"You Don't Know Jack" (2001) TV series

Director:

Keith Truesdell

Writers:

Joe Bolster (writer)
Lee Frank (writer)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

20 June 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Game-Show

Plot:

The hugely popular computer game becomes a weekly TV gameshow.

Plot Keywords:

Spoof | Trivia | Based On Video Game | Based On Game | Non Fiction

Cast

TeeJay Boyce	...	Sexy Nurse (1 episode, 2001)
Pat Crawford Brown	...	Old Lady (1 episode, 2001)
Carl Lewis	...	Himself (1 episode, 2001)
Ivy Malone	...	Bubble Girl (1 episode, 2001)
Regis Philbin	...	Himself (1 episode, 2001)
USC Trojan Marching Band	...	Themselves (1 episode, 2001)
Michael Munoz	...	Jack (1 episode)
Marq Piocos	...	Himself (1 episode)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

CBS Television City - 7800 Beverly Blvd., Fairfax, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

ABC Entertainment

Movie Connections:

Spin off from You Don't Know Jack! (1995) (VG)

Great idea, horrid implementation

I think this show could have worked. It might have even worked in its incarnation, with a couple of key changes. But it didn't. Why? Well, 5 reasons, really.

Reasons # 1, 2, 3 -- Paul Reubens. It seems Mr. Reubens does not know how to temper his "comedic" ability and allow others (namely, the CONTESTANTS) to share stage with him. He is loud, crude, and overly boisterous through the whole show, and completely ruins it.

Reason #4 -- Writing. The writers seemed bound and determined to turn this into a variety show rather than a game show, when they should have been trying to blend the quiz with the humour, as the video game so skillfully does. Want an example of a video game show that does this correctly? Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego. It may have been a kiddy show, but it was a very popular one for this reason.

Reason #5 -- Jack Attack. As the key element of a YDKJ! round, it should have been left EXACTLY as it is in the game. Instead, we see even more of Paul Reubens and far too crude humour.

What saddens me is the game actually has potential as a TV show. Perhaps someday we'll forget this fiasco and go about doing the show right.