Game Show Network's Newest Program: That's the Question

That's the Question is one of Game Show Network's newest programming additions. It is a hangman-like trivia show in which contestants must answer pop culture and history questions in order to gain points and fill in the letters of a puzzle. Each episode begins in black and white while Bob Goen, the host, introduces the show and the contestants.

Round one begins as Bob Goen asks a trivia question. The answer is given to the contestants in scrambled word form. They alternate turns and if they answer the question correctly, they gain points and a letter drops into the puzzle. The puzzle consists of a question and answer, both of which the contestants must know in order to move on to the next puzzle.

In round two, contestants no longer alternate. Instead, they continue with their turn until they miss a question. The points are doubled for each correct answer and a letter is dropped into the puzzle. At the end of the game, the contestant with the most points wins $500 and moves on to the bonus round.

The bonus round works the same as the other two rounds in that the contestant must answer trivia questions in order to fill in the puzzle. The difference is that there is a time limit. Each point earned equals one second, so it is in the best interest of the contestant to rack up as many points as possible during regular game play. When time is up, the contestant is given ten seconds to figure out the puzzle. If successful, he or she wins $5000.

The show ends as it began. The film turns black and white, and Bob Goen steps to the side of the stage to recap the game.

According to gsn.com, That's the Question has set record ratings in The Netherlands, Switzerland, and France. However, it does not seem to be making such a big splash in the United States. Bob Goen, who has hosted numerous shows, most notably Entertainment Tonight, is well qualified for the job. Unfortunately, his attempts to create a lively atmosphere on That's the Question go unnoticed by contestants who appear wooden. Most of them are unresponsive to both the host and the trivia questions, which go largely unanswered.

The set and the sound effects do nothing to help bring life to the show. The set consists of a simple blue background and podiums for the host and the contestants. The sound effects include a female repeating "question" over and over again in a soothing, almost whispering, voice. All of that combined lends the show about as much excitement as a high school academic competition on public access television.