The Crystal Maze

I remember this show fondly. But, alas, I remember this show only from the couple of times I saw it in my early childhood when I visited my grandmother in Scotland. It was the most entertaining game show I've ever seen and though I don't know how, I hope all of you readers will happen upon reruns (no matter how unlikely that seems.)

I use to live in Hong Kong where the show was broadcasted. It was THE most enjoyable game show I've ever seen.

This show had the strangest but witty host as he gathered 6 people to battle through Physical, Mental, Skill, and Mystery challenges (To get the elusive crystals and to not get themselves locked in) as they go through the Aztec, Future, Medieval, Ocean (then Industrial) worlds. I loved how his witty comments and the complexity of it all to get all the crystals to win stuff in a duration of seconds inside the Crystal Dome. If I were in England, I would watch this show endlessly and never get bored!

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.

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.