Hello all,
I turned on NBC tonight and watched a new primetime game show. ‘Amnesia’ is a show where questions are asked of a person’s past. The questions are based on the accounts of family and friends. The whole show is hosted by Dennis Miller.
Now, let me first say that I have never been a fan of Dennis Miller, but he is actually a fairly good game show host, especially for this type of show. The show is light-hearted, good spirited, with very little chance to lose the money you’ve accumulated along the way. Dennis Miller is funny, adds to the conversation and tempo of the game without going for the cheap, crude joke of the moment.
I compare this show to Fox’s ‘Moment of Truth’, as basically both shows ask the contestant questions about their pasts. However, where ‘Moment of Truth’ goes for the dirty secrets and naughty details, Amnesia goes for the family, or at least Pg-13, rated fun. Dennis Miller is a heck of a lot better than Mark Walberg on ‘Moment of Truth’.
Now, I’m not saying that I don’t find ‘Moment of Truth’ entertaining, but I find that most primetime game shows slip too easily into removing the tempo from the game by cutting to the commercial in the (unrealized) hopes of keeping the audience. I first noticed this on Fox’s ‘Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?’ and then later, the same stunt being pulled every commercial break of NBC’s ‘Deal or No Deal’. It is nice to see a break from this type of low-brow entertainment stunts and back to a more family-friendly game show with a hint of adolescent themes.
All this being said, I urge you to check out both shows, Amnesia airs on NBC on Fridays and Moment of Truth airs on Fox on Wednesdays. Check them both out and make up your own minds, I’m sure you’ll find one entertaining.
Ryan ‘Piece’ Levy
