Mental Samurai

Was excited to watch this at first, but ultimately was disappointed. Questions aren't that difficult, and the arm gimmick seems a bit over the top. Worst thing about this show is how long they focus on contestant's back stories. Get to the point. We're here for the game.

I ran some quick time estimates while watching a few contestants. I would estimate that between Ava taking an inordinate and seemingly random amount of time to announce if the answer is correct and the even more random transport to the next question she wastes up to 40% of the contestants time where they literally can't do anything. And that doesn't include the time it takes her to ask the question. It also succeeds in wasting the talents of Rob Lowe as he does pretty much nothing. Oh and one more thing it wastes, the time of anyone who watches this gimmicky mess.

Like many others already said, the robotic arm "Ava" (some dude with joysticks behind the scenes) is useless to any game. It does nothing. Rob Lowe is a great host and personality, but you can tell even this show isn't challenging enough for him. This show is just a bunch of questions - some ridiculously easy, and nothing else. I'd rather see Ellen's Game of Games which also has questions, but with fun, laughable and embarrassing moments. Maybe this show would be better if kids were sitting in that robotic arm.

Hosted by Rob Lowe, "Mental Samurai" is another of those big studio games, and it features a huge robotic arm that transports contestants between questions. The object of the game is to answer all twelve questions in five minutes. If you do, you win $10,000 and a chance to play the Circle of Samurai. If you miss even one of the twelve, you fail.

The Circle of Samurai consists of four questions. Correct answers increase your winnings to $25,000, then $50,000, then $100,000. Those who go the distance also earn the title Mental Samurai. It may lack the cachet of Jeopardy Champion or American Ninja, but it's something most people will not accomplish, if the first episode is any indication.

The questions are distributed equally among four categories: Knowledge, Puzzles, Sequence, and Memory. Factual knowledge helps, but this is not a trivia quiz. What makes the task difficult is the ticking clock. The robotic arm, called AVA, is disorienting. You can train for American Ninja and Jeopardy, but you can't simulate the jerky, 3-D movements of AVA.

Rob Lowe is there for support and empathy. The game is difficult enough without an antagonist. And the questions are not tricky; they don't have to be.

The producers strive to cast contestants with interesting backgrounds and/or big personalities. This can add or subtract to the enjoyment of watching. The show is a curious diversion from other game show fare, but lacks the engagement necessary for long-term success.

Update 6-2-21: Season two has welcome improvements, like contestanta competing against each other.

Our school requires us to do BrainBreak days every two weeks. I've tried dozens of shows to keep my students learning but entertained and NOTHING has worked until this. I teach all middle school grades from high ability to self-contained special needs and all of my students love this show!