The Games (partially found British reality sports game show; 2003-2006)
The Games was a gameshow aired on the British TV channel, Channel 4, for four series between 2003 and 2006.
Background
The show saw a collection of celebrities train for, and then take part in, a number of Olympic style events, competing against each other. Contestants (split into male and female teams) would take part in several qualifying events (usually shown on sister channel E4), with the finals being shown live on Channel 4. Points were awarded based on each contestants placing in the final, with the overall winner from each team being those who had accumulated the most. The series was hosted by Jamie Theakston and Jayne Middlemiss, who was replaced by Kirsty Gallacher for series 4.
The first series aired over 6 nights between the 7th and 12th September 2003, with the second and third series airing in March 2004 and 2005. The final series, Series 4, aired between the 17th and 25th March 2006. [1] In addition to the live shows, there was an after-show "The Games: Live at Trackside" (renamed Inside Track for series 4), which aired on E4. A live feed of the contestants house would also be broadcast on E4. A Champion of Champions edition followed series 2-4, with previous series winners competing for the titular title. [2]
Availability
As a live gameshow, there was little demand for repeat showings of The Games, and following it's end in 2006, it was largely forgotten about. As of 2022, no full airings have emerged, but several clips from the second and third series, as well as the Champion of Champion specials, can be found on YouTube. A large number of VHS clips from series 2 and it's special survive on the channel "StephenGatelyMJ4ever" and were likely recorded due to the user being a fan of the band Boyzone, of which contestant Shane Lynch was a member. [3]
Surviving Footage
Series | Air Date | Length | Upload Date | Link | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 2004 | 03:13 | 23rd February 2010 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Flrt3cQrO2k | |
2 | 2004 | 06:42 | 23rd February 2010 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqQBfEZbiXM | |
2 | 2004 | 06:25 | 24th February 2010 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjdKZtRlZ1w | Champion of Champions 2004 |
2 | 2004 | 02:09 | 24th February 2010 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y-8nXcjy-E | Champion of Champions 2004 |
3 | 2005 | 03:07 | 24th April 2007 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUfEimQRVHU | |
3 | 2005 | 01:19 | 1st November 2012 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T9DQM7Z24g | |
3 | 2005 | 01:32 | 23rd February 2010 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02mlUv5X-ek | |
4 | 2006 | 06:42 | 24th February 2010 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZlzTkhNugw | Champion of Champions 2006 |