]

International versions

Legend:   Currently airing     No longer airing     Upcoming version  

Country Title Presenter Channel Airdates Top slot value Possible top prize
 Arab World The Wall الجـدار Mohammad Sal MBC 1[11] February 14, 2018 – May 2, 2018 SR300,000 SR2,902,494
 Argentina The Wall: Construye tu vida Marley Telefe[12][13] October 1, 2017 – December 31, 2017 AR$200,000
 Australia The Wall Axle Whitehead Seven Network[14] October 30, 2017 – November 19, 2017 A$1,000,000 A$12,374,994
 Belgium
( Flanders)		 The Wall: De muur die geeft en neemt Niels Destadsbader VTM[15] September 4, 2017 – November 7, 2017 €100,000
 Brazil The Wall
(part of Caldeirão do Huck)		 Luciano Huck Rede Globo[16] March 10, 2018 – present R$150,000
 Canada
( Quebec)		 Face au Mur Maripier Morin TVA[17] January 18, 2018 – March 2, 2018 C$200,000 C$2,599,994
 Chile The Wall Rafael Araneda Chilevisión[18] June 20, 2018 – August 29, 2018 CL$20,000,000 CL$247,499,940
 Colombia The Wall Andrea Serna Caracol Televisión[19] January 30, 2018 – February 26, 2018 COP$200,000,000
 Denmark The Wall - Danmark Felix Smith Kanal 5[20] September 5, 2019 – present Kr 100,000
 Finland The Wall Suomi Heikki Paasonen Nelonen[21] September 22, 2018 – December 8, 2018 (Season 1)
February 16, 2019 – May 4, 2019 (Season 2)
October 5, 2019 – December 7, 2019 (Season 3)		 €50,000
 France The Wall : Face au mur Christophe Dechavanne TF1[22][23] February 27, 2017 – August 18, 2018 €150,000 €1,824,995
 Germany The Wall Frank Buschmann RTL[24] July 1, 2017 – August 11, 2017 (Season 1)
August 3, 2018 – August 24, 2018 (Season 2)		 €250,000
 Greece
 Cyprus		 The Wall Grigoris Arnaoutoglou ANT1[25] May 10, 2018 – July 27, 2018 €50,000
 Hungary A Fal Balázs Sebestyén RTL Klub[26][27] November 19, 2017 – June 8, 2018 Ft.8,000,000
 India (Tamil Nadu) The Wall Priyanka Deshpande and Ma Ka Pa Anand Star Vijay[28][29] October 12, 2019 – March 7, 2020 ₹2,000,000 ₹24,749,994
 Israel The Wall Zvika Hadar Reshet 13[30] February 7, 2018 – October 2, 2018 500,000₪
 Italy The Wall Gerry Scotti Canale 5[31] November 20, 2017 – January 6, 2019 €100,000
 Japan The Wall 壁から生きる TBS ¥10,000,000 N/A
 Netherlands BankGiro Loterij The Wall Winston Gerschtanowitz SBS 6[32] April 22, 2018 – May 27, 2018 (Season 1)
January 13, 2019 – February 14, 2019 (Season 2)		 €500,000 €6,187,494
 Philippines The Wall Philippines TBA TV5 (via Viva Television)[33] March 2021 ₱1,000,000 TBA
 Poland The Wall. Wygraj marzenia Paweł Orleański TVP1[34] (Seasons 1-4)
TVP2 (Season 4)		 September 22, 2017 – December 29, 2017 (Season 1)
January 5, 2018 – June 9, 2018 (Season 2)
September 14, 2018 – January 4, 2019 (Season 3)		 100,000 zł
Maciej Kurzajewski March 8, 2019 – October 6, 2019 (Season 4)
 Romania The Wall – Marele Zid Valentin Butnaru Antena 1[35] September 13, 2017 – present 150,000 Lei
 Russia Стена Andrey Malakhov Russia 1[36] October 22, 2017 – December 9, 2017 5,000,000 Ruble
 Spain The Wall: Cambia tu vida Carlos Sobera Telecinco[37] June 23, 2017 – September 8, 2017 €100,000
 Slovenia Stena POP TV €150,000
 Thailand The Wall กำแพงพลิกชีวิต Vuthithorn "Woody" Milintachinda ONE HD[38][39] January 6, 2018 – July 21, 2018 (Season 1) ฿500,000 ฿5,599,995 (first 16 episodes)

฿6,099,994 (current)

Pakachon Wo-Onsri October 20, 2018 – April 3, 2019 (Season 2)
November 23, 2019 – December 21, 2019 (rest of Season 2)
 United Kingdom The Wall Danny Dyer BBC One[40] October 12, 2019 – November 16, 2019 (Season 1)
October 3, 2020 – present (Season 2)		 £50,000 £687,495
 United States
(in Spanish)		 The Wall Marco Antonio Regil Telemundo January 1, 2020 – January 17, 2020 $200,000
 Uruguay The Wall: Cumplí tu Sueño Rafael Cotelo Canal 10[41] March 13, 2018 – present U$300,000
 Vietnam Tường lửa Võ Vũ Trường Giang VTV3[42] July 18, 2019 – October 3, 2019 (Season 1)
August 20, 2020 – December 31, 2020 (Season 2)		 VND500,000,000 VND6,187,494,000

See also
  • Peggle – a similar game published by PopCap Games
  • Tipping Point – a similar game show airing in the United Kingdom, whereby counters worth £50 are dropped into a "win zone" to win money
  • The Price Is Right – the Plinko game is similar to this game show

References
  1. Wagmeister, Elizabeth (28 October 2015). "Chris Hardwick to Host NBC Game Show 'The Wall' from Exec Producer LeBron James". Variety. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  2. Pena, Jessica (November 17, 2017). "The Wall: Season Two Finale & Holiday Special Announced by NBC". TV Series Finale. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  3. Mitovich, Matt Webb. "NBC Sets Return Dates for The Wall (Finally!), "Reimagined" Little Big Shots". TVLine. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  4. Iannucci, Rebecca (September 30, 2020). "The Wall Renewed for Season 4 at NBC". TVLine.
  5. Kimball, Trevor (November 20, 2020). "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, Mr. Mayor, The Wall: NBC Sets January Premiere Dates". TV Series Finale. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  6. "The Wall". NBC.com.
  7. Pedersen, Erik (14 November 2016). "'The Wall': NBC Sets Premiere Date For Game Show From EPs Chris Hardwick & LeBron James". Deadline. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  8. "The Wall Is the Most American Game Show on TV". Vulture. 2017-01-03. Retrieved 2017-01-12.
  9. Butler, Bethonie. "NBC's 'The Wall' is basically a high-tech Plinko game, but viewers probably don't care". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2017-01-12.
  10. Eriksen, Denise (28 October 2017). "The Wall: The strange thing about Seven's new game show". The New Daily. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  11. MBC.net. MBC.net.
  12. "Llega "The Wall: Construye tu vida, con la conducción de Marley". telefenoticias.com.ar. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  13. "The Wall". Retrieved 31 May 2019 – via telefe.com.
  14. Knox, David (7 August 2017). "Auditions: The Wall". TV Tonight. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  15. "Privacy settings". myprivacy.medialaan.be. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  16. "Luciano explica mais sobre o novo quadro do Caldeirão: The Wall - Rede Globo - Catálogo de Vídeos". Retrieved 31 May 2019 – via redeglobo.globo.com.
  17. Vlessing, Etan (June 26, 2017). "NBC's 'The Wall' Game Show Headed to Canada". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  18. "Así es el nuevo programa de concursos que exhibirá pronto Chilevisión". FMDOS (in Spanish). 2018-05-17. Retrieved 2018-06-21.
  19. "Es oficial: Andrea Serna se une a la familia del Canal Caracol con este concurso". Caracol Televisión. 6 December 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  20. https://www.dplay.dk/programmer/the-wall-danmark
  21. "The Wall Suomi". Nelonen.fi. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  22. "The Wall - Face au Mur - TF1 - MYTF1". tf1. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  23. "Retour de The Wall-Face au mur (TF1) le 25 décembre prochain ! - jeux télévisés". www.jeuxteleactu.com. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  24. "Endemol Shine Germany and RTL close new deal for The Wall". Endemol Shine Group. 5 April 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  25. "ANT1 TV / THE WALL". www.antenna.gr. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  26. "A Fal nyertesei gyerekeken segítenének a nyereményükkel". RTL.hu. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  27. "A Fal". Retrieved 31 May 2019 – via port.hu.
  28. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KuEHAI1T1c
  29. "Star Vijay's The Wall is an adaptation of the American TV show of the same name". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  30. "The Wall - (דה וול) עונה 1 פרקים מלאים". רשת 13. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  31. "Andamento ascolti al 25 settembre 2017" (PDF). Publitalia. 3 October 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  32. "BankGiro Loterij The Wall - BankGiro Loterij". www.bankgiroloterij.nl. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  33. "TV5, Umaapaw ang mga Bagong Programa". Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  34. ""The Wall. Wygraj marzenia". Nowy teleturniej jesienią w TVP1 - Telemagazyn.pl" (in Polish). www.telemagazyn.pl. Retrieved 2017-08-04.
  35. "The Wall Marele Zid - Antena 1". A1.RO. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  36. "На канале "Россия" выходит игровое шоу с Андреем Малаховым". russia.tv. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  37. "Telecinco producirá 'The wall', el concurso revelación de la temporada en EE. UU". Telemania. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  38. "Asia's First THE WALL !! It feels great to be back". woodytalk. 2 December 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  39. "THE WALL กำแพงพลิกชีวิต". ช่อง one31. 10 December 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
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  41. Subrayado. "El estreno de "The Wall" en Canal 10 arrasó con el rating". www.subrayado.com.uy (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  42. https://momo.vn/tuongluamomo
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