The Crystal Maze US review: Adam does not ruin this Nick British import

The Crystal Maze is one of the more surprising new game shows to premiere in 2020, and Nickelodeon, while not a stranger to game shows, is not the place you'd expect this to premiere. Has Nick risen to the challenge and faithfully recreated this British classic for a new generation -- and a new nation? In addition to a review of the show, I explore the history of #TheCrystalMaze, explain the format and how the show works, and compare the UK and US versions of the show to examine how well the show has been translated across the Atlantic.
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[@benzj]

Have you checked out The Crystal Maze? If you've happened to see both the US and UK versions, how do you feel they compare? Sound off in the comments! While you're here, check out my recent review on another new Nick show, It's Pony: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJvXlop4ncutbMk And don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss more new videos every week: kzbin.info/door/_hwJhwy8K2eT8o1UeiuTKA

[@katosolomon2028]

Hey benzine Johnson have you watched infinity train season 2 yet?

[@Larry]

Fun Fact: Crystal Maze derived from Fort Boyard, they wanted to rent the place for a UK series, but it was too stormy to get there, so rebuilt sets in an old aircraft hanger. Also check out a BBC show called "The Adventure Game", sort of the early '80s version of The Crystal Maze.

[@benzj]

I happened to mention the Maze's origins toward the end of the video! Thank you for watching!

[@SanFran51]

Not to mention it was after Malcolm Heyworth sank £500,000 into the Fort Boyard...... only for the French staff to tell him the "Fort was not ready" since they were filming their first series.

[@doublecontralto818]

Hey Guru Larry, while we're on the subject of The Adventure Game, Fort Boyard, and the Crystal Maze, let us not forget about the awesomeness that was Anglia's KNIGHTMARE!

[@trainbashertalks9410]

Urm, Actually, the Fort was undergoing refurb at the time

[@Larry]

@@trainbashertalks9410 Urm, Which they couldn't continue refurbing because of the storm!

[@danielwilliamson6180]

"Hello!" Dangerous Dan here! It's time for another thrilling adventure in The Crystal Maze." The Crystal Maze was a great show.

[@daviniarobbins9298]

I had no idea there was an American version of the show until a few minutes ago.

[@doublecontralto818]

I lived in the UK in the mid/late 90's and watched reruns of the original Richard O'Brien/ Ed Tudor Pole series religiously. When I learned of the revival in 2017, I was going to get an American contingent together and petition Channel 4 to let us be their Christmas Special - sort of in the spirit of the OG series having kids play the maze for the holidays, except this time bring a bunch of Yankees over. I'm estatic we finally have our own version, my only problem is that it's on Nickelodeon and hence aimed more at kids. I'd love to see a version with adult teams, maybe on a different channel, maybe with Richard Ayoade taking the reins back from Adam?

[@conMiericonstructs]

adam conover > Richard ayoade. what were they thinking when they casted him as "What if moss were a smug pretentious asshole who makes fun of the special effects and constantly breaks the fourth wall?" You have to buy into the fantasy if you wanna host the crystal maze. ayoade dose not want to be there at all, and you can tell.

[@benzj]

I think Richard Ayoade is a pretty good host of the show; his awkwardness and meta-humor manages to fit in fairly well. Adam brings back more of the whimsy you saw from hosts of the original series. Thank you for watching this video!

[@glitchwalker5422]

I have to admit, despite being British, I really like how faithful to the original this version of the Crystal Maze is. And it's probably appropriate on Nickelodeon, as I loved this show so much as a kid.

[@Larry]

Look on KZbin for an old show called "The Adventure Game" aired on the BBC in the '80s, a lot of people consider it the precursor to the crystal maze.

[@benzj]

I happened to have watched an episode of that last year -- it definitely sets the stage conceptually for this concept as a genre of game show. Thank you for watching this video!

[@Larry]

@@benzj No worries, the adventure game is a bit dry by today's standards, but you can see the origins. I also just found on KZbin a Russain knock-off of the Crystal Maze filmed in an old shopping mall. One of the events even uses the kida adventure plat park :D

[@what_im_eatin_uk]

Between the 2 runs of The Crystal Maze a different network had been in talks to bring it back for kids. However talks broke down and they made their own show which is seen as the true successor to The Crystal Maze. Jungle Run. Below is a link to one of the later series episodes and the better games. They also have a much better final challenge than The Crystal Dome m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGjZoJl7preGprM

[@emilesanchez8126]

The Crystal Maze I not NEAR the best IT IS THE BEST I've watched I since we'll forever so you can stop with hate

[@Seal0626]

Families? That's new. The original contestants didn't meet until the day of filming.

[@benzj]

It makes sense and might help rationalize the show for the Nick audience -- they're probably trying to encourage "co-viewing". It doesn't really impact how the show works or plays, though. The UK reboot features contestants with a prior connection (coworkers, friends, et cetera) so I doubt it's much of a sticking point overall. Thank you for watching this video!

[@ericzubyk2329]

It's weird that the first challenge in the futuristic zone and the last game in the industrial zone were ALIS (Automatic Lock In Situations) in the first episode. By the way the planet challenge in the futuristic zone and the ring challenge in the Aztec Zone are also upcoming ALIS later in the season.

[@benzj]

It was a bit weird that the first game was an ALIS, but _The Crystal Maze_ is a format which, literally, needs no introductions; it won't baby you through the format by saving the ALIS for later (as one would expect). It's always been unconventional to most extents in that manner among others. Thank you for watching this video!

[@ericzubyk2329]

@@benzj Also the sacred water thing that spit out the blue water looks a bit like Olmec from Legends Of The Hidden Temple.

[@emilesanchez8126]

Adam didn't ruin it I watched the premire

[@scottharris7595]

The Crystal maze is so iconic

[@charliemanual9832]

If it’s a hour long show how are they only allowed two games per zone I know the uk does have a delayed tv to do with ads so a hour long show with out ads is about 45mins

[@johnking5174]

In the UK, a one hour TV show on Channel 4 (where the original Crystal Maze is broadcast on) actually runs to 48 minutes, as the regulator only allows 12 minutes of commercials in a one hour prime time show. In the US, a one hour show can be anywhere from 39 to 42 minutes in length. So you can see why the chose alter the game play for the US version.

[@MrStyro]

Glitch Techs trailer came out! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts about it.

[@benzj]

I'm planning to cover that soon -- stay tuned and get subscribed so you don't miss it. Thank you for watching this video!

[@MrStyro]

Benzie Johnson thanks! I’m super excited! Only 6 days left!

[@SanFran51]

Finally an American import of a British Gameshow that isn't just a lazy cash grab..... like all the others.

[@philnewton-england7795]

Fab vid - thanks for posting. I think Adam Conover is an excellent maze-master. He certainly brings that manic,lively eccentricity back to the show which was originally there with Richard O’Brien & Ed Tudorpole. Ayoade tends to play it down &, as you mentioned, doesn’t really get the viewers believing that they are visiting exciting places....just a studio in Bristol. For me, I want to be transported away from reality for an hour & go on this exciting journey through time & space. The only downside to the U.S. version is only 8 games are played per episode - we want more. All in all, Adam & ‘his’ version get a big thumbs up from me.

[@ABMultimediaDesigner]

i wish i could watch the US episodes and see how they undertake the series

[@MrStyro]

Speaking of Nickelodeon, did you known that Glitch Techs is going to appear on Netflix in February 21? Mark your calendar!

[@benzj]

It has been marked! Thank you for watching this video!

[@MrStyro]

Benzie Johnson cool! I’m going to try my very best to spread the word across the internet.

[@ericzubyk2329]

Is Glitch Techs a game show? I've never heard of it.

[@benzj]

@@ericzubyk2329 It's yet to premiere, but it is a promising animated series! I haven't talked too much about it on this channel but it's been long-delayed and needs some love when it premieres. (I misread this entire comment sorry)

[@TheCinemaSimpelton]

Great, Styro, but what does this have to do with Nickelodeon?

[@maxxpheonix8470]

Reasons?

[@katosolomon2028]

Hey benzine Johnson have you watched infinity train season 2 yet

[@benzj]

I haven't checked it out, but I have heard plenty of good things about it! Thank you for watching this video!

[@katosolomon2028]

Benzie Johnson l’m going to continue watching all of your videos

[@nick2s]

I have seen both shows. The new one does the series justice, even if it is clearly not as good. The 2 differences I like are- adding the mega crystal adds more strategy for the leader to go which is needed since the likelihood of lockins is less with fewer games done along with they tell the leader what kind of game is next instead of lying to the team in pretending they could choose what sort of game is next.

[@emilesanchez8126]

It Is good you're just mad

[@elemkay5104]

They could certainly pick the game. Richard O'Brien had an earpiece in his ear which the producers told him which door to go to. Extra camera shots inside were filmed separately on a second day of filming. Yeah I'm a Crystal Geek!

[@Mitjitsu]

@@elemkay5104 In the original series the choices in each zone were free picks, but in later seasons games were predetermined by the film crew.

[@baalfgames5318]

I had no idea that this was a British show. The show is really fun to watch, although if you ask me, Adam ironically DOES ruin this show for me. After he helped spread the made-up benefits of African trophy hunting, I cannot watch the show without wanting to flip him off all the time and shouting "Says the man who defended the legal hunting of endangered megafauna!" Every time he makes a comment about the environment. ... I've only seen him do that during the smoke and pipe grid puzzle, but still.

[@TheCinemaSimpelton]

Was the African trophy thing on Adam Ruins Everything? If so, then maybe it was all a joke! Adam is a comedian, after all!

[@baalfgames5318]

@@TheCinemaSimpelton despite him being a comedian, the info he gives on that show is supposed to be taking seriously.

[@TheCinemaSimpelton]

@@baalfgames5318 Be that as it may, shows like this still aren't meant to be taken seriously if they're hosted by comedians! Yes, Adam Ruins Everything does provide real facts, but they do it in a comedic way!

[@baalfgames5318]

@@TheCinemaSimpelton honestly, he lost any credibility with me with that one episode. I'm sure a lot of his info is true, but in my opinion, anyone who defends trophy hunting, when there are several other ways we could save those animals instead of killing the very fucking animals we are supposedly trying to save, is scum.

[@charliemanual9832]

Richer’p Brian was the best

[@Survivor1547]

The Crystal Maze isn't the only British import gamshow in the USA we also have Who Wants To Be A Millionaire both versions 1999 & 2020 verson Weakest Link Reboot hosted by Jane Lynch.

[@benzj]

You are indeed correct! Thank you for watching this video!

[@elephantgrass631]

Adam ruins everything. Even this show.

[@SanFran51]

Not to mention the fact that The Crystal Maze was produced whilst Britain was in a mild recession ending with "Black Wednesday" in 1992.