Blockbusters (United Kingdom)


Aired
ITV (1983-1993) Sky One (1994, 2000-2001) BBC 2 (1997) Challenge (2012) Comedy Central [UK] (2019)
Host
Bob Holness (1983-1994) Michael Aspel (1997) Liza Tarbuck (2000-2001) Simon Mayo (2012) Dara O'Briain (2019)

Game Format[]

Each correct answer during the regular game awarded £5. The winner of each match played Gold Run for a bonus prize. Failure to complete a Gold Run awarded the player or team £10 per correct answer. At first, each player or team could play up to five Gold Runs. By 1990, the limit shortened to three. On both Sky One revivals and the Challenge revival, the limit reverted back to five. On BBC 2, the limit again shortened to three Gold Runs.

On Comedy Central, the format has been modified so that each episode is a standalone contest between a complete panel of three contestants. The prize money has been increased from previous incarnations, to £20 per correct answer in the main game (£100 for celebrity edition) and £50 per correct answer in an unsuccessful Gold Run (£150 for celebrity edition). Spot prizes exist in this series, occurring once per episode when a certain hex is selected. If each side wins one game each, the deciding game of past formats has been replaced with a sudden death playoff entitled the Hexagon Standoff. The two teams try to answer one question, if they get it correct they go to the Gold Run, however if they answer incorrectly the opposition goes through. In the Gold Run the contestant has a choice of two categories for their question board. All contestants take away a Blockbusters-branded hoodie and "reusable cup". This version uses a white background during the Gold Run and passes turn the space dark blue.