Oblivious (American game show)

Oblivious (rendered on screen as Obliviou$) is a hidden camera comedy game show based on the British format by Tiger Aspect Productions and Mast Media of the same name.

Oblivious
GenreHidden camera comedy game show
Created byMark Baker
Steve Havers
Presented byRegan Burns
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
Production
Running timeapprox. 26 minutes
Production companyStone Stanley Entertainment
Original release
NetworkSpike
ReleaseAugust 1, 2002 (2002-08-01) –
June 1, 2004 (2004-06-01)
Related
Oblivious

Gameplay

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Host Regan Burns would take a camera crew with him and ask unsuspecting people trivia questions, while playing some sort of role.[1] The person being asked the questions did not know they were on TV until after Burns finished asking the questions, but usually he would do one final bit in his role before revealing the truth. For every question the contestant got correct, they received $20 in cash. Five questions usually were asked per person, for a possible $100.

At the start of the show, and before and after commercial breaks, Burns would walk up next to someone on the street and ask a single question for $20, before saying "We'll be right back" or a similar phrase. On some occasions, this money was refused.

Once per episode, there was a speed round, where contestants could get $20 for every question they answered correctly within one minute. At the end, contestants got a chance at a $100 bonus question, with that amount in cash given to them if they got it right.

Once per episode, Burns would give the unsuspecting contestant a chance at up to $500 more (this was called the Lightning Round), if s/he would take on the role of quizmaster. He would walk them through it using a hidden camera and a headset microphone out of view, and for every question that the next contestant got right, the first player got $100. (The other player got $20 per correct answer regardless.)

Sometimes other actors pretend to win money with the contestant.

Disguises

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These are some of the disguises played by the host:

  • Florist
  • Janitor
  • Artist
  • Tennis Instructor
  • Video store worker
  • Camera store worker
  • Travel agent
  • Hollywood agent
  • Clown
  • Gas station attendant
  • Spanish person that sung songs at Taco Bell
  • A man getting married at Taco Bell
  • Bartender
  • Hospital patient
  • Boxing referee

References

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  1. ^ "TUNED IN; 'Oblivious' Host Makes His Mark". Los Angeles Times. August 17, 2002. ProQuest 421726236. Retrieved June 8, 2022.

International versions

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Country Name Host(s) Network Date premiered
  Germany Keine Ahnung?
Ahnungslos – Das Comedyquiz
Mario Barth
Joko Winterscheidt and Klaas Heufer-Umlauf
ProSieben 2003–2005
2010–2012
  Italy Oblivious Premiata Ditta Italia 1 2003
  United Kingdom (original format) Oblivious Davina McCall ITV 2001–2003
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