The Bullseye Story.

 I spent months in the late seventies analysing game shows, and specifically what it was that made them so successful. What was it that made them such compelling viewing to so many people, and what aspects and characteristics did they possess that created such a mass appeal amongst both men and women of all ages? Was it the attraction of winning money and glamorous star prizes, or the fun of the competition and participation? What were the strengths of game shows and how were they constructed that made them such a cornerstone of both British television and for the British viewing public? I was looking for the right components that would combine to make a new style of game show, one which had never been done before, and one which would at the same time be both dynamic and distinctive and yet natural and welcoming; one that seemed to be both brand new and yet had all the qualities of an old friend at the same time. 

I was convinced that the written format was at the heart of the show and it would be the base on which the show would be built. The format had to be strong, one which could stand the test of time, whilst being both practical and affordable and it would place the contestants at the heart of the show and the host would be the conductor, leading the way. And thus the Bullseye format was born, going on to achieve not just unparalleled success, but it would be come one of the most treasured and loved shows on British television.

The winning characteristic of Bullseye is that it is filled with elements that the public love, both in game shows and in their everyday life, and as a result it engages them in a way that no other game shows manage. The most popular game show elements are present, namely question and answer rounds, monetary and prize rewards and competition between contestants, but are combined with sports and gambling – two of the publics most cherished pastimes -  to maximize the shows fun and feel good factor and to increase the given possibilities in any given show. Whilst the contestants are the stars on the screen, the viewers feel as if they are a part of the show every bit as much and this inclusiveness is what gives Bullseye its mass appeal.

The next step was to create a half hour show around these aspects, placing the shows strength and identity at the foreground whilst ensuring it is both captivating viewing and easy to understand and play. Three teams of two would compete for money and prizes – the ‘brains’ would answer questions on general knowledge and specialist subjects whilst the other would be the darts player – and the viewers at home would be free to join in. The question and answer rounds would be particularly effective at involving the studio audience and the viewers at home and added to the shows universal appeal; the viewers at home, free from the high-pressure setting of the television studio, often proving their intellectual prowess before the on-screen contestants. The ‘throwers and the knowers’ would then have to compete against the other teams with the end of show gamble for ‘Bully’s Mystery Star Prize’ completing the shows dexterity and flexibility. The combination of these aspects would make the format instantly accessible and would lend the show an air of unpredictability were you could never predict who would win, and it would be this recipe which would make ‘the Bullseye format’ such a hit.   

The success of the format is evidenced by its longstanding success without change as Bullseye ran for 15 series over the entire ITV network in the UK from 1981 to 1995 winning a special place in the hearts of the nation and becoming a Sunday evening television institution. A sixteenth series was declined as the conditions demanded by the network were unacceptable and would not have been in the interests of either Bullseye or its fans yet the show has lost none of its appeal or status.

The shows popularity remains undiminished and Bullseye has achieved an unbroken run on television for 25 years attracting audiences of over 19 million viewers. Repeats on Challenge TV in the UK continue to prove the shows unwavering appeal which extends much further than its cult status, and its reputation as an unbeatable family show was to grow with the turn of the millennium.

In the spring of 2006, Granada Productions produced a new series of Bullseye for Challenge TV presented by Dave Spikey (of Phoenix Night’s fame) and co-host and referee Tony Green. The shows format remains the same and the series went on the break all Challenge TV viewing figures illustrating Bullseye’s continued and deserved place as the king of British game shows and cementing its iconic status and eternal popularity with the Great British public.

Andrew Wood

July 2006

Remember, you can’t beat a bit of ‘Bully’.