The Crystal Maze

Not so much a maze as The Crystal circuit of four inter-connecting play areas, or "time zones", called Aztec, Industrial (later Ocean), Medieval and Futuristic. A team of 6 contestants would make their way through a huge variety of challenges across 4 "zones", winning crystals which give them time in the final challenge, the crystal dome. Collecting 100 gold tokens would win them the star prize. It was consistently entertaining to watch the challenges, and even more so when they failed! It was one of those shows which would always get you talking to the TV, it had me shouting regular phrases such as "Come on, that's it", "You've got it", "Come on, that's easy!" "It's RIGHT THERE! Use your brain!" etc.

The two presenters of The Crystal Maze, Richard O'Brien and Ed Tudor-Pole, both played eccentric roles in their own unique way, even providing some strange anecdotes in the middle of the games. It was ultimately the hosts that helped make the programme what it is. The programme ended when still at the height of its popularity, and I'm glad it did as it couldn't have been done any differently to how it was. A winning formula all the way.

This was an excellent game show in which six contestants took part in Mystery, Mental, Skill and Physical challenges in four different time zones (Aztec, Futuristic, Medieval, Industrial and later Ocean).

The sets were fantastic ranging from sand-covered mexican temples to a cobweb ridden and a "Titanic"-like ocean liner.

Both Richard O'Brien and Ed Tudor-Pole were in their element, running around the sets leading contestants to either splendid victory or humiliating defeat.

I used to love this show. It was one where you could easily be a contestant if you wanted to be. You didn't have to be really physical or really smart. You had a go and you had the rest of the team there to help you. Some of the contestants were really useless but most were really good. I've been watching Re-runs of the earlier series i.e. the ones with the industrial zone. And they bring back fond memories. Richard O'Brian was better at the presenting as he would help the contestants if they got really stuck and would occasionally play his harmonica or go off and do something else while they played a rather uninteresting game. Definitely my favorite Game show. Bring it back please.

I came across this game show while living in Bangkok, Thailand. It is a show which I have long wished would be shown on Australian television. But alas it never has been.

I found that even as a viewer this show challenges your mind in a more 3 dimensional way. Something that most run of the mill game shows lack in their questions.

It's a shame that is no longer in production....but there are always hopes of re-runs right?

This show is a classic and should still be made today. I have fond memories of this show and I never get bored of watching the re-runs on challenge TV. If this show was to be made again i hope richard or ed would return if not i think the actor who plays kryten in red dwarf would be good, he presents scrap heap challenge. This show is sooo good i love it when someone gets locked in, and the theme tune also made the show. Richard o'brian was a fantastic host he is sooo funny with he's silly comments, ed tudor pole also done very well taking over from richard, he was funny and witty. Someone please remake this but don't change a single thing about the show, in it's day it pulled 6 million viewers which I think is huge for a game show.