Opportunity Knocks Series Review

Opportunity Knocks combines some of the best elements from today's reality shows and game shows to come up with a family-friendly game show that everyone from kids to grandparents can enjoy together.

The concept of Opportunity Knocks is that four family members - parents and two kids, usually - answer trivia questions about other members of their family for a chance to win up to $250,000 and a bunch of fun prizes carefully suited to fit each participating family member.

The game show starts with JD Roth rolling up to a family's house to tell them they've been chosen to play Opportunity Knocks. All families are prescreened and go through the application process to make sure they'll really pop on TV.

Of course, host JD Roth does not travel alone. He is accompanied to each city by what can only be described as a fleet of semi-trucks that carry the game show set and all the fabulous props and prizes that are used throughout the show, much like another ABC show, Extreme Home Makeover, but without the sob stories.

Family and friends are also asked questions about the family so producers can develop the questions needed for the game show. The entire neighborhood (and close family & friends) is invited to the taping of the show which takes place that evening. This gives the show a block party-type vibe that contributes to the fun-going atmosphere that producers try to create.

Once the game begins, one family member is called up to center stage and asked a series of four trivia questions about various family members. The trivia questions range from spotting your son's painting from a group of similar paintings and matching up family members with their birthdays.

The family plays for cash of course, with each trivia question answered correctly adding several more thousand dollars to the pot, but they also play for a special prize picked specifically for that family member. This could be anything from a father's dream car to a Jonas Brothers VIP concert package for a daughter and her friends.

Once each family member has had a chance to play, they are asked to choose one family member to play the last round. The family then has to decide whether to try to double their money, but still keep the original winnings if they don't answer the last question correctly or risk it all and play for $250,000.

Sources:

Opportunity Knocks Website