Is it Worth Remembering What Time Amnesia Airs?

I admit it, I was intrigued by the premise behind Amnesia. Simply put, contestants are asked about things that they should remember or have knowledge of...things like your best friend's middle name, the speed limit on the street where you live, or what was printed on that 'business' card you had printed in college. As well, I was interested in seeing how Dennis Miller would fill the role of the host of the show. I mean, let's face it - could he be as bad as Drew Carey is on The Price is Right?

I find several faults with the show:

1. The theme song is amateurish, at best. It sounds more like a commercial jingle for a board game (which I am sure is forthcoming) than it does a theme song for a game show. Not to be turned off by a negative first impression, I continued watching. It is, after all, only a song.

2. It seems that - as opposed to the rash of game shows that have resulted due to the success of Deal or No Deal - this show is designed to guarantee that the contestant walks away with a decent amount of prize money. The game has two 'rounds.' In the first round, money is awarded for correct responses. There is no consequence for wrong answers except that you do not add money to your 'Memory Bank' when you answer incorrectly - you do not lose money in this round. The second round consists of three questions. This round has some jeopardy involved. Each question is worth an increasingly large sum of money. If you answer correctly, you win the money - incorrectly, the money is subtracted from your bank. If your bank is reduced to zero, you are done - game over. The contestant can walk away with their winnings any time prior to actually hearing the next question. For me, there just seems to be a lack of drama surrounding the decision process to continue with the questions or to walk away.

3. Dennis Miller. Don't get me wrong, I do actually think that Dennis Miller is a funny guy. As I stated above, he is one reason that I was looking forward to seeing this show. He falls a little flat. His sarcastic wit is present, and he attempts to banter with the contestants, but it seems to be a little forced. Fortunately for him, he is not the weakest link in this show - he is just not strong enough to save it. Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update was a great fit for him. This show is not. Howie Mandel on Deal or No Deal, Bob Saget on 1 v. 100, the aforementioned Drew Carey on The Price is Right...well-known comedians hosting a game show seems to be the current formula. This time, the formula fell short.

4. This show has all of the growing pains of the red-headed step-child of Mr. Writers' Strike and Ms. Lost Revenue. It screams of having been hastily thrown together due to the network's fear of an ongoing lack of material emanating from the writers' rooms of their regular prime-time fare. I should have known from the start (read number 1).

While it does have a modicum of entertainment value, you would be better off shutting off the TV and spending some quality time with your friends and family or a good book as opposed to watching this show.

Amnesia is best forgotten. Pun intended.