'weakest Link'

NBC, the latecomer to TV's come-as-you-are-edited party of unscripted reality and game shows, might breathe new life into Aesop's hare-and-tortoise fable. Embarrassingly slow to cash in on the trend, NBC can now boast a primetime entry that combines intellect, raw emotion and personality, all neatly choreographed by a Brit with a rapier wit.
While there's no getting around the fact that this show borrows unashamedly from "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and "Survivor," it arguably improves on both. Taken from "Millionaire" are the high-tech set, the mood lighting and the music. But there are big differences in the way the shows are played. Unlike "Millionaire" and its one-player-at-a-time format and lightweight early-round questions, "Weakest Link" has eight contestants who take turns answering "Jeopardy!"-caliber questions. What's more, there is a ticking clock that encourages a swift answer, which helps to avoid the filibuster-type responses so prevalent on "Millionaire."
As correct answers are given, players accumulate a bank of money that will be paid only to the winner. Although it's possible to amass $1 million, the winnings most nights are likely to be only a fraction of that amount, at least if the first night's game is any indication.
Borrowed from "Survivor" is the vote that expels contestants, the occasional comments from voters and the last words of the newly departed. In this show, though, the voting takes place quickly and the parting shots, though usually dripping with hostility, last only a few seconds.
Undoubtedly, the greatest improvement over both of these unscripted ratings powerhouses is "Weakest Link" host Anne Robinson, who has been at the helm of the original BBC version. Robinson brings an acid tongue, a dry wit and a withering glare from which no contestant is safe. Miss an easy question and count on a scolding.
Where "Millionaire" host Regis Philbin is everyone's kindly kindergarten teacher and "Survivor's" Jeff Probst is the aloof and dispassionate phys ed instructor, Robinson, a former journalist, is the dean of students in charge of discipline. Unable to suffer fools gladly, she doesn't even try. When she utters, "You are the weakest link. Good-bye," words that may well become a catch phrase, it is with contempt cold enough to produce liquid oxygen.
Her presence gives the show bite and energy. Finally, here is someone unafraid to ask the question quiz show viewers really wonder: How could this person possibly have made the cut to compete on this show? With simple rules, a brisk pace and a riveting host, "Weakest Link" may quickly become NBC's strongest building block.
The show will launch with episodes at 8 tonight, 9: 30 p.m. Tuesday and 10 p.m. Wednesday before settling into its regular time slot at 8 p.m. Mondays.

WEAKEST LINK
NBC
BBC Entertainment in association with Laurelwood Entertainment
Executive producers: Philip Gurin, Stuart Krasnow
Executive producers for NBC: Ruth Davis, Colin Jarvis
Supervising producer: David Floyd
Producer: Javier Winnik
Director: Bob Levy
Senior segment producer: Jonathan Bourne
Production design consultant: Bruce Ryan
Art director: James Yarnell
Editor: Ben Daugherty
Music: Paul Farrer
Host: Anne Robinson
Announcer: John Cramer
Airdate: Mondays, 8-9 p.m.