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?
My wife and I loved it! Great questions!!! Watched it streaming. Immediately wanted to know when the next season starts! Didn’t like the host much, but the contestants were astonishing. Crazy impressive.
It was so refreshing to have intelligent programming on TV. Please renew it. This has the potential to be the most successful game show on TV.
My husband and I loved 500 Questions and hope to see it renewed and on weekly It is fast paced, unlike Millionaire, we couldn’t wait for the next night to watch it. Richard Quest it a great emcee. We would really be disappointed if ABC doesn’t give it a fair chance. 7 nights is not enough. A little more advertising would help too.
I absolutely LOVE trivia – can’t get enough of it. I watched every night of 500 Questions just for that. But the format of the show is awful. There’s no build-up, just survival to another 50 questions. What’s the significance of getting to 500? It was never explained. And I hate the fact that some really smart people never even got a chance to compete. The challengers are mostly at the mercy of the one answering the questions. As I said, I love trivia, but this game needs a major reworking before I’ll watch it again.
I am a seventy plus adult and have been amazed at the star contestants and how much they knew…I learned a lot of information and do hope you continue this program…great for summer fun and sharing with teenagers and college kids of today. It is very worth saving and continuing as one of the best shows..
Hope it gets another chance. Liked that there were so many questions answered each episode.
I disagree with there being no reason to renew it. The same could have been said about Shark Tank after season 1. With it’s poor ratings, there would have been no reason to renew it..now look? It’s a hit. Sometimes shows take a bit of time to catch on!
Please keep the show! I LOVED it and dropped everything else every evening to watch!
I was so disappointed when I couldn’t find it today on my TV menu so I went online to find out what happened! Please keep this show!!! It’s brilliant, and I want to see someone get to 500 Questions!
You should go back and watch the show on demand and see how many answers
you remember. I DVR’d it and plan on having a little fun with my brain. (~_~)
Great idea, Cherie! And I hope the show will be back soon and stay around for a long time!
Keep the show with different host. He talked and talked and talked and talked. If he had shut up a WHOLE lot more questions could have been done.
I am not a game show fanatic, but loved the show! It “tickled” me into watching each other posted. Keep it!
Keep it !
Keep the show but PLEASE replace Richard Quest. He is a master of Pontificating and honestly a boar to watch.
Please keep it —- My husband & I both loved it !!! Very Challenging and interesting. Full of information and Richard Quest does a fine job. We all need to see how the Professor does now. Replace any Reality TV show with this one. Thank you for reading and listening. We are 69 & 70 years of age and appreciate good programming.
Just loved the show. Best new game show bring it back!!!!
Stupid and boring