One of the problems with overseas TV formats is that the pesky participants can give themselves something of an unfair advantage.
So when Nine gave The Apprentice a go, the participants could easily have watched the British version to get ideas on what challenges they would face as many of them were carbon copies.
And it’s happened again. Last night landscaper Grant Nelson won half a million bucks on Seven’s Minute To Win It.
But he spilled the beans to the Herald Sun – after learning he would be on the show, he went online and watched US episodes from NBC to practice the tricks he would be asked to perform.
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He told the paper: “I did some of them hundreds of times. I knew I was only going to get one shot. All that practice is what paid off in the long run.”
And that background info also helped him decide to skip going after the top prize: “Out of 300 attempts at home, I’d only landed it three times.”
The same used to occur with Ten’s Big Brother. Anytime a twist had previously occurred in an overseas series, the contestants would know to expect it. As a result there were vary few genuine surprises.
Grant nelson shouldn’t be criticised for using his initiative to give himself an edge.
But as a result, it makes for less interesting television, and in the long term, less interested viewers.
Tim Burrowes