Wipeout (2008 game show): Difference between revisions

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An American [[Game Show]] on [[ABC]] in which 24 contestants compete in a series of events seemingly designed to humiliate and otherwise annoy them. The last contestant standing wins $50,000. Inspired by [[Widget Series|crazy Japanese stunt game shows]] like ''[[Takeshi's Castle]]'' (although older viewers may also find it not dissimilar to ''Jeux Sans Frontieres'').

* [[Carried by the Host]]: The commentary of and banter between the Johns and Jill/Vanessa is part of what makes the show enjoyable.

John A.: I'm touched... and sort of can't wait. [smirk] }}

* [[Covered in Gunge]]

* [[Animal Reaction Shot]]: Occasional shots of wildlife near the set are used either in comedy bits or otherwise.

* [[Bond Gun Barrel]]: Henson attempted this when a Bond Girl wannabe came on the show. He had trouble keeping the gun focused on her.

* [[Book Ends]]: Aside from the obstacles and the need to restart, the Qualifer and Wipeout Zone are fairly identical: each player goes one at a time, tries to get past a series of obstacles in order to each the finish spot, and tries to get the best time amongst them.

** The key difference between the two is that you only have to ''attempt'' each obstacle in the Qualifier. If you fail, you simply need to swim or otherwise slowly advance to the next obstacle. In the Zone, if you don't make it to the end of an obstacle, you need to swim ''back'' and try again. Only the really tough obstacles can be skipped after wiping out, and with a large time penalty for doing so.

** And lampshaded by the Johns when a contestant wipes out... while climbing a ladder to an obstacle platform.

* [[Nominal Importance]]: Each episode there are a few contestants who make it past the qualifier '''without''' getting a nickname. [[Your Days Are Numbered|Guess what their chances are of surviving Round 2.]] Lampshaded a few times:

** Also:

"What is it with you and names, John?" }}

** And:

"Yeah, but if he did better, we'd have given him a better name." }}

* [[One Steve Limit]]: Averted, as both of the hosts are named John.

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