The Crystal Maze Revived for a Full 20 Episode Series!

[Bletchleyite]

Who owns the new experience set? If they aren't directly connected with the production company then it may have proven more viable to create a separate set. It might also be the experience replicates the old set too much and the production company wanted an updated set.

The experience sets (there are two, one in London and one in Manchester) are owned by an independent crowdfunded business. I believe they did consider using them (and they did use the London one for the series pilot) as they are a very high quality replica, but they aren't well set up for filming (for example the top isn't open to allow camera equipment in) and they didn't want to close for long periods for filming.

 

[KashmireHawker]

Think Crossover has nailed pretty much everything in terms of the negatives - 2 Million+ viewers for each of the three episodes so far, 30,000+ applying for just 15 normal episodes, stacks of new games which makes you scream at the box and a host in Ayoade who knows to bring that factor needed.

Also with a full website, being https://thecrystalmaze.com/ now live, I think that is a small hint the show will stay for the coming couple of years at least.

 

[507021]

The one thing that is grating is the sheer number of "ALIS" (Automatic Lock In Situation) as I am sure originally there may have been one or two per episode whereas now there are probably at least half a dozen.

I had to laugh at the most recent episode, one of the contestants was locked in twice, and both times they chose to "buy" the contestant back, losing two crystals and ten seconds in the Crystal Dome. Talking of the Dome, I particularly like all teams being given a five second bonus on top of their accumulated total from the challenges in The Maze.

I may be wrong but I believe the producers may have set the challenge type previously but that it was made to look like the team captain had chosen it

Oh fair enough, I didn't know that.

 

[Kite159]

The episodes featuring regular groups of friends/family are a better improvement on the celebrity episodes as the teams seem to work together more

 

[507021]

The episodes featuring regular groups of friends/family are a better improvement on the celebrity episodes as the teams seem to work together more

I think so too, I've enjoyed those more than the celebrity episodes.

 

[cf111]

It's been godawful so far and Ayoade is a much better actor than he is a presenter, he's very tiresome in this.

I have thoroughly revised my opinion and I am now quite enjoying the revived programme and big Richard's presenting of it! Not faultless but good entertainment on the whole.

 

[northwichcat]

I guess the producers revised the order which the episodes were broadcast in, as the one where Richard gave the most detail about the zones and games wasn't the first episode shown.

I liked the one which had the young all female team. The complete clash of personalities between the team's and Richard's made it very entertaining.

I notice Jessica Hynes, who appeared as an extra in the celebrity episodes, hasn't appeared in the regular episodes.