Last night, ABC wrapped up the first season of 500 Questions, their new primetime game show. How did it do in the ratings? Is it a slam-dunk to be renewed for a second season or, will it certainly be cancelled instead?
Hosted by Richard Quest, 500 Questions lets some adult geniuses try to answer 500 very difficult general knowledge questions and win lots of cash — without answering three in a row incorrectly.
Airing over the course of seven evenings, the series debuted on May 20th to a 1.2 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 5.058 million viewers. It wasn’t a great start, even for a summer series.
The numbers dropped over the seven episodes but didn’t dip below four million. They averaged a 1.04 demo rating with 4.79 million.
Looking at the numbers, there’s really no reason for ABC to renew 500 Questions for a second season. It surely didn’t attract much attention as an “event”. Still, there is a chance that the network will bring it back for another short run, filling a gap in their schedule. It didn’t cost ABC much to make and it did maintain its (small) viewership numbers as people begin to cut back on their television viewing in the warmer months.
But, what do you think? Do you like the 500 Questions series? Cancel or keep it?
We also happened to stumble on to it the 2nd evening. We love game shows and this is a very good one. I do believe you need a different host though. This host has no appeal whatsoever and there are lots of game show hosts out there that would do a much better job. We are hoping you bring it back for another chance. It’s fun watching people who are so very intelligent and see them answer so many things of any category.
500 Questions: Please don’t cancel it! I liked the show and so did others I spoke withwho watched it. We keep looking for it to come on again My only criticism was the payoff to those who answered 50, 100, 150 questions wasn’t sufficient. Hey you can go on Millionaire and if you get most of the first 10 questions right you can will win like $60,000. These contestants are getting 50 right and walking away with like $43,000. There should be a large bonus to those who make it to 50, 100, 150, etc. That $5,000 bonus only if… Read more »
So how about this… $2000 first right answer $1000 any right answer after the first Keep the benchmarks, but like this… 25, 50, 75, 100 = $5000 each 125, 150, 175, 200 = $10000 each 225, 250, 275, 300 = $25000 each 325, 350, 375, 400 = $50,000 each 425, 450, 475 = $100,000 each 500 = $100,000 + something like a Tesla. You only get the benchmark $$$ if you get the Benchmark question right. Also, keep Top Ten and TRIPLE THREAT as the are Every category will have one BATTLE question, plus TWO WRONGS and the next question… Read more »
Hi, Don, I like some of your ideas: $2000 if first answer is right answer The benefit of the $1000 for the first answer is that we viewers can see approximately how many times the contestant has gotten the question right on the first try. Better would be a counter for how many correct answers that round, and at 50 questions, 100, 150, 200, etc., you get the $1000 not only for getting it right the first time, but also $1000 each for all the questions he got right. $1000 any right answer after the first (above would take care… Read more »
So let me see if I get it straight… $1000 per right answer, no matter where. Bench mark money on the fives (25,75, etc) Player banks any total money on the o’s (50, 100) etc. (I can go with that….and so can the accountants at UA and Warner Bros. 😉 Method to my madness: With my initial proposal, my reasoning is to involve the challenger more, which seems to be the main problem most have with that, but since under my plan, there would be more battles and more involvement and interaction with both players, we can go with that… Read more »
I really enjoyed the show, but I also thought Richard Quest (Dicky Boy) was very annoying, more like a robot than a real host.
Any suggestions? Anderson Cooper is probably going to take over for Trebek after he leaves Jeopardy!.
Keep! Enjoyed it! I agree with the comments calling for a different host.
Great show, but every time you get something good it gets canceled
we went looking for more episodes We just started to really get into it and then the season abruptly ended.
I guess it wasn’t well advertised because we stumbled upon it, yet really really enjoyed it.
ABC please bring it back and promote it this time!!! even Who Wants to be a Millionaire had a shelf life and wasn’t nearly so intelligent!!!
The show was a limited run, only to last for the sweeps.
Liked the concept, love game shows like theses, suggest
replacing the host though! Somebody with a personality maybe?
My mother is 91 years old and loves the show….she got me to watch it and as a widow, it fills my nights too….We both love, love this tv show….please keep it….
I enjoyed it a great deal. I would love to see it come back. I would like to see Jeopardy champion Ken Jennings try his hands at this game. I think this game will do very well!
I thought the same thing about Ken Jennings! Please keep the show!
500 Questions is a great show. My sons and I watched that, more or less as Jeopardy. Please put it back into prime time. However, this show is broadcasted after Jeopardy, it would look like a little bit of ‘heavy’ for the general public, in terms of questioning and answering. If this show is not so good appearing in ABC, other companies NBC, etc should be considered.
I know many who love the time of the show!!
Definitely keep it.
My husband I really liked it. We looked forward to it like we do Jeopardy!
It is a great show, challenging, educational & entertaining – please renew it!
Finally, an intellectual show, instead of mindless drivel aimed at 12-14 year olds. Guess you won’t keep it.
FINALLY! A prime time game show that keeps me glued! Please keep it! I went searching through my recordings list and it was gone! Please bring it back!
Loved this show it has to come back!
Raise the bar, America. Keep the show. Motivate and inspire instead of embarassingly primitive reality shows.